Study Tips, Help with H.W., Managing Anxiety

Class, I'm uploading a few files that I believe can help you with writing, reading, speaking, and presenting throughout the year. It could even help you when you have to present for the Science Fair. Take a look at them by clicking on the links below. Also, there are some Study Skills tips below too, and a number to call for free help with homework. Check it out:

GUIDELINES- Writing, Speaking, Listening

GUIDELINE- The Writing Process

Study Skills

Free Help with Homework

Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

*When studying for Science Tests/Quizzes, it's always good to use a combination of these resources:
- Read and study all your class notes
- Study worksheets given (highlight them too)
- Look at Videos/links on my blog (YouTube helps too)
- Look at the different websites on the Websites and Resources for Science folder on my blog, including Ducksters.com (for Fact information)
- Make Flashcards of important Vocabulary terms
- Practice on Quizlet website (Flash cards, Match games)
- Take practice Quizzes (on my blog, under Quizzes folder)
- BrainPop videos + Review Quizzes (and take notes on the videos)
- Read Summary Notes (if given) or Study Guides, including the      Study packet that covers all 3 years of Science
- Practice past 8th Grade Science State Exams (link on my blog)
- Practice on IXL + Khan Academy

- Study Textbook (look at Chapter Tests, Vocabulary words)
- Make a study group with friends (you can test each other on different topics)


Here's a quick video on BrainPop with tips on how to study and prepare for a test --> BrainPop- Test Preparation

Topics for the Scientific Method Test

Topics on the Scientific Method Test:

-Observations

-Inferences

-Predictions

-Data

-Independent, Dependent Variables

-Constants (controlled variables)

-Control group, Experimental group

-Steps of the Scientific Method, including Conclusion

*If you would like to review the Vocabulary for the test, check out this site, it has important Vocabulary--> Reviewing Variables

Independent & Dependent Variables

*This is an excellent video that goes over Independent and Dependent Variables, and it explains why we need to only change 1 variable at a time.

Here's another great video showing the differences between independent and dependent variables:

1) The 1 thing we test, change, or is different between groups in an experiment is the independent variable (we control it!)

2) What we measure or observe at the end is the dependent variable. It's the data we collect.

3) Constants (controlled variables)- Variables that are kept the same, do not change.

TIPS:

Independent variable- "I" change it.

Dependent variable- depends on the independent variable.

Think of Cause (IV) and Effect (DV). The IV comes first (the cause) and the DV comes after (the effect).

So when writing a Hypothesis, the format should be: If the (independent variable) changes, then the (dependent variable) will change because...

Click on the picture below to see it bigger:

Remember, the ONLY variable we change in an experiment is the independent variable. Scientists control all other variables so they can be sure that the results are caused by the independent variable only! This is called a controlled experiment. And it allows the experiment to be fair.

Also, you need to repeat an experiment several times to make sure your results are reliable or valid (accurate).These are called trials. If you do an experiment just 1 time, you might make a mistake or get a strange result.

More Vocabulary:

1) Experimental group- the group that is tested or receives the change.

2) Control group- the group that is not really being tested (gets no special treatment). It's the standard, used for comparison only.

3) Sample size- the total number of people/animals/plants being studied in an experiment. 

4) Placebo- a fake pill that contains no active ingredients but is used as a control in testing how well another, real pill works.

5) Trials- the number of times you do a test in an experiment. The more trials you do, the more reliable the experiment is.

*A control group is used to see if the change actually works (compared versus the experimental group).

*A large sample size is better for an experiment because your results will be more reliable or accurate since you have more data to count on.

Class, this is a video on LAB Safety discussing the top 10 rules to follow in LAB.

This is another short cartoon video on LAB Safety.

This is a rap video on LAB Safety.

And finally this video is from Amoeba Sisters, also showing important guidelines to follow in LAB.


***You will be tested on these videos, including the safety rules learned in each one and during class.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT LAB PROCEDURES:

•Notify the teacher of any emergencies.

•Do NOT touch anything unless told to first.

•Do NOT fool around in the LAB.

•Read all LAB procedures first before doing anything.

•Keep aisles clear.

•No food, gum, or drinks allowed.

•Always wash your hands and clean up after yourself.

List of Rules from the Spongebob Activity:
Click on blue link to see the rules--> Rules 1-16 for LAB Safety

Welcome Packet, Class Contract & Procedures, 2021-22

For my students and their parents/guardians, here are copies from my class of important documents given in the first week of school. They will be given to you in class as well:

Welcome Packet plus Supplies List

Class Contract, 2021-22

Procedures, 2021-2022

Forms of Energy

All energy comes from either the main 2 forms, Kinetic or Potential energy. So the forms of energy shown below can either be classified as kinetic or potential energy. Copy down everything you see here, and draw a picture or example of each one, showing that type of energy:

1) Nuclear/Atomic Energy is stored in the nucleus of an atom and released when you split atoms.

