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Welcome to 4th quarter!
Current assignments:
Blue day classes!
Solar System Test Thursday May 22. Plese use the review sheet to study and get an A!
Red day classes! Solar System Test Friday May 23. Plese use the review sheet to study and get an A!
All Classes!
Review Projects are due May 29th and 30th.
Parents!
Students were given a missing task sheet. Please sign this sheet and send your student to school at 8:10 Wednesday May 21st to make up all work as this is the LAST opportunity to do so!
It's MSA Time! Please remind scientists to do their best as they take the Science MSA April 28th-May 2nd
Current assignments:
Blue day classes!Solar System poster and memorized presentations due Monday May 5th!
All Classes!
Review Projects are due May 29th and 30th. Follow the rubric to score 100%!
Study for "Nine Planets quiz" on 4/23 for red day students and 4/24 for blue day students.
Please visit
www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/etp/ss/ss_sundist.html
Scientists are doing a great job exploring space. They have modeled the milky way and used technology to explore our solar system. Please remind your child that when using technology, it is important to follow school and lab rules. Please inquire to find out if your child has lost computer privilieges due to misuing the computer.
Science Fair Awards Night is coming Thursday Feb. 21, 2008. More infomation to come!
To successfully complete the Water Cycle and the Atmosphere test, Scientist should have established a through understanding of the following terms:
Condensation
Erosion
Evaporation
Infiltration
Percolation
Precipitation
Also, Scientist should know what happens to the temperature in each level of the atmosphere as altitude increase. Although the temperature decreases with altitude as you travel up in the troposphere, this temperature change is not uniform when traveling through the four layers of the atmosphere, the temperature in fact varies. Although the temperature varies as you change layers, temperature is used to divide the atmosphere into these four layers. The layers in the atmosphere are as follows:
Troposphere- extends 16 KM above earth. It is the densest layer. This is where planes fly and weather occurs
Stratosphere- the temperature remains constant through the stratosphere. This is where “Joe” took his famous skydive see http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/escape/skydive.html
Mesosphere- extends 80 KM above the Earth. This is the coldest layer. The ozone is between the stratosphere and mesosphere
Thermosphere- extends 480KM above the Earth. Within the thermosphere is a thin region called the ionosphere. This region contains charged atoms. When meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere, they enter the thermosphere, which is extremely hot. Because of the heat and friction with molecules in the atmosphere, most meteoroids burn up.
As always, scientist must be able to identify the independent variable (remember I did it!) and dependent variables. Additionally, Scientist must be able to extract and analyze information from a data table.
Scientists will be responsible for BCR’s as well. Below are three possibilities and answers. Two will appear on the test.
Choice 1:
Scientists designed and performed an experiment to determine the effect of evaporation
on the salt content of the salt water. The results of their experiment are shown in
the data table.
• Identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment.
• Sketch a graph of the data, showing the relationship between evaporation and the salt content of the salt water.
• Describe the relationship between evaporation and salt content of the water. Include information from the data table in your response.
Choice 2:
Use the diagram to describe the circulation of water through the water cycle. Be
sure to include:
glaciers, oceans, atmosphere, surface water, and groundwater
Choice 3:
A student argues that when there is an extended drought in Maryland, evaporation occurs. Thus, the entire amount of water in the world decreases. Do you agree or disagree? Please support your stance using examples.
Science Fair Projects are due THIS Thursday and Friday!!! There are a limitied number of boards and accessories left. Good luck!
All papers have been turned in for the projects- now it's time to finish the experiment and start the display board! Display boards have arrived at the school for $4.00 for the board, $1.00 for the title board and $1.00 for the subtitles. For ideas for the display board, please visit the following website:
http://192.107.108.56/portfolios/l/lautz_s/Science%20Fair%20Handbook/displayboard.html
Also, students have been given sample lab reports. Good luck.
Final Exam Time!
