January 7, 2008 (week 17)

Welcome back to school everyone. I hope that you enjoyed the Christmas Holidays and are ready to get back to work here at Burnaby South.

AP Physics 12 - We will finish up chapter 7 (conservation of momentum). Students should complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 7 test on January 15. We will also finish up chapter 15 (thermodynamics) and students should complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the thermodynamics test on January 21.

Physics 12 - We will finish up chapter 7 (conservation of momentum). Students should complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 7 test on January 15. We will also start chapter 9 (Torque) later this week.

Physics 11 - We will spend three periods learning about Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. This material is not in your textbook and so it is very important that you pay attention in class and take good notes. We will also have another ch 6 vectors test since the results from the last vectors test were generally very poor. Absolutely no excuse for this as the test questions were taken right out of the textbook/homework assignment (see pages 130-132 and page 692). Vectors and projectiles test on January 8.

Science 8 - We are currently studying chapter 8 (Fluids). Students should work on the workbook at their own pace. We are learning to construct line graphs and to calculate the slope of the best-fit line. Reminder to bring a ruler and calculator to every class.

December 17, 2007 (week 16)

AP Physics 12 - We will continue to work on chapter 7 (Impulse and Momentum) until the Christmas Break and the test will be early in January 2008. Reminder of the comprehensive exam covering chapters 2 through 6 on Dec 18. We will also finish up chapter 15 thermodynamics early in January 2008, test date TBA.

Physics 12 - Same as the posting above for AP Physics 12 except that we do not study chapter 15 thermodynamics in this course. Reminder of the comprehensive exam on Dec 18.

Physics 11 - We are finished with chapter 7 Vectors and chapter 8.1 projectile motion. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems from chapter 7 in addition to the assigned chapter 8 problems in preparation for the test December 19 on vectors and projectile motion.

Science 8 - Students should complete workbook chapter 7 in preparation for the chapter 7 test Dec 18. We will be starting chapter 8 later in the week (Fluids).

December 10, 2007 (week 15)

AP Physics 12 - Students should complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 test on December 10. We have started chapter 7 Momentum, and concurrently we are learning about thermodynamic processes represented on P-V graphs. Reminder of the comprehensive exam covering chapters 2-6 on December 18.

Physics 12 - Students should complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 test on December 10. We have started chapter 7 Momentum. Reminder of the comprehensive exam covering chapters 2-6 on December 18.

Physics 11 - Students should complete at least 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 test on December 19. The test will include questions from chapter 7.1 Projectile Motion.

Science 8 - We are finishing up the lab activity on determining density of various materials. This week we will finish up chapter 7 and students should complete workbook chapter 7 at their own pace in preparation for the chapter 7 test on December 18.

December 3, 2007 (week 14)

AP Physics 12 - We will finish chapter 6 (Work, Energy, Power) this week and continue with chapter 15 (Thermodynamics). Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 Test on December 10. Also, a reminder that we will have a comprehensive exam covering chapters 2-6 on December 18.

Physics 12 - We will continue to work on chapter 6 (Work, Energy, Power) this week. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 test on December 10. Also, a reminder that we will have a comprehensive exam covering chapters 2-6 on December 18.

Physics 11 - We will finish chapter 6 (Vectors) this week. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 6 test, date TBA.

Science 8 - We are currently working in chapter 7 (Kinetic Molecular Theory) and learning how to measure volume, mass and to calculate density. Reminder that students must submit a paragraph describing their science fair project in a bit more detail. This was due last week! Students should be working at their own pace to complete workbook chapter 7 in preparation for the chapter 7 test on December 18.

November 26, 2007 (week 13)

AP Physics 12 - Currently we are working on chapter 6 (Work, Energy, Power) and chapter 15 (Thermodynamics). Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems from each chapter in preparation for the chapter tests in early December. Thank you to those students who are showing up regularly during Wednesday morning collaboration time to provide tutoring services for physics students. You should also be looking over the practice AP exams that were distributed in class last week. Also, we will be writing a comprehensive term one test early in December, which will cover everything in the regular physics 12 curriculum that we have studies thus far.

Physics 12 - Currently we are working on chapter 6 (Work, Energy, Power). Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter test in early December. Also, we will be writing a comprehensive term one test early in December. The comprehensive test will cover everything that we have learned thus far in the course.

Physics 11 - Currently we are working on chapter 6 (Vectors). Students must complete a minimum of 25 practice problems and/or review problems in preparation for the chapter test yet TBA.

Science 8 - Currently we are working on chapter 7 (Kinetic Molecular Theory). Students should pace themselves and work through the workbook as we complete each section in chapter 7. Plenty of hands-on lab activities so I will be assessing students on their laboratory skills and work habits. For those students participating in Science Fair I need a written paragraph with a little more specific information about what it is you will be testing. Reminder to read the section at end of your textbook on the Scientific Method (Scientific Inquiry). Project paragraph is due the end of this week (Nov 30). Once I have read over your paragraph you will get feedback on what to do next.

