Physical+Science+Investigations

Physical Science Investigations

**Professional Learning Communities In-Service ** **2011-2012 School Year (Continued from 2010-2011) **

**1. ****SMART Goal ** ( **S **pecific, **M **easurable, **A **ttainable, **R **ealistic, and **T **imely) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">:
 * **Goal#1 To develop common assessments in order to provide consistency among teachers in each discipline and increase student outcomes**
 * **Goal #2- Lessen the achievement gap between 'Partially Proficient' and 'Proficient' students**

**<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">2. ****<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Rationale: ** Due to the new forthcoming NJCCCS, we need to assess and modify the current 8th grade Physical Science laboratory activities. We will create activities to meet the NJCCCS, which will be used by all of the physical science teachers to provide consistency among the courses. These lab activities will be utilized by all 8th grade science teachers.

** 3. ****<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Action Plan **

|| Listed and discussed common assessments ||
 * Activity || Person Responsible || Time Line || Outcome ||
 * Design new lab activities ||= S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin ||= ongoing (2/28/11) ||= Acids & Bases Lab designed via Google Docs. ||
 * Assess and modify existing lab activities ||= S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin ||= ongoing (3/28/11) ||= Endothermic & Exothermic Lab discussed and assessed. ||
 * Review NJCCS for science ||= S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin || ongoing 2/11-5/11 || Current lab activities assessed & modified ||
 * = Design heat transfer lab activity ||= S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin ||= 10/10/11 ||= Conductometer / Insulation Lab and Project Design ||
 * = Started to work on designing an insulation lab ||= S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin ||= 12/6/11, 12/13/11, 12/18/11, 1/17/12, 2/7/12, 3/14/12 ||= Keeping It Cool Lab discussion / design ||
 * Solar Car Lab Activities || S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin || 1/24/12, 1/31/12, 2/28/12 || Discussed and assessed lab activities and solar car competition. ||
 * Determined common assessments for the physical science curriculum || S. Breznak, D. Ciolino, K. Martin || 4/3/12, 4/17/12, 5/1/12, 5/8/12, 5/15/12

**<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">4. ****<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Group Member Names: ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Susan Breznak, Karen Martin, Dot Ciolino

**<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">5. ****<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Which Middle School goal does this impact? ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Goals #1 &#2

=Notes:= 2/28/11 - First meeting for this PLC: We discussed the lack of a lab assessment for acids and bases, which are discussed in NJCCCS 5.2.8.A.7. After our initial discussion, a laboratory activity was designed for Identifying Acids & Bases via a Google Doc.

3/28/11 - We discussed various endothermic and exothermic reactions, and modified an existing lab to include reactants that will produce endothermic or exothermic reactions with obvious results. In addition, we determined that our current Conservation of Mass lab includes an endothermic reaction that the students should be able to identify. This addresses NJCCCS 5.2.8.B.1 and NJCCCS 5.2.8.B.2

10/10/11 - Worked on designing a conductometer heat lab and insulation (student designed) testing to design a final product that achieves a specific goal relating to heat transfer and insulation.

12/6/11, 12/13/11, 12/18/11, 1/17/12, 2/7/12, 3/14/12 - We started to design a lab activity based on heat conduction and insulation. These concepts are discussed in NJCCCS 5.2.8.D (Energy Transfer and Conservation). The lab will have the students designing an insulating device of specific dimensions with the requirement that it maintain the temperature of ice water as close to its starting temperature as possible over a specific period of time. We are actively involved in writing and editing the lab via a Google Doc.

1/24/12, 1/31/12, 2/28/12 - Discussed and assessed the solar car lab and competition to meet NJCCCS that discuss solar energy, speed, and acceleration concepts.

3/20/12 - 5/15/12- Discussed common assessments for current curriculum - including Physical & Chemical Properties, Roller Coasters, and Solar Cars, Safety Requirements, Matter in Motion.