Hamilton Boys and Girls Soccer: Schedules Finished!

Hamilton Boys and Girls Soccer: Schedules Finished!: The tournament schedules are finished! Please click here to access this years tournament home page! I will be sending out emails this after...

Friday Class

Today in science we take our Ecology Test #2!!!!! This test will be taken online...


TEST INFO DELETED >>>>>

Thursday Class

Same as Yesterday!!!! See yesterday's blog entry for details. Tomorrow we will have the test!!!!

Wednesday Class

Today in science we will do structured choice. Click here to access the structured choice page.

This is done in preparation of Friday's test.

The mini assessment on Predator vs Prey will also be handed back. Here are two screencasts that talk about topics assessed on that assessment.

• General Predator vs Prey Description
• Rabbit vs Fox Description

In addition, Here is a video that will explain how to take a video from Vimeo and place it on your blog.

Surveys Needed to Be Taken

Here are some surveys that various "Challenge Groups" have requested 7th graders to do. Remember to do these well as these "We Can Change the World Groups" need accurate data! In addition, please only do each survey once!

1. Survey A
2. Survey B
3. Survey C
4. Survey D
5. Survey E
6. Survey F
7. Survey G
   
    

Tuesday Class

Today students finished the Piping Plover Challenge. We are moving on to looking forward to a test that we will have this week Friday. The next two days will be structured choice days for the students.

Monday Class

Today you will continue with the Piping Plover activity that we started on Friday. Please follow the directions posted on Friday!

Here is a video giving you information on how to get your video from iMovie to Vimeo.

How To Use Vimeo from Mr. Malefyt on Vimeo.

Save The Piping Plover

Your Challenge is to Create and iMovie about the Piping Plover Recovery in Michigan!!!

Step One:  Research The SPECIES Piping Plover

Step Two:  Research The Piping Plover POPULATION from 1981-2007

Step Three:  Identify How Piping Plovers are Positively or Negatively Impacted by other POPULATIONS in the COMMUNITY.

     A.  Research The Habitat
     B.  Look at The Big Picture  
     C.  Understand What Else lives in an OPEN DUNE
     D.  Uncover the True Threats to Piping Plovers!

Step Four:  Create A Movie
Make Sure You Understand and Incorporate the Following Terms in Your Movie....

Species, Population, Community, and Ecosystem


Your Movie MUST Do One of the Following.

1.  Raise Awareness
2.  Describe the Protection Plan
3.  Explain a Better Idea to Protect the Plover

Save your Movie to Vimeo and Post it To Your Blog!!!

Thursday Class

Today in science we started off with a mini-assessment on predator vs prey relationships.

Then students worked in the groups. The goal for the groups is to work towards the completion of their problem statement. Click here to access the resource page that will help you build a problem statement.

Wednesday Class

Today our learning target is: I can create a blog.
This blog will become your personal e-portfolio...a place to publish everything from your growing thoughts to a variety of media you make in class.

Here is today's procedure:

1. Login to your google account.

2. Under the "even more" tab you will find the blogger icon. Start creating your blog. You will need to make a screen name...please keep it professional.

3. Design and Organize your blog. Please look at various settings!

Tuesday Class

Today in science we will do the following:

1. Wrap up yesterday's predator vs prey activity by contributing to the forum on our collaboratize classroom page. This will be done with your group and only one member from your group needs to submit an answer. Click here to access the discussion page.

2. Groups continued the research phase of their project.

Our Topics

Here are some of the topics students are working on for the "We Can Change The World Challenge"

Science Olympiad

Here is a link to our science olympiad resource page.

Friday Class

In science we are going to take a break away from our projects and do a mini-theme on Wolves. This will be a three step process in which students watch this movie today, do a predator/prey activity based on wolves next MOnday, and wrap things up next Tuesday.

Here is a link to today's movie.

Thursday Science Olympiad Class

Today in science olympiad you will sign up for your events. Click here to access the sign up form!

Science Olympiad Link

Science Olympiad students... HEre is the link to the website!

Tuesday Class

Today in science we continued the research portion of our project.

Wednesday Class

Here is the procedure for today's science class:

1. Hand back Invasive Species Quizzes from yesterday.

2. Make sure your proposal has been emailed to your "coach"

3. Finish the KWL and Research Organization Activities.

4. Research the questions/information you wrote about in your KWL! Use our resource page as a guide!

Invasive Species Review Presentation

Some of you may need to re-watch this presentation on invasive species...there will be a quiz retake opportunity on next Tuesday!

