Week 2 - August 16 Class Graphing Skills and Experimental Variables

This week we covered a lot of ground and built upon what we learned last week regarding the scientific method. We began the class with a Write The Room assignment. Everyone picked up a worksheet and identified the pieces of lab equipment displayed in pictures posted around the room. I promised the class a lab equipment quiz this Thursday, but the key to the test is to review the slides linked below:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HbaTx2h_9GMkxeMiQEtCpOfy_3zjQ5f6

We also viewed a funny video on lab safety and I provided the answers to the lab safety worksheet they were given as homework last week. It was corny, but cute!

Next, we reviewed the scientific method while completing our interactive notebook pages for the scientific method. We watched another video clip that reviewed experimental variables. We  discussed independent variables and dependent variables and how the data from these two variables can be displayed graphically using three different kinds of graphs--i.e. bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs.

I was excited to see how quickly the students were able to apply the definitions for independent and dependent variables to simple descriptions of lab experiments.  Next, it was time to practice graphing sample data as a class in order to determine which type of graph fit the data tables given. What was nice about this exercise is that in completing it, we finished one page of our interactive notebook!

This is the page they need to complete for homework!!

Interactive Notebook Page we completed in class

Next Week:

Now that we have reviewed experimental variables and how to graph, students will be given sample lab data and work together with a partner to graph their data on poster board which they will present to the class. 

If we have time, students will also be introduced to making basic measurements, the SI Units, and how to convert within the metric system.