Plate tectonics HOME projects

This project is centered around our unit on plate tectonics. Students will draw a project out of a bucket. The possible project themes are.... earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, Earth's layers, and or mid ocean ridges. Students will also present their project in class. Students will have until after Christmas to complete it.

* Students will make a project at home. I would encourage using house hold items and not bought kits. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT :) I'm looking for creativity.

Student will also include a 1 page written report about their project including but not limited to these questions:
* What plate boundary is responsible for the creation of your project?
* Where is a real life example located on the earth of your project?
* What kind of damage can your project create in real life?
* Write a section about how you made your project.
* What did you make it out of?Who helped you?
* How long did it take to build?

DUE FRIDAY JANUARY 7th!!!!!!

Epicenter Completion

Inquiry Structures

Students were teamed up to make a 26 inch high building that can withstand an earthquake while holding weights. Students were only allowed 70 sticks. Students began working and were proud of what they had accomplished together.

It's coming...

An earthquake is going to hit Mr. Howard's science classroom!!!! Can our structures survive? We need popsicle sticks to construct buildings to test against an earthquake. In the upcoming weeks I will bring in an earthquake machine and have the kids put their engineering creativity to the test. The more popsicle sticks we get , the better chance your child's structure will survive.

To be continued........

POPSICLE STICKS

Our sixth grade classroom is in need of Popsicle sticks for an upcoming classroom project. If you are willing to donate to our classroom please send them with your child. Thank you soooo much in advance!!!!

Technology in our classroom

With today's classroom changing, we as educators and parents need to embrace what opportunities exists to reach far beyond the classroom walls of information.
Translation-
" I told the kids today that if they bring in a note signed by their parent they can bring in their ipod touches, ipads, or kindle devices in order for research and presentations. "

These will be used for educational purposes only!!

If the students do bring their device in, I would like them to have them in their view the WHOLE time. I don't want them left here at school. I know this is a big responsibility for your child. Last year we tried this out and it worked out great.

Study questions

Here are some study questions for the test

* What are 5 agents of erosion?
* How can people slow down the process of erosion?
* What is dirt?
* What is soil?
* Why can't you see glacial erosion happening?
* Be able to identify real examples of the agents of erosion. (example- sand dunes are made by wind erosion)
* understand that erosion is a very long and slow process
* What are hoodoo's?
* What does erosion move around?
* How is a beach formed?
* How do plants slow down erosion?

SMALL ERROR

The study guide didn't load right.. Soooooooo, I am re-posting it now. We will make sure to review together before the actual test.

TEST ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!

We have a test on erosion and weathering on WED!!!!! There will be a study guide tomorrow posted here on the blog.

No Powerpoint? How about Open Office

If you don't have Microsoft PowerPoint, click on this link and download this FREE software.

No, this won't slow or hurt your computer. I have been using this everyday for 7 years. Click on the link to download your software for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Open Office

FIRST Technology Project!! DUE NOV 4th

Here are the directions:

You are to create another Power Point Presentation on Chemical & Physical Weathering.

You need-
*10-15 slides
*Include a Title slide with your name and homeroom... (this is counted as 1 of your total # of slides)
*You must have AT LEAST ONE informational slide on Dirt.... Soil.... Mud.... Sand.... Rocks.... Erosion....
*Other slides should focus on information and examples of Chemical Weathering & Physical Weathering
*Each topic should include pics and information.
*The last slide (also included in the total number) must be the source slide. This is a LIST of where you got all your information. (examples websites, books, magazines.) FROM YOUR HEAD DOES NOT COUNT!!! :)

Make sure you save it on your flash drive. And hit the save button after every slide. Have fun with it. You can bring in your flash drive OR email this assignment.

Hand it in before the 4th and you will get 10 extra credit!!!! Yuuuuummmmmy....


DUE NOVEMBER 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soil

Our next topic of study deals with soil. Do you know what is the difference between soil and dirt?

Test your knowledge here. Click on this link to practice. Scroll down the page and find the game called What's Your Soil IQ?

SOIL

Straw Rockets AND the Scientific Method

Last week our students designed their own straw rocket. The goal was to have the students create their own experiment. We worked through the scientific method and collected our data. Students were surprised at some of the data.

Ofcourse after our experiments we had a chance to challenge other rockets... I had winners in each homeroom. I took the four winners to the DQ for their reward. We all had a great time.

THIS WEEK IS MEAP!!!!!!!!! TIME TO SHOW THAT TEST WE MEAN BUSINESS!!!!

A Test WELL DONE!!

The sixth grade did such a wonderful job on our first test over the scientific method!! Great job! We will continue to use this method throughout the year..

Our First TEST!!!! Tuesday!!

