MRS. CHAVA'S BLOG

JA 7A Science Schedule for Dec 14th - 18th, 2009

2009-12-11T12:25:00.001-08:00

Monday: Students will work on sec-2, Igneous rocks; section assessment for part of the class period. Next we will have a discussion on sec-3, Sedimentary rocks. We will work on a discover activity - How does pressure affect particles of rock? Next we will talk about erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation, types of sedimentary rocks, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: We will work on a lab - Formation of a sedimentary rock. Next we will discuss sec-4, Rocks from reefs. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Discussion on sec-5, Metamorphic rocks and sec-6, The rock cycle. Students will learn about foliated rocks, nonfoliated rocks, uses of metamorphic rocks, the rock cycle and plate tectonics. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Students will work on a skills lab - Mystery rocks. Students will be given six rocks and one sample that is not a rock. They should examine the rocks and note down their observations in the data table.

Friday: Students will have a quiz on the chapter - Rocks.

Chemistry Schedule for Dec 14th - 18th, 2009

2009-12-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-13.1, Describing the properties of gases. Students will learn about pressure, units of pressure, Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Avogadro's law. Later they will work on solving numerous problems using the three laws. Do the section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-13.2, Using gas laws to solve problems. Students will learn about ideal gas law, Dalton's law of partial pressures, molar volumes, standard temperatures and pressures. Next they will apply their skills on various problems. Do the section assessment for homework.

Wednesday: Today we will do sec-13.3, Using a model to describe gases. This topic talks about laws and models, kinetic molecular theory of gases, real gases, and implications of the kinetic molecular theory. Do the section assessment for homework.

Thursday: Today students will work on the chapter review for part of the class period. Next they will study for the test.

Friday: Students will take a test on ch-13, Gases.

Physical Science Schedule for Dec 14th - 18th, 2009

2009-12-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Monday: We will continue our discussion on sec-12.2, Newton's first and second laws of motion. Students will work on math practice problems. Next we will start sec-12.3, Newton's thrid law of motion and momentum. Do the notes and section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Discussion on sec-12.4, Universal Forces. Students will learn about electromagnetic forces, nuclear forces, gravitational force, uses of satellites, etc. Do the section assessment for homework. Later chapter assessment will be assigned.

Wednesday: Students will work on an exploration lab - Investigating a balloon jet.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-13.1, Fluid Pressure and sec-13.2, Forces and pressure in fluids. Students will learn about pressure in fluids, atmospheric pressure, pascal's principle, hydraulic systems, Bernoulli's principle, etc. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-13.4, Buoyancy. We will discuss about buoyant force, Archimede's Principle, density, etc. Do the section assessment for homework. Students should work on the chapter assesment over the break.

JA 7A Science Schedule for Nov 23rd & 24th, 2009

2009-11-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

Students should work on sec-3, volcanic eruptions notes and section assessment over the weekend. I will check their notes and collect the section assessment for grading on Monday, November 23rd.

Monday: Students will have time for the first 15 minutes to get help on the sec-3 section assessment. Next we will discuss sec-4, Volcanic Landforms. Students will learn about landforms from lava and ash, shield volcanoes, cinder cone volcanoes, composite volcanoes, lava plateaus, calderas, volcanic necks, dikes and sills, batholiths, Dome Mountains, hot springs, geysers, and geothermal energy. Do the notes and sec-4 section assessment for homework.

Tuesday: Students will work on a lab – How can Volcanic Activity change Earth’s Sruface? Later students will take a quiz on volcanoes.

Chemistry Schedule for Nov 23rd & 24th, 2009

2009-11-20T09:44:00.001-08:00

Monday: Sec-6.1, 6.2, 6.3 section reviews, ch-6 notes, and ch-6 standardized test on page 215 is due on Monday, November 23rd. Next students will study for the test.

Tuesday: Test on ch-6, Chemical Composition.

Physical Science Schedule for Nov 23rd & 24th, 2009

2009-11-20T09:41:00.000-08:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-7.4, Reaction Rates and sec-7.5, Equilibrium. Students will learn about reaction rate, factors affecting reaction rates, concentration, catalysts, types of equilibria, physical/chemical equilibrium, and factors affecting chemical equilibrium. Do sec-7.4 and sec-7.5 section assessments for homework.

Tuesday: Students will work on a lab – Manipulating Chemical Equilibrium. Students will use the following skills such as; formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, observing, and analyzing, predicting, calculating, and drawing conclusions.

Students should work on ch-7 chapter assessment over the break. They should work on questions 1 through 25. This assignment is due on Tuesday December 1st.

JA 7A Science Schedule for Nov 9th - 13th, 2009

2009-11-08T16:55:00.001-08:00

Monday: Discussion on sec-4, Earthquake safety. Students will learn about earthquake risk, how earthquakes cause damage, steps to earthquake safety, and designing safer buildings. Students are working on a chapter project - Deign and build an earthquake - safe house. This project is worth 200 points and is due on November 16th. Students will watch videos about earthquakes.

Tuesday: Students will take a quiz on the chapter Earthquakes for the first part of the class. Later, we will discuss sec-1, Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-2, Properties of magma. Students will learn about the physical properties, chemical properties, and viscosity of magma. Do the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Today we will discuss sec-3, Volcanic eruptions. Students will learn about kinds of volcanic eruptions such as; quiet eruptions, explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flow, volcanic hazards, stages of volcanic activity, life cycle of a volcano, and monitoring volcanoes. Do the section assessment for homework.

Chemistry Schedule for Nov 9th - 13th, 2009

2009-11-08T16:41:00.001-08:00

Monday: Ch-10, Energy, section reviews and chapter review is due today. Students will study for the test during the class.

Tuesday: Test on ch-10, Energy, Temperature, and Heat. Next, we will discuss sec-6.1, Atoms and Moles.

Thursday: Discussion on sec-6.1, will continue today as well. We will learn about counting by weighing, atomic masses, calculating mass, the mole, and Avogadro's number. Students will work on numerous problems to find the atomic masses of various compounds.

Friday: Discussion on sec-6.2, Molar mass and percent composition. Do the section review for homework.

Physical Science schedule for Nov 9th - 13th, 2009

2009-11-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Monday: Students will work on an exploration lab - Preparing a salt by neutralization. Students will use the skills such as; observing, measuring, analyzing data, comparing and contrasting, drawing conclusions, and predicting.

Tuesday: Test on ch-8; Solutions, Acids, and Bases.

Thursday: Students will work on an inquiry activity - How is mass conserved in a chemical change? Next, we will discuss sec-7.1, Describing reactions. Students will learn about chemical equations, balancing equations, counting with moles, and chemical calculations. Complete the section assessment for homework.

Friday: Discussion on sec-7.2, Types of reactions. We will learn about classifying reactions, synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion, and oxidation and reduction reactions. Do the section assessment for homework.

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.