Last Day of School

Today in science class we watched the second part of the documentary called Hunting the Elements. Students were especially fascinated by how reactive sodium was with water yet became stable when combined with chlorine. The show also helped students understand the arrangement of elements on the periodic table. We did not get to watch the end of the documentary. Students who have Netflix are asked to finish watching over the holidays.

Reminder
"For" or "Against" road salting past due
Begin memorising the first 20 periodic table elements

Have a wonderful holiday everyone! See you all on Wednesday, January 7, 2014

The Periodic Table

Tuesday, December 16
Grade 9s began the second chemistry chapter which focuses on the periodic table and atomic model theories. Today we reviewed current student understanding of key concepts. We then learned about the 3 main sections of the periodic table metals, metalloids, and non-metals. Students have been challenged to memorise the names and symbols of the first 20 elements by January 7th.

Wednesday, December 17
Today in science class we watched the first part of a documentary called Hunting the Elements. Students were especially fascinated by how Dmitri Mendeleev was apply to accurately determine the atomic weights of different elements and order them without knowing of the existence of atoms.

Reminder
"For" or "Against" road salting due Thursday, Dec, 18
Begin memorising the first 20 periodic table elements

The Debate

Grade 9s participated in a debate where they shared their views on road salting.
Final reports "for" or "against" salting are due Thursday, Dec. 18.

Test Day

Grade 9s wrote their Understanding Matter unit test today. Students should come to school prepared to participate in the 'to salt or not to salt' debate from Monday, December 15 onwards.

Salt Research

Grade 9s spent class time working on their final project for the matter unit.

Reminders

• Students should be researching daily to be prepared to take a stand for or against salting at next week's debate, Thursday, December 11
• writing a unit test on Friday, Dec.12
• submitting a written report on road salting on Monday, Dec.15

U of T Trip

We did not have science class today as Grade 9 students were away on a math trip to the University of Toronto.

Review

Grade 9s spent class time working through and taking up review work to prepare for next week's unit test on matter. Students have been assigned review page 203 for Monday. Students also received their final project for this unit. They have chosen topics to research as follows:
Temmi - statistics on road accidents or pedestrian injuries related to road conditions & damage caused to vegetation caused by road salt
Andrew - your city's policies on this issue & the impact on aquatic systems
Damien - the financial cost of salting the roads & the effect of spring thaw on salted snow

Reminders

• Complete p. 203 by Monday, Dec. 8 in preparation for next week's unit test.
• Students should be researching daily to be prepared to take a stand for or against salting at next week's debate, Thursday, December 11
• writing a unit test on Friday, Dec.12
• submitting a written report on road salting on Monday, Dec.15

University of Waterloo

We had a great time at the University of Waterloo today. Students participated in a lab where they used spectroscopes to observe the spectra of fluorescent, incandescent, hydrogen, and mercury lamps. The also burned substances to observe the colour of the flame and observed the flame through a spectroscope. To end our visit, we were treated to a tour of the organic chemistry lab and the biochemistry lab where research is being done on developing new antibiotics in response to resistant bacteria.

Antifreeze

In today's science class students worked on showing what they learned about the unique physical properties that can be used to identify substances. Students also read about nature's antifreeze and completed an OSSLT practice test.
We discussed the final assignments for this unit on Matter. Students will be

• researching the effects of road salting
• participating in a debate where they will take a position for or against the salting of roads on Thursday, December 11
• writing a unit test on Friday, Dec.12
• submitting a written report on road salting on Monday, Dec.15

For homework students should complete all outstanding questions on p. 198 of their textbooks. They should also complete review questions on p. 202 by Thursday, Dec. 4 and p. 203 by Monday, Dec. 8 in preparation for next week's unit test.

Students should bring a disposable lunch or money to purchase a lunch on tomorrow's trip to the University of Waterloo. Students should not wear contact lenses or wear skirts as we will participate in a lab while we are there.

The Unusual Properties of Water

Today we learned that water in the solid state is less dense than water in the liquid state. We tested the ability of salt to reduce the freezing/melting point of water by using this property to make ice cream. What a yummy lesson!

Science Fair

We did not have science class today as Grade 9 students were presenting their science fair projects to judges. Well done to all on their hard work and learning. Please note that there is no science class tomorrow due to the all-day P.E. trip.

