Monday, January 27, 2020

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I will be introducing the unit project today!

For this unit there will be no unit test.  Instead we will be culminating

the unit with an in-class group project called "The Junk Jalopy".  We will

be building a small car out of recycled materials.  You will be working with your

lab groups.  The car must move 50 cm on its own and demonstrate

Newton's 3 Laws.  There will be poster requirement as well.  The poster

should diagram the group's Junk Jalopy and explain how it demonstrates Newton's laws on motion using pertinent vocabulary.  There will be a vocabulary list coming out soon.   

 

We will start the in-class build on Monday, February 3rd.  Your group must supply all of the "JUNK" for your car, so start collecting your materials today!  I will provide "Premium" supplies like rubber bands, balloons, white glue, skewers, straws, and duct tape.  Each premium supply must be requested and must come from me.  They cannot be brought from home.  Each premium item requested

(it makes no difference if you use it and there are no refunds) will cost points in distance.  For example, if you request 5 premium supplies, your car must now travel 55 cm in order to receive a passing grade.  (Please see the list of possible junk items and premium items below.)

  

You will work on the car in class ONLY during your class period (not during activity period or at home).  Only the poster may be worked on outside of class.  Building will take place Monday- Thursday.  Your group's car must be finished and ready to roll by the end of the hour on Thursday, February 6th.  We will test all cars on Friday, February 7th.  Your team's poster will also be due on that date.

 

Even though this is a "group" project, each person will receive an individual grade.  Your grade will depend on how well you worked with your group.  Standing around watching others work will not earn you a high grade.  Being loud and disruptive will also affect your grade.  You must participate by bringing materials and cleaning up your area after each work day. Arguing with group members is also a sure way

to have your grade lowered.  Work cooperatively and solve the problem at hand.

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The project will be worth 150 points total.  If your car travels at least 50 cm, you will earn 50 points.  Your team will be given 3 tries to accomplish this goal.  The poster has a value of 50 points. Just having a poster completed does not mean you automatically earn 50 points. The car must meet specs (have 3 wheels and fit in spec box) for a point value of 20 points.  Thirty, that's right 30, points are individual points.  You are responsible for these points!!  (Please see grading rubric below)

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One last important detail.  You must be present to complete this project.  If you

are absent one day out of the four, you can easily work EXTRA hard the other three days and make up for it.  If you do not work extra hard the other three days, your grade will be docked.  If you miss two or more of the 4 days, you will be taking a

chapter test in lieu of the project grade.  Of course the test will need to have the same point value as the project, 150 points.

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Below are the Junk Jalopy Rubric, project overview, and junk list.

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Once we are finished with the details of the project, we will do a quick activity with measuring force using a spring scale and a mini-skateboard.

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Here is a pdf of the lab page.

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Tuesday 1/28/2020

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I want to collect the Skateboard Activity page first.

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Junk Jalopy build is coming...are you ready?

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I may have to move a few things around this week to accommodate supplies

for both my class and Mrs. Driscoll's class.  We share the same materials. Don't

worry, even if we have to do just a portion of the inertia activity today; we

will get it all completed eventually.  (UPDATE:  We were able to complete the entire inertia lab today.  Lab page due tomorrow.)

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Here is the inertia lab page.     

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We will have a worksheet that offers practice using F=ma (Newton's 2nd law).

This will be due on Wednesday.

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Wednesday 1/29/20

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First I want to collect the inertia lab page.  Then I want to collect the F=ma worksheet.  We do not have time to grade it today, but I assure you we will get to it.  This gives me some time to take a look at your work.

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Then we will complete the "Day at the Races" Balloon races lab.  Lab page will be due on Thursday.

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Here is the lab page.

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Thursday 1/30/20

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REMEMBER 9th grade registration will be held throughout the morning.  If you have not yet turned in your yellow registration form, my question to you is WHY NOT?  

In order to keep my sanity and some semblance of order throughout the morning, we will be doing seat work that won't be a big deal to interrupt.  You will be working on your own and you will need your book. 

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The balloon races lab page is due.

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Guided reading 3.4 "Frictional and Gravitational Interactions"

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Here is the guided reading worksheet 

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Friday 1/31/20

2nd, 4th and 6th hours will be enjoying a popcorn reward party.

Do not forget that 3.4 will be due on Monday.  Also on Monday we will

gather for our first build day of the junk jalopy.  Come prepared with your materials.

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3rd and 7th will have 3.4 guided reading due.

On Monday we will gather for our first build day of the junk jalopy. 

Come prepared with your materials.

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YOUR ATTENDANCE NEXT WEEK IS IMPORTANT!  

If you are absent one day out of the four, you can easily work EXTRA hard the other three days and make up for it.  If you do not work extra hard the other three days, your grade will be docked.  If you miss two or more of the 4 days, you will be taking a chapter test in lieu of the project grade.  Of course the test will need to have the same point value as the project, 150 points.

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