November 19, 2007 (week 12)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will study thermodynamic processes represented on P-V graphs. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on Circular Motion on Nov 20. We will start chapter 6 Work, Energy and Power.

Physics 12 - Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on Circular Motion on Nov 20. We will start chapter 6 Work, Energy and Power.

Physics 11 - Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 Forces Test on Nov 27. We will start chapter 6 Vectors this week.

Science 8 - Students should have completed everything in workbook chapter 12 in preparation for the chapter 12 test on Nov 20. This week we are starting chapter 7 on Mass, Volume and Density. This will be an enjoyable, hands-on chapter.

Science Fair participants should read over the special section at the end of the Science 8 textbook, Scientific Inquiry (see previous posting for exact pages). They must also write a one-paragraph description about their experiment so that I can provide feedback before they actually embark upon doing the experimenting and data collection.

November 12, 2007 (week 11)

AP Physics 12 - We are finished with chapter 5 Circular motion and students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on November 20. Concurrently, we are working in chapter 15 Thermodynamics.


Physics 12 - We are finished with chapter 5 Circular motion and students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on November 20.


Physics 11 - We are finishing up chapter 5 Forces and students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on date November 20.

Science 8 - We are currently near the end of chapter 12 (Water Quality) and students should be completing workbook chapter 12 in preparation for the chapter 12 test on November 20. All students must have chosen a science project type and topic and now it is time to start working on your project. Conduct research by reading a variety of references including your textbook, encyclopedias and the Internet. Enough with the water chapters....next week we will start chapter 7 and this is a much more hands-on lab oriented chapter that I know you will enjoy.
For those of you participating in Science Fair please read pages 476-479 at the back of your textbook for information about The Scientific Method (Scientific Inquiry).

November 5, 2007 (week 10)

AP Physics 12 - We should finish up chapter 5 Circular Motion this week. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on November 15. Concurrently we will be continuing our study of Ch 15 Thermodynamics. Although it is outside of the regular physics 12 curriculum I find this to be an exceptionally interesting and challenging topic and so we will work slowly through the material until everyone is confident in their abilities to solve thermodynamics problems.

Physics 12 - We should finish up chapter 5 Circular Motion this week. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter 5 test on November 15.

Physics 11 - We will continue chapter 5 (Forces). So far we have learned about contact forces like push, pull, drag and friction. We also learned about gravitational force (weight). This week we will continue to do some activities that will help us to understand Newton's 2nd Law of Motion (F=ma). Expect a chapter 5 test soon - date TBA

Science 8 - We have begun to study chapter 12 Water Quality and Quantity Affects Life on Earth. In addition to daily readings students should be completing their workbook activities at their own pace. Students should have already committed to a specific type of science project for this year (Science Fair, Wiki, Blog, Video, Slideshow, PowerPoint, Website, etc). This week they must choose their "topic" for the project and they must confirm their topic with me before proceeding to work on it.

October 29, 2007 (week 9)

AP Physics 12 - We are currently working in chapter 5 Circular Motion, Centripetal Force and Centripetal Acceleration. Expect to do a hands-on activity this week related to tension and centripetal force. Concurrently, we will be studying chapter 15 Thermodynamics. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems from each chapter in preparation for the chapter tests.

Physics 12 - We are currently working in chapter 5 Circular Motion, Centripetal Force and Centripetal Acceleration. Expect to do a lab this week. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter test.

Physics 11 - We are studying chapter 5 Dynamics (the study of forces). Majority of our work will involve solving problems using Newton's 2nd Law of motion F=ma. Expect a few hands-on lab activities and continue to work on the chapter practice problems and/or end of chapter review problems. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter test.

Science 8 - Reminder of the chapter 11 test on Oct 29. We will begin chapter 12 Oceans. Students should be working in their workbook for chapter 12. This week I expect every student to commit to a type of science project (science fair, blog, wiki, webpage, infomercial, slideshow/powerpoint, other). Students must also decide who their partner(s) will be.

October 22, 2007 (week 8)

AP Physics 12 - Reminder of chapter 4 test on October 25. We will begin chapter 5 this week (Circular Motion, centripetal force and centripetal acceleration). Concurrently, we will begin working on ch.15 Thermodynamics. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems from each chapter in preparation for the chapter tests.

Physics 12 - Reminder of chapter 4 test on October 25. We will begin chapter 5 this week (Circular Motion, centripetal force and centripetal acceleration). Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the chapter test.

Physics 11 - Reminder of chapter 4 test on October 22. We will begin chapter 5 this week - Dynamnics is the study of forces that produce or change motion. Students must complete a minimum of 25 practice problems and/or review problems in preparation for the chapter test.

