Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- How do you do a Lab Report (write up)?
- Where is Lab rubric?
- QAC ? How do you do a QAC Mini Lab Write up?
- What is in a Labstract?
- Labs help develop critical thinking skills. What are critcal thinking skills and why are they needed?
- What is a Study Guide?
- Where do I get copy of Study Guide?
- Why do I have to put a duplicate lab in my Study Guide?
- Why do you require parent signatures on assignments? And on which ones?
- My child has always received an A and is really upset about a low lab score!
- The Lab Rubric seems too hard and demanding, especially for 6th graders.
- Are all students graded the same on labs?
- Are Science Fair Projects required?
How do you do a Lab Report (write up)?
Check under LINKS to find details
Where is Lab rubric?
Get one under Handouts or Links.
QAC ? How do you do a QAC Mini Lab Write up?
This is a mini (partial) regular lab write up. That is, instead of doing a
whole lab write up, you only have to do the Question, Analysis, and
Conclusion...QAC! You can use the shorten version of the lab rubric. Go to
handouts.
What is in a Labstract?
LABSTRACT is a paragraph of 250 words or less that contains:
# Problem Statement (Question). Identify the problem.
# Procedure summary. What was your approach for investigating the
problem?
# Results summary. What answer did you obtain? Be specific and use
numbers to describe your results. Do not use vague terms like "most"
or "some."
# Conclusions. Answer your question!
See my Labstract page:
http://poster.4teachers.org/worksheet/view.php?ID=28919&page=27
Labs help develop critical thinking skills. What are critcal thinking skills and why are they needed?
These skills involve determining patterns, making connections to solve problems.
The list of core critical thinking skills includes observation, interpretation,
analysis, inference, evaluation, and explanation (our scientific method).
These skills can be applied to all problem solving situations in life!
"A well cultivated critical thinker":
* raises important questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
* gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;
* comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
* thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be,
their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
* communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems; without being unduly
influenced by others' thinking on the topic.
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking
What is a Study Guide?
A STUDY GUIDE of all the chapter work (which includes written answers to each
section's review, the chapter review, and lab write-ups) is an inventory by
your student and MUST BE SIGNED by a parent and turned in the day of a TEST.
The TEST must be signed and returned to class after it is graded. We store
past Study Guides and Tests in a classroom portfolio, which is open to your
viewing at any time. During Chapter work, a current study guide is maintained
in their Science folder, which they bring to class each day.
Where do I get copy of Study Guide?
Go to handouts.
Why do I have to put a duplicate lab in my Study Guide?
Sometimes a lab is due late in the chapter work and I may be in the process of
grading it. The Study Guide needs to have a copy of all the work we do for
that chapter and you do not have the lab back yet. Place a duplicate copy in
so your parents can see everything you did and you have a complete record of
the chapter work.
When you do get the lab back, fix it and put both in next Study Guide for
credit as always.
Why do you require parent signatures on assignments? And on which ones?
I regularly require the Study Guide and tests to be signed to make sure you
are kept in the loop. I hope parents are using Gradelink but there is nothing
like seeing an assignment and in middle school students do not show as many to
their parents. Of course, I want students to share successes but also parents
can spot where a little assistance can make a big difference.
My child has always received an A and is really upset about a low lab score!
Support them and contact me so we can over it in detail. Often they may have
truly met one of their first BIG challenges. These labs require a lot of
critical thinking and communicating that on paper. It is tough for all of us!
Having worked with and FOR gifted children for many years (First as CAG Parent
Rep for San Diego/Imperial Valley and later as Affiliate Chair for CAG), one
thing we noted was the need for all children to be challenged. Sometimes they
never are and always receive an A because they do not need to reach to get it
right! Some students may not experience a challenge until late in high school
(I taught chemistry!! That could do it!) or even college. At that point, it
can really be devastating (some even drop out of college).
The students that were given the opportunity to be challenged earlier (while
in a supportive family and school environment) learned how to be OK with
themselves as they learn and how to handle the challenge...develop better
study skills and learn to talk with their teachers. You are being given a great
parenting opportunity to support them through this. It will really
pay off in the future.
You may enjoy reading more about CAG at
http://www.cagifted.org/
and Study Skills/Habits at
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/techknowpark/Dream/StudyTips.html
or
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/700?cpn=SPAd_Study%20skills%20your%20child%20needs
You will also find them under my LINKS section.
The Lab Rubric seems too hard and demanding, especially for 6th graders.
The rubric was created by middle school teachers and modified (simplified) by
me for use with my students. I have used it many years and, while it is
occasionally updated, it has worked very well. The first months of using it
are the hardest as we learn & clarify each requirement. However, sixth
graders have been quite successful using it. It remains the same each year,
so that after using it for several years, they become experts. This years
eighth graders are rapidly rising to the occasion and some are turning in near
perfect lab write-ups.
I do grade the labs differently for each grade level, meaning I differentiate
the level according to our needs and abilities. I stay consistent within the
specific lab for all. For instance, I require a stronger analysis and
conclusion for the eighth grade, than seventh or sixth; though, they may all
earn 4 out of 4 points.
Are all students graded the same on labs?
LAB RUBRICS:
While each of the science classes uses a rubric to help with the writing of a "Lab
Report" (copies are available in the classroom or may be downloaded from my
web page link), each class is differentiated but grading is consistent for each lab. This helps guide students through the scientific inquiry
and communication process. They need to grade themselves BEFORE turning in
the lab and should correct it when it is returned to them. There is a link on
the Science with Paluso homework page or SJA Paluso website LINKS that can
assist with each step.
Are Science Fair Projects required?
SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS
may be done voluntarily as part of the HONORS science program for 6th-8th
grade. To receive HONORS, students must earn an A or B in the regular science
curriculum as well as the science fair project. The rubric, the timeline, and
all instruction is available online. A contract must be downloaded and
signed by both student and a parent. I support students through out the
process in study hall or after school. Deadlines must be met or the student
will be dropped from the Honors program. The 7th and 8th grade projects may
be screened and invited into the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering
Fair in March.