An optimist sees the glass half full. A pessimist sees the glass half empty. A chemist sees the glas

I just realized that it has been over a month since I posted last! Life and school has been a bit full to say the least.

What has been happening:

- Spring Break

- Parent-Teacher Conferences

- Professional Development Conference

- A few no school days

- Whole classes gone for different events

- 6 and 3 year old active kiddos at home

All good things, but some this got pushed to the back burner. When I woke up at 4am tonight and couldn't go back to sleep, I figured now was a good time to try and get an update out there!

What we've been working on:

7th Grade: Within the body systems, we completed the Reproductive System. Always lots of questions, but a good introduction before they take Health next year. We've worked through the muscular and skeletal systems - I include lots of good kinesthetic activities there. Up next is digestion.

MS-LS1-3 Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

8th Grade: We finished up our Weather and Climate unit and have finally moved on to Astronomy! It is a subject the students look forward to all year and so do I. I switched things up from last year and like the progression this year:

- Light and the electromagnetic spectrum

If we want to study space, we have to understand the data source! We do some different activities investing light, including calculating a light year. I give a lot of analogies to help them comprehend the vast distances we're talking about.

MS-PS4-1 Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.

- Visible light and star color

I modified What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv to discuss the different properties of light based on color. Then we went into star classifications asking the kids "what does it mean for stars to be different colors?" The students created the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram from star temperature and brightness information and they come up with observable patterns in the data.

- Star Life Cycle

Since there are so many stars on the graph, we go into what else makes them different besides color, temperature and brightness. I was really excited to find this simulation, Star in a Box. It allows students to change mass and watch the changes it undergoes and where it ends the cycle.

MS-ESS1- 1 Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.

* ESS1-1 is broken down into three DCIs - Universe and its Stars, Earth and the Solar System, and The History of Planet Earth.

Soon we'll be moving into the solar system and planets, including Kepler's Exoplant Hunt. A really great lesson on how scientists have located other planets around other stars!

Chemistry: We started an Energy unit including types of energy, transformations, calculating heat and work, and total internal energy change. We've gone into energy within bonds (intramolecular) and energy of molecular interactions (intermolecular).

HS-PS3-1 Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known.

HS-PS3-2 Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects). [

HS-PS3-4 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).

Advanced Chemistry: We're finishing up our preparation for the AP Chemistry Exam - May 2 in the big day. I think I'm just as anxious as the students are!

And, the glass is always full - half with air and half with water! =)

#EarthScience #life