Zixth Grade

This week we’ll pour our energy into exploring the question How is thermal energy transfered? We’ll turn up the heat on two different types of cups to find the best way to keep a drink warm (or cold).

Objectives:

1. Investigate the transfer of thermal energy through different materials.
2. Define thermal energy and explain conduction, convection, and radiation.
3. Describe how insulation works.

Assignments:

Worksheet – Lesson 3: How is Thermal Energy Transfered?

Investigate: Losing Heat Data Sheet

Hermosa wave by watch4u

We’re making waves in Science as we continue to investigate energy. What are waves? How can slinky show us how energy travels? We’ll find out this week.

Objectives:

• Describe the behavior of waves.
• Identify the properties of two different kinds of waves.
• Recognize how waves carry energy.
• Main idea and details – Look for details about different kinds of waves.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Making Waves
• Lesson 2 Worksheet (RS 31-32)

Look at the picture below and then anwer the following question with your group.

Bed Jump by jamesjyu

Using the following image, create a presentation like we might see on a morning TV news show. Make sure to explain the on-the-ground weather of at least three locations around the map, based on the symbols you notice in the map. Presentations should include an explanation of the on-the-ground conditions (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.).

Did someone say test? Yes, we said we would take the Unit 6 test on Thursday, and then Red Ribbon Week hit. We had to bump the test to this Tuesday. Make sure to use the three lesson worksheets, the text book, and the review game to study.

Later this week, we will begin our unit on Physical Science as we explore the question What are some forms of energy?

Objectives:

• Describe how energy changes from one form to another.
• Define potential and kinetic energy.
• State the law of conservation of energy.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Changing Energy Lab Report
  
• RS 29-30

Congratulations to Mrs. Scott and her husband on the birth of their new baby!

This week we review our unit on Earth’s weather and prepare for the unit assessment. Along with the paper assessment, we will express our knowledge of weather concepts through an online video game and a movie-making project.

Objectives:

• Express knowledge of Earth’s weather patterns.
• Demonstrate how to use a sling psychrometer to measure relative humidity
• Use a digital camera to capture video. Use a computer to arrange the captured clips into a presentation.

Assignments:

• Relative Humidity Documentary (Tuesday)
• Chapter 6 Assessment (Thursday)

Thanks for all your thoughts and well-wishes as Mrs. Zehring and I welcomed home our new son, Nathan. Both mother and baby are very healthy and happy to be home. Special thanks to our guest teacher Mrs. Hardy and our Arizona Youth Partnership instructor Mr. Short.

Play the game Manic Miner to prepare for the Chapter 6 Assessment.

Click here for full screen version

Use the interactive site below to learn more about different types of clouds.

Types of Clouds

In the comments section, describe which clouds bring precipitation and severe weather.

As we investigate the question What is weather? We are learning about warm fronts and cold fronts.

When a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass, the result is a warm front.

When a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass, a cold front occurs.

In both warm and cold fronts, the warm air rises above the cold air mass, as illustrated in the image below.

The red water baloon represents a warm air mass. The blue water baloon represents a cold air mass. The cold air mass sinks, because it is much colder and more dense than the air around it. The warm air mass floats because the air inside it is warmer and less dense.

All student received their graded Chapter 5 assessments today. Students have the opportunity to take home a textbook and make corrections on any problems that were incorrect. They should write the correct answers and explanations (complete sentences, please) on a  piece of line paper to be turned in on Monday. Each corrected problem is worth half a point on the final score for the assignment.

We gave it a go and came up a little short on our planned activities for the week. With the technology lesson and a counselor lesson on Tuesday, the scheduled activities were postponed. We didn’t get to these assignments:

• Investigate: Layers of the Atmosphere lab report and graph on page 245
• Atmospheric layers diagram
• Reading Support 48-49

We’ll catch them next week and then move on to Lesson 2: What is weather?