Science Happenings: Food Molecules
The science classes will finish their chemistry unit next Friday. Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we have studied molecules and their atomic make-up, we analyzed how food molecules support the work of the body, and the formulas for respiration and photosynthesis. Students have worked in small teams to develop their understanding by creating infographics that show the processes we have studied in class and participating in student and teacher labs. Our final week will focus on how the cells obtain the energy from the food we eat.
We have also started to give small samples of the FORWARD practice test in class to help support students understanding of the exam and to understand where our 6th and 7th graders currently stand with analysis and comprehension skills.
Next Steps: Chemistry Summative Assessment & Science Fair
Looking ahead, we will start to review for the chemistry summative assessments on Monday, February 12th and Tuesday, February 13th. We will then spend the next couple of days completing a concepts assessment, a graphing assessment, and a claims, evidence, reasoning assessment. In preparation, we ask that students start to review their vocabulary early, so they are not having to crunch all of that information during our review sessions. Students can review their vocabulary on the spreadsheet they have been maintaining over the course of the unit. Students who have late work, especially the readings, should work to complete them prior to the review dates, so they can be as active of participants as possible during the review and the most prepared for the assessment.
While we are still several weeks away from starting the science fair unit, we have started to lay the groundwork with students on potential testable questions. Our hope is that over the course of our chemistry unit and current science experiences, students will reflect and ask questions on areas that interest them. Therefore, when we reach our science fair unit, students will have some ideas on what they might want to do for the project versus just picking something to complete a task. Please ask your student about things they might want to test and find the answers to during our unit.
The science classes will finish their chemistry unit next Friday. Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we have studied molecules and their atomic make-up, we analyzed how food molecules support the work of the body, and the formulas for respiration and photosynthesis. Students have worked in small teams to develop their understanding by creating infographics that show the processes we have studied in class and participating in student and teacher labs. Our final week will focus on how the cells obtain the energy from the food we eat.
We have also started to give small samples of the FORWARD practice test in class to help support students understanding of the exam and to understand where our 6th and 7th graders currently stand with analysis and comprehension skills.
Next Steps: Chemistry Summative Assessment & Science Fair
Looking ahead, we will start to review for the chemistry summative assessments on Monday, February 12th and Tuesday, February 13th. We will then spend the next couple of days completing a concepts assessment, a graphing assessment, and a claims, evidence, reasoning assessment. In preparation, we ask that students start to review their vocabulary early, so they are not having to crunch all of that information during our review sessions. Students can review their vocabulary on the spreadsheet they have been maintaining over the course of the unit. Students who have late work, especially the readings, should work to complete them prior to the review dates, so they can be as active of participants as possible during the review and the most prepared for the assessment.
While we are still several weeks away from starting the science fair unit, we have started to lay the groundwork with students on potential testable questions. Our hope is that over the course of our chemistry unit and current science experiences, students will reflect and ask questions on areas that interest them. Therefore, when we reach our science fair unit, students will have some ideas on what they might want to do for the project versus just picking something to complete a task. Please ask your student about things they might want to test and find the answers to during our unit.