Investigations in Science 7 October 28, 2016

What we did this week:

This week we worked on cellular respiration. To help understand cellular
respiration, we completed a lab with yeast, sugar, water, and balloons. 1 spoonful of yeast
and 2 of sugar were added to a bottle/flask. The bottle was filled of the way full with
warm water and then a balloon was immediately placed on top. The other bottle had yeast,
water, and no sugar. Groups measured the diameter of their balloon every 5 minutes.
They should have seen that the balloon with sugar inflated with carbon dioxide. We saw
some very mixed results and talked about all the errors that could have occurred. Luckily,
every class had several groups that worked and we were able to use that data. I have
pictures on my blog.
Tuesday we took our photosynthesis assessment. Assessments should be passed
back by Friday. There will be retakes offered for this assessment next Friday at lunch.
In addition, the assessment we took last week, Environmental Factors and Plant Growth
will also have retakes next Tuesday. This assessment has already been passed back to
students.
Wednesday we continued with cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a way that
cells produce energy. We got the colored beads back out that we used last week and first
created the same reactants and products for photosynthesis. We had beads that
represented carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. We put them together in groupings to create
molecules. Then, using 5 clues listed on the worksheet, students were trying to guess what
the chemical formula is for cellular respiration. Students are not marked incorrect if they
didn't guess correctly.
Thursday we watched our first Bill Nye on Respiration. We also read an article that
explained how cells undergo cellular respiration in order to extract energy from food and
that there are two types of respiration, anaerobic, and aerobic.
Friday, we will look at how photosynthesis and respiration are like a cycle. What
one makes, the other needs, in order to go through the process. Photosynthesis makes
glucose and oxygen. For cellular respiration to start, glucose and oxygen are needed. In
cellular respiration, carbon dioxide and water are created along with energy. The carbon

dioxide and water that are created for cellular respiration, are needed to start
photosynthesis, along with light.

Announcements:
Next week is the last week of quarter 1. Please be sure to have your child check
Edline and take care of any Z grades early next week. Most teachers close their
gradebook prior to Friday to unsure enough time to grade all assignments. Please see
retake opportunities in my upcoming dates below.
Just a reminder that students are not allowed to dress up for Halloween.
Would you like to see Mr. Beidleman dressed up in Rosa Parks spirit wear at the
half time of the Rosa Parks M.S. vs. Farquhar M.S. basketball game on November 18 th? No.
Me neither. What about seeing the principal of Rosa Parks MS dressed in Farquhar spirit
wear? YES! We are having a friendly challenge with Rosa Parks. The school that has the
least amount of PTA members by game day, will have their principal dress in spirit wear of
the opposite school during half time. Make Farquhar proud and become a PTA member
right away if you havent. Grandparents, neighbors, even pets can become PTA members.
You can sign up here: http://farquharpta.org/online-store/

Coming Up:
Topics:

RFP
Eating our Basil with tomato and mozzarella!

Dates:

October 28 - SGA Fall Harvest Dance, 7-9 pm

November 1 RETAKES Environmental Factors and Plant Growth Assessment
November 1 Make-Up Picture Day
November 4 RETAKES Photosynthesis Assessment
November 4 End of 1st Marking Period
November 7 No School
November 8 No School
November 10 Half Day
November 10 Parent Conferences Arena Style
November 11 Half Day