Investigations in Science 7 October 21, 2016

What we did this week:

Monday, Cycling of Matter during Photosynthesis, takes a look at what the
molecules are doing while going through photosynthesis. We used different color beads to
represent different elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. We made molecules with the
beads of both water and carbon dioxide to represent the REACTANTS or what is needed
before the chemical reaction of photosynthesis. Students then rearranged the same
beads to create molecules of glucose and oxygen which are the PRODUCTS or what is
created because of a chemical reaction, of photosynthesis. Students should notice that
the number of atoms (or beads), is the same for the reactants and products. The atoms
just get rearranged and attach to new things to make new molecules.
Another lab we conducted this week was allowing the students to see the type of
cells that takes in carbon dioxide so that it can go through photosynthesis. We had a leaf
and put some clear finger nail polish on the underside of the leaf (carbon dioxide enters
through the bottom of the leaf so the cells can only be found there). We applied a 2 nd
coat and then waited for the nail polish to dry. Once it was dry, we put a piece of clear
tape on top of the nail polish and carefully pulled the tape off. Attached to the clear
piece of tape was the nail polish and the cells from the underside of the leaf. We put the
tape on a slide and looked through the microscope to be able to identify guard cells and
the stomata. I have pictures from these labs on my class blog. Check it out at:
www.mrsgrandin.weebly.com
Thursday, we started off with a lab to show evidence of photosynthesis in plants.
We looked a chemical called bromothymol blue. It is a dark blue color and in the presence
of carbon dioxide, it turns yellow. We watched a demonstration of someone blowing
bubbles through a straw into the bromothymol blue and watching the color change from
blue to yellow. Then we watched a demonstration of 3 different air tight test tubes which
all contained carbon dioxide rich bromothymol blue (so they were yellow in color). Two of
the tubes contained a plant elodea. One of those test tubes that contained elodea was
wrapped in foil so that light could not get to the plant. The other two test tubes were
placed in direct light. We noticed the test tubes that had elodea and in the direct light,
the bromothymol blue changed from yellow to blue because the elodea was using the
carbon dioxide to go through photosynthesis. The test tube that was wrapped in foil and

no light could travel to the plant, the bromothymol blue stayed the yellow color because it
was unable to go through photosynthesis and was not able to use the carbon dioxide. You
can see the experiment at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpgZG9T0y34
The assessment date for photosynthesis will be on Tuesday, October 25. The
review sheet is due on the date of the assessment.
Today, we will be heading to Medieval Times!

Announcements:
As part of the 7th grade vision, we are working with students on their study skills.
For the next 3 weeks students have the opportunity to earn minion bucks with our study
skills challenge. One way students can earn minion money is from checking their agenda
book every night. To prove they are checking their agenda book at night, they can take a
selfie of them looking it over, have a signed note from home in their agenda book/email/or
a written note that they were looking it over. There will be an agenda book check table in
the morning during connect time.
The second way students can earn minion bucks is from going the extra step
with their studying. Most students are only studying by looking over their notes or
completing the assigned study guide. To earn minions students can take a picture of them
being quizzed by a family member, bring in flashcards they made, creating their own study
guide, or doing an online quiz (and printing it out). They can show the teacher of the class
they were studying for to earn their minions.
Recently we have had a number of different labs. All labs are graded in 7th grade
and put in the formative category. They are not retakable so I talk with the students
about completing quality work particularly while completing labs. Labs make up the largest
part of their grade for the quarter.
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/

We are in search of any 2 liter bottles for a lab we will be completing 2 nd quarter.
If you have any empty 2 liter bottles, please send them in with your child. Thanks in
advance.

Coming Up:
Topics:

Respiration
RFP

Dates:

October 21 Field Trip to Medieval Times

October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week
October 25 ASSESSMENT: Photosynthesis Evaluation
October 28 - SGA Fall Harvest Dance, 7-9 pm
November 1 Make-Up Picture Day
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