The First Semester is coming to a close

Earth's Layers Form

Seismic Wave Websites

Seismic Waves -- Follow the directions to complete the activities with this link. Be sure to read the page, try the wave machine, answer the questions, and check your answers. Additionally, you should click in the box that has an image of 4 cartoon houses on the Earth.

Seismic Waves 2 -- Scroll down until you find the PROCEDURE heading. Use page 10 of your packet for directions and hints to complete this activity.

The Theory of Continental Drift

Tectonic Plate Movement on Prezi

Exemplary Prezis

The Weathering and Erosion prezis that I have seen have been quite amazing. Here are a few that I felt were exemplary. Excellent job, Crazy 8s!

Weathering and Erosion Project on Prezi

Brita & Kaylie's W, E, & D Prezi on Prezi

Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition on Prezi

Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition on Prezi

The Formation of our Black Hills

Many of you have been out to the Black Hills. If you haven't (or if you can't remember what it is like), visualize the following scenario:
As you drive west from Rapid City, you notice a jagged stretch of sandstone peaks called the Hogback Ridge. After a short descent from those sandtone peaks, you come to an area comprised of another sedimentary rock, red shale, which makes a "Racetrack" around the Black Hills. If you keep driving west, there is a gradual incline made of limestone. This limestone formed 100-500 million years ago, from the shells of ancient marine animals. (Yes, we are still in the Black Hills of South Dakota.) Keep driving still, past this limestone plateau, and you will see the Central Crystalline Core of the Black Hills. This area is made of schist (a metamorphic rock) and granite (an intrusive igneous rock) that have aged for up to 2.5 billion years. The apparent color of this Central Core and the groves of Ponderosa Pine gave this area its name, the Black Hills. You might want to get out of the car and take a hike up to Harney Peak, the highest peak in between the Rocky Mountains and the Alps of Switzerland.
What are the events that led to the formation of these Black Hills? Why does it look the way it does? Like geologists, we will explore these questions today.
Please watch the "Formation of the Black Hills" vodcast at our wikispace (It's on the Unit 7 Page). Then answer the following questions in your blog response.

1. Write a summary of how the Black Hills formed. What are the events that led to their formation?
2. Would the Badlands exist if weathering/erosion had not taken place? Why/Why not?
3. The major uplift of the Black Hills occurred 70 million years ago. What do you think that area of South Dakota looked like 40 million years ago? What do you think the Black Hills and Badlands will look like in another 40 million years?

Badlands Geology

In science, it is our duty to ask "Why?" and "How?" questions about things that are around us (like rocks). Then it is our duty to blog about it. I have a couple of those questions for you, Crazy 8s:

This is a picture taken in the Badlands of South Dakota (there are other "badlands", too). The rocks that you see are sedimentary rocks, and they have NOT always been there. Use your knowledge of the rock cycle to answer these questions: (If you need a refresher, view the rock cycle prezi in the blog post below this one.)

1. How did these sedimentary rocks get here? (What are some of the events that could lead to the formation of sedimentary rocks?) Be specific.
2. Some of the layers of sedimentary rock have a dark, reddish color. This is due to the oxidation (rusting) of the iron present in those rocks. Oxidation/Weathering happens the fastest when the air is hot and humid. However, the current climate of the Badlands is often cold and dry. How can this be explained? What can scientists conclude about the history of this region?
   

The Rock Cycle

Remember to turn in your "Life Cycle of a Grain of Sand" assignment... This prezi might help you recall the types of rock it might become. Be sure to explain the processes as well.

Rocks.... on Prezi

Identifying Minerals

In the past few days in science, your view of minerals has likely changed. You've discovered that there are many different classes/types of minerals -- each with a unique set of properties that allows us to identify one mineral from another.
In your comment, completely answer the following questions. If you don't want your comment to be published, that is fine! Just let me know in the comment you leave.

1. Minerals are identified by their properties. What are some of the properties you used to distinguish one mineral from another? Why is it best to use more than just one or two of these properties?
   
