Ms. McGuirk's 6th Grade Science Class

 

Monday, August 9th: The 7 Steps of the Scientific Method

Today, we defined the 7 steps of the scientific method.  Scholars used Cornell Notes to define each step based on a Power Point presentation that also corresponds to Chapter 1 in our textbooks.
  • Scholars can download an extra copy of the Cornell Notes below - Cornell notes are excellent resources for our vocabulary.
  • Scholars can download the Power Point presentation from today's lesson below to fill in their notes.
  • Scholars have homework every Monday and Wednesday! Tonight's homework is as follows: Using today's Cornell notes, scholars need to make 7 note cards.  On the front of each note card, scholars need to write down the title of each step to the scientific method.  On the back of each notecard, scholars need to write down the definition/description of each step. 
week_2_lesson_1_scientific_method_cornell_notes.doc
File Size: 54 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

week_2_lesson_1_steps_of_the_scientific_method.ppt
File Size: 1368 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File


Tuesday, August 10th: Ordering the Steps of the Scientific Method

Today, scholars applied their knowledge of the scientific method by unscrambling the steps of two experiments - Stephanie's experiment and Mr. Santiago's experiment.  The files to complete this assignment can be found below.
week_2_lesson_2_examples_of_steps_of_the_scientific_method.doc
File Size: 130 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

week_2_lesson_2_cw_ordering_steps_of_sci_meth.doc
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: doc
Download File


Wednesday, August 11th: Practice on Discovery

  • Click the link here to go to the Discovery Student Login page.
  • There are 3 practice probes set up on Ms. McGuirk's Discovery page.
  • First, enter in the code for Scientific Method Practice 1: PZEM114289
  • Enter in your first and last name
  • When you finish the first practice, enter in the code for Scientific Method Practice 2: PZGY190045
  • Enter in your first and last name, then read the instructions & get started!
  • When you finish the second practice, enter in the code for Scientific Method Practice 3: PZJY336156
  • Enter in your first and last name, then read the instructions & get started!
  • If you have a computer at home, you can access these practice probes on your own computer as well!

Thursday, August 12th: Weekly Quiz 1

  • Quia is used for quizzes, tests, and other online activities during class
  • When you get to Ms. McGuirk's Quia page, click on your homeroom section (6-03, 6-04, 6-05, 6-01, or 6-02)
  • Then, click on "Weekly Quiz 1: Scientific Method (8.12.10)
  • Your username is the your first name last name 984  or if that doesn't work, it is your first initial last name 984
  • Your password is the same as your password for logging into your computer.

Friday, August 13th: PCA Experimental Design Contest

When you're done designing your experiment on paper, download the Word Document below and start typing up your experimental design in order to submit it!
  • Make sure you save your document as "Your Last Name First Name Experimental Design Contest"
week_2_lesson_5_experimental_design_contest.doc
File Size: 38 kb
File Type: doc
Download File


Monday, August 16th: Controls & Variables

Today, we looked at the three main components of a good experiment: an independent variable, dependent variable, and control.  Scholars used Cornell Notes to define each term based on a Power Point presentation.
  • Scholars can download an extra copy of the Cornell Notes below - Cornell notes are excellent resources for our vocabulary.
  • Scholars can download the Power Point presentation from today's lesson below to fill in their notes.
  • Scholars have homework every Monday and Wednesday! Tonight's homework is as follows: Using today's Cornell notes, scholars need to make 4 note cards (index cards).  On the front of each note card, scholars need to write down the following terms: variable, independent variable, dependent variable, and control.  On the back of each notecard, scholars need to write down the definition/description (found on the right side of their Cornell Notes). 
week_3_lesson_1_controls__variables_part_i.ppt
File Size: 1156 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

week_3_lesson_1_controls__variables_cornell_notes.doc
File Size: 56 kb
File Type: doc
Download File


Tuesday, August 17th: Applying our knowledge of Controls & Variables

Today, scholars looked at some examples using another popular television show, the Simpsons.  Using the characters from the show, some examples of experiments are given, and scholars are asked to identify the independent, dependent variables and the control.  Scholars worked in pairs for this guided practice.  See the worksheet below for a copy of this exercise.
week_3_lesson_2_guided_practice.doc
File Size: 61 kb
File Type: doc
Download File


Wednesday, August 18th: Conducting an Experiment to identify Controls & Variables

  • Today we tie-dyed milk to see how real scientists use independent variables, dependent variables, and controls in experiments.  Scholars did the experiment in groups as  a class, made observations, and identified the variables and controls found within the experiment.  Check below to download a copy of the procedures and the analysis worksheet that we did in class, as well as the Power Point we followed along to do the experiment!
week_3_lesson_3_class_experiment.ppt
File Size: 949 kb
File Type: ppt
Download File

Click here to upload file

  • Don't forget that Wednesday night is Science Homework Night! Tonight's homework can be found on the back of our classwork worksheet from Tuesday, and it can also be downloaded below if you need another copy!
week_3_controls_and_variables_homework.doc
File Size: 33 kb
File Type: doc
Download File


Friday, August 20th: PCA Experimental Design Contest Submissions!

Download the Word Document below and start typing up your experimental design in order to submit it!
  • Make sure you save your document as "Your Last Name First Name Experimental Design Contest"
week_2_lesson_5_experimental_design_contest.doc
File Size: 38 kb
File Type: doc
Download File