MRS. CHAVA'S BLOG

JA 7A Science Schedule for Oct 26th - 30th, 2009

2009-10-25T09:25:00.001-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-5, Theory of plate tectonics. Students will learn how plates move, plate boundaries, convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries, and plate motions over time. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Students will study for the test in groups. They should study all five sections:

sec-1, Earth's interior

sec-2, Convection and the mantle

sec-3, Drifting continents

sec-4, Sea-floor spreading

sec-5, Theory of plate tectonics

Wednesday: Test on the complete chapter - Plate Tectonics.

Thursday: Discussion on ch-2, sec-1, Forces in Earth’s crust. Students will learn about the types of stress, tension, compression, and shearing, kinds of faults, changing Earth’s surface, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Students will watch videos to visually watch and learn how the stress in the Earth’s crust can cause various changes on the surface of the Earth.

Chemistry Schedule for Oct 26th - 30th, 2009

2009-10-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Monday: Students will work on sec-8.3, Classifying reactions. We will discuss about double-displacement reactions, precipitation reactions, acid-base reactions, single-replacement reactions, combustion, synthesis, and decomposition reactions. Do the section review for homework.

Tuesday: Students will work on a lab – colorful precipitates. Next, they will work on ch-8 chapter assessment.

Wednesday: Test on ch-8, Reactions in aqueous solutions.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-6.1, Atoms and moles. Students will learn counting by weighing, calculating atomic masses, defining the mole and calculating it, Avogadro’s number, etc. They will work on numerous problems during class. Do the section review for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-6.2, Molar mass and percent composition.

Physical Science schedule for Oct 26th - 30th, 2009

2009-10-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-6.4, Structure of Metals. Students will learn about metallic bonds, properties of metals, alloys, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Students will work on a consumer lab – Improving the dyeing of nonpolar fabrics.

Wednesday: Students will work on ch-6 chapter assessment for first part of the class. Next, they will study for the test in groups.

Thursday: Test on ch-6, Chemical bonds.

Friday: Discussion on ch-7, Chemical reactions. To begin with students will work on an inquiry activity – How is mass conserved in a chemical change? Next we will discuss sec-7.1, Describing reactions.

JA 7A Science Schedule for Sep 28th - Oct 2nd, 2009

2009-09-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Monday: Students will present their three dimensional projects to the class. Next we will discuss sec-2, Mathematics and Science. Students will learn about estimation, accuracy, precision, significant figures, percent error, mean, median, and mode.

Tuesday: Today students will use their problem solving skills to solve various problems related to estimation, accuracy, precision, significant figures, percent error, mean, median, and mode. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-3, Graphs in science. Students will learn about varieties of graphs, the importance of graphs, plotting a line graph, why draw a line of best fit, slope, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on ch-3, section-1; Earth’s Interior. Students will do a discover activity – How do scientists find out what’s inside Earth? Next we will learn to explore Earth, a journey to the center of the Earth, the crust, the mantle, and the core. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Students will work on a narrative in science. They should write a narrative of their own imaginary journey to the center of Earth. The narrative should describe the layers of Earth through which they travel and how temperature and pressure change beneath the surface.

Chemistry Schedule for Sep 28th - Oct 2nd, 2009

2009-09-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Monday: Today we will work on sec-5.3, Problem solving and unit conversions. Students will work on numerous problems using conversion factor. Do the section review for homework.

Tuesday: Students will work on ch-5, chapter review for part of the class period. Next we will study for the test.

Wednesday: Test on ch-5, Measurements and Calculations.

Thursday: Students will work on Measurement and Density lab.

Friday: Discussion on sec-6.1, Atoms and Moles. Students will learn about counting by weighing, atomic masses, and the mole.

Physical Science Schedule for Sep 28th - Oct 2nd, 2009

2009-09-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Monday: Test on ch-4, Atomic Structure.

Tuesday: Today we will start sec-5.1, Organizing the elements. Students will learn about Mendeleev’s periodic table, his proposal, prediction, and evidence supporting Mendeleev’s table. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-5.2, The modern periodic table. Students will learn about the periodic law, groups, periods, atomic mass, isotopes, metals, non-metals, metalloids, and variation across a period. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-3, Representative groups. In this section we will focus on valence electrons, the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals, the boron family, the carbon family, the nitrogen family, the oxygen family, the halogens, and the noble gases. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Today students will work on ch-5 chapter review and finish it for homework.

