Rock Cycle

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Students should be able to:

  1. Understand the processes by which rocks are formed define the three major groups of rocks
  2. Sedimentary rocks may be formed rock fragments
  3. Metamorphic rocks form when and rock is changed by the effects of heat and pressure
  4. Comprehend the main components of the rock cycle
  5. Demonstrate the rock cycle through the use of Play-Doh

 

Fossil Footprints: Nature of Science

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Students should be able to:

  1. Differentiate between terms ‘fact’ and ‘inference’
  2. propose explanations and make predictions based on evidence,
  3. recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions,
  4. understand that scientific explanations are subject to change as new evidence becomes available,
  5. understand that scientific explanations must meet certain criteria.  First and foremost, they must be consistent with experimental and observational evidence about nature, and must make accurate predictions, when appropriate, about systems being studied. They should also be logical, respect the rules of evidence, be open to criticism, report methods and procedures, and make knowledge public. Explanations of how the natural world changes based on myths, personal beliefs, religious values, mystical inspiration, superstition, or authority may be personally useful and socially relevant, but they are not scientific.

Nature of Science

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Students should be able to:

  1. Differentiate between terms ‘fact’ and ‘inference’
  2. Using observations, list facts about the object
  3. Using observations, list inferences about the object
  4. Based on facts and inferences, predict a design and construct a model

that replicates the actions and reactions of the demonstration object

Experimental Design: Using the Scientific Method

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Students should be able to:

  1. Plan, conduct, and write-up a scientific investigation using experimental design
  2. Collect measurement data (mass, volume, density, using the most appropriate tools)

 

Exploring the Environment

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Students will complete a lab on the environments within and without the school and the biology that inhabits them.

 

Drawing From Observation

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The following lesson is for my Visual Arts students, grades 9-12, all have been identified as gifted in the Visual Arts. The introduction to the assignment and pre-assessment will take 1 class, 2 class studio work days with objects from the list available to draw, and 2-3 classes for critique, depending on number of students. Allow for in-depth critique. (classes are 1 hour)

Physical Education: Physically Active Lifestyle

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I CAN work out with healthy habits.  I CAN fuel my body with healthy foods.  I CAN explain the benefits of staying physically fit.  I can explain the effects of staying physically fit.  Students will answer questions with 80% accuracy.

Lesson Notes/materials: Trivial pursuit board game and pieces, 6 die, 6 jump ropes, 6 hula hoops, 6 basketballs, 6 scooters, cones, 1 desk, scarves, beanbags.

Weathering of Limestone

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Students will identify examples of both mechanical and chemical weathering (the processes by which rocks are broken down by the actions of water, air, chemicals, and organisms) and its by-products, including sediments and soil and its products. Students will observe the effects of temperature on chemical weathering rates and observe the effects of physical weathering on chemical weathering rates by increasing surface area for chemical reactions.

Materials Needed: For each small group:

  • Goggles and other safety equipment
  • 500-ml plastic beaker or plastic cup
  • Chalk, or calcium carbonate tablets
  • Stopwatch
  • Weathering of Limestone handout (attached)
  • Hot water
  • Room-temperature water
  • Ice water
  • Various concentrations of hydrochloric acid
  • Four mortars and pestles

Scientific Process and Experimental Design

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Students will be able to identify lab safety rules and equipment.
Students will be able to identify the steps to the scientific method.
Students will be able to conduct a laboratory experiment using appropriate safety equipment and lab procedure.

Materials Needed: lab safety video, lab safety identification handout, lab safety rap and questions, poster board, cloze notes handouts, Simpson Scientific method handout, lab materials (beaker, test tube stands, test tubes, graduated cylinder, pipets, food coloring, lab write up handout)

Scientific Method

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Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific planning and investigation.

Materials Needed: Characteristics of life sort, crickets, cricket food, sugar, rubbing alcohol, shoeboxes, copy of experimental design handout.