Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!!!

Here are a few websites that have questions very similar to those you will get during our game!!! You can do these tests online and have them graded!!!

http://www.kidsnewsroom.org/resources/sol/TX/G05S06.html

and on cinch!!!

First Semester Review!!

Okay, here is what is coming up. We are reviewing matter, energy, scientific method, force and motion, ecosystems, and animals/ecosystems interactions. You are going to create a study guide that you will study leading up to our three day game show.  The more you use this, the better you will do on the test.  Here are the things you need to include: (PS this is for a grade BOB!!!!!)

Scientific Method:
What is it?
What is a variable?
What is a conclusion?
What is a control?
What is a hypothesis?*

Matter:
What is matter?
What is mass?
What is volume?
What is density?
What are molecules?
What is a solid?
What is a liquid?
What is a gas?
What is the freezing/melting point of water in Celcius? Why are they the same?
What is the boiling point of water in Celcius?
What is a mixture? How can we separate it?
What is dissolve?
What is solubility? *
What is a solution? How can we separate it?
What is a conductor?
What is an insulator?
What is light energy?
 What is refraction?
What is reflection?
What is translucent?
What is transparent?
What is opaque?
What is sound energy?
What is thermal energy?*
What is mechanical energy?
What is chemical energy?
What is electrical energy?
What is a circuit?
What is an open circuit?
What is a closed circuit?

Animals:
What is an ecosystem?
What is a producer?
What is photosynthesis?*
What is a consumer?
What is a decomposer?
What is carnivore? What kind of teeth does it have? Why?
What is an herbivore? What kind of teeth does it have? Why?
What is an omnivore? What kind of teeth does it have? Why?
What is an adaptation? Give some examples.
What is an inherited trait?
What is a learned behavior?
What is an instinct?
What is a food chain?
What is a food web?
What is complete metamorphosis?
What is incomplete metamorphosis?
What is a molt?
What is a non-living object?
What is carbon dioxide oxygen cycle?

You have the next 7 days to finish this!!!! Work together, do drawings, write it, I don't care as long as you know it!!! The man in the picture is El Joven y La Pared!

Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

Today you will be choosing a biome. Once you have chosen a biome, you will be creating an animal and a plant that will be well adapted to that biome.  You will need to list the following:

At least 4 adaptations and how they help each organism survive.
The instincts that the animal is born with.
The learned behavior that the animal learns from experience.
Is it an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore. Why?
Is it producer or a consumer? Why?
Does it go through ELPA or ENA?
Does it mimic other animals?

The color of the plant and how it attracts bees for pollination.
The shape of the seeds and how they spread.
The shape of the leaves and why.
The shape of the roots.
The height of the plant.
Is it a producer or a consumer? Why?

Adaptations Questions

Here is the list of questions for your project. Make sure you answer them all!!!

1.     Animal-

2.     Ecosystem where the animal lives-

3.     Adaptations

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

      4. How do these adaptations help the animal survive?

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

       5. Where is your animal in the food web?

       6. What are four other animals in the ecosystem where your animal lives? List at       

            least two adaptations for each.

            a.

            b.

            c.

            d.

        7. Give an example of 2 producers, 2 consumers, and 2 decomposers in your

            animal’s ecosystem.

            a.

            b.

            c.

8. How does your animal’s ecosystem contribute to the carbon dioxide-                       oxygen cycle?

9. Give an example of an organism in your ecosystem that undergoes

incomplete and complete metamorphosis.

a.

b.

10.  What are the learned behaviors of your animal? List as many as you can.

11. Name at least five plants in your animal’s ecosystem and give examples of their adaptations.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

12. List the non-living things in your animal’s ecosystem and how living organisms depend on these for survival.

a.

b.

c.

13. Imagine people move into your animal’s ecosystem. What would happen to the ecosystem?

14. Describe the weather and temperature of your ecosystem. Where is it located?

Adaptations Project!!

Our next project will be over adaptations of animals and plants. To do this, first choose an animal that you are interested in. It can be any animal, as long as it is real and in the wild. Then we will need to find out as much as we can about that animal including:

Adaptations- What does it have that helps it survive where it lives? What is it born with that help it get food or blend in with its environment? What types of behaviors does it have (hibernation, migration, etc)? Things to be considered: teeth or beak size and shape, fur color, paws, claws, eyes, body shape, leg length, size of head, shape of feet, tail, scales, and/or any other structures that can be used to help it live and thrive.

