Plant and Animal Cells

Today we look at what Mr. Ripplinger's cheeks look like on a microscopic level!  Only one student was semi-grossed-out.  The rest were enthralled! :)  We also looked at other animal cells and tissues as well as plant parts.  Quite the exciting day! If you were absent, today is a day you will have to make up after school.  I can't let you take home a microscope - sorry.

Elodea Leaf

Cheek Cells

Cell City!

The organelles inside a cell work a lot like a city.  Each part has its specific responsibility and they correspond quite well.

Cells!

We started our new unit today.  We introduced it with a Bill Nye and some notes. :)  Here is the link to the Bill Nye and you'll have to get the notes from me if you were absent.

http://tiny.cc/tcv8l

End of one unit, start of another

This is the end of this unit.  This was the shortest one ever. :)  Here is the table of contents.

Table of Contents

• 1. Cover Page
• 2. Table of Contents
• 3. Layers of the Earth
• 4. R.A.F.T.
• 5. Notes: Sorting of Earth Materials

Sorting of Earth Materials

We've looked at the layers of the Earth but there are more ways that nature layers things.  We've layers liquids by density.  Today we learned about how things sort by particle size.  Here's an example:

Stream Bed Table

RAFT

Role:  The identity you take on as the writer (ex: Santa Claus)
Audience:  Who you are writing to (ex: Buddy the Elf)
Format:  What form your writing will take (ex: a Letter)
Topic:  What you are writing about (ex: How to find his Dad)

Today's RAFT needed to include the 4 layers of the Earth in its Topic.  The writing assignment needed to include the states of matter of the layers (solid, liquid, gas), temperature, pressure, density and if you like you can also include what each layer is made of.

Layers of the Earth

Important Points
-Names of layers
-How they layer
-Why they layer
-The state of matter of each layer

End of one unit, start of another

This marks the end of this unit.  Here is the table of contents for it.

Table of Contents

• 1. Cover Page
• 2. Table of Contents
• 3. Notes: Atoms + Molecules
• 4. Discovery of the Atom
• 5. Making Molecules
• 6. Measuring Notes
• 7. Mad Mass Adventure
• 7b. Mass of Liquids
• 8. Volume of Cuboids
• 9. Measuring Liquid Volume
• 10. Density Notes
• 11. Wood Density
• 12. Density of Solids
• 13. Density of Liquids
• 14. Notes: Phases of Matter
• 15. S'more Science!
• 16. Gobstoppers + Diffusion

Everlasting Gobstopper?

Is a Gobstopper really "everlasting?"

We have started looking into DIFFUSION by watching the particles of a gobstopper diffuse in water.  We tested both cold and hot water.

Note for parents:  We answered the questions in class on 11/22.

The Amazing Magic of the Particle Accelerator!!

Particle Accelerator

Now don't be confused.  This may look like an ordinary microwave and well . . . it is.  But it does things you might have never realized it could.  This baby can make the particles of any substance move faster causing some items to change states of matter and even increase in volume.  Here is an example of what happened to a marshmallow - it's volume was increased like crazy.

I'M A GAS!!

I think my favorite part of today was when the principal saw me running around outside my portable, waving my hands above my head and shouting, "I'M A GAS!! I'M A GAS!!"

If you were absent you need to get the notes from a friend.

Take Home Lesson - Know the 3 phases of matter and the motion of their particles.

QUIZ!!!

Today was our quiz on density!  Don't freak out if you weren't prepared.  You can take this quiz over and over until you get 100%. :)

Safari from Hammari!

We were in Mr. Hammari's room today.  We got to use a lot of the lab equipment. Here is a little taster of what we did.  We didn't quite get 7 layers - 4 was all we had time for. :)

Density Field Trip!

Today we took the class on a field trip around the school.  We crammed everyone into small closets and found the wide open spaces throughout the school.  We analyzed the density of students in each location.  My favorite was the high density closets but I think they enjoyed the running around in the low density areas of the main hall.

Mystery Blocks

Yesterday the constant was density.

Today the constant is Volume!

I had a bunch of blocks, all the same size, that are all made from different materials.  They had to figure out which block was which based on the density (which they calculated).

Can you guess the constant for Tomorrow?

