Braeburn Elementary
7707 Rampart - Houston, TX 77081 Tel 713-295-5210
Fax 713-295-5289
NEW "Best Practices" In-service Science and Math Words: September October November December January February March April May
Teachers learn more about "Best Practices" to use in the classroom and expand students' learning. Training was given by fellow teachers on April 17, 2009.
2009-2010 Science & Math Words of the Week Braeburn students are introduced to two new science and math words each week. The words are reinforced during the daily morning announcements, in the classrooms by the teachers, and during the weekly Science initiative by the campus administrators and instructional coordinators. Our goal is to enhance our students’ understanding of science concepts and enhance their technical vocabulary. September October November December January February March April May
Week 1: August 31-Sept 4 Observation Definition: Gathering information using the senses Sentence: I will find out who the fastest runner in my class is by observing.
Hypothesis Definition: A possible explanation for something observed: predicted answer based on evidence; educated (good) guess. Sentence: To test a hypothesis, scientists do experiments or make observations.
Circle Definition: A closed figure with all points the same distance from the center point Sentence: The smiley face is made up of circles—the face and the 2 eyes.
Week 2: Sept 8-11 Variable Definition: Any factor that can change in an experiment Sentence: The variable is the only thing that the scientist changes in his experiment.
Conclusion Definition: A judgment supported by facts Sentence: Based on the evidence, the scientist concluded that plants need sunlight in order to grow.
Square Definition: A four sided closed figure having four right angles and all sides of equal length Sentence: The students will use the square tiles to create a design.
Week 3: Sept 14-18 Matter Definition: Anything that has mass and takes up space Sentence: The three types of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.
Physical Properties Definition: Characteristics of matter such as size, shape, color and weight Sentence: The physical properties helped the scientist identify the unknown object.
Rectangle Definition: A four-sided plane figure with: -four right angles and -2 pairs of parallel sides Sentence: The picture of the dog is inside the gray rectangular paper.
Week 4: Sept 21-25 Conductor Definition: A material that can transfer energy (heat, electricity, and sound). Sentence: A metal spoon works as a conductor because when you put it in a bowl of hot soup, the spoon becomes hot.
Insulator Definition: A material that does not allow the flow of energy (heat, electricity, and sound) Sentence: A winter coat is a good insulator because it will keep you warm.
Triangle Definition: A closed plane figure having three sides and three angles Sentence: The walls of the dome are made of triangles.
Week 5: Sept 28-Oct 2 Buoyancy Definition: The tendency of an object to sink or float in water Sentence: You can test the buoyancy of an object by placing it in water to see if it sinks or floats.
Physical Change Definition: Change in matter that does not make new matter Sentence: No matter how many times you physically change a piece of paper by tearing, it is still paper.
Rhombus Definition: A closed plane figure having four sides of equal length Sentence: Some kites look like a rhombus.
Week 6: Oct 5-9 Energy Definition: The ability to do work Sentence: Anything you do requires some type of energy.
Vibration Definition: The movement of air particles that creates sound Sentence: The loud sound of the stereo was causing my windows to vibrate.
Greater Than Definition: Objects, numbers, or amounts which are more than other ones in size, order, or amount. Sentence: A half gallon container of milk is greater than a one quart container.
Week 7: Oct 12-16 Reflection Definition: To bounce off a surface Sentence: You are able to see yourself in a mirror because your reflection is bouncing off the shiny surface.
Refraction Definition: When light rays bend as they pass from one substance into another Sentence: Refraction makes a pencil look bent in a glass of water since the light rays are bending as they pass from the outside to the inside of the glass.
Number Definition: A quantity or value expressed using a symbol; A number is made up of one digit or several digits. Sentence: The year 2008 is a number created with the digits 2, 0, and 8.
Week 8: Oct 19-23 Transmittance Definition: When light passes through an object Sentence: You are able to see out of windows because light is transmitting through them.
Absorption Definition: When light does not pass through an object Sentence: If you wear black clothing on a hot day you feel warmer because your dark clothing will absorb the sunlight.