Ecosystem- Where does it live? Why does it live there? How does it live there? What would happen if it was moved somewhere else? What are the producers, consumers, and decomposers in the ecosystem? What are the herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores in the ecosystem? How does the ecosystem maintain balance? How is the energy recycled within the ecosystem? What kinds of plants live in the ecosystems? What adaptations do they have? Name at least 5 plants. How do the living and non-living objects interact in the ecosystem?

Food Chain/Web- Where is it at on the flow of energy where it lives? Is it a producer, consumer, or a decomposer? Is it an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore? Is it predator or prey? Design a food web for your ecosystem highlighting your animal.

Learned Behaviors- What are some learned behaviors of your animal? How do you know that they were not inherited?

Light and its Behavior

This week we will begin investigating light. You will be doing an activity today that involves the vocabulary for light. In order to understand and describe how light acts, we must be able to use these words properly. Here are some sites that will help you:

www.brainpop.com
www.learning.com (your login and password are the same as when you log into a computer)
 http://www.cinchlearning.com/g_login.html

Force, Motion, and Energy!!

Your job for this week will be to investigate the uses of different types of energy. You and your group will be expected to define and give at least 3 examples of the following types of energy:
Mechanical Energy
Light Energy
Thermal Energy
Electrical Energy
Sound Energy
Here is a great link to use for this project:
http://www.choptankelectric.com/kids/energyfacts.html
You will need to create a presentation that you will share with the class. Be sure to include pictures and definitions that are in your own words.  I will show you an example.You will be tested over this on Friday!!

Presentation

Okay, it looks like we are ready to begin our presentations. Here is a checklist of things you must have:

1. Question- What question were we trying to answer?
2. Hypothesis- What was your prediction?
3. Procedure- What did you do to test your prediction, include all materials and where you got the idea from.
4. Observations- What did you notice? What happened during your test?
5. Analysis- What does your data and observations tell you?
6. Conclusion- Was your hypothesis right? Why or why not?
7. Pictures/Video of your process.
Make sure to use your vocabulary words in your video!!! We learned them, now we need to use them!!

Hypothesis

We have pretty much figured out what we have, now it is time to predict how to separate it. Before you are allowed to begin your experiment I need two things:

Hypothesis and your experiment that is going to test your hypothesis. I need to check these before you proceed. Here are some examples:

In the balloon example I said that if I filled a balloon with  Carbon Dioxide (from my lungs) then it would have more mass than an empty balloon.

Your hypothesis must have: IF ____________(CAUSE)________, then _________(EFFECT__.

Then I would need to design an experiment.

First I will get two balloons that are the same.
Next I will get a triple beam balance.
Then I will fill a balloon with air.
I will then measure their mass.
I will compare my results.

Mixture or Solution?

Today we will begin our next project. We will be designing an experiment and carrying it out on a test tube of water that I will give you. You and your group will be expected to create a hypothesis of how to separate your liquid. Here are the steps:

1. Research mixtures and solutions
2. Create a hypothesis and get it okayed by me.
3. Design an experiment and get it okayed by me.
4. Perform your experiment, recording all procedures and measurements taken.
5. Analyze your data.
6. Create a conclusion and support it with your data.
7. Create an Imovie that reports your findings.

The driving question for the next week or so will be to figure out what a solution is and what a mixture is? How can you tell which is which?

Test on FRIDAY!!!!

There will be a test over Matter and a few scientific method words on Friday. You will have to define them, draw them, or both. Here is the list of words:

Hypothesis
Conclusion
Variable
Matter
Mass
Volume
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Melting/Freezing Point
Boiling Point
Conductor
Insulator
Mixture
Solution
Sublimation
Dissolve

You will need to STUDY THESE!!!!!!

Links to Vocabulary Websites

Cinch Science Website

http://www.harcourtschool.com/glossary/science/index5.html
 
http://kids.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/english

http://reekoscience.com/glossary.aspx

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/scienceglossary/

http://dictionary.kids.net.au/

Use these websites to find the definitions for the words listed on the previous entry!! Please do not google them!! You may also log in to Brainpop to find them.

