Wilson Middle School Science Blog

The Chapter 17 Test is this Friday. Students should review Ohm’s Law and the problems we have been doing in school. Vocabulary is also stressed on this test. Students will be asked to answer questions regarding series vs parallel circuits, be able to find the total resistance in each type of circuit, and finally, caclulate the current. We will be doing review activities all week.

Have a great Spring Break! We only have eight weeks left when you come back. Enjoy yourselves and I’ll see you April 20th.

Mr. B

Here are some pictures from our first day using the Van de Graaf generator.

We are currently studying electricity. We are having a “Lightning Reaction” game where it pays to have quick reactions. Here are some pictures.

We are introducing our unit on electricity today, so “Earth Hour” has perfect timing. Show your support for the Earth by turning off all electricity Saturday night.

For more details, scroll down on the right side of the blog and click on the Earth Hour banner.

Just wanted to update the message below that I postsed last night. The quiz is on Wed (tomorrow). I have been telling the kids this all week, so they know. Sorry for the confusion.

Hello! I thought I would post an update since it has been awhile. We are nearing the end of our chemistry unit. We have a quiz on Thursday that will cover Lewis Dot structures and balancing chemical equations. Starting next week we will begin to cover electricity.

Mr. B

The element project is done! Actually, not quite, but we are done in the library. There are a few groups that have a few finishing touches to add to their projects. The projects were outstanding! Students worked very hard and exceeded my expectations. I learned some things from a few of the groups. They are a tech savvy group. Great Job!!

My students have been working hard on their group projects on the Periodic Table of Elements. Each group of 3-4 students was assigned a group of elements, such as the Halogens or Alkaline Earth Metals. Groups are gathering information and images and making movies using Windows MovieMaker. I cannot put into words how great these projects are turning out. The kids are very creative. If you click on the “PROJECTS” button on the top of the page and then click on an hour, you will find the links to the presentations.

I am attaching a PDF file of last years element quiz. All of the students have gotten a copy of this in class. Their test will be virtually the same! I will mix up the order, and change the element on the second page. If they can do this worksheet, they will ace the quiz.

atomic-quiz

Students are wrapping up Chapter 10 on Heat and Temperature. They have their Chapter Review due tomorrow (Tuesday Feb 10). We will NOT be testing on Chapter 10. Chapter 11 and 12 cover atomic structure and the Periodic Table of Elements. Students will be expected to memorize the first 20 elements on the Periodic Table by Atomic Number. (This is always my highest average test, so they will do very good.) There are many good sites for review, such as chemicool.com.

Speaking of good sites, did you know that we use an online textbook? If your son or daughter lost or forgot their password, please email me or have them get it from me. There are great tutorials, text can be read aloud, lost worksheets can be printed, etc.

Students were asked to draw and diagram a Bunsen Burner. Sarah’s drawing is pictured here. There were many outstanding diagrams. Great job!

Students will have to pass a written test and practical test in order to earn their Bunsen burner license. This will allow them to participate in labs that utilize the Bunsen burners. This video is intended as a review. Remember your safety guidelines!!

Click here to see video.

We have a test on Thursday on chapter 7. I have included a video of Bernoulli’s Principle and lift into this post. Students will have to draw and explain the picture on their test.

Click here to see video.

Just want to wish all students and families a wonderful holiday break! Enjoy the time off. I’ll see you in January.

Mr. B