JA 7A Science Schedule for Aug 31st - Sep 4th

2009-08-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

Science Project: Students are working on a science project: “Design and conduct a scientific experiment.” To complete this project they selected one specific question to investigate. They should identify the procedure and follow scientific inquiry steps to investigate their question, collect data and use it to draw conclusions. This project is worth 200 points. They should do the project and put the information on a poster board. This project is due on Wednesday, Sep 2nd.

Monday: Today students will work on a scientific investigation lab in groups. They should use scientific method such as; observing, making hypothesis, problem solving, etc. Next we will work on sec-3, why study science? Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-1 of ch-2, Measurement-A common language. To begin with students will work on a discover activity – How many shoes? Next we will work with the metric system. Students will do a lot of measurement activities during this section.

Wednesday: The science project is due today. Students will present their projects to their peers.

Thursday: Remaining presentations will be completed today. Next students will learn about measuring length and mass. They will use rulers and scales to measure different objects and will note down their observations.

Friday: Students will learn to measure the volume of liquids using various apparatus.

Chemistry Schedule for Aug 31st - Sep 4th, 2009

2009-08-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-3.1 and sec-3.2, Elements and Atoms/Compounds. We will discuss about the abundances of elements, Dalton’s Atomic Theory, formulas and compounds, etc. Do the section reviews for homework.

Tuesday: Today we will discuss sec-3.3 and 3.4, Atomic structure and using the periodic table. We’ll learn about Thomson’s experiment, Rutherford’s experiment, modern concept of atomic structure, etc. Do the section reviews for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-3.5, Ions and their compounds. Students will learn about ions, anions, cations, ionic compounds, etc. Do the section review for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on the chapter review for part of the class period. Next we will study for the test.

Friday: Test on Ch-3, Elements, Atoms, and Ions.

Physical Science Schedule for Aug 31st - Sep 4th

2009-08-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-2.1, Classifying Matter. Students will learn about pure substances, elements, compounds, mixtures, solutions, suspensions, and colloids. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-2.2, Physical properties. We’ll discuss about viscosity, conductivity, malleability, filtration, distillation, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Today we’ll discuss about chemical properties in sec-2.3. Students will learn about flammability, reactivity, forming a precipitate, etc. Do the section review for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on a lab – Using properties to identify materials.

Friday: Today we will go over the study guide to get ready for the test.

JA 7A Science Schedule for Aug 17th - 21st, 2009

2009-08-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A SEPARATE SPIRAL NOTEBOOK TO TAKE NOTES AND TO DO LAB WORK, A TWO-POCKET FOLDER, BLUE/BLACK PEN, FEW PENCILS, A HIGHLIGHTER, AND AN ERASER.

Monday: First we’ll start with introductions. Next we’ll go over the handbook and class rules and procedures. We’ll end the class with a fun activity.

Tuesday: We’ll discuss about safety rules in science room and then go over the science safety contract. Later students will take a pre-test in science class. This pre-test is not counted as a grade; it only helps the teacher to identify the prior subject knowledge of the student. Students should read the safety contract at home to do well on the safety test that will be on Wednesday.

Wednesday: Today students will take the safety test which will be counted for their grade. Next, we’ll discuss sec-1, Thinking like a scientist. Students will learn about the scientific skills and attitudes that scientists use to learn about the world such as; observing, predicting, classifying, making models, inferring, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Students should turn in their homework from Wednesday. Today we’ll start sec-2, Scientific Inquiry. At first, they will work on a discover activity – What’s happening? Next we’ll discuss how scientists pose questions, develop hypothesis, design an experiment, collect and interpret data, drawing conclusions, communicating, and scientific theories and laws. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Today we’ll discuss sec-3, Why study science? We’ll work on a discover activity – How much do you see or hear about science? Next we’ll have a class discussion on:

How can I stay healthy?
How do I become an informed citizen?
What is the best use of Earth’s resources? and Scientific Literacy.
Do the section assessment for homework.

Chemistry Schedule for Aug 17th - 21st, 2009

2009-08-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A SEPARATE SPIRAL NOTEBOOK TO TAKE NOTES AND TO DO LAB WORK, A TWO-POCKET FOLDER, BLUE/BLACK PEN, FEW PENCILS, AND AN ERASER.

