Lesson 1 - Monday, May 19
Today in science: Students set up their notebooks for INV#16 – Separating a Mixture, which involved forming small teams of 2-4 students, writing a Research Question, making a list of materials needed for the investigation, and writing a step-by-step procedure to follow. In this investigation, students will be giving a mixture of sand grains and salt crystals and asked to separate them from one another. Students spent a good part of today’s lesson learning the proper names for each piece of equipment they plan to use and writing their step-by-step procedures.
At the end of the lesson, Dr. M collected students science notebooks.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 2 - Tuesday, May 20
Today in science: After outlining a basic “scientific method” and talking briefly about the importance or writing clear, precise procedures (including watching a short video about making PB&J sandwiches), students were asked to revise their step-by-step INV#16 procedures. After doing so, Dr. M then did a safety demonstration showing students how to use a Bunsen burner so that students can use them properly during their Lesson 3 investigation.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 3 - Wed, May 21 (D) & Thu, May 22 (E)
Today in science: Students followed their revised step-by-step procedures for INV#16 – Separating a Mixture, which means they began attempting to separate a mixture containing 10 g of salt and 10 g of sand. Students were given the entire lesson to perform their investigation, which will continue in Lesson 4.
Today students could also see four new Key Question grades for their recent “Mixtures” and “Solutions” assignments. Dr. M explained to students that he will be able to discuss–and provide feedback for–these Key Questions during Monday’s lesson. Students will then have two class days within which to do their revisions (if desired).
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 4 - Friday, May 23
Today in science: Students persisted with INV#16 – Separating a Mixture, which means they continued attempting to separate a mixture containing 10 g of salt and 10 g of sand. Students were given the entire lesson to perform their investigation. Before producing their final results and weighing the mass of their final products, many students are making use of the weekend to allow their salt and/or sand collections to evaporate with the help of the air.
Homework: There is no science homework this weekend.
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: How can we bring something back that was there before?
D period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
E period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
Including this week, there are only two full weeks of science lessons remaining in the school year!