Science Classroom Connection

Students will learn about the process of how to determine density based on the variables of mass and volume as they will explore the process of finding out the volume of different small objects.

This class is considered to be an elective for those students interested in a broadcasting program.  It will continue to adhere to authentic student learning experiences as it relates to producing multi-media communications to promote our School Improvement Plan Goals, and PBIS Matrix.  This class represents our diverse learning community at                 O.L. Smith Middle School – with peer-to-peer respect, tolerance and responsible as a main focus.

The emphasis will be on providing a functional simulation of real world experiences, driven by students, to complete tasks under our four main media distributions (live television, monitor slides, print, and video production when possible).

Source: Ms. C. Mohacsi,  ASD Program

I hope that your summer has been restful and enjoyable as we embark on our eighth grade journey to learn and explore new concepts and ideas in the coming months. Meanwhile if you are planning to come prepared on the first of the school year, here is the suggested list for school supplies for 8th graders that covers all your classes:

• 2 Boxes of tissues
• 3 Containers of disinfectant wipes
• 1 Bottle of hand sanitizer
• Good Supply of #2 Pencils
• Erasers
• Small Stapler
• White out
• Red pens (a pack of 5)
•  Colored Pencils (24)
• Markers
• Black pens
• Highlighters
• Wide ruled paper
• 6 single subject spiral notebook
• Rulers-all graphs much be drawn with a straight edge
• Crayola Dry Erase Markers/eraser
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• 2 pocket folders with prongs, one for each class (Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies)
• Math class: One HEAVY DUTY OR ULTRA DUTY, 1 1/2″ to 2”,  three-ring binder with window pane for cover sheet
• At least 8 divider tabs for binders
• Calculator- TI – 30X II S or  Ti 84 or other graphing calculator.  An investment into a good calculator can go a long way!
• Zippered Pencil pouch
• For Computer Class:  Auto or lead pencils, a plain folder with prongs and pockets,  A good set of headphones or earbuds and an 8GB (or higher) Thumb Drive

Due to the fact that the students had to be evaluated by the State through the M-STEP, this year’s final district common assessment will be based on the combination of environmental science and astronomy. Even though both areas are not directly related, students have had amble time to learn, discuss, and reinforce both topics extensively since mid-March 2015 when the previous district common assessment was held on a different topic.

With that being said, students have been highly advised to study all pertinent material in terms of their class notes and study guides (directed reading) as a means of preparation for this final common assessment. Furthermore, students have also been informed of the fact that this particular common assessment will play a key role in the cumulative tabulation of their final marks in this course known as Geoscience!

Students will be evaluated upon the various types of stars, their characteristics, and their life cycles as they relate to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

As it has become customary to prepare for the test, students are highly advised to study their study guides (directed reading) that are based on stars and its related topics, class notes, and the several questions that we have answered on the Promethean board as our means of learning this new material.

Note that as we have already mentioned in class, the characteristics on our moon will not be part of this particular test on Friday because next week, we will be having the district common assessment that will encompass not only the material learned on the topic of astronomy (stars and the moon’s features) but also the ideas that we have discussed and reinforced in environmental science that includes, among others, environmental problems and their solutions over time.

Using your annotation article on “Food Labels Reveal Sugar’s Ugly Secrets”, complete the following statements and support them by using one direct quote from the article for each.

The main idea of the article is …………………

I predict that………………..

I can picture/imagine that……………………..

This reminds me of………………..

This is like………………………..

I think that/ I believe that……………..

Answer the following questions on pp. 70-73!

1. Explain the process of nuclear fusion and give an example of it.

2. Contrast the radiative zone with the convective zone.

3. What causes the nuclei of hydrogen atoms to repel each other?

4. How is the solar magnetic field created?

5. Define the term “sunspot”. How is it created?

6. What is the relationship between sunspots and Earth’s temperature?

7. Identify the factor that tends to interrupt radio communication on Earth?

8. Define the term” solar flares” and what causes them.

Answer the attached questions in your notebook if you were absent or did not finish in class. We will go over them to make sure that you learn the material further. Remember that the book is online with the username and password for you on the blog (right side of the screen), and the textbook is called Astronomy!

Astronomy Questions PP32-37

Grade 8 Astronomy pages 18-20 Universe Characteristics

Answer the following 5 questions about the size and scale of the universe based on pages 18-20!

1. How do scientists measure the distance to a star?
2. How far away one needs to be to see our sun about the same size of other stars?
3. Contrast a redshift with a blueshift. What do we refer to this process?
4. Explain the discovery of Edwin Hubble that was based on light from most galaxies. What was his conclusion?
5. Define the term constellation on page 14.