Investigative Lab

Today we wrote up our investigative plan to test the question: "How does the volume of the wood affect it's density?"  Students were to write their hypothesis about what they think would happen, identify variables and write a procedure on how to test the question.  Once complete, if time allowed, they began the lab.

Investigative Plan Paper: Wood Density Lab

Quiz Day and More.....

Today was quiz day.  Overall, the scores were pretty good.  I should have all of them posted shortly!  After the quiz, we reviewed procedure writing and allowed students to work with a partner in order to dust off their brains when it comes to writing procedures.  We will look at the procedures tomorrow as a class and identify variables as well as things students did well and things they can improve on.  

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Thumb Wars!

Thumb wars were happening in Room 202 today.  These thumb wars happened after identifying variables and writing a hypothesis based on the investigative question: How does the size of the wrist affect the ability to win a thumb war?

Wrist sizes were taken, thumb circumference and thumb length were also.  Boys competed against boys, girls against girls.  Data was taken and winners were determined!  Tomorrow we will graph the data and discuss some experimental errors that took place as well.  

Tonight is Back to School Night 6:30-8:00pm.  Hope to see you all here.  

Note:  There will NOT be a quiz tomorrow.  It will probably be on Monday.  

Hypothesis Review

Today in class we corrected our homework from yesterday and then reviewed the proper format for writing a hypothesis.  The proper format is: If the manipulated variable increases/decreases then the responding variable increases/decreases/stays the same because (logical reason).

Students will also need to write investigative questions in the proper format.  The proper format is:
How does the manipulated variable affect the responding variable?

Lastly, we watched the Scientific Method Video

Homework is below:

Hypothesis Practice

Variables: A Review

Today in class, we began by correcting their textbook Scavenger Hunt assignment, then we revisted what variables are.  In addition, we learned different terms that mean the same thing.  The three variables that students will be responsible for are manipulated, responding and controlled variables.  The two terms that they also learned and need to be able to interchange are independent variable=manipulated variable as well as dependent variable=responding variable.  
I love to show videos by the science teacher, Mr. Edmonds on YouTube.  I think that he does a great job helping use music to remember concepts.  Students were also assigned homework!  It is due tomorrow!

Identifying Variables Practice