Middle School Science

April 16

Today you took a test on electricity and magnetism, AND you learned how to make a “paper circuit” with copper conductive tape, LED bulbs, and a coin battery.

Use your electrical knowledge and abilities, plus any artistic skills you have, to design and build a nifty paper circuit.  You can get as wild as you like, as long as your circuit works when you bring it to class next week.

You are welcome to add coin batteries if you need more of them.  If you run out of copper tape, aluminum foil works well.

Have fun.  If you need inspiration or ideas, do a Google search for “paper circuits”.

April 9

Please read Lesson 14 and answer these questions:

  1. What is a machine?
  2. What is so special about Archimedes?
  3. List the six simple machines and give an example of each one.
  4. Let’s pretend you can lift a 300 pound rock all by yourself.  By using a lever with a mechanical advantage of 4, how big of a rock can you lift now?

Next week you will take a test on electricity and magnetism.  Linked below is a study guide.

Electricity and Magnetism Review Questions for Test

 

April 2

Please read to the end of Lesson 13 and answer these questions:

  1.  What is a compass?  How are compasses made?
  2.  What have you learned about the earth’s magnetic field and compasses?
  3. How does the magnetosphere act as a protective shield?
  4. What do you know about pole jumping?
  5. What is an electromagnet?
  6. What is the motor effect?

 

March 26

Read our next chapter, Lesson 13, “Mysterious Magnetism”, pages 220-227.  Answer these questions:

  1. There is a story about how magnets were discovered, which may or may not be true. In your own words, retell the story.  Since it’s likely not factual, go ahead and give the boy a name and add some interesting details!
  2. Describe how magnets are used in our houses, in medicine, in other places. Use your own words!  Write at least three sentences.
  3. How are magnets like atoms?
  4. What would happen if you cut a magnet in half?
  5. What did you learn about spinning electrons and domains?

March 19

Did you make electrical connections today?  Good.

I don’t want to start the next chapter until we do additional electricity labs, so this is what I want you to do.

Get a piece of paper.  Draw a D-cell, a light bulb, and a “wire”.  Connect them at least TWO ways that work, and TWO ways that don’t.

Explain to one of your parents why the ways work and don’t work.  Use the words “contact points”, “electrons”, “circuit”, “circle”, “positive”, “negative” and “move”.

Last of all, ask your parent to sign your paper saying he or she saw your drawings.

Thank you!

March 12

Read the rest of Lesson 12, from page 211 to the end.  Write a paragraph of at least 5 good sentences explaining what you’ve learned about electricity.

March 5

Our next chapter is called, “Electrifying Our World”.  Please read Lesson 12, pages 201 – 211 and answer these questions.

REMINDER;  Don’t write the question on your paper.  (If I see the question on your paper, I will give you a “0”).  Instead, incorporate the question into your answer.

  1.  What happens when an atom gets positively or negatively charged?
  2.  Where does the word “electricity” come from and what does it mean?
  3. What is static electricity?  Explain in at least two sentences.
  4. What do capacitors do?  Why are they necessary?
  5. What is current electricity?  Explain in at least two sentences.
  6. Why should you get out of the swimming pool during a lightning storm?
  7. What is necessary for power to travel in a circuit?

You did an experiment on Exothermic Reactions today in class.  Please answer all of the questions on the worksheet AND fill in data on your graph.  You will turn the whole packet in next week.

Also, you received two other handouts.  One was called  “HEAT Transfers 3 Ways by” and the other one was “Heat &Thermal ENERGY TRANSFER”  For both of them you are to cut out the little pictures and glue them to the proper column, depending on whether they are “conduction”, “convection”, or “radiation”.  These are due next week also.

February 27

Read Lesson 11, “Thermal Energy” pages 183-193.  Answer these questions – BUT FIRST, do you remember that I’ve told you to answer in your own words and to NOT write the question on your paper?  Some of you are still writing the question on your paper and then answering it below!  Don’t do that.

