Ecology
The science classes are currently doing a unit on Ecology.
Energy Unit
Check out the following links for notes, resources, games, etc. regarding types of energy and energy conservation.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/
Skate Park Demo - http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Energy_Skate_Park
Space Project
Students have been given a topic to research at school. Topics include the Space Race, Astronauts & Astronomers, the Planets, and Space Tools. They will be creating and presenting a powerpoint presentation at school in order to teach each other more about space! Projects will be presented shortly after Winter Break.
Astronomy Unit
We're leaving Earth and venturing into outer space! We'll be learning about how planetary motion affects our seasons, days, and nights. We'll also be studying eclipses, the moon's effects on ocean tides, and phases of the moon. Look for an upcoming test on Friday, November 21st.
Click on the following link for an interactive website that compares the sizes of objects in space. Choose two planets/objects and click "compare."
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/messenger/psc/PlanetSize.html
Upcoming at-home Project
Students will be assigned the task of creating a model of the Earth's layers starting on Thursday, Oct. 16th. Students will be given a list of expectations. The projects are due Thursday, October 23rd.
Extra Credit Opportunity - Due by Oct. 31st - Students can call, email, or write to a family member or friend from another state or country asking them to send a sample of their state/country's soil. We will use these soil samples to make comparisons.
Test on Weathering and Soil is Wednesday, October 15th! Students have notes to study.
We've learned about two types of weathering - mechanical and chemical weathering of rocks. We've also learned that rocks are weathered down into various types of soil. The soil will vary depending on climate, elevation, and composition. We can compare the properties of soil from various places to see how they are alike and different.
Minerals & Mining - Test Wed. 10/1/08!
Over the next few weeks we will be learning properties of minerals that help us in the identification process and how minerals and rocks are mined.
Check out this fun way to identify minerals online! Students read clues about a mineral using the mineral identification process and determine which mineral they are looking at!
http://lizzadromuseum.org/game/basic.html
Upcoming Quiz on the Rock Cycle & Types of Rocks Thursday 9/11/08! Students have handouts to study.
We are currently studying GEOLOGY.
We'll be learning about the rock cycle, types of rocks, and the properties of minerals.
Check out the following website to see animation of the rock cycle. You can also click at the bottom on step 1 to see real-life examples of types of rocks.
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0602/es0602page02.cfm
In August we studied...
The Scientific Method
Question (What you want to find out)
Information (What do you already know)
Hypothesis (Prediction)
Procedure/Materials
Observation (Collecting, organizing, analyzing data)
Conclusion (What did you learn)
