Today we dug into the periodic table and reviewed the parts of an atom. We learned how to use the information on the periodic table to determine how many protons, neutrons and electrons were in different atoms. We also learned how to identify an elements name by looking at the number of protons.
This information can be found in chapter Five of the Introduction to Matter book, which is available online--see my website for the online textbook.
Showing posts with label 8th Grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8th Grade. Show all posts
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friday, April 18, 2008
April 10th-21 Earthquake project
We have been hard at work completing our earthquake webquest. We should be finishing up the last part of it towards the middle of next week. Please go to my homepage and download the webquest for further details. http://www.freewebs.com/extremescience/
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
April 8-9 Earthquakes continued
Today we read the last section of chapter 5 'Earthquakes' then worked on our webquest. Each group should be finishing up with task 1 and 2 at this point in time.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
April 2nd-3rd: Starting Earthquake webquest
Today in class we began to work on our earthquake webquest. We'll be researching the causes of earthquakes, how they are measured and how we build structures that can survive them. We'll also learn about some of the world's major earthquakes.
A copy of the webquest can be found on my webpage in the 8th grade homework section
A copy of the webquest can be found on my webpage in the 8th grade homework section
Monday, March 31, 2008
March 31st-April 1st--Shake it, Don't Break it!
Welcome back from Spring Break!
We have a busy month ahead of us--the marking period ends in 2 weeks, and the NJ ASK 8 tests are at the end of the month.
Today in class we started our unit on Earthquakes. We will be doing several projects--check the homework page on my website to download the Thompson earthquake webquest document. It is the guide for this unit.
We have a busy month ahead of us--the marking period ends in 2 weeks, and the NJ ASK 8 tests are at the end of the month.
Today in class we started our unit on Earthquakes. We will be doing several projects--check the homework page on my website to download the Thompson earthquake webquest document. It is the guide for this unit.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
March 19-20 Nobody's fault but mine
Quick Recap
March 17-18: We created a foldable that showed the different layers of the earth according to composition (crust, mantle and core) and physical properties (lithosphere, aesthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core). We then watched a demonstration of a geyser, and also looked at a non newtonian fluid--a material that acts like the plastic mantle.
March 19-20: We took some notes on the different types of faults (normal, reverse, strike-slip) and then completed the lab on page 110. In the lab we used playdough to recreate mountains folding during compression, then we showed both normal and reverse faults.
March 17-18: We created a foldable that showed the different layers of the earth according to composition (crust, mantle and core) and physical properties (lithosphere, aesthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core). We then watched a demonstration of a geyser, and also looked at a non newtonian fluid--a material that acts like the plastic mantle.
March 19-20: We took some notes on the different types of faults (normal, reverse, strike-slip) and then completed the lab on page 110. In the lab we used playdough to recreate mountains folding during compression, then we showed both normal and reverse faults.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
March 13/14 Test Today
Today we reviewed and then took our test on the rock and fossil record. Students that finished early got a jump on the reading for the next chapter.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
March 11-12 Geologic time travels
Today we discussed the concept of geologic time--time measured in major changes in the Earth's history.
We read about the 4 eons, then created mnemonics to remember their names. We also used mnemonics to remember the eras in the Phanerozoic eon. See pages 73-77 if you missed today's class.
We finished up by watching a brainpop movie on geologic time, and another on radiometric dating.
Don't forget--test on chapter 3 next class!
We read about the 4 eons, then created mnemonics to remember their names. We also used mnemonics to remember the eras in the Phanerozoic eon. See pages 73-77 if you missed today's class.
We finished up by watching a brainpop movie on geologic time, and another on radiometric dating.
Don't forget--test on chapter 3 next class!
Friday, March 7, 2008
March 7-10 Stratigraphy
Today in class we finished up our 'do you stack up' labs on the geologic column and then we worked on figuring out stratigraphic puzzles. We announced that the next test will be next thursday/friday--please check the main website for the study guide.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
March 5 Fire and Ice
Today in class we took a break from Earth Science and went on an in class field trip. We experimented with dry ice and reviewed the concepts of pressure, density, sublimation, solids, liquids and gases, combustion and other things.
We froze a gummi worm and then shattered it. we froze a super ball and saw how it no longer bounced. We played with carbon dioxide soap bubbles, blew up balloons, launched film cannister rockets and generally had a good time.
As an added bonus--no Homework!
We froze a gummi worm and then shattered it. we froze a super ball and saw how it no longer bounced. We played with carbon dioxide soap bubbles, blew up balloons, launched film cannister rockets and generally had a good time.
As an added bonus--no Homework!