Tuesday Class

Today in class we will be continuing our research on the topic we have chose for the challenge.  Before the research continues we will be addressing "How To Evaluate Internet Resources."  We will use the following two websites to aid in our discussion.

Evaluating Resources from The Internet

Evaluating Web Pages 

What are Encyclopedia's (Wikipedia) Used For????

When this discussion was complete students did the following:

1. Continue the research portion of the project. CLick here to access the research resource page. You will need to do the KWL sheet and organization sheets first! 

2. We took a quiz today on invasive species. 

Monday Class

Today in science we will follow the following procedure:

1. Finish your application from last week Friday.

2. Start the research portion of the project. CLick here to access the research resource page. You will need to do the KWL sheet and organization sheets!

Friday Class

Today groups should follow the following procedure:

1. Finish your Peer Edit (Page One, Page Two)

2. Make changes to your rough draft.

3. Find at least one website to back up your writing.

4. Get you Login information from your coach.

5. Submit your writing by clicking here.
... When you submit your writing...you will be doing STEP ONE!!!! WE will do the "Start" Tab Later.
Learning Target: I can peer edit and write a project proposal.

Thursday Class

Just a reminder that this is the writing prompt that the competition uses:


Which environmental topic did your team select? How does this topic affect your local community? Explain how this topic is important or meaningful to your team.

Here is your procedure for the day:
1. Finish your rough draft.

2. Peer Edit (Page One, Page Two)

3. Make changes to your rough draft.

4. Find at least one website to back up your writing.

5. Get you Login information from your coach.

6. Submit your writing by clicking here.

Writing Seminar: Proposals

Today we will be viewing this presentation together about writing a proposal.  After the proposal we will post the peer editing documents on this page for you to Notarize.






Helpful Writing Links:

Conventions Peer Editing Checklist

Content Peer Editing Checklist

Grant Writing Help

Proposal Writing Vocabulary

Funding 101 Proposal Writing Help

Tuesday Class

Today in science is the day we pick the topic we are going to focus on. Click here to access this activity.

In addition, if your group finishes this process early you will need to write a rough draft explaining why your group picked what you did. A final draft will be written on your application to the Siemens corporation. This is what they recommend you write about:

Which environmental topic did your team select? How does this topic affect your local community? Explain how this topic is important or meaningful to your team.

Also, you will need to reference two websites that you used to help you in your decision.

Learning Target: Through collaboration and research, I can choose a local environmental issue to focus a project around. 

Monday Class

Today in science we continued looking at some local and global environmental issues.
1. We had a demonstration about the amount of freshwater that our world has.

2. Students are to go to our collaboration website and complete today's discussion about water. If students did not get a chance to talk about invasive species they can do that too!

3. Students have time to finish their sand dune drawing, invasive species graph, or collaborate as a group getting ready to select a topic tomorrow.

Friday Class! All About Sand Dunes

Part One: Learning About Sand Dunes Presentation and Videos on Great Lakes Sand Dunes Dune Succession

Succession Lesson1

View more presentations from RCha

Part Two: Creating Your Own Dune Diagram! 
Use The Following Image To Create Your Own Dune Diagram. Label Each Section and Include Organisms that Inhabit that Area!!!

Dune Diagram

Part THREE: 
We are going to try something here... Please Click here to a collaboration website that we are going to try. You will need to create an account. Please Answer the question for today and vote for a selection...Lets see where this takes us! 

Thursday Science Class

Today in science we took a step aside from student brainstorming and we start a couple of class periods where the teachers present some issues. Today we take a look at Invasive Species.



After this presentation, we then took some time do this graphing activity.

In addition,  Yesterday we started class with a introduction to Science Olympiad. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR SCIENCE OLYMPIAD PLEASE CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP BY THE END OF TODAY!!!!

Wednesday Class+Science Olympiad Sign Up

Today we started class with a introduction to Science Olympiad. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR SCIENCE OLYMPIAD PLEASE CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP BY TOMORROW!


After we introduced science Olympiad, we built upon yesterday's class by brainstorming local environmental issues. Click here to access the resource page.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we started the "We Can Change The World" challenge. We did the following things:

1. Created our teams/groups.

2. Did a global issues brainstorm. Please click here to access that resource page!

3. Groups created a team name.

Monday Wilder Issues in Science Class

Today in the wilder issues of science class you will be starting a study on birds. Click here to access the bird resource page. Today you will do the activity in which you will learn various perching birds and water fowl. The goal is for you to know these birds so we can do some bird watching. This time of season brings in a variety of water fowl to our area! 