Science 8 - Students must decide which type of science project they are going to complete. Choices so far include (1) Science Fair, (2) Blog, (3) Wiki, (4) United Streaming, (5) Slideshow, (6) Infomercial, (7) Website creation, or (8) other? Project will count 15% of term mark and so it is important to pick a project and topic that truly interests you. Also, choose your partner(s) wisely as you want to share the workload and need dependable partners to contribute their fair share. Reminder of chapter 11 test on October 29. We will begin chapter 12 this week (How Changes in Water Quantity and Quality Can Affect Living Things). Students should begin to read chapter 12 and complete their workbooks at their own pace.

October 15, 2007 (week 7)

AP Physics 12 - We are finishing up chapter 4 (dynamics) this week and students must complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the ch 4 test on October 25th. In addition, students must complete at least 25 problems for chapter 14 (gas laws) in preparation for the chapter 14 test (date to be announced soon).

Physics 12 - We are finishing up chapter 4 (dynamics) this week and students muste complete a minimum of 25 problems in preparation for the Ch 4 test on October 25.

Physics 11 - We are finished with chapter 4 (acceleration) and students must complete a minimum of 25 homework problems in preparation for the ch 4 test on Monday, October 22.

Science 8 - We are finishing up chapter 11 (Oceans) hopefully this week. Students should have read all of chapter 11 and must complete the workbook chapter 11 in preparation for the ch.11 test on October 25.

October 8, 2007 (week 6)

AP Physics 12 - We are currently working on chapter 4 Dynamics, as well as chapter 14 Gas Laws. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems from each chapter.

Physics 12 - We will continue working on chapter 4 Dynamics. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems for their chapter assignment.

Physics 11 - We will be working on chapter 4 Accelerated Motion. Plenty of new equations in this chapter and of course more graphs to analyze.

Science 8 - We have begun chapter 11 Oceans. Students should be reading their text and completing the workbook. I also encourage them to create a foldable or their own notes as they read through the chapter.

October 1, 2007 (week 5)

AP Physics 12 - We have begun chapter 4 Dynamics, the study of forces. Recall Newton's 3 laws of motion that we studied back in physics 11. We will also continue to work concurrently with chapter 14 Gas Laws. Students should be working on the textbook review problems at the end of each chapter, minimum of 25 problems to be completed in each chapter. Reminder of the chapter 3 test on October 5.

Physics 12 - We have begun chapter 4 Dynamics, the study of forces. Much of this should look familiar from Physics 11 (Newton's 3 laws of motion). Reminder of the chapter 3 test on October 5. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems by the test date.

Physics 11 - We have begun chapter 4 on accelerated motion. Students should work on the practice problems in chapter 4 and also try the Review problems at end of chapter. Minimum of 25 problems are due as the chapter assignment.

Science 8 - Reminder of the chapter 10 test on October 1. Students must have all of their workbook completed (chapter 10) and it is due the start of class on October 1. We have begun to explore possible topics for Science Fair and students should have chosen a topic and partner by middle of October. We will also begin to read and study chapter 11 on the worlds Oceans.

September 24, 2007 (week 4)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will complete chapter 3 projectile motion. Ch.3 test on October 5th. We will also start studying chapter 14 Gas Laws (Ideal Gas Law). This topic is outside of the regular physics 12 curriculum but you will find it interesting and straightforward, particularly if you have studied senior chemistry.

Physics 12 - We will complete ch.3 projectile motion this week and the ch.3 test will be on October 5th.

Physics 11 -Reminder of ch.3 test (uniform motion) on Sept 26 and a minimum of 25 problems are due at the start of class on that day. We will also begin to work on chapter 4 which deals with motion that involves acceleration.

Science 8 - Reminder of the fieldtrip to Seymour watershed on Monday, Sept 24th. If you are attending please meet in front of the Terry Fox Theatre at 8am and the bus departs at 8:15 so don't be late. We will complete chapter 10 this week and the chapter 10 test will be on Monday Octobert 1. You must turn in your workbook with all of chapter 10 completed on the day of the test at the start of class.

September 17, 2007 (week 3)

AP Physics 12 - Working on chapter 3 projectile motion problems. This week we will try to videotape some projectile motion and use LoggerPro software to perform video analysis of the motion to depict the motion graphically. Reminder of the chapter 2 kinematics test on Sept.18 (minimum of 25 homework problems must be completed by this due date).

Physics 12 - Same as the AP physics 12 posting above.

Physics 11 - Students should be working on the practice problems and review problems for chapter 3. This week we will learn about relative velocity and addition of velocity vectors. Chapter 3 test on September 26 (minimum of 25 homework problems must be completed by this due date).

