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March 29, 2007
Today we had a density activity. First we discussed how how air has weight and takes up space. Next I demonstrated how determine the density of a regular object. We weighed the different size boxes of kleenes. Next we performed three dimensional measurements, length - height - width. They then performed their measurements after calibrating their scales. They had worksheets to assist them. They then multiplied the three distance measurements together to get volume. Lastly they divided the volume by the weight to get the density. I made and handed out a objectives and key terms and definitions worksheet for them to study for the next test. The homework is to record the temperature and air pressure or barometric pressure from any source like the TV, radio, news paper, or internet. These are the two key conditions that weather forecasters use to gauge what the weather might be in the future. One more day till Spring break let's keep it together.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2007
Today most of the students took the quiz on chapter 15.1 about the air around me. First we reviewed the atmosphere images and reviewed a little more of the details about the air we breathe. Following the quiz, the students received a review and reinforce worksheet which is due tomorrow. We finished the day with a air density demonstration. I heated aluminum can with some water in it. When it was hot enough I immediately dunked in a pot full of ice filled in with water. The can imploded immediately. The discussion finally was about why the can imploded. The students were asked to explain why on the molecular level. The answer is because the gas molecules are excited by the energy of the heat, collide more quickly, and take up more space. When those same molecules were cooled instantly they could only occupy a smaller space and that force pulled in the side of the can. No air was present to move form the ice water to take the empty space in the can. Remember the worksheet 15.3 as homework.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
Today we reviewed the importance and characteristics of the air around us. I introduced the different sphere above the Earth. We reviewed the images, and finally watch an atmosphere DVD by Bill Nye about the atmosphere. Tomorrow there is a quiz on the chapter 15.1 which is about the air around us, the percentages of gases that make up dry air, and the different spheres.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2007
Today we took a short breather to catch up on missed assignments, assessments, and began a new unit that will be about the atmosphere, and how it works, and affects humans. We read chapter 15.1, worked on the review questions and for homework or partial classwork chapter 15.1 in the workbook.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2007
Today we took a long hydrology post. When they were done they worked on a worksheet starting the new unit. If they are done with the worksheet they have no homework.
Posted by Woolsey at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2007
Today we reviewed 14.1 in the workbook, which the students kept. Next we finished the oceans movie from Monday and the movie questions. Finally the students worked in small groups, and drew and labeled all the ocean floor structures, like sea mounts, the abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge, continental slope, continental shelf, trench and underwater volcano that makes an island. They then drew three organisms that live in the ocean, and placed them appropriately deep or shallow, or near the shore or trench depending on their adaptations. I handed out a study guide for 14.1, and then the worksheet handout for homework. Quiz tomorrow on 14.1, please study.
Posted by Woolsey at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2007
Today we began chapter 14 exploring the ocean. We started by reading the chapter pages 458 - 464, and answering the review question 1-5 on page 464 in the text. Next they watched a movie about exploring the ocean, and answered a page of prepared questions that about the information covered in the movie. Homework is workbook chapter 14.1, pages 165 - 167.
Posted by Woolsey at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Today we took a five page test on all the sub-units of chapter 13. We also had the sixth grade teacher vs. students basketball game for a good cause. Unfortunately for the students the teachers were in no mood to be lose so we simply had to use our latent basketball skills, and crush the opposition. The students did quite well, although. Periods 5 and 6 will be given extra time on Monday to finish their test if needed due to a shortened period due to the block party. Enjoy your weekend, and be ready to change gears for even more homework, and quicker pace.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
Today we reviewed for the test using white boards and the promethean board. I moved back the test for periods 5 and 6 like 3 and 4 till tomorrow. I demonstrated the coriolos effect in a different mode, and we worked on a review and reinforce worksheet. Good luck tomorrow, and please study chapter 13, all the key terms, handouts, and notes. Mr. Woolsey
Posted by Woolsey at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2007
