Today we're identifying the control, independent variable and dependent variable to an in class reading. We're going to practice our vocab on a homework assignment that involves a worksheet with many hypothetical situations that will ask the student to apply their vocab knowledge and identify parts of the problems. The key is looking at the question to identify the variable!
This assignment can be modified down to one side asking only for an illustration. Standard classes need only isolate the independent variable. Honors will be asked to name a dependent variable as well.

Week 2 started with handing back their writing samples from Friday. From our work using a logical thinking process to describe a drawing of a flamingo, we segued into the scientific method. Students were asked to create a problem that interested them or simply base it on the model of a plant used in class. Giving ownership made using the scientific method more interesting and we've been sharing these in class.
Today we used a text to define factors of an actual experiment such as manipulated and responding variables.
I have heard that Staples is out of sticky 8.5 x 11 sheets for their leaf albums but A.C. Moore and Micheals still has them. Anyone who would like to take advantage of my extra binders and sticky pages should come after school Mon. or Wed. to set one up for themselves.
There is no homework for Wed.

Today we completed our mystery box lab and applied three vocab words to different situations. This is a two step process where they need to understand and use a science term. Tomorrow they will individually be asked to explain their three vocab words as they apply to a drawing on the board.
All forms should be passed in during homeroom.
Friday is NFL day and students can participate by wearing their favorite shirts. (I believe Mr Lind mentioned this in his parent email)

While I missed my Period 3 Science class, all other classes participated in a Mystery Box Lab where groups used evidence gained from sound or feel to make an inference about what was inside each of seven "mystery boxes." This led to their predictions which they recorded in their notebooks. We then referenced a discussion in our text entitled Think Like a Scientist.
There was no homework and books were used for reference only .

Welcome back parents and students!
Today we talked a little about Life Science and a lot about classroom procedure.
We'll be exploring some of the tools of science such as the microscope, metric system, and general classroom equipment. Understanding the scientific method and how it can be applied to a logical thinking process and using inferences and evidence to substantiate answers will be used in problem solving.No books will be issued but notes and handouts should be organized and saved for assessment purposes.