I have penciled in our first test for the upcoming Tuesday. We will be having a review game on Monday. The test's focus is on the scientific method. Students need to understand what are the steps in the method. Ask them for their vocabulary cards to study. They all have these.

The Scientific Method

During this week in class the students were able to see the scientific method in class. "The Mythbusters" is a great way for the students to watch the scientific method in action. We broke down each step during class. So if you would like to have your students practice even more, have them watch Mythbusters on the television and write down the steps. We are going to have our first test next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Practice, practice, practice

Computer Assignment

Welcome to the blog and your FIRST of many computer/technology assignments. For the first assignment you are to create a powerpoint presentation about yourself. We will be creating many powerpoints throughout the year and I want to make sure you know how to do this. Here are the expectations:

* Here are the SPECIFIC slides I want you to create for credit..
* ALL slides must have a colored background and atleast one picture
* First slide is your title slide. Include your name, homeroom, and date on this 1st slide.
* Slides 2-6 should have the titles ----
- Family History (brothers, sisters, mom, dad, or guardians, any pets)
- Hobbies
- Favorite Music
- Places you'd like to visit
- Resources (make a list of where you copied your pictures from... (Yahoo, etc...)

Once you are complete raise your hand (using our signals) and I will come and check your work. After I have checked your work you may get onto any EDUCATIONAL game site. Study Island, funschool, etc...

A NEW Year!!!!

Welcome to a new year of clicking to the future. We will use this site to help us study for tests, review our lessons, and show off our work to the world!! Visit this blog often to stay updated about the current units in Mr. Howard's science class.

Stay tuned!!!!!

Vocabulary Index Cards

Here are all the vocabulary index cards we've completed this year. If you don't have them done, make your own card to study off of. You will have a final test over these AND you need to hand in ALL your cards. Below are the words:

Insanity
Anabolic Steroids
Scientific Method
Graph
erosion
soil
Physical/chemical/mechanical weathering
Weathering
The rock cycle
igneous rock
Sedimentary rock
fossil
metamorphic rock
foliated
Earth's layers
plate tectonics
transform boundary
convergent boundary
divergent boundary
tsunami
mass/weight
matter
states of matter
element
malleability
combustibility
carbon footprint
Acids/bases
Chemical Changes
Atoms
pH scale
Earth's magnetic field

Let the race begin!!!!!

Today we experimented with the molecule water.. One piece of wax paper, a race track, and a drop of water... Ready? Set.... go!!!!!
Students were also challenged to create their own track as well. Here are some of the different strategies the kids tried.

INVENTION project DUE FRIDAY May 14th!!!!

Students are working on an invention project. After showing them some infomercials, both real and fake, I challenged the kids to make their own. This will support all the technology projects we have done this year. This will be the final technology project for them. They will get 15 points EXTRA CREDIT if they hand it in on MAY 7th. Then it breaks down like this;

May 7th- 15pts extra
May 10th- 12pts extra
May 11th- 9pts extra
May 12th- 6pts extra
May 13th- 3pts extra
May 14th- Actual due date.... No extra credit, just full credit :)

Here are the guided questions and expectations:

* 1 to 2 page TYPED report on "What is problem I'm solving? How it works? Other important info?..."
* An illustrated design of the invention product
* A technology part ATLEAST ONE... Powerpoint, web page, commercial
* Classroom presentation... Sell it!!! Not actually, but give a persuasive report on your product.

Students can work with up to 3 people in the class.

Any questions let me know. Have fun!!

Study Guide for Chemical Changes

Here are the questions from the study guide we did in class (they may be out of order) :

1. What are four signs that a chemical change has taken place?
2. What are four ways to prevent a chemical change?
3. Why is the Declaration of Independence in a chamber of helium? Explain.
4. Explain what went wrong with the Hindenburg?
5. Explain what exactly happened to get the balloon to inflate during our lab.
6. How is the Statue of Liberty an example of a chemical change?
7. What is a good way to test if a rock has calcium carbonate?
8. What is an example of a substance that is combustible?
9. What is a double replacement reaction?
10. What is an ion?
11. Explain what it means when a substance is stable.
12. What does reactivity have to do with chemical substances?
13. Name four things that have chemicals in it.
14. How is rust formed?

Chemical Properties Test

We will be having our unit assessment over chemical properties on WEDNESDAY of this week. Tomorrow in class we will have a study guide session along with a hard copy. Study hard, lets start out this marking period on the top :)

Computer Assignment

In the computer lab-

* Start at Study Island. Complete the science standard Collect & Interpret Data. You are to complete 15 questions either as a test or in game mode.

* Go to www.2on.com and find our what type of animal you are. Make sure you remember what type of animal you are so you can include it in the next activity.

