Assignments

Term 1

Disclosure Document: Brief details of the class. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Who's Done It: Students get to know each other by finding out what science-related experiences each student has had. For a Word Document copy, click here.

What Does a Scientist Do?: Students make a list (in their science notebook) of strategies (methods) that scientists use to solve problems.

Snopes.com: Students use "Snopes.com" to resolve questions about emails and oft-quoted "truthes." For a copy of this activity, click here.

Moostery I: In order for the teacher to know how capable students are in solving problems, they are asked to solve an everyday problem and record it in their science notebook. Students are not graded on their answers. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Circle Prediction: Students make predictions about circles and record their predictions in their science notebook. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Whirlybird Lab: Using a piece of paper, students will add wings and make other adjustments to determine what adjustments will cause this "Whirlybird" to descend the slowest. They will be using the scientific method to make their decision. For a Word copy of the worksheet, click here. For the template for the Whirlybirds, click here.

Step 1, Inquiry Project (Science Fair Project): Students decide their science fair project topic. For a Word copy, click here.

U.S. Barometric Map: Students connect barometric readings to create a map for finding wind direction. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Lapse Rate: Students will use the preparation paper to discover patterns seen in the temperature of air as it travels up and down a mountain. For this "Lapse Rate Preparation," click here. Then students will test their knowledge with a worksheet. For "Lapse Rate Worksheet," click here.

Systems: This assignment is designed for students to examine what "systems" are. They will look at the parts of a bicycle and see how each part fits into the whole "system". For this assignment page, click here. For the diagram of a bicycle, click here.

Cloud Recipe: In this assignment, students use their text or other sources to make the recipe to describe the actual steps Mother Nature follows when making a real cloud in the sky. Students use the same outline they would find on a cooking recipe, namely, "ingredients" and "instructions." It should look something like this--

Fred the Water Molecule: The purpose of this activity is for students to recognize that there are many reservoirs, or places wherein water is stored. Also, it teaches us that water is recycled and the same water molecules are used again and again, so we must be careful to keep our water clean.

In this activity, you are to make a fictional story about a single water molecule. After giving it a name, you will trace it through six of the world's major reservoirs -- 1) oceans, 2) lakes/rivers, 3) glaciers/ice caps, 4) ground water, 5) atmosphere/clouds, 6) plant, and 7) in an animal. Each reservoir is worth points. You may use any medium you can think of -- story, poem, song, poster, news report, video, etc. to tell your story. The other half of the points for this assignment are earned by properly explaining HOW your molecule went from one reservoir to another. For example, you might use some the following words -- evaporate, drink, rain, freeze, sweat, etc. Use your creativity and have fun! For a copy of this assignment, click here.

The Whole Earth: In this activity, students will consider the future of our Earth, if conditions continue as they are now. Students will first fill in the worksheet "On My Own" portion, then talk with friends or family. Then they will check "After Discussion" and see how their opinions might have changed or stayed the same. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Rivers Field Trip Makeup Assignment: Students who missed the Rivers Field Trip need to do this assignment to replace it. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Atmosphere Study Guide: Students prepare for the test by doing this sample test. For a Word Document copy, click here.

Global Warming : Students copy these six graphs into their notes. The point is to see how the Earth's climate has changed in the past, without any intervention of humans. Please graph the general picture and don't worry too much about every turn up and down; just get the main trend. Also, chool one color on each graph and draw that. To download copies, click for Graph 1, Graph 2, Graph 3, Graph 4, Graph 5, Graph 6.

Term 2

Hot/Cold Water Video Clip: To see how hot and cold water interact when they come together, click here.

Nike Worksheet: To download the five pages of this worksheet, click here for page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5.

The Amazing Water Molecule: Students do a lab and questionnaire to understand some of the characteristics of water. For copies of the lab, click here. For the questionnaire, click here.

Research Plan: To begin their inquiry project, students first must prepare a research plan. You can download a copy by clicking here.

Extreme Animals : Students participate in a jigsaw activity to find out characteristics about extreme animals living in the ocean. For the information sheet, click here. For the worksheet click here.

Step 2 (Inquiry project): Each week students will report their progress on the inquiry progress. Their data should be recorded in their science notebook. A simple description of what they do each week it recorded on "Step 2." To download a copy of this form, click here.

Ocean Motion : Students will contrast the characteristics of the ocean's surface and floor. For a copy of the worksheet, click here.

June Sucker : Students brainstorm ways to protect the environment and its living organisms. For a copy, please click here.

Pangaea: Students use p. 518 in their text to determine the direction of the ocean currents in prehistoric times. They draw arrows to represent this movement on their map. Then on p. 489, students examine what latitude the 1. dry, 2. continental, 3. polar, 4. mild, and 5. tropical zones are at the present time. Then use that information to indicate where those zones likely were in prehistoric times on their map (using colored pencils). For a copy of the map, click here.

Ocean Floor: Students do the lab on p. 548 in their text. They are drawing a profile of the ocean floor moving eastward from New Jersey.

Water Use Plan: Students evaluate information about data from the water in two cities. For a copy, click here.

Emergency Plan : Students will work in groups to plan for rising sea levels in New York City. For a copy of it, click here.

1901 Utah Earthquake: Students use newspaper articles from 1901 to determine the epicenter of the 1901 Utah Earthquake. They are to read any 10 articles, then use the Mercalli Intensity page to determine how bad those cities experiences, then write the corresponding Roman Numeral next to the city's name on the map. To download pages of this assignment, click on the following links -- Newspaper A, Newspaper B, Newspaper C, Newspaper D, Newspaper E, Newspaper F, Newspaper G, Utah map, and Mercalli Intensity.

