Summer TIme!

Does anyone still check this? If you do, leave a comment! I want to keep updating but only if people still look at it.

How is the summer treating you? Keep me updated!

Miss Swecker

Field Day

I hope everyone enjoyed Field Day! I had a great time with my homeroom! Pictures coming soon...

Leave me a note!

Apollo 13

We started the movie Apollo 13 in class today. This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I am very lucky since I get to show it every year. Here are a few links that may interest you.

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/missions/apollo/apollo_13/overview/
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/apollo/apollo13/index.html
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/history/apollo/apollo-13/apollo-13.htm

Let me know what you think of the movie so far!

Welcome back! We are in the 4th quarter which means that you are closer to being 7th graders than anything else! A lot will be expected of you this quarter, both behaviorally and academically.

First off, we are going to be reviewing for the science benchmark for the next week and a half. Boooo, I know, but I want to make sure that everyone does well on the test. After the test we will be beginning our Space unit. We will watch lots of movies and do a fun project during this unit. Hopefully you enjoy it!

That is all for now my darlings. Have a great first week back and enjoy this lovely weather! As always, please leave me any comments, complaints, words of wisdom...whatever your heart desires.

Ms. Swecker

Animal Adaptations Project

Animal Adaptations This project has not been introduced to the class so if you are a blog-checker, you are getting a sneak peak!

This project will count the same as 2 test grades. It is due on Thursay, March 20.

All animals live in habitats. Habitats provide food, water, and shelter which animals need to survive, but there is more to survival than just the habitat. Animals also depend on thier physical features to help them obtain food, keep safe, build homes, withstand weather, and attract mates. These physical features are called physical adaptations. hysical adaptations do not develop during an animal's life but over many generations. The shope of a bird's beak, the number of fingers, color of the fur, the thickness or thinness of the fur, or the shape fo the nose or ears are all examples fo physical adaptations which help different animals to survive.
Sample the internet sites given about animal adaptations and complete the activities for each one. You may also use other sites or books as well. If you do onot have access to a computer at home, visit your public library, use a classroom computer during study hall, or check out books at teh library. You must include a picture of each animal and write a paragraph that answers the questions for each animal chosen. You must choose 15 different animals in your project. The project should be assembled in a folder and should be av ery neat presentation. Include a cover page with the title of the project, your name, date, and class period.

This project will be due on Thursday, March 20th. Please share this information with your parents. Happy Hunting!

Burmese Python: http://www.whozoo.org/students/stamoo/pythonhtml.html
How are the mouths of pythons adapted to finding prey and swallowing large prey?

White-cheeked Gibbon: http://www.lpzoo.org/animals/factsheet/phpcontentID=162
Why do many monkeys and apes have long arms?
Describe special adaptations on the hands of gibbons.

South African Burrowing Bullfrog: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/meet_the_animals/south-african-burrowing-bulfrog*
What do they eat?
How do they hold on to prey that is struggling to escape?

California King Snake: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/meet_the_animals/california-kind-snake*
Why can king snakes eat rattle snakes?

Beaver Facts: http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=funfacts.beaver
How are beavers built for underwater work?
This site has additional information.

White Throated Savanna Monitor: http://www.oaoklandzoo.org/meet_the_animals/white-throated-monitor
How long are they?
What do they eat?
How are their mouths adapted to what they eat?

Giraffe: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/meet_the_animals/giraffe,-reticulated
Why are giraffes able to go for long periods of time without water?
How are their necks adapted to their lifestyle?

African Hedgehog: http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/hedgehog
Besides having stiff spines that stick out from their bodies and help protect them, these animals have loose skin under those spines and powerful back muscles. Why?

Kratt's Creatures: http://pbskids.org/krattscreatures/login.shtml?
From this page, click on "North America" and then click on "American alligator"
How are these alligoator's eyes adapted for seeing in water?

