Getting Started in 7C Science - 2015

We'll start the year by practicing the things scientists do. It is material covered in Nebraska state standard called The Nature of Science (8.1.2).

After starting with the Nature of Science, this class will study energy and motion (Physical Science), then we take a look at the cell, human organ systems, genetics, and Evolution (Life Science), and finish the year with weather and climate (Earth and Space Science).

A typical class is a mix of lecture, discussion and hands-on activities. Most weeks there will be homework assignments one to three nights with a quiz covering the homework. Labs and lab reports are important parts of 7C Science. Take a look at the following post for how lab reports are done.

Grades are based on quizzes, unit tests, lab reports, and CRT scores.
The links on the right side of this page connect to Quizlet vocabulary reviews. It is an excellent way to review for quizzes and tests.

L to J

7C Science will be using the L to J system to measure student progress through the year. With L to J, students track their own progress by graphing the results of weekly quizzes throughout the year. The quizzes review what has been taught and what will be taught. The results of these quizzes are not included in the student's class grade.
Students get to see how they improve each week - and - they are not allowed to forget what has already learned.
For more information;
http://ltojconsulting.com/

Important Date! - Wednesday, September 11

All the 7th grade will be part of the Outdoor Education Day on Wednesday, September 11. The Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium will be here to teach fishing basics and supply the equipment and bait for everyone who wants to fish at Johnson lake. There will be activities for anyone who does not want to fish. We will request help from parent volunteers.
More details later.

Here's what goes in a lab report.

Title: A snapshot of what the experiment is about.
Observations/Questions: A short description of what you know about the problem you are investigating. Complete sentences.
Hypothesis: A prediction of how the test you are doing will turn out. It is not a question. No personal pronouns. Complete sentences.
Materials: A list of the items you need to do the experiment. Do not include common items that are used everyday. Bullet points.
Procedure: Describe how to do the experiment so someone else could read it and do the exact same thing. Identify the control group, experimental group, independent variable, and dependent variable. State what you did to control all other factors. Bullet points.
Results: Observations or measurements of what happened with the dependent variable. Depending on the experiment this may be a picture(s), table of numbers, graph, or written description of what happened.
Conclusion: This is where you tell what happened. Did the experimental group respond differently because of the independent variable? Mention how the results support the conclusion. State if the hypothesis was right or wrong. If necessary, mention if other factors may have changed the results. No personal pronouns. Complete sentences.

Other things that matter:
Effort (neatness), spelling and grammar count!
Most labs may be done as a Google Doc, Google Presentation or written report. They do not have to be typed.

Vocabulary Quiz - Friday, August 21.

Vocabulary terms;

1. variable
2. prediction
3. matter
4. volume
5. weight
6. gas
7. gravity
8. data
9. function
10. structure
11. position
12. transmit'
13. convert
14. conserve
15. potential

Vocabulary Quiz

There will be a Science vocabulary quiz on Friday, August 28.
The terms to be tested are:

• data
• hypothesis
• controlled experiment
• control group
• experimental group
• independent variable
• dependent variable
• conclusion
• scientific method
• factor

Remember to check the Quizlet vocabualry quiz by using the link on the right side of this page.