Here is a link to the actual activity document, which is also found on the resource page!

Friday Class

Today a variety things were done in science class:

1. We handed back the science tests. We then discussed the procedure for retakes. The retake for this test will occur on MONDAY! Click Here To Access The Test. Click Here For the Retake Instructions!

2. We introduced the "We Can Change The World Challenge" That students will be working on. This challenge starts next week.

3. Students filled out a form on who they might want to be in a group with. Click Here to Access the Form.

Thursday Class

Today we took our Basic Ecology Test!

Wednesday Class

Today in science students will conclude  a two day structured choice experience. Click here to access the structured choice activities!  

Tomorrow we WILL HAVE THE ECOLOGY TEST.

Tuesday Class

Today in science students will start a two day structured choice experience. Click here to access the structured choice activities!  

At the earliest...there will be a test this week THURSDAY!

Monday Class

Today we are giving students a chance to self-reflect for the Unit Test that is coming up on Thursday.  Make sure you are signed in to your Gmail account before taking the reflection.

Student Reflection Link

Today we started science by looking at the lab from last week Wednesday and viewing this presentation:









We also had an opportunity to bring some of this presentation into some you tube clips that show some of this.

Wednesday Class

Today in science:

1. We did a Numbers, Pyramids, and Biomass lab from the owl pellet data we collected. Click here to access the lab. STudents will also receive a hard copy of this lab.

2. If students finish #1 they can finish any work they have not gotten done this past week.

3. We are going to do an Exit Ticket using This Website!!!!!   For Mr. Malefyt's Class you will enter the following class number: 13784

3. Have a safe and AWESOME 4 day weekend!!!!


LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of. 

Tuesday Class

Today in Science class we plan on the following things:

1. Finish the Owl Pellet Food Web Creation Activity. This was what we worked on yesterday.

2. Display your food web and owl pellet on the bulletin boards in the hallway if you wish.
3. Take a Quiz on Food Webs.


LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of. 

Monday Class

Today in science we will do the following things:

1. Watch the following Presentations:






2. Owl Pellet Food Web Creation Activity.

LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of. 

Friday Class

Today in science we have structured choice time. Click here for the Activity Sheet!

Thursday Class

Today in science we have the following:
1. We discussed the following presentation: Click here for complete notes of this presentation.


2. Finish your reconstruction. Students should pick ONE animal to reconstruct. Start this process by picking out bones that belong to that animal. Click here to access our resource page that has various bone charts on it.  Look at the ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THESE!

3. Finish the process of Gluing bones to the poster board given to you.


LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of.

Wednesday Science Class

Today we had shortened class periods due to MEAP testing. Here is the procedure for today:

1. SUBMIT your Owl Pellet Results on this form. If you think you have bad information...don't submit!

2. Start your reconstruction. Students should pick ONE animal to reconstruct. Start this process by picking out bones that belong to that animal. Click here to access our resource page that has various bone charts on it.  Look at the ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THESE!

3. Start the process of Gluing bones to the poster board given to you.


LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of. 

Tuesday Class

Today in science we continue our owl pellet study. We need to do the following things:

1. Finish ID of animals found in your pellet. Here is a classification key that needs to be used.

2. SUBMIT your Owl Pellet Results on this form. If you think you have bad information...don't submit!

3. Start your reconstruction. Students should pick ONE animal to reconstruct. Start this process by picking out bones that belong to that animal. Click here to access our resource page that has various bone charts on it. 

4. Start the process of Gluing bones to the poster board given to you.

GREAT VOLE SKELETON DIAGRAM!!! 


LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of. 

Monday Class

Today we  continue our owl pellet lab. The following things are on the agenda for today:

1. Students should finish their dissection of the owl pellet.

2. Students need to ID all the animals in their pellet. This is done by looking at the SKULLS only. Here is a classification key that needs to be used.

3. Students should pick ONE animal to reconstruct. Start this process by picking out bones that belong to that animal. Click here to access our resource page that has various bone charts on it.



LEARNING TARGET:  I can evaluate organisms based upon their eating habits and reconstruct the food web they are part of.

