Carbon Cycle

We've been discussing the carbon cycle over the past couple of weeks. Students have learned about how carbon cycles through different spheres here on earth: biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere (geosphere). For a weekly assignment they have been working on a carbon cycle cartoon...so far they've looked pretty good!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

I hope everyone is gearing up for the end of the quarter. Here are some very important dates to remember:
1) 10/25 - Universe Theories, Technologies, and Topics Projects Due (This is a large percentage of your grade this quarter, and as such has the potential to help or hurt your grade for the 1st quarter.)
2)10/28 - Astronomy end of unit test. (Study guides will be handed out on 10/22 and need to be signed by a parent or guardian acknowledging that a test will be given. PLEASE STUDY!)

Week 9/21 - 9/24

Good job to the students in staying on track with school and staying focused in the wake of the fire! Also a big thank you to all who worked hard to divert a larger disaster.

This week we will be introducing the Big Bang Theory and evidence for it. Just a reminder about the Universe Theories, Technologies, and Topics project is due October 25!

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT: Summarize a scientific current even article and attach the article to your summary. (Remember summaries must be 5-7 sentences long.) The assignment is due on Monday September 27th.

Week 9/13 - 9/17

WE HAVE STARTED OUR ASTRONOMY UNIT!!!! This week we have listened to police sirens, watched the introduction to Disney's Cars, listened to trains, and watched cars fly past spectators at fast speeds. Why? Because of the Doppler Effect. Parents if you don't know what the Doppler Effect is, ask you students! We have also been looking through spectograph glasses, basically glasses that work like a prism breaking up light into its respective wavelengths. Students look hip as they watch energized atoms light up through their disco glasses.

Weekly assignment due on Friday is another graphing practice (pg 30 - 31). Please don't fall behind on the weekly assignments.

Joke: What do black holes eat if they are carnivores?


...meteors...

Week 9/7 - 9/10

Oh what amazing weather we are having!!! I sometimes think however that it may be getting too cold too soon. But I can't complain when the evenings are so beautiful.
As of today we started our quarter long "Universe Technology, Theories, and Topics Poster Project." If parents are curious to know more about it, a great way to motivate and keep on your students is to ask them about the project. If parents would like a rubric or project information sheet please email me and let me know. The projects will be due on October 25th. Students please remember that you will only have 2-3 days in class to do some research, the rest of the project must be done on your own time.

This weeks WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT is the "Graphing Practice" worksheet that was handed out in class and it is due this Friday (9/10).

Joke: Why are stars in the universe so far apart from each other?

...(answer 1) they need their SPACE...
...(answer 2) they're made up of gas...

Great first two days!!!

It was a pleasure meeting all of my students this past week. I look forward with anticipation to the year and all the things that are planned. Parents, please email me with any questions that you may have or with any concerns that may come up. My email address is jacob.griffin@fortherriman.org...hope to hear from you soon!



Joke: What is our planet's favorite type of poetry?



...uni-verse...

FLEXBOOK

This year we will be using an interface called "Flexbooks" as our text resource. Each student will receive their own Flexbook that they may write in, take notes in, and highlight as much as they want. In addition to their hard copy, links will be on my blog that take students to an online version of every unit and chapter.

Here is the link to Introduction to Earth Systems:

Introduction to Earth Systems

Here is the link to Earth Systems - Astronomy:

Earth Systems: Astronomy