Here is a glossary with pictures!!!!!!!!

Glossary With Pictures

Matter

-->

Use the links below to describe these concepts using words, drawings, or both!

Here a few more words for you!! You love it!!!
Sublimation
Freezing/Melting Point
Boiling Point
Condensation
Energy
Buoyancy

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Mass

Volume

Density

Magnetism

Mixture

Solution

Solubility

Filter

Conductor

Insulator

Thermal

Electrical

Public Photo Website

Here is a link to a website which allows you to use their pictures for free.

http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/

Experiment Powerpoint Instructions

For the Droopy Drawers Presentation you need the following slides!!!

First: Title/ Name of Group Members slide
Second: Question Slide
Third: Hypothesis (Prediction)
Fourth: Materials Slide
Fifth: Procedure ( Make sure you tell what the independent variable is!!!!))
Sixth: Data Table and Graph
Seventh: Conclusion

Criteria:	Unsatisfactory	*Proficient*	Advanced
(2)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to: (A)  describe, plan, and implement simple experimental investigations testing one variable; (B)  ask well-defined questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and select and use appropriate equipment and technology; (C)  collect information by detailed observations and accurate measuring; (D)  analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct (observable) and indirect (inferred) evidence; (E)  demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results; (F)  communicate valid conclusions in both written and verbal forms; and (G)  construct appropriate simple graphs, tables, maps, and charts using technology, including computers, to organize, examine, and evaluate information.	-No Hypothesis -No conclusion or measurements recorded.   -Video lacks explanation of the importance of the 4 safety rules. - No original information, plagiarism. -The presentation’s message is unclear.	- Hypothesis included. -All measurements recorded and presented in a graph. -All steps documented and presented originally. (no plagiarism) -The presentation is concise and to the point.	- Hypothesis included. -All measurements recorded and presented in a graph. -All steps documented and presented originally. (no plagiarism) - Analysis of data explained. Able to answer questions asked by the class. -The presentation has strong message. Covers topic completely and in depth. Includes complete information.

Welcome Back!!

Welcome to my blog! This will be where you will be able to get everything that you will need for class projects. Today you will start working on your first project. Before you get started, let me give you a few resources that will help you along your way.


Brain Pop
 Cinch Learning
Edmodo

Moving Model

Here is a pretty cool model of the solar system.


http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

Need to Knows!!

•The Need to Knows:

•What is the order of the planets from the sun?

•What is a dwarf planet and name and location of them in the Milky Way?

•What are the Galilean moons?

•What is an asteroid? Where are they located?

•What is a meteor? Where are they located?

•What is a comet? Where are they located?

•When was each of the above discovered, and who discovered them? How did they discover each?

•What governs the movement of the galaxy?

•What is an ellipse?

•What is an eclipse?

6th Grade Solar System Model PBL

So it looks like this is it, our last project. So far you guys have done amazing. I have been very impressed by the work you all have put in. Since we will only be fifth graders for about 30 more days, I have chosen a sixth grade project to finish out the year. The project will be to create a model of your choice of our solar system. You will have to choose the one that your group feels best shows how the solar system is arranged and works. You will also be expected to describe the advantages and disadvantages of your model. Here are some resources:


www.cinchlearning.com
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/solarsystem.html
http://www.kids-and-space.com/index.htm
http://www.planetsforkids.org/
http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMF8WVLWFE_OurUniverse_0.html
www.brainpop.com

Don't forget to cite your sources or Ms. Lybecker will come after you!!!

TEK Project

Those of you that are in Ms. Foster's will be working on your project. You will need to identify the TEK you struggle with the most. Then, research it and create a presentation about it. You will be expected to teach it to the class. Thereby making what was a weakness, a strength. Here is the TEKS length:

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112a.html

YOU WILL NOT BE WORKING ON GAMESTAR MECHANIC DURING THIS TIME!!!

Green Ribbon Contest

For those of you who are designing the game you will need to create one based on how to be healthy. Click on the following link and you will find a bunch of resources. Choose one and make your game based upon that!

http://www.nutrition.gov/weight-management/weight-management-youth

STAAR Prep!!!