Friday Class

Today we begin looking into food webs! Today's activity is to dissect an owl pellet to examine what the owl has been eating.

Here is a link to our Owl Pellet Resource Page.

Here is a link to the actual owl pellet lab part 1.


Here is a short clip that we watched in class:

Wedndesday Class

Learning Target:  I understand the effects of human interaction on predator prey relationships.

1.  We will show a short presentation on how to play the predator prey dice game on wolves.

2.  Students will play the game to gather data on wolf populations with and without human interference. 

3.  Students will Report their Data Using the Wolf Data Form.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we did three things in the shortened class periods (due to MEAP).

1. We watched a collection of student PSA's from the Parasite PSA challenge last week. We had a chance to discuss some of them.

2. We took a quiz on symbiosis.

3. We watched the following TED talk about water. This came about with our discussion on our PSA's.

Monday Class

Today in science we looked to make a real world connection to what we have been learning in ecology. We did this by looking at Jane Goodalls work with Chimpanzees.

Friday Class

Today in science we did a number of things:
1. We finished our challenge from yesterday. This was emailed to Mr. Malefyt who will put together some good examples to share on Monday!
2. We had a discussion on symbiosis... We used the following video clips to help with our discussion:

Thursday Science Class

Today in science we will be doing the Safe Water PSA Challenge! Please click here for the resource page.

Wednesday Science Class

Today in science we started off by taking a small quiz on abiotic and biotic factors. During english class today students will be finishing their cause and effect papers that we did earlier in the week.
After the quiz we spent some time discussing the following items:



This Clip about the parasite, Guinea Worm.

Wednesday Wilder Issues in Science Class

Today in science we will be working on our Michigan Wildlife Presentations. Click here to access the resource page!

Monday Class (Malefyt Side)

Today in science we will be finishing up our station work. Click here to access the general ecology stations. You need to complete the two stations you have not finished yet.

The Learning Target is:

I can describe common patterns of relationships between and among populations (competition, parasitism, symbiosis, predator/prey).

Cause and Effect Paper

On Monday, Mr. Wandel and Mrs. Malloch will be joining classes to write a cause and effect paper on our bottle biology observations. Mr. Malefyt and Ms Naber will do this on Tuesday.

Please click here to access the resource information!

This will be graded in both science and english!!!

Friday WIlder Issues in Science

We are going to look at waste water treatment today!
HEre is a link to our resource page.

Tuesday Science Class

Today we begin stations.  This concept is six small lessons that are going on at the same time.  Each student switches from station to station.  The link to the stations is listed below.  If you are absent you can access the materials through the resource page.

General Ecology Stations

Tuesday- Wilder Issues in Science

Today in the wilder issues of science class you will be starting a study on birds. Click here to access the bird resource page. Today you will do the activity in which you will learn various perching birds and water fowl. The goal is for you to know these birds so we can do some bird watching. This time of season brings in a variety of water fowl to our area!

Monday Class

Today in science we did the following things:
1. Finished part 2 of the bottle biology lab. Please see the posting from last Friday for the link to this lab!

2. Did an observation for todays bottle biology.

3. Students took a "practice" quiz. Please click here for the quiz!

Friday Class

Today in science students will work on Part Two of the bottle biology lab. Here is the link to this part of the lab!  

Thursday Class

Today in science we took the students outside to the wetlands to collect living (biotic) items for their bottle biology projects. Students had a great time!!!!!

Landscape Design Class

Enclosed is the link to the Dimensions of the Courtyard

Courtyard Dimensions

Wednesday Class

Today in science students constructed their bottle biology ecosystem habitats. Here is a link to the "Part Two" of the project.

Here is the link to the Bottle Biology Resource Page. CLick here to access our Bottle Biology Resource page!

Here are the current learning targets that we are working on:

1. I can list non-living factors (abiotic) in my eco-column.
2. I can list the living factors (biotic) in my eco-column.
3. I can explain how living things are dependant upon the abiotic factors.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we finished part one of the bottle biology lab. Tomorrow we will construct our ecosystems. PLEASE BRING YOUR CONTAINERS!!!!!!

Monday Class (Bottle Biology Intro)

Welcome back to school! Today we continue our introduction of ecology! Here is what we have planned for today:
1. We will wrap up Friday's class by watching a few selections from your imovies you created!
2. We will introduce the bottle biology lab part #1. Please click here to access the lab.
3. You will work in groups on the part 1 of bottle biology. CLick here to access our Bottle Biology Resource page!

