Music

Wow...its been a really long time since my last post!

We just finished a short mini unit on sound...the kids took their quiz today, and they did okay. The should get their quizes back on wednesday.

Today I handed out an EXPERIMENTAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT project. Its a fun simple project for students to use their new sound knowledge. This project is worth 20 points or two labs.

Monday: Design your instrument and collect recycled materials.
Tuesday: Work on building your instrument in class.
Wednesday: Practice using your instrument
Thursday: Present Instruments
Friday: Demonstration Day

Be safe!

Mr. E

Three days to Turkey!!!

Students did a great job getting their assignments together, and taking their test last week. This week we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and the end of the trimester.

Monday: Discuss Light and the value of what we have learned. Turn in Light Books.

Tuesday: Planet Earth- Looking at a new Ecosystem.

Wednesday: A Local Thanksgiving- The value of purchasing locally grown food for thanksgiving.

THURSDAY: TURKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY: TURKEY Remix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great holiday...Mr. Ellsworth

The end of Light

This week we have a lot of things to accomplish. Since we have moved quickly and there will be several students absent next week, I decided to give our final light test Friday.

Monday: Light 12

Tuesday: Work Day and Study Guide (Due Friday)

Wednesday: Grade Folder Packets

Thursday: Review Game

Friday: Test

Next week students will be wrapping up our light by taking a look at what we have learned and turning in our books.

Our next unit is Sound. We will explore mechanical waves and vibrations.

After Winter break we will start our units on biology, ecology and environmental science.

Heres a picture of coach Miller last weekend running the 5K Winter Pineapple Classic obstacle course race! We had a lot of fun dressing up and overcoming some obstacles for a good cause! Thanks Mr. Betzler, Ms. Rice and Mrs. Greninger for rounding out our awesome team!

Color Filters

Today we worked on Light #11...Filtering white light. We used a green, blue and red filter...to filter different wavelengths of light from white light. We discovered that a red filter allowed red wavelengths through easily, and absorbed or blocked the other wavelengths. That is why we see everything as red, when we look through a red filter.

homework: Finish Light #9 Extension and the 7-10 Review which was assigned tuesday.

Classroom Spectrum

Light #9

Here are two videos to help students measure waves.

Wavelength...Amplitude...Frequency

Today we learned how to measure a wave in Light #9.

Homework: Finish Light #9

Spectrum

We are learning about the electromagnetic spectrum and the visible spectrum. We completed labs 7 and 8/10 this week.

Homework for the weekend: Reading Light lessons 8 and 10.

Mr. E

Light Photons

Last week was a slow week, it took nearly four days to get all of the tests taken, graded and handed back. With the festivities last weekend, the kids were super excited and it was a good time to have some science discussions and fun activities. This week we are right back on track with light. Today we took a look at light and how it travels with two models that represent light movement. The particle model and the wave model.

Homework: Finish Reading Questions on the Back of Light #7.

Study Time Excellent

Today we graded our folders and assignments for light lessons 1-5...13 assignments for a total of 110 points. Most did great, as we looked at the folders a little deeper. If you are not happy with your folder grade, becuase your grader missed something or you think you deserve points...bring it in and talk with Mr. E before school tuesday morning.

Homework: Study Guide...use your folder packet and book to answer all of the questions on the study guide.

TEST Light 1-5 Tuesday.

Happy Studying!

Mr. E

Finishers

Yesterday students learned more about transparent, translucent and opaque. They sorted materials based on these three terms. Today students will finish this lab Light #5 extension.

After students finish this lab they will have free time to finish all of their assignments and labs.

Folders will be graded tomorrow.

Homework: Finish any unfinished work.

Students will get a study guide tomorrow for their test next tuesday!

Have a great Day!

Mr. E

Getting Healthy

There has been so many kids sick the last few weeks, its hard to keep track. I myself have been battling the past few weeks. I got sick back in mid september, and last week my wife gave me something she picked up at work. We're in the high risk category since she works at Children's Hospital in Seattle and I work at Beaver Lake. If you are sick...do not worry...get better...and come back soon.

