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Image result for science Welcome Wildcat Scientists!
 
I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach your child 5th grade Science at Oakcrest Intermediate this year! I will be teaching face-to-face and virtually.
 
It is my goal to build a classroom culture that inspires learning. We will work together to create a fun and exciting learning experience through hands-on investigations. The amount of Science knowledge your child will gain this year is astonishing. I am honored to be your child's teacher and look forward to watching them grow and develop into Scientists :)
 
It's going to be a great year!
 
Amanda McMullen
5th Grade Science OIS
 
Please feel free to contact me any time. 
Email: AmandaMcMullen@tomballisd.net
Phone: 281-357-3033 EXT 5683
 
Conference: 6th period 12:34 - 1:19
 
 
 

Posts

January 25 -January 29, 2021

5th Grade Science
Monday: We will explore the processes that led the formation of the fossil fuels oil and natural gas.
Tuesday: We will explore the processes that led the formation of the fossil fuel coal.
Wednesday: We will explain the processes that led to the formation of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).
Thursday: We will  compare the formation of the fossil fuels coal and petroleum (oil/natural gas). 
Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of the formation of fossil fuels using the Unit 8 Test. (Major Grade combined with Unit 7).
 
Academic Vocabulary:
Fossil Fuels: a natural fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Questions:
How are fossil fuels formed?
Important Dates: 
Unit 8 Test - Friday, January 29
(Unit 7/8 test will be combined for one major grade) 
A review will be posted to Schoology on Tuesday for Unit 8.
Unit 9 Test - Friday, March 5
Practice Science STAAR - Wednesday, March 3

January 18 - January 22, 2021

5th Grade Science
Tuesday: We will identify different types of sedimentary rocks.
Wednesday: We will explore the formation of sedimentary rocks.
Thursday: We will explain the formation of sedimentary rocks.
Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of the formation of sedimentary rocks using the Unit 7 Test. (Major Grade combined with Unit 8).
 
Academic Vocabulary:
Sediments: Tiny pieces of rock that has been weathered down by wind, water, or ice.
Sedimentary rock: Rock that has formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by water (rivers, lakes, and oceans), ice (glaciers), and wind. Sedimentary rocks are often deposited in layers, and frequently contain fossils.
Weathering: Breaking down of rock into sediment by wind, water, or ice.
Erosion: Sediment moving from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.
Deposition: Sediment stopping or dropping in a new location.
 
Questions:
How are sedimentary rocks formed?
1. Rock is weathered by wind, water, or ice into sediments.
2. Over time, the sediments are eroded and deposited in new locations creating layers of sediment.
3. As the layers get thicker, pressure from gravity squeezes the sediments into a layer of rock. 
4. The compaction over time creates layer on top of layer of sedimentary rock.
 
Important Dates: 
Unit 7 Test - Friday, January 22
Unit 8 Test - Friday, January 29
(Unit 7/8 test will be combined for one major grade) 
A review will be posted to Schoology on Tuesday for Unit 7.

January 11 - January 15, 2021

5th Grade Science
Monday: We will explore rapid changes to Earth's surface including landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunami's, and hurricanes.
Tuesday: We will explain how volcanoes can rapidly change the Earth's surface during an eruption but also build new land over time.
Wednesday: We will review rapid and slow changes to the Earth's surface to prepare for the Unit 6 test.
Thursday / Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of landforms and changes to Earth' surface using the Unit 6 District Test.
 
Academic Vocabulary:
SLOW CHANGES TO EARTH'S SURFACE
Weathering: Breaking down of rock into sediment by wind, water, or ice.
Erosion: Sediment moving from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.
Deposition: Sediment stopping or dropping in a new location.
Forces that shape the Earth's surface: Wind, Water, Ice
Landforms: A natural feature of the Earth's surface.
FAST (RAPID) CHANGES TO EARTH' S SURFACE
Earthquake: A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
Volcanic eruption: A sudden occurence of a violent discharge of steam and volcanic material such as lava.
Landslide: The sliding down of a mass of Earth or rock from a mountain or cliff due to an Earthquake or fast moving water.

Grade Recovery Opportunity

Grade Recovery opportunities are in this week's folder in Schoology. Retests need to be submitted no later than Wednesday, December 16 11:59pm.
 
Grade recovery is offered to anyone no matter the grade. The test will replace the current grade if it is higher. 
 
If you or your child has any questions please let me know :)

Fall CBA

This announcement is for virtual students only...
 
Parents please ask your child if they took the online Fall CBA for Science Thursday and Friday. They were given both days during class to complete the test and I am missing several test scores. I will give them the weekend to complete the test if they did not finish it on Friday. 
 