Write the answer to the question by incorporating the question into your answer.  Like this:

Question:  Why do cats growl?

Answer:  Cats growl because they are nervous, angry, or hungry.

Okie dokie.  Here are the questions:

  1. What is thermodynamics?
  2. What is the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics? Explain in your own words.
  3. What is the First Law of Thermodynamics? Explain in your own words.
  4. What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics? Explain in your own words.
  5. What is the Third Law of Thermodynamics? Explain in your own words.
  6. What is the difference between a heat source and a heat sink? Give an example.
  7. Explain convection, conduction, and radiation. Give an example of each, along with a diagram of how heat energy moves.

 

Today you completed two labs during class:  Beaker to Beaker, and Convection in Test Tubes.  Answer all of the questions on the lab sheets and turn those in next time.

February 20

Please read Lesson 10, Let there be Light!   Answer these questions about your reading –

 

  1. Read about how hydrogen and helium react together in our sun to create both light and energy. In your own words, explain what this means.  Write at least three great sentences.
  2. What did you learn about Thomas Edison? Write at least three good sentences about him from the information in your book (this means you cannot find information any other place.)
  3. What is the difference between opaque, transparent, and translucent?
  4. What did Isaac Newton discover about colors?
  5. What is refraction? Give an example and draw a diagram.
  6. What is reflection? Give an example and draw a diagram.

February 13

Read all of Lesson 9, Sound of Energy

These questions are not from your reading exactly, but I’m sure you have enough information to answer them:

  1. A meteor hits a space station orbiting high above earth.  Do the astronauts inside hear its impact?
  2. Does an astronaut working nearby on the outside of the space station hear its impact?
  3. Flying insects buzz and hum. How do they produce these sounds?
  4. How are ocean waves different from sound waves? Draw a representation of each.
  5. Draw a high-pitched sound wave below.

Draw a low-pitched sound wave below.

 

These questions are from your reading:

  1. Which phase of matter conducts sound best, a solid, a liquid or a gas. Why?
  2. Explain what you’ve learned about the speed of sound.

Today we did several labs on “sound.”  Write your answers to the worksheet questions neatly and in complete sentences.  All are due next time.

February 6

Questions Lesson 8

Read pages 126 – 144 and answer these questions:

  1. What is the definition of energy?
  2. Explain the difference between kinetic and potential energy and give an example of each kind.
  3. What does the Law of Conservation of Energy mean?
  4. List the different forms of energy.
  5. What are examples of chemical energy?
  6. What are fossilized forms of energy? Where did they come from?  How do scientists find them?
  7. What is nuclear fission? What is dangerous about nuclear fission?
  8. What are the best forms of renewable energy?
  9. For each of these forms of energy, explain what it is in just one good sentence:
    1. Hydropower
    2. Solar energy
    3. Wind energy.
    4. Geothermal energy

January 30

Congratulations to our Balloon Car Racers today!  Matthias is the distance champ; Aaron and Owen crossed the finish line (heh) fastest; and Clara snagged the “best dressed car” category.  Well done to all of you!

Please read pages 116-124 and answer these questions —

  1. What type of force is gravity? (Think about how the force of gravity is different by the forces of a magnet).
  2. Why does earth win the pulling competition?
  3. What is the difference between “spring tides” and “neap tides”?
  4. What is a shooting star? When do shooting stars occur most often?
  5. What is the gravitational pull between planets in our solar system based on?
  6. What did Galileo learn about falling objects when he dropped them off the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
  7. Explain what is meant by “free fall”.
  8. Explain centripetal force and how it helped David conquer Goliath.

January 23

Next week will be BALLOON POWERED CAR races!  Remember these rules:

  • Your car must be able to travel at least 3 feet.
  • Your car must be decorated.
  • You must use my balloon.

You and your partner could win a prize for the car which travels the farthest, the car which is decorated the best, and the car which is the fastest across the finish line!

