4.1 & 4.2: Ocean Environments

One of the main concepts that spans all the science we cover in eighth grade is that things change over time. For organisms, these changes are usually in response to the environment. In this chapter we take a look at many different ocean environments. We also study the organisms in each biome.

What are the different zones in the ocean?
How do these zones differ from each other?
What are some adaptations that organisms have to live in these different zones?

This weeks contract can be found at Contract 17.

3.3 & 3.4: Waves and Tides

As we finish talking about water in motion we focus on waves and tides. The main question we will try to answer: causes?

We also do a few activities that look at how storms affect wave formation, how waves travel, and how tides can be used for energy production.

This week I will give you creative permission to design your own A contract in Contract 16. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

3.1 & 3.2: Oceans are connected

The next few weeks will take us to the world's oceans. Chapter 3's big idea is that there is really only one ocean that is a connected system of water in motion. Why are there different oceans with different names in different parts of the world?

In what ways does water stay in motion?
What makes the water move in those ways?
What are the causes and effects of surface currents?
What are the causes and effects of deep currents?

You may recall in Unit A Chapter 1 we learned about the different movements of the Earth's crust and what those movements did to the surface. We can see what those effects are on land, but until the 1950s we thought the bottom of the ocean was flat. What does it really look like? What formations are there? How do we know?

1.2 & 1.3: Water Underground and on the Surface.

Last week's discussion on the water cycle focused mainly on water in the atmosphere. This week we look at water on the surface and underground.

Where do we find freshwater on the Earth's surface?
Why do we find it there?
How do these bodies of water form?
What is the water table?
How does water fill underground spaces?

This weeks Contract Week 14 focus on local bodies of water and how we get our water here in Plymouth?

1.1: The Water Cycle

We are done with Unit A! Does that mean we forget all we have learned? In our first unit we looked at how our rocky planet is moving, what that movement means, and how we affect this chunck of space rock that we are living on. In our new unit we will learn about our how our watery planet is moving, what that movement means, and how we affect this water world we are living on. Sound familiar. All of those concepts we scribbled on to the paper of our unit A exam come back to haunt us again. It's almost like these concepts are important and apply to many things...

This week we look at how water moves throughout Earth and its atmosphere.

Where do you see water?
How does water move throughout Earth's land, ocean, and atmosphere?
What causes this movement?
How are our daily lives affected by how water moves?

With this new unit we are going even more into the technology we have, so a few reminders.

1. Contracts can now be done online in lieu of class presentations on our class wiki. See me if you would like to take advantage of this starting with Science Contract for Week 13
2. Everyone is expected to post their thoughts on the weekly questions once per chapter(every two weeks).
3. There are now three participating groups signed up for the We Can Change the World Challenge. Get a group, sign up, and make a difference for an extra contract grade before March 9th.

Here are your Contract 13 Pics!

Contract Week 13

5.2 & 5.3: Reduce and Reuse

Last week we looked at what we used to heat our homes and power the appliances we use everyday. This week we think about ways to extend and reuse these resources.

How can we conserve our natural resources?
What items can we recycle in our homes?

Over the next two weeks we will be working on Contract 11 and Contract 12. This will wrap up our first unit and prepare us for our first Unit Exam!

Contracts 11 & 12

5.1: Natural Resources Support Human Activity

Ever stop to think about the things you use everyday? What are they made from? Where does that come from? How does it get to you? In chapter 5 we will be gaining appreciation for what we use on and how we affect the world by using those products.

This questioning is the first step in solving some of the issues we face. Some of the questions already posed in class:

What could we use to replace our nonrenwable resources?
What drastic changes would come about?
How does this affect us?

In our discussions about our use of natural resources, ask yourself what you would do if there was no oil to move things from place to place, or what if the lights didn't come on with the flick of a switch?

Contract 10 has students looking at energy use in their own home.

I will also give an extra contract grade to any whole groups who participate and finish the We Change the World Challenge!

Here is a look at a few week 10 A Contracts.

Contract 10