August 27, 2010

Today we continued measurement and equipment by completing a few review worksheets and conducting a lab activity.

1. Warm-up
2. Importance of units
3. Measurement worksheets
  - Metric Ruler
  - Graduated Cylinder
  - Triple Beam Balance
4. Measurement and equipment lab activity
   - Name and use the lab equipment to measure the specified object.  Be sure to include units.  Numbers without units are naked and are not accepted.

Objectives:
Content:
I will use measurements and lab equipment to complete the lab activity.

Language:
I will write a reflection for post lab.

August 26, 2010

Today we finished up lab safety and started reviewing laboratory equipment and measurement.

1. Warm-up
2. Finish presenting and taking notes
3. Safety Sleuth and Safety Violation contest.
4. Measurements and equipment notes.

Objectives:
Content:
I will review laboratory equipment and measurement.

Language:
I will use academic language to take notes.

August 25, 2010

Today we continued learning about laboratory safety.

1. Warm-up
2. We continued working in our groups to complete our safety symbols and summary of safety rules.
3. Groups presented their safety symbols and rules while everyone else took notes.

Objectives:
Content:
I will learn about all the safety symbols and rules.

Language:
I will give an oral presentation on my safety symbol and rules.

August 24, 2010

Today we focused on setting up our notebooks which stay in class!  Remember you are welcome to come by in the morning or afternoon to study from your notebook, just set-up an appointment with me first.

1. Finish All About Me collage
2. Continue Rules and Expectations
3. Set-up Notebooks
4. Begin learning about Laboratory Safety
    - You worked in groups to create your own versions of the safety symbols.  The best one will be used throughout the year to indicate which safety protocols we need to follow when performing our labs.

Objectives:
Content:
I will bein to learn and review laboratory safety and rules.

Language:
I will write a summary, using academic language, about my safety symbol and rules.

August 23, 2010

I had a great day meeting all of you!  I cannot wait to see what you create with your collages!

1. Create Popsicle sticks and name tents
2. Who is Mrs. Watt?
3. Rules and expectations following Syllabus page 1 and Syllabus page 2
    Bring to Mrs. Watt's science class:
    1st period: a pair of adult sized scissors
    2nd period: a box of Ziploc bags
    4th period: thin expo markers
    5th period: construction paper
    6th period: one box of markers
   *All classes bring a bottle of glue and $1.00 to pay for previously purchased notebook and other supplies.
4. All About Me Collage

Objectives:
Content:
I will understand and practice how to enter and exit the class.

Language:
I will have a group discussion on the importance of rules.

Women in Science Free Event!

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is putting on a free city-wide Women in Science event on Sunday, September 19, 1-3pm.  This event is for middle school and high school women who are interested in exploring astronomy, ecology, aquatic biology, conservation, math, engineering, and other science related fields.  Please go to http://www.austinmuseums.org/index/museumday for more information and to find a list of participating museums. 

Welcome!

As we start the new 2010-2011 school year I want to let you know how excited I am to meet each of you! In 7th grade the TEKS focus on life science.

We will be focusing on the interconnectedness of our planet, and the importance of our actions. You will hone your critical thinking skills by practicing evaluating, analyzing and interpreting information.

I plan to incorporate technology in our classroom by allowing you to create blog posts and podcasts, sharing documents through online databases, and much more!

Let's get ready to explore the world around us!