Welcome to
The Cyclone
Science Page
Mrs. Ripley   Grade 7
Travel with us through the year! 
Our science classes continue to apply process skills. Through a variety of projects and activities, students are learning more about the integration of science in the world around them.
CHINA

China Exploration!

At this time we are investigating the vast regions of China. The wildlife, their adaptations and  food webs have a far reaching effect.  Humans interact with their environment in a variety of ways that affect the entire world.  Global warming and damage to the ozone layer are world issues.  Part of our classwork will be to look at megacities such as Beijing to try to understand the causes of these problems. Once again, the connections between science, social studies and other subjects will be demonstrated.

Past units ~ web links for Gallagher Students:
 

  Our Aussie Web Site
  Antarctic Links
 

Compare some real time global weather conditions
Click for Smithfield, Rhode Island Forecast
Smithfield Absolute Location of Data Site:   41.9° N 71.5° W

Mawson Absolute Location of Data Site:   71.3° S 59.2° E

Sydney Absolute Location of Data Site:    33.9° S 151.2° E

Butterfly News

     Students raised and released Monarch butterflies in the fall.  Monarch Watch and Journey North, two programs that follow the migration patterns of the Monarchs, will contact us if "our" monarchs are spotted.  These organizations monitor monarchs across the US as they wing their way on a 3,000 mile journey toward Mexico.

 

Animal Diversity Site - Classification  Homework Hints
Extra help or Conference Requests Upcoming Projects
World Climate Journey North
Science Fair?
    This year, the 7th grade students at Gallagher will participate in a type of science fair.  Due to changes in our curriculum and assessment, there will be many changes in the structure of  this activity.  The project will be done in school, not at home.
 
 Boston Museum of Science  Science Fair Resource Guide Web Page
 Newton's Apple  Bill Nye the Science Guy
 The Franklin Institute Science Museum  The Exploratorium - San Francisco
 Roger Williams Park Zoo  Smithsonian Institution

 

Rather search on your own? Try Yahooligans - A search engine for kids ages 7-12
Projects ~ to think about 
Let's face it, we've all had that feeling of doing work at the last minute. The new quarter is a perfect time to reorganize.  Remember, any project is designed to encourage good skills of planning and organizing as well as
synthesizing what we are learning in science.  It is designed to meet the abilities of a wide variety of students and provide an alternative assessment.  Information sheets and grading criteria are given to students when they are assigned.
Remember:
Plenty of time is given to meet project criteria, but advance planning is essential.

Read the notices that are sent home and keep them on the refrigerator.
Establish a project calendar with "mini-deadlines" along the way.
Check work often to see that the timeline is being adhered to.
Ask before deadlines if there are questions or concerns.

Extra Help
Extra help is available as needed. Please ask or send a note to school.  Students have the opportunity for extra help during the school day or by arrangement after school.

Conference requests
Conferences may be arranged with the team through the school guidance office.  Please call Mr. Gillis at the school (949-2056) to make an appointment.



Last updated 4/13/00
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