MSSD
Today's Message |
SOAR-High Earth Systems
Science
Model
Secondary School for the Deaf
 Mary
Ellsworth, Science Teacher |
Dear students...... It has been a good year!
I have enjoyed working with ALL of you. \ |,,/
 
Our days together are nearly done...
Working with you was often fun!
But now you're off into the great big world
Ready or not - you're about to be hurled!
The Earth is changing, people must take care
Not to do her more harm,... please do your share.
Remember the Earth and her exquisite beauty
Understand her complexity - it is humanity's duty.
Goodbye and have a great graduation! 
Your Earth system science teacher ..... Mary E. |
 Friday/Monday, June 8/11,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Science - Final wrap up
1. Check the Work Up-date.... is it
accurate? If not, see Mary asap. I will pass out final
grades.
2. Pre-Post surveys. Please complete all there surverys:
 My Beliefs About Science survey.
My Beliefs About Careers survey.
Content questions.
3. Final portfolio reflection. Please reflect on the questions & link to your Portfolio page.
 Great News! Kelsey and Lateefah won 1st place in the team category for the RIT National Science Fair for the Deaf!
During the month of May they re-wrote their report in collaboration
with Indiana School for the Deaf and submitted it to the GLOBE Learning Expedition 2008 competition. You can read their final report, here. Be sure to tell them congratulations! And wish them LUCK for GLOBE!!
4. I thought you might be interested in this - Computers of the Future? |
Thursday, June 7,
2007
Topic: Earth System Science - Sphere interactions
1. Read the scenario and discuss it with your partner.
Scenario: Faulting is Hot Stuff
Partners:
Yolanda, Sierra
| Jamie, Nicole
|
| Alex, Sylvester |
|
| Thomas, Mahalia
| Tiffany |
2. With partners: Complete the Sphere Interactions chart. You will share the grade.
Individually, answer the 20 point question.
|
Wednesday, June 6,
2007
Topic: Test - Plate Tectonics & Faults
Take the test.
Topic: ESS Final Exam (project)
1. Review Earth's spheres and sphere interactions
(note: We learned 6 spheres in this class:
lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, anthrosphere, cryosphere,
atmosphere).
2. Read an Earth system story (a scenario). Ask your teacher for clarification.
3. The exam will continue tomorrow.
4. @12:40 - Videoconference - Let's see Dr. Cooke's experiment today.
|
Tuesday, June 5,
2007
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics & faults
1. Review for a test on faults and plate tectonics.
Print and answer these questions.
|
Monday, June 4,
2007 Work
Update Mary is absent today
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics & Geologic Time
1. Geologic time: Changes in the Earth
Continue reading about the age of the Earth and answer the questions. (print pgs 4 to end)
Schedule for remaining classes
Tuesday - review for Fault & Plate Tectonics test
Wednesday - The Faults test - 25 multiple choice questions
I will give you background info for the exam (review of Earth's Sphere)
Exam: Read a story, identify sphere interactions (individual work)
Thursday -finish the exam.
3 surveys (pre-post surverys)
Friday - Math Auction
Monday - Final Portfolio Reflection - link to your portfolio.
Fare well!
 Homework: Finish the questions from today if not done in class.
Study for the Faults test. Discussion/review in class
tomorrow. |
Friday, May 25,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - Report Writing
1. Finish your report on Compression and Extension. Link to your portfolio page.
|
Remember those who
have died for our country.
Memorial Day 2007 |
 |
|
Thursday, May 24,
2007 Work
Update
 Topic: The Lithosphere - Report Writing
1. Watch this movie
of Dr. Cooke's model several times. Yesterday she talked about the
different materials - soft sedicments and hard rock and how they move
differently (i.e. sand vs clay). Look for this:
"The
movie is close to real time.Notice how the shaking lingers in the
Ventura and Los Angeles Basins for a long time even after areas closer
to the hypocenter are
done shaking. This is the effect of thick sediments in the
basin
which are surround by harder metamorphic rocks.
The waves get trapped in the sediment filled basins and just keep
bouncing from edge to edge --- like waves trapped in a puddle." -
Michele Cooke
2. Work on the web report on compression and extension. Include photos. You have today and tomorrow to write the report..
Homework: Complete ALL make up work. All work is due next Friday.  |
Wednesday, May 23,
2007 Work
Update
 Topic: The Lithosphere - Observing extension
1. Get your notebook.
2. Help fill the sandbox with layers of sand.
3. Extension experiment - record your observations.
|
Tuesday, May 22,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - Reporting your observations on compression
 1. Please get your notebooks and look at your compression data.
2. Work on your report on
compression and thrust faults. This is a regular lab report with
Problem, Hypothesis, Procedure, Data, Data analysis and
Conclusions. It will have 2 parts: compression & extension.
