A small- or whole-group science experiment designed to guide learners in calculating the molarity (concentration) of a solute in a solvent. Learners will use formulas and unit conversions to calculate and observe how the concentration of a solution can be affected by changing either the amount of solute, the solvent, or both. In addition to some meaningful mathematics, this experiment takes learners through the process of accurate measurement, molarity calculation, and data collection. In the end, learners will have created 4 different solutions of varied sugar concentrations to be compared by taste and molarity (in moles per liter). Please note: This experiment was originally designed for a unit plan in a gifted grade six classroom. As such, it contains some challenging concepts and calculations. However, the experiment is well written and with proper scaffolding, is easily appropriate for any middle school classroom. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: –> Science Education Best Practices –> 6-page Fully-Outlined Experiment Student Packet –> Experiment Answer Key STORY During the planning of my grade six chemistry unit plan, I was looking for an idea for a full lab experiment. While we didn’t have access to an actual lab or chemicals, it was challenging to come up with something viable, until we started looking at the molecule sucrose – then it hit me. So I developed this experiment to look specifically at solutions of Kool Aid and sugar. This experiment introduces my learners to the larger world of molarity including touching on Avogadro’s number, finding the molecular weight of a molecule, and tasting for themselves what “double the concentration” or “supersaturation” actually means. IMPLEMENTATION This resource consists mainly of an experiment which, through the teacher’s guidance, can facilitate great conversation about concentration, solutions, calculating molarity and supersaturation. You can begin the experiment by watching a video or reading an article explaining the “mole” and its application in Chemistry. Then, using the molecular weight of specific elements and an example of how to calculate molarity, learners will create a control and three different concentrations of the sugar and Kool Aid solution. Once all the mathematics is complete, learners will collect qualitative data, tasting the solutions to compare them. When finished, a few questions will guide their thinking and could stimulate a group conversation to make larger connections. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS After completing the experiment, you could discuss how scientists have to repeat experiments to make sure the results are valid. Have a discussion about what could be done differently. Or, dive in head first with the entire Chemistry Science Unit Plan.

A whole-group scientific exploration of how fingerprinting can be used to identify a subject. This resource offers opportunity for learners to glimpse into the world of forensic science. “Frame” one of your students secretly and let the rest of the class match up the types of fingerprints in this relevant-to-the-real-world activity. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: –> A one page printable sheet for collecting fingerprints –> Detailed instructions for setting up and implementing the activity STORY Last year, I wanted to expose my students to as many different branches of science as possible. Forensics ended up being a one day unit and this activity was involved! IMPLEMENTATION This resource consists mainly of a worksheet that can help students document the fingerprints of their peers as well as teacher instructions for framing one member of the class in the “perfect crime” of your choosing. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS Possible discussion topics to extend the activity are outlined in the file. MATERIALS/PRE-REQS Besides this resource, you may require: –> Tape –> Several ink pads

An independent exploration designed to allow learners the chance to experience the steps an author must go throught to publish their own work. Learners will follow a 10-step process taking them from character development all the way through illustrations and publishing. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: –> A 10-step process for helping learners develop a short story –> 5 pages of graphic organizers STORY I developed this product when my learners who had been writing short stories since Pre K. I found it interesting that many of them had never made it through the full editing process to publishing. As a way to keep it interesting, I designed a character card graphic organizer in the style of a trading card to help learners visualize and develop their main character. From there I built the entire 10-step process which took my class about 3 weeks to complete. IMPLEMENTATION This resource consists of a list of ten steps for teacher implmentation of the writing process. Several optional activities are included as well to differentiate or mix up the time you have. Use the 5 included worksheets and several resources linked in this file to construct a several week writing exploration with your class. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS Show off those stories! Consider arranging time to read the stories to a younger grade level. Learners will gain practice in reading aloud skills and asking questions.