Monday: First we’ll go over the class rules and procedures. Next we’ll discuss about safety rules in science room and then go over the science safety contract. Later students will take a pre-test in Chemistry. This pre-test is not counted as a grade; it only helps the teacher to identify the prior subject knowledge of the student. Students should read the safety contract at home to do well on the safety test that will be on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Student’s will take the safety test which will be counted for their grade. Next Chemistry text books will be issued to the students. Later they will work on the challenging 4-square number puzzles. While trying to find all the solutions they will exhibit the scientific skills such as; critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific method.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-1.1, The science of chemistry; sec-1.2, Using science to solve problems, and sec-1.3, Learning chemistry. Do the three section assessments for homework.

Thursday: Test on ch-1, Chemistry an introduction. Discussion on sec-2.1, The nature of matter. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Today we’ll discuss sec-2.2, Properties of matter and continue with sec-2.3, Classifying matter. Do the section assessments for homework.

Physical Science schedule for Aug 17th - 21st, 2009

2009-08-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A SEPARATE SPIRAL NOTEBOOK TO TAKE NOTES AND TO DO LAB WORK, A TWO-POCKET FOLDER, BLUE/BLACK PEN, FEW PENCILS, AND AN ERASER.

Monday: First we’ll go over the class rules and procedures. Next we’ll discuss about safety rules in science room and then go over the science safety contract. Later students will take a pre-test in physical science. This pre-test is not counted as a grade; it only helps the teacher to identify the prior subject knowledge of the student. Students should read the safety contract at home to do well on the safety test that will be on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Student’s will take the safety test which will be counted for their grade. Next physical science text books will be issued to the students. Later they will work on the challenging 4-square number puzzles. While trying to find all the solutions they will exhibit the scientific skills such as; critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific method.

Wednesday: Today students will work on sec-1.1, what is science; and sec-1.2, using a scientific approach. At first, they will work on an inquiry activity – How do scientists use their observations? Next they will learn about scientific methods, scientific laws, scientific models, etc. Do the section assessments for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-1.3, Measurement. Our main focus will be on the base and derived units of the SI system. Next we’ll work on comparing precision, accuracy, measuring temperature, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-1.4, Presenting scientific data. Students will learn about organizing data, data tables, line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, and communicating data.

JA 7B Science Schedule for May 18th - 22nd

2009-05-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Monday: To begin with students will work on a discover activity – How can you safely observe the sun? Next we’ll discuss sec-2, The Sun. Students will learn about the Sun’s interior, the core, the radiation zone, the convection zone, the Sun’s atmosphere, the photosphere, the chromosphere, the corona, features of the Sun – sunspots, prominences, solar flares, and solar wind. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discover activity – How do Mars look from Earth? Next we’ll discuss sec-3, The inner planets. Students will learn about exploring the four terrestrial planets, their atmospheres, temperatures, rotations, revolutions, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Today students will work on making a “Travel Brochure”. They have to select one of the inner planets other than Earth. They should design a travel brochure, including basic facts and descriptions of places of interest. They should also include a few sketches or photos to go along with their text. Have fun!

Thursday: Discussion on Sec-4, The outer planets. We’ll work on a discover activity – How big are the planets? Next students will learn about gas giants, their atmospheres, structures, moons and rings, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-5, Comets, asteroids, and meteors. Section assessment is for homework.

Physical Science Schedule for May 18th - 22nd

2009-05-15T13:57:00.001-07:00

Monday: Students will work on an inquiry acitivity – What happens when hot and cold liquids mix? Next we’ll discuss sec-16.1, Thermal energy and matter. Students will learn about work and heat, temperature, thermal energy, thermal contraction and expansion, specific heat, and measuring heat changes. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-2, Heat and thermodynamics. Students will learn about conduction, convection, radiation, thermodynamics, first, second, and third law of thermodynamics. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-16.3, Using heat. We’ll discuss about heat engines, heating systems, cooling systems, hybrid automobile, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on a lab – Using specific heat to analyze metals. Later they will study for the test.

Friday: Test on ch-16, Thermal energy and heat.

