Lesson 1 - Monday, Feb 23
Today in Science: Returning to the work we did prior to leaving for the MS Swiss Adventure trips, students turned their attention back to INV#5 – Food Molecule Testing. We added both “Materials” and “Procedures” sections to our investigation so that we know what equipment to use during the investigation and in what order to use it. Students are expected to have their own set of procedures written in their notebooks so that they can follow in during Lessons 2 & 3 this week.
Homework: Students were not assigned a KWoW this week (see yellow box below).
Lesson 2 - Tuesday, Feb 24
Today in Science: Following the work we did in writing the “Procedures” to follow for our upcoming test tube-based food tests, students were asked to write their own set of procedures for the Grease Spot Test. This involved watching a short video and putting this paper-based, fats-detecting test into a numbered sequence of verb-initiated, step-by-step commands.
Since INV#5 requires students to measure precise liquid volumes, in the remaining lesson time students were shown how to properly use and read a liquid volume measuring instruments including a graduated beaker, a graduated pipet, and 5 different sizes of graduated cylinder. Special attention was given to 1) the differing scales found on the measuring cylinders, 2) the need to read the measurements at eye level, and 3) the water “meniscus” phenomenon (and how this phenomenon affects measurement precision/accuracy).
During the lesson students were asked to choose the best instrument to show their teacher(s) different volumes of water (e.g., 27 mL, 12.6 mL, 22.5 mL, 132 mL, 6.3 mL, 23.5 mL, 42.8 mL, and 62.2 mL). With this skill-based work, students took a big step toward being better lab scientists.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 3 - Wed, Feb 25 (C, D) & Thu, Feb 26 (E)
Today in Science: After recording a few small changes made to their Food Testing procedures, students performed the Iodine and Biuret tests on 10 mL samples of (blended) cracker slurry. At the end of the lesson, most classes had just enough time to write down the test results in their science notebooks. Because Dr. M will be absent on Friday, students will need to wait until Monday to perform the Benedict’s and Ethanol Emulsion tests.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 4 - Friday, Feb 27 (Dr. M absent)
Today in Science: Due to Dr. M’s planned absence, students were unable to perform their remaining Food Molecule tests. Instead, students were asked to practice fine tuning their lab skills regarding measuring the volume of liquids with a graduated cylinder. With either Mrs. Lill’s or Mr. Barry’s guidance and support, students practiced reading and recording the measurements shown on five differently scaled (paper-based) graduated cylinders. At the end of the lesson, there was a Learning Check submitted for points.
Homework: As per the TASIS MS school homework policy, there is no weekend science homework (due on Monday).
Announcements...
The UNIT 6.5 (Human Digestion) Driving Question is: What happens to the substances we routinely put into our body?
C & D period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
E period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
There will be no KWoW this week as Dr. M wants to be sure students have received graded KWoWs 1 & 2 before completing #3.