Science

4/29/09 Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley Discussed remaining units- Chemistry, Natural Resources, Energy (Potential & Kinetic, Law of Conservation of Energy.) Shared videos with corresponding workbook of related activities for Energy Unit. Discussed the Common Assessment for Natural Resources Unit. Discussed test for Energy Unit, roller coaster lab with graphing, and study guide sheet.

4/27/09 Brunschwyler, Spisak, Quinn, Brogan, (Gera and Brevoort absent/out today), Broadley at an IEP prep mtg. w/ D Team Discussed National Science League Competition. Opportunity for bonus points to top scores on each team. Scan tron sheets will be scored and returned to each team teacher. Mapping out end of the year units taking into consideration special event days, field day, etc. 8th grade Science PSSAs this week (2 days) be aware of schedule changes to accommodate this testing. Wondering about dates for Science Curriculum work this summer.

4/15/09 Spisak, Brevoort, Bodenstab Discussed common assessments to be given before the end of the year. Shared biome graphic organizers for upcoming study. Discussed what could be added/taken out. Discussed PSSA results from last year.

4/15/09 Quinn, Brogan Discussed prerequisites for HS courses may be changing to include a math requirement Discussed certification status issue Discussed Hershey packet for the trip Discussed PSSA results from last year -- differences between sexes, subjects, topics

4/15/09 Broadley, Brunschwyler, Gera Discussed remaining units for the year and mapped out approx. timing to complete each unit. Discussed remaining Common Assessments. Reminder about the National Science League Contest given btwn. April 20th and 29th.

3/30/09 Gera, Brunschwyler, Spisak, Brogan, A. Quinn, Brevoort, Broadley, Cipollini Discussed National Science League. This is to be taken sometime between April 20th and 29th. Other topics discussed summer science meeting, chemistry strand and Study Island for Science PSSAs.

3/25/09 Gera, Broadley, Brunschwyler Discussed rotating/sharing materials for the remaining units. Discussed the poss. of adding in Potential & Kinetic Energy, Conserv. of Energy, Transfer of Energy, if time. Remaining units: Chemistry, Work/Simple Machines, & Natural Resources

3/25/09 Spisak, Bodenstab Planned biomes.

2/25/09
Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley We discussed student performance on Common Assessments, project ideas for simple machines, and spent a good amount of time mapping out the remaining units for 6th grade (ex: # of weeks on a unit.)

2/11/09
Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley We discussed the common assessment for Force and Motion (Newton's 3 Laws): when we will give it and the points assigned. We also shared project ideas with one another and began talking about the remaining units for 6th grade.

2/11/09-Spisak, Bodenstad

1/14/2009 - Broadley, Gera, Brunschwyler
===We compared our respective curriculum timelines and upcoming units/activities. We discussed content and relevant activities for concepts of acceleration, force and motion. We also discussed student achievements in the Patton M.S. Science Research Competition.===

1/14/2009 - Broadley, Gera, Brunschwyler
===We discussed the content and timeline for the upcoming Common Assessment and shared methods and techniques that helped student understanding of Car and Ramp Labs. We also shared information about grading Science Research Projects (graded as extra credit).===

12/17/09- Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley We discussed at budget items and things we may need for the 7th grade curriculum.

12/3/08 Spisak, Bodenstab, Brevoort We worked in the computer lab with John Walsh on learning how to set up and manage study island.

12/3/08 Quinn, Cole discussed SRC project: resources, how students are progressing, tips for researching, how to answer a parent concern about disallowed topic

12/3/08 Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley Discussed: upcoming timeline for common assessment: Metric Measurement, Scientific Method, & Speed upcoming labs: position and acceleration using Kid Zone for XY graphing- Comp. Lab packet/activity shared Concerns: poor performance on labs, turning in work, writing Need to revisit Scientific Method- experimental design

11/12/08 Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley We discussed the Common Assessment on Metrics, Sci. Method, and Speed. Will give it after Thanksgiving Break. Shared Motion Video and what segment to show. Went over Chemistry topics for 6th grade curriculum. Discussed using Kid Zone website for Graphing Speed lab results.

11/12/08 Spisak, Bodenstab We discussed Kathy's guest speaker. A parent who is a cell cytologist came in and shared her expertise with the students. Additionally, students made slides from their cheek cells. Jen brought student work and a cell project to share. Emailed John and Robin about study island.

