Friday, 29 February and Monday, 3 March, 2008

Using Information from textbooks, internet access, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-research the geologic history of the earth and write an expository report on the earth's history.

The do-now was from Mastering the FCAT, page 18, number 12.

After extensively reviewing HL #8, students received the instructions for Written Report #3 on the History of the Earth. Students then spent the remainder of the class period researching the topic and taking notes.

The instructions can be found at the top of this blog.

Wednesday, 27 February and Thursday, 28 February, 2008

This is HL #8. You MUST head your paper correctly, write the title of each section. You MUST copy the chart and complete it, following the listed directions.

Using information from textbooks, the FCAT coach book, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-review reading and writing skills for the FCAT

The do now was from the Mastering the FCAT book. Students did problems 8 and 9 on page 17.

The remainder of the block was spent on practicing FCAT skills from the FCAT coach book.

Home learning 8 can be found at the top of the blog.

Monday, 25 February and Tuesday, 26 February, 2008

This is HL #7. Remember to use loose leaf paper, head your paper correctly (last name, first name; ID number, Block --; Date, HL #7). Also, write the headings for each section. Do them in order. Write true if true (NOT T) and if false, DO NOT WRITE FALSE, but write the WORD(S) that would substitute for the underlined term that would make the statement true. Answers only.

Using information from textbooks, the FCAT coach book, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-review reading and writing skills for the FCAT.

The do now was from the Mastering the FCAT book, page 15, questions 2 and 3.

After completing the do now, students spent the remainder of the class period practicing FCAT skills of reading, note taking, and answering read/think explain questions.

The home learning, although labeled 11, is actually number 7 and is due next class meeting. It can be found at the top of this blog.

Thursday, 21 February and Friday, 22 February, 2008

Using information from textbooks, internet access, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-review the most recent interim assessment exam.
-create an imovie on a specific period of geologic time.

The do-now as a quick write: If you could safely visit any geologic period, which would you visit and why?

Classes that needed to review article 2 did so. Also, classes that needed to complete the debriefing of the interim exam did so.

The remainder of the class was spent constructing an iMovie on an assigned geologic time period. Each group is responsible for creating a movie that includes:
-the team name and group member names
-the period of geologic time and the era to which it belongs
-how long ago did the period begin
-how long did the period last
-dominant plant and animal life during the period
-conditions on the earth during this period
-evidence and proof through the fossil record of the events that occurred during the period
-at least 3 pictures

Remember, the rock collection project is due next class meeting! Don't forget to bring your labeled rocks!

Tuesday, 19 February and Wednesday, 20 February, 2008

Using information from past classroom discussions and activities,
Students should be able to:
-take an exam on processes that shape the earth.
-review the most recent interim assessment exam.

The do now was a quick write. Scientists recently found fossils of a giant flesh eating dinosaur. Write to explain what fossil evidence would let them identify when the dinosaur lived and what it looked like.

Students then took the exam on processes that shape the earth.

We then reviewed the most recent interim assessment exam.

The home learning is to work on the rock project, due in class on February 25 for blocks 1, 3, and 5 or February 26 for blocks 2, 4, and 6. Remember to bring in the rocks AND an identification key!

Thursday, 14 February and Friday, 15 February, 2008

This is article 2. Be sure to use complete sentences to answer questions 1 and 2. Use blue or black ink or pencil. Be sure your GIST is exactly 15 words and reads across like a book. Use only one word per blank. DO NOT BEGIN...This article is about...



These are the lab sheets for lab 15. Be sure to print them out and complete them prior to the next class.

Using information from laboratory experiments, videos from the internet and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-use a model to demonstrate the process of radioactive decay.
-hypothesize and test to determine the absolute age of a substance.

The do now was to write an acrostic poem about either: minerals, rocks, or fossils. The word is written vertically. The first letter of the word or phrase should be the letter of the word. Each line should be a description of the word. For example:

Rocks, made from 2 or more minerals
Once melted material, can harden to form new rocks
Cycled from one type to another
Keep changing over time by weathering and erosion
Some types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Home learning was collected and reviewed. Students also received article 2, which is due next class. The article can be found at the top of the blog.

We then saw BrainPop movies about radioactivity and carbon dating.

Students completed a model lab on radioactive half life. Since the lab can be done with materials found at home, those students that were absent can print out the sheets above and do the lab at home.

Tuesday, 12 February and Wednesday, 13 February, 2008

This is HL #6. Be sure to head your paper correctly, use loose leaf notebook paper, write the name of each section, and write down answers only.

Using information from textbooks and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-distinguish between the different types of fossils.
-review the district interim assessment exam.

The do now was a quick write: While out looking for rocks for your rock project, you come across an unusual rock that looks like a bone. How would you decide if it is a fossil or not?

After collecting the short stories, students received home learning 6, which can be found at the top of this blog.

Students then watched BrainPop movies on fossils and geologic time.

Students read and took notes on fossils from the text. The text can be accessed at the link below; simple scroll forward to read the other pages. (Pages 350-255.
http://www.mhln.com/CorsairBook?ACTION=0&FILE=250.html&ISBN=0078693896&S=0&F=1

Classes that needed to complete lab 14 on investigating the characteristics of rocks did so.

The remainder of the class time was spent reviewing the last interim assessment exam.

Friday, 8 February and Monday, 8 February, 2008

Using information from textbooks and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-compare and contrast the different classes of rocks.
-identify rocks by their characteristics.

Our do-now was to make up two teacher-like questions about rocks and answer them.

Students read and took notes from the text. The text can be found at:
http://www.mhln.com/CorsairBook?ACTION=0&FILE=227.html&ISBN=0078693896&S=0&F=1

Simply scroll forward through the pages until you've read through page 237.

After reading and taking notes on the three classes of rocks, some classes completed lab 14 on identification of rocks.

We then began a review of the District Interim Assessment Exam.

Don't forget; the short story is due next class period! See blogs from February 6 and 7 to find the directions.

Wednesday, 6 February and Thursday, 7 February, 2008

These are the instructions for short story 3. Follow them carefully to avoid a poor grade.




Here are the papers for the 3rd grading period project reposted, including the procedures page.

Using information from laboratory experiments, videos from the internet, and classroom discussions,
Students should be able to:
-compare and contrast the different classes of rocks.
-identify rocks by their characteristics.

The do now was a quick write: There are hundreds of different types of rocks on earth. Why do you think there are so many?

After reviewing home learning 5, students received the procedures sheet for the 3rd grading period project on rocks. Students are reminded that after school help is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Students also received the instructions for short story 3. Be sure to note the due dates, as no late papers will be accepted. You can find the directions at the top of this blog.

We then viewed BrainPop movies on types of rocks and the rock cycle.

Students then did lab 14, which was the identification of rocks by their characteristics. Students absent from class can go to drgcdms.podomatic.com to find the make-up lab activity.

Monday, 4 February and Tuesday, 5 February, 2008

This is HL #5. Be sure to use loose leaf, correctly headed paper, blue or black ink, or pencil. Answers only. Follow the directions for each sheet. Write the name of each section prior to writing answers.

Using information from past classroom activities, readings, and discussions,
Students should be able to:
-take the district interim assessment.

Students did not have a do now or other lessons, due to the district interim assessment. HL #5 can be found at the top of this blog and is due next class meeting.