ESP Lab: Planetary Distances

Today in ESP we did a lab where the students had to take the distance of each planet from the sun (measured in Astronomical Units) and line them up according to distance.  For lab purposes and space constraints, 1 AU was equal to 1 meter stick.  One AU is actually equal to 93 MILLION MILES! As the students discovered, the Terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) are very close together.  Whereas the Gaseous planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) are spaced very far apart.  I am attaching some photos of the students as they discover the difference in distances between the planets.  It was a beautiful day to be outside on planet Earth. :)

Enjoy!
Ms. Gardner

Biology and ESP Upcoming Events

Biology will have a test over Ch. 18 Ecology on Friday September 2nd.  They need to be studying nightly the ecology concepts we have covered in class. 

ESP has a Solar System Project due on Friday September 2nd.  They drew an object from the bowl and are to write a one-page paper and create a visual of the object.  Directions were given to them earlier this week.  It is a blue paper.  Ask to see it! It is worth 150 points.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Gardner

ESP Test and Inquiry Lab

ESP students will have a test over the Introduction to the Solar System on Monday Aug. 22nd.  It is important that students begin studying now in preparation of this test.  Items to be studied are as follows:

Ch. 19 Section 1 Reading and Notes
Ch. 19 Vocabulary
Planetary Name Origins Organizer
Planetary Characteristics Organizer (Green sheet)
Planetary Illustrations with Characteristics Sheets

An Inquiry Lab will also be assigned and given today.  It is to be done at home and is due by Tuesday August 23rd.

Study! Study! Study!
Ms. Gardner

Being Prepared for Class

It is very important that students are prepared each and every day for class. This includes having all supplies required.  We use all of these supplies for various assignments and reinforcement activities.  Today Biology students are creating Ecological Models, and ESP students are creating Planetary illustrations. Several students did not come prepared to class with their supplies and therefore are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to complete the required assignment.  Parents, please encourage your child to come to class prepared every day.  Each day they are not prepared they receive a 0/5 for daily grade.  These 5 points add up quickly and can cause their grades to suffer.  Thank you for your help in this matter.

Ms. Gardner

Binder Reminder

It is very important that science binders be brought to class each day.  They are a tool that we utilize.  Those that did not bring theirs to class missed out on utilizing them on the vocabulary quizzes.  Bring binders and keep them up-to-date at all times.  Quiz grades will all be on Infinite Campus by Monday at noon. 

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Gardner 

Labs Galore

I thought you would enjoy seeing my Biology and ESP students in action! Biology did a Pond Micro Lab where they observed and identified pond organisms. ESP created models of a lunar and solar eclipse to recreate the shadows made by the position of the sun, moon and Earth.

Biology Vocab Quiz Changed

Ch. 18 Ecology Vocab Quiz will be Friday the 12th instead of Thursday the 11th. 

BIOLOGY Summary for Aug 8-12

Monday: Vocabulary Ch. 18 Ecology Exercise
Tuesday: Vocabulary Game, Read Ch. 18 pgs. 359-362, Questions.
Wednesday: 5 levels of Ecology Illustration, Vocabulary Game.
Thursday: Vocabulary Ch. 18 Quiz, Notes: Ch. 18 Sect. 1 Intro to Ecology.
Friday: Notes continued, Article Group Work: Cockroach Brains.

ESP Summary for Aug 8-12

Monday: Vocabulary Ch. 19 Exercise
Tuesday: Vocabulary Game, Read Ch. 19 pages 653-660, Questions.
Wednesday: Quick Lab, Vocab review, Notes over Sect. 1 Sun, Earth and Moon
Thursday: Vocabulary Quiz for Ch. 19.
*Friday: Research over Planetary Name Origins.

*All 4th period students must have all parent forms filled out and returned by Friday.