3. Add this to your report: What is the dip
and strike of the faults in the sandbox?
4. Use photos from here.
5. Add the three questions for extension to your report (from yesterday).
|
Monday, May 21,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - Observing compression
1. Let's finish the experiment - 20 more turns. Record the angles and draw what you see (60 turns total)
2. Extension: Look at Dr. Cooke's extension experiments in her clay box.
3. Extension experiment in the sandbox: Add these 3 questions to your
Fault report (the same report as for compression): Write your hypothesis
for each one.
Where do new faults form and what is the angle (dip), under extension?
(Are the angles the same as in compression?)
In the map view, where do new faults develop?
How does the width & depth of the depression change as the land masses pull apart?
|
Friday, May 18,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - studying faults in a sandbox - Compression
1.
Videoconference with Dr. Cooke. Please sit at the Polycom.
What is the question you will ask?
2. We will finish running the sandbox compression experiment. Continue your drawings
(map view and cross section). Use your notebook.
Have a splendiferous evening at the PROM!  
|
Thursday, May 17,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - studying faults in a sandbox
1.
Let's run the sandbox compression experiment. Continue your
drawings (map view and cross section). Use your notebook this time.
Experimental Questions:
=> Where do the new thrust faults start and what is the angle?
=> What happens to the angle of the faults as compression continues?
Homework: A videoconference is planned for Friday with Dr. Cooke, UMass. Be
ready with questions. (Click her picture to read her web page at
UMass.) ==> |
Wednesday, May 16,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - studying faults in a sandbox
1. Here
are pictures of Dr. Cooke's students at the University of Massachusetts
doing sandbox experiments. Their sand looks so cool! We have to get
some houses too.
<= 2. Click the picture to see Thrust faults in the Rocky Mtns.
3. Let's run the sandbox compression experiment. Continue your drawings (map view and cross section).
Homework: A videoconference is planned for Friday with Dr. Cooke, UMass. Be
ready with questions. (Click her picture to read her web page at
UMass.) ==>
|
Tuesday, May 15,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate tectonics & Faults
1. Please give me your vocabulary homework. Did you add subduction & convection?
Any questions?
2. I will show you the sandbox.
|
Monday, May 14,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere - Plate tectonics
1. Plate tectonics: and Faults... How mountains are made.
2. 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.
|
Friday, May 11,
2007 Work
Update
 Topic: Space Technology: GPS Accuracy & Precision
1. Finish your accuracy & precisions report. Follow this guide. Get pictures here. Find your graph trial #1 & #2 in your web account.
Topic: Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics
2. Please answer these two surveys:
My Beliefs About Careers survey.
Content questions. (Did you finish one yesterday? Please do it.)
Have a splendid weekend! 
|
Thursday, May 10,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Space Technology: GPS Accuracy & Precision
1. Your goal is to show the difference between accuracy and precision. Here is some more information - compare the accuracy and precision.
2. Write a webpage report to show your understanding. Study your data. Write up your results, following this guide. Answer the questions carefully with complete and well thoughtout answers. Get pictures here. Link to your web portfolio.
Topic: Lithosphere - Plate Tectonics
3. Please click and complete this online survey (2 more tomorrow).
|
 Wednesday, May 9,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Space Technology: GPS Accuracy & Precision
1. Learn what is accuracy, what is precision...
<= Click on the image and study the difference between precision and accuracy.
2. Read the lab.
3. With a partner do the lab. Carefullly collect data. |
Tuesday, May 8,
2007 Work
Update
 Today... Check the work update and Finish all:
1. GPS info page (print and hand it in)
2. Nome visit reflection (link to your Portfolio page)
3. VC with UHS (4/27)
|
Monday, May 7,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: The Lithosphere and Space Technology: GPS
1. Learn about the Global Positioning Syste (GPS). Read about GPS here and write a summary paragraph about each topic:
What is GPS?
How does it work?
GPS
in earthquakes studies
Using
GPS to measure earthquakes |
Friday, May 4,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - Alaska reflection
1. Here is a page about yesterday's visit w ACSA.
2. On the lower part of that page: please create a web page with your
reflection about ACSA visit and discussion yesterday. Use the
questions to guide your writing. Pick any 5 questions to answer.
Link the page to your online portfolio.
3. Make sure your UHS VC report is done and linked to your portfolio. I will be doing grades this weekend
Have a good weekend! 
|
Thursday, May 3,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - Visitors from Nome, Alaska
1. Learn about living in Nome, Alaska - presentation by middle school students.
2. Describe DC Culture & Environment. ppt.
.
|
 Wednesday, MAY 2,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - Washington climate & culture
1. Finish your ppt slide and send it to Mary asap. I only got 1 yesterday.
2. Practice your presentation for tmw.
3. Let's plant Milkweed in the Ozone Garden.
 MQR's are due next Tuesday. All work is due Friday (including the UHS VC report)
|
Tuesday, MAY 1,
2007 Work
Update Happy May Day!! 
