May 31, 2013

Today: Students took a short open-note quiz on Earth's atmosphere and clouds.  After the quiz they noted a few vital weather instruments and their uses.  The class then went down to the courtyard to view an anemometer (measures wind speed) and set out a home made rain gauge.  On Monday we will check the rain gauge to see what mother nature brought over the weekend! 

Homework: Weather Log - due next Friday

Congratulations to all TALENT SHOW participants on their FANTASTIC performances.  I was blown away by the talent this year! 

Reminder: 7th grade year book party is next THURSDAY.  All books must be turned in to LA teachers.  Students that are missing books are not able to join us for the fun. :)

Have a happy weekend!

Mrs. Setten

May 29, 2013

Today: Students will complete a partner pretest about weather.  Students will also work together to complete a jigsaw activity about the layers of the atmosphere.  They also turned in the homework - graphing and questions from "Battle of the Beaks" activity.

Homework: 5 day Weather Log - due next Friday 6/7

Continue to check power school updates and turn in missing work from quarter 4!

Mrs. Setten

May 28, 2013

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend.  10 more days until summer break!

Today: Students will reflect on the adaptation of living things for survival in connection with the theory of evolution. This will be done in the format of a contest called, "Battle of the Beaks."

Homework: Students should finish the bar graphs with class data on the different beak performances for each type of food. They should also answer the conclusion questions.  THIS IS DUE TOMORROW 5/29

Today is the LAST day to turn in scientist reports for Tetsuya Fujita. We are finished with reports for the school year.  I hope that many students learned a few new facts about our topics and the scientists that were involved in molding how we now view the world!

* Check power school for any missing work.  

Mrs. Setten

May 20, 2013

SOTW: Tetsuya Fujita - due next Tuesday

* This marks our LAST assigned scientist of the school year!  Make sure you have completed two for the 4th quarter.  

Block schedule continues this week.  Please read prior post to see what we are doing during each meeting (1-4)

Have a HAPPY week!

14 days..... until summer,

Mrs. Setten

BLOCK SCHEDULE May 14-23, 2013

Sorry for the delay folks!

With block schedule going on, many classes are on different lessons.  I decided to post what we will accomplish for each Block Meeting.  (**Any notes taken during block can be used on the summative assessment for Geologic Time.  If you miss a class - you need to get the notes from a classmate.)

A few reminders:

1. Scientist Reports are DUE next Monday.  J. Tuzo Wilson is the current scientist.  After him there is only ONE more for the year!  These are valuable points, and easy grade boosters.  Get two finished!

2. Check Power School.  It is YOUR responsibility to get any missing work or quizzes completed by the end of the school year.

3. Homework will not be assigned during block periods so focus on #1 and #2 above!


BLOCK 1
Fossils Jigsaw - Students completed a Jigsaw activity to discover information about types of Fossils and how they are useful in determining the changes on Earth over time.

Geologic Time: Precambrian Era - Students completed a Card Sort; ordering key events from the era in chronological order before filling out a table with information about the life, physical, and climate changes that occurred during the Precambrian era. 

Walking with Dinosaurs

BLOCK 2
Precambrian review

Carbon Dating - Students viewed a short Brain Pop on the process of Carbon Dating.  Then they practiced calculating the half-life totals of carbon atoms in a fossil.

Paleozoic Era - Card Sort/ Note Taking

Mesozoic Era - Card Sort/ Note Taking

BLOCK 3
Review Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras

Cenozoic Era - Card Sort/ Note Taking

Practice Question: Students will complete a practice question similar to the format of the summative assessment.  This will be in an essay format.  Solid writing and grammar will be considered in the grading. 

Outdoor Activity - Weather Permitting

BLOCK 4
Geologic Time Summative Assessment

Walking with Dinosaurs OR Land Before Time

May 13, 2013

Today: Students mapped the coordinates of the world's earthquakes and volcanoes to determine relationships and patterns.  Students also read about an active volcano in Mexico and discussed the affects of its eruption on our environment. 

Homework:  Mapping Activity - due Block #1

S.O.T.W: J. Tuzo Wilson - due 5/20 

** This is the 2nd to last scientist of the YEAR! Make sure you get them in!

Have a super Monday!

Mrs. Setten

May 7, 2013

Today: Students will reflect on the information about tectonic plates and make applications to real life situations.  Students will continue to work on their world map of tectonic plates.  Students will label the earth's layers diagram for a project tomorrow.

Homework:  Color the Earth's Layers diagram - due tomorrow 5/8

SOTW: Alfred Wegener - due Monday 5/13

Have a wonderful, sunny Tuesday!

Mrs. Setten

May 6, 2013

Today: Students gained knowledge about tectonic plates, scientific theories, layers of the Earth, plate movements and effects of plate movement. 

Homework: none

Scientist of the Week: Alfred Wegener - due Monday 5/13 (only 3 left)

BRING COLORED PENCILS TOMORROW!

Mrs. Setten