Friday, 31 October, 2008

Using information from internet access and science fair books,
Students should be able to:
-choose a science fair project and write a science fair plan.

Students received a letter stating that the $5.00 science fees will be collected during the week of November 10. A copy of the letter can be found at the top of this blog.

Students also reviewed the interim assessment exam from the district.

Students saw a brief Brainpop movie on Science Fair Projects.

Students spent the remainder of the class period researching and writing their science fair plans.

Plans are due by Monday.

Wednesday/Thursday, 29/30 October, 2008

Using information from past lessons,
Students should be able to:
take the district interim assessment.

Students are taking the district interim assessment exam today and tomorrow.

On Wednesday, the do now was to update our Cornell notes: write 3 Costa's questions, one from each level, being sure to use highlighters to coordinate questions with answers and write a 20 word "GIST" to summarize the notes on energy.

Students also turned in and reviewed HL #1.

The remainder of the class period was spent working on the assessment.

On Thursday, there will be no do now. We will complete the assessment.

Because of the assessment, the science fair plans are now due on Friday, 31 October.

Tuesday, 28 October, 2008

Using information from videos from the internet, internet access, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-compare and contrast kinetic and potential energy.
-name different types of energy
-begin researching science fair projects.

The do now was a quick write: List as many types of energy as you can think of.

Students received HL #1, which can be found at the top of this blog. Be sure to follow the directions carefully.

Students then watched Brainpop movies on potential and kinetic energy, if they had not done so.

Students also watched (and took notes) on forms of energy and energy sources.

Students began choosing science fair projects. Remember, no projects using human subjects or vertebrates of any kind. No volcanoes. All projects must be experimental hands-on projects, no research only projects.


The science fair plan is due in class on Thursday, except periods 4 and 5, whose plans are due on Friday.

Monday, 27 October, 2008

Place this sheet on page two of your interactive notebook. Place it as close to the bottom of the page as you can. This page is used to record due dates and grades for assignments other than home learning and notebook checks, such as exams, quizzes, articles, projects, etc.


Place this sheet on page two of your interactive notebook. Place it over the bottom sheet, being sure you can lift and see the entire bottom sheet. This sheet is used to record home learning and notebook check due dates and grades.


This is the new adult input page. Paste it directly over the old sheet.


This is your science fair planning sheet. It is due on Thursday. Use the sheets below as a guide to filling out your plan.



Use these two sheets to determine how to complete your science fair plan. Do NOT use one of the projects listed. Do your own, using the sheets as a guide.


This is the rubrics by which you will be graded. Be sure to follow all the directions.


This sheet gives you directions for what belongs on/in your board/log book and how/where to place the items.


This sheet is to be completed and attached to your science fair board prior to submitting it on December 1.

Using information from videos from the internet, internet access, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-compare and contrast kinetic and potential energy.
-name different types of energy
-begin researching science fair projects.

The do now was to make KWL chart on energy.

Students then updated their interactive notebooks. Put a new adult input page on page H (just paste over the old one). Also, put the HL/notebook check log and the assignment log on page 2. Place the assignment log on the bottom (as close to the bottom as possible). Place the HL/notebook check log at the top so that it can be lifted to see the assignment log.

Students then watched Brainpop movies on potential and kinetic energy.

Students individually watched (and took notes) on forms of energy and energy sources.

Time permitting, students began choosing science fair projects.

Any work not done today will be completed tomorrow.

All handouts (science fair, notebook pages) can be found at the top of this blog.

The science fair plan is due in class on Thursday.

Thursday, 23 October, 2008

Using information from the novel "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo" and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-read a novel to discover scientific facts.
-use the scientific process to solve a mystery.

The do now was a quick write: Write to summarize what has happened in the novel thus far.

Students continued working on the book report form for this novel. It can be found at the top of yesterday's blog. Use blue/black ink or pencil to answer the questions. Be sure to write using complete sentences.

If you wish to hear the novel read, please visit the blog from Monday, 20 October for the directions to download the pdocast on iTunes or listen to it at Dr. Gayden's Science Zone.

The book report form is due today. There will be no late papers accepted, as today ends the grading period.

Wednesday, 22 October, 2008

This is Book Report 1. Be sure to use complete sentences to answer the questions. Use blue/black ink or pencil.