Topic: Earth System Connections - Washington climate & culture
 1. Work on your ppt page for Thursday. Your topic is on the board.
Send it to me as an attachment to my email.
2. Make sure your VC report is done (last week). Check the Work update.
Nicole: I need the news article about the VC asap. Pick a photo.
|
Monday, April 30,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - Alaskans will visit us.
 1.On Thursday, we
will have special visitors. Middle school students from Anvil City
Science Academy, in Nome, Alaska will visit MSSD and will tell us what it's like living in Alaska. Their teacher is Mr. Todd Hindman.
Your class is assigned to tell them about our budburst research. How
do you want to do that? We need a plan. Short discussion - meet
@tables.
2. I need volunteers to create a 15 min ppt about DC's climate and weather.
4. Make sure your VC report is done.
|
Friday, April 27,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - VC with UHS about climate change
1. Finish your VC report and link it to your Portfolio page.
|
Thursday, April 26,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - VC with UHS about climate change
1. NICE VC! You guys did a good job. We might do another one next week Look at pictures here.
2. Create a webpage report about the VC. Write an answer for the 8 questions from yesterday. Use the pictures
in your report. Add other pictures from the Internet to make your
answers interesting and clear. Link to your Portfolio page.
|
Wednesday, April 25,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - VC with UHS about climate change
1. Here's the UHS DHHP website.
2. Do you have any last minute questions? Look at
the list of facts on the paper... you can use the facts during the
discussion. Every time you use a fact or question
(appropriately) you get 5 points! Study the list before the
VC.
3. The videoconference will happen at 12:15 EST (9:15 PST).
|
Tuesday, April 24,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Earth System Connections - prepare for a VC discussion
1. Tomorrow we will videoconference with University High Sch DHHP students. UHS is in Irvine, California. The teacher is Mr. Chris Gonzales. We will discuss Climate Change with them.
2. Finish posters from yesterday: Yolanda and Jamie.
3. In
3 groups and discuss the 2nd question: What can you do about
Climate Change? You can search on the Internet for good ideas. Be
ready to share your answers at 12:30.
<=Mr. Gonzales, UHS
|
Monday, April 23,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: An Earth System Connection
1. On Wednesday we will videoconference with University HS, CA. They watched the movie called An Inconvenient Truth. You can discuss the movie with them. Two questions:
+ What is climate change and why is it happening?
+ What can we do to change the problem?
Get together in 3 groups and discuss the 1st question. Make
a web of your answer. Be ready to share your answer at
12:30.
|
Friday, April 20,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: An Earth System Connection- Humans and Horseshoe Crabs
 1. Read and Learn on your own about Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs are one of Earth's oldest creatures.
Read about the Horseshoe Crab.
Click on "Reproduction" to understand why they are on the
beach in spring time. Send Mary email and answer these 3
questions:
1. Have you seen Horseshoe Crabs stranded on
the beach? What do you think about them?
2. Describe 5 interesting things you read about Horseshoe Crabs.
3. How are
Horseshoe Crabs part of the Earth System?
2. Catch-up work for students who were absent: Please read the Mon/Tues messages.
3. Help with GLOBE temp and precipitation data. Get data here. I have data sheets. Thanks!
|
Thursday, April 19,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Climate Change: The Carbon Cycle
1. Take a quiz about carbon
2. Catch-up work for students who were absent: Please read the Mon/Tues messages.
|
Wednesday, April 18,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Climate Change: The Carbon Cycle
1. Univ of Massachusetts research project: Consent and assent forms. (meet at the tables)
2. Any questions about the carbon cycle?
3. Take a quiz about carbon. [postponed]
4. Catch-up work for students who were absent: Please read the Mon/Tues messages.
|
Tuesday, April 17,
2007 Work
Update
Topic: Climate Change: The Carbon Cycle
Hello Students! Welcome back!
1. Review the animation, and answer questions.
2. Take a quiz about carbon. [postponed]
|
Monday, April 16,
2007 Work
Update
Mary is Absent Today
Topic: Climate Change: The Carbon Cycle
Hello Students! Welcome back!
1. Remember you did a drawing of the Carbon Cycle?
Today, Review The Carbon Cycle: Click the NEXT arrow for an animation, and answer
these questions. Study the questions for a Quiz tomorrow.
2. Test your knowledge - take a practice quiz to see how much you know about carbon.
Homework: Study your review questions for a Quiz tomorrow on the Carbon Cycle.
|
Past
Messages:  [ 1st Q ] [ 2nd Q ] [ 3rd Q ]
|
 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!
|
|
Good
MORNING Students 
GLOBE Ozone
Measurements 
1. Click and view pictures showing fault concepts.
1. Finish your extension/compression report today.