Spring is a good time to learn about the weather. The changes come suddenly and sometimes, unexpected. The students will learn about the ways the sun heats up the Earth and the different climate regions. They will explore the atmosphere and how it changes. Students will observe different cloud types and what each means. They will learn about fronts and how this causes the weather patterns. The test for this unit will be March 14.
There will be a test over the Hydrology unit on Thursday, February 7. It will cover information on the oceans and the water cycle.
The new semester brings a new unit of study. We are studying the role of water in Earth's processes. The students should know that roughly 70% of Earth's surface is covered with ocean water. They can give you the names of the 5 oceans which are all connected in one big world ocean. We have looked at topography of the ocean floor. The students should be able to tell you the difference between a volcanic island and a sea mount. Now, we are looking at ocean currents and tides. After we finish with oceans, we will look into fresh water and the water cycle. Our next test will come in a couple of weeks.
The benchmark test for science will Wednesday, December 19th. It will cover the layers of the Earth, plate tectonics and fossils. The study guide for the test will be given on Friday, December 14th.
There is a test on crust, mantle and core. Also included on the test is energy transfer. They should know examples of radiation, conduction and convection.
We have moved inside the Earth. The students have been learning about the similarities and differences between the crust, mantle and core. They should be able to tell you some characteristics of each layer. After Thanksgiving, we will be learning about plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes.
Weathering and Erosion Test will be on Friday, November 9th. Test prep guide given on Friday, November 2nd. Study over the long break.
The students have been working in class on a study guide for weathering and erosion. They have been given the task of drawing pictures of different types of weathering and erosion. On the back of the paper, the students should write the definitions of the weathering and erosion types. The pictures should have color in them. The study guide will be graded as a quiz grade. They have been given time in class this week to work on it. Some time next week will be set aside for them to complete the study guide. It is due on Thursday, November 1st.
The students have been studying about the processes which change rocks and the surface of the Earth. These processes are weathering and erosion. They should understand the difference between weathering, which is the process of breaking down the rocks and erosion, which is the carrying away of the particles of rock by wind, rain and ice. There are two types of weathering, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical weathering is the physical breaking down of rock into smaller pieces. Chemical weathering breaks down rock through chemical changes. Some of the agents of mechanical weathering are freezing/thawing, release of pressure, growth of plants, actions of animals and abrasion. The agents of chemical weathering are water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, living organisms and acid rain. Ask the students to explain ice wedging. We will continue to study more on erosion and weathering for another week.
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