Lions: http://www.lpzoo.org/animals/LION-HOUSE/index.html
What is the purpose of the mane on a male lion?
Why are the eyes of a lion set in the front of its head rather than on the sides?
A lion has heavily muscled forelimbs and shoulders. Why?
Why do they have forepaws equipped with long, retractile claws?
Why do they have a rough tongue?
Why do othey have loose belly skin?

Bactrian Camel: http://www.lpzoo.org/animals/factsheet.php?contentID=196
Camels have many adaptations that allow them to live successfully in desert conditions. List these adaptations and how they benefit the camel.

Koala: http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/diprotodontia/koala.htm
How are the hands of a koala adapted for life in a tree?

Sea Otters: http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/sea_otter.html
Sea Otters spend almost their entire lives in water. They eat, sleep, and even have their babies in water. how is their fur adapted to keep them warm? Why is it a critical situation when otters encounter oil spills?
What do they eat?

Lappet-faced Vulture: http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Lappet-faced_Vulture.asp
How are the heads of vultures adapted to what they eat?

Manatees: http://www.savethemanatee.org/faq.htm
Scroll down about 1/3 of the way down the page. What special adaptations do manatees have that allow them to stay under water longer than teh average land-dwelling mammal?

Wallaroo: http://www.australianstamp.com/Coin-web/feature/nature/commwall.htm
What do they eat?
How are their feet adapted to rock climbing?

Polar Bears: http://www.mng.si.edu/arctic/html/polar_bear.html
Why do polar bears have such big feet?
How does their fur keep them warm?

Kratt's Creatures: http://pbskids.org/krattscreatures/login.shtml?
From this page, click on "Australia" and then click on "Platypus".
How are platypuses adapted for the time they spend in water?

Kratt's Creatures: http://pbskids.org/krattscreatures/login.shtml?
From this page, click on "Oceans" and then click on "Pacific walrus".
What special adaptation do these walruses have that allow them to float on top fo the water and sleep?

Squirrel Monkey: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/meet_the_animals/squirrel-monkey
Where in the world do they live?
What do they eat?
These monkeys live in groups. How does this help them?

Kratt's Creatures: http://pbskids.org/krattscreatures/login.shtml?
From this page, click on "North America" and then click on "Mountain goat".
How are they adapted for living in the tops of high, cold mountains?
How are their rear ends adapted to protect themselves from other goats?

Gila Monster: http://www.scz.org/animals/g/gila.html
What do gila monsters do oto avoid the heat of the day?
What do gila monsters do in winter months to keep warm? How do othey survive during winter months with little food?

Red Panda: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/redpanda/Redpandaprintout.shtml
How are red pandas adapted to eating bamboo?

Kratt's Creatures: http://pbskids.org/krattscreatures/login.shtml?
From this page, click on "Eurasia" and then click on "Snow Leopard".
How are the feet of snow lwopards adapted for traveling and hunting on snowy and icy ground?

Canada Lynx: http://www.nhm.org/cats/encyclo/canadens/
What adaptations do lynxes have for maneuvering through deep snow?

Round Island Day Gecko: http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/riGecko.html
How are thier teeth adapted to what they eat?
How are their feet adapted to where they live?
What unique method do they have of defending themselves?

Just a little note...

Hello everyone! As you all probably know, I haven't been feeling very good for the past few days. I was not at school Friday and will not be there Monday either. I can't wait to see everyone when I get back....hopefully healthy!

I want to give a special thanks to those of you who took the time to complete a Science Fair project. Overall, the projects were fantastic and it really proves that quality is more important than quantity (if you don't know what that means, look it up!). We are working out the details and will let you know ASAP who has been chosen to go to the Durham Bulls game. I am hoping that we get to take everyone who did a project!

Thank you to our Science Night helpers! We couldn't have done it without you!

A special congratulations to Kyra Quinton and Emma Bogerd, who recieved Honorable Mentions for their projects. I am so proud of them!

Dates to remember...

Science Fair Project due on Friday 2/15! You should have all 3 parts for me to see, in class, on Friday. Rough drafts of the research paper are coming back tomorrow.

