BSS Class of 2013

Dear Members of the BSS Class of 2013 (i.e., BSS 7th Grade Science Class),

Thanks for coming to Back to School night last week.  I'm sorry my time with you was so limited.  I'll plan a session for late September or early October for getting you and your 7th graders here to talk about Science Fair and anything else about our science class or curriculum that you may wish.  I'll use this Schoolnotes site for now to post assignments, but it appears Moodle will be up and running very soon.


Sincerely yours,
Mrs. R


HOMEWORK

9/7/11--No new homework tonight.  There will likely be a "pop quiz" on Friday or Monday covering activities and material we've discussed in class.  The first test will be on Thursday or Friday next week--date TBD. Tonight or tomorrow night, all students should try to access the online edition of the book at home to see if it works for you--I'll ask the students for updates on Friday.  I'm trying to confirm whether there are any problems we have to address.

8/31/11--Students were given a handout today on safety guidelines and procedures.  They need to read the document, ask questions if there are things they don't understand, and return the signed contract portion no later than Tuesday 9/6/11. Please note a parent must sign the contract too.  Thanks!

OPTIONAL SCIENCE EXTRA CREDIT -- SUMMER 2011

Option 1 – Reading and Writing about Real Scientists

A biography is a book someone writes about another person, and an autobiography is a book someone writes about his or her own life.  Read two biographies or autobiographies about scientists or inventors, and then complete an essay that compares and contrasts those two people.  Your essay must include the following:

• Introductory paragraph introducing the two people you read about, when and where they lived, and why these two people are significant (why are there books about them).
• Two paragraphs about each person that summarize highlights from their lives, including their scientific work and achievements.

• Three to five paragraphs that compare and contrast the two people (similarities and differences).
• One to two paragraphs about how their lives were similar to and different from your own.
• A closing paragraph that tells what you found most interesting about each person.
• Bibliography of the two books you read that includes the title, author, publisher, and publishing date of each book.

Students who complete this assignment at a level of quality that is average will receive 25-50 bonus points; if the level of quality is high, you may receive up to 100 bonus points at the start of your 7^thgrade year.  

 

Option 2 – Science in the Summer

Summer is the perfect season for Science.  As additional optional extra credit, visit a science museum (such as the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, Arts and Industries, or Air and Space Museum here in DC, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the New York Hall of Science in New York, or the Exploratorium in San Francisco) and/or conduct some science experiments.   For each one of these activities you undertake, do a one-half to one-page write up explaining what you did, where,what was most interesting to you and why, and what you learned from the experience.  Each of these will be worth up to 20 bonus points, depending on the quality.