Here are the current learning targets that we are working on:

1. I can list non-living factors (abiotic) in my eco-column.
2. I can list the living factors (biotic) in my eco-column.
3. I can explain how living things are dependant upon the abiotic factors.

Friday Class

Today in science students begin their ecology unit by doing the abiotic factors advertisement. Click here to access the activity.
The Learning target for today is:

I can list non-living factors that allow for my survival. 

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!!!

Thursday Class

Today in science students took a pre-year test that will provide us with important information and data to use throughout this upcoming year.

Scientific Method Lab

Today we are completing a lab on the scientific method.  

Learning Target:  I am able to describe and use the scientific method to solve problems.

Click on The Following Link to Open the File.....Penny Lab

Use the Notarize App. to Fill in Your Lab Report.  Email A Copy To Yourself.

Create A Graph Using your device.

Landscape Design Class

Enclosed is the link for the plants Data Base.  Please put your plant in the correct category and mention its color.  Also include a photograph of the plant listed.
Plant Database Document

Online Pre-Ecology Quiz

In science today you will be taking an online pre-quiz. We are trying out this software so who knows :)

Click here to access the quiz!

Monday 9/12 in Science

Today you will work with your partner using an iPad and an iPod to accomplish the following tasks...

1.  Finish Updating Your Contact Information
2.  Access your Gmail Account Here at School and Check your Email.
3.  Create a 1 Minute iMovie.
4.  Take A Screen Shot with an iPad.

Technology Survey

Hey Everyone! Welcome to a new year of 7th grade science. Please click here to access our technology survey!!!!!    
This survey needs to be done by the end of the day Friday!

Wednesday Class

Today in science we continue to work on our year end projects. Here is the link to the project home page that each student will need to use.

ALSO....tomorrow we will be going to the sand dunes for a dune ecology day. We have a great day planned for us! We will be back by the normal end to the school day. School Dress code must be followed. ALSO... Each student is responsible for their own lunch/drink for the day.

Friday Class

Today in science we introduced and started our year end project that we call Science Apprentice: Survivor Island. Here is the link to the project home page that each student will need to use.

Wednesday Class

Today in science class we took our year end test. This is one piece to the process of concluding our year. We spend the last two weeks of school working on a collaborative project that incorporates the various topics covered this year. This project, called the Science Apprentice, will be introduced to the students this Friday.

Monday Class

Today we will begin the Structured Choice that will help us prepare for our end of year assessment!

Thursday Class

Today in science we gave our group presentations on various wave topics. Below you will find notes from each class.
Mr. Malefyt's First Hour Notes
Mr. Malefyt's 2nd Hour Notes 
Mr. Malefyt's 5th Hour Notes

Wednesday Class

Today in science class we continued the group activity which can be found by clicking here.
Tomorrow we will have the presentations! 

Tuesday Class

Today in science class we wrapped up yesterday's activity with a discussion about sound waves. Then we started the group activity which can be found by clicking here.

Monday Class

Today in science we finished a web quest on waves that we began last week Friday. Here is the link to the web quest!

Tomorrow we will continue looking at waves in small group settings doing small group activities! 

Friday Class

Today in science we began a small mini-unit on waves. We watched a short video clip as an introduction and then we started a web quest. Here is the link to the web quest!

Thursday Class

TEST DAY! Today students took their chemistry tests. No homework is assigned right now.

Wednesday Class

Today in science we continue our structured choice activity from yesterday.  Click here to access the sheet. The test will be tomorrow!

Tuesday Class

Today we start our structured choice activity. Click here to access the sheet. The test will occur on Thursday.

Thursday Mini Test

Today in science we are going to take a online mini test at the beginning of the hour. Click here to access the mini-test.

Wednesday Class

Today in science students presented their prezi's to others in a small group settings. Tomorrow there will be a mini test on chemical and physical properties.

Monday in Science

Today we will be splitting up into small groups to create a Prezi on Physical and Chemical Change in Matter.  With the Prezi, please use your school email to create a student account. Your group will be assigned a topic.  Use the Prezi Resource Page to help guide your research.  If you find a cool link on your own, let us know and we will add it to the page!

Thursday in Science

Today most students are on a job shadow!  Students who love to be at school came here today.  While they were in Mr. Wandel's Class they completed a College Quest Exercise to learn more about what it will be like to be a student beyond High School!

