MSSD

Today's Message for 3rd period |
SOAR-High
HONORS Earth Systems Science
Model
Secondary School for the Deaf
Mary
Ellsworth, Science Teacher |
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~*~ "There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs"
~*~
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GLOBE Measurements
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 4th Q Work Update
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 University of Massachusetts Amherst
Faults in the Field Expedition to California 
May 6-12, 2008
Dr. Cooke's web page about the trip: here.
Faults in the Field BLOG and Geo Quiz - here.
Inside Gallaudet story 
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Science Article Summary: Due: 4/18 5/2 5/16 5/30 Writing Guide. Online articles Ref format
Friday, June 13, 2008 (Your Lucky Day!) Earth System Science Final Exam 1. Take the exam 2. Hero's activity. Mary will explain.
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Thursday, June 12, 2008 Final Topic: Review for Final Exam: The Lithosphere 1. Again, we will review together using Qwizdom, 2. Your exam for this class is tomorrow morning, 8:25 - 10:25 am. Study the review questions from this week.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Final Topic: Review for Final Exam: Earth's Energy 1. Again, we will review together using Qwizdom, 2. The Final Portfolio reflection is due today.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Final Topic: Review for Final Exam: Seasons, Atmosphere, Ozone 1. Again, we will review together using Qwizdom, 2. Work on the Final Portfolio reflection. Directions here. Due Weds, 6/ 11.
Homework: The Portfolio Reflection is due Weds, 6/ 11. (no class time tmw).
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Monday, June 9, 2008 Final Topic: Review for Final Exam 6/13 1. We will review together using Qwizdom, 2. Work on the Final Portfolio reflection. Directions here. Due Weds, 6/ 11.
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Friday, June 6, 2008 Final Topic: Earth System Analysis Your Earth System Analysis report is due today. Finish it & link it to your online portfolio. Sandbox exp report: I will only grade your report if you give me back the checklist feedback sheet. Done with all that? Work on the Final Portfolio reflection. Directions here. Due Weds, 6/ 11.
Have one heck of a good weekend!
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Thursday, June 5, 2008 Final Topic: Earth System Analysis Earth System Analysis continuted: Work on your ESA report. Follow these directions. Need help with Part III Causal Chains? This report is due Friday (tmw)
Last ESS assignment: Final Portfolio reflection. Directions here. Due Weds, 6/ 11.
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Wednesday, June 4, 2008
 Final Topic: Earth System Analysis Earth System Analysis continuted: Work on your ESA report. Follow these directions. Today, add Part III Causal Chains. Need help?
This report is due Friday. You will have class time each day this week to work on it. One last assignment: Final Portfolio reflection. Directions here. Due Weds, 6/ 11.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Topic: Earth System Analysis 1. Earth System Analysis continuted: Work in your group Identify Event Sphere connections. The event for your group is listed here
2. Discuss the 20 point question at the bottom of the page. Individually, write an answer to the question for your report.
3. Create a new web page for Earth System Analysis. Follow these directions.
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Monday, June 2, 2008
Topic: Earth System Analysis 1. Earth System Analysis: Groups of 3 students work together. Read the scenario and discuss it - make sure you understand it.
2. Complete the Sphere Interactions chart. Identify connections between the spheres. Find as many as you can. (Hold the 20 point question for now). 3. Lab Report Revisions: Follow my feedback to revise your online report. Include the feedback from Dr. Cooke. Your final reports are due on Monday. Give me back the checklist on Monday.
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Friday, May 30,. 2008
Topic: Introduction to System Analysis 1. Lab Report Revisions: Follow my feedback to revise your online report. Include the feedback from Dr. Cooke. Final reports are due on Monday. Give me back the checklist on Monday.
2. System Analysis: Meet at the tables - how to do system analysis. See an example here (scroll down to the tan boxes).
Homework: A science article summary is due today. Your final sandbox lab report is due Monday.
Have a fabulous weekend!
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Thursday, May 29, 2008..