2. Did some of the properties "work" better than others? Which ones were the most effective? Which were the least effective? Explain.
   
3. What was the most difficult part of identifying minerals?
   

Stoichiometry Websites

Stoichiometry (balancing chemical equations) can be hard. However, things that come with difficulty can often reap the greatest rewards. Some examples:

• Hardship: The San Francisco Giants endure over 50 years of heartbreak and losing. Reward: Last night, they overcome this history and win the World Series.
• Hardship: Scandinavian immigrants settle in the Midwestern US. They suffer through famine, disease, freezing temperatures, and death. Reward: They live in, and represent the strength of, a country built on individual freedom and liberty.
• Hardship: You don't get how to balance chemical equations. Reward: Through hard work you figure it out. You have a head start in high school chemistry, and you understand more about chemical equations.

Try these websites below to help you balance chemical equations:

Chem Balancer Element Balancing

Do you get it? Let me know, please.

Independence Day Chemistry

Ever wondered why some fireworks burst one color, while others explode and show a completely different color? What is responsible for this observation? Watch this video (shot this past summer) and also the video embedded below from "Science Friday". These will be good resources for answering the questions for your blog response.



If the video above doesn't work, try this link.

1. Why do some fireworks glow different colors?
   
2. What does this have to do with chemical composition, properties, and electrons?
   
3. (Optional) What are some of your experiences with July 4 Fireworks?
   

Static Electricity!

Below is a picture of Clara (about 2 years ago). She briefly turned her soccer goal into a fort/tent with a blanket on top, and (as you can see) some serious static electricity was produced!

After reading the short article AND contemplating some of your own experiences with static electricity, answer the following questions in a comment on this blog post:

1. What causes "Static Electricity"?
2. What does static electricity have to do with chemistry, atoms, and an atom's structure?

Drawing Ions

Want to know how to draw an ion of Oxygen? I thought you might. Let Imrann and Ben explain. (Sam is the illustrator.)

Defining Atom

Answer the following question in your comment below:
An atom is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be that element. Now that scientists have learned that an atom is made up of even smaller particles (like protons, neutrons, and electrons), is this definition still accurate? Why or why not?
Upon the completion of this blog response, go to Ediscio and complete the "Atoms" cardbox. That way, you shall ace the standard check we have tomorrow. Then, on Thursday, we shall compete against other classes in the famous Human Bohr Model event. More details are to come.

2010 Chemistry Games

Before participating in the 2010 Chem Games, please fill out this survey. Consider it the Opening Ceremonies of this all-important event. This survey is being used to measure the level of technology use in classrooms across South Dakota.

I am challenging all Crazy 8s (and other Earthlings that have access to our blog) to achieve greatness in the 2nd Annual Chem Games. Use the following links to earn (as many points possible) and learn (about the individual elements and their chemical symbols, subatomic particles, and placement on the periodic table). These websites can help reinforce your knowledge of atoms and the periodic table, concepts that we have started (and will continue) to learn about during our chemistry unit.

Here are the links:
Element Flash Cards (set up the game so that it tests you on the 33 elements you are supposed to know) Non-Crazy 8 visitors can view this link to find out what those elements are.
Element Math Games
Periodic Table Activities
Setting the Periodic Table
Element Matching Game
Fun Brain Periodic Table

Feel free to share your high scores, along with the game and its conditions, in the comments section of this post. Post your scores with honesty and integrity. As always, these are virtues required of Crazy 8s and others that visit our blog. Gold medals in the 2010 Chem Games are at stake! Good luck!

Periodic Table Preparation

We have a "Periodic Table" Standard Check on Monday. I'd like you to know the difference between a period and a group, the characteristics of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids and where to find them, and the names of the groups and where they are found. The info from everyone's VoiceThread presentations should be helpful. Here are some other things that might help you prepare:

1. Periodic Table Ediscio Flash Cards: Mark all of these cards for learning at Ediscio.
2. Do the sample standard check embedded below.

