Classroom News – January 2012

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

Well, once again I find myself behind on updating the blog.  Sorry about that!  I meant to do a post right after winter break and that didn’t happen!  Anyway, here’s what’s been happening and what’s coming up in Mr. Yerington’s science classroom.

We just finished up with our Levers and Pulleys projects.  I think it was a lot of fun and gave the students a chance to explore a topic they were interested.  Most of the groups did SUPER on both their project (working together in class) and their presentation.  Speaking of which, a little explanation on the grading of those projects might be in order.

First, students received a “project” grade.  This came from three areas.  a) The teacher – I kept track of how often students were “on-task” in class.  I tried to get around to each student at least three times each day.  I then gave them 5 points if they were on task every time I checked, 3 points if they were on task 2 out of 3 times and 1 point if they were on task 1 time.  Then at the end of the work time in class I figured the grades like any other.  b)  The student themselves – each student wrote down what they did to help their group and then assigned themselves a grade based on what they did.  I was very pleased because it seemed the students were VERY honest with themselves as well as me!  c)  Their group – each student also graded the other members of their group.  Again, they had to justify the grade telling me what the students did or did not do to deserve the grade.  The teacher grade, student grade and group grades were then averaged to arrive at a final grade.

Second, the students received a presentation grade.  This was based on a rubric I gave the students before we started the project.  I graded them on participation, factual content, grammar and punctuation, evidence of learning, and presentation skills.  The presentation grade was the same for each member of the group.

And now – coming up…

We will be starting mixtures and solutions next.  Students have been asked to bring their own goggles or safety glasses if possible.  There will be some available for those that do not have their own, but if students invest in a pair now they will have them all three years of middle school.  In mixtures and solutions we will be learning what mixtures and solutions are,  and how to make them and take them apart.  Then we will move into the concept of saturation and will test several chemicals to find out how soluble they are in water.  Next we’ll move into concentration and find out how concentration effects solutions.  Finally we will spend a little bit of time on chemical reactions.

That just about sums up what’s going on.  As always if you have questions or comments please let me know!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

 

Levers and Pulleys Test – 2011

Attention Parents, Guardians and Students:

We are almost done with our Levers and Pulleys unit.  The final test will take place next Friday, December 16.  First, there is an online version of the test which you can access here.  Second, the following items will help guide you (or your student) in what to study:

VOCABULARY

• lever
• lever arm
• load
• fulcrum
• effort
• spring scale
• Newton
• diagram
• advantage
• pulley
• simple machine

OTHER

• Be prepared to correctly read a spring scale
• Be prepared to correctly diagram one or more lever systems (using the proper symbols)
• Be able to correctly diagram several real-world levers with the load, fulcrum and effort symbols and direction of force
• Be able to tell which pulley systems WILL and WILL NOT provide the user with an advantage by reducing the effort
• Be able to calculate the effort needed to lift a load in a particular pulley system
• Know how far one must pull the rope in order to move the load specified distance
• Be able to identify pulley systems that WILL and WILL NOT work properly
• Explain how to load a large boulder into a truck using a lever and a pulley (separately – not together…)

If students have questions about any of the following I encourage them to see me BEFORE the test day for help!  We will review on Thursday using the SMART Response system!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Classroom News – November 2011

Parents, Guardians and Students:

Where is this school year going?  I can’t believe we are finished with the first quarter of the year and it’s November already!

First of all this month I would like to thank all of you who came to parent/teacher conferences last Tuesday and Thursday as well as our Celebration of Learning on Thursday night.  If you were unable to make it but would like to discuss your child’s progress please feel free to contact me via phone or e-mail (eayeringATmuscatineDOTk12.ia.us) (Replace the AT and DOT with the actual symbols – I’m trying to avoid spam!)

Now, on to what’s going on in the classroom.  We will be finishing up our Cells, Brain and Eye unit and taking the test next WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9.  The online sample test is on my web site and ready to go!  Once we finish this unit and test over it we will start our next unit on Levers and Pulleys.  Our Levers and Pulleys unit is different because it is a FOSS Kit.  What this really means is that students will be divided into groups and will do a hands-on lab just about every day.  They will learn about the three classes of levers and how to make each, real life examples of these levers,  how to diagram levers, and the math behind levers.  Then we will talk about pulleys:  both single and double.  We will build pulley systems and measure the amount of force required and the distance the load moves.  Again we will talk about the math involved in a pulley system as well.  If there is time I would like to have the students plan, research and conduct their own project using a lever or pulley.  Watch my blog for more information!!

That about sums up what’s coming up this month.  As always feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Cells, Brain and Eye Test – 2011

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students:

Below you will find the list of what students should know for the Cells, Brain and Eye test.  As of right now the test will be on Wednesday, November 9.  Also – the online test is available now in my web site, but students HAVE NOT learned about the eye yet.  We will be doing that this week!

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VOCABULARY

• cell
• nucleus
• cerebrum
• cerebellum
• medulla
• synapse
• neuron
• pupil
• cornea
• life processes

CONCEPTS

• know the three main parts of the brain
• know what the pupil does in bright light vs. dim light
• know the types of nerve cells
• know that reflex actions protect the body from harm
• know why the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa
• be able properly label the parts of a pair of neurons
• be able to label a diagram of the eye
• be able to label a diagram of the brain
• be able to label a diagram of a cell (plant or animal) and identify which type it is

Thanks!!