Wood Density

Mr. Ripplinger - you sly devil!  You took a 4x4 piece of lumber, chopped it up into different sizes, and had your students find the density of each one.
Some students thought the bigger pieces would have more density because of their size.  Other students thought the smaller ones would be more compact.
But very few could foresee them all having the SAME DENSITY!  MWAHAHAHA!!!
It's all made of the same material - all the matter will be spaced the same in the small pieces and the big pieces.

I'm your density!

Part One

Part Two

It is your density to learn about destiny. :)

Remember . . .

Making Rainbows

What a day this has been!  What a rare mood I am in!  I am seeing rainbows all over my room.

Proof that my students are learning how to measure the volume of liquids.  We felt like real scientists today using test tubes, beakers, GRADUATED CYLINDERS, and pipettes.  It was awesome!! 

Robots from the Cuboid planet

Every time I said the word "cuboid" I couldn't help but think of robots.  Don't know why.

We became pros at using rulers today - we measured LENGTH and WIDTH and HEIGHT.  Their powers combined (through multiplication of course), they are captain VOLUME!  Capt. Volume comes to the rescue of the poor oppressed robots of the planet Cuboid.  With his mighty ruler, he secures the poofiness of the robots' hair.  Captain Volume - he's our hero!

My Shampoo gives my lots of volume!

VOLUME! - how much space an object takes up.

How much volume does your hair have?

Key Questions -
What is Volume a measurement of?
What units do we use for Volume?
How do we measure Volume for:
   -liquids?
   -cuboids?
   -irregular objects?

End of Quarter!

Whew!  We are 1/4 the way done.  This will be your first report card from middle school.  I hope it's a good one.

But in the mean time, school marches on!

Tuesday, we have stuff DUE!  Your folders and starters from last week (week #8).  Don't forget!

Mass Nerdiness

Sorry I didn't upload this when we did it.  We did this last Thursday and I in all my nerdiness forgot to make sure it posted.  These are some pictures that Mrs. LeSeuer took of me on the day we measured the mass of liquids - just the liquid - no test tube included. :)

Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Wife!!

The aliens have come!

They left us with eight different stations - each with triple beam balance.  We followed the aliens instructions with the hopes of getting our families returned safely to us.  Good thing they didn't ask very much.  They just wanted to know the mass of a few odds and ends they found in their exploration of Earth: scissors, a shoe, a penny, etc.  The measurements continue tomorrow.  Hopefully that is all they need.

Mass amounts of Mass at Catholic Mass

Mini-Quiz!!  It isn't worth a lot of points but it is a lot of useful information!  Hopefully it give you a good idea of what will be on the test.

We also started learning about Mass (aka - the measurement of the amount of matter in an object).  Mass is measured in grams (g) and we will use a triple beam balance in class to measure it.

Hopefully you didn't come home from school today to find your family tied up with alien in your living room.  In case they are, we will rescue them tomorrow with our mass skills!  Come prepared!!

Science Fair Planning Assignment

On this green worksheet, we are creating hypotheses, listing our materials and writing out our procedure.  We will have some time to work on it in class. 

IT IS DUE THIS FRIDAY!

We will be watching a movie in the auditorium with all the seventh graders on friday.  The perfect time to finish this if you are lazy this week or if your partner is in another class.  Happy Planning!

Making Models of Molecules

Why is alliteration so much fun?

Why is tracing pennies and coloring in circles so much fun?

The world may never fully know why, but it sure does lead to a fun day at school.  We learned how to go from molecular formulas to pictures of atoms joined together.  For example:

Bill Nye

I have a new Halloween costume idea.  I hope I can find a Bill Nye costume in the next week. :)

We watched his segment on Atoms.  Nice day to review and relax.

Here is a link.  I don't think it is complete but it should have a link to the rest of it. :)

Mr. Ripplinger's Serious Concern

I had to give out my first referral today.  The very next period, Ms. Dunn had to give one out as well.  Two in the same day!!  I have never given one out before but now it seems like the popular thing to do! 

It is important to learn science.  It is more important to learn to get along with others.

I hope you learn that.

Poster Presentation!

We present our scientist posters today.  You should now have the timeline filled in with the scientists, the dates of their discovery and their ideas.  If you were absent or daydreaming, then feel free to get the information from a friend. :)

Time after Time

Today we started our Atomic Theory Timeline Project.  Each student (or group of students) was assigned a scientist that contributed to our current knowledge of atoms.  This is the information they needed:

-scientist name
-approximate year they lived
-his theory (idea) about the atom
-which parts of his theory were correct/wrong
-a poster

New Unit!