Friday Class

Today in science we split things up:
Mr. Malefyts Class did a lab on volume and density.
Mr. Wandels Class did a lab on making molecules and compounds.

On Monday we will switch!

Tuesday Class

Today in science we did three things:
1. Took a quiz on atoms and molecules.
2. We did a self reflection sheet on our level of understanding various learning targets from this periodic table. This sheet can be found by clicking here.
3. Students worked on their "must do's" from the past set of station work. Here is the order of priority:

1. Graph #1 from station 4 graphing activity.
2. Adopt an Element Ad from station 5.
3. Graph #3 from station 4 graphing activity.

Click here to access the stations sheet with links for each station.

Monday Class

Today in science we did two things:
1. We handed back a quiz that students took last week. We decided to not submit the grades from this quiz due to low scores. We spent the first half of class going over what many people did wrong and tried to reteach some of the material.
2. We finished this group of stations. The link for the periodic table stations is available here.

Wednesday Class

Today in science, we will review the introduction to chemistry station work. In additon, the students will begin working on another set of stations. However, the current set of stations will focus on learning how to use the periodic table to collect data and observe relationships. The link for the periodic table stations is available here.

Monday Class

Today in science class, the students will continue chemistry station work.These stations will wrap up tomorrow! Hope everyone enjoyed their spring break!

Today is India Day!

We will be heading for part of the day to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.  The other part of the day we will spend investigating the people and culture of India.  In science we will complete the India Webquest!

When you have finished the webquest you can make your own Bombay TV Sub-title Movie!!!!  School Appropriate Subtitiles Please!!!

Bombay TV

Wednesday Class

Today in science, the students will be taking test retakes. In addition, they will be viewing a Planet Earth video.

The audio recordings for the test are available below:
Part One
Part Two

Tuesday Class

Today in science class, the students will continue chemistry station work. The stations that will serve as an introduction to our next unit, chemistry. In addition, we will be going over the fossils unit test in order to prepare for test retakes. The test retakes will be tomorrow. Click here to access a copy of the test!

Monday Class

Today in science class, the students will begin learning about the exciting world of chemistry! We will be kicking off our chemistry unit with station work. The students will visit a variety of stations that will teach them the basics of chemistry.

Friday Class

Today in science we took our Fossils Test!
Good luck to all students!
On Monday we begin our chemistry unit.

Test Taking Resources

Below are the Audio Files for the Fossil Test!


Fossil Test Part 1
Fossil Test Part 2

Wednesday Class

Today, the students completed quiz retakes. In addition, the students reviewed for the unit test by working on Structured Choice activities. The fossils unit test will be on Friday.

Tuesday Class

Today in Science, the students will be reviewing for the unit test by working on Structured Choice. The fossils unit test will be on Friday.

15 Question Test Link to Help You Prepare.

Monday Class

Today in science we continued watching a movie on how modern day paleontologists use data from the present world to make predictions on what environments and organisms were like millions of years ago.
Tomorrow we will start a structured choice time in preparation for the test given at the end of this week.

Wednesday Class

Today in science we did two things:
1. We took a small 15 question mini test on how life changes over time with a close look at time periods.

2. We started a discussion on evolution. We are using small video clips from PBS to guide our discussions. A link for these videos is available on our resource pages.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we did two things:
1. We had a presentation on the last two time periods called the Tertiary and Quaternary Time Periods. Unfortunately, this presentation is not currently available online.

2. Students had time for some mini-structured choice. Among their choices in class is to watch any of the following movie clips:

• Age of Reptiles...What is going on in the air?
• Age of Reptiles...What is happening on the land?
• Age of Reptiles...What is happening in the Oceans?

Thursday Class

Today in science class we did three things:

1. We watched Mr. Malefyt's presentation on the "age of reptiles."

2. We split up into groups and shared presentations and helped each other fill out our geological timelines. We are looking into ways to share our presentations with others outside our classroom as well.
Here is a link to the time map that each student filled in today.

3. We took a quiz.

Wednesday Class

Today in science we are going to finish working on our age of reptiles project. But first...Please do the following short online review quiz.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we continued a small project called the "Age of Reptiles" project. This project can be viewed by clicking here. 
The last day to work on this is tomorrow. On Thursday, students will be working in small groups presenting to each other.

Monday Class

Today in science we began a small project called the "Age of Reptiles" project. This project can be viewed by clicking here.