Melting Point and Freezing Point

In yesterday's science class, we learned more about characteristic physical properties - melting/freezing point and boiling point, and how the Celsius grade was made to fit the melting and boiling point of water. Students were asked to complete the density questions on the worksheet they were given and Q. 2 - 10 and 12 on p. 198 of the student textbook.

Characteristic Chemical Properties

We learned that there are unique physical properties that can be used to identify substances. These are called characteristic physical properties. The first is density. We defined density as the ratio of mass to volume for a particular substance. Students practiced calculating density.

Homework & Reminders

• Complete density calculations on worksheet provided in class today
• Complete Q. 5 - 10 on p. 198
• Lab reports are past due

Trip

We did not have science class today, as Grade 9 students were away on a trip. Students are reminded that their forensic chemistry lab report is due on Monday.

Chemical Reactions

The Grade 9 class finished up the chemical reactions investigation they started working on yesterday. Their need to complete their lab report for homework today and submit it tomorrow.

Forensic Chemistry

Today, Grade 9s got about half way through their investigation into whether the chemical and physical properties of substances can be used to identify an unknown substance. We will continue with this investigation tomorrow.

Students should be finishing up their science fair projects. Science Fair takes place on Thursday, November 27.

Lab Reports

Grade 9s reviewed how to write a lab report today. They were introduced to an investigation they will be conducting tomorrow where they will determine if a powder can be identified by its physical and chemical properties. Today they discussed and wrote up the question, hypothesis, experimental design, materials & equipment in class. For homework they should write up the procedure.

Notes and OSSLT Practice

Today we finished up written notes for our work on physical changes, chemical properties, and chemical changes. We then worked through an article while focusing on the following reading strategies, questioning, identifying the topic of a paragraph, and paraphrasing. Students then completed a quiz to help prepare them the OSSLT test in Grade 10.

Homework & Reminders
Students should  be working hard on their science fair projects. The science fair is next week, Thursday, Nov. 27

Trip

We did not have science class today as Grade 9s were away on a trip.
Grade 9s are reminded to bring their devices to school tomorrow as they will be watching YouTube clips on lab safety while I am away. They will also need their science textbooks to complete work related to safety in the lab.

Chemical Changes

We had a double period of science today to make up for missing science class tomorrow when the Grade 9s are on a trip.
We reviewed qualitative and quantitative properties and added a list of physical properties to our repertoire.
We then had fun experimenting with physical and chemical changes in and around the school.

Homework & Reminders
The following is all due on Monday, November 17
 - Close Up of a Running Shoe
 - Common Chemical Changes
 - Qualitative versus Quantitative worksheet  (both sides)
 - To Rot Or Not - predictions only

Quantitative and Qualitative Properties

Today we learned about physical properties of a substance. Students used a running shoe as an example. They used their senses to make qualitative observations, and then instruments such as a balance, metre stick, and thermometer to make quantitative observations.

Students are asked to complete the write up of their running shoe investigation.

Pure Substances and Mixtures

We made good progress in beginning our chemistry unit today. We reviewed the particle theory of matter to ensure that students had a more comprehensive understanding of its main ideas. We defined pure substances and mixtures.

Squash & Tennis

There was no science class today, as the Grade 9s were away playing squash or tennis.

Chemistry

Grade 9s started their chemistry unit today. We spent time reviewing concepts they had learned in prior grades such as the particle theory of matter, density, viscosity, etc.
Students who wold like to, may meet in P1 from 8:00 to 8:45 to work on their science fair projects.

Homework & Reminders
-Hand in materials and procedure tomorrow
-Be ready to start testing tomorrow
-Read p. 172 of the textbook

Ecosystems Unit Test

Grade 9 students wrote their Ecosystems unit test today.

Spirit Day

Despite the excitement in the air at SJA We finished up review work today. Try spend time studying for Monday's unit test on Ecosystems.

Review Continues to Continue

Students worked to finish up all their review practice work in preparation for Monday's unit test on Ecosystems. All should complete review questions to the end of p. 163. Don't forget to bring in your science fair supplies.