Grouping the Elements: Day 3

Goal: Record your VoiceThread.

1. Practice speaking your information – then record it on VoiceThread
2. Once you have finished your comments and ARE READY TO PRESENT as an expert on your group, you may visit the following websites:

Periodic Table Activities

Fun Brain Periodic Table

Setting the Periodic Table

Element Hangman

Meet the Elements, Everyone

Grouping the Elements

Day Two: Research uses for the elements in your element group and create your PowerPoint

1. Go on the internet and do a search for some or all of the elements in your group.
2. List 4 everyday uses for at least 5 of the elements in your group.

Here is a list of websites that you may choose to use:

Web Elements: Click on the element from your group that you want to research. This will take you to a page that provides essential information on the element. Read this. Scroll down the page and you will find the "Uses" link. This page should have the info you need.

It's Elemental

Chemical Elements

3. You should also complete your group's PowerPoint which includes:

• Title Slide
• 5 Characteristics
• Simile/Metaphor
• Everyday Uses

Once your PowerPoint is complete, have Mr. Hoegh upload it onto VoiceThread. Then, develop a plan for recording the group VoiceThread.

Intro to Science VoiceThread

Scientific Method in Basketball

You all use the scientific method more than you think -- in sports, music, fixing things, etc. Here is a video of Mr. Hannemann trying to use it for success on the basketball court against me.

Signing Up for Stuff

Welcome Crazies!
Please use the written instructions and/or the video tutorials below to accomplish the task of "signing up for stuff".
1) Ediscio: It's a website where you can study interactive flash cards that have been made and assigned to you by your teacher. This will be a great way for you to review concepts throughout the year. It is also used so that I can give you feedback on certain assignments. You are going to sign up for an account, join the Crazy 8 2010-11 Class, and "chum up" with me, your teacher. (Then I can give you feedback on stuff..... we don't have to be "buds" if you don't want to be, but we do have to be "chums".) The video tutorial is on the "Memorial Science Vodcasts" wikispace.

2) The Blog: Now let's use this site -- our Crazy 8 Science Blog. This blog is a place where people (like us and your parents and the rest of the world) can take a look at what we've been doing in science class. It's my way of bragging about the excellent students we have at this school and on this Crazy 8 team. Many times during the year, I will have you post a comment on a blog post.... which shall be called your "blog response". The post below this one contains a couple of questions I'd like you to answer to practice this "blog response". To do this correctly, again follow the video tutorial (on the wikispace) and/or read the written instructions below.
-- Go to the post, titled "Nice to meet you, Crazy 8s". (It's just below this one.) Leave your comment on that post. Awesome.

3) Wikispaces: Click on the "My wikispaces" button along the left side of this page. It will bring you to our "Memorial Science Vodcasts", which is where all of the instructional vodcasts will be located and viewed from. You probably didn't know this, but you have a wikispace account already! Your username is your first initial and last name (no spaces). The password is your student ID number.

4) Our Science Website: There is is link for our science website on the upper left part of this page. This will be a place where you can find a tentative schedule for our class. If you're unsure about what will be going on during a given week, check out the schedule here.

Nice to meet you, Crazy 8s

Questions to answer in your blog response:
a) Describe something that will be a part of, or that describes, mastery learning from the prezi yesterday (if you don't remember or were not here on the first day of school, this prezi is embedded just below this blog post).

b) On a scale of 1 to 10 (one = get me out of here fast; ten = I'm so psyched that I cannot contain myself), how excited are you to have a science blog such as this one?

Mastery. It's What We Do.

What is "Mastery Learning"? on Prezi

Seriously.... the year's over already?

Tomorrow is the last day of school. For you Crazy 8s out there, this is your second-to-last day at Memorial. Has it sunk in yet? Are you excited? Worried? Happy? Sad?