Friday Class

Today in science, we went reviewed information from the fossil stations by watching a Prezi presentation. The students also took a quiz relating to fossil station learning targets.The students ended the hour by watching a video about fossils.
 

Wednesday Class

Today we continue our three day group of stations on fossils. In particular, these stations cover the time periods of the paleozoic era. Click here to access the fossil stations page! 

You will need a password to access the videos. Please email me if you forgot the password or need a password!

A reminder...each student needs to have their headphones with them!

Tuesday Class

Today we begin a three day group of stations on fossils. In particular, these stations cover the time periods of the paleozoic era. Click here to access the fossil stations page! 

You will need a password to access the videos. Please email me if you forgot the password or need a password!

A reminder...each student needs to have their headphones with them!

Monday Class

Today, the students completed a lab about how to use rock layers to learn about earth's history. This lab can be found on our fossil resource page. Once the students were finished with the lab we went over the lab together. The students also participated in a CPS quiz.

Tomorrow we are reminding students that they need to have their personal ear buds/headphones with them! 

Friday Class

Today in science we did a lab on how we use rock layers to learn about earth's history. This lab can be found on our fossil resource page.

Thursday Class Backchat Channels

Here are the backchat channels for today's class:
1st hour click here!

2nd hour click Here!

5th Hour Click Here!

6th Hour Click Here!

Wednesday Class

Today in science, we kicked of our next unit about fossils by watching a video called "How the Earth was Made." The video addresses the use of rocks and fossils to uncover the earth's geologic history.

Reminder: The retake for the Dynamic Earth test is tomorrow. The retake ticket and the copy of the Dynamic Earth test can be found on the 7th grade science website.

Tuesday Class

Today in science we took time to go over the science test from last Friday. We addressed misconceptions and places of confusion. The retake for this test will be this Thursday, February 24, 2011. Retake tickets and the test are available on our test resource page.
Tomorrow we begin a unit of Fossils!

On a separate note, the Rock Cycle Story is due tomorrow! For most this should not be homework.

Rock Cycle Story Update

The creative rock cycle story is due on Tuesday, February 22nd. For more information on the rock cycle story click here.

Have a good weekend!

Rocks and Mineral Test Audio Files

Click on the Link Below to Access The Audio Files.

You may not click on the link unless you have permission to do so.  Thank you!

Part One

Part Two

Thursday Class

Today in science we continued our structured choice Tomorrow we will have the TEST.  Click here for the structured choice activity. You may click here to access the rocks and minerals resource page that has everything else you might need!

Here is the link to the online google test review group.

Good luck tomorrow everyone! 

Tuesday Class

Welcome back everyone!
Today in science we had a time of structured choice. Most students finished, or continued to work on, the rock cycle story from last week. There will be a test this FRIDAY on rocks and minerals. Click here for the structured choice activity. You may click here to access the rocks and minerals resource page that has everything else you might need!

Here is the link to the online google test review group.

Thursday

Today in science, the students worked on a creative rock cycle story. This activity combines all the information the students have learned about rocks thus far. Students may use any of the resources they have been given in class, the rock cycle drawing they created during stations may be especially helpful for this activity.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Over, the next three days students will be participating in A-team learning activities. Science class will continue on Thursday.

Friday Class

Well, after some days off of school we got back to it today!
Students finished this round of earth science stations. Students will use the information learned at these stations to help them with a creative writing piece that we will begin next week. However, next week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we will have A TEAM during science class.
Have a safe and fun filled weekend!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Over the next couple days in science, the students will visit several stations that teach/review an aspect of the rocks and minerals unit. At each station, they will be given a learning target that they will be required to meet. The students will spend twenty minutes at each station, where they will participate in a variety of activities. The information that the students collect from these stations will be used to create their final product, a creative story explaining the rock cycle.

Friday

Today, the students learned how to use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the different types of weathering. Also, the students began working on an activity that reviews eight types of weathering. The students were given a Google document that provides them with relevant links and asks them to define each type of weathering, give an example and draw a diagram. The Google document may be found on the weathering and erosion resource page.


The learning target for this activity is: I can explain 8 types of weathering and how they lead to erosion and the formation of sediments.

Thursday

Today in science, the students continued working on the sedimentary rock lab. By the end of class, students had identified nine different sedimentary rocks with the help of a dichotomous key. After completion of the rock lab, students watched videos about weathering and it's role in rock formation.
The lab and the videos are available on our resource pages. https://sites.google.com/site/hamilton7thgradescience/rocks-and-minerals

Today's Learning Target: I can classify sedimentary rocks according to the materials found within.

