Sunday, February 27, 2011

Back at it!

Hi All,

I hope that you have had a great break!

Looking forward to this week, we will be reassigning the field projects, and preparing for our quiz on Tuesday, March 8th. The quiz will be on the defining characteristics of minerals, which we used in our lab explorations a couple of weeks ago. The quiz will also include the basic of the soil formation and profile.

Your soil profiles, which were created on Thursday before break, demonstrated effective teamwork, and incorporated important information about the different soil horizons.

ONGOING HOMEWORK FOR MARCH 8TH:
STUDY FOR YOUR QUIZ ON THE DEFINING QUALITIES OF MINERALS (THE LAB SHEET) AND THE BASICS OF SOIL FORMATION AND THE SOIL PROFILE. WE WILL REVIEW THESE IN THE COMING WEEK.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Lawrence Hall of Science Homework

Hi All,

I am looking forward to having a class with all of you tomorrow. I feel like all of the field work this week has pulled us in numerous directions. Thank you for the field efforts on the wetland, butterfly garden, and chicken projects this afternoon.

Congratulations to the 12 students who completed the survey with the Lawrence Hall of Science today. YOU 12 HAVE HOMEWORK FOR TOMORROW: PLEASE ANSWER THE TWO PROMPTS ABOUT THE CREATURES OF THE ABYSS:
1. WHAT IS ONE ORGANISM YOU SAW IN THE EXHIBIT, AND HOW IS IT ADAPTED TO SURVIVE IN ITS ENVIRONMENT?
2. HOW DO HUMANS AFFECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT?

See you all tomorrow!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Minerals and Soil

Hi All,

Effective engagement in the lab today - lots of good mineral explorations!

HOMEWORK, DUE TUESDAY, 2/15:
FINISH YOUR SOIL PACKET
* Read and highlight important information.
* In the Classwork section of your binder, answer all of the circled questions with as much detail and description as possible.
* Answer the following prompts with as much detail and description as possible:
1. Describe how soil is formed.

2. Some scientists say the “soil is alive.” What do they mean by this statement?

3. Why are pore spaces important for good plant growth?

4. Describe a typical soil profile.

5. Compare the following types of soil particles:
gravel, sand, silt, clay.



FOR LHS SURVEY PART 2 PARTICIPANTS, DUE TOMORROW, 2/9: RETURN YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY'S FIELD TRIP

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Rocks, Climate, and Soil

Hi All,

Tomorrow is a field day, and the last classroom day for the LHS survey participants.

Thursday we will finish going over our rocks and mineral questions, and get hands-on with minerals.

FOR HOMEWORK, DUE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD:
READ "SOME FACTS ABOUT CLIMATE." AND "SEASONS" IN THE HANDOUT.
ANSWER THIS QUESTION: HOW DOES CLIMATE RELATE TO SOIL?