Using information from the novel "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo" and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-read a novel to discover scientific facts.
-use the scientific process to solve a mystery.

The do now was a quick write: Write to summarize what has happened in the novel thus far.

Students reviewed article 4 and exam 2.

Students received the book report form for this novel. It can be found at the top of this blog. Use blue/black ink or pencil to answer the questions. Be sure to write using complete sentences.

Students spent the remainder of the class period reading from the novel. If you wish to hear the novel read, please visit the blog from Monday, 20 October for the directions to download the pdocast on iTunes or listen to it at Dr. Gayden's Science Zone.

The book report form is due on Thursdays. There will be no late papers accepted, as Thursday ends the grading period.

Tuesday, 21 October, 2008

This is article 4. Use blue/black ink or pencil. Write using complete sentences. Follow the directions for the "GIST".

Using information from the novel "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo" and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-read a novel to discover scientific facts.
-use the scientific process to solve a mystery.

The do now was a quick write: Write to summarize what has happened in the novel thus far.

Students received Article 4, entitled The Particle Zoo. It can be found at the top of this blog. Use blue/black ink or pencil to answer the questions. Be sure to write using complete sentences. For the "GIST", write only one word per blank. Write across, not down. Do NOT begin...This article is about or The author's purpose is...or The main idea is.

Students spent the remainder of the class period reading from the novel. If you wish to hear the novel read, please visit the blog from Monday, 20 October for the directions to download the pdocast on iTunes or listen to it at Dr. Gayden's Science Zone.

Remember, both Exam 2 AND the article are due in class tomorrow.

Monday, 20 October, 2008

These are the exam questions. Be sure to write your answers here so that we can check them in class!


This is the answer sheet. Use blue or black ink or pencil. Be sure to show your work for the problem solving. Also, use complete sentences to answer the writing question. Include examples.

Using information from the novel "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo" and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-read a novel to discover scientific facts.
-use the scientific process to solve a mystery,

Students reviewed their interactive notebooks prior to submitting for a grade to see if all Cornell notes were updated and complete and that all handouts were included. Notebooks were collected and graded.

Students received Exam 2 on The Nature of Matter. The exam is due in class on Wednesday. You can find the exam and answer sheet at the top of this blog.

The remainder of the class was spent reading the novel "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo". Students will receive the book report form on Wednesday. If you were absent, visit the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone site (drgcdms.podomatic.com), scroll down to the following posts to hear the chapters:

Chapter 1-Friday/Monday; 18/21 August, 2006
Chapter 2-Tuesday/Wednesday; 22/23 August, 2006
Chapter 3-28,31 August, Monday and Thursday
Chapter 4-Water Clues
Chapter 5-Map Clues
Chapter 6-Complications
Chapter 7-The Red Feather
Chapter 8-The Word of Sherlock Holmes
Chapter 9-Resolved

If you prefer, you can visit iTunes, go to the store, click on podcasts, search for Dr. Gayden, and download the podcast to listen to on your mp3 player. The service is free.

Friday, 17 October, 2008

Using information from internet access, virtual laboratory activities, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe the periodic table of elements and use it to find information about elements.
-compare selected elements from the periodic table.
- explore families and periods on the periodic table.
-draw electron dot diagrams of elements.

The do now was to write three Costa's levels of questioning for the notes on the periodic table. You should write one question from each level. Be sure to use highlighters to coordinate the question in the left column to the answer in the notes section. In addition, write a 20 word "GIST" that summarizes the information in the notes.

Students reviewed HL 19 and 20, except period 4, who received the handouts today. If a student from period 4 was absent today, you can find the handouts at the top of the blog labeled, Thursday, 16 October, 2008.

Some classes watched the Brainpop movie on the periodic table. Classes that did not complete the GIZMO activity on Element Builder did so, and took the assessment at the end for quiz 7. Period 4 has yet to do this activity.

Students also took quiz 8 on the periodic table, using the CPS system.

Any remaining class time was used reviewing the periodic table. You can visit the site listed below for additional practice at home: http://education.jlab.org/elementmath/index.html

Be sure to do all available questions, uncheck nucleons, and round off the atomic mass (check yes).

The home learning is to prepare the interactive notebook (table of contents, all notes on atoms and the periodic table complete, including questions, summary and color coordination), all pages in notebook correct, and adult input completed).