Chemistry Schedule for May 18th - 22nd

2009-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-15.1, Forming solutions. Students will learn about aqueous solutions, solubility of ionic substances, polar substances, and substances insoluble in water, solution composition, and factors affecting the rate of dissolving. Do the section review for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-15.2, Describing solution composition. In this section we’ll learn how to find mass percent and molarity for various solutions. Students will work on several problems to improve their problem solving skills.

Wednesday: Students will continue working on sec-15.2, finding the mass percent and molarity for standard solutions. Do the section review for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on a lab – Polar and non-polar solvents. Later they will study for the test.

Friday: Test on ch-15, Solutions.

JA 7B Science Schedule for May 11th - 15th

2009-05-08T12:40:00.001-07:00

Monday: Students’ will watch a movie - space station. Later they will discuss more about gravity and inertia, and the Law of Universal gravitation.

Tuesday: Students’ will present their skits in groups. Next we’ll discuss sec-3, Phases, eclipses, and tides. Students’ will work on a discover activity – How does the moon move? Next we’ll discuss about the motions of the moon, phases of the moon, eclipses, tides, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Today we’ll work on sec-4, Earth’s moon. To begin with students will work on a discover activity – Why do craters look different from each other? Next we’ll talk about the moon’s surface, characteristics of the moon, size and density, temperature and atmosphere, and the origin of the moon. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Quiz on the topic Earth, Moon, and Sun. Later students’ will work on a discover activity – What is at the center?

Friday: Discussion on sec-1, Observing the solar system. We’ll discuss Ptolemy’s model, geocentric and heliocentric systems, Galileo’s evidence, Tycho Brahe’s observations, Kepler’s calculations, and modern discoveries. Do the section assessment for homework.

Physical Science Schedule for May 11th - 15th

2009-05-08T12:38:00.001-07:00

Monday: Test on ch-17, Mechanical waves and sound.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-15.1, Energy and its forms. Students’ will work on an inquiry activity – How can energy change form? Late we’ll discuss kinetic energy, potential energy, gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and other forms of energy.Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-15.2, Energy conversion and conservation. After the discussion students will work on math practice. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-15.3, Energy resources. Students’ will learn about renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, and conserving the energy resources. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Students’ will work on a lab – Investigating a spring clip.

Chemistry Schedule for May 11th - 15th

2009-05-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-14.1, Intermolecular forces and phase changes. Students will learn about intermolecular forces, intramolecular forces, dipole-dipole attraction, hydrogen bonding, molar heat of fusion, and molar heat of vaporization. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-14.2, Vapor pressure and boiling point. Students will learn about vaporization, condensation, and vapor pressure. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-14.3, Properties of solids. Students will learn about crystalline solids, molecular solids, ionic solids, atomic solids, and the bondings within them. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on the chapter assessment in groups during class. Next they will study for the test.

Friday: Test on ch- 14, Liquids and solids.

JA 7B Science Schedule for May 4th - 8th

2009-05-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Monday: Student’s should finish their sec-6 assessment on Rock Cycle, which is due today. We’ll discuss about the “Rock Legend” where every student will pick a rock and write a biography of the rock as it moves through the rock cycle. Next students will take a quiz on the Rock Cycle.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-1, Earth in space. First students will work on a discover activity – What causes day and night? Next we’ll talk about how Earth moves, the rotation, the revolution, seasons on Earth, solstices, and equinoxes. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-2, Gravity and motion. Students will work on a discover activity – Can you remove the bottom penny? Next we’ll talk about gravity, law of universal gravitation, mass, weight, distance, inertia and orbital motion, and Newton’s first law of motion. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-3, Phases, eclipses, and tides. At first students will work on a discover activity – How does the moon move? Next we’ll discuss about the motions of the moon, phases of the moon, eclipses, tides, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Today we’ll work on sec-4, Earth’s moon. To begin with students will work on another discover activity – Why do craters look different from each other? Next we’ll talk about the moon’s surface, characteristics of the moon, size and density, temperature and atmosphere, and the origin of the moon. Do the section assessment for homework.