The Important Things
- We emptied our folders.  Everything we've done since the beginning of school (excluding science fair) should no longer be in our folders.  It doesn't need to come to school again until April.  Yes - you need to keep it.  Store it somewhere safe.
- We got a new cover page, started a new table of contents and have our first assignment - Notes: Atoms and Molecules.
- If you need the old table of contents for the Scientific Method Unit, it is copied down below. 

Table of Contents - Scientific Method Unit

Table of Contents

• 1. Cover Page
• 2. Table of Contents
• 3. Notes: Scientific Method
• 4. Mythbusters
• 5. Inferring Skullz!
• 6. Writing a Hypothesis
• 7. Helicopter Lab
• 8. Design an Experiment
• 9. Bubble Gum Lab
• 10. Control and Variables
• 11. Data Tables Notes
• 11b. Chart page
• 12. Bar Graph Notes
• 12b. Graph Page
• 13. Practice with Line Graphs

Science Fair Research

Search and Research were in a boat - Search fell out - What's left?

Today we started our research for the science fair project.  We will be doing that for the rest of this week and all week next week.  Don't expect a post until next Wednesday. :)

Moment of Truth!

We took our test today.  The time for preparation has passed.

We turned in our folders today.  Hope you've been keeping things organized!  If you didn't turn it in today, you need a late pass for full credit. :)

Jeopardy Review!

I should think about having the theme music in class.  I especially love this music from when the game show first started. :)

From the game, I'd suggest reviewing independent and dependent variables.  It still seems to be giving most students trouble!

TEST!!!

We have a test on Wednesday!!
Your folders are due on Wednesday!!
The unit ends on Wednesday!!

Best ways to study
-Use the review sheet that we completed in class.
-Pay attention tomorrow during our review game.
-Go through your folder.

Library Research

"Having fun isn't hard,
When you've got a library card!"
-Arthur

Today we went to the library to learn how to do scientific research through the Pioneer Website. This has a link to EBSCO which has a lot scientific journals - good source of research.

p.s. - When I say "Today" I mean "Thursday." I thought I posted this but it only saved it as a draft. Sorry it wasn't up sooner!

p.s.s. - I enjoyed seeing you all at student-led conferences! Hope you felt the same way.

QUIZ DAY!

We had a quiz today! We were tested on the following things:

Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
Control
Data Tables

If you didn't do too well on it, don't stress. It was only 10 points. Your extra credit / late passes are worth 10 points. You got 3 free ones at the beginning of the quarter and you can always purchase more with rattle cards.

mmm . . . Pie

Mr. Shaw is our principal.  I half expected him to make a surprise visit to my class today.  In preparation, I made him a pie.  It has 5 different flavors.

We also drilled some information into our heads.  We mimicked the monks from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.



Only our chant wasn't in Latin - it was to help us remember which graph to use.

Graph Chant
For groups, use bar.
For time, use line.
Percent, use pie.
*Bonk*

Line . . . Line . . . Line

The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain.  The temperature in New York apparently is rising from this line graph.

 

This line graph is showing the temperature over a certain period of TIME.  In line graphs, you will always find TIME on the horizontal axis.  If you ever are dealing with data over a period of TIME, line graphs are a very logical way to display your data.  Bar graphs are for "One Moment in Time" and to compare different categories.  Line graphs are for a single category over a period of TIME (did you catch that subtle hint).

Graphing with Friends

Graphing practice!  We got in our groups today and created graph after graph.  We are getting quite good at it. :)

For those of you who were absent or didn't finish, this was on the last page of the Bar Graph packet what is page 12 of your folder.

Bar Graphs

Today was hilarious!  I created a bar graph with each of my classes so that they could understand how to create their own.  I made the same on period after period.  I had so many copies that I tried to share them with other teachers.  Oddly enough, no one wanted a bar graph.  Huh.  I don't get it.  I love bar graphs! :)

Each bar graph should have these key elements:
0. Before you start, its a good idea to put your information into a data table first
1. Title
2. Horizontal and Vertical Axes
3. Independent Variable on the Horizontal Axis,
     Dependent Variable on the Vertical Axis
4. Label the Axes
5. Use an appropriate scale
6. Draw the bars (each the same width)

Data Tables Cont.

We finished our lessons about data tables today.  :)  You are all now experts.