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 3/4 relative dating
We reviewed our easy bake oven grades then looked at how geologists use layers to decide which parts of the earth are older or younger. Today's class followed closely the information listed on pages 59-63 so if you missed today's class please review these pages.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Feb 28-29 Easy bake fossil bake off
Today we completed our homemade ovens and proceded to create our fossil cookies--No homework this evening. If you missed this class please review chapter 3 pages 68 to 70.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Feb 26-27 This will go down on your Fossil Record
Post snow day we created the worlds first (well Thompson's first) xerox paper box oven and verified that yes, we can bake cookies in class with a lightbulb and some Aluminum foil. We also did some research on the various types of fossils--and we passed around a coprolite fossil--much to the chagrin of most students once they realized what it was.
We also briefly discussed two theories on the changing earth--Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism.
Homework is to read pages 56-58 and to do the section review questions on page 58
We also briefly discussed two theories on the changing earth--Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism.
Homework is to read pages 56-58 and to do the section review questions on page 58
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Feb 14 Igneous Rocks
Today was a 40 minute class due to yesterday's Diversity day schedule.
We discussed briefly that one of the features of igneous rocks is their crystal size. We also said that if the rock cooled quickly--like lave falling into the ocean or bursting up on land--then the crystals did not have time to get very large. If the magma cooled slowly then the crystals did have time to grow larger before the rock solidified.
We followed this up with a lab--we dissolved Magnesium Sulfate into distilled water and then allowed crystals to form both rapidly and slowly. We will review our results during the next class.
Our homework was to read pages 33-36 and complete the three section review questions on page 36.
We discussed briefly that one of the features of igneous rocks is their crystal size. We also said that if the rock cooled quickly--like lave falling into the ocean or bursting up on land--then the crystals did not have time to get very large. If the magma cooled slowly then the crystals did have time to grow larger before the rock solidified.
We followed this up with a lab--we dissolved Magnesium Sulfate into distilled water and then allowed crystals to form both rapidly and slowly. We will review our results during the next class.
Our homework was to read pages 33-36 and complete the three section review questions on page 36.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Feb 8/11 The rock cycle continued
Today we reviewed the rock cycle, then took a quiz on it.
After the quiz we completed a lab that modelled the rock cycle. We used chocolate chips to model the effects of erosion, deposition, cementation, melting and cooling and heat and pressure on rocks.
Our homework was to complete the lab handout.
After the quiz we completed a lab that modelled the rock cycle. We used chocolate chips to model the effects of erosion, deposition, cementation, melting and cooling and heat and pressure on rocks.
Our homework was to complete the lab handout.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Feb 6-7 What is a Rock?
No, it isn't a country we went to war against.
Today we worked on understanding the rock cycle. We discussed classifying rocks into igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based upon how they were formed.
These formation processes were;
Today we worked on understanding the rock cycle. We discussed classifying rocks into igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based upon how they were formed.
These formation processes were;
- Melting and Cooling-for igneous rocks
- Being subjected to heat and pressure-for metamorphic rocks
- Rocks turning into sediment via erosion and weathering, then being cemented together--for sedimentary rocks.
We drew the rock cycle from memory--several times.
At the end of class we took time to observe rock samples from each of the three categories.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Feb 1-4 Mineral Detectives
Today in class we reviewed mineral properties then took a quiz (similar to the online quiz given as homework the previous class), and finally completed a lab named mineral detectives.
To complete the lab we were given 10-12 mineral samples, a flowchart and some tools such as streak plates, glass slides, sandpaper and Hydrochloric acid. By using the properties of minerals we were able to identify each sample.
We also took notes on metamorphic rock and the differences between surface and deep mining.
This ends chapter 1.
There was no homework assigned today.
To complete the lab we were given 10-12 mineral samples, a flowchart and some tools such as streak plates, glass slides, sandpaper and Hydrochloric acid. By using the properties of minerals we were able to identify each sample.
We also took notes on metamorphic rock and the differences between surface and deep mining.
This ends chapter 1.
There was no homework assigned today.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Jan 30-31 Identifying Minerals
8th Grade
Today's theme was identifying minerals using physical characteristics.
Today in class we went over the difference between fracture and cleavage in minerals. Following this brief discussion (and a story about a meat cleaver) we broke into groups and went through six stations that demonstrated each physical characteristic used to ID minerals.
We touched on smell, taste, feel, chemical reactivity, radioactivity, optical properties, density, hardness, color, luster, magnetism and fluorescence.
If you missed this class please review pages 8-11 in our Inside the Restless Earth textbook
Today's theme was identifying minerals using physical characteristics.
Today in class we went over the difference between fracture and cleavage in minerals. Following this brief discussion (and a story about a meat cleaver) we broke into groups and went through six stations that demonstrated each physical characteristic used to ID minerals.
We touched on smell, taste, feel, chemical reactivity, radioactivity, optical properties, density, hardness, color, luster, magnetism and fluorescence.
If you missed this class please review pages 8-11 in our Inside the Restless Earth textbook
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)