Unit Test: Nature of Science and Technology

Next Friday, October 5, I will be giving our first science test. Below you will find a list of the items on the test. Also, early next week I will be posting a sample test on my web site for students to try.

---

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

There you have it! Hope that will help everyone start studying!!

Mr. Yerington

New Addition to Blogroll…

My newest addition to my blogroll is a link for all of you to jump right to our online textbook login.  It’s called Prentice Hall Success Net and I hope having it right there on the blogroll will help — that way you don’t have to type it in!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Update on Online Textbooks

UPDATE:  I found out this morning that the online system does NOT allow spaces, so please change the user name to last name_first initial.  Also, if your child has short names they may have to use two letters from their first name because the system doesn’t accept less than six characters!   

Now that our Langwood days are over things can get back to ‘normal’. Tomorrow, September 27, each of my students will receive a letter detailing how to go online to our textbook company (Prentice Hall) and set up a user name and password. This will then allow them to access their textbook online.

Please keep in mind that we would like ALL user names to be consistent, so I am asking students to use last name and first initial.  So, Bob Jones’ user name should be jones b

Also, you will need to get the access code off of my letter — I cannot  post it here because then  anyone reading my blog could access the books and the company would not look to kindly on this!

If you have any questions please contact me and I will do my best to answer them!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Textbooks Online — Coming Soon…..

Coming soon — online text book access!! Yes, parents and students it’s finally here. I met with a representative from the Prentice Hall Company yesterday and one of the things she provided us with was the online access codes for our text books. I will be sending home notes with the students on how to get online and create a user name for this. I am asking that students use their last name and first initial as their user name so that all of them are consistent and the system will sort them alphabetically making it easier for me to see who is registered.

Thanks,

Mr. Yerington

Chapter 2, Section 1 Worksheet

Students in all my science classes will receive the chapter 2, section 1 review worksheet today.  This covers measurement.  The classes will have some time to work on the worksheet today in class.  Whatever they don’t finish in class will need to be finished as homework.  Again, students need to have good notes OR come use a book during homeroom. 

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

DON’T FORGET MR. Z’S ORDERS MONDAY!!

Parents and Guardians

Please  help your child remember to bring their Mr. Z’s order to school Monday.  They need to turn them in to the FIRST BLOCK teacher.  If your child has me first period I will be raffling off SIX orders from my family members to students that have their packet back on time!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Science Worksheet

On the assignment page of my web site it lists the Chapter 1, Section 4 Worksheet as homework for today.  I have changed that.  Students will be working on this worksheet IN CLASS today.  The only way it will be homework is if they are not on task and do not finish it in class today.  They will be reading and working on the assignment with a partner, so they should be able to get it completed before the end of class time. 

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

More About Langwood

Today students heard from Katie Hammond with the Louisa County Conservation Board.  They learned all about the ropes course and how safe it is.  Keep in mind that your child will be in the hands of a trained belayer at all times they are on the course.  Most students first question is “What if I fall?”  The answer is — NOTHING!  The most they will ‘fall’ is a few inches because the belayer has the rope locked into place.  They can then put their feet back on the element and continue. 

It’s also interesting to note that the safety equipment used on the ropes course is rated for up to 5,000 pounds.  I guess that means we could hoist a car up there if we wanted.   

If you want to find out what students need to bring with them and what all they will be doing on their day at Langwood just check my web site’s Langwood Page where you can find all sorts of great information. 

If you can’t find the answer there just shoot me an e-mail and I will help you out!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

First Grades Posted!!

Attention Parents, Guardians and Students

Grades have been posted for the first time on my web site.  You will need your child’s student ID number (assigned by the school) and their PIN number (assigned by my computer) in order to access the grades.  Your child should bring home a letter with both of these numbers tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 10)  If they don’t give it to you be sure and ask about it.

For a short tutorial on how to check grades check my page on “Checking Your Child’s Grades” — if you have any problems feel free to e-mail me !

Thanks

Mr. Yerington

Langwood Information 2007

ATTENTION PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

West Middle School sixth graders are about to embark on their annual trip to Langwood Camp in Louisa County. There will be lots more information forthcoming both here and on my web site, so be sure to check often!!

For now, here is a list of what teachers will be attending on which days. Please note that your child will attend with their Block 1 teacher.

September 20 — Yerington and Casstevens

September 21 — Chavarria and Carey

September 25 — Martinez and Bertotti

September 26 — Soy and Bryant

Your child will be bringing home a permission slip early next week — please have your child return it to their first period teacher soon. (I am asking that my students have them back by next Friday!)

I will also be looking for some adult chaperons so if you might be interested in going let your child know or send me an e-mail (eayeringNOSPAM@machlink.com) just remove the NOSPAM from the e-mail address above!

Thanks

Mr. Yerington