Hopefully you're looking forward, at least in some degree, to the summer break. It will bring a new routine, and will be followed by another transition (high school). You will face many challenges, but that is a great thing. It gives you a chance to rise to the occasion, solve problems, and learn how much you're capable of achieving. I am looking forward to seeing what all of you do in the future because you all have many talents that are worth sharing (whether that's in the classroom, field, stage, court, concert hall, or all of those places). I will be your fan.

Feel free to visit the old alma mater. Feel free to leave comments/memories on our blog -- it should be here to stay. Good luck!

End-of-the-Year Essay

Choose one activity from this year and identify the steps of the scientific method that were included in the activity. Be sure to include an activity that involved all of the steps.
I'm also including a form for you to fill out if you have the time.

GPS Contest

That was pretty fun wasn't it? I enjoyed watching each team in action on Thursday. Hopefully the cold, rainy weather wasn't too tough to overcome -- it didn't seem to be. You all did very well, and every one of the film canisters was found...... eventually. Here are the results from the 2010 GPS Contest -- 2010 GPS Standings
Congratulations go to the winners of each class!
Period 3: Fighting Squirrels (32 points) -- Bailee H., Carter R., and Kendra S.
Period 4: Penguins (29 points) -- Cierra S., Kalynn S., Sarah Q., and Spencer P.
Period 6: TOT (35 points) -- Noah W., Brittani M., Cole H., and Hunter D.
Period 8: Echo (29 points) -- Mason S., Kyle S., and Michael L.

Feel free to leave comments that you have about the GPS contest. How was your experience? Were there any waypoints that you just couldn't seem to find? What was the best strategy? If you had to do the contest again, what would you change?

Severe Weather Project and Looking Ahead

Please fill out this form. It would make your teacher happy and proud.

Podcast with Per

Severe Weather Research

Severe weather can be fascinating. But what causes severe weather? What makes it so fascinating? What can people do to protect themselves? It will be your job to figure out the answers to these questions, and then present on this in the form of a VoiceThread. Today, with your group, you will be researching your specific type of severe weather. By the end of tomorrow (Thursday) you will have prepared a PowerPoint that is ready to be uploaded into Mr. Hoegh's VoiceThread account. You will record the VoiceThread in class on Friday. Here is a list of websites where you might possibly find information on severe weather. I'm sure you could find others as well.

Atmospheric Science Resources

Ask the Experts

NOAA home

How Stuff Works

Airplanes and Weather Websites: USA Today: Airplanes and Weather What Causes Turbulence? Hurricane Pilots Planes and Ice Aviation Weather

Rain Shadow

The picture above is a satellite view of the Tibetan plateau, found north of the Himalayas. The green land to the south of the Himalayan mountains is India, which receives enough precipitation to support a tropical rainforest. North of the mountain range you can see a great plains region and the Gobi Desert; areas that receive very little rainfall. How can we account for such a change in the amount of precipitation each place receives? The short answer is "rain shadow", and it happens in the United States as well. It is largely the reason that Western South Dakota receives approximately 5 less inches of rain per year than we do here in Sioux Falls.
In this blog response, explain what happens to the air mass that initially forms over the Indian Ocean as it travels north. Why does this process leave so much precipitation on the south (windward) side of the Himalayas, and hardly any to the north of them?

Fronts and Air Masses VoiceThread

Question: Is this VoiceThread made by Crazy 8s going to blow your mind?
Answer: Yes. But not literally.

The World Celebrates a Birthday

Some people may think that the title of this post refers to "Earth Day". On the contrary, it alludes to something far more important..... something more grand..... something that means far more to the average person: Our blog is now one year old. Seems like yesterday that the blog was born, and now it is a juggernaut of scientific knowledge and literary prowess. I could almost shed a tear thinking of the memories that "The World" has brought our 8th grade science class.