Thursday, 16 October, 2008

This is HL #19. Answers only on loose leaf paper, properly headed, blue/black ink or pencil.


This is HL #20. Answers only on loose leaf paper, properly headed, blue/black ink or pencil.

Using information from internet access, virtual laboratory activities, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe the periodic table of elements and use it to find information about elements.
-compare selected elements from the periodic table.
- explore families and periods on the periodic table.
-draw electron dot diagrams of elements.

The do now was an FCAT question:


Students received HL 19 and HL 20, which can be found at the top of this blog. Be sure to do them on separate loose leaf pages.

We watched a BrainPop movie on the periodic table and then took notes:

The Atom

-the smallest part of an element with all the characteristics of that element
-are too small to be seen
-are made of smaller particles

-has a nucleus, which contains positive protons and non-charged neutrons
-the nucleus makes up most of the mass of the atom

-the negative electrons circle the nucleus in energy levels or orbits

-atomic number = number of protons

-atomic mass=number of protons + number of neutrons

-ionic charge=number of protons + number of electrons

The Periodic Table

-organized like a big grid. The elements are placed in specific places because of the way they look and act.

-Each of the rows is considered to be a different period. In the periodic table, elements have something in common if they are in the same row. All of the elements in a period have the same number of atomic orbitals.

- When a column goes from top to bottom, it's called a group. The elements in a group have the same number of electrons in their outer orbital.

We then completed Lab 6 on Atoms and the Periodic Table. The GIZMO assessment at the end of the lab will serve as quiz 7.

Home learnings 19 and 20 can be found at the top of this blog.

*Note* All classes did not finish all objectives. Those classes that need to finish the lab, take the quiz, view the BrainPop movie, and/or take notes will do so next class meeting.

Wednesday, 15 October, 2008

You will use these sheets to complete the virtual lab activity. Use pencil for all data. Please use elements 1-10 from the Periodic Table.

Using information from internet access, virtual laboratory activities, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe the periodic table of elements and use it to find information about elements.
-compare selected elements from the periodic table.
- explore families and periods on the periodic table.

The do now was to write one Costa's leveled question from each level for the notes on atoms, including color coding the answer. Also, students wrote a 20 word "GIST" to summarize the notes in the proper sections of the Cornell notes.

Students reviewed HL 17 and 18.

The remainder of the period was spent learning about atoms and the periodic table with Lab 6. Absent students should print out the lab sheets above (instead of hypothesis, write the problem). Also, there is no need to do any of question 2 (a-e can be left blank).

The lab requires you have your explorelearning user name and password. E-mail me for them if you have lost or forgotten them (DrGCDMS@dadeschools.net).

Go to Dr. Gayden's Science Zone (drgcdms.podomatic.com) for further instructions.

Be sure to do the assessment at the end of the GIZMO activity Element Builder, as it will serve as quiz 7. Click check your answers to submit your score.

There is no nightly HL today.

Tuesday, 14 October, 2008

This is HL #17. Head your loose leaf paper correctly, use blue or black ink or pencil, place your heading in the proper place, and number your paper correctly. Place ANSWERS ONLY on your paper.


This is HL #18. Head your loose leaf paper correctly, use blue or black ink or pencil, place your heading in the proper place, and number your paper correctly. Place ANSWERS ONLY on your paper.

Using information from internet access and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe the parts of an atom.
-illustrate a typical atom.

The do now was to make a KWL chart about atoms.

Students received their notebooks. They also received HL #17 and HL #18, to be done on SEPARATE sheets of loose leaf paper, headed correctly. They can be found at the top of this blog.

Students watched Brainpop movies on atoms and atomic models.

They then visited the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone and followed the instructions and links to notes on atoms, which they read and placed in their interactive notbooks.

Monday, 13 October, 2008

Using information from laboratory activities and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-rank objects based calculate the density of objects.
-recognize that objects of the same size (volume) may have different masses, hence have different densities.
-rank objects based on their densities.

After collecting notebooks and the projects, students immediately began the lab on density. Students used the entire period to complete the lab. Absent students should print out the lab sheets above, go to the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone site (drgcdms.podomatic.com), and click on the link for Monday, 13 October, 2008 to do the make-up lab. You MUST have your user name and password for GIZMO explorelearning to log in. If you do not have the username/password or have lost your username/password, email me for the information at: DrGCDMS@dadeschools.net.