Thank you! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. McMullen

December 14 - December 18, 2020

5th Grade Science
Monday: We will explain how the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition create new landforms.
Tuesday: We will explain how the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition create sand dunes.
Wednesday: We will explain how the glaciers create u-shaped valleys.
Thursday: We will explain how deposition creates deltas.
Friday: Holiday Fun!
 
Academic Vocabulary:
Weathering: Breaking down of rock into sediment by wind, water, or ice.
Erosion: Sediment moving from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.
Deposition: Sediment stopping or dropping in a new location.
Forces that shape the Earth's surface: Wind, Water, Ice
Landforms: A natural feature of the Earth's surface.
 
Science Fair is  Tuesday, December 15. Projects can be brought to school and set up in the library on Monday the 14th.  (participation is optional)

December 7 - December 11, 2020

5th Grade Science

Monday: We will explain the process of weathering and observe how it changes the Earth's surface.

Tuesday: We will explain the processes of erosion and deposition and observe how they change the Earth's surface.

Wednesday: We will review for the District CBA.

Thursday / Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of Physical Properties of Matter and Force, Motion, and Energy using the District CBA. (Daily Grade)

Academic Vocabulary:

Weathering: Breaking down of rock into sediment by wind, water, or ice.

Erosion: Sediment moving from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.

Deposition: Sediment stopping or dropping in a new location.

Forces that shape the Earth's surface: Wind, Water, Ice

Landforms: A natural feature of the Earth's surface.

Upcoming tests:

​District CBA - December 10 and 11 (Daily Grade)

Unit 5 Test

The unit 5 test will not have a review sheet. The test is over the scientific method and it's all scenario based. Students have completed many investigations that test different variables in class. A review sheet is not needed for this test.
 
Extra credit review sheet will be offered for the next unit test :)
 
Thank you!

November 30 - December 4, 2020

5th Grade Science

Monday: We will explore force and identify the variable in an investigation.

Tuesday: We will explore force and identify the variable in an investigation.

Wednesday: We will review for the Unit 5 District Test - Force and Motion.

Thursday: We will demonstrate knowledge of force and motion using the Unit 5 District Assessment. 

Friday: We will review force and motion and go over the test.

Academic Vocabulary:

Force = Push or Pull

Friction= Force that slows an object down.

Gravity= A force of attraction between two objects.

Variable= Anything that can change or be changed in an experiment.

Upcoming tests:

  • ​​​Unit 5 District Test Force and Motion - Thursday, December 3 
  • ​District CBA - December 10 and 11 

November 16 - November 20, 2020

Monday: We will review unit 4 test. 

Tuesday: We will explore the force of gravity on different objects.

Wednesday: We explore the force of friction on different surfaces.

Thursday: We explore the force of friction on different surfaces.

Friday: We will have fun playing games. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 9 - November 13, 2020

Monday: We will demonstrate the flow of energy in a complete circuit.

Tuesday: We will identify conductors and insulators of electrical energy.

Wednesday: We will demonstrate that sound is caused by vibrations.

Thursday: We will review for the Unit 4 District Test - Electrical and Sound Energy.

Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of Electrical and Sound Energy using the Unit 4 District Test. 

Tested Objectives: 5.5A Classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state solid, liquid, and gas, relative density sinking and floating, solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy.

5.6A explore the uses of energy, including mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, and sound energy.

5.6B demonstrate that the flow of electricity in closed circuits can produce light, heat, or sound.

Unit 4 test Review KEY

​Unit 4 Test Review - Test is on Friday, November 13, 2020

October 26 - October 30, 2020

Monday: We will identify conductors and insulators of thermal energy.
Tuesday: We will determine the best conductors and insulators of thermal energy.
Wednesday: We will explain thermal energy conductors and insulators.
Thursday: We will review for the Unit 3 - Light and Thermal Energy District Test. (Link to review is below)
Review
 
Key
 
Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of thermal and light energy using the District Assessment - Unit 3 (Major Grade).
 
Please continue to check your child's grades online.
Have a wonderful weekend :) 

October 19 - October 23, 2020

Monday: We will explain how light travels in a straight line and reflects (bounces) off of different surfaces.
Tuesday: We will explain that light travels in a straight line and refracts (bends) as it passes through a clear material.
Wednesday: We will explain that light travels in a straight line and refracts (bends) as it passes through a clear material.
Thursday: We will compare reflection and refraction of light.
Friday: We will demonstrate knowledge of light energy using a quiz (daily grade).
 
Please continue to check your child's grades online.
Have a wonderful weekend :) 

October 12 - October 16, 2020

Monday / Tuesday: We will identify and explain uses of the five forms of energy (mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound).
Wednesday: We will demonstrate knowledge of uses of energy using the Unit 3 District Quiz on Forms of Energy (Major Grade)
Thursday: We will explain that light travels in a straight line.
Friday: We will identify objects that are transparent, translucent, and opaque.
 
Please continue to check your child's grades online.
Have a wonderful weekend :)