Please review the final exam schedule with your Scientist. Also, please review our review worksheets to ensure your Scientist success.
SCIENCE FAIR TIME!
Scientists problem statements should have been turned in for Blue day students and turned in by Dec.11, 2007 for Red day students. Research is next! Good luck!
RE-TEST!
Scientists have received their Earth History and Fossil test. Those earning 26 points or less will re-do the test at home to earn more points. The revisions are due Dec.10, 2007 for Blue day and Dec.11, 2007 for Red day
TEST TIME!A test will be given Dec. 17, 2007 (Red day) and Dec. 18, 2007 (blue day) on Earth History and fossils, including being able to determine the difference between the normal fault, reverse fault and strike-slip faults. This information can be viewed at
http://www.tinynet.com/faults.html
or
www2.nature.nps.gov/Geology/usgsnps/deform/gfaults.html
Scientists were given a worksheet to help them understand faults. There is an activity scientist can try at home to help them with understand the differences between faults. Red day Scientists attending the field trip will have the opportunity to stay before school Wednesday or after school Wednesday to make-up the test.
There will be 2 BCR's and 18 SR's on the test. Below are three examples of BCR's. Two will be on the test.
BCR #1: The Grand Canyon reveals nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s history. Scientists have mapped the history of Earth’s surface by studying the layers of sedimentary rock.
How do the layers of sedimentary rocks reveal the long history of the changing of the Earth’s surface?
Cite evidence to support that the Grand Canyon illustrates the changing surface of the Earth.
Answer Cues:
• The sedimentary rock layers reveal what types of rock were deposited earliest, what organisms
were present at different times, and how long the Grand Canyon took to form.
• The Grand Canyon illustrates how the Colorado River, volcanism, and continental drift were all
a part of its formation.
BCR #2: The early ancestors of the modern horse ate leaves and walked on several spread-out toes, an accommodation to life spent walking on the soft, moist grounds of primeval forests. Over time, their diet shifted from leaves to grasses. At the same time the ancestors of the modern horse needed to be capable of greater speeds in order to outrun predators. This was attained through the lengthening of limbs and the lifting of some toes from the ground in such a way that the weight of the body was gradually placed on one of the longest toes, the third. This, over time, developed into the hoof.
Explain how the fossil record of the horse describes changes in the horse over time.
In your response be sure to:
• compare the characteristics of the modern horse and its ancestors.
• describe the evidence of how these organisms have changed over time.
• describe other examples of how the fossil record of plants and animals describes changes in life forms over time.
Answer Cues:
• The major trends seen in the development of the horse to changing environmental conditions may be summarized as follows:
• Increase in size
• Lengthening of limbs and feet;
• Reduction of lateral digits;
• Increase in length and thickness of the third digit;
• Increase in width of incisors;
• Replacement of premolars by molars; and
• Increases in tooth length, crown height of molars.
• Fossils of other organisms and their ancestors (i.e.: whales) also show how these organisms have changed over time.
• Whales have changed form land mammals to marine mammals.
BCR #3: Examine the figure on page 181. Explain the geologic history of these rock layers. Be sure to:
• describe types of deformation
• describe the history of the rock layers by describing how the layers have changed over time.
Answer Cues:
Rock layers x, y, and z are the youngest rock layers.
The rock layers below x, y, and z were once horizontal but were folded, then faulted, and finally had an intrusion.
PROGRESS REPORTS ARE HERE!
Please e-mail me YOUR e-mail address if you would like to receive progress reports for your child via e-mail. I will add you to my list. Scientists have been given two opportunities to make up any missed work thus far. Also, scientist will have until next Monday (Blue day 12/10/07) and Tuesday (Red day 12/11/07) to make test corrections. This only applies to students’ receiving less than 70% on the original test. Science fair news has already been sent home. Please return signed deadlines and problem statements.
SCIENCE FAIR TIME!