Humidity Questions (and the best song ever)

1. Suppose it is summer (YES!!) and you plan to have a glass of iced lemonade outside. You notice that water drops begin form on outside of the glass. Why does this happen? Where does this water come from? (2 points)
2. A person's body tends to sweat more on a humid day than it does on a dry one, even if the outdoor temperature is exactly the same. Why does it happen this way? (Hint: Your answer should include how evaporation changes the temperature of the air.) How does this relate to how we measure relative humidity? (Hint #2: Would a large difference between dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures signify dry weather or humid weather?) (4 points)

Random Questions for Crazy 8s

Please fill out this form after completing:

1. The Relative Humidity Gizmo
2. "Humidity" Flash Cards on Ediscio
3. Taking a gander at (and quite possibly answering) the humidity essay questions in the post above

How do you crush your cans?

This is what I do.

Here's the procedure:

• Place 8-10 ml of water in an empty pop can.
• Place the pop can onto the heat source and wait for the water to boil. After you see steam escape, continue to boil for one minute.
• Use the tongs to remove the can from the heat. Quickly turn it upside-down and place it into a saucer with water (which was close-by).

As Mr. Hoegh goes through this lab demonstration, please answer the following questions in a blog comment.

1. When heating, what kind of air pressure was inside the pop can -- high or low? Explain why you believe this to be true.
2. Once the heated can was placed into the water, what kind of air pressure was on the outside of the can -- high or low?
3. What caused the can to be crushed? Why did we need the water seal?

Pressure Questions

Here is a classy song about air pressure. I'll also include the essay questions that we will have on our Pressure Standard Check.

Feel free to answer these questions on the blog. If you'd rather wait until tomorrow (Thursday) during class, you may do that as well.

1. It is late summer and you play a game of basketball at the park. After the game, you store the ball in the garage where it stays until a cold day in February. On this day, you attempt to bounce the ball only to discover that it "thuds" instead. The ball is flat. What happened? Explain why the ball does not bounce in terms of pressure.
2. Every breath you take is a miraculous exercise in pressure. Your diaphragm muscle contracts and pushes downward, allowing room for your rib cage and lungs to expand. The expansion allows air (containing oxygen) to rush into your lungs. What happens to the pressure inside your lungs when they expand? Why does this cause air to move there? When your diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, the space in your chest cavity decreases. What happens to the air pressure in your lungs (compared to the air outside) when they shrink in size? Why would this cause air to leave?
   

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Yep.... that's actually me singing. The pitch was changed to make me sound like Alvin.

I'll also include the link to see some Crazy 8 writing examples from the Atmosphere RAFT assignment. These folks (and many others too!) did an outstanding job on it!
Atmosphere RAFT Examples

Anything else to say?

Is there anything you wanted to say on Friday, but for some reason did not get the chance? Well, here's your chance. What research leads you to believe that Climate Change is caused naturally, or by humans? Has anyone (peers, parents, teachers) influenced your decision? Answer these or any other questions about climate change in your response to this post.

SSOCC (Socratic Seminar on Climate Change)

Is "global warming" actually happening? If so, are humans causing it? Or, is climate change occuring because of natural fluctuations in the system? We will be discussing these questions and more in our Socratic Seminar on Climate Change, which will occur during class this Friday. Today, you will be preparing yourself to contribute (intelligently!) to that discussion. I will give you a list of questions that will be addressed, and you may use the links provided to research the issue of climate change. Remember to have an open mind, so that your arguments will be well-informed.

Here is the list of questions that may be discussed. Feel free to write notes on it as you research. You may use these notes during the discussion on Friday.

Here is the list of links:

EPA for Kids (click on the "Climate Change -- what it is" and "Can we change the climate?")

Icecap Facts and Myths

American Policy Roundtable

Global Warming: Natural or Manmade?