2) Chemical energy is a form of potential energy that is stored in organisms, food, gasoline, or chemical bonds of molecules.

3) Electrical energy is produced by electrons moving through a wire; it's a natural and man-made energy form.

4) Mechanical energy is the energy in the motion of objects. All moving objects have mechanical energy.

5) Sound energy is produced when a solid, liquid, or gas vibrates. Sound energy travels out as waves in all directions.

6) Thermal energy is the energy of molecular movement. The faster the molecules move, the more thermal energy is present. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy. So when thermal energy moves from object to object, we feel it as heat.

7) Light (radiant) energy is a form of energy produced by the sun and lamps; it's visible to the human eye

Click on this link to get a summary of these energy types- SUMMARY NOTES- Energy and its Types

Here are other pictures describing the different forms of Energy. Click on them to see it bigger:

*Here are two links that discuss what Energy is and the forms of Energy:
EIA- Energy explained
EIA- U.S. Primary Energy Consumption

*If you want to read more about K.E. and P.E., read the information on this website. It also identifies different types of energy:
EbWin Kids Zone: Types of Energy

Plate Tectonics REVIEW

Class, here is a copy of the chart that shows the 3 types of Plate boundaries and their effects. You can click on it to see it bigger. This will be on the test. Study it! The topics for the test are shown below the picture:

This is a link to the video I showed you in class that showed all the animations of the different types of boundaries. Just click on it and look at all the videos on the left-- The Geological Society- Animation Videos on Boundaries
Here's another link that shows you some animations of boundaries-- Exploring Earth- Visualization


These are some notes from class on the 3 boundaries:

- Convergent boundaries: 
a) When an ocean plate converges with a continental plate, the denser ocean plate slides under the continental plate = Volcanoes or Trench (SUBDUCTION ZONE)
b) When two ocean plates collide, the denser ocean plate slides under the other ocean plate = Volcanic islands or Trench                
(SUBDUCTION ZONE)
c) When two continental plates collide, they crumble up = Mountains

- Divergent boundaries: 
a) When two ocean plates move apart, this causes seafloor spreading = Mid-ocean ridges OR Ocean basins
b) When two continental plates move apart = Rift valleys (a low point)

- Transform boundaries: 
When two plates slide past each other = Earthquakes

This is more information on the sub-types of Convergent boundaries only. Click on the picture to see it bigger:

Pictures of Boundaries:

These are the topics on the Plate Tectonics test:
- Pangea
- Evidence supporting the theory of Pangea
- Continental drift
- Seafloor spreading
- The names of scientists who developed these theories
- 3 types of boundaries and their effects
- Convection currents (due to density differences)
- VOCABULARY: Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mid-ocean ridge, subduction zone, etc.

*You should also know this: Differences in density cause the hot, plastic-like rock to be forced up toward the surface, causing the plates to move.


Also, check out this BrainPop Video again on Plate Tectonics. Do the Review QUIZ to help you study for the Test:
BrainPop- Plate Tectonics

Here are good videos from class- 

Finally, here are additional interactive sites and animation websites that will help you understand the movements of plates and their effects. Also some websites with information on plate tectonics:

Interactives- Dynamic Earth

Earth Guide Online Classroom (Animations + Pics)

Educational Multimedia Visualization Center (click on the Animations)

USGS Educational Videos and Animations

Ducksters- Earth Science for Kids, Plate Tectonics

Weathering & Erosion VIDEOS

Class, here are several videos on Weathering & Erosion. You can view as many as you want to study or to help you with your homework.

Here is a link to a BrainPop video on Weathering- BrainPop- Weathering  

Here is a link to a BrainPop video on Erosion- BrainPop- Erosion  

Here is another one from BrainPop Jr- BrainPop Jr- Slow Land Changes

And this one is from StudyJams--> Weathering & Erosion

Finally, here's a link to my slides from class on this topic --> Mr Villa's slides on Weathering & Erosion   
And here is a link to another Slideshow that goes over Weathering and Erosion --> SlideShare- Weathering and Erosion

Rocks, Minerals, and Rock Cycle- Review for Test

Here's a picture of a T-chart comparing Rocks and Minerals. Click on it to see it bigger:

Pictures of the Rock cycle:

Here's a great video we saw in class on the Rock Cycle:

These are notes on the Rock Cycle:

- Rocks transform over millions of years (slow, gradual process)

- The rock cycle can go in any direction (no beginning or end)

- The 3 types of rocks are dependent on each other through their environment

**These are the topics on the next test:

- Mineral characteristics

- Mineral physical properties (all 6)