Review Continued

In science class, we took up the review work that students completed yesterday. New review work was assigned, up to q. 41on p. 159 & 160.
Students also worked on preparing for the science fair.

Unit Review

Grade 9 students worked on their Ecosystem unit review to prepare for next Monday's unit test. They also worked on their science fair project.

Homework & Reminders

• Review for Monday's Ecosystem unit test
• Bring in supplies to begin the testing phase of your science fair project

Urban Ecosystems

We had our last lesson on ecosystems today. We compared the features of an urban ecosystem with the features of a natural terrestrial ecosystem. I met with students to check on their science fair progress.

Homework
Write up you hypothesis, materials, and procedure

Issues with Pesticides

In today's class we learned about the pros and cons of using pesticides. We also learned how persistent synthetic pesticides don't breakdown and bioaccumulate in individual organisms and bioamplify in ecosystems.

Homework
Complete the variables and hypothesis worksheet for science fair

Apple Store Trip

We did not have science class today as the Grade 9s were away at the Apple Store trip. Students should work on completing the first draft of their background research by tomorrow.

Background Research Organiser

Grade 9 students worked on creating a graphic organiser to help them structure their research paper. They then worked on writing the first draft of their research paper.

Homework & Reminders
 Background research first drafts are due Thursday, October 23

Pests and Pesticides

Grade 9 students learned that there are no pests in natural ecosystems, but that this is a term created by people to label organisms that annoy them. Students also learned about natural/synthetic pesticides and whether they are broad- or narrow based.

Homework & Reminders
Find another source for your science fair background research. Read the source and make jot notes.

Background Research

Grade 9s used their class time to locate, read, and summarise more sources that relate to their science fair project.

Homework & Reminders
Finish up the jot notes of the source you found today.

Science Fair

Grade 9 students began working on their science fair projects. Today they composed their question and began doing their background research by taking jot notes.

Homework & Reminders
Complete the jot notes you began in class today.

Managing Soils

We learned about the importance of soils to people and plants. We discussed the ways that farmers manage soils through the application of fertilizers and by controlling the flow of water in soils.

Homework
Complete yesterday's learning tracker of agroecosystems

Agroecosystems

Grade 9s learned about agroecosystems in science class today. We discussed why people are able to transform natural ecosystems so quickly today. We also compared natural and agroecosystems.


Homework
Complete your learning tracker for agroecosystems

Constructing Graphs

Grade 9s continued with yesterday's activity of constructing data collected from forest areas that are managed in different ways. Remaining work will need to be completed for homework and submitted on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day/weekend!

Comparing Forest Management Practices

Grade 9s worked on an assignment where they compared data related to forestry management practices. They were challenged to represent the data provided in bar graphs and pie charts. This got tricky when some nutrients were measured in mg and others in μg.

Reminders
Bring in your devices tomorrow

Natural Resource Management

Grade 9s took an active part in today's science class. They participated in a Jig Saw activity. Each was responsible for becoming the expert on forest or wildlife management and then teaching classmates about concepts learned.

Reminders
Bring a device with graph-generating software such as Excel to class tomorrow.

Pollution

We learned about different forms of pollution and their effects in Grade 9 Science class today.

Homework & Reminders
Complete questions on p. 101

Invasive Species

In Science class we learned about how non-native species are introduced into Ontario, their impacts, and what measures are used to control them. Grade 9s are to write a report about Ontario's invasive species.

The following are  Helpful Websites

Species Information:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/10-invasive-species-threatening-canadian-habitats-1.950951

 

http://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/

 

http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/species/

 

Invasive Species Distribution Map:

http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/distribution/

 

What action is the government taking to combat invasive species?

https://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/how-government-combats-invasive-species

 

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/02/26/ontario_introduces_canadas_first_invasive_species_law.html

 

What action can you take to help control invasive species?

http://www.eddmaps.org/Ontario/report/index.cfm

 

WE Conference

We did not have a science class today as all students are away at the WE Conference.

Homework & Reminders

• 2 x Learning trackers (Field study & Habitat loss and fragmentation) - due tomorrow
• P. 65 a-e to be answered as part of the field study report - due tomorrow

Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

Grade 9s learned about human activities that cause habitat loss and fragmentation in Southern Ontario in today's class. They also worked on their field study data, to convert them into graphs that can be analysed further. One of the challenges was determining which tropic level the species we saw fell into. Field Study reports are due on Friday.