Global Warming 101 (Roy Spencer)

Environmental Protection Agency

Dear, Atmosphere

Whether we are conscious of it or not, we owe a lot to our atmosphere. It protects us from harm, and provides us with what we need to live. I would like you to write to the atmosphere detailing how it is able to accomplish these things for us. This is your topic, but you may choose your "role", "audience", and "format". For ideas and instructions, click here:

Atmosphere RAFT Instructions

After reading the directions, simply open up a blank Word document and begin to write your letter, advice column, series of text messages, journal entry, or whatever it is you choose to write. Once you have made the necessary revisions and corrections, copy and paste your creation and send it to me through ediscio-mail. (I'd like to give you feedback through ediscio, and possibly ask for permission to post it on our blog.)

Good luck to all of you. Let the creative juices flow.

Training for the Quarter 3 Assessment

Your training regimen does not include one-handed push-ups (or getting slapped as you do sit-ups). It does include completing the astronomy cardboxes in Ediscio (Planetary Motion, Earth, Moon, and Sun Effects, Small Bodies of the Solar System and Our Sun, and Stars and Galaxies). Keep track of your success and let me know how you did through Ediscio-mail. Tomorrow, there will be a short standard check on Galaxies. It will include this essay question, which you may answer today or tomorrow during class:
Different theories exist about the origin of the universe, one of which is the big bang theory. In this essay, explain what the big bang theory is. Be sure to describe some of the events/discoveries that have led some scientists to this theory. (How does cosmic background radiation, the Doppler Effect, advanced telescopes, etc. contribute to the support and formation of the big bang theory?) (3 points).
The standard check will be followed by the Quarter 3 Assessment. Happy training!

The Doppler Effect

I have an understanding group of neighbors....

Chilean Earthquake Sites

Since we learned about earthquakes in this class, I wanted to include a few links that may be of interest to you concerning the latest massive earthquake in Chile.
I've seen some reports that say this earthquake, an 8.8 on the Richter scale, releasing 700-800 times more energy than the January earthquake in Haiti. Thankfully, the focus of the Chilean earthquake was at a greater depth. Otherwise it would have caused an even greater amount of damage. The USGS website has a ton of information if you're interested in learning more about it.

• A map of the latest earthquakes in the world
• A list of the most recent earthquakes (look at the incredible list of earthquakes in Chile on February 27-28.)
• Details, a Summary, and Maps of the 8.8 Chilean Earthquake

Remember the Tides?

It was a week or two ago that we learned about tides (or was it 3?). We learned about what causes high and low tides, and the difference between spring and neap tides. Do you still remember tides? The reason I ask is because I was able to go on a field trip to observe them over our Presidents' Day break. This is what I found:
Using these pictures and the following info, attempt to answer the numbered questions.

• Both pictures were taken from the same exact spot (The zoom for both snapshots was the same, too). The picture on the left was taken at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The picture on the right was taken 5 1/2 hours later, at 7:30 pm.
  
• The high temperature on this day in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was about 85 degrees F. I tell you this not because daytime temperature influences tides. I tell you this so that might be jealous, and that you might be reminded that this snowy, frigid winter will not last forever.
  
• The moon phase on this particular day was a "New Moon".

1. What causes high tides and low tides?
2. Approximately how many high tides would there be on this day? How many low tides would there be?
3. On the day when the picture was taken, was there a Spring or Neap tide? If so, which one? How do you know this?
   

Yeah.... We're kind of a big deal

We've represented this school, the city of Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota, and the United States well with our participation on Ediscio Flash Cards. Thanks to your diligent work in keeping up with your assigned learning schedules, we currently have the top 5 "most popular" cardboxes that the German-created educational site hosts.
I have a feeling that the Earth, Moon, and Sun Effects cardbox will soon join the others at the top. The flash cards included will prepare you very well for the multiple choice portion of the standard check next Monday. The standard check will also include some short answer/essay questions. I have decided to share those questions in this blog post so that you could think about them, prepare for them, and actually answer them if you'd like to type out your answer in a comment. (Otherwise, you will write your answers out in class on Monday.) Here they are:

1. If the moon happened to be closer to the Earth than it actually is, what would happen to the length of time it takes our moon to progress through all of its phases (from new moon back to another new moon)? Would the length of our month be longer, shorter, or the same? Why? (Hint: Use your knowledge of Kepler's Laws to answer this one.)
2. Would we experience a change of seasons if Earth’s axis was not tilted? In your answer, be sure to include at least two factors that cause winter temperatures to be colder than summer temps, and why this seasonal change in temperature would or would not be felt if Earth's axis was not tilted.