Early release day tomorrow (Wednesday) and no school Monday 2/18.

Chris Rigsbee and I share a birthday this Saturday! :) Yay for us!

Tuesday 2/19 is Science Night. Hopefully, you have signed up to volunteer. If not, please make sure to do so tomorrow in science class. I will let you know if you have been chosen to be a volunteer on Friday 2/15.

As always, let me know your thoughts, feeling, comments...

Web Posters

Class Codes for our Web Posters:

http://poster.4teachers.org

1st-167393
2nd-167394
3rd-167395
4th-167396

Teacher Name: Miss Swecker (It has to be written exactly like that or it wont let you in!)

Weather

Wow, I love February in NC! 65 degrees, you have got to be kidding!

Science Fair Info!

As we begin the new year, Brogden Middle School's science classes will begin preparing for the 2008 Science Fair. Due to time constraints, the Science Fair will be optional, and a Science Night for students and parents will be held in the Brogden Gymnasium on February 19, 2008 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Science Night will be a time for parents and others to observe what students are learning in the science classroom and participate in lab activities. Student posters, PowerPoints, blogs, webpages, etc. will be on display. Visitors can put their science knowledge to the test and pay a middle school science quiz game. Come and play, “Are you smarter than a middle schooler?”.
Students who choose to participate in the Science Fair and meet all of the requirements will receive a catered lunch. A select few students who complete exceptional projects will be chosen to accompany their science teacher and other students to a Durham Bulls game during the school day.
This project has three parts: a scientific research paper (very detailed and specific; there will be more details in a packet your child will be receiving if they express interest), a display board (on a tri-fold board, see your child's science fair packet for more details), and a visual, which could be a PowerPoint presentation, a model, or any other visual representation of the student's project.
In addition to the optional Science Fair project, we need several students to volunteer to work as student helpers at Science Night on February 19th. These students will help demonstrate and explain labs and discuss what we are doing in the 6th grade science classes with visitors. These student volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from Brogden on that evening. They will get to enjoy the catered lunch as well.

Here is a list of Science Fair dates to keep in mind:
*Wednesday, January 23rd-Science Fair Topic and Parent Signature Due
*Thursday, January 31st-Visual Presentation Method Due (the visual presentation is not due on this date, only what kind of visual presentation the student is going to complete)
*Friday, February 8th-Rough Draft of research paper due
*Friday, February 15-Science Fair project due!!!
On this date, Students must have everything completed
1.) Final version of research paper
2.) Display Board
3.) Visual
*Tuesday, February 19th-Science Fair Night in Brogden's Gymnasium, 6:00-8:00 pm

The Project

Part 1:
The Written Research Paper
A guideline for students writing a scientific research paper

All students in 6th grade students must include a written paper as part of their science research project. The completed paper should be placed in a folder and typed.

The report should include the following in this order:

1. Title Page Center the title of your research paper and give your purpose if it is different from your title. Include your name, grade, and science teacher.

2. Table of Contents List the order and page numbers of each part of your research paper.

3. Research This is the bulk of your paper. This is where the information you found while researching your topic will be presented. The information in this part of the paper should come from encyclopedias, science books, magazines, interviews, and the internet. This part should be at least 3 pages, but no more than 5 pages long. The format of the paper is as follows:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Paragraph 2 – Begin Body of Paper. This part must include the following subtopics in the following order:
1. History of Topic
2. Importance of Topic
3. Current Events of Topic
4. Thorough explanation of visual method
5. Student Choice Subtopic #5
6. Student Choice Subtopic #6

Each of the subtopics should be at least 1 paragraph long, maybe more. Keep in mind, in the Research section of the paper, you need at least 3 pages of typed, doubled spaced, 12” font.

Last Paragraph - Summary/Conclusion

4. Acknowledgements Acknowledge or thank any person (parents, guardians, family members, a teacher, a scientist, a doctor, a company) who helped you with your research.
5. Reference List List books, magazines, internet sites, etc, that you used in your research. There needs to be enough information for your science teacher to find the information you used. Include page numbers, dates of publications, full titles, etc.