Besides tweaking your car design and preparing for the BIG RACE, please read Lesson 7, “Dynamics of Motion”.  Answer these questions correctly.

  1. What are the two well-known forces which affect motion?
  2. In your own words, define friction. Give an example.
  3. Why is friction stronger with dry surfaces than with wet ones? Be sure you talk about what’s happening with the atoms of each surface!
  4. If your car is stuck in the mud, what is the best way to get it going again? Use the word “traction” in your answer.
  5. What is “adhesion”?
  6. What two substances are important lubricants?
  7. What do swimmers do to help them swim faster? Use the words “drag” and “aerodynamic” in your answer.

January 16

Okie dokie, scientists, for the next two weeks you will be applying your knowledge of mechanics in motion (Newton’s Laws) to an engineering problem.  Remember that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) all work together to understand God’s creation and to use that knowledge to improve our lives.  Neato!

First, finish reading Lesson 6 and answer these questions properly:

  1. What is Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
  2. How does Newton’s third law apply to a rocket launch?
  3. On page 105, in the first paragraph, you are told that “whenever you push on something, it’s always pushing back with an equal amount of force.” What does that mean?  Give an example.
  4. You’re an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (I.S.S.) and you’ve been told by NASA to go outside. You wear your space suit, of course, and you tether yourself to the ISS with a long rope.  Then, something terrible happens – perhaps the rope becomes unclipped from the ship – and you are drifting away!  Quick –what can you do?
  5. What impresses you the most about Sir Isaac Newton?

Then, begin gathering materials to build a balloon powered race car in class next week.  You and your partner should have discussed ideas today in class, and perhaps you made a list of items.  Check my list below for items I will have on hand, and items you may want to bring from home.

Items I will have for you:

  • Balloons
  • Glue
  • Tape
  • Round buttons
  • Straws
  • cardboard

Items you may want to bring:

  • Bottle caps
  • Old CDs or DVDs
  • Paper rolls from TP or paper towels
  • Empty water bottles
  • Turkey baster
  • Wooden skewers
  • Rubber bands
  • Flexible straws (mine are not flexible)
  • Juice box
  • Small milk carton
  • Styrofoam block
  • Empty rolls from tape
  • Lego wheels

Remember the rules:

  1. You must use my balloons, which are 9”.
  2. Your car must be decorated.
  3. Your car must be able to travel at least 6 feet.

 

January 9

Welcome back to science class! Your assignment for this week is below, but first remember our NEW RULE:

You must write your own answers, so do NOT copy from the Internet, the textbook, or a friend.

You must write in complete sentences AND incorporate the question into your answer.  We discussed this in class today, but if you don’t understand what I mean, ask me.

Your paper must follow these rules, or you will get a “0” for the assignment.

Please read Lesson 6, Mechanics in Motion, from pages 97-103.  Answer these questions:

 

  1. What is Newton’s First Law of Motion?  Explain in your own words, using the term “inertia” in your answer.
  2. If you are coasting downhill on your bicycle, what force will eventually cause you to stop?  Explain in a complete sentence.
  3. What is meant by “a force”?
  4. If you are riding in a car and it suddenly comes to a stop because the driver slammed on her brakes, what happens to your body? Why?
  5. What is Newton’s Second Law of Motion? Explain in your own words and give an example which is NOT in the book.
  6. You are standing on a bus, holding on to the overhead bar (because the bus is full and there is nowhere to sit). Your legs are relaxed.  Explain what the bus is doing if you find yourself in each of these situations:
    1. You are leaning back.
    2. You are leaning to the right.
    3. You are leaning forward.
    4. You are not leaning at all.

Lastly, finish answering the “inertia” lab questions and turn those in next week.

November 14

Today you did real science!  You proved that, indeed, Double Bubble Gum contains 3 grams of sugar.  Well done!  Now, please write a report about your results.