When I Grow Up..

.......I want to be an astronaut. In the last several decades, many boys and girls in this country have said those words. Would you really like to be an astronaut?
I'd like to revisit some questions that we thought, wrote, and talked about yesterday. Imagine that you're an astronaut in the 1960s, like John Glenn in the video clip below. What kind of emotions would you feel as you put on the spacesuit? How about as you board a tiny capsule that happens to be sitting on a 6.5 million pound, longer-than-a-football-field rocket? How about when you break free of Earth's gravity and view the Earth from above?

• What would it be like to be an astronaut during those tense (yet thrilling) moments?
• In your experiences, is there anything that you might be able to compare it to?
• Why would the title of the When We Left Earth episode (from which this video clip came from) be "Ordinary Supermen"?
  

Planets of our Solar System

Comment: I eagerly await the chance to become an expert on each of the planets of our solar system.
Question: Who is going to give me that opportunity?
Answer: The Crazy 8s
Another Question: How?
Another Answer: Today and tomorrow they will be researching a specific planet, collaborating in groups, and developing a powerpoint/voicethread presentation that will blow away (in a good way) anyone who is fortunate to be in attendance.

If you need to continue your research, you could click HERE for some useful links on your planet.

Clara is ready to learn........ from YOU

Suppose that you need to explain the concepts of a year, a month, and a day to a small child such as Clara. Could you do this? First, you should know a couple of things about Clara:

1. She is extremely smart for just turning three years old (I know that you're thinking, "Hmm..... she must get her intellect from her mother." Well, you're right.) Clara will follow your line of thought quite well.
   
2. If you use the terms rotation, revolution, orbit, or any other term used specifically for astronomy, she might not know exactly what it means (Many adults wouldn't know what the terms mean either.) Be sure to explain these things as you go.
3. It would help if you related these concepts to things a 3-year-old would know about -- like Disney movies, Elmo from Sesame Street, Lego Duplo, Clifford the big red dog, etc.
   

For each concept (year, month, and day) describe the motion of the Earth, the moon, and the sun. Good luck.

Snow Day Lesson

Since we have not been able to meet for the past couple of days, I made a video that covers some of the concepts we could have been learning..... Stay safe in the cold weather.

I'd also like to notify you that another Ediscio cardbox has been created and assigned to you. Feel free to sign in to your account and mark these cards for learning.

Success

What is the secret? Please fill out the following questionairre.

Geology VoiceThread

I think this might be our most creative VoiceThread of the school year so far. There were a lot of comments that were worthy of being included, but fewer were chosen to stay. Nice work, Crazy 8s. Viewers of this VoiceThread presentation should be able to have a pretty good understanding of what we have learned about during the Geology portion of the class.

Earthquake!

Earthquakes have had quite an impact on our society in the past, and they will continue to have that Earth-shattering (literally!) impact in the future. It is highly unlikely that any of us have physically experienced one of these natural disasters, and I hope that none of us ever will. What do you think it would be like to experience a Great Quake? What would you do? How would you feel about the total loss of control in the situation? Today, you will learn about some of the Great Quakes in history. Through first-hand accounts of people who were fortunate to live through a large earthquake, you will get a chance to learn about what it was like to experience one of these historical natural disasters. The details for today's activity are found here.

In your blog response, remember to answer TWO of the three choices. As always, I look forward to reading what is written!

a. What was the most memorable story, image, or fact about the earthquake you researched? Why?
b. What do you think it was like to live through the earthquake you researched?
c. Have you ever experienced another natural disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane, severe thunderstorm, or flood? Create your own personal recollection of living through the destruction that event caused.