We have 24 days to get ready!! We WILL BE READY!!! This is the time to get serious and focus on our weaknesses rather than our strengths! It is time to take what we know the least about, and make it familiar to us. We will be focusing a lot on vocabulary. There should be no word that we do not understand!! So get ready!!!

POWER HOUR LINK!!!!

Many of you will be with Ms. Gomez. If you are with Ms. Gomez you will need to use the following websites!!

http://gamestarmechanic.com/join/redeem/Lehnertz

 This is the website with the instructions. Read them carefully!!
 
http://www.greenribbonschools.org/gamecontest

PBL Song!!!

Remember, if you want to make a song, which I encourage, you must have LYRICS!!! The lyrics need to be related to the material we are covering!!!

PBL Reminder!!!

Remember!!! We are creating a presentation to inform people about how a replica Earth works. It should tell them all the things that we needed for our need to knows. Remember, the Earth we are describing is just like ours, however it does not have people on it. It is for visiting only! For those of you who are making music, you must add lyrics!!! Describe the processes from our need to knows in it. Also, you MUST CITE YOUR SOURCES!!!! You must have a works cited!!! If you need the sheet that shows how to do this, ask me!!

Earth Science Project Due Date!!!!

Okay, so here is the question that you have all been asking. The due date is........ Friday March 23. They must be done by the end of class. You should already have a lot of it. This gives you about a week to finish up anything and edit. Remember, it doesn't have to be a movie. It can be anything that you can present to the class. Make sure to cite your sources correctly. The knows/need to knows are the things we put on our card. The rubric is here. Make sure you are following them.

Unsatisfactory	*Proficient*	Advanced
-Not turned in on time. -Does not answer the questions that are on the need to know.   -Messy, false, no credit given to source materials. -The video message is unclear. Includes little essential information and one or two lab safety rules.	-Answers all of the questions on the need to know. -Team demonstrates example or provides illustration of each need to know. -Team covers all the necessary vocabulary from the list. - Bibliography -The message of the video is clearly communicated. Includes essential information.	-Answers all of the questions on the need to know. -Demonstrations or examples of all need to knows, with local examples as an emphasis. -All knows/need to knows included with illustrations. -Bibliography -The video has a strong message. Covers topic completely and in depth. Includes complete information.
0------------30----------------50------------69	70--------75---------80----------85--------90	90---------------------------------------100

Review for the Test!!!

I am feeling extra nice. I am going to give you each one 3x5 notecard. On it you will write whatever it is you need to know for the test next Tuesday!! You can only use what is on this card so write small!!! Do not lose it either!!! Here is what you should know:

What types of things change the earth’s surface? Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, landslides, ice, wind, water, etc.

What are sedimentary rocks? How are fossil fuels created? What are fossil fuels? What do we use them for?

How are deltas, canyons, and dunes formed?  What are some examples? What is deposition?

Describe the use of alternative energy and why it is being used. Be able to describe and compare wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.

Be able to describe fossil formation and what a fossil’s depth means.

Be able to describe what happens every 24 hours, 365 days, and 4 times a year. Also, include all the phases of the moon and their time frame.

The steps of the water cycle and the definitions of weather and climate. Be able to compare and contrast the two.

Why does the sun look like it is moving? Is it moving?

Be able to compare and contrast the physical properties of the sun, moon, and earth.

What is a warm front, cold front, high pressure, and low pressure? How are they used to predict weather?

What is the difference between revolution and rotation?

What can we do to prevent erosion?

What is a moon?

What is a star?

What is a planet?

What is the water cycle?

What is the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle?

Who is the youngest teacher ever?

What is the rock cycle?

What is plate tectonics and what does it cause?

Driving Question Week 5

Why does a plant grow toward the sun?
How do meteorologists predict the weather?
What is the difference between sand and soil?
What is soil made up of?

Study Guide for our Test on Friday!!!

Okay, now you know how I make the test!!! Use these questions to study and ensure that you have been looking up the correct things!!!