  1. Introduction paragraph:  state what we wanted to learn.  You should include a bit of background – that gum doesn’t disintegrate when you chew it, that the taste of gum is the sugar which dissolves in your saliva, and that it takes about ten minutes to extract all of the flavor from a piece of bubble gum!
  2. Explain what you did. Include all the details, such as “digital scale”, “grams”, “wrapper”, etc.
  3. Explain how you determined the mass of the sugar by a subtraction problem. Compare what the label said about the amount of sugar in a piece of gum with your findings.

We’re ready to start the next chapter, but let’s not.  Since we have a big break coming up after next week, we’ll just save Chapter 6 until January.

November 7

Please finish reading Lesson 5, pages 87-94.  Answer these questions:

  1. Why don’t hands get clean with only water?
  2. What are alloys?
  3. What alloys were used in Biblical times to make weapons?
  4. What alloy did the chemical engineers with NASA invent? What is so special about it?
  5. Explain why milk is a colloid.
  6. Name three kinds of colloids and give an example of each one.
  7. Discuss ways to separate a mixture. Be sure to write at least three sentences, and use examples.
  8. Make a chart with two categories: heterogenous and homogenous.  Go through your house and list items which fall under each category.  You must have at least five examples of each category.

Also, finish calculating the volume of a rectangular prism on the worksheet called “Independent Practice.”

October 31

It’s time for a little test on Chapters 3 and 4.  Here are review questions to help you study (these are NOT homework):

  1. What exactly is an atom?  Use your own words to answer this question.
  2. What is an element? Give an example of an element.
  3. What is a compound?
  4. What are the two types of electrical charges? What is the positive charged particle inside of an atom called?  What is the negatively charged particle of an atom called?
  5. What is the Periodic Table of Elements?
  6. What does “noble gentlemen” mean? Which elements are part of the noble gentlemen group?
  7. What is a compound?
  8. What does “crystal” mean?  What are the best examples of crystallized water?
  9. What are gemstones? Which gemstones are the four special ones?
  10. What is a polymer?
  11. What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak one?
  12. What is the purpose of stomach acid?
  13. If your tummy makes too much acid, you may have “heartburn”.  What might your mom give you to make you feel better?  Why does it make you feel better?
  14. What are the physical characteristics of a base?
  15. What does it mean to neutralize an acid?

Also, begin reading Chapter 5.  Read pages 82-87 and answer these questions — they ARE homework!

  1. What is a “mixture”? Describe a “heterogeneous mixture” and give three examples of one.
  2. What is a “suspension”? Give an example.
  3. What is a “homogenous mixture”?
  4. In a homogenous mixture of salt water, what is the solute? What is the solvent?
  5. Why is water called a “universal solvent”?
  6. What is the difference between a “polar molecule” and a “nonpolar molecule”
  7. What makes soap so special?

October 24

Let’s finish reading Chapter 4, pages 72-79, shall we?  Yep.  Answer these questions in complete sentences, including the question into your answer.

  1. What acidic acid beverages to you drink?  Do they taste good to you?
  2. What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak one?
  3. Give an example of a strong acid and tell where it is found.
  4. What is the purpose of stomach acid?
  5. If your tummy makes too much acid, you may have “heartburn”.  What might your mom give you to make you feel better?  Why does it make you feel better?
  6. What are the physical characteristics of a base?
  7. What does it mean to neutralize an acid?
  8. Name a substance with these pH values:
    1. 9
    2. 11
    3. 3
    4. 14
    5. 5
  9. What is a chemical reaction?
  10. What is a catalyst?

Practice noticing VOLUME around the house!  Look around (your refrigerator and kitchen cupboards are good places).  Choose 10 items whose labels indicate their VOLUME (not mass!).  List the items, along with their volumes.  You may see both English and metric units; if so, list them both.  (Remember:  “grams” indicate mass, not volume, so don’t list grams).

October 17

You don’t appreciate this now, and you may not appreciate it EVER, but there is something I’d like you to understand:  the Periodic Table of the Elements is one of the most incredible proofs of God’s hand in creation.  No kidding.

