Mrs. Martin's 7th Grade Earth Science Blog

The purpose of this blog is for students and parents to have a short summary of what has occurred in class,  important announcements and homework assignments.  I encourage you to check back frequently as I will try my best to update this blog daily!

Today’s focus was on the effects of salt in water with regards to freezing.  We spent the majority of class looking at wave properties through discussions, notes and a partner activity.

Homework:

1. page 18-19 due Thursday, Feb. 16
2. Group Ocean Brochure due Wedneday, Feb. 22
3. Option Project due Thursday, Feb. 23
4. Test on Ocean Packet on Friday, Feb. 24

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Today in class, we looked at the composition of the world’s water, meaning, fresh water and ocean water.  During the second half of class, the students worked on their individual portion of the ocean project.  They all chose a role, started to research and create a brochure.

Homework:

1. Page 17 – top half due tomorrow
2. Page 9 – #1-5 due tomorrow

Happy Monday!  The students continued to be oceanographers today by reviewing their vocabulary and charting the ocean floor.  We ended class by watching a video clip “If water had eyes,” and then the students worked in groups to illustrate the hydrologic cycle (AKA water cycle).

Homework:  group notes are due at the start of the class tomorrow (google apps)

TGIF…Today in class, the students define parts of the ocean floor, specifically, the contiental shelf and slope and abyssal plain.  They then worked to create a model of the ocean floor.  The last step was to be an oceanographer and map out the ocean floor through measuring.

Homework:  Group Notes due at the start of class on Tuesday

We started class by having a discussion about beach erosion. From there the students worked with their partner to add the 5 major oceans, ridges and trenches to their globes.  We ended class by being introduced to a group project that deals with one specific ocean of their choice.

Homework:  gorup notes are due by the start of class on Tuesday

We began class by examining beach sand and connecting it to water erosion and deposition.  From there, we moved onto locating several important parts on a globe.  We will eventually be able to locate the 5 oceans and ridges and trenches.

Homework:  In white packet, complete beach renourishment sheet ~ due tomorrow

I apologize for not posting for the last few school days!  We began class by playing review science board games based on the questions that the students wrote for homework last night.  This was in preparation for their test.  The students took their soil, weathering and erosion test in class today.  With so many students being absent, the students will not receive their grades until Thursday at the earliest.  They ended class, but previewing their next unit of study which is oceanography.

Homework:  None

Happy 1st day of February!  Today the students worked with their parent to find out how porosity affects the rate of water movement through soil.  They ended class by looking the vocabulary and terms that go along with erosion.

Homework:  complete pages 12 and 13 for tomorrow

We had a lot of fun performing our soil experiments outside today.  It was chilly during block 1, but warmed up nicely by block 4.  The students got a little muddy, but they all were amazing scientists.  Each student was a part of a group that ran 6 different test:  texture, worm count, composition, core sample, sifting, and compaction.

Homework:  complete pages 14-16 for tomorrow

We are still working with soil.  We started class by investigating soil as a filter.  The students used their soil sample and a solution of kool-aid to determine if the solutin would be lighter in color after leaching through the soil.  The students talked about the 5 different factors with soil formation.  The rest of class was spent looking at soil horizons through notes and using the soil samples.

Homework: 

1. Bring in a clear, plastic bottle for tomorrow
2. Be prepared to go outside during class tomorrow
3. Complete page 10 for tomorrow