Odd Definition: Being one of an incomplete pair or set Sentence: Odd numbers have 1, 3,5,7, or 9 in the ones place. 27 is an odd number.
Week 9: Oct 26-30 Precipitation Definition: Part of the water cycle where there is any form of water such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail falling from the sky Sentence: Rain is a form of precipitation.
Evaporation Definition: Part of the water cycle where liquid changes into a gas called water vapor (gas) Sentence: The puddles on the ground evaporated when the sun came out.
Even Number Definition: Being one of a complete pair or set Sentence: Even numbers have a 0,2,4,6, or 8 in the ones place. 32 is one of many even numbers.
Week 10: Nov 2-6 Condensation Definition: Part of the water cycle where water vapor (gas) changes into liquid Sentence: Clouds are a form of condensation, and they are made up of tiny water droplets.
Transpiration Definition: Water that is released by plants after photosynthesis Sentence: Water that is left over after photosynthesis is released into the air and is called transpiration.
Digit Definition: Any one of the ten symbols 0,1,2,3,4,5, 6,7,8, or 9 used to write a number. Sentence: The number 372 has 3 digits: 3, 7, and 2
Week 11: Nov 9-13 Weathering Definition: A process that breaks down rocks Sentence: Weathering causes rocks to change shape and break down into smaller pieces over a long period of time.
Erosion Definition: The carrying away of rock, sand, silt or soil by wind, water, or ice Sentence: Erosion occurred when the river washed away all the soil and small rocks and deposited them hundreds of miles down the river. Sentence: Because of gravity, your weight on Earth is more than on the moon.
Quadrilateral Definition: A closed figure with 4 sides Sentence: Quadrilaterals have different shapes and names.
Week 12: Nov 16-20 Igneous Rock Definition: A type of rock formed from molten rock (magma) that has cooled and hardened Sentence: The igneous rocks found near the volcano were formed when the molten rock cooled and formed a solid.
Sedimentary Rock Definition: A rock that contains fossils, has layers, and is formed from sediments Sentence: The sedimentary rocks were formed after years of soil, sand, shells, and silt layered and hardened into rocks.
Addition Definition: The process of finding the total number of items when two groups or more are joined Sentence: If you combine the 2 groups, you will have 16 apples.
Week 13: Nov 23-27 Renewable resource Definition: A resource that can be replaced, or restored by natural processes in a short time Sentence: Oxygen is a renewable resource because it is constantly made by plants through photosynthesis.
Inexhaustible resource Definition: A resource that is abundant and cannot be used up (exhausted), such as air, sunlight, water, and rocks Sentence: The sun is an inexhaustible resource because it cannot be used up, or exhausted.
Subtraction Definition: The inverse of addition One form of subtraction is finding how many are left when a number of items are taken away from a group. Sentence: Subtracting one apple from the group will give you 11 apples.
Week 14: Nov 30-Dec 4 Fossil Fuel Definition: A substance, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed over millions of years from the remains of dead plants and animals, and is used today as an energy source Sentence: Oil is a fossil fuel and we use it as an energy source to power our cars.
Nonrenewable resources Definition: A resource that can only be replaced, or replenished over millions of years Sentence: Fossil fuels, such as oil, are nonrenewable resources because there is a limited supply, and they will take millions of years to make again.
Pentagon Definition: A polygon with five sides Sentence: Pentagons have regular and irregular shapes.
Week 15: Dec 7-11 Axis Definition: The imaginary line on which the Earth is tilted and rotates Sentence: The four seasons are a result of the Earth being tilted on its imaginary axis.
Gravity Definition: The attraction that exists between any objects that have mass, pulling them together. It is the force that pulls all objects toward the center of the Earth. Sentence: Because of gravity, your weight on Earth is more than on the moon.
Hexagon Definition: A polygon with six sides Sentence: Hexagons are different sizes and shapes.
Week 16: Dec 14-18 Revolution Definition: The trip the Earth makes around the sun once every 365 ¼ days Sentence: It takes the Earth 365 ¼ days to make a complete revolution around the sun.
