- Belleview Middle School
- What can I do over the summer to prepare for the new school year?
GARAND SCHERER, CHRISTINE
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Mrs. Christine Garand Scherer
Welcome!
If you're going to be a 6th-grader at Belleview Middle School, you will take Earth/Space Science, and if you are a 7th-grader, you will take Life Science. Over the summer, you can get a jump start by visiting my page and finding links to content that is a mix of fun, engaging, and useful. I will be posting Kahoots, Quizlets, articles, projects, and other goodies for those interested. Also, what I'm posting here will come in handy throughout your science career from now until graduation. Take a peek at Mrs. Clark's Nature of Science page to look for similarities between what you will do in 6th and 7th grades and what you will do in 8th grade- (Nature of Science- Mrs. Clark- 8th Grade Physical Science)
Let's start here with a Quizlet. There are things you've learned in the 5th-grade that you will not only use in 6th-grade Earth/Science, but you will expand upon that knowledge! Quizlet is fun because you can use it as flashcards, take a practice quiz, or play a game. The information in this first Quizlet I'm posting here is some of the content we start the year with, but you will see all year long.
July 3, 2020
July 4, 2020
After you've reviewed the key terms from the Quizlet posted July 3, try out this Kahoot to check your level of Nature of Science understanding. I highly recommend using the Kahoot app for this (search for Nature of Science- Test Your Wits), but you can access it through the following link:
Click here to reach the Nature of Science- Test Your Wits! Kahoot
July 5, 2020
It is essential to understand the difference between observational studies and experiments. This YouTube video is short, sweet, and to the point. It also includes vital vocabulary that you will need for the rest of your life! No kidding! You need science for your entire life.
Check out this YouTube Video called: Observational Studies and Experiments.
July 6, 2020
Good scientists make useful observations. Making good observations takes practice. There are two games I like to play to practice making observations. Both games are more fun with more people, but the first game you can play alone. The second will take at least two people.
Observe This!
You will need a piece of paper and a writing utensil (unless you like to take notes digitally in a word processing program such as Word or Google Docs), a random object, and a timer. In less than one minute, write down as many different observations about the random object as you can. You can play against others. For every observation you make that is original, you score a point.
Things on a Tray
The second game focuses on making observations and using your memory. I call this game "Things on a Tray," but you can give it a more sciencey name and impress the world with it! Again, you will need a piece of paper and a writing utensil (unless you like to take notes digitally in a word processing program such as Word or Google Docs) and a timer. However, with this game, you will need several small random objects a tray (such as a baking sheet) and a towel (or other covering). One person gathers the random objects and places them on the tray and covers the items when they are all gathered. When the players are ready, uncover the things. The other person (or people, if you like competition!) will have one minute to observe the objects. After one minute, recover the items and carefully move the tray out of sight. Players will have one minute to write down as many as they can in that time. Whoever writes down the highest number of correct items is declared the winner!
July 7, 2020
One of the critical lessons in science is recognizing science from non-science and learning to know when something is scientifically possible and when it's not. (Please, don't let your knowledge ruin watching movies!) Here's a fun video that dispels some myths.
Nerding out on Star Wars Science
July 8, 2020
What is Science? A Kahoot!
10-Question What is Science Kahoot!
July 9, 2020
What is the difference between a law and a theory?
In science, what do we mean by these two terms?
Watch this short video and try your hand at the in-video questions. This is the knowledge you will use for the rest of your life!
July 10, 2020
Laws and Theories
Essential Question:
What is the difference between a scientific law and scientific theory?
- Scientific laws describe a natural event, often with mathematical formulas.
- Scientific theory explains observations based on many observations, investigations, evidence and is widely accepted by scientists.
- Scientific theories can change with new evidence.
- Scientific theories do not become laws.
What you need to know and be able to do:
Define scientific law, and give examples of scientific laws.
Define scientific theory and give examples of scientific theory.
Here are some websites to find out about some cool theories and laws.
Which is your favorite? Why?
Give examples of scientific theories and laws that you experience in your life.
10 Scientific Laws and Theories You Really Should Know
Important Laws of Physics
The Most Bonkers Scientific Theories (Almost) Nobody Believes Anymore
The most bonkers scientific theories (almost) nobody believes anymore.