Topic: Introduction to Systems Analysis 1. You all did a great job in the VC yesterday! 2. Lab Report Revisions: I will give you feedback on your lab. Revise your online report. Include the feedback from Dr. Cooke. Final reports are due on Monday. Give me back the checklist on Monday.
3. System Analysis: Add your comments to this VoiceThread. (text or video)
Homework: The final science article summary is due tmw. Your final sandbox lab report is due Monday.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Topic: Research on the Lithosphere 1. Videoconference with a geoscientist: Dr. Michele Cooke, University of Massachusetts. Each group - prepare to summarize your experiment and discuss your results (photos).
2. If you missed last Friday, go back and read the important links in my message.
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Remember those who
have died for our country.
Memorial Day 2008 |
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Friday, May 23, 2008
Topic: Research on the Lithosphere - Sandbox experiments 1. Take a look at these links to satelite images, before and after the Chengdu earthquake (China): http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=14845 http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=14847 http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=14848
2. Prepare for a Videoconference with Dr. Michele Cooke on Weds after break: Summarize your experiement. Be ready to show your results (photos)
3. Finish your lab report. Include all parts of a lab report. Your lab report is due today. I will grade them on the weekend.
4. Inside Gallaudet - daily announcements: MSSD Students explore California earthquake country
HAVE A DELIGHTFUL WEEKEND!
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
 Topic: Research on the Lithosphere - Sandbox experiments 1. Postponed to Wednesday: Videoconference with Dr. Michele Cooke Make a plan for the vc: summarize your experiement. Show your results. 2. Your notebook should be done now.
3. Work on your lab report. Include: Introduction, problem, hypothesis, procedure, results, conclusions Your lab report is due BEFORE BREAK. I will grade them on the weekend. You will have class time Friday to finish it. Homework: Make sure your sandbox experiment lab report is done before break.
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Sandbox experiment schedule
 Topic: Research on the Lithosphere - Sandbox experiments 1. Check the work update. Be sure you have completed all assignments 2. Make drawings and write summaries in your notebook. The photos here. 3. Write an online report about your experiment Include: Introduction, problem, hypothesis, procedure, results, conclusions
4. China earthquake. Please meet at the tables.
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Sandbox experiment schedule
 Topic: Research on the Lithosphere - Sandbox experiments 1. Mike, Wegahta, Breanna do your experiment today. (* I don't have a copy of your proposal yet) 2. Other work: * Write a paragraph about Dr. Cooke's earthquake movie. * Age of the Earth essay * View "More Research At UMass: Dr. Cooke's extension experiments in her clay box. More here. * Set up a new web page for your Sandbox experiment report: Intro, question, hyp, procedure, etc If your experiment is done, FIRST - summarize in your notebook, then write the lab report. Lab photos here.
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Monday, May 19, 2008 No Class ....... Field Day 
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Friday, May 16, 2008  Topic: Research on the Lithosphere - Sandbox experiments 1. Here is the schedule for sandbox experiments. Ram and Joanna are on for today. 2. Other work: Write a paragraph about Dr. Cooke's earthquake movie. Age of the Earth essay View the "More Research At UMass pictures in yesterday's note Set up a new web page for your Sandbox experiment report: Intro, question, hyp, procedure, etc. A Science article summary is due today.
Have a splendiferous evening at the PROM! 
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Thursday, May 15, 2008  Topic: Research on the Lithosphere 1. Look at this ppt about research at the University of Massachusetts (Dr. Cooke and graduate students). 2. This movie shows Dr. Cooke's computer model of earth movements after an earthquake on the San Andreas fault. The movie is in real time (exageration vertically) - which means it shows the actual time for an earthquake. Write a paragraph describing what you see in the movie. Include 2 questions you have about it.
3. Work on your proposal for a sandbox experiment (2 groups). Due today.
More Research from UMass: 3. Extension: Look at Dr. Cooke's extension experiments in her clay box. 4. Here are pictures of Dr. Cooke's students at the University of Massachusetts doing sandbox experiments.
