Download Newsletter 32

Science Newsletter
Honors Science 8
~ May 19, 2017 ~
Good afternoon parents, guardians, and students and welcome to our 32nd
science newsletter of the 2016-2017 school year. This week we wrapped up
our study of space exploration and the Earth, Moon, and Sun relationship
and started learning about the other planets within our solar system.
THE RECAP: Where have we been?
As a quick recap of the past week, we started off Monday by taking the
chapter 19/20 on space exploration and the Earth, Moon, and Sun
relationship. This test consisted of 32 multiple choice and 18 true or false
questions on the arrangement of the universe, constellations, exploring
space, telescopes, the electromagnetic spectrum, spacecraft, seasons, the
Moon, lunar phases, eclipses, and tides. On Tuesday, students analyzed the
results of yesterday’s chapter 19/20 test. After completing the test analysis,
students read chapter 21 and recorded notes in their science notebooks. In
their reading, students learned about the 4 inner planets (Mercury, Venus,
Earth and Mars), the 4 outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune)
and other space bodies (moons, asteroids, comets and dwarf planets) found
within our solar system. On Wednesday and Thursday, students learned
how far apart our solar system’s planets are by completing the investigate
distances lab. In this lab, students made a scale model of the solar system
using 4.5 meters of adding machine tape. By looking at their models,
students were able to see that the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, &
Mars) are much closer together and much smaller than the outer planets
(Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, & Neptune). On Friday, students watched the
video “A Traveler’s Guide to the Planets.” In this video, students learned
about the various characteristics and unbelievable features of the terrestrial
and gas giant planets of the solar system.
THE FUTURE: Where are we going?
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Monday 5/22: Project 3 Introduction & Planet Book – Inner Planets
Tuesday 5/23: Planet Book – Outer Planets
Wednesday 5/24: Project 3 Sign-Up & Finish Planet Book
Thursday 5/25: Space Objects
Friday 5/26: Science MSP Practice
EXTRA INFORMATION:
I am enclosing copies of the following documents:
 May 19th Science Newsletter WORD Document
 Week of May 15th Early Work Power Point Presentation
 Chapter 21 Power Point Presentation
 Investigate Distances WORD Document
LAST MINUTE REMINDERS:
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No school on Monday, May 29th.
SBAC Math (5/30-5/31) and Science MSP (6/1) testing resumes
in 2 weeks.
Study tables are after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
for extra help or just a quiet place to complete homework.
The 8th grade Earth Science curriculum has an awesome website
(www.classzone.com) to help students learn – please check it out!
Feel free to contact me via email or phone if you have any questions
about your student’s progress so far – hopefully by working together, we
can keep our students on track and primed for success!
Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend and ask
your student to share with you some of the amazing characteristics of the
other planets within the solar system.
Sincerely,
Mike Harris