Wednesday

Today was a review day. We discussed open and closed circuits, AC & DC current, types of energy; potential and kinetic and methods of transferring energy; conduction, convection and radiation.

Students were then given their alternative energy project summaries. They fixed these papers to be more in line with what was required.

Tomorrow is Project Northland. Students need to complete the assignment in the booklet and return it signed at the beginning of class tomorrow. The assignment was to observe commercials, ads and tv shows that glamorize the use of alcohol and tobacco products.

Tuesday

We learned about alternating and direct current today. We watched a short video that demonstrated the movement of the electrons. Then we went to the lab and experienced that in D.C. the electrons move from the negative to the positive pole. We experienced open and closed circuits. We examined an A.C. wire and noticed that there are two parts, one that allows the current to go in and one that allows the current to exit.

We also wrote the metric prefixes down again so the students can use the prefixes in calculating metric changes.

To study for this lesson go to Youtube and watch Bill Nye on Electricity.

Monday

We corrected the homework from Wednesday. It had a lot to do with electricity, open and closed circuits, current, and electrons. We then viewed a movie that showed clearly how electrons work.

There is no homework tonight other than re-reading the assignment.

Thursday

Today was Project Northland. The students learned different ways to relax and have fun without using drug or alcohol.

Homework was turned in today by most of the students. Those who did not turn in their assignment can receive half credit if the completed assignment is turned in on Monday. Students that did only part of the assignment will receive half credit on the problems that were not done. The papers are marked.

Wednesday

We practiced our vocabulary words today. We had different questions on papers around the room. The students had ten squares of paper and had to write the correct answers on the papers. Then we added up the correct answers and discussed the questions.

Students have homework tonight. They are to read E106-E113 and do the worksheet that each student received in class today. It is due at the start of class tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Project Northland, the drug and alcohol prevention class. Student need to bring their Project Northland booklet back for points.

Tuesday

We had a great time yesterday purifying water, drying clothes, cooking cookies, and making windmills. The students really worked well on this and learned that alternative energy doesn't have to be that difficult.

Students, you need to do your reading. Learning will only take place as you do your part. The reading assignment from yesterday was E98-E105. If you didn't read it well enough to be able to answer the red questions at the top of each section, re-read it.

Today we learned about static electricity. We learned how lightning occurs and why a balloon, when rubbed on hair, will stick to a wall. There is no homework for tonight except to read or review last night's reading assignment. Again, if you can answer the questions in red, then you are done reading.

Monday doing projects using alternative energies

In our first hour class we watched water turn clear by using a charcoal purifier, a dryer that almost worked, cooked oatmeal and eggs with (fake) solar power, and saw a miniature windmill with cups on the end trying to pick up water. It was fun, but I believe the students learned that we can use alternatives to energy when we want to. I am looking forward to what the other classes have planned.

Homework tonight is to read E98-E105. First hour students will think it is E103, but if you are reading this, read to E105.

Thursday - remember supplies for Monday

Today Mrs. Bloxham came in to do Project Northland. The students learned about the poisons in drugs and discussed fun things to do that don't require alcohol. Their homework is to find out how much a six pack of beer costs and what a pack of cigarettes costs. They also are to do their "Slick Tracy" comic book with an adult before next Thursday.

Students are doing a team project on Monday. They need to remember to bring the supplies for their team. We are making things that use alternative forms of energy.

Wednesday

On Monday students were given a paper to help the school earn money. It is an online connection so that if anyone in your family orders anything online, money will be given to the school if you do it through the correct connection. It doesn't sound difficult. Students, please make sure you get this paper to your parent. It would be nice to get money from a source outside of Bear Lake.

Today in science we discussed the different alternative energy sources. We watched a film clip of solar cooking happening in countries that do not have electricity for many of their citizens.

Then students got in teams to plan how to make a "fake" alternative energy device. They were assigned, by their teams, of items to bring for their part of the device. Tomorrow is the drug prevention class, so students will work on their device on Monday. They can bring their supplies tomorrow or Monday and we will store the parts.

Tuesday

Unfortunately many students did not finish last night's homework. The reading assignment is designed to assist the students in the next day's work. So today we are adding more homework, it is to read, again, E84-E87 and come prepared tomorrow to discuss the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

Today we learned about different sources of energy. We discussed solar power, and biofuels. We learned the about the different output of ethanol and algae as a source of future energy use.

Tomorrow we will discuss nuclear power, wind power and what a kilowatt really is.

Monday

We watched hot air expand and cold air contract today through two different experiments. We put a balloon in hot water and it expanded. Then we put it in cold water and it contracted. Then we did a short experiment on convection by putting a green ice cube in warm water. First hour the experiement didn't work because the water was in motion. But in 4th and 5th hour we made sure the water was still and the convection current was obvious. We will redo the experiment in first hour tomorrow.

Reading for tonight's homework in E78-E91. Some students are going to remediation to assure that they understand the information in the assignment.

Thursday Project Northland

On Thursdays, for the next six weeks, the students will be doing something called Project Northland. This is a class to teach students the dangers of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. A specially trained person will come and talk to the students. Today the students took the survey pertaining to the class.

In Science we discussed the three types of energy transfer, radiation, conduction and convection. Then we reviewed the measuring worksheet that we have finished in class.

Wednesday

We learned about transferring heat energy today. There are three main ways to transfer heat energy, radiation; as in waves from the sun or other warm objects, conduction; heat transfer by direct contact, and convection; heat transfer through liquid or gas. We did a demonstration showing all three of the heat transfers using a boiling beaker of water, a cold fork, and a beaker of room temperature water. Next we watched a short video clip on youtube called Eureka! This Eureka! lesson re-taught the information on heat energy transfers. Students also completed a sheet on S.I. measurements and did quite well on it.

Homework tonight is to read E66-E77.

Tuesday

We finished up our measuring work today. I thought it would be a good idea to have the students finish it after Christmas break so they could remember how to measure using the metric system. We also started something new today. We are going to track the high and low temperatures each school day for the month of January. This will give the students experience on graphing while paying attention to the current temperatures in Montpelier.

Our notes today started with a review of comparing and contrasting invertebrates and vertebrates. Next the students were asked to compare and contrast kinetic and potential energy. Last they were asked to use their periodic table and draw an oxygen atom.

Monday January 4th 2010

Students were asked to write their definition of energy. We then learned that it is a Greek word. "En" means in and "Ergon" means work, so energy is "work in." (Actually I think it should be in work, but I am not a Greek scholar so I won't argue the point.) We watched a couple of video clips on potential and kinetic energy. Then we did an experiment. Students were asked to come up with an hypothesis; what would happen if we put a drop of food coloring in hot water, cool water and ice water.

Homework tonight will be reading pg E50-E65.