Today we started with our Wednesday DEAR, and then started the coriolos activity where we demonstrated how the spin or rotation of the Earth causes the arcing pattern or gyre of the ocean currents. We made paper Earth's, drew continents, oceans, poles and the patterns of warm and cold currents in the Northern and Southern hemisphere. We reviewed the workbook answers to 13.4. For periods 5 and 6 we will have a test on chapter 13 Thursday. For periods 3 and 4 the test will be on Friday.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:40 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Today we viewed several images about the ocean composition and how it changes as you descend through the water column. Different forms of life like lantern fish in the deep sea to plankton that live in abundance and support the food chain at the surface of the surface zone. Next we did a graphing exercise to show where the different zones start and end the next begin. The next step was starting the new chapter 13.4 on ocean currents and climates. We started with an anticipatory reading exercise, which is the beginning of the next chapter reading exercise where the anticipate which words will go in the blanks, and while reading the new chapter they correct their mistakes. This activity leads to more in depth reading of the text, because they are looking for a specific set of paragraphs in the text. Finally I gave them a key terms, definitions, and objectives study guide for chapter 13.3. We will have a final chapter test close to the end of the week. The homework for periods 5 and 6 is the workbook chapter 13.4.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2007
Today we started by reviewing the 13.3 workbook correct answers. The next activity was a demonstration of how the depth of the water, or amount of water column above determines the atmospheric pressure as you go deeper in the ocean. I had two gallon jugs of water with a hole drilled in the upper one third of the first jug, and the bottom .5 inch of the last jug. The demonstration was for the power of water pressure created by the volume of water above. We watched a great live streaming video, and took two column notes and wrote a two paragraph essay. If done there is no homework.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2007
Today we started with a white board warmup on tides. I then did a short demonstration on the density of salty water versus pure water. I had a student drop an egg into some two different beakers of water. The egg floated much higher in the beaker full of salt water versus the pure water due to the salt water being denser. The volume of both beakers was 800 ml. The salt molecules were denser than water molecules. The beaker full of salt water was heavier feeling than the pure water beaker. I then showed them a short clip of a ship docked at a pier at the Bay of Fundy falling up and down with the huge tidal change that happens in this Bay. I then handed out a graphic organizer to help them compare and contrast Neap tide and Spring tide. They are to finish this graphic organizer, and then write two short paragraphs about tides.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2007
Today we started with a white board warmup on tides. I then did a short demonstration on the density of salty water versus pure water. I had a student drop an egg into some two different beakers of water. The egg floated much higher in the beaker full of salt water versus the pure water due to the salt water being denser. The volume of both beakers was 800 ml. The salt molecules were denser than water molecules. The beaker full of salt water was heavier feeling than the pure water beaker. I then showed them a short clip of a ship docked at a pier at the Bay of Fundy falling up and down with the huge tidal change that happens in this Bay. I then handed out a graphic organizer to help them compare and contrast Neap tide and Spring tide. They are to finish this graphic organizer, and then write two short paragraphs about tides.
Posted by Woolsey at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2007
Today we went over the fundamentals of what forces and moon and Sun alignments cause different tidal conditions. I also showed some images of the Bay of Funday which experiences 50 foot tidal fluctuations due to the topographic a geographic conditions. Lastly we drew and detailed all the different Moon, Earth, and Sun alignment situations that cause the tidal bulge. The spring tide is at the direct alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon in a line, causing the greatest fluctuations in tidal levels, and the right angle alignment which causes the smallest change between high tide and low tide. No homework
Posted by Woolsey at 06:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2007
Today I reviewed for the quiz. I first started by making and detailing two drawings that showed all the currents, structures, waves, longshore drift, groins, wave direction, sandbars, breaking zone, surf zone, wave height, wave length, I then reviewed the true and false as well as the fill in the blanks questions. I gave a work bank for the drawings. I still have part of their worksheet for 13.2, so if they have all their previous work done they do not have any homework.
Posted by Woolsey at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2007
Today we went over some of the aspects of waves, like frequency, trough, crest, swell, near coast zone, surf zone, breaker zone, etc. We watched two short streaming video and filled a preset power note format sheet to help them organize their note taking and information. On Monday there will be a short quiz, on just chapter 13.1, which only covers waves. I will review everything on the quiz on Monday before handing it out to the class. The homework is the worksheet on chapter 13.1.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:02 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2007
Today we finished the review questions for chapter 13.1, we viewed a short live streaming show of waves, and some very brave and lucky souls having fun in and on them. I handed out a short key terms study guide, we viewed several images about waves, and I demonstrated how the way waves move sound around on the shore can affect the shape of the wave, and how the bottom of the shore as it approaches the beach can affect how the wave forms. We discussed that larger and taller waves have to be spaced farther apart, hence smaller waves or shorter crested waves can have a higher frequency. We discussed the low point of a wave or a swell is the trough. Waves break at when the depth is half the height as the wave. A steep beach can cause a very tall wave to break in very shallow water, and lastly how the energy is what is moving not the water in the wave until the last moment when reaches the shore, or beach. Home work is workbook chapter 13.1, and to copy the key terms handout.
Posted by Woolsey at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
