Investigations in Science 7 October 20, 2017
Announcements:
Parent conferences are coming up. Please see the attachment for more
information about conferences.
We are seeing work completion as an area of improvement that is needed for
some students. I will start including a list of assignments that were collected this
week to be graded. If you see any of these papers in your childs binder, please
have them turn them in on Monday:
1. Pollination Check for Understanding
2. Lab: Chromatography
3. Study Guide: Environmental Factors and Plant Growth HW (Since the
answer key is now on Google Classroom, they can make flashcards for this
information to receive credit. I will no longer be accepting the study
guide)
4. Assessment: Environmental Factors and Plant Growth
Coming Up:
Topics:
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Dates:
October 23-27 - Red Ribbon Week
o October 23 PJ Day 7th Graders Earned this through Minion Bucks
o October 24 - Crazy Sock Day
o October 25 - Team Jersey Day
o October 26 - Wear Red Day
o October 27 - Wear FMS Colors
October 24 - Make Up Picture Day
October 25 Review Sheet due: Photosynthesis Evaluation
October 26 ASSESSMENT: Photosynthesis Evaluation
October 27 - FMS Dance @ 6:00 pm
November 2 - Band Trip Parent Meeting @ 7:00 pm
November 3 - Medieval Times
November 9 - End of 1st Quarter
November 9 - Early Dismissal
November 9 - Parent Conferences
November 10 - Early Dismissal
November 13 - Professional Day
November 14 - PTA Meeting @ 7:00 pm
November 15 - Town Hall Meeting - Period 2
November 17 - Early Dismissal
November 19 - Social Studies Family DC Museum Field Trip
November 22 - Early Dismissal
November 23-24 - No School
November 27 - Bill Nye's Birthday
What we did this week:
Monday, we started off the week by finishing up pollination. We read an
article on pollination and then completed a check for understanding and turned this
in to be graded.
Tuesday, we completed an interactive to see how the cell reacts different to
photosynthesis during the different seasons of the year. We also took notes on
chromatography. We talked about how it is a process that separates different
pigments. This information was helpful for our lab we completed on Thursday.
Wednesday, students took an assessment on the different factors that
affect plant growth. They had to use a variety of tables and graphs to be able to
interpret and analyze the ideal temperatures, amount of sunlight, amount of water,
and whether fertilizer makes a difference or not to create a perfect combination
of different factors.
We have begun making daily observations of our basil plants by measuring
the height, counting the leaves, observing the color, and testing the pH of the
water. Students finalized their ideas of whether they were going to keep their
basil plants in the class hydroponics system or create their own systems. A
number of groups have brought in their own supplies to build their designs. The
students were provided class time to make their systems. Students are always
able to change their systems at any time before school during Connect Time. I
have let students know that this project is a fluid project and decisions can be
changed at any time.
Thursday and today, we focused on photosynthesis. Today we will do a
chromatography lab where students rub a piece of spinach on chromatography
paper using a coin. The bottom of the chromatography paper (filter paper) is then
placed in rubbing alcohol. The plant material starts to move up the filter paper by
the end of the class and the different materials will separate. We will notice that
the material inside the cells contains both green and yellow pigments. Students
discover that the function of a plants pigment is to absorb light energy for
photosynthesis. We also completed an interactive to see how the change in
temperature during the day and night affect photosynthesis.
Today we will be building our hydroponics systems if groups chose to. Many
students have been bringing in materials to create their systems. We will also be
finishing up our lab from yesterday and turning that in to be graded as well as
taking care of some other things that we didnt have an opportunity to finish
earlier in the week.
Have a great weekend!
