March 29/30

Bell Ringer:  What is heat and how is it transferred?

Today we talked about how heat is transferred and I performed several demonstrations.  Radiation-transfer of heat by waves.  Example:  sun, microwave Conduction- transfer of heat by touching.   Example:  stove, hot sidewalk.Convection-transfer of heat by the movement of fluids.  Example:  boiling water, lava lamp.

Next we reviewed sound waves by making cup phones and experimenting with them.  

March 27/28

Bell Ringer:  Draw and label a wave.  Today we went over waves using demonstrations.  Then we did a mini lab where students made test tube musical instruments to play Mary Had a Little Lamb.  Next we did a "Properties of Waves Review" worksheet.

March 23/26

Today we did not have a bell ringer, but students turned in their science notebooks.  Next, we reviewed and took our geology test.  Last, we went over notes on waves.

March 21/22

Bell ringers:  Where does a volcano get the energy to erupt?
Today we talked a little bit about volcanoes and then we reviewed the three types of rocks.  We discussed how they are formed, their characteristics, and common examples.  Then we did a white board review for the test next time.  At the end of class students were given time to work on their comic books.

March 19/20

Bell ringer:  Why do earthquakes occur?
Today we talked about earthquakes and used the following links:  http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Rolling_earth/Rolling_earth1.html
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/earthquakes/earthquake-101/
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/earthquakes/inside-earthquake/
Next we talked about earthquake safety and student were given a homework assignment to teach their family about earthquake safety.

March 15/16

Bell Ringer:  Name three types of fossils.
Today we watched "Fossils, Clues to the Past" and then we viewed the following websites as a class and had a discussion on fossils
 fossil slide show
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_img_fossilcollage/
types of fossils
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_int_fossiltype/
dinosaur fossil pictures
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_img_dinobones/

Last of all we made fossils using clay, shells, and plaster of paris.  A$ started their Rock Autobiography comics and B4 had time to work on their as well.

March 13/14

Bell Ringer:  How were the Hawaiian Islands formed?
Today we watched How the Earth was Made -Hawaii.  B2 started their Rock Autobiography comics.

March 9/12

No bell ringer.  Today we began by finishing the "A Dynamic Earth" worksheet as a class.  Next we went over rock layers and completed a worksheet (see me).  Last of all we did an activity putting fossil layers in order from oldest to youngest (see me).

March 7/8

Bell Ringer:  How are canyons formed?
First we watched Bill Nye "Erosion" and then we completed a sandbox lab.  Last of all we began working on "A Dynamic Earth" and completed this worksheet up to question #5.

March 5/6

Bell Ringer:  What is the difference between weathering and erosion.
First we worked on a web activity called Mining the Web and then we took a geology quiz that we graded in class.

March 1/2

Bell Ringer:  What type of rock is formed by heat and pressure?
First we finished watching the rock cycle movie and then we did an activity that models the rock cycle.  Then we did a lab where students compared rocks and answered questions about the rock cycle.
Make up:  Arrange a time to make up the lab after school or during falcon time.

February 29

Today we only had 35 minutes class times because of career day.  I gave the students copies with their missing assignments and they were given class time to make up assignments or work on extra credit.

February 27/28

No bell ringer.  Today we reviewed the terms associated with minerals and then we took a 10 point quiz.  Next we took notes on the rock cycle using the last half of this powerpoint.  And then we watched a movie on the rock cycle and took notes.