Week of 10/31

This week, we begin our look at waste (chapter 19 in the book).

In addition to our traditional work, students are tasked with turning trash into something positive. I am not asking anyone to dig through trash or work with dangerous materials. However, consider an item's value before throwing it away. If it could be used in this project, clean it out and set it aside for use. (You might even get your kid to sort through the garage or a closet that you've been dreading cleaning.)

Here are some examples from artists:
40 Works of Art Made from Trash
7 Innovative Artists who Create Art from Trash

I look forward to seeing rough draft versions of students' trash creations on Friday.

The rules are as follows:
1. Must be small enough to bring to school
2. Must be safe (no sharp edges or rotting material)
3. Must have a clear purpose
4. Must be different than its original purpose

Week of 10/24

This week, we are concluding our study of the earth's climate and the effect humans have on it. This information is covered in chapter 13 of the book. A review slideshow can be found by clicking here.

We will test on Friday. We spent yesterday reviewing guided reading questions in class. Students received a study guide today, and we will spend Thursday reviewing.

Week of 10/17

This week, we are studying climate and climate change. We will discuss global warming and conduct a student-designed lab to model the effect of greenhouse gases. On that note, WE NEED YOU to send your students in with empty milk jugs or 2 liter bottles. CLEAR is best, but we can work with green or white too.

We will also discuss el nino and la nina. We will compare these events to normal climatic patterns.

IMPORTANT ALERT!
On Monday 10/17, we passed out a recovery packet which will serve to recover low test grades (Chapters 15, 14, and 11) and replace low or missing classwork grades from the same chapters. The recovery packet can also be viewed on google docs by following the link above or clicking here. The recovery packet is due Wednesday 10/26

Conference Week + Weekly Post

Week of 10/3

I apologize for the delay in my update.

This week, we are studying air pollution. Students will complete a guided reading assignment, a spider map, and set up a lab to determine what living pollutants are in the air around us.

CONFERENCE WEEK

Next week (10/10 - 10/14) is conference week.

Please check your student's grade on parent portal. (https://campus.paulding.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/paulding.jsp?status=portalLogoff&lang=en)

Then read the following information.

Recovery:

Attempted summative grades may be recovered during tutoring (below) within 1week of getting a grade for that assignment.

Recovery may include test corrections, study guides, and/or tutoring and a 2^nd assessment.

An average of the 1^st and 2^nd grades will be the new grade for the assignment.

Tutoring/Recovery Schedule:
Monday  3:30 - 4:15
Tuesday 3:30 - 4:15
Wednesday 8:00 - 8:30

If you have any further questions, please contact me via e-mail at smurray@paulding.k12.ga.us

Thank you.

Week of 9/26

This week, we will continue our unit on water (chapter 11 in the book). This will include some fil-in-the-blank notes as well as worksheets and a study guide. We still need water from a pond or creek near you so we can analyze the water quality next week.

This week also sees the end of our seed growth lab. Students set up experiments to measure which factors affect the germination and growth of radish seeds. On Friday they will take the last measurements. Next week, they will write a lab report using the steps of the scientific method.

Urban Farms in Detroit

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Week of 9/12

This week in Environmental Science, we will begin our unit on water and water pollution. We will cover chapter 11 in the online book.

Class time will include a student-driven assignment called "What You Should Know" in which students will read, process, and apply information to challenging questions.

We will also conduct water quality tests. Students, if you have a creek or pond near your house, please bring in a water sample in a sealable container. Samples can be dropped off at my room before school.

Standards covered: SEV1a, 4a,f, 5c,e,f