Benzie Central Earth Science

This Week in Earth Science: May 30 - June 3

2011-05-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Joplin, Missouri tornado damage at Home Depot.
(Source: CNN)

• Monday ~ Memorial Day, no school!
• Tuesday ~ Mystery Sand Lab.

• Wednesday~ Glaciology Review.
• Thursday ~ Glaciology Test, Semester Xword assigned.
• Friday~ Semester Xword due, Semester Exam Study Guide.
• Looking Ahead ~ Semester Exams next week!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 23 -27

2011-05-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

The Grimsvotn volcano under the Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland was erupting Saturday, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. (Source: CNN)

• Monday ~ Warm-up (Weather Record Sheet all week), Severe Weather Diagram, Tuscaloosa Tornado video clips.
• Tuesday ~ Warm-up, Review Severe Weather Diagram, Lake Michigan Bathymetry Lab.

• Wednesday~ Warm-up (collect & grade), Review Severe Weather Diagram, Rising Seas video clip, Greenhouse Effect demos, Disappearing Glaciers PowerPoint & notes.
• Thursday ~ Review Sand Dune Poster, Weather Watching slides, Severe Weather Quiz.
• Friday~ Weather demos, Ice World video, Seniors vs. Staff Basketball Game after lunch.
• Looking Ahead ~ Glaciology Unit Test next week .
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 16 -20

2011-05-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

A map showing the maximum glaciation during
the Wisconsinan Ice Age.

• Monday ~ Warm-up (Weather Record Sheet all week), Review Sand Dune Poster, Ice Age Clues slides & map.
• Tuesday ~ Warm-up, Review Sand Dune Poster, Great Lakes demos & Map Search.

• Wednesday~ Warm-up, Review Sand Dune Poster, Tornado Intercept Video Guide.
• Thursday ~ Warm-up, Review Sand Dune Poster, Finish Tornado Intercept Video Guide, Severe Weather Study Guide.
• Friday~ Warm-up, Review Sand Dune Poster, Sand Dune Poster Quiz, Rise & Fall of the Great Lakes.
• Looking Ahead ~ Seniors vs. Staff Basketball Game Friday May 27th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 9 -13

2011-05-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

John Muir: Inventor, immigrant, botanist, glaciologist, writer, fruit rancher, and protector of Yosemite Valley.

• Monday ~ Question & Answer Warm-up (Mon. & Tues.), Glaciology Vocab due, Ice Age Theory notes, Ice Age Flip Diagram project.
• Tuesday ~ Warm-up (due today), Earth Science Progress Reports are being sent home today (return signed by Friday), Review Paleontology Unit Test, Glacier Recipe demo.

• Wednesday~ Iceman video clip, Iceman article.
• Thursday ~ Yosemite Valley slides & outline.
• Friday~ New Warm-up (Weather Record Sheet), Progress Reports due, Sand Dune Poster key, Valley Glacier Features lab.
• Looking Ahead ~ Honors Earth Science Field Trip Friday night May 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 2 -8

2011-04-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

Aerial photo showing the path of the April 28, 2011 tornado,

the second deadliest tornado in U.S. history.

• Monday ~ Question & Answer Warm-up (all week), Age of Earth notes, Geologic Time video short, Half-life Demos, Timeline Lab.
• Tuesday ~ Warm-up, Earth Day slide show, Geologic Time Quiz, Paleo Review Questions assigned.
• Wednesday~ Warm-up, T-Rex Sue music video, Paleo Review Questions due, Paleo Review bonus challenge.
• Thursday ~ Warm-up, Paleontology Unit Test, Glaciology Vocab assigned.
• Friday~ Warm-up, Glaciology Vocab due, Glacier Girl Music Video, last day for Geologic Time Quiz.
• Looking Ahead ~ Honors Earth Science Field Trip Friday night May 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: April 18-22

2011-04-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

Easter falls on the first Sunday following
the first full moon that occurs on or after
the day of the vernal equinox.

