Walling's Wonderful Blog

Virginia Science Standards practice test!

http://education.jlab.org/solquiz/index.html

This is fun and great practice for science skills!!!!!!  At least, I thought so :-)

Awesome Real-World Site

You should look here for what's new and cool in the study of the ice caps!!!!!!

This site has real-time video of scientists in action:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/poles/index.php

Create A Planetary Civilization

Groups have chosen their planet or moon on which to create their civilization.  Facts such as atmosphere, geology, and composition must be authentic. In order for their species to survive, liquid, air, and energy must cycle.  Shelter and transportation must also be addressed, as this combination of scientific fact and science fiction culminates in a group poster.

Animal Conservation Interactives

In honor of Earth Day here are some interactives and sites of interest:

http://www.animalplanet.co.uk/interactive/index.shtml

http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=Earth%20Day&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=58114&parentId=earth

We'll be spending the remainder of the year on how MAN has affected our planet, Earth.  Tracing the environmental history of our planet, I hope to show the students how far we've come over the last 20 years and also how far we have yet to go.

Trouble downloading any attachments?

I just noticed that some of the downloads will not load with Internet Explorer, but will easily load with Mozilla Firefox.  So, if you have difficulty- try that!

Great Diagrams for Astronomy

http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/astronomy/arny/instructor/indexnew.mhtml

This week we'll be adding to our planet booklets and doing an in class project, comparing the planets' size and diameter and finding a ratio that enables the students to fit the planets on the paper to scale.

Our goal is to finish astronomy this week-at least the high points- and spend the rest of the time after spring break reviewing for CRCT using a competitive game format!

This Week- Working on Reviews for Benchmark

The Benchmark is coming up on Friday, if everything goes as planned! 

By Wednesday evening the students should have 2 review sheets, which should be everything they need to actually KNOW for the exam.  They received one today and should have it completed by tomorrow.

I expect that they should already KNOW 2/3 of this information at the very least!!!!!!!  Actually, I expect them to know it ALL already, but you know how that goes :-)

Please help them study and quiz them Wednesday and Thursday nights.

March 3 internet Tornadoes and Hurricanes

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactive/index.html?section=t

MARCH 4

  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/      CLICK HERE FIRST and view the conditions you can find for up to date weather! Notice the approaching , violent storm front.

Seasons and angle of the sun interactive:

1.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072482621/student_view0/interactives.html

Scroll down to SEASONS INTERACTIVES. and thoroughly explore the above site :-)

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2.

http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/projects/data/Seasons/seasons.html

Answer the question in BLUE using the above site.

During which date is the sunlight on the graph the least?  The most?

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3.

Calculating Angle of the Sun:  You need to determine what shadow length (in meters) matches these angles: 30, 45,  60,  and 90 degrees.  It's a challenge!!!!!  : Use the site below and write this on the paper provided by ME :-)  Scroll down to the calculating boxes.

http://www.waukesha.k12.wi.us/South/EarthScience/AngleOfTheSun/AngleOfTheSun.shtml

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4.

Climate Zones:

http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/glossary.php?&word=NDVI

Use the Climate Zones site to answer these questions and write it on the paper provided:

1.  What is NDVI and what is it used for?

2.  Which color indicates lush, wet  vegetation?

3.  Which number range is the Andes Mountains and what does this range indicate?

4.  What number range, color and vegetation does most of Africa and Asia have?

5.  What number range, color and vegetation does Georgia have?

6.  Which factor is most responsible for the climate zones- longitude or latitude?  Give an example to prove your answer.

Drought in the Southeast.. and Games :-)

http://www.sercc.com/

This site is the Southeast Regional Climate Center and contains a map on the left side.  If you click on the map, it will should you the current drought conditions!

Under the link on top: Education and Research, you'll find Education k-12, which leads you to climate kids.

Click on the GAMES and you can find some fun activities.  If you do the concentration game, make sure to click on the link which describes the weather symbols.

Things for weekend fun! Weather

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/multimedia/games/- just for fun, not for an assignment!

YOUR ASSIGNMENT- Monday, March 3

Complete WEATHER Category from Skills Tutor- show me the grade- then do the following:

Using the sheet I give you in the minilab on Monday, answer the questions as you follow the Tornado simulation first, then the hurricane simulation.  When you finish, turn it in to me and go back to the EDHEADS site from the other day on weather prediction, etc.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/multimedia/games/- just for fun, not for an assignment!