We also took our self-assessment survey for the student-led conferences next week!  We are almost ready for those.  We have decided that we are going to submit our Bubble Gum Lab as our science work sample.  Make sure yours is completed and looking good to show off your skills to your parents.

Data Tables

If you didn't know, I am a fan of alliteration and today's lesson was perfect for a popular pizza post.  We polled the people in my portable and predicted the most popular pizza.  Pepperoni was picked to be the most popular from the plethora of pizza toppings.  Personally, I prefer pineapple or peppers.  Here is an example of a data table we made.  Make sure you know how to create one.

Frenzied, Furious Fire

I've missed school for a snow day but I've never missed it for a fire day before.  There is an air of excitement to this fire day too but a whole new excitement that I don't want to experience again.  I am glad everyone is okay and I hope that the experience wasn't too traumatic. 

In my day off, I saw people making the most of their free day: kids biking with their dads, people playing with their dogs, etc.  Its nice to see people finding fun from this frenzied, furious fire.  Seems like such opposites.  That's why I like this photo - finding such beauty from such danger.  I hope you all know how to make the best of bad situations.  It really can make all the difference.  When life gives you lemons . . .

Science Fair Brainstorming

Whenever I hear the word brainstorming, I think of a little, dark rain cloud hovering over my head striking my brain with it's lightning bolts.  Hopefully this never happens to your brain but I do hope that today has given you a jolt of ideas you could use for science fair.

Remember the Project Proposal sheet (with all your brainstormed ideas) is DUE WEDNESDAY SEPT. 22 (even thought the green sheet says the 21st).  Make sure your parents sign it. :)

CHANGE OF DATES:  Due to the school being closed, this assignment is now due THURS. SEPT. 23.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Mr. Ripplinger depends on his chair.

I like to lean on my chair.  Quite often in fact.  Sometimes my chair swivels out from under me.  Unsettling.  Mr. Ripplinger's stability is the dependent variable.  His chair is the independent variable.  His stability depends on the chair.
Make sure you know the difference between independent and dependent variables. Also, you should know that the control is the "norm" or what we compare the results of the experiment to. :)

TEST DAY!

We tested today on the Scientific Method.  Hopefully you did well.
We also got a new seating chart.  If you have an issue, talk to me when I'm not busy teaching.
We've started our iPod attribute of the month!  For the next month we will be looking for the best two students (a boy and a girl) that exemplify this attribute.  This month's attribute is . . . (drum roll) . . . Integrity!  

New Class Addition!!

I am in love.  I am in love with two girls at the same time.  Their current names are Coconut and Snowball (Snowball is the one in front with the white spot on her head). 
Students - If you would like to rename them, put it in a comment on this post.  If I love the names as much as the rats, then I will rename them.  Also this is a test to see how many of you read my blog.  If you suggest names for my rats as a comment to this post by Friday 9/17/10, I'll give you a RATTLE card.
Parents - If your child desires and you approve, you can take my rats for the weekend.  I am thinking about sending home permission forms but I would feel a lot more comfortable about parting with these two if I could speak with you personally (phone, email, face-to-face).

Test Review!

What? We have a test?  What am I supposed to study?  Well, if you were at the review, we basically covered everything on the test tomorrow!  If you we sleeping (which I don't know how that was possible), then you need to study more than everyone else. :)  Make sure you know the Scientific Method - know the order and understand the steps, and know how to make observations and inferences.  Good Luck

Bubble Gum!

What better way to start off a new week than bending the rules a little bit?  Gum for everyone!  A BIG THANK YOU to all my classes for being responsible with their gum.  I am glad that I can trust you all enough to do fun things like this in my class.

Science Fair! Start looking for a partner!  More details to come.

Starter blog!  For those of you who want to know what the daily starters are, I have created a page that has them all listed. :)  To see it click here or follow the link on the sidebar.

Mr. Ripplinger's Garden

Mad Scientist indeed!  I have created my own chemically enhanced fertilizer!  Will it work?  You be the judge.  We created experiments in groups that would test the efficacy of my concoction (aka - to find out if my fertilizer works or not).  Then I gave you homework!  Design your own experiment that would test how much a good breakfast will affect your grades. :)

p.s. - This is all to be done on the green sheet I handed out in class and is DUE MONDAY!