10/27/08 Broadley, Cole, Brunschwyler, Gera, Brevoort, Spisak Discussion of upcoming science research competition. Looking for dates of school fair and county fair. 6th and 7th grade teachers discussed progress in curriculum. Interest in science PSSA results mentioned. Do we know when we will have the results? Different methods of evaluation shared.

10/22/08 - 6th grade In attendance: Judy Broadley, Jennifer Gera, Chris Brunschwyler -Discussed resources and activities for scientific method unit.

10/22/08 Spisak, Bodenstab, Brevoort Microscope activity available. Jen will be done using activity Friday. Discussion of cell activities: computer activities, 3-D models, and projects.

10/8/09 Brunschwyler, Gera, Broadley Discussed upcoming Science Research Competition packets for students and extra credit points available upon completion.

10/8/08 Cippolini, Quinn, Cole discussed lack of student ownership of their learning and what to do about it, honors comments on report cards, ideas for dew point lab, weather videos

9/29/08-Doug Brevoort, Meredith Cole, Dan Cipollini, Jen Spisak, Chris B., Jennifer G., Judy B. Discussed the following items: • How to Create a Graph using KIDZONE, (web based) • GIZMOS- a web based tool for teaching science and math concepts • 8th grade students should have better background in chemistry • 6th grade resources innappropriate for 6th grade, how do the series like HOLT and Prentice Hall compare?

9/24/08-J. Spisak, K. Bodenstab, D. Brevoort -Discussed pacing and looked at science anchors-shared examples. -Kathy shared the "Molecules of Life" Kit. -Needs: Time and instructor to introduce us to study island

9/24/08 - 6th grade In attendance: Judy Broadley, Jennifer Gera (Chris Brunschwyler was at an IEP Mtg.) -Discussed and shared materials for teaching measurement in 6th grade -Discussed and shared materials for teaching atomic structure and balancing chemical reactions in 6th/7th grade

September 10 - 8th Grade meetings will be in room 209 made minor changes in 1st Q. honors project to match grade scale curriculum: students should have some background chemistry shared ideas on teaching sci. method wait until winter to start Study Island

Sept.10 - 6th Grade Here are the topics we discussed at the mtg. this morning: 1. Mtg. Location: All mtgs. will be in Room 233 (Jen Gera's room) 2. Job rotation is as follows: Sept., Oct., Nov. Leader- Jen Recorder- Chris Dec., Jan., Feb. Leader- Chris Recorder- Judy Mar., Apr., May Leader- Judy Recorder- Jen 3. Topics to cover in 6th Grade Physical Science : Lab Safety Force & Motion Periodic Table Scientific Method Work & Energy Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources Metric Measurement Simple Machines Chemistry Strand (ck. binder) Scientific Tools Atomic Structure Possibly (if time allows): Properties of Matter & Changes in Matter 4. Common Assessments: 1 per quarter 5. Open House Parent Handout Sample shared. This also includes a list of all the PA Standards and Curriculum topics to be covered. 6. Lab Safety Handouts shared.

Here are the topics discussed at the meeting today. 1. Meeting location for all meetings will be in room 125. (K. Bodenstab) 2. Job rotation is as follows: Sept., Oct., Nov.-Kathy-Leader, Recorder-Jen Dec., Jan., Feb.-Doug-Leader, Recorder-Jen Mar., Apr., May-Jen-Leader, Recorder-Jen (By choice!) 3. Topics to cover in 7th grade: Characterisitics of Life, Basic Units of Life, Cells in Action, Heredity, Genes and DNA, Natural Selection, Change Over Time, Classification, Biome, Chemistry, Integrated Pest Management 4. Shared Materials: 7th Grade Overview with possible time line for the year. -Kathy Outline of subject matter-Doug Common Assessments and chemistry practice-Jen 5. Common Assessments-1 per quarter 6. Discussion of how to possibly incorporate study island. 7. Needs: Time and instructor to introduce us to study island
 * 7th grade science 9/10/08**

9/24 8th Grade: topics discussed: curriculum progression, especially in weather/climate unit discussion of how to handle students with incorrect preconceptions sharing of resources (posters)