14. Layers of the Earth
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After realizing that there are several parts to the earth, our geologist took a closer look at what these exact layers are and how the help change the landscape of our earth. There are four distinct layers to our planet.
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13. Plate movement: Landforms & Natural Disasters
02/11/15
This week we looked at how the plates movements can affect the land we live on. Students observed that there are several types of plate movements that can drastically change our land.
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12. Continental Drift: Tectonic Plates
01/23/15
This week students had the chance to examine geographical maps of the world over the course of the past 250 million years! The students observed that roughly 250 million years ago all of the continents were stuck together forming one supercontinent known as Pangea. Over the course of several millions of years the continents separated to form the map we know today. We will be taking a closer look at what causes the continents to move and what will happen if they keep moving!
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11. Completing the Test!
01/05/15
This week we are actually completing our tests and recording our observations in our notebooks. Each of groups will test their landform against some type of flowing water. Some of the tests were, drizzling, thunderstorms, flowing river, misty rain and powerful waves. The students drew their landforms and described them in their notebooks before the tests were done and once again after their tests were completed. Below are pictures of the tests that were completed in class as well as the observations our geologists made.
Water can: 1) move the land 2) break the land 3) change the texture of the land 4) changes the shape of the land |
10. Developing a Model
11/22/14
Students have studied different landforms, but now we are trying to discover how they developed. A few weeks earlier students designed their own tests to see if water does change the landscape of earth. In order to collect data on this idea, students were each able to pick a landform they were going to build and then create a test to show whether or not water would change it. Some groups wanted to experience a slight rainfall, so they decided to use eye droppers to release water on their landform. Other groups were curious what a thunderstorm might do, and so they developed a test that them pour multiple cups of water through a strainer on top of their landform. We even had a group create the simulation of waves on a beach with a piece of cardboard wrapped in foil. Below are pictures of the groups creating their landforms.
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9. What is a Landform?
11/17/14
Landforms cover the globe and define the landscape of our country. The USA is not the only place to find truly amazing landforms. This week we took a closer look at great landforms across the globe. Understanding that there are different types of landforms can help our young geologist soon explain why and how they got there!
In the slideshow below are pictures of the various landforms we will be studying over the next few weeks! |
8. Wacky Science Day: Plants Galore!
11/12/14
For their first WSD, our young geologists decided to give botany a try. Ms. Kistler's class split up into two groups to grow three different types of plants. We planted Wisconsin Fast Plants, Lima beans without an soil and cucumbers in our grow lab. The students made observations about how small some of the seeds were, whereas others where very large. The seeds came in different colors, shapes and textures. It has now been a whole week and our Lima beens and Wisconsin fast plants have taken off. I let the students know that it would be a while before our cucumber plants started sprouting. We hope to transplant the lima bean plants into our grow lab and the Wisconsin fast plants into planters outside of STEM in the spring. They have decided to their next WSD they would like to complete a series of tests with different beans to see what plants need in order to grow and survive.. Below are pictures of our plants one week later!
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7. Developing a test!
11/17/14
An important part of being a scientist is being able to develop a fair test that you can use to answer a question. For the next two weeks the students have been challenged to develop their own tests to see how weather affects land. I have provided our young geologist with a wide variety of materials. In their groups they must design a test they can complete to answer the question, "How does weather affect land?" In their notebooks they are developing a plan, drawing the before and after diagrams for their test and recording what happened while to the land while they were testing. The ability to develop a test is one of the key science practices required by NGSS.
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6. Water changes everything!
11/04/14
This week our geologists had a change to see how water can greatly change the physical appearance of sand, clay and humus. By adding just a few drops of water students saw dry powdery clay turn into a sticky, moldable mess! It's color became a very dark red. They continued to explore to find that as you added even more water clay turned into the consistency of paint. Many of them used their fingers to paint their names on the paper. Humus held the greatest quantities of water which we learned is helpful to farmers growing crops. Finally sand could be held together with just the right amount of water, perfect for building sand castles!
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5. Examining Clay, Sand & Humus
10/28/14
Students had an opportunity to look at some of the different types of soil. They learned that there is Loam, Clay and Sand. Loam is a soil that is rich in Humus. Humus is made of organic material. It is dark brown in color and contains vital nutrients and minerals that are good for the plants and animals that life near by. Sand is made up of small pieces that look very similar to sugar. It is soft when warm and a very light color. It is created from bits of rock that have broken down over time. Finally there is clay. Clay is rich in many nutrients and is often found on farms and within the layers of topsoil and subsoil. It can vary in color from a deep rich red to hues of orange and even a dull brown. The properties of all of these soils are very different when wet. Below are pictures from our lab!
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4. Looking at Soil Samples
10/22/14
After making predictions and then collecting samples from home, students took their questions one step further and examined soil samples in class. They were shocked and amazed to find remnants of bugs, roots, wood chips, twigs, fertilizer and mineral deposits. It was very similar to what they had predicted!
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3. What is underground?
10/11/14
Students began brainstorming what they would find if they dug three feet into the ground. Students shared that soil is the home of many animals including moles, beavers, some species of birds and snakes as well as many insects. They also discussed that plant parts including roots, seeds, and dead leaves can be found in the soil. This week students will take a closer look at soil samples to see what they discover.
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2. Creating a Digram
09/28/14
Scientists use diagrams all the time to help explain the parts of an object. Diagrams are used in directions, maps, textbooks, and may other places. Being able to create an effective diagram is a very important skill. Students were able to practice drawing several diagrams in their notebook They then took a diagram assessment on labeling the parts of a horse.
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1. Team Building!
09/10/14
Being a successful scientist often times means being a successful teammate. This year we started off by completing a design challenge that focused on working as a team. Students were given 45 minutes and a limited amount of resources to create a device that would help my daredevil gummy bears reach the ground as slowly as possible. after jumping off the top of our playground equipment. They needed to communicate ideas, share materials, develop a strategy and put it to work. At the end of the challenge we tested our devices and recorded the amount of time it took for the gummy bears to reach the bottom of he playground. We then discussed how teammates should speak to one another. We also discussed how to compromise and combine ideas so that everyone was successful. Students discovered that they accomplished much more when they helped each other.
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Ms. Lohitsa
Lover of ALL things Science!
Effective teammates:
1) kind
2) responsible
3) share ideas
4) respect others
5) include everyone
Guided questions:
1) What is on the earth's surface?
2) What kind of land and water are found on earth?
3) How do maps show land and water?
4) How does the earth's surface change?
5) How do earthquakes and volcanoes change the land?
6) How do wind and water change the land?
7) What are the layers of soil and how are they different?
Links:
Continental drift: plate tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Scholastic Study Jam: Erosion and Weathering
Paleontology
Examples of Landforms
Rocks and Soil
Soil 4 Kids
Soil Net
Smithsonian's website on Soil
Discovery Education: Soil
Interactive sites about Rocks and Minerals
Books we are reading:
Lover of ALL things Science!
Effective teammates:
1) kind
2) responsible
3) share ideas
4) respect others
5) include everyone
Guided questions:
1) What is on the earth's surface?
2) What kind of land and water are found on earth?
3) How do maps show land and water?
4) How does the earth's surface change?
5) How do earthquakes and volcanoes change the land?
6) How do wind and water change the land?
7) What are the layers of soil and how are they different?
Links:
Continental drift: plate tectonics
Plate Tectonics
Scholastic Study Jam: Erosion and Weathering
Paleontology
Examples of Landforms
Rocks and Soil
Soil 4 Kids
Soil Net
Smithsonian's website on Soil
Discovery Education: Soil
Interactive sites about Rocks and Minerals
Books we are reading: