Wednesday, November 16, 2011

FINAL PROJECT DEADLINE

Hello everyone,

This is a reminder that the final science project display and materials are due on Friday, December 2.  Please be prepared to present your project in class during the week of December 5!  Good luck!


Deadline approaching again!

This is a reminder that all project research as well as the abstract are due Friday, November 18.

An abstract is a brief (about 150 words - 250 words) summary about the entire project. Please leave a post if there are any questions.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Deadline approaching, Wednesday, November 9

Don't forget, this week you have two things to worry about:

1.  3 weeks test on Wednesday

2.  Your science project Conclusion and Bibliography are due.  See www.easybib.com for help.

Funny Animals Again!


Saturday, October 29, 2011

Project Display Boards

Science project display boards are available to all students beginning on Monday, October 31 and they are free of charge.  Please see below for an example of how they should look when completed.






Deadline for graphs and analysis November 4!




Time is drawing near for you to have completed all testing of your project.  Please keep in mind that you must submit your results, graphs and analysis on Friday, November 4. We will be practicing creating graphs and knowing your variables in class this week!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Curriculum Enrichment

Curriculum Enrichment will be experiencing a shift on Nov. 1. Current offerings are now closed.  New offerings for students to choose from include:
1.  Book club (limited to 5-10 students from our block)
2.  Flags
3.  Weights and Conditioning
4.  Gifted and talented  (Students who have been identified as GT are required to take this course!)
5.  Science projects
6.  Movie making (5 students only)

In addition, Mrs. Beard and Mrs. Ramsey will be "hosting" Study Hall for students who become behind in their work.  Students will receive a mandatory study hall pass when this happens.
Monday = language arts
Tuesday = math
Wednesday = social studies
Thursday = science
Friday = Curriculum Enrichment homeroom

Please leave a post if you have any questions.

Red Ribbon Week Dates and Halloween

Monday: Crazy hat day
Tuesday: Pajama day
Wednesday: Crazy hair day
Thursday: '80s day


In addition:

Early Release Thursday due to teacher professional development.  12:30 pm release.
NO SCHOOL Friday, October 28.  Teacher professional development.

Monday, October 31 (Halloween)
Students may come in costume if the costume reflects a character from either a novel or an autobiography.  Administration will have final say as to what is appropriate attire, so all students must have administrator approval.
PM
Students who earn the right with passing grades and good conduct will be able to participate in reward day to include Trick-or-treating in the hallway as well as movies.  Permission slips will be provided to those students who qualify. 

Research plan due Wednesday, October 26

A reminder to all that your research plan portion of your project is due Wednesday. Please remember, you are rapidly running out of time.  All experimentation should be completed (that includes all trials) by no later than November 2. Graphs and results are due by November 4!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Free Dress Day, Friday November 4th

Students are able to have Free Dress day as a reward for having been in uniform for the entire quarter, with no uniform infractions.  Mrs. Douglas will be posting the names of lucky participants by Thursday the 3rd, outside of her classroom.  All teachers will post this by their classrooms as well.  Good luck!

ALERT: 9 Weeks Testing Schedule for THIS WEEK!

TUESDAY, 10/18            Electives
WEDNESDAY, 10/19      Science/Math
THURSDAY, 10/20         Social Studies/
                                     Language Arts

Monday, September 26, 2011

Funny animals!


This is why we should care about our planet! This is so funny!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Deadline for choosing a topic for your project is September 30, 2011

Hello everyone,

Your first Science Project checkpoint is almost here (September 30, 2011 which is Friday). This is the criteria that you must meet for your project.
  • Choose a topic that is fun and interesting!  If you choose something boring, you will not work on it.
  • Your project must be testable and repeatable. A minimum of five (5) different tests must be run on your experimental design. The more testing you can do, the better off you will be.  You must be able to identify the independent and dependent variables as well as all controls that you have on your project.
  • No models or demonstrations.  (No volcanoes, no solar system models)
  • Robotics ARE allowed.
  • Project must be 7th grade level or higher in difficulty
  • When you choose your project, make sure to have parental approval.  Some projects will require quite an expense when you perform them. Make sure to take this into consideration and discuss with your parent BEFORE you ask if your topic is appropriate. 
  • Consider the availability of chemicals, lab equipment and anything else that you may need to complete your testing.  Is it easy to get and do?  Consider that household chemicals are the most appropriate types that you can use. Do not expect the school to be able to lend or supply these things to you.
  • When possible, avoid using humans for testing.  If humans are used, a sampling of 200 people or more will be required (for instance, if you do some type of survey).
  • Avoid the use of warm-blooded animals in your testing, as shot records must be provided to the science fair coordinator if you decide to use them.  Cold-blooded animals are typically not a problem, although you should also avoid the use of venomous animals.
  • Avoid the use of weapons or fire.  If you use either of these, you are required to create a video of you performing the experiment, repeatedly, with an adult present to supervise the activity.
  • See my webpage for links to find an appropriate website to locate a project.  
Useful links on Mrs. Ramsey's website

Keep in mind that you and your project will be subject to being chosen in December to represent our block in the Indian Ridge Science Fair. If your project is chosen as one of the best, you will not have the option to back out, and you will represent block 7B, the Junior Knights.  However, extra credit will be given!

Science Project Documents (print these, you will need them)
The information here will help you with all parts of your project.  Ideas are included.


Saturday, September 10, 2011

SCIENCE PROJECT DUE DATES (UPDATED!!!)



OK Everyone, here are your scheduled due dates, and we will be talking about it in class.  Let me know if there is a conflict that I missed.

DUE DATES:
1.  Title, Purpose and Hypothesis                                Wednesday, October 5, 2011
2.  Materials List and Procedure                                 Friday, October 14, 2011
3.  Research plan                                                        Wednesday, October 26, 2011
4.  Results, Graphs and Data Analysis                        Friday, November 4, 2011
5.  Conclusion and Bibliography                                 Wednesday, November 9, 2011
6.  Final Report and Abstract                                     Friday, November 18, 2011
7.  COMPLETED PROJECT                                      Friday, December 2, 2011



Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Supernova


Extra credit

As specified before, you must log in to this blog and show in some manner that you have been here by responding to one of the posts.  Choose one of the posts and write something.  If you have a question, ask!  The more interactive you become, the better your grade will be!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Science Projects Information


For those of you who are interested in getting a jump on your science project, please head to
http://www2.yisd.net/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=6325 then go to class projects. There you can find handouts and information about what to do.  Remember, you will be held responsible for completing a project by Friday, December 2, 2011.  Final dates to come...I will keep you posted!

Welcome


Welcome to your 7th grade year at Indian Ridge Middle School.  You are in block 7B, Junior Knights.  Feel free to contact any of your teachers whenever the need arises, or just if you want to talk to someone. We are here to help YOU!

Your teachers are:  Ms. Ramsey (Science-that's me!), Mrs. Douglas (Language Arts), Mrs. Lopez (Math) and Mrs. Beard/Mr. Pena (Social Studies).  We can be reached at (915) 434-5400 or you can leave us an e-mail at: 

http://www2.yisd.net/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=38716&category=1363&