Scientists will receive their deadline worksheets this week. Blue day classes will turn their worksheets in Friday Nov. 30, 2007 and Red day classes will turn their worksheets Monday Dec. 3, 2007. Please watch out for upcoming deadlines. Good luck!
TEST TIME!
Scientists should study all topics covered in November. This includes relative dating, the geologic column and fossils. Students should study their pre-quizzes, quizzes and notes to be successful. Students will be given flash card templates to help them study. The test is Friday Nov. 30, 2007 for Blue day students and Monday Dec. 3, 2007 for Red day students.
WELCOME BACK
Scientist should be studying fossils from Chapter 6 section 4. The quiz is Wednesday Nov. 28, 2007 for Blue day students and Thursday Nov. 29, 2007 for Red day students. There is a pre-quiz that should help scientists be successful
WELCOME TO 2nd QUARTER!
Congratulations to all of my successful scientists! We're getting right into Rock history and fossils. Our first quiz will be Nov. 13th and 14th on Relative dating pages 156-161. Scientists were given a pre-quiz to study. This should guarantee 100% success on the quiz.
Good luck!
Important dates!
Benchmark tests are coming! Your students will be provided with a variety of study materials. There is a quiz on weathering Monday for Blue day students, Tuesday for Red day students. There will be an additional assessment before our Benchmark (October 31st for red day students, November 1) Please e-mail me with any question pertaining to the test. Thanks!
Homework Week of October 1-5
Don't forget to study for our big test this Thursday and Friday!
Below you will find a copy of the study guide:
Minerals- Pages 66-69
• Decipher whether or not something is a mineral (four requirements)
• Name the two types of minerals and what makes them that mineral
Rock Cycle 90-111
• How do rocks change from one type to another?
• How is the rock cycle like recycling?
• What are the three main classes of rock?
• What are the three types of sedimentary rock? Give an example of each
• What are the two types of metamorphic rock? Give an example of each
• What is the difference between contact metamorphism & regional metamorphism?
• What are the two types of igneous rock? Where can they be found?
• How does cooling rate effect crystal size? What do we call crystal size?
• Where can you find fossils? What is the most common type of rock? Why?
The following questions are BCR questions. Two of the four questions will appear on the test
1) Describe the processes that form metamorphic rock. Please include the name of the processes, what rocks the form from, and the different types.
2) Describe the processes that form sedimentary rock. Please include the name of the processes, what rocks the form from, and the different types.
3) Describe the processes that form igneous rock. Please include the name of the processes, what rocks the form from, and the different types.
4) How do you determine the class of rock? (In other words, if you picked up a rock, how would you determine if it was sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous? Please be able to tell the different types of rocks within these categories and describe what physical features, textures and compositions that rock would have in order to make it that class of rock)
*Scientists are doing a great job so far! Please remember that is important to study for each quiz. Homework this evening is to finish and study classwork as well as take the practice quiz. Please use these study tools to earn another 100%! ~:)~
I hope everyone has a wonderful day off. Homework should be turned in the appropriate bins upon return. Study pages 102-105 to do well on the quiz. Don't forget to bring in an empty water bottle (20 ounces or less!)
signed syllabus and middle school safety contract
Please don't forget back to school night!!! Wednesday, September 5, 2007.
Thanks for coming to back to school night! Don't forget to study for the quiz on minerals, pages 66-68.
Welcome to 8th Grade Science!
This year will we will begin a fun and exciting journey into the world of Earth Science!
The first thing we are going to do is to get to know each other a little better. To do this, scientists will be required to return several items. Scientists must return the signed syllabus by Friday August 31, 2007 for Red day students and Tuesday September 4, 2007 for Blue day students, as well as the signed middle school safety. Please also remember to turn in emergency cards, health forms and any other administrative papers as well as any money or obligations.
Scientists will receive a newsletter that will help further explain what they need and classroom expectations. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me with any questions.
Please check this site and your scientists’ agenda for information updates. I look forward to a GREAT year!
Ms. Morris
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