Grade 7 Week 3: Multicellular Organisms

In previous weeks, we outlined the four characteristics of living things: order, growth, reproduction, and response. We looked at single celled organisms and wondered how they met these four characteristics. this week we begin the rest of unit C - Multicellular Organisms

Compare/Contrast single celled organisms to multicellular organisms?
How do they meet there needs and show the characteristics of living things?

This week's contract can be found here. There is only one choice for the A contract - to reseach any multicellular organism. If you want more choice come up with one of your own design. Talk to me about it.

Grade 8 Week 3: Faults

This week we move to breaks in the rock caused by plate tectonics. Last week we learned about boundaries, large divisions between Earth's plates. This week we look at the 'small' cracks and breaks that occur in the rock was these boundaries move into, away from, and slide across each other.

What happens at a fault?
Why?
Why are some faults found no where near a boundary?

This week's contract can be found here.

Grade 7 Week 2: Viruses and Protists

After last weeks look at bacteria, this week we continue to examine microscopic organisms. We do this by looking at viruses, not quite considered living things, and protists.

Compare and contrast viruses and living things?
What is a protist?
How do protists show the 4 characteristics of all living things?

A few of the microorganisms we have found.


A guide to help identify some of what we see in our water samples.

Guide to Identification of Fresh Water Microorganisms -

This weeks contract can be found here.

Grade 8 Week 2: Plate Boundaries

Last week, we took a look at plate tectonics and the inside of the Earth. With the Earth moving under our feet, literally, we now investigate what goes on when these plates meet at boundaries.

What types of boundaries are there?
What happens at each type of boundary? Why?
What formations or evidence is associated with each type of boundary?


Thanks to Mrs. Tripp for the following picture which shows the range from the tallest mountain to the deepest trench, both created by plates converging.


Source OurAmazingPlanet.com, Exploring the wonder and beauty of planet Earth through exclusive news, features and images.

This weeks contract can be found here.

Grade 7 Week 1: Single-celled Organisms

We start our unit on the diversity of living things by looking at the common cahracteristics living things share in common.

How do single-celled organisms show the characteristics of living things?
What are bacteria and where can you find them?

This weeks contract can be found here.

Grade 8 Week 1: Plate Tectonics

This week we look at plate tectonics. We will examine the layers of the Earth and how those layers create geologic change on Earth.

What are the layers of the Earth?
What are they made of?
How do we know?
What evidence is there for the theory of plate tectonics?

This weeks contract can be found here.

What is science?

Do we have to do a question of the day everyday? Why do we discuss? Why can't I just fill out worksheets from the book? How do we search for our answers?

This week should answer some of those questions. We ask what is science. The book says its the systematic study of all of nature. What does that mean?

What steps are involved in the systematic study of science?
When will we ever use this?

After this week's talks we should all know why this class runs in the steps it does each day. It's science. From the QotD problem and your hypothesis. To the research, experiments, and testing of those educated guesses. Wrapping up with your best final answer and conclusion.

Edit(9/10/10)
Here are some ideas that you have for science this year. Click the images or watch the videos for some more tips.

capture a caterpillar and watch it overtime to observe its process from a caterpillar to a butterfly

worm and fill a bucket up half way put a leaf in it then fill it up the rest of the way water the soil put the worm in and let it dig its way to the leaf

wander around outside one day and take nature photography, and each group picks what they think is their best picture, and they're printed out and posted on a board in the office or something like that, and everyone votes, and the picture with the most votes wins. And the people in the group get a Hershy bar because they won. =)

disect stuff in class because we could get a chance to learn about its vital organs and how a frog REALLY functions

go out and search for different kinds of clouds and weather paterns. We could take pictures of them and put them together on a poster and name what type of cloud it is or what weather pattern it is

What do you think? What other ideas do you have?