Yesterday we started Discussed Energy, Discussed Light and how it disperses as it moves away from its source. We also began Light #5...What is a shadow and how do shadow sizes change in relationship to their position to their light source. The kids are getting good out working independently. Some of us are still figuring out the variables, but for the most part we are getting much better at setting up experiments.

Thursday will be a catch up day in class...students will have time to do any experiments they have missed, finish assignments and organize their folders.

We will grade our folders on friday.

Friday students will get a study guide for our first Light test.

Monday we will have a review in class of Light Lessons 1-5.

Tuesday we will have a test on Light Lessons 1-5.

Thanks,

Mr. E

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday's homework was Light #3 Extension...which we started in class, and went over today in class.

Today we experimented with distances and how energy spreads out from its source.

Homework: None for tonight.

Thanks

MR. E

Light Travels

Light Travels...finish the sentence kids. Light Travels in a straight line until it hits or goes through a substance.

Homework: Light Vocabulary #2 (Students had the last few minutes of class to work on this assignment, some really quick workers finished in class.)

It sure is windy! Stay safe!

ONIM

I came up with ONIM...Oh No Its Monday...the weekend was busy, I took my weekend class on technology through Seattle University and the Issaquah School District...study for my mid-terms for my masters...and finally got all the grades updated on Skyward...and watched some football.

This week is all about the nature of light, and how it interacts with different substances. Today we started investigation Light #3...students are determining if light travels in a straight line...and when does it not travel in a straight line.

Homework: None

Note: If you want or need help, want to ask a question about a test, or need to make up a lab...TUESDAY's at 7:10 is the best time to come without an appointment. Students only!

TGIF II

Skyward froze on me this afternoon, and I was unable to get all the classes grades in. I will work this weekend to get them done.

Please check the post from earlier today.

TGIF

Today we reviewed the different kinds of light, and kids got a chance to show what they know with an energy transfer picture. We randomly selected five kids to share their pictures on the document camera.

We also passed back their folders and test today...those need to be saved until the end of the trimester in case an error occurs. If an error occurs and students do not have documentation, I will not change their grade.

I have updated grades on skyward. Now that I have a folder and test in the system, there could be some big changes to their grades. PLEASE take a look.

If you did not do well on the test, D or below, stop by tuesday morning to discuss with Mr. E on how to make some points up.

Homework: None (Have a great weekend, it should start raining again next week.)

Energy

Light #2: Light is energy, and energy can be transformed between different forms. Today we looked at a flashlight, a simple system that transfers energy. Chemical-Electical-light. Students also identified other energy transfers and wrote them into equations.

Homework: Light Vocabulary #1- Energy Terms.

Thanks

Mr. E

Light #1 Review

We discussed Light #1 today, and add somethings we learned to our KWL chart.

Homework: Light #1 extension.

If you need to make up Light #1, next tuesday 7:10.

Have a great night.

Light is under Investigation

Today we started Light #1, an inclass investigation of light. Students moved through 8 different stations with activities guiding different inquires into light. Ask one about the giant hole in their hand, or the amazing science glasses.

Homework: None

PS- I am thinking about starting a once a week morning club, a set time for kids to come in and make up assignments, labs, take tests and ask questions. If you think this could be beneficial please let me know.

LIGHT ON!!!

Today we are starting our light unit! The kids have started to think about light by writing down all that they know about light, and writing down questions that they have about light. We are logging those together on a large Class KWL chart to reference later.

Homework: None for tonight.

Midterms will be coming out next week. I will most likely have all grades updated by friday afternoon. Please remember, if your child is absent they need to come in before school to make up labs and assignments.

Don't Worry...Study!

Today we finished our Airplane Lab...Homework is to work on the study guide.

Parents and Students,
The study guide is designed to ask questions on the content covered by the test. It is a part of the student's work folder, that is turned in after the test. Remember students can use their folders on the test. Usually I send the study guide home, give the students an opportunity to answer the questions to the best of their ability. Then we go over the study guide and discuss the correct answers.

