What is a podcast?

In the month of May, seventh-graders will be undergoing an exciting research project on Lake Michigan. As part of this project, they will be recording podcasts and publishing them online.

A podcast is a little bit like a radio show. It can be on any topic and include any kind of content. However, instead of being broadcast on the radio, it is available on the internet for people to listen to online or download onto an MP3 player.

This will be a new experience for us, but students all over the country are already using podcasts to learn and share information! Here are some examples of podcasts to check out:

• Radio WillowWeb from students at Willowdale Elementary
• WJJL Radio from students at Mill Creek Elementary
  
• "60-Second Science" from Scientific American

Rock Cycle Notes

This week, the sixth grade is learning about the rock cycle and the types of rocks found on our planet. In case you missed some of the notes during the PowerPoint presentation in class, you can click here to view the presentation again.

Homework for the Week of 4-26-10

213:
Monday: Use your textbook glossary to define the word “subduction” in your notebook. Read pages 48 and 49. In your notebook, answer question #1 on page 50.
Wednesday: Rocks Illustrated worksheet.
Thursday: Rock Cycle worksheet.
Friday: Complete unit test study guide.


215:
Monday: Use your textbook glossary to define the word “subduction” in your notebook. Read pages 48 and 49. In your notebook, answer question #1 on page 50.
Tuesday: Rocks Illustrated worksheet.
Wednesday: Rock Cycle worksheet.
Friday: Complete unit test study guide.

223:
Thursday: Complete the Lake Effect project sheet and fill in the "My Questions" portion at the end.
Friday: Begin looking for outside resources to include in your blog post. Write at least one in your notebook.

225:
Tuesday: Complete the Lake Effect project sheet and fill in the "My Questions" portion at the end.
Wednesday: Write a one-paragraph podcast script on the topic of evolution.
Thursday: Begin looking for outside resources to include in your blog post. Write at least one in your notebook.

8A:
Tuesday: Write a thank you letter to Mr. Swiercz. Complete the groundwater pre-assessment worksheet.
Wednesday: Read pages A81-A84. In your notebook, write at least one paragraph in response to the question on A84.

8B:
Thursday: Write a thank you letter to Mr. Swiercz. Complete the groundwater pre-assessment worksheet.
Friday: Read pages A81-A84. In your notebook, write at least one paragraph in response to the question on A84.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Having trouble visualizing how a volcano erupts or what it's like to be in a volcano? Here are some great web resources to help you out.

• Check out virtual labs, photographs, and case studies of volcanoes and earthquakes (and hurricanes and tornadoes!) (from National Geographic)
  
• Photographs of earthquakes from throughout history (from the U.S. Geological Survey)
• Explore volcanoes all over the world, and build a virtual volcano (from Discovery Kids)
  
• An illustrated explanation of why earthquakes occur (from the U.S. Geological Survey)

Homework for the Week of 4-19-10

I look forward to seeing some of you during report card pick up day this week!

213:
Thursday: In your notebook, complete "As You Read" 1-4 on page 46.
Friday: Complete an article summary sheet based on your chosen news article.


215:
Tuesday: In your notebook, complete "As You Read" 1-4 on page 46.
Friday: Complete an article summary sheet based on your chosen news article.

223:
Thursday: Complete the Evolution Evidence graphic organizer-- review your notes to help you!
Friday: Read F65-F69 and complete Analysis #1 and #5 on pages F70-F71.

225:
Tuesday: Complete the Evolution Evidence graphic organizer-- review your notes to help you!
Thursday: Read F65-F69 and complete Analysis #1 and #5 on pages F70-F71.


8A:
Tuesday: Complete the Birdhouse Design Planning Sheet and the Birdhouse Reflective Response.


8B:
Thursday: Complete the Birdhouse Design Planning Sheet
Friday: Complete the Birdhouse Reflective Response.

Morphing Ancient Creatures

You may know how the chicken crossed the road, but do you know how a turkey became a turkey? Visit this interactive from the National Geographic Channel to find out more about the ancient ancestors of some common animals.

(If you lost the assignment that goes along with this activity, click here to download a copy.)

P.S. Some people wanted to re-watch the video on whale evolution we saw in class. If you'd like to see it again, here it is!

Homework for the Week of 4-12-10

213:
Monday: Find dictionary definitions of "diverge" and "converge" and write them in your notebook. Read pages 30-32 to prepare for this week's lab. QUIZ FRIDAY!! Be sure to review your study guide.
Wednesday: Complete your purpose, hypothesis, procedure, and Part A results in your lab notes.
Thursday: Complete Part B results and conclusion in your lab notes.
Friday: Read pages 35-39 and use the information to complete the Plate Movements concept map.

215:
Monday: Find dictionary definitions of "diverge" and "converge" and write them in your notebook. Read pages 30-32 to prepare for this week's lab. QUIZ FRIDAY!! Be sure to review your study guide.
Tuesday: Complete your purpose, hypothesis, procedure, and Part A results in your lab notes.
Wednesday: Complete Part B results and conclusion in your lab notes.
Friday: Read pages 35-39 and use the information to complete the Plate Movements concept map.

223:
Wednesday: Complete Evolution Cloze worksheet.
Thursday: In your notebook, answer Analysis 3 and 4 on page F60.
Friday: "Morph Ancient Creatures" online activity (due Friday April 23).

225:
Tuesday: Complete Evolution Cloze worksheet.
Wednesday: In your notebook, answer Analysis 3 and 4 on page F60.
Thursday: "Morph Ancient Creatures" online activity (due Thursday April 22).

8A:
Tuesday: Read "Travel Alert for Migratory Birds" and complete two-column main idea notes.
Wednesday: Read the Chicago Bird Agenda and answer questions.

8B:
Thursday: Read "Travel Alert for Migratory Birds" and complete two-column main idea notes.
Friday: Read the Chicago Bird Agenda and answer questions.

Eating Like a Bird

Why do birds have different beaks? Visit the website of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park to find out and test your knowledge!

Homework for the Week of 4-5-10

Welcome back! I hope you all had a safe, relaxing and fun spring break. And lucky you, you have a four-day week: there will be no class this Friday due to professional development.

This is also the last week of the third quarter, so if you have any questions or issues with any of your assignments be sure to let me know ASAP!

213:
Monday: Read pages 22-24 to prepare for this week's lab.
Wednesday: Complete purpose, hypothesis, and procedure sections of your lab notes.
Thursday: Read pages 25-28 and answer "As You Read" 1-3 on page 25.

215:
Monday: Read pages 22-24 to prepare for this week's lab.
Tuesday: Complete purpose, hypothesis, and procedure sections of your lab notes.
Wednesday: Read pages 25-28 and answer "As You Read" 1-3 on page 25.

223:
Wednesday: Read F45-F48 and answer the "Stopping to Think" questions in your notebook.
Thursday: Complete #9 on page F43 and use the graph to answer Analysis 1 and 2 on page F44 in your notebook.

225:
Tuesday: Read F45-F48 and answer the "Stopping to Think" questions in your notebook (due Thursday).
Wednesday: Complete #9 on page F43 and use the graph to answer Analysis 1 and 2 on page F44 in your notebook.
Thursday: Read F49-F51 and answer Analysis questions on page F51.

8A:
Tuesday: Complete "Next Steps/We Need" sheet.
Wednesday: Read "A Meal Plan for Birds" and complete two-column main idea notes.

8B:
Thursday: Read "A Meal Plan for Birds" and complete two-column main idea notes.