November-December:8th Grade Physical Science News

Students did a tremendous job in creating the 3-D atomic models and cards of their element project. The science lab ceiling is now aglow with extremely creative atomic models of 36 elements, many reflecting a Christmas theme! The 8th grade are in the process of making presentations and educating the rest of the class on their particular element. They assembled their element cards to make a giant periodic table in the Science lab. Please drop in to see it after Thanksgiving.

 Content in November - December includes:

- Periodic table elements                                              - Forensic chemistry

- Chemical bonding                                                         - Acids and bases

- Chemical reactions                                                      - Acid rain

- Balancing chemical equations                                     - Solution chemistry

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Fun activities will include:

Element project presentations, constructing a giant, class periodic table, endothermic reactions, proving the law of conservation of mass (Congratulations to Andrew and Morgan, and Reko and Corey whose precision of measurement allowed them to prove this correct exactly!), Alka-seltzer chemistry, decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, solving a forensic puzzle with mystery powders lab, measuring pH, analyzing soil samples, comparing the effectiveness of commercial antacids, making a crystal snowflake and time permitting making ice-cream!

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Look for Period Table project information to come home in the next few weeks. In order to become familiar with the myriad 118 plus elements, students will be soon starting a project whereby they will research 3-4 elements, construct element cards and create a simple 3-D atomic model of one of their elements. They will then give an oral presentation of their elements to the class. As a class, we will put all the student element cards together to construct a giant periodic table in the Middle Division hallway. The project rubric will be posted on this web page in the next few weeks.

Periodic Table links

www.chemicool.com

(Click any element to find out information on that element)

www.chemicalelements.com

www.chem4kids.com

www.webelements.com

Below is the website for the Element song – much requested in my Science class!!!! Select broadband or dial-up.

http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html