Science Assignments for Middle School
Science Assignments vary depending on the class level and the number of times each class has met. Students are accountable for all information in their notebooks at all times.
Notebook Checks: Notebooks are collected every three to four weeks and checked for accurate notes and lab work. I make notes in student notebooks and ask questions to clarify thinking or to push students to a higher performance.
Answering Questions: When a question is asked, a written response is expected and will be assessed. Questions are designed to advance student thinking about the nature and purposes of science and the possible applications of our learning.
The questions I ask vary according to student.
A student who is challenged by keeping an orderly record may be asked "Why do you think a scientist would want to put a date on each entry?" or "How could you title this page to capture the main idea? How might a title be helpful to a scientist or to you?"
Others may be asked "Which variables seem most difficult to control?" or "How might this new information be used in designing a new experiment?" "What do you think should be done when the data is inconclusive?" etc...
Notebook Checks- Checking to see if the following are in place:
Table of contents
Entries dated and titled
Lecture Notes, Video Reflections
Questions from reading assignments answered thoughtfully and in whole sentences.
Lab Data
Sixth Grade: Lab Contract go over with parents, review expectations, sign and put it back in the folder. Be prepared to take a quiz on lab rules after Camp Hamilton
Sixth Grade: Notes and Reflections
Class Notes: What is Science? What are the skills and practices of scientists?
Video Reflection: How did Jane Goodall practice science? What made her a good scientist?
Environmental Science Overview in preparation for Camp Hamilton
Vocabulary - system, ecosystem, habitat, niche, abiotic factors, biotic factors, ecology, equilibrium
Seventh and Eighth Grade: Notes, Reflections, Labs
Class Notes: Defining Motion of an object (relative to a reference point). What does it take for an object to move? Defining Force as a push or pull.
Measurement and Data Collection Lab: "Inclined to Roll"
Identifying Variables and Developing a Hypothesis and Testable Question
Newton's First Law Notes and Video Reflection
Newton's First Law Check for Understanding: Questions
Notebook Checks: Notebooks are collected every three to four weeks and checked for accurate notes and lab work. I make notes in student notebooks and ask questions to clarify thinking or to push students to a higher performance.
Answering Questions: When a question is asked, a written response is expected and will be assessed. Questions are designed to advance student thinking about the nature and purposes of science and the possible applications of our learning.
The questions I ask vary according to student.
A student who is challenged by keeping an orderly record may be asked "Why do you think a scientist would want to put a date on each entry?" or "How could you title this page to capture the main idea? How might a title be helpful to a scientist or to you?"
Others may be asked "Which variables seem most difficult to control?" or "How might this new information be used in designing a new experiment?" "What do you think should be done when the data is inconclusive?" etc...
Notebook Checks- Checking to see if the following are in place:
Table of contents
Entries dated and titled
Lecture Notes, Video Reflections
Questions from reading assignments answered thoughtfully and in whole sentences.
Lab Data
Sixth Grade: Lab Contract go over with parents, review expectations, sign and put it back in the folder. Be prepared to take a quiz on lab rules after Camp Hamilton
Sixth Grade: Notes and Reflections
Class Notes: What is Science? What are the skills and practices of scientists?
Video Reflection: How did Jane Goodall practice science? What made her a good scientist?
Environmental Science Overview in preparation for Camp Hamilton
Vocabulary - system, ecosystem, habitat, niche, abiotic factors, biotic factors, ecology, equilibrium
Seventh and Eighth Grade: Notes, Reflections, Labs
Class Notes: Defining Motion of an object (relative to a reference point). What does it take for an object to move? Defining Force as a push or pull.
Measurement and Data Collection Lab: "Inclined to Roll"
Identifying Variables and Developing a Hypothesis and Testable Question
Newton's First Law Notes and Video Reflection
Newton's First Law Check for Understanding: Questions