Physical Science Schedule for May 4th - 8th

2009-05-01T14:10:00.001-07:00

Monday: First we’ll review the test taken on Friday on Work, power, and machines. Next students will work on their chapter assessment, which is due today.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-17.1, Mechanical waves. Students will first work on an inquiry activity – How does a disturbance produce waves? Next we’ll discuss about mechanical waves, medium, crest, trough, transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-17.2, Properties of mechanical waves and sec-17.3, Behavior of waves. We’ll discuss about frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and standing waves. Do the section assessments for homework.

Thursday: Today we’ll discuss sec-17.4, Sound and hearing. Students will learn about the properties of sound waves, intensity and loudness, frequency and pitch, ultrasound, the Doppler effect, anatomy of the ear, and music. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Students will work on a lab today – Investigating sound waves.

Chemistry Schedule for May 4th - 8th

2009-05-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on Dalton’s law of partial pressures, molar volume, and gas Stoichiometry. Next students will work on various problems.

Tuesday: Crushing the can demonstration. Next discussion on the kinetic molecular theory of gases, celebrity chemical – carbon monoxide (CO), the implications of the kinetic molecular theory, and real gases. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Test on ch-13, Gases.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-14.1, Intermolecular forces and phase changes. Students will learn about intermolecular forces, intramolecular forces, dipole-dipole attraction, hydrogen bonding, molar heat of fusion, and molar heat of vaporization. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-14.2, Vapor pressure and boiling point. Students will learn about vaporization, condensation, and vapor pressure. Do the section assessment for homework.

JA 7B Science Schedule for April 27th - May 1st

2009-04-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-2, Igneous rocks. Next, students will go to the field with a hand lens and a magnet to examine different types of rocks. Do the worksheet for homework.

Tuesday: First students will work on a discover activity – How does pressure affect particles of rock? Next we will discuss sec-3, Sedimentary rocks. Our main focus is on erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation, types of sedimentary rocks such as; clastic, organic, and chemical rocks. Do the worksheet for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-4, Rocks from reefs. Do the worksheet for homework.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-5, Metamorphic rocks and sec-6, The rock cycle. Later students should pick one type of rock and write a possible “biography” of the rock as it moves through the rock cycle. Do the worksheet for homework.

Friday: Students will have study buddies to study for the test.

Physical Science Schedule for April 27th - May 1st

2009-04-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Monday: Students will do an inquiry activity – How do ramps help you raise objects? Next, we’ll discuss sec-14.1, Work and power. We’ll talk about work, calculating work, formula and units of work, power, calculating power, James Watt and Horsepower. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-14.2, Work and machines and sec-14.3, Mechanical advantage and efficiency. Next, students will work on a quick lab – Using friction to change mechanical advantage. Complete the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-14.4, Simple machines. Students will learn about first-class levers, second-class levers, third-class levers, wheel and axle, inclined planes, wedges and screws, pulley, and compound machines. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on a lab – determining Mechanical advantage.

Friday: Today students will get to work on their ch-14 chapter review in groups.

Chemistry Schedule for April 27th - May 1st

2009-04-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-11.4, Electron configurations and atomic properties. Students will learn about electron configuration, box diagram, orbital diagram, valence electrons, atomic size, ionization energies, etc. Do the section review for homework.

Tuesday: Test on ch-11.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-13.1, Describing the properties of gases. Students will learn about pressure, barometer, standard atmosphere, Boyle’s law, absolute zero, Charle’s law, Avogadro’s law, etc. Do the section review for homework.

Thursday: Discussion sec-13.2, Using Gas laws to solve problems. We’ll discuss about ideal gas law, Dalton’s law of partial pressure, combined gas law, and molar volume. Later, students will work on various problems using the gas laws.

Friday: Discussion on sec-13.3, Using a model to describe gases. We’ll learn about the kinetic molecular theory of gases, relationship between pressure and temperature, relationship between volume and temperature, and real gases. Do the section review for homework.

JA 7B Science Schedule for April 20th - 24th

2009-04-17T15:03:00.001-07:00

Monday: Students will work on a lab – finding the density of minerals.

Tuesday: Discussion on who owns the ocean’s minerals? Next students will work on another lab – A mouthful of minerals.

Wednesday: Today students will work on minerals chapter review during class. Next they will study for the test.

Thursday: Test on minerals for part of the class period. Next students will work on a discover activity – observing and classifying rocks.

Friday: Discussion on sec-1, classifying rocks. Do the worksheet for homework.