Use this as a guideline to create the perfect research paper.

Topics Available to Research
Use this list as a guideline when choosing a research topic, although you can research anything that you would like as long as I have said that your topic is acceptable.

· Earthquakes and/or Volcanoes
· Plate Tectonics
· Forms of Energy
· Human Impact on Land
· Sound and/or Light
· Sun, Earth, Moon System
· Planets in our Solar System
· Space Exploration
· Living Things in Ecosystems
· Food Webs
· Population Control
· Adaptations and Natural Selection
For example, you could choose to research Pangaea, since it falls under Plate Tectonics.

Part 2: The Science Display Board
A guideline for properly arranging the layout of your display board

Title of your project-This should be in the top center of your board

List 10 interesting things you learned while researching this topic:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
_______________
Abstract
(1 paragraph summary of research)

Visually Appealing Design (Picture or graph)-In center

Part 3: The Visual-The visual is where you can get creative. You can make a PowerPoint presentation, create a model, or show a demonstration of your experiment.

The Science Research Project has three main parts, all of which are mandatory:
1. The Written Research Paper
2. The Display Board
3. The Visual

I hope this helps! Those of you who have turned in your parent signature and topic should have a paper copy of this information. If you do not have a paper copy, please ask me for one.

6th Grade Dance

6th Grade Dance Info

This Friday January 25 is Brogden Middle School's SIXTH GRADE DANCE!!!! We wanted to send out an email with some important information and requests:
1. The dance is for Brogden Sixth graders only
2. The dance is from 7pm to 9pm in the cafeteria.
3. Please be at Brogden no later than 9:00pm to pick your child up.
4. The dance will be chaperoned by 6th grade teachers and administration.
5. The cost is $5.00. Snacks will be available for purchase.

Now our requests for you:We need volunteers to run the snack booth. Please email me (or leave me a blog comment) if you can help out. We need food and drink donations. You can send these in anytime this week. We are looking for soda and non-perishable snacks like candy, cookies, chips. You are welcome to stay throughout the dance, unless of course your child will not have it!!! :)

Have a great week. See some of you on Friday!

Science Fair

I promise PROMISE I will be posting information about the Science Fair project within the next day or two. There is a lot of info and I am trying to summarize it the best I can.

Oh, and I decided today...I HAVE THE BEST STUDENTS EVER!

My Kitties

Hailey suggested that I post some pictures of my kitties, so here they are! Once upon a time, my cats had real names. Over time, they became Girl Kitty and Boy Kitty. I can't give you a good reason why, it just kind of happened. I actually got my cats from Mrs. Burton's in-laws two years ago! Their birthday is coming up in March. I don't really know the day they were born on, so I just picked one.

Benchmark

Yay for benchmarks! Please keep in mind that the science benchmark is on Wednesday. The test will cover lots of information from the Lithosphere unit and the Energy unit. Here is a list of topics to review:

Forms of Energy and examples of each form
Kinetic and Potential Energy
Law of Conservation of Energy
Movement of Heat
Frequency, pitch, amplitude, loudness of sound
Reflection and diffraction of sound
How quickly or slowly sound travels (What factors effect the speed of sound? In what material would sound travel slowest/fastest?)

Mohs Hardness Scale
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic Rocks
Grain size of rocks
How crystals form
Layers of the earth (including the lithosphere)
Continental drift (causes, what is it)
Earthquakes
Chemical and Physical weathering
Soil

Good luck to everyone!

Comments

Hey everyone! I know that you haven't been able to make comments on the blog, but you should be able to now. Feel free to comment about whatever you would like!

The Wonderful World Of Sound

Welcome back! I am looking forward to an exciting new year!

We have started our unit on Sound. Here is some information for those of you who were not back in school mode today.

http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow2/apr99/soundsci.html

You will be having a quiz on Friday, January 11th!