Newsletter 2 Physical Science September 26th

 Physical Science Newsletter 2 September 26, 2014 

What have we been doing?
We have been working on our 2nd unit which is a long unit about forces and motion. The individual topics in this unit include: speed, graphing, acceleration, free fall, forces, air resistance, newton's laws of motion and momentum. We have been working on speed word problems and speed graphs over the last two weeks. We have learned how to calculate the speed of an object and how to create and interpret distance versus time graphs. We have completed a few formative assessments which included measuring our own speed lab and acting out skits with graphing. The softball lab is a summative assessment that was completed in class on either 9/25 or 9/26. 

What is happening in the next two weeks?
In the next two weeks, we will be continuing our work in this unit. We will be starting acceleration and free fall. Students will learn how to calculate the acceleration of an object as well as different variables in the free fall equation. Students will be able to graph and interpret a speed versus time graph and will have the opportunity to work with "Go Motions" which are a computer based instrument that allow students to measure their instantaneous speeds. 
Friday October 3rd marks the halfway point of the quarter. Grades will posted on that day but grades will continue to be updated at least twice a week as assignments are turned in. 

Important Dates:

Speed Quiz: All sections Monday 9/29
Softball Summative Assessment Lab: Due Monday 9/29
Progress Report Post Date: Friday 10/3 

Honors Designation Students
Honors Speed Problems: Due Friday 9/26

Rube Goldberg Sketches (2 energy conversions) -- 9/29

Newsletter 1 September 12th, 2014

Physical Science -- September 12th 

What Have We Been Doing? 

The first few weeks of school have been exciting for the ninth grade students. They seem to be adjusting well to their new teachers and surroundings. We are just completing our first unit in physical science with is an introductory unit that includes the topics of Safety in the Science Classroom, The Scientific Method, Metric System, Scientific Notation and Graphing. We had a few summative assessments which included a safety quiz, a candle lab report and a thumb wrestling lab report. We had a handful of formative assessments that included a few pop quizzes, homework assignments and small lab activities. 

What's Happening in the Next 2 Weeks? 
Before we move on to Unit 2, we will be having our first unit test this coming week. Unit 2 is a large unit and includes Speed, Acceleration, Free Fall, Friction, Newton's Laws of Motion and Momentum. Our first common task will be completed in this unit and is an Egg Drop Project. The math can be challenging in this unit and I will be posting optional homework assignments for students that need some extra practice. 

Important Dates:

Thumb Wresting Lab 
B and C Due Monday 9-15
E Due Tuesday 9-16

Unit 1 Test
Periods B and C Unit 1 Test: Monday 9-15
Period E Unit 1 Test: Tuesday 9-16 

Topics to Study:
Metric System and Conversions, Scientific Method, Scientific Notation and Graphing          
Extra Practice to Study:
Metric Conversions (Click)
Scientific Notation (Click)
Dimensional Analysis (Honors Click) 

Honors Designation News
STEM Night 1: Making of a Rube Goldberg Machine is November 20th. First two energy conversions sketches are due September 29th.
Extension Unit 2: Hang Time Problems