7th-8th Grade Science: Week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2

Hello,
This week we finally finish the cube density lab. on Monday and start on Atomic Structure unit on Tuesday. There is no assigned homework in part due to the shortened week. Don't forget that there is no school on Thursday and Friday due to teacher professional development activities. Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade: Week of Sept. 28- Oct. 2

Hello,
You should have studied this weekend for tomorrow's Ch. 34 test on animal behavior. Tuesday we will begin Unit 3: Cells, which includes Ch. 7 (Cell Structure and Function), Ch. 8 (Photosynthesis), Ch. 9 (Cellular Respiration), and Ch. 10 (Cell Growth and Division). We will conduct several interesting activities related to cells and use of the microscope. Your only homework for the week is DUE as follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 30: Using complete sentences, complete section 7-1 Assessment Questions, 1-5 on pg. 173.

Don't forget that there is no school for students on Thursday and Friday due to teacher professional development activities. Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade: Update to Week of Sept. 21-25

Hello,
As mentioned in class, Tuesday's homework (Section 34-2 Assessment Questions, pg. 882) is now due tomorrow. Tomorrow we will also be completing the pre-test for Ch. 34 and the chapter test will be next Monday,

-Mr. Pfiester

7th-8th Grade Science: Change to Week of Sept. 21-25

Hello,
As mentioned, your home density homework is now due tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 25. Also we are having a quiz on measurement so review your "Standards of Measurement" worksheet.

-Mr. Pfiester

7th/8th Grade: Week of September 21-25

Hello,
We will finish up our scientific measurement work this week and begin the first unit on Atomic Structure (most likely Friday). I will be out on Tuesday (which is the fall equinox and the first day of fall) and you will have a substitute to begin the two-day Cube Density Lab. As an introduction to density, the homework and its DUE date are as follows:

Wednesday, September 23: The formula for density is Density = Mass / Volume and the density of water is 1.0 Your homework is to generate a hypothesis for yourself and two other people (one younger than 8 and the other older than 40- if possible) on whether a list of objects will float or sink in water. I will give you a handout on Monday for Wednesday's homework.

Person (hypothetical: sink or float?)
Object Self Young Person Older Person Actual results (sink or float)
Apple
Potato
Regular soda can
Diet soda can
plastic fork
Pencil
Pillbug
Butter
Honey
Vegetable oil

Once you have collected all the hypothesis, conduct an experiment and actually place the objects in a bath of water and record the results.

When you come to class with your homework on Wednesday, be prepared to answer the following question "does it appear there is any relationship between age and predicting density?" Did your older volunteer do a better job of predicting than your younger volunteer?

Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade: Week of September 21-25

Hello,
This week we will finish up Ch. 34 on animal behavior. Tuesday I will be out for the day and you will watch an interesting film on animal behavior titled "The Incredible Journey of the Butterfly" (Tuesday is also the fall equinox). Thursday we will take a practice test and otherwise review for the chapter test on Friday. So the homework and DUE dates are as follows:

Tuesday, September 22: Complete 34-2 Section Assessment Questions 1-5 (p. 882) using complete sentences.

Thursday, September 24: Complete the multiple choice questions on pg. 885 (1-10) and 887 (1-10). You only have to write down the question number and letter answer, such as #5. A.

Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

7th/8th Grade Science: Week of Sept. 14-18

Hello,
We will continue our discussion about the scientific method this week and conduct some related investigations into measurement (metric system, measuring equipment). The homework for Wednesday is as follows:

DUE Wednesday, Sept. 16: Using complete sentences answer the following:

1. How many countries are there in the world? How many primarily use the metric system and how many primarily use the English system of measurement?
2. Name one significant way in which the two systems of measurement differ Are they both based on multiples of 10?
3. Name at least two advantages of using the metric system in science (as opposed to using the English system of measurement).

Have a great week,

-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade Biology: Week of Sept. 14-18

Hello,
I will distribute biology textbooks this week to students. We will explore animal behavior (Chapter 34) by creating choice chambers (using shoeboxes) for pillbugs. So your homework and DUE dates are as follows:

DUE Wednesday, Sept. 16: I will give each of you a film cannister on Monday to collect 5 pillbugs to bring to school on Wednesday. You are also to conduct some basic research about pillbugs. Answer the following questions:

1. What is their Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species name?
2. What types of environments do they prefer? What does their diet consist of?

DUE Friday, Sept. 18: Section 34-1 Assessment Questions (p. 876). Using complete sentences, complete questions 1-6.

Have a great week,

-Mr. Pfiester

7th/8th Grade Science: Week of Sept. 8-11

Dear 7th and 8th Graders,
We are off to a good start this week. I am excited for our school year as we explore together ideas in science. We will focus on class procedures, introduction to the scientific method, and note-taking strategies this week. The only homework for the week consists of the following:

DUE Friday, Sept. 11: Return course syllabus with student and parent signature.

Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade Biology: Week of Sept.8-11

Hello,
Well, we are off to a good start this year. This week will be occupied by class procedures, note-taking strategies, and a review of the scientific method. Please check your grades on Powerschool regularly. The only homework for the week consists of the following:

DUE on Friday, Sept. 11: Return course syllabus with student and parent signature.

Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester