I just got done having a video phone call with Mr. Neumann. We used Skype and talked for about 30 minutes tonight. So cool; I love technology.
Speaking of tech, we had a pretty low tech lab today for the W section. I spent two hours revamping our marble lab with Mr. K-rebs help today and got it ready just in time for the W's. Here is what we did: we rolled marbles along a wooden track and timed them for one foot intervals over 8 feet. The first three feet was the downhill track, the last five feet was the trip along the floor. We used the floor tiles to measure the distance, and then students entered their data on the computers. I set up a graph ahead of time through Moodle that they could enter data into which then produced a distance vs time graph (slope = velocity) and velocity vs time graph (slope = acceleration). Tomorrow in class we will go over these, but my hope is that it helps students see the connection between math and science, and how a graph can help interpret data.
The L and O sections went over HW 6-3b, which included 5 standardized test questions. I let students know that they will be taking the PSSA Science test this year in 8th grade and will receive scores in the fall. It covers a lot more than our current curriculum in 8th grade, but I'm hopeful I can help them get ready before May. We also watched a roller coaster video today, which was awesome. A lot of discussion about G forces (both positive and negative) was generated. I assigned part 2 for HW, due tomorrow. This is on balanced and unbalanced forces.
The S section went over the Part 2 HW on balanced forces. Basically, forces are shown as arrows in force diagrams. Like velocity and acceleration, force has both direction and magnitude. The length of the arrow shows the strength and the direction of the arrow shows, well, direction. To determine a net force for two arrows pointing at each other, you must find their difference. Unbalanced forces cause objects to move. Balanced forces keep objects in place.
Sweet justice!