July 11, 2020
Are you becoming an expert on scientific law and theory? Try your hand at this Quizlet. See if you can tell the difference between a theory and a law.
Law vs. Theory 10 question Quizlet
July 12, 2020
The Scientific Method
Now, here's some more valuable information you will need for the rest of your life. Visit the Khan Academy to learn a bit about the scientific method. Follow up with the online tutorials and short quiz to check your understanding.
Khan Academy Scientific Method Video
Khan Academy Text: How the scientific method is used to test a hypothesis.
Khan Academy: How scientists conduct experiments and make observations to test hypotheses.
July 13, 2020
Scientific Method
This is something to sing about!
For fun, write and perform a song, skit, or make a poster about the Scientific Method.
July 14, 2020
Law vs. Theory Create a Venn Diagram
After you've added as many comparisons as you can think of, check your responses out against some of mine.
Laws and Theories Venn- Check your answers.
How did you do?
If you wrote: You are a:
3 or more for each category-King or Queen
2 or more for each category-Duke or Duchess
1 or more for each category-Earl or Countess
Wrote at least one -Baron or Baroness
Wrote nothing -Squire or Maiden
July 15, 2020
Listed below are the Laws and Theories to Know for the 6th and 7th grades.
Law of universal gravitation- 6th grade
Law of superposition- 6th grade
Law of conservation of energy- 6th & 7th grade
Law of conservation of mass- 7th grade
Theory of plate tectonics- 6th grade
Cell theory- 7th grade
The scientific theory of evolution- 7th grade
Atomic theory- 7th grade
You can get a headstart on the year by finding the definitions of these terms. It is helpful to create mini-posters of each using a regular piece of paper. Draw a picture to represent the Law or Theory. Who is credited with each? What is the definition of each? Get creative!
July 16, 2020
In yesterday's blurb, you learned the names of specific Laws and Theories that you will be responsible for knowing in the 6th and 7th grades. Check out these videos about each one. Get to know them. All of these videos are less than ten minutes. (Most are under five minutes!) Tomorrow, I will post a Kahoot that you can play to test yourself~
Law of universal gravitation- 6th grade- Universal Law of Gravitation with 5 questions
Law of superposition- 6th grade- Law of Superposition with three questions
Law of conservation of energy- 6th & 7th grade- Law of Conservation of Energy with four questions
Law of conservation of mass- 7th grade- Law of Conservation of Mass with three questions
Theory of plate tectonics- 6th grade- Plate Tectonics- A very short video with 13 questions (Easy!)
Cell theory- 7th grade- Cell Theory- Edpuzzle (includes 7 questions)
The scientific theory of evolution- 7th grade The Theory of Evolution (by Natural Selection) | Cornerstones Education
Atomic theory- 7th grade- Atomic Theory- Veritasium
July 17, 2020
Do you know the definitions of the laws and theories listed above? Great! Test your big brain out on this eight-question Kahoot!
Kahoot! Laws and Theories- Know the definitions of 4 Laws and 4 Theories
July 18, 2020
Try your hand at identifying independent and dependent variables as well as control and experimental groups in these four interesting experiments. You do not need to print anything. Once you click on the link, you will make a copy of them and then be able to type directly on the documents. Come back tomorrow to check your answers.
July 19, 2020
Check your answers from yesterday here: Experimental Design Answers
How did you do?
If you wrote: You are a:
13 or more -King or Queen
8 to 12 -Duke or Duchess
3 to 7 -Earl or Countess
1 to 2 -Baron or Baroness
Wrote nothing -Squire or Maiden
Extension activity: Choose one of the four experiments, and change something about it. Would you change the independent variable? (The variable you control.) Would you change the dependent variable? (a.k.a. What you're looking for to happen or to change.) Would you change the experimental group? (The one receiving the treatment.) or maybe you would have a different control group. (The group receiving no treatment.)
July 20, 2020
Do you feel confident about your level of understanding of experimental design? Give this 15 question Quizzizz a try. The quiz closes at 11:59 p.m. on Aug.2, 2020. You can do it!