Homework & Reminders

• 2 x Learning trackers (Field study & Habitat loss and fragmentation)
• P. 65 a-e to be answered as part of the field study report

Biodiversity

In today's class, Grade 9 students worked to fully understand what is meant by biodiversity and what affects biodiversity. They defined key vocabulary such as species richness and extirpated.

Homework
Complete today's learning tracker

Test 2

Today Grade 9 students wrote a test demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of concepts covered so far.

Biome Presentations

Grade 9s presented their very informative presentations on biomes today:
http://prezi.com/jg8w0ypgllpz/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Bt-zQcLfKw-IHzijj-vKUPMudvCNCmC9ULhGeI-ItXo/edit

Homework
Study for Monday's science test

Field Study

Today, the Grade 9 class visited the Credit River Conservation Area to conduct a field study. They made observations and recordings about abiotic factors such as temperature of air and soil, wind speed, amount of sunlight, canopy, and numbers of vertebrate, invertebrate, bird, and aquatic species.

Homework & Reminders

• Biome presentations tomorrow
• Science test on Monday

Equilibrium & Change

In today's lesson, we learned about natural and human-caused disturbances such as fires and mining that upset the equilibrium in an ecosystem. Students learned that succession is a process that allows life to return to an area. We examined examples of primary and secondary succession. For primary succession, we visited the Surtsey Research Society website to view pictures of the formation of the island and succession by lower and higher plants and bird life.
http://www.surtsey.is/pp_ens/photo_map_1.htm

We also viewed the following YouTube that explained succession clearly.

Homework & Reminders

• Complete q. 1 - 4 on p. 82
• Biome project due Friday
• Field study trip tomorrow
• Test on Monday

Presentations

Today, Grade 9 students presented their Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle Presentations.

We spent the remainder of class time taking up yesterday's homework questions and going over the practice OSSLT quiz that students did.

Homework & Reminders

• Bring in your trip permission form if you haven't already
• Complete yesterday's learning tracker if you haven't already
• Work on Friday's biome project
• Field study trip on Thursday

Services from Natural Ecosystems

Grade learned about the cultural value of ecosystems, the products that are derived from ecosystems, and the services that ecosystems provide to communities. They feel that the value of ecosystems is $priceless$.

Homework & Reminders:

• Nitrogen & carbon cycle presentations take place tomorrow
• Complete today's learning tracker
• Complete Q. 3 - 5 on p. 79
• Field study trip on Thursday, September 25 - forms due on Wednesday

Terrestrial & Aquatic Ecosystems

In today's science class, we learned about the characteristics of Canada's biomes, and about marine and freshwater ecosystems. Students also participated in  OSSLT practice work. Grade nines have been challenged to use a format of their choice to represent the features of a biome at risk anywhere in the world.

Homework & Reminders:

• RSA Animate of Biogeochemical cycles due Monday, Sept. 22
• Biome project due Friday, Sept. 26
• Tentative field trip, Thursday, Sept. 25
• Complete p. 59 q. 1 & 4
• Complete p. 62 q. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Limiting Factors on Ecosystems

In today's class we discussed how each organism has an optimal range in which it thrives, and a tolerance range in which it survives. Grade 9s understand that this refers to biotic limiting factors such as light, nutrients, temperature, water, etc. Students enjoyed viewing slides that depict various biotic species-species interactions such as predation, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, and competition.

Homework & Reminders:
Complete questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 on p. 55

Biogeochemical Cycles

We spent the first part of our lesson was spent finishing up what we started yesterday. We discussed three types of ecological pyramids that show the energy, biomass, and numbers in an ecosystem. Grade 9 students did not complete their Rain Forest Food Web that was assigned as homework yesterday. This needs to be completed for tomorrow.
The remainder of the time was spent describing biogeochemical cycles. We described how water, nitrogen, and carbon is cycled through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Students also got to see an RSA Animate of the biogeochemical cycle. Students have been challenged to create their own RSA Animate of either the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle. They have a rubric with specific expectations. The RSA Animate is due Monday, September 22, when students will share their product with the class.