• Monday ~ Nova Podcast Warm-up (collect & grade today), Paleozoic Seas Fossil Lab, Geologic Time Quiz (all week).
• Tuesday ~ Delayed Start schedule; Dark As a Dungeon Music; Coal Formula PowerPoint, notes & specimens.
• Wednesday~ T-Rex video clips, Dinosaur Name Project.
• Thursday ~ Earth Day Service Trip or Canyonlands DVD & Questions.
• Friday~ No school due to Good Friday!
• Looking Ahead ~ No school Friday April 29th (Professional Development Day for teachers).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: April 11-15

2011-04-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

• Monday ~ Warm-up (Nova Podcast all week), Index Fossil Lab, Geologic Time Quiz (all week).
• Tuesday ~ Delayed Start schedule, Warm-up, Geologic Eras Study Guide & examples.
• Wednesday~ Warm-up, Review Geologic Eras, Fossil Assemblage Lab I.
• Thursday ~ Warm-up, Review Geologic Eras, Fossil Assemblage Lab II.
• Friday~ Warm-up, Review Geologic Eras, Geologic Eras Quiz, Time to work on Geologic Time Quiz.
• Looking Ahead ~ Earth Day Field Trip Thursday April 21st, No school Friday April 22nd (Good Friday).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: April 4-8

2011-04-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

I captured the image above over Spring Break with a low-power digital microscope. This is an insect preserved in the piece of amber that my son purchased for me when he was visiting the Dominican Republic last year. I'm not sure what kind of insect it is, but it definitely looks wasp-like.

• Monday ~ Earth Day Field Trip sign-up, Geologic Time Quiz assigned (self-paced), Finish SuperCroc.
• Tuesday ~ New Warm-up assigned (Nova Podcast), Review Geology Tests, Inference Pyramid explained, Fossil Analysis Lab.
• Wednesday~Warm-up, Grand Canyon demos, Grand Canyon music, Grand Canyon slides & diagram.
• Thursday ~ Warm-up, Grand Canyon slides & diagram continued.
• Friday~ Warm-up, Grand Canyon review, Grand Canyon quiz, Time to work on Geologic Time Quiz.
• Looking Ahead ~ Earth Day Field Trip Thursday April 21st, No school Friday April 22nd (Good Friday).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: March 28 - April 1

2011-03-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

And the 2011 Halite Crystal Project winner is Corey T. @ 50.2 grams!

• This Week ~ Is SPRING BREAK!!! Enjoy your time off!
• Looking Ahead ~ The 4th (and final) Quarter of the school year begins on Monday April 4th!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: March 21 - 25

2011-03-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years. (Source: NASA Science)

• Monday ~ Periodic Table, Paleontology Vocab due, 90% Nine Quiz (due this week).
• Tuesday ~ Periodic Table (collect & grade today), Fossil Types PowerPoint & notes, Paleontologists Video Clips.
• Wednesday~Inference examples, SuperCroc Video & Facts.
• Thursday ~ Inference examples, SuperCroc Video (part II).
• Friday~ 3rd Quarter Marking Period end today!, Inference Pyramid, Review Geology Tests, Fossil Analysis Lab.
• Looking Ahead ~ Spring Break ~ No school March 28 - April 1st!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: March 14 - 18

2011-03-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

• Monday ~ Periodic Table, Dow Brine Lab, "Michigan's Longest Cave" assigned, 90% Nine Quiz (all week).
• Tuesday ~ Periodic Table, Speleothem Lab, Death of Floyd Collins music video.
• Wednesday~Periodic Table, "MI's Longest Cave is due", Geology Unit review.
• Thursday ~ Periodic Table, Geology Unit Test, Paleontology Vocab assigned.
• Friday~ Periodic Table, Halite Crystal Project is due, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz.
• Looking Ahead ~ 3rd Quarter Marking Period deadline is Friday March 25th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: March 7 - 11

2011-03-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

• Monday ~ Warm-up, Periodic Table, Odyssey of Atom X Flow Chart, 90% Nine Quiz (all week).
• Tuesday ~ Warm-up (collected & graded today), Periodic Table, Elements Song, Gunpowder DVD demo, Review Atom X, Nitrogen Cycle diagram.
• Wednesday~Periodic Table, Buried Treasure Questions assigned (due Friday), Iron Ore Concentration Lab.
• Thursday ~ Periodic Table, Suspension Bridge demos, Mackinac Bridge slides & diagram.
• Friday~ Periodic Table, Buried Treasure Questions due, Malleability & density demos, Gold panning DVD demo