Mr. Yerington

Classroom News – October 2011

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students:

I can’t believe it’s the last day of November already!  Time seems to fly.  October brings a LOT of important things in my science classroom so, let’s get to them!

First, you have probably already read this in a previous post, but we will be taking our “Introduction to Science” unit test on Friday, October 7.  The online sample test is posted on my web site and there is a list of what to study in my previous post.

Once we are done with Introduction to Science we will start our unit on Cells, the Brain and the Eye.  We will start by learning about life processes and the parts of the cell.  After this we will begin learning about the parts of the brain and how our amazing brain works.  At some point in October we will be doing our first dissection!  This will be our sheep brain.  Please be advised that students are NOT required to touch the brain, however, I would like them to take part in the dissection and at least watch if they are uncomfortable touching it.  After our dissection of the brain we will learn the part of the eye and how the eye works.  Finally, we will dissect a sheep eye as well.  The eye dissection probably won’t take place until November, but that all depends on how quickly we progress through the first part of the unit.

Another exciting thing happening is that students are earning those SPEAR awards and some of my students have enough to become “Teacher of the Class”.  When students accumulate 25 SPEAR awards they may choose to teach a class for a period.  I am very excited about having some of my students teach.  It’s proven that we remember 95% of what we teach to others so I think this is a very valuable experience.  Not only that but students learn exactly what teachers deal with day to day!  Many a student has said to me after teaching “That was HARD!”, but they also seem to have a good time with it as well.

Well, that about sums up October in Mr. Yeringtons’ class!  As always if you have any questions give me a call or shoot me an e-mail!

Mr. Yerington

Intro to Science Test – 2011

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students:

For those who haven’t heard yet, the test over Introduction to Science will take place next Friday, October 4.  There is an online sample test available on my web site and below is a list of what to study for the test!

VOCABULARY

• volume
• quantitative observation
• qualitative observation
• prediction
• inference
• hypothesis
• variable
•  manipulated variable
•  responding variable

• scientific theory
• scientific inquiry

Know the five SKILLS of a good scientist (and what each one means)

Know the four ATTITUDES of a good scientist (and again, what they mean)

METRIC SYSTEM (SI)

• What number the SI system is based on
• What is the standard unit of length
• What is the standard unit of mass
• What is the standard unit of temperature
• What tools are used to measure length, mass, and temperature
• Difference between mass and weight

MATHEMATICS IN SCIENCE

• Estimation (what is it — why we use it)
• Averages
•       Mean
•       Median
•       Mode

• Graphs — how to read, interpret and make one

BRANCHES OF SCIENCE

• Earth and Space Science
• Physical Science
• Life Science

LAB SAFETY — what to do in case of an accident

Hope that helps everyone start studying!!

Mr. Yerington

Classroom News – September 2011

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students:

I can’t believe September is here already, but I can feel it in the air.  I am enjoying the cooler weather!  I was able to turn off the air conditioning and open the windows!!  Now if I could just get the neighborhood dogs to stop barking all night!

Anyway, I can’t PROMISE I will keep up on classroom news, but I am going to try to post a little something every month.  So, enjoy this first edition.

We are off to a great start in science this year.  So far most of the students are doing very well at turning in their homework!  I am hoping that continues.  We are working on our first unit which is an introduction to science.  As your child may have told you they are not allowed to take the textbooks home, but I do give them a page of notes for each section.  They can use these notes to complete the homework and stay for quizzes and the final test.

Speaking of the final test….  I’m not 100% sure when that will be yet, but I am thinking sometime by the end of this month or first of October (probably closer to the first of October since we have some Langwood days in there as well…)  I will make sure to post some information as it gets closer.

When we finish our Introduction to Science unit we will move on to Cells, the Brain and the Eye.  This is where our “famous” brain and eye dissections will take place.  More information about that in my October classroom news!

Well, that about sums up this month. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail or call!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Chapter 1, Section 2 Worksheet Assigned Today

Hello,

Just a quick post to let you know that ALL classes received the Chapter 1, Section 2 Worksheet today in class.  This will be due tomorrow.  Also, if students need some help completing this be sure to check my web site and click on “Powerpoints.”  You can find the presentations I used in class so students can review the key concepts.

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

The First Two Days

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students:

Well, it seems we have all survived the first two days! I think they went very well. The students seem very respectful and polite so far and they seem ready to learn! That will make my job a lot easier. We went over my class information sheet today and that SHOULD be coming home this weekend. I would like a parent or guardian to sign off that they have seen and read the information contained therein. The students can then return the bottom of the yellow letter to me. One class did not finish and did not get the yellow letter so they will get that on Monday.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail or call the school.

Thanks
Mr. Yerington

Back to School Night

Parents, Guardians and Students:

Thank you all for coming to back to school night tonight.  It was so nice to meet all of you.  I am looking forward to a great year this year.  If you should ever have a question, comment or concern, please contact me either via e-mail or call me at school.  I want this to be a great year for everyone!

Thanks again for coming tonight. If you didn’t make it – I will look forward to meeting you later!

Mr. Yerington