Rotation Definition: The turning of the Earth on its imaginary axis Sentence: It takes the Earth twenty-four hours to make a full rotation on its axis.
Octagon Definition: A polygon with eight angles and eight sides Sentence: Any closed figure that has 8 sides is an octagon.
Week 17: Jan 5-8 Photosynthesis Definition: process where plants take in carbon dioxide, water and sun and produce oxygen, and food (sugar) Sentence: Plants make their own food by the process called photosynthesis.
Metamorphosis Definition: a change in form or structure that takes place in the life cycle of certain animals Sentence: A butterfly goes through a process called metamorphosis because it changes its body structure during its life cycle.
Sphere Definition: A three-dimensional object shaped like a ball; Every point on the surface is the same distance from the center. Sentence: The basketball looks like a sphere.
Week 18: Jan 11-15 Traits Definition: physical characteristics of a plant, animal or person Sentence: Hair, skin, and eye color are the physical traits of a person.
Inherited Traits Definition: traits (eye and hair color) passed to you from your parents or ancestors Sentence: The color of my eyes and the color of my hair are inherited traits from both my mom and dad.
Cube Definition: A three-dimensional object with six identical square faces Sentence: I like to play with cubes.
Week 19: Jan 19-22 Instinctive / Inherited Behavior Definition: behavior you are born with (crying) Sentence: Spinning a web is part of a spider’s instinctive/inherited behavior because it is born knowing how to do it.
Learned Behavior Definition: behavior that has to be taught Example: to be caring and thoughtful Sentence: I know how to ride my bike because my father taught me how.
Pyramid Definition: A three-dimensional figure with a base and all other faces are triangles, meeting in a common vertex Sentence: The Egyptians build magnificent pyramids.
Week 20: Jan 25-29 Abiotic Definition: all non-living things in an ecosystem Sentence: Air, water, and soil are all abiotic factors because they are non-living.
Biotic Definition: all living things in an ecosystem Sentence: Plants and animals are biotic factors in an ecosystem because they are living.
Cone Definition: A three-dimensional object that has a circular base and one vertex Sentence: Many hats used at parties are shaped like cones.
Week 21: Feb 1-5 Food Chain Definition: the transfer of energy from organism to organism Sentence: A simple food chain shows the flow of energy from sun to plants to animals.
Food Web Definition: several food chains that overlap Sentence: A food web shows that a hawk can eat several types of animals.
Rectangular prism Definition: A three-dimensional object which has six faces that are rectangles Sentence: My favorite juice box is in the shape of a rectangular prism.
Week 22: Feb 8-12 Producer Definition: an organism that makes its own food Sentence: A tree is a producer because it will make its own food through photosynthesis.
Consumer Definition: an organism that eats other organisms Sentence: Animals are consumers because they eat plants or other animals.
Face Definition: A flat surface of a three-dimensional figure Sentence: The faces of figures can have different shapes.
Week 23: Feb 16-19 Predator Definition: an animal that hunts and kills other animals Sentence: A wolf is a predator and will eat other animals for food.
Prey Definition: an animal that is hunted and eaten by predators Sentence: A gazelle is classified as prey because it is hunted and eaten by other animals.
Edge Definition: A line segment where two faces meet Sentence: The edges of the boxes have different lengths.
Week 24: February 22-26 Carnivore Definition: an animal or plant that consumes (eats) or gets its nutrients (food/energy) from other animals Sentence: A lion is a carnivore and eats only meat. A Venus Flytrap is a carnivore because it consumes animals.
Herbivore Definition: an animal that only eats plants Sentence: Giraffes are herbivores because they eat leaves.
Vertex Definition: A point where two or more edges meet Sentence: The arrow points to one vertex of each object.
Week 25: March 1-5 Omnivore Definition: an animal that eats both plants and animals Sentence: Monkeys are classified as omnivores because they eat both fruit and insects.
Scavenger Definition: an animal that eats dead animals Sentence: Vultures are scavengers because they don’t hunt their own food. They eat the remains of animals that are already dead.