Dmitri Mendeleev is the guy who is credited with putting it all together…rows, columns, groups, families…and all elements fit exactly where God designed them.  Cool.

Anyway, read Chapter 4, pages 62-71 and answer these questions, in complete sentences, by incorporating the question into your answer:

  1.  What is a compound?
  2. What are some elements which can make crystals?
  3. What does “crystal” mean?  What are the best examples of crystallized water?
  4. What are gemstones? Which gemstones are the four special ones?
  5. Tell me what you’ve learned about diamonds.
  6. Tell me what you’ve learned about polymers.  Write at least two sentences.
  7. Explain how Silly Putty was discovered.  Write at least three sentences.
  8. Which plastic code might you find on a baby toy?  What about a soda bottle?  What about a plastic chair?

Then, complete the worksheet I gave you in class today, which goes along with the puzzle you solved.  If you don’t remember exactly what the puzzle looked like, see the picture, below.

October 11

Today, we measured in centimeters and millimeters.  We also learned that “centi” means “100″, and that “milli” means “1000”.  Those are important facts, and you’ll use them many times in your life.

This week, read the rest of Chapter 3, pages 51 – 59.  Answer these questions in complete sentences, using your own words.  Incorporate the question into your answer.

  1. What is a “happy atom”?
  2. What is the Periodic Table of Elements?
  3. Name five elements from the periodic table on page 53. For each one, write their symbol and their atomic number.
  4. What information does the atomic number give us?
  5. Why is Latin a good language for science?
  6. What does “noble gentlemen” mean? Which elements are part of the noble gentlemen group?

Linked below is another measuring exercise, along with a centimeter ruler you can print and use if you don’t have one at home.  Complete the exercise and bring it to class as homework next time.  (You are welcome to color it if you like!)

Homework page here  Ship Measuring

October 3

Today we discussed the metric system, and we practiced measuring with rulers, your thumb, and a paper clip.  If you did NOT hand your papers in today, do NOT worry.  These are NOT homework, but I need you to bring them back to class next time!

Read Lesson 3, “Building Blocks of Creation” and answer the following questions.

Listen carefully –

  1. DO NOT write the question on your homework paper. Instead, incorporate the question into your answer by writing a complete sentence.
  2. DO NOT use the Internet to answer these questions. Using the Internet instead of reading your book and writing the answers in your own words is CHEATING.

Here are the questions –

 

  1. What exactly is an atom?  Use your own words to answer this question.
  2. What is an element? Give an example of an element.
  3. How many elements did God create when He made the earth?
  4. How many more elements have scientists created in the laboratory?
  5. What atoms – and how many of each — make up sugar?
  6. What is a compound?
  7. What are the two types of electrical charges? What is the positive charged particle inside of an atom called?  What is the negatively charged particle of an atom called?

September 26

Today we completed two labs in class:  Molecules in Motion 1 and Molecules in Motion 2.  Your job is to finish answering the questions on each of them AND then write a lab report for each.  See the “Mrs. B’s Science Lab:  Experiment Report” document linked below.  Print two of them – one for each lab.

Study for your test on Chapters 1 and 2.  Do this by reviewing the “what do you remember” sections on pages 28 and 41.

So, to summarize:

  1. Finish answering the questions on Molecules in Motion 1 and 2.
  2. Write a lab report for Molecules in Motion 1.
  3. Write a lab report for Molecules in Motion 2.
  4. Study for your test.

Mrs B’s Science Lab Experiment Report

September 19

One very important piece of science lab equipment is a thermometer.  Today you learned how to handle and how to read a Celsius thermometer.  Thank you for handling your thermometer responsibly and taking your lab time seriously!

This week, please finish the lab report titled “Using a Thermometer” by answering any questions you couldn’t answer in class, and by labeling the blank thermometers correctly. Staple those two pieces of paper together and bring them to class next week.

Read Chapter 2, pages 30-33 and answer these questions.  Be sure to incorporate the question into your answer and to write a complete sentence.