Science 8 - We will continue to read chapter 10.3 and 10.4 and students should complete these section in their workbook. Reminder of the fieldtrip to Seymour Water Reservoir on Monday, Sept 24th. Meet out front of the building at 8 am, bus departs at 8:15 am sharp.

September 10, 2007 (week 2)

AP Physics 12 - we will review kinematics graphs and do some AP exams questions related to this. Students should work on textbook chapter 2 problems (odds) starting on page 49.

Physics 11 - We will learn how to solve problems involving uniform motion (chapter 3) and how to depict the motion graphically. Students should work on the textbook chapter 3 practice problems and also the end of chapter review problems starting on page 59. Students must complete a minimum of 25 problems but I encourage them to do more than the minimum if they want to do well on the test. We will have the chapter 3 test on September 24th and that is the due date for the chapter 3 assignment.

Science 8 - We have begun reading chapter 10 and students should be completing the tasks in their workbook. Please remember to bring $7 if you plan to write in your workbook, and also to bring $10 and the signed fieldtrip form if you wish to attend the fieldtrip to the Seymour Water Reservoire on Monday, Sept. 24.

September 4, 2007 (week 1)

AP Physics 12 - We will begin this school year with a very brief review of Kinematics (the study of motion). I'll spend more time on graphs related to motion but expect to fly through this material since it is review from grade 11. We will need to cover alot of new material by the end of April so that we will be prepared for the AP exam in early May.

In preparation for the chapter 2 test in a few weeks you should look at physics problems from at least 3 sources: (i) odd numbered problems in your textbook, (ii) old provincial exam questions and/or old AP exam questions, and (iii) testbank worksheets. You are required to complete a minimum of 25 problems for every chapter (over the years my best students always seem to find the time to complete 50 or even 75 problems per chapter). All AP students should register themselves at AP Central where they will have access to information and old exams in all of their AP subjects.

I also want to get the Physics Clinic up and running and need some of my students to step up to the task of promoting and supporting this tutorial clinic. Everyone is welcome to offer assistance or seek assistance at the Wednesday Physics Clinic held from 3:15 to 4:15 in room A213.

Physics 12 - We will begin this school year with a very brief review of Kinematics (the study of motion). This is chaper 2 of our text by Cutnell & Johnson, 6th ed. Don't expect to spend much time here as this is mostly review from Physics 11. Please see the AP Physics 12 posting for more information about homework and test preparation.

Science 8 - Welcome to Burnaby South! We will begin this course by studying chapter 10 - Water Cycles. In fact, all of the grade 8's at Burnaby South will be starting with this chapter because we are hoping to take you all on a fieldtrip to the Seymour Water Reserviore closer to the end of September. In addition to daily readings from the textbook, we will also read/discuss some case studies created by our very own talented teacher Mr. Lock. Stay tuned for further information.

Physics 11 - How long do you estimate that it would take you to walk or run across Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, a distance of about 6300 km? Terry Fox, (1958-1981) became famous for his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, running with one prosthetic leg. He is considered one of Canada's greatest heroes of the 20th century and is celebrated internationally every September as people participate in the Terry Fox Run, the world's largest one-day fund raiser for cancer research. In order for us to estimate the time it would take for you to travel across Canada there are a few things that you need to know. They are (i) how fast you can travel, (ii) what is the distance to be travelled, and (iii) what sort of schedule will you try to follow? When you complete your calculations and compare your speed and endurance to Terry Fox's I am sure that you will have a much greater appreciation for the incredible journey that he undertook in his Marathon of Hope.

Thus we begin our course by studying Kinematics, which is the study of motion. Our first activity will be to use the Trundle Wheel (measuring wheel) and stopwatch to measure the distance and time it takes us to complete a lap around the upper science wing. Then we will learn how to calculate average speed, average velocity, and to solve a variety of problems related to uniform motion. Uniform motion means motion that occurs in a straight line with a constant speed.

In preparation for the chapter 3 test in a few weeks you should complete all of the Practice Problems in the chapter, and then you should also do some of the chapter review problems found at the end of the chapter. I require that you do a minimum of 25 problems as your chapter assignment but the best students always find the time to complete 50 or more problems. Physics is like playing a sport in that the more you practice the better you can expect to perform on the test.

Science 9 - Brand new curriculum and textbook for grade 9 science this year. You will begin with the physics section (static electricity).

Science 10 - All of the grade 10 science classes will begin this new school year studying chemistry. Remember that there is a mandatory Science 10 Provincial Exam in June worth 20% of your final mark. Work hard and have a great year!

Welcome to my science blog

Welcome. I hope that students find this blog to be useful. I plan to use it as my digital daybook where I will post daily or weekly class assignments and announcements. Students, please feel free to comment on the lessons and activities that we are doing and add your own suggestions, especially any useful and relevent websites.