There is no home learning assignment.

Friday, 10 October, 2008

Here are the directions/rubrics for the Florida Temperature and Climate project. Read carefully and follow directions.





These are the data pages (pages 3, 4 and 5). Use pencil to fill them in and make the graphs. Be sure to use a legend to differentiate between Homestead and Marianna when making your double bar graphs.


Using information from internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-use real time data sites.
-research the Florida Temperature and Climate Project.

I hope everyone enjoyed their day off yesterday, due to teacher work day. So, back to work....

The do now was to use the equation triangle on the board to review HL 16 on density...
Here is the triangle. Remember:
To find density, D, use mass divided by volume (m/D)
To find mass, m use density times volume (Dxv)
To find volume, v, use mass/density (m/D)


Home learning was then collected and reviewed.

The remainder of the class period was used researching the project Florida Climate and Temperature, which is due in class on Monday. You can find the data pages, as well as the explanation pages and the grading rubrics at the top of this blog. The paper is to be written in blue or black ink only, on loose leaf paper, on the front only. See the directions on the explanation page for typing directions.

Also, notebooks will be checked. Be sure all pages are updated, and that the adult input page has been signed, with the adult writing what was learned about density (after YOU taught it to him/her!)

Wednesday, 8 October, 2008

This is HL #16. Copy the chart (blue or black ink or pencil) and complete. Be sure to write on loose leaf paper and head your paper correctly.



These pages explain your project of Florida Climate and Temperature. Use them to determine the information to be included in the project pages.

Using information from internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-use real time data sites.
-research the Florida Temperature and Climate Project.

The do now was to write a level one, a level two, and a level three Costa Quality question for the density notes of 10/7. Students should remember to color coordinate their questions with their answers. Students should also write a 20 word "GIST" to summarize the notes.

Students reviewed HL 15 and article 2.

Students then received HL 16, which can be found at the top of this blog. Be sure to copy the chart (place the heading, Density Problems in the proper place.) Use the information to complete the chart.

Students took a quiz on density.

Students spent the remainder of the period researching the Climate Project. Visit the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone site 9drgcdms.podomatic.com for links and more information.

If you misplaced your directions, you can find them at the top of this blog.

Tuesday, 7 October, 2008

HL # 15 Density

Answers only on loose leaf paper (properly headed). Be sure heading is on right hand side. Be sure to write the title (Density) in the proper place. Be sure to use blue or black ink or pencil.

1. A block has a mass of 10 g and a volume of 5 mL. What is the density?

2. A bottle of Coke has a density of 4 g/mL. It has a mass of 480 g. How many mL are in the bottle?

3. An object has a mass of 250 g and a volume of 50 mL. What is the density?

4. A bracelet has a volume of 5 mL and a density of 19.3 g/mL. What is its mass?

5. A ball has a mass of 27 g and a volume of 3 mL. What is its density?
NOTE: THIS IS HL #15. IT IS NOT AN IMAGE. HEAD YOUR PAPER AS INSTRUCTED AND ANSWER EACH QUESTION ACCORDINGLY.




This is Article 3. Turn in only the answer sheet. Follow the directions listed in the body of this blog.

Using information from movies from the internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-calculate density.
-state that density is the amount of matter in an object per unit of volume.

The do now was a quick write. Students were asked to write for 3 minutes on: What is density?

Students submitted short story one. They also received HL #15 and article 3 on Plastics in our World. Both assignments are due tomorrow and can be found at the top of the blog.

For the article, please write using complete sentences for #1-3. Use blue or black ink or pencil. For #4, write across, as you would a sentence. Only one word per blank. DO NOT begin...This article is about or The author's point is... Simply write one word per blank explaining the authors purpose, main idea, or summarizing the article.

HL#15 is found at the top of this blog.

Students then viewed a Brainpop movie on Measuring Matter.

They then took notes, which can be found below:
Density Notes

Density is a property of matter that is unique to each substance. It is a measure of the mass of the substance in a standard unit of volume.

Mass is the amount of matter in an object.
Weight is dependent on gravity.

Volume is the amount of space an object occupies.

Density is calculated:
D=mass/volume or D=g/cm3
Or D=g/mL
Also
Mass= volume x Density

Volume = mass

Students then practiced solving density problems using the CPS system.