- 3 types of Rocks, how they form

- The different kinds of rocks (ex- intrusive, extrusive Igneous rock)

- Rock Cycle

Don't forget, you can also review by watching the BrainPop Videos on the 3 types of Rock, the Rock Cycle, and Minerals. The links to these videos are down below. Again, the username is ps220 and the password is brainpop

Here are the links:

BrainPop Video- Types of Rocks

BrainPop Video- Rock Cycle

BrainPop Video- Mineral Identification

Rocks, 3 types explained

Students, these are the detailed notes on the 3 types of Rocks we learned about in class. It will help you understand more about how these rocks formed and how they're different from each other. Click on the pictures to see them bigger:

uRemember, slowly cooling magma inside Earth forms intrusive igneous rock with large crystals.

uFast cooling lava on the outside forms extrusive igneous rock with small or no crystals.

Here is a link to my PowerPoint slides on the 3 types of Rocks --> Slides on 3 types of Rocks

Here is a link to Summary notes on the 3 types of Rocks, it's very detailed (you also got this in class). Check it out --> SUMMARY NOTES ON 3 TYPES OF ROCKS 

And here are some other videos that explain the 3 types of Rocks:

  

Finally, here's an e-LAB you can do on Mineral properties: GLENCOE LAB- Mineral Properties

Plus a game on Rocks, Minerals, and Soil!!:
Game- Rocks, Minerals, & Soil

Mineral topics for TEST

Class, here is a list of topics on the Minerals test:

- Different ways minerals form

- Characteristics of Minerals

- Physical properties of Minerals and understand each one

- How magma cooling fast or slow affects its crystal size

- Understanding the Mohs hardness scale

- Gemstones

Here is a picture showing some characteristics of Minerals:

Info on Minerals plus Videos

Class, here are some videos on Minerals and their formation:

Remember, minerals have a crystal structure inside. This means the atoms are arranged in a perfect, repeating pattern over and over.
Here's are pictures of crystal structures for 2 minerals, both of which are made up of Carbon but the atoms are arranged differently:

Also, a mineral's fixed chemical formula might also be stated as having a definite chemical composition. They both mean the same thing, that the elements that make up that mineral are always found in the same ratio throughout the mineral. So for example, in the mineral Fluorite, which has a chemical formula of CaF2, there is always 1 Calcium atom attached to 2 Fluorine atoms, throughout the whole mineral. See the picture below:

Videos and Pictures of Earth's spheres and layers (REVIEW)

Class, here are good videos to help you for the next QUIZ. The first one is on Earth's spheres and the second one is on Earth's interior layers. They're short videos. Watch them for practice. Also, don't forget to study about Earth's atmosphere. Remember there is a BrainPop video on Earth's atmosphere. Enjoy!

     

Earth's System

Here are diagrams of Earth's interior layers and what they are composed of. Click on the pictures to see them bigger:

One last thing, here is an excellent website where you can find more great pictures on Earth's layers and an interactive video too. Just click here--> Layers of the Earth

Earth's Interior Layers Explained

Class, these are the notes from today's class on Earth's interior layers:

The Crust:

* The Earth’s crust is like the skin of an apple. It is very thin compared to the other three layers.

*The crust makes up 1% of the Earth.

* The crust of the Earth is broken into many pieces called tectonic plates.

The Mantle:

*The mantle is the layer below the crust.

*The mantle is the thickest layer of the Earth, where magma is found.

*The mantle is divided into two regions: the upper and lower sections.

The Outer Core:

* The core of the Earth is like a ball of very hot metals.

* The outer core is liquid.

* The outer core is made up of iron and nickel and is very dense.

The Inner Core:

* The inner core of the Earth has temperatures and pressures so great that the metals are squeezed together and are not able to move.

* The inner core is a solid.

Remember these facts about Models:

- A model is a simulation of a real event or thing.

- A model can be a physical object that is much smaller, more easily observed, or a simplified version of the real thing.

- Models can be mathematical.


HERE ARE SOME VIDEOS ON EARTH'S INTERIOR LAYERS:

Data Tables and Bar Graph Information

Information on Data tables and Bar Graphs. Click on the pictures to see them bigger:

These are ways to remember where to put each variable on the x- and y- axis, in case you forget:

- Remember to start with a 0 on the scale.

- In order to determine which scale to use, first find the range by taking the largest number in your data table and then subtracting it by the smallest number (ex: 68-22 = 46)

After you find the range, divide it by the number of boxes on the y-axis. Whatever decimal number you get, round it up to the nearest whole number and that is your scale (ex- 1.3 --> 2)

* Here is a link to show more information on bar graphs--> Bar Graph Info