I know that "test" is something that generates a lot of anxiety, nerveousness. Especially the first test of the year, and I understand that it must be frustrating to not have a text book. This is one of two units that does not have a text book, the other being the SOUND unit. Please know, that I would never blindly give out a test until I had completely covered all of the information thoroughly. I want to give the students the opportunity to succeed on their own, before I step in. It's all going to work out!

Note: Tuesday I will be absent, its a scheduled absence for personal reasons. There will be a substitute. Its unusual for me to take a personal day, and I will be checking my email to make sure that I keep myself open to communication.

Fun with Predictions, airplanes and MAGAZINES!!!

Today we finished our Fun with Predictions Lab!
Kids answered the question "How does coin size effect the number of water droplets that fit on the coin's surface?"

At the end of class, the students started their HOMEWORK. They began writing down step by step directions (PROCEDURE) to make a paper airplane. We will use these procedures friday for a Paper Airplane Lab.

PLEASE SELL MAGAZINES>>>TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO TURN IN ORDERS!!!

THE SCHOOL as a whole is really behind in orders this year...which may cause some cuts in ASB funded after school activities!!!

$0.41 of Science Fun

Today we discussed and corrected our Fun with Questions Homework!

We started a new activity Fun with Predictions...predicting how many drops of water would fit on the heads side of different coins. "How does size of coin effect the number of water droplets the surface will hold?" The kids are using a penny, a nickel, a dime, and a quarter. 41 cents!

There is no homework, becuase we will finish the lab tomorrow in class, and discuss how we used our prior predictions to help us make closer predictions in the second and third trial.

By the way! I sound like a frog, so the kids might say something! Don't worry!Eventhough I sound worse, I feel better!

No Swine Flu

For the record...I did not get swine flu...I have been out with a severe cold.

We have been working on our science skills measurement, and now we are starting to learn the scientific method. Today we followed Mr. Ellsworth's Scientific Notes and highlighted the important pieces.

Remember A good scientific question has a cause and effect relationship. The cause will be the manipulated variable and the effect will be the responding variable. The hypothesis is If...the cause...then effect...because reason. The notes explain this concept better.

Homework: Fun with Questions due tomorrow!

Sorry for being sick and slacking on the posts...they will be more regular now that I am feeling better.

Mr. E

Fun With Distance

Today students worked on their Fun with Distances work...if they did not finish in class this is homework. We are starting to learn how to accurately use a metric ruler/ meter stick. Students are also working on adjusting predictions as they measure different objects.

Homework: Finish Fun with Distance worksheet. (If you need to measure meters, and do not have a meter stick...do not worry, move on and we will fix that in class.)

GOOD NIGHT!

Measurement Mania!

Today students were introduced to their class folders. These folders will help students organize their completed assignments, and can be used as a reference during tests.

Then we introduced the power of 10...the METRIC System. We began by taking a look at a ruler and measurement of distance.

There is no homework tonight...if your student was absent last friday, please have them schedule a time to take their safety quiz before school this week.

MR. E

Science Safety Video

Today I assigned the students a group safety video activity. They began working together on a 20-30 second skit demonstrating one of the eight class safety rules. Later this week we will use Movie Maker to turn their short clips into our safety video.

There is a safety quiz on friday, which we will discuss and correct for full credit. (No worries!!!)

Homework: No homework tonight...however I still need a few signed syllabi and some signed safety contracts.

Science Safety

We started science safety today with a message from Fire Marshal Bill...we discussed what science safety meant, and decided that science safety was common sense.

We looked over the Issaquah School District safety guidelines, and began to discuss Mr. Ellsworth's safety rules.

Homework: Get your syllabus signed and your safety contract.

Parents it was a pleasure meeting you all, and I hope to have the best year ever!

Thanks

Mr. Ellsworth

Today we learned about scientists and then we got our new syllabus. Students should keep their syllabus in their binder forever!

You taped our scientists pictures to the cabinets, and we stapled our pictures to the wall.

To have some fun, we watched a rock climbing video.

This weekends homework is to get the syllabus signed by your parents and bring it back by wednesday Sept. 9.

Have a great weekend!

MR. E

Test Blog

Today I am testing out a blog for the upcoming school year. Hopefully the posts will be daily accounts of class activities and homework updates.

Thanks

JE