Lesson 1 - Monday, Dec 15
Housekeeping: All classes began today’s lesson with another Science Journal entry. In Part 1 of today’s entry, students were asked to describe what happens to a cracker when they put one into their mouths (but before swallowing it). In Part 2, students were asked to describe what happens to a cracker when putting an actual cracker into their mouth. In Part 3, Dr. M began sharing how scientists’ might describe this same activity. Students then took notes in their Science Journal to record the ‘scientific’ version of eating a cracker. Today’s notes focused on eyes, nose, and mouth (including teeth and salivary glands).
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 2 - Tuesday, Dec 16
Housekeeping: All classes continued the Part 3 entry in which students took notes in their Science Journal to record the ‘scientific’ version of eating a cracker. Today’s notes focused on saliva, the tongue, flavors (including both primary and secondary flavors), and the taste buds.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 3 - Wed, Dec 17 (C, D) & Thurs, Dec 18 (E)
Housekeeping: We used today’s lesson to begin working on Chapter 4 (What happens to the air we breathe?) and Chapter 5 (What is respiration?) of the Power Cell Packet. This in-class work time also allowed Dr. M to speak to and/or work with any students yet to successfully turn in Chapter 1-3.
Homework: The only students with homework due on Friday are students unable to finish Chapters 4 and 5 of the Power Cell Packet.
Lesson 4 - Friday, Dec 19
Housekeeping: We used today’s lesson (the final science lesson for 2025!) to investigation an edible chemical reaction! In our Science Notebooks, we entered INV#4 – Fizzy Sherbet: A Chemical Reaction, where we learned how to ‘see’ substances such as citric acid, baking soda, and water like scientists do, that is, in terms of some of their observable properties and their atomic composition. We then mixed these three substances in our mouth (with lemon powder and/or powdered sugar for extra flavoring, if desired), created a chemical reaction, and produced three NEW substances: sodium citrate (a salt), carbon dioxide (a gas), and new water molecules. In other words, by separating and rearranging atoms, we created something new that wasn’t there before!!!
Homework: As is specified in the TASIS MS Homework Policy, there is no science homework to be done during the Winter Vacation.
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: How do the microscopic structures and functions of a cell explain what it means for something to be alive?
C & D period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
E period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
Including this week, there are 3 weeks of school to complete before the end of the Fall Semester.