* Then go to the website http://www.wix.com/ and create a web page. You will need to sign in with my account name IF you don't have an e-mail. Create a website centered around the animal that you were. e-mail me your link after you save and are proud of what you've done. Remember to save!! Have fun!!!!!

Chemical Properties!!

First off, let me thank those who have gotten their powerpoint presentations in on time, that makes me.... and your parents... very happy!! :)

We have now moved into Chemical Properties. Did you know EVERYTHING is made out of chemicals?
Students will need to identify chemical changes and their properties based on the gas formation, temperature, or color change. We have just started and are going to have a lot of fun mixing chemicals!! There will be eating involved with some of the chemical mixing!!! Good stuff only.

Science Study Guide

Here is the study guide for Thursday's test

• Know 3 examples of acids and 3 examples of bases
• What is the pH scale?
• How can you identify acids/bases on the pH scale?
• What are acids? What is a base?
• Where would you find water on the pH scale?

• What is the periodic table?
• What is the atomic number stand for?
• Know the families on the periodic table?
• What are groups on the periodic table?
• What are periods on the periodic table?
• Why is Hydrogen it's own family?
• How can you identify the families on the periodic table?
• Why are elements with an atomic number higher than 92 considered unique?
• How is the periodic table organized?
  

Computer Assignment Powerpoint

You are to create a PowerPoint about different elements on the Periodic Table.

1. Select 5 elements from the P.T
2. Create a PowerPoint presentation to explain these elements you chose.
3. Find a SMALL picture of the element if it's available
   
4. Include physical properties of the element (description of what the element
   looks like, density, melting point, state of matter, metal, non-metal, hardness...etc...)
5. Include chemical properties of the element (description of how the element
   reacts with other elements such as: whether an element is corrosive,
   combustible, or flammable)
6. Include the element's group number and family name
7. Name some commonly identified molecules with this element in it. Give
   historical information:
   Who discovered it?
   Where was it discovered?
   When was it discovered?
   What are it's uses?
8. YOU NEED 3 DIFFERENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR EACH ELEMENT. iNCLUDE THE SOURCES FOR THE ELEMENT ON EACH SLIDE
   

Assignment is Due Friday March 19th

TEST March 18th

We have been learning about acids/bases and the periodic table over the course of the last month. Students have been working in labs, through brainpop, and united streaming in an effort to learn from multiple medias. It's now time to take the test and check their understanding. The test will be on March 18th, Thursday. I will post the study guide tomorrow. (I'm still recovering from the food poisoning I obtained on Tuesday. I can't stand looking at a screen for very long :)

We're going to beat up this test and show off what we know!!!!!!

Foldable Assignment

We had a science lab on Wednesday that had students testing many different chemicals using litmus paper and pH paper. Students worked in teams and collected data. We went over that data today in class and the problems that occurred with our experiment.

In today's assignment students are going to make a manual for the pH scale. Students should have a clear understanding of what the pH scale is and how to use it. The manual with be colored and full of information and steps on how to use the pH scale along with litmus paper.

Expectations:

• Students will have a clear title page (Like "The pH scale for Dummies" or something
  
• Students will have a written summary of what the manual is for; being what the pH scale is and how to use it. Also introducing acids and bases as well and what they are.
• Students will have written step by step instructions on how to use the pH scale. Within the instructions students will identify litmus paper AND pH paper.
• The last page of the manual should be a five question quiz over the information and steps in their manual.
  
• Manual must be colored, nice and neat.
  

TEST WILL BE THURSDAY!!!

NO SCHOOL!!!! Your test will be on Thursday :) Happy studying

TEST ON WEDNESDAY!!!!! STUDY GUIDE

Understand each of the following.

Law of Conservation of Mass
Mass
Matter
Weight
Atom
Subatomic Particles
Atomic Number
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
Molecules

* Understand how the particles in solids, liquids, and gases move.
* What does it take to change between the states of matter?
* Be able to draw and demonstrate what the particles in solids, liquids, and gases look like.

New Marking Period!!

We are in a new marking period, so it's important to stay up on your work!! :) Look for a new science project next week..

Computer Assignment DUE TUESDAY Jan 26th

Directions:
Open up a word document. Type your name, date, and homeroom at the top RIGHT corner. Title the document MASS & MATTER. Define the following terms IN YOUR OWN WORDS. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE. Then answer questions that follow after the terms.
Law of Conservation of Mass
Mass
Matter
Weight
Atom
Subatomic Particles
Atomic Number
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
Molecules

Describe the relative motion (movements) of the atoms or molecules in solids? ... in liquids?... in gases?

Who is Marie Curie? Describe some notable facts about her.

Plate Tectonic presentations went well

Students did a great job on their projects. I will post pictures soon. We will start another project next marking period.