If you're done with the proposal, work on the Age of the Earth essay: Write a short essay - Age of the Earth. Write a 1/2-pg essay discussing what you learned about the age of the Earth. Comment on what you learned about it. Ask three questions that you have about the information.
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Topic: The Earth System Fragile environments
 1. Please share your Biogem report with the class today.
Topic: Experiments in the Lithosphere
2. Next assignment: A sandbox experiment - design your own. * Choose partners and work together to create a sandbox experiment. * Directions for your experiment. Your plan must be approved by Mary.
Homework: Write a short essay - Age of the Earth. Write a 1/2-pg essay discussing what you learned about the age of the Earth. Comment on what you learned about it. Ask three questions that you have about the information. A Science article summary is due this Friday.
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Monday, May 12, 2008 Topics: The Lithosphere - Faults in California. Fragile environments
 1. Please give me your notebooks with last week's work. 2. Many of you do not have a Biogems report linked to your portfolio. Do that today. 3. Tomorrow be prepared to share about your Biogems report with the class. 4. Essay - Age of the Earth. Write a 1/2-pg essay discussing what you learned about the age of the Earth. Comment on what you learned about it. Ask three questions that you have about the information.
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Friday, May 2, 2008 Topic: The Lithosphere - The Geologic Timeline
1. Finish the questions about the age of the Earth. Due today. 2. Make sure I have your notebook. 3. A science Article Summary is due today.
Have a splendid weekend!
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Thursday, May 1, 2008 Happy May Day!!  Topic: The Lithosphere - The Geologic Timeline
1. Any questions about the sub work for next week? 2. Continue learning about the age of the Earth. Answer these questions. 3. Give me your notebooks so I can grade them.
Homework: The Age of the Earth questions will be due tmw. A science article summary is due tmw.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Lithosphere - The Geologic Timeline
 1. Fault review. Pls meet at the tables. 2. Explanation of sub work for next week. 3. Continue learning about the age of the Earth. Answer these questions. 4. Give me your notebooks so I can grade them please.
5. On this Sunday four students will go to California to study faults. You can follow their trip on Google Earth: Download this file and save it on your desktop. Open Google Earth. Open the file. Click on the pushpin to read about each day! Zoom in and out to see what the four students will see.
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Tuesday, April 29,
2008
MARY IS ABSENT TODAY
The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults - Write a lab report
1. Finish your sandbox lab report. Follow this checklist. Include (pictures) (Drawings) Remember the kinds of faults: For compression, reverse faults develop. These can happen at convergent boundaries. also here. and here. And North Andes Mountains. (also called THRUST FAULTS)
For extension, normal faults develop. These can happen at divergent boundaries.
Also here, and here. And Ethiopia rift valley.
2. Read about faults here. (2 pages) Video about tsunami - a fault moves under water.
New Topic: How old are the rocks? The Geologic Timeline 3. Read about the age of the Earth. Start answering these questions. (Continue tmw)
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Monday, April 28,
2008 No class: SAT testing
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Friday, April 25, 2008
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults - Report Writing
 1. We will run an extension experiment today. Get your notebooks and let's go!
Homework: Write a summary for each observation page in your notebook. Continue to work on the Lab report. You will have part of class time on Monday to work on the report. Follow this checklist. The report is due Tuesday, 4/29.
Have a delightful weekend!
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Thursday, April 24, 2008
for your good work yesterday when Mr. Snyder was here. I was proud of you all !
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults
1. Look here at a pictures of Dr. Cooke working with her students. Her sandbox is designed for university research.\ 2. Continue to work on your lab reports. (pictures) (Drawings) 3. Prepare your lab notebook for an extension experiment tomorrow: Here are 3 research questions for an extention experiment. Add your own too (#3). Where do new faults form and what is the angle (dip), under extension? (Are the angles the same as in compression?) How does the width of the depression change as the land masses pull apart? (your question)
Homework: Read two pages and write the definitions for fault vocabulary.