Vertical Definition: A line or object that goes up and down from (top to bottom) Sentence: The numbers are in a vertical line.
Week 26: March 8-12 Weight Definition: the force of gravity on an object Sentence: My weight on the moon is less than it is on Earth because there is less force of gravity pushing on me.
Mass Definition: the amount of matter in an object Sentence: If I lived on the moon, my weight would be less but my mass would be unchanged.
Horizontal Definition: Across side to side; left to right Sentence: The student drew the horizontal line on the board.
Week 27: March 22-26 Closed Circuit Definition: a closed path through which electricity travels Sentence: When the light bulb turns on, I have a closed circuit.
Open Circuit Definition: an open path through which electricity cannot be transmitted. Sentence: When the light bulb did not turn on, there was a break in the flow of energy, so it is an open circuit.
Parallel Definition: Objects or lines that are always the same distance apart Sentence: Lines m and n are parallel to one another.
Week 28: March 29-Apr 1 Recycle Definition: to reuse old objects or process them so they can be made into new products Sentence: In order to help our environment, we should recycle all of our used paper, plastic and glass.
Conservation Definition: the careful use and protection of natural resources Sentence: If we do not conserve our natural resources, there will be none for the future.
Graph Definition: Drawings, diagrams or displays used to show information Sentence: The line graph shows information about a CD collection, and the bar graph displays students’ quiz scores.
Week 29: April 5-9 Deposition Definition: the process of dropping, or depositing sediment (soil) in a new location Sentence: The deposition of rock and soil created a new island at the mouth of the river.
Fossil Definition: the remains or traces of past life found in sedimentary rock Sentence: The rock shows a fossilized dragonfly that lived a long time ago.
Column Definition: A vertical arrangement of objects, numbers, or words Sentence: The cars are placed in a column.
Week 30: April 12-16
Glacier Definition: a large piece of ice that changes the landforms as it moves Sentence: Some valleys are made when glaciers travel down the slope of a mountain carving the valley out.
Humus Definition: the remains of dead plants and animals that mix with the soil Sentence: Humus is formed when dead plants and animals are broken down into soil.
Row Definition: Numbers, objects, or words in a horizontal line Sentence: The four quarts are arranged in one row.
Week 31: April 19-23
Adaptation Definition: what an organism does to help it survive in its ecosystem Sentence: The Arctic fox will adapt to winter by changing its color to help it survive.
Camouflage Definition: how an animal blends in or hides in its environment Sentence: The frog blends in with its environment so it will not be eaten by a predator. It is camouflaged.
Equivalent Definition: Two or more quantities that have the same value or measure Sentence: Two nickels are equivalent to one dime because both equal 10 cents.
Week 32: April 26-30 Carbon Cycle Definition: the continuous flow of carbon between the atmosphere and living things Sentence: Carbon is released into the atmosphere so plants can use it for photosynthesis.
System Definition: a group of parts that work together to form a whole Sentence: A pulley is a system because its different parts work together to lift things.
Symmetry Definition: A figure has symmetry if it can be folded in half so that the two halves match exactly. Sentence: The butterfly and arrow have one line of symmetry.
Week 33: May 3-7 Sunspots Definition: dark areas on the sun’s surface Sentence: Sunspots appear darker because their temperature is much cooler than the rest of the sun.
Lunar Phases Definition: the different shapes of the moon during the lunar cycle Sentence: Each shape, or lunar phase repeats about every 28 days.
Pattern Definition: Numbers, letters, or objects that change in a certain orderly way Sentence: The letters and objects show different patterns.
Week 34: May 10-14 Tide Definition: changes in water level at the shoreline that are caused by the pull of gravity between Earth and its moon Sentence: The ocean tide along the shoreline rises higher in the evening because of the gravitational pull of the moon.
Run off Definition: Water that flows across the ground in the water cycle Sentence: The run off that flowed across the ground was caused by the severe thunderstorm. Perpendicular Definition: Lines or objects that form right angles Sentence: The tower is perpendicular to the ground, and the helicopter blades are perpendicular to each other.
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