A small-group or independent science project designed to allow learners the chance to experience physical science according to their own interests and the household objects they have available to them. Learners will spend time researching a strange phenomenon explainable using physics and preparing a demonstration of the experiment for the class. On presentation day, the class will circulate to watch groups of learners give their demonstrations, make hypotheses about the outcomes, and write the explanation given for the experiments they view. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: –> Project Description –> Physics Demo Project Brainstorm –> Observer Notes Sheet –> Project Rubric STORY Science Fair Projects can often be very time consuming - thinking of a project, designing an experiment, collecting results, gluing things to a board, and bringing it all back to school. I decided this year to simplify the process and let learners work as partners to give a physical science demonstration about how the world works. I had given many demonstrations in class like the classic “egg sucked into a bottle” trick, “pulling the table cloth out from under the dishes” trick and the ever popular “cola sinks, diet cola floats” trick. Learners were fascinated by these demonstrations, and I got the idea to let them come up with their own experiments so we could run our own mini science fair. IMPLEMENTATION This resource consists of a project description page which, through the teacher’s guidance, can facilitate great conversation and exploration into many real-world phenomena which seem like “tricks” but can be explained through an understanding of physical science. You have several options for setting up a presentation day which gives opportunity for the whole class to benefit from the science explorations. Overall, this project should take students about one week to research, develop, rehearse, and present their experiments. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS Download this project and let the students teach the science concepts for the day. Invite other classrooms over and have yourself a proper mini-science fair!

A small-group or independent science project designed to allow learners the chance to investigate the many fields of science. Learners will spend time researching a chosen or assigned field of study and preparing a slide presentation to share the information with the class. During presentations, the rest of the class will take notes on specific aspects of the branches of science being showcased. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: –> Project Description Worksheet –> 2-page note taking organizer for presentations STORY Before jumping into a wide variety of topics in a school year, I enjoy a beginning-of-year research project into the fields of science. This also allows time for learners to practice research methodology, presentation skills, and note taking. IMPLEMENTATION This resource consists mainly of a project description page which, through the teacher’s guidance, can facilitate great conversation about the many branches of science that exist. The research learners will conduct on their specific field of science centers around four main questions as well as a search through the information listed on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics site. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS As you go throughout the year, have learners make connections between the topics they are learning to the fields of science they researched.

A whole-group mathematical game of bingo involving solutions to multi-step equations. This resource creates the structure for practicing the simplification and solving of linear equations in one-variable and the values of the variables are represented in the numbers placed on the bingo cards. Learners will solve equations independently to mark the correct number on their own card. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: -> Blank Bingo Board Template -> 30 Linear Equations with Corresponding Answers -> Ideas for alternate or extended play STORY My competitive students absolutely love bingo. Anytime I can do a review game having to do with bingo they eat it right up. It is fairly simple to make clues and let students choose where they want their numbers. IMPLEMENTATION This resource provides blank bingo cards and a set of 30 clues. By printing the templates, you have everything you need to run one game of bingo. Learners fill in their own blank template randomly with any number in the range of 1-30. To play again, simply make a new set of clues or have the learners develop them. This is a great review game. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS Possible extensions included in this file! MATERIALS/PREREQUISITES Besides this resource, you may require: -> A Random Number Generator – links in the file

A small-group or independent mathematical exploration of the fundamentals of Algebra. This resource creates space for learners to explore the various representations of a situation in the context of Algebra. This activity is used best to offer plenty of practice for learners in order to naturally strengthen the connection between words, graphs, tables and equations within algebraic problems. This will help to strengthen their understanding of and ability to find equations in single variable, proportional relationship word problems. WHAT’S INCLUDED This resource contains: -> A 1-page graphic organizer -> 16 various practice problems -> A template page for creating your own -> An assignable Easel activity STORY Over a few years, I noticed that learners have particular difficulty in bridging the gap between reading a word problem and figuring out the algebraic equation to represent it in the years before Pre-Algebra. I decided that, to match the superhero theme of my classroom, I would attempt to teach Algebra with a metaphorical team of four heroes: words, graphs, tables, and equations. IMPLEMENTATION This resource provides sixteen different Algebraic situations and plenty of practice of the concepts. It should be used only after you have had time to teach additive and multiplicative proportional relationships with specific emphasis on writing equations for them. POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS Continue your student’s exploration of equation and graph correlation with my Equation Graphing Math Challenge product. MATERIALS/PREREQUISITES Besides this resource, you may require: -> Extra Paper or additional problems