Wednesday

Today in science, we took a CPS quiz on weathering. Then we started a lab on sedimentary rocks.
The lab is available on our resource pages.

Today's Learning Target: I can classify sedimentary rocks according to the materials found within.

Monday and Tuesday Class

Today in science class, we completed quiz retakes. Also, we did the museum walk on weathering. Mr. Wandel's class gave their weathering presentations to Mr. Malefyt's class. On Tuesday, Mr. Malefyt's class will present and Mr. Wandel's class will be the audience.

The learning target for this activity is: I can explain 8 types of weathering and how they lead to erosion and the formation of sediments.

Thursday Class

Here is what we did in science today:
1. Handed back quizzes and discussed them. Quiz Retakes Will Take Place Next Monday (1/24)
2. Finished the preparation of the museum walk on weathering. Presentations will take place next week Monday and Tuesday.

3. If any group got done with their preparation for the museum walk on weathering...they can watch this online movie about the geology of Hawaii.

The learning target for this activity is: I can explain 8 types of weathering and how they lead to erosion and the formation of sediments.

Wednesday Class

Today in science we did two things:
1. We took a quiz on Igneous Rocks. This quiz will be graded and handed back tomorrow. Quiz Retakes will occur next week MONDAY.
2. We worked on our Museum Walk on Weathering Activity.

  This activity is on our resource page.

The learning target for this activity is: I can explain 8 types of weathering and how they lead to erosion and the formation of sediments.

Tuesday Class

Today in science class we started looking at weathering. To do this we did two things:
1. Had a introductory presentation on weathering.
2. Started an activity called "Museum Walk on Weathering"

Both of these activities are on our resource page.

The learning target for this activity is: I can explain 8 types of weathering and how they lead to erosion and the formation of sediments.

Monday Class

Today in science we finished our Igneous Rock Lab. For those people who missed the lab you can now access the sheets on our resource page.

Tomorrow we begin an activity on weathering.

Friday Class

Today in science we began our rocks part of the unit. We did a Igneous Rock lab today. This lab will be continued on Monday. Hopefully I can get this lab scanned in by Monday if you are sick today and on Monday again.

Thursday Class

Today in science we did three things:
1. Took a written quiz on minerals.
2. Had a discussion about our social contract and personal use of technology.
3. Watched an introductory video on rocks to introduce rocks...which we start looking at tomorrow! This video is not available online :(

Wednesday Class

Today in class we took a mineral lab identification quiz. The learning target that this quiz address is: "Student's can identify minerals based on their physical properties such as color, luster, streak, cleavage, and hardness."

Tuesday Class

Today in science we had a class discussion about each of the 18 minerals we have been looking at. We studied the data chart that is available on our resource pages. Tomorrow we will have a lab quiz on identifying minerals based upon their physical properties. Students will be able to use their data as a identification guide.

Monday Class

Today in science class we did the following:
1. Did CPS on minerals.
2. Finished labs on Hardness and Streak that we started on last Friday.
3. Did a lab on mineral cleavage and fracture.

* These are available on our resource pages!

If any student got everything done... they can watch this video on volcanoes. We will be studying igneous rock real soon! Here is the link!

Friday Class

The class studied the physical properties of minerals. More specifically, labs on the hardness and streak of a mineral were completed. To see today's activities click here.

Thursday Class

Today in science we did two activities:
1. Using color to Identify Minerals Activity
2. The Luster of a mineral activity

Both of these activities can be found on our resource pages by clicking here.

The Learning Target for today:
I can find the color and luster of a mineral.

Wednesday Class

Today in science you are to do the following things:

1. Take a pre-unit survey on rocks and minerals.

2. Do a short web quest on minerals. This is a google doc that should be filled out as you do it! You will need to make a copy of it to write on it!

3.Intro. Video on Rocks and Minerals.

Science Puzzler #1

Tuesday Class

Today we did presentations on how our class is run for Ms. Carroll. This was good review for everyone as we discussed various topics that allow for our class to run smooth. Tomorrow we begin our unit on Rocks and Minerals.

Monday Class

Welcome Back!
Today in science we welcome our new student teacher, Ms. Carroll. To help us, we worked in groups creating a short presentation on how our class works. We used a variety of technology tools to help us!
There is no homework!