Monday, 6 October, 2008

These are the lab sheets for the virtual lab, found at Dr. Gayden's Science Zone for all students who were absent. Print out the sheets, go to the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone site, and click the link to do the make-up lab. Remember, all data should be in pencil.

Using information from laboratory experiments and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-hypothesize, experiment, analyze data, and draw conclusions from an experiment.
-recognize factors that indicate a chemical change has occurred.

Students turned in their written reports and received their interactive notebooks. The next notebook check will be Friday. ALL pages should be up to date and correct.

Students spent the remainder of the class period doing Lab 4 on Chemical Changes.

For those students who were absent, print out the handouts found at the top of this blog, and then go to Dr. Gayden's Science Zone (drgcdms.podomatic.com) site for Monday, 6 October, 2008. Click the link to enter the lab. Copy the chart from the tablet icon into the data section. Complete the lab paper with the information from the site.

If you WERE in class, but left early, use the information below to complete the lab sheet. The sheet is due in class tomorrow.

Table 1: Before Mixing
Sodium bicarbonate was white, solid, and powdery
Calcium chloride was white, solid, and round spheres
Phenol red was liquid, red

Table 2: After Mixing
Sodium bicarbonate and phenol red mixture became cold to the touch
Calcium chloride and phenol red mixture became hot to the touch

Table 3: After Combining
Gas formed, the bag inflated, the contents changed to a yellow color, and a smell was produced

Conclusions and Analysis can be answered by examining the problem, hypothesis, and data section of the lab sheet.

Don't forget, your short story on matter is due on Tuesday, 7 October.

Friday, 3 October, 2008

Using information from the internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe type of energy.
- identify energy types in Florida

Students returned and reviewed HL as the do now. Students also submitted notebooks for grading. Remember, all notebooks MUST have all pages correct and in order; page numbers should be written; all notes should be in Cornell formation, including color coordination of Costa's questions with answers and summaries at the bottom of each page; adult input must be signed for the week's topics.

The remainder of the class was spent researching for the written report: Energy Sources in Florida, which is due on Monday.

You can find the template of how to construct the booklet, along with sentence frames at the top of this blog. Remember, visit Dr. Gayden's Science Zone (drgcdms.podomatic.com Thursday, 2 October, 2008) for links to help you find the information.

The rubrics/instructions can be found in the blog dated Thursday, 2 October, 2008.

Thursday, 2 October, 2008

Using information from the internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe type of energy.
- identify energy types in Florida.

The do now was to write 3 quality questions based on yesterday's notes. Students shared their responses.

Students received HL #3 and HL 14. HL 13 can be found at the top of the list.
HL #14 is as follows:
Write physical change or chemical change in the blank after each example to tell what kind of change each example is.
a. spoiled food-
b. sublimation-
c. making wood into furniture
d. fireworks exploding
e. Bending metal sheets.

Be prepared to have notebooks collected.

The remainder of the class was spent researching the written report: Energy Sources in Florida. The flip book will be distributed Friday in class. The report is to be written in blue or black ink only. See the instruction page below for more detailed directions.



You can find all the information you need by clicking on the links found under the appropriate headings on the Dr. Gayden's Science Zone site: drgcdms.podomatic.com Be sure to look under the podcast entitled Thursday, 2 October, 2008

Wednesday, 1 October, 2008

This is the safety contract. Please sign, have your parents sign, and bring back to class.



Follow the printed directions for short story. Please adhere to the deadlines and directions.

Using information from textbooks, movies from the internet, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-describe the properties of matter.
-differentiate between physical and chemical changes.

The do now was a reciprocal teaching exercise: students wrote 3 questions from Monday's notes, making sure that at least one question came from each level of Costa's questions. Students were also asked to summarize that days notes using a 20 word "GIST".

Home learnings 11 and 12 were collected and reviewed. Students also submitted their GEEK cards, which will be accepted tomorrow, but with a letter grade penalty.

Students received SS#1, which can be found at the top of this blog. The story is due on October 7.

We then watched Brainpop movies on matter changing states and property changes.

Students also received safety contracts. Students are reminded that for Friday's lab, you MUST have a contract on file and you MUST have safety goggles.

The remainder of the notes can be found below.


Be sure that your notebook is updated for a notebook check on Friday. Teach your parents/guardians about chemical changes.