Earthquake!: Students find out information about the Earth's core from earthquake data. For page 1, click here. For page 2, click here.

72-Hour Kit List: Students create a list of items that would be necessary to properly equip a 72-hour kit for their own circumstances. For suggestions, go to Orem City's website by clicking here.

72-Hour Kit Check: Without having to buy anything, students do their best to put together their 72-hour kit.

Living Planet: For this assignment, students are requested to make explain the conditions that are necessary on a planet in order to sustain life. They might consider themselves as having the power of Zeus and able to make a new solar system. For this and all activities, they may use any medium to share their knowledge -- poetry, art, music, story, cartoon, computer, skit, photography, etc.

Though they may consider many factors, students should consider the following points essential.

Ecosystem Analysis : Students use information to create food webs. For a copy of this worksheet. click here.

Lizard Packet : Students will be tackling a real life question about which scientists disagree. Students will approach this question with the same real data that scientists have to try to find the relationships between lizards in the Canary Islands. Click here to download the lizard assignment.

Geologic Time: Students use a timeline to sequence important events in the past. For a jpeg copy, click here.

Food Web/Don't Di: Through this activity, students will gain a greater understanding of biomes and food webs. For these worksheets, click here to download the lesson.

Native vs. Exotic: Through this activity, students will gain a greater understanding of native plants vs. introducing new plants. For a copy of this lesson, click here.

Biome Presentation : Students will present information about a particular biome on Earth. For a copy of the worksheet, click here.

Half-Life Activity: Students participate in an activity to examine how scientists determine the age of ancient life, such as a saber-toothed cat. For a copy of this lesson, click here.

Dinosaur Skeleton: Students will learn the general bones of a prehistoric animal by assembling them into a complete skeleton. These papers will need to be picked up in class.

The Carbon Cycle: Students will engage in an activity which traces a carbon atom. Global warming is addressed in this activity. For a copy of the lesson, please click here.

Skull Identification: Students match the front and side views of various primates. For a copy of the lesson, click here for page A and for page B.

Mammoth Extinction: Students explore the notion of extinction. For a copy of the worksheet, click here.

M&M Lab (Radioactive Decay): Students at home will use pennies to make connections with radioactive decay. Download a copy of this lab by clicking here.

Lessons From the Wolf: In this lesson, students will read an article about wolves. Then they will fill in the blanks on the worksheet as directed. You can get the pages of the articles by clicking here for Page A, Page B, Page C, Page D, Page E, Page F, and the worksheet by clicking Wolf Worksheet.

Prehistoric Era Comparison: This activity is designed to compare and contrast conditions in each of the geologic Era's with conditions today. Download a copy by clicking here.

Prehistoric Timeline: Through this activity, students will be finding the relationship of important geologic events. Download a copy by clicking here.

Paleoenvironments: Students use fossil data to interpret the environment which existed in prehistoric times. Students will find that all of the ocean fossils are together in one area. They are to color this region BLUE. They will also find all land animals together in one area which they will color GREEN. There is a transition zone (a stripe) between the land and ocean fossils. This was an ancient beach which students will color YELLOW. In order to download this activity, click here.

Tabloids: Students read any FIVE articles and decide which are real news and which are tabloids (part true and part false). Click here for the articles. Click here for the worksheet.

Dinosaur Extinction: Students will read a description of a number of craters still visible on the surface of the Earth. Then they will do the following -- 1. list each crater by name, 2. write the size of the crater next to its name, 3. write the age of each, then 4. write which one you suspect might be the crater which was formed when a meteorite hit the Earth near the time the dinosaurs became extinct. In order to accomplish step #4, you might need to consult your text (which should be at home) to find the date thought to be the last of the dinosaurs. To download the reading text, click here.

Earth to Moon: Students calculate a correct scale model of the earth and moon. For a copy of side A, click here. For a copy of side B, click here.

Mars Critter: Students use their text to find the conditions found on Mars. Then download and copy only the Mars Critter portion of the following page; click here.

Big Bang Opinionnaire: Students give their own opinion and find out what others think about the Big Bang Theory. For a copy of this activity, click here.

Starlight Lab: Students use a spectroscope to find out many details about the stars without ever leaving Earth. To download the worksheet, click here.

Term 4

Planet Tourist Brochure : Students research, design, and make a brochure for a tourist going to another planet (than Earth) in our solar system. Students should consider temperature, seasons, length of day, length of year, surface conditions and materials, atmosphere, distance from Earth, etc.

NASA, Benefits of Space Program: Students research how life has been improved because of the space program. Students briefly describe FIVE advances we enjoy, using the NASA website as their source of information. Click on <http://techtran.msfc.nasa.gov/at_home.html>

Energy Consumption: Students go through an activity where they calculate the cost of items on an electric bill. To download a copy, click here and for the reference table, click here.

Walkable Community: Students go out in the community to find how "walkable" (convenient) our community is. They will walk and time how long it takes to get to some necessary places in the community. For a copy, click here.

Element Trace Back: Students do an activity to discover how many countries may be involved in creating just one item. For a copy of the worksheet, click here; for a sample, click here.

Where to Build a House: Students shade dangerous areas to build a house in the Orem/Provo area. In different colors or patterns, indicate the locations of the following types of dangers on this map: landslide, flood zone, high water table, fault. (Hint -- landslides happen where it's steep, the flood zone is at the base of every canyon or crevice along the mountain as water is funneled during storms, the high water table is located near rivers and lakes, the fault runs along the foot of the mountain.) Make a key to designate each area. Then, with an X, indicate where one of the best places to build is. For a copy of this map, click here.

Energy Sources to Make Electricity: Students use any resources to answer the following questions about a) coal, b) geothermal, c) hydroelectric, d) tidal, e) nuclear, and f) wind power.