  1. What are the three main states of matter?  Give an example of each.
  2. How does heat energy apply to states of matter?
  3. Explain how activity of atoms determines whether a substance is a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
  4. What does the real difference between states of matter come down to?
  5. What is a solid? What can you say about the energy of atoms in a solid?
  6. What is a liquid? What can you say about the energy of atoms in a liquid?
  7. What is an amorphous solid? What is another name for an amorphous solid?

AND — One more item.  Junior Scientists must understand the difference between matter, mass, volume, and density.

Below are the questions I asked you today, along with their answers.  Study, please.  You will take a similar quiz next week, and that one will count.

  1. Which word mean “stuff”?  (matter)
  2. Which word means “the space something takes up?”  (volume)
  3. Which word refers to the amount of matter contained in something?  (mass)
  4. Which word refers to hio tightly packed the matter is in something?  (density)
  5. What do both chemistry and physics study?  (matter)
  6. Archimedes was trying to help his king determine if his crown was made of real gold or fake gold.  What word indicates the property which determines this?  (density)
  7. What measurement does a graduated cylinder measure?  (volume)
  8. What is measured with a scale?  (mass)
  9. What is measured in grams?  (mass)
  10. What is measured in milliliters?  (volume)

Thank you!

September 12, 2023

Finish reading Lesson 1 in your textbook, page 24 -28.  Answer these questions, being careful to write in complete sentences and to incorporate the question into your answer.

  1. What are three characteristics of metals?
  2. How are iron pyrite and gold different in appearance?
  3. What does “malleable” mean?
  4. Are all metals magnetic?
  5. What TWO things do both Chemistry and Physics study?
  6. What is the definition of matter?
  7. What is volume?
  8. What is density?
  9. What is mass? Why is matter not always measured by weight?

Write a lab report on Saltwater Density Lab.  Use “Mrs. B’s Science Lab:  Experiment Report” handout I gave you in class and fill it out.  Be sure to include the drawing you made of your saltwater tower and indicate colors correctly.

September 5, 2023

Good work, junior scientists!  Today’s lab was an itty-bitty glimpse of what’s to come.  (You looked great in your lab gear, by the way.)

This week you have TWO assignments:

Read Lesson 1, pages 15 – 23 and answer these questions. When you write an answer for a science question, I want you to include the question into your answer, and please write in complete sentences.

  1. What do chemistry and physics study?
  2. What is matter? What is energy?
  3. Who holds all creation together? How do you know?
  4. What does “volume” mean?
  5. What is the difference between “weight” and “mass”? Give an example.
  6. Density is an important property of matter. What does “density” mean?

Lab 1.1 You finished your first lab in class today!  It was called “Calculating the Volume of an Irregular Solid”.  Please write one paragraph explaining what you did and what you learned.  Then, write another short paragraph explaining how this lab is a demonstration of Archimedes discovery from your reading in Lesson 1.

Thank you!  Bring both of these assignments to class next week.

August 28, 2023

Middle School Scientists —

It’s almost time to learn how to “do science” in a laboratory!

MRS. B’S SCIENCE LABORATORY will be set-up and waiting for its new chemists and physicists on September 5.  I’m excited.  Are you?

And, this page is the place you will visit each week to know what do to for homework.  It could be to read a chapter and answer questions.  It could be to write a lab report. It could be to practice new skills by finishing a graph or a problem.  It could even be to design an experiment! Whatever I assign, however, is due the following week and is part of your overall grade.

We’ll begin with one assignment due on September 5.  That’s right — this assignment is due the FIRST DAY OF CLASS, and you will receive a grade for it.

Assignment:  Bring your signed MIRACLE RANCH WAIVER FORM.  I’ve told your parents about this; make sure they’ve printed the form and signed it and given it to you to give to me.  

Okay?  Thanks.

Otherwise, bring your textbook, a binder with notebook paper, and your pen/pencil.  I’ll supply all other items you’ll need this year.

See you soon!

Mrs. B