Homework & Reminders:

• Complete yesterday's Rain Forest Web
• Complete Q. 2 - 8 on p. 47
• Complete Q. 3 - 10 on p. 51
• Prepare materials for your RSA Animate

Ecological Niches & Food Webs

In today's class we described the unique ecological niche that a Black Bear occupies as a result of what it eats, what eats it, and how it behaves. Students examined food chains and food webs. They understand that food chains and food webs not only show what eats what, but also the transfer of nutrients and energy through an ecosystem. They described an organisms trophic level based on its position in a food chain. They also described the impact of removing or introducing an organism to an ecosystem. Students began creating a Rain Forest Food Web.

Homework
Complete your Rain Forest Food Web - use the colours specified to show interactions between trophic levels

Terry Fox Run

We did not have Grade 9 Science class due to the Terry Fox Run.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Today, Grade 9s got to start the practical part of their investigation into the factors that affect aquatic ecosystems. The used pop bottles to house their ecosystems. They distributed all the biotic and abiotic factors they were provided between the ecosystems. The Grade 9 students had a lot of fun with this activity.

Test

Today's class time was spent writing a test on ecosystems.

Invesitgation Introduction

We did not have a full science period today due to a gym period at the park. Students were however introduced to an investigation they will be conducting into the factors that affect ecosystems. They prepared pop bottles that will house their aquatic ecosystems. For homework, they should research how much dilute sulphuric acid, garden fertilizer, and salt they should add to 1 L of pond water to mimic the concentrations found in ecosystems as a result of human influence.

Homework

• Study for tomorrow's test
• Research acid, fertilizer, and salt amounts
• Bring gloves

Photosynthesis & Respiration

In today's class, Grade 9s learned about the complementary processes of photosynthesis and respiration. They took turns explaining the process to the class. They then completed a chart comparing these two processes as a way of showing their understanding.

Homework & Reminders

• Study for Thursday's test
• Answer questions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 11 on p. 41 of the textbook

Exit Ticket

Students received back an Exit Ticket that they completed last week to show their understanding of the spheres of the Earth. The level on the ticket will NOT count toward their science grade but helps students understand their strengths, weaknesses and next steps. The ticket includes feedback on how students could improve the response they have given. We spent today finishing up Friday's lesson on the components of an ecosystem. We took up and discussed student responses to questions they completed for homework. Students completed another Exit Ticket today. Students will be writing a science test on all concepts we have done in class including what we will cover tomorrow and Wednesday. The test will be written on Thursday.

Reminders:
Science test on Thursday

Components of Ecosystems

Today we learned that ecosystems are the interactions of abiotic and biotic components. Students found it interesting that the wastes and products of living components are also considered biotic. We lifted a rock behind a portable to observe biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem underneath. Students used a Venn Diagram to classify items they have used recently as biotic and abiotic. They were surprised at how many items were both biotic and abiotic.

Homework & Reminders:

• Sign your safety contract if you haven't already
• Read p. 33 - 35
• Complete the Check Your Learning questions on p. 35

 

 

The Spheres of the Earth

Today we covered the spheres of the Earth. Students took turns naming the spheres as well as describing them. We made a scale model of the Earth that gave us a lot of insight into the dimensions of some of the Earth's features. Parent's, ask your teen what they found surprising in the scale model activity.

Homework & Reminders:

• Sign up as a follower of the blog
• Complete the Check Your Learning questions on p. 31

Understanding Ecosystems

After taking a couple of minutes to learn something new about each other, the Grade 9 Science class dove right into work on our first unit - Biology. We discussed the course outline and the order in which units will be taught this year. We will be conducting experiments through the course of the year. This needs to happen with a focus on safety. SJA's Science Safety contract explains the rules and procedures for conducting experiments. Please take time to read through and sign the contract. We discussed what is understood by the term 'sustainable ecosystems'. Students read and discussed scenarios where changes were being observed in the environment.

 Homework & Reminders:

• Read and sign SJA's Science Safety contract
• Complete Q. 3 of Something to Lose p. 21
• Read p. 29 & 30 before tomorrow's science class
• Bring your science notes and textbook to class everyday
• Sign up as a follower of the blog if you haven't already