Helicopters

Today we made paper helicopters.  Students had the rare opportunity to stand on their desks - the helicopters had to be dropped from somewhere. :)  This was excellent practice on how to do an experiment and what a fun way to do it.

p.s. - I collected folders today!  Hope you were prepared!

20 Questions and "If _______, then ________."

Part One
Is it alive?  No.
Can you wear it?  Yes
Is it blue?  Yes
Mr. Ripplinger's socks?  Yes!

Its all about being able to ask the right QUESTION (step 2 of the scientific method).

Part One and a Half
Review how to RESEARCH (step 3 of the scientific method).  Books, Periodicals, and Internet can all be great but stories from friends can be very questionable.

Part Two
"If I punch the teacher, then I will get expelled."  Too true.  This is one HYPOTHESIS (step 4 of the scientific method) you don't want to test.  But it is an excellent example of how a hypothesis should be written.

<(O.o)> Folder Check!!

** WARNING **

Folders will be handed in to Mr. Ripplinger on Thursday for checking. 

He will be reviewing pages 1-6 and will be looking for completeness and that they are in the right order.
Don't worry about question 6 on Mythbusters.

This is worth 60 points!

Don't expect to get your folder back until Friday.

Mr. Ripplinger's Crazy Bow Tie

Observation:  Mr. Ripplinger is wearing a crazy bow tie.
Inference:  Mr. Ripplinger loves Mismatch Day at FHMS. (reasonable)
Inference:  Mr. Ripplinger has a large collection of random bow ties.  (unreasonable)
Excellent Unreasonable Inference Example from class:  Mr. Ripplinger works part-time after school as a clown.

Make sure you know the difference between observations and inferences (reasonable and unreasonable). 

First Assignment Turned In!

!!!  DUE DATES  !!!
We have finished our starters for the week.  If you didn't turn them in today, you have the weekend to get it sorted out.  Tuesday is the last day for those.  If I get them Wednesday, they're late.

But in the mean time, might as well make sure your folder is up-to-date.
-We finished 4. Mythbusters today to that assignments should be complete (except for the chart on #6).
-Every line of your 3. Notes: Scientific Method should be filled in (including the vocabulary at the end).
-Your 2. Table of Contents should match mine.
-Your 1. Cover Page should have the 7 steps of the scientific method.

Enjoy your Labor Day!!!

Mythbusters!

Sinking ships, exploding trombones and all around chaos pretty well explains what the Mythbusters do.  In class, we analyzed how closely they followed the Scientific Method.  Our conclusion was that the Scientific Method is pretty flexible; sometimes you skip parts, and other times you have to repeat steps or even jumble it all around.  If it were up to Adam and Jamie, they'd probably surround it with gunpowder to see what happened when a match fell on it.

If you missed today, come and get the worksheet from me.  I am going to learn how to make assignments downloadable from my webpage soon.  To watch a video, look here to see their TV schedule so you can catch it from home.  That link also has mini-myths that might be acceptable for this assignment - as long as you can answer the questions, it will work.

Parent Advisory - On Mythbusters, there is an infrequent use of expletives or the occasional inappropriate myth.  I previewed the one I showed in class.  You might want to do the same.

How to Best Attract the Ladies

If you've ever wondered which cologne is best for getting attention from the females, or been curious about how well orange juice feed a plant, or just don't know where your shoes are, you need the SCIENTIFIC METHOD.  It solves the world's problems. 

From our introduction today, you should be able to identify and explain each of the 7 parts: Observation, Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment (both Materials and Procedure), Analysis, and Conclusion.

Up-to-date??

Is your science folder up-to-date?  Double check on my blog!  On the right hand side of your screen, you should see the current Table of Contents for your science folders.  Now you can make sure you have everything from home or anywhere you get internet access!  Wahoo!!

On to SCIENCE!

We are done learning about school policies and procedures!  If you still have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. :)  But for now, its on to SCIENCE!

Today we are passing out our science folders.  Don't lose them - you will need it everyday all year.  We will add the Cover Page and the Table of Contents to our folders today.

If we have time (poor third period is behind already because you guys get let out early for lunch), we will try to unravel the mystery behind the BLACK BOX OF SCIENCE!!! Mwa ha ha ha!!

My Blog!

Welcome to a new school year at Fort Herriman Middle School!  This is my blog.  I will be posting some of the crazy things we do in our class.  Check here to see what we've been doing in class, for homework due dates and get pumped for science!!  This year is going to ROCK!