Plate tectonics Fault
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Wednesday,
April 23, 2008
Welcome to Mr. Will Snyder, University of Massachusetts Amherst
The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults
1. Request for after school meeting, today, about 45 min. Volunteers please? 2. We will finish the sandbox compression experiment today. 3. Continue to work on your lab reports - compression. (pictures)
Homework: Take your notebooks with you. Write a summary of your observations for the contraction experiment. Include a discussion of the sources of errors. Include a generalization: compare the results with the Earth's crust.
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Tuesday, April 22,
2008
The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults
1. We will run a compression experiment today. First layer brown and blue layers in the sandbox. Then we will compress it. Observe the results and record in your notebook.
Homework: Summarize what you observed. Include a discussion of sources of error, and generalizaion.
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Monday, April 21,
2008
The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics and Faults
1. Click here to see a 'movie' showing how the Earth's crust has changed. 2. Give me your homework - outlines. 3. Tomorrow you will begin a conpression experiment on the sandbox. 4. Today, start your notebooks. Title: Our First Compression experiment Questions for investigation: (can you create a 3rd question of your own?) What kind of faults will develop? Where do the new faults start and what is their angle? 5. Write a hypothesis in your notebook and give your reasons. 6. Set up one new web page for a lab report on two sandbox experiments (compression & extension).
7. Write the introduction (background information related to plate tectonics). Add your questions & hyp for the first experiment (compression).
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Friday, April 18,
2008
The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics 1. Read and outline this article about drilling in the Earth's crust. 2. Give me your vocabulary words.Give me a science article summary, due today. 3. Sign out a new book: "Energy Flow". Read and outline page 15-23. Write down 3 questions you have about the information. Finish this for homework.
Have a good weekend
| Thursday, April 17,
2008 Mike & Breanna, go observe the Crab Apple buds
The Lithosphere - The Lithosphere 1. Please meet at the tables. We will review the rock cycle. 2. Plate tectonics and Faults... How are mountains made? 3. Show me your vocabulary words: extention, compression, normal fault, reverse fault, thrust fault, strike, dip.
Help me start to set up the sandboxes.
| Wednesday, April 16,
2008 Mike & Breanna, go observe the Crab Apple buds
The Lithosphere - The Lithosphere Take a Lithosphere test today... using Quizdom. The first two questions are practice. Review the Rock cycle. Homework: Plate tectonics and Faults... How are mountains made? Take notes: Make a quick sketch to explain the meaning of the following vocabulary words. On paper, Write the meaning in your own words. extention, compression, normal fault, reverse fault, thrust fault, strike, dip. A science article summary is due on Friday
| Tuesday, April 15,
2008
The Lithosphere - The Lithosphere Four students absent
| Monday, April 14,
2008 Ram & Jo, go observe the Crab Apple buds
New Topic: The Lithosphere - Earth's Interior
Study for the test tomorrow. |
Past
Messages: [ 1st Q ] [ 2nd Q ] [ 3rd Q ]
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SOAR-High - Computer
Guidelines 
Take good care of our
computers
You may not use chat or IM. DO NOT
download, install or use chat programs. AOL Instant
Messenger and IRC,
etc. are not permitted, during class or after
school. AIM chats with friends and family are not appropriate use
of the school day
- chatting does not help you learn or enhance your
education.
You may not read or write personal email during class
time. Students who are finished with all class responsibilities
may request permission to read personal email in class during the final
few minutes of class.
Do not download files onto any MSSD computers.
Do not open attachments in email.
Absolutely NO rough play (pushing, shoving,
running,
chasing) is permitted in this science classroom. The computer you break
will be the one for you to work on for the
rest of the quarter.
Only YOU
can keep our computers safe and happy!
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Climate Change: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/climate/climate.html
Fun: http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swf
fun: http://public.hbk-bs.de/%7Ebaumgarn/zoomquilt/zoom.htm 2. Observe the visible spectrum directly:
Study the spectrum
on the blackboard and answer these
questions.
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