The causes of the phases of the moon.
All phases and names of the moon. How long does it take for the moon to revolve around the Earth?
What causes the tides?
What causes the earth to experience day and night? How long is a day on earth?
What causes the earth to experience a year? How long is a year on Earth?
What causes the seasons on Earth?
 Bonus: Do all places on Earth experience the same seasons at the same time? Why or why not?

Driving Question Week 4

Okay, here we are, week 4. By now, you should have plenty of knowledge about the inner workings of the Earth. You should understand the Earth's many cycles and their causes. You should know all about why the surface of the Earth changes. You should know what weather and climate are, as well as their causes. You should know that we have an atmosphere that is very thick, thanks to our gravity. You should also know that we are a planet that has a moon. You should realize that we are rotating on our axis while revolving around the sun. This week we are going to be learning about the phases of the moon. We will need to know why we can even see the moon in the first place and also know why the sun appears to move in the sky. We will need to know the many time patterns that repeat; day, year, what causes the seasons, what causes the phases of the moon. Does the moon do anything to the Earth?
By the end of the week you should be able to describe:
All the phases of the moon (their name and shape)
The cause and length of a day
The cause and length of a year
The cause of the seasons we experience on Earth
Bonus: Do all parts of the world experience the same seasons at the same time? Why or why not?
Double Bonus: What does, "My very elegant mother just sat upon nine porcupines" mean??
Resources:
https://tx-science.cinchlearning.com/g_login.html
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/animations/lps.swf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/earth_sun_moon_fs.shtml
http://www.mmscrusaders.com/newscirocks/tides/tideanim.htm
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007299181x/student_view0/chapter2/seasons_interactive.html

Study Guide for Test NEXT MONDAY!!!!!

I will not be here on Friday morning because of a training so we will do this week's test on Monday. Here are the things you must be able to describe in order to pass the test on MONDAY!!!
What is Pangea, and what caused it to break apart?
What causes Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, and Continental Drift?
What are the sources for erosion? How do you prevent erosion?
What is deposition and what does it form?
What is a delta?
What is weathering?


Should be short and sweet!!! Remember, you can draw, write, give examples, or whatever you need to do to let me know you understand what these words are!!

Slideshow Links

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CEYQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enviroliteracy.org%2Fnsfmod%2FNaturesFury.pdf&ei=jfsvT8moNILgsQLoxqS3Dg&usg=AFQjCNEoglQ5m1CoehkF_FVjaibOkMGTYQ

http://science-ed.pnnl.gov/teachers/earth.stm

On the side click on Earth Changes and download. 

Week 3 Driving Question Part 2.....

Okay, so I am old. Yes, I know. It's true. I forgot a few things. Here they are:
Weathering of rocks
Tsunamis
Compare and contrast mountains, hills, valleys, and plains and how they form.

Remember, we want to know about all the things that cause the Earth's surface to change. We also want to know how long they take.

Driving Question Week 3 Earth PBL

What events cause changes to the Earth's surface? How long do these take?


You will need to know about:
What are earthquakes?
What is plate tectonics?
What is a Volcano?
What is erosion?
What is Pangea?
What is the ring of fire?
What is continental drift?
What is deposition?
What is the difference between magma/lava?
What is a shore?
What is a delta? How is it formed?
What is the mantle?

Animation Links Aplenty!!!

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0602/es0602page02.cfm?chapter_no=investigation
 
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0605/es0605page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

http://www.grantowngrammar.highland.sch.uk/subjects/Peak%20Oil%20web%20site/Formation%20of%20Fossil%20Fuels.html
http://www.alternativeenergyanimations.com/

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10501

http://www.calenergy.com/virtualtour.aspx?tour=geo&id=100&player=qt&res=high

Resources

Here are a few useful links:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/energy/ecostats/index.cfm
http://www.alternative-energy-geek.com/
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=616&tbm=isch&tbnid=Z_MpxtqJIzy2gM:&imgrefurl=http://preclectic.com/%3Fp%3D1440&docid=7KQZGRwNA0Pr8M&imgurl=http://preclectic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/rock-and-rock-cycle.png&w=257&h=309&ei=iQkoT9qkJ-qi2gXzw9G-Ag&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=437&sig=114861962930340764313&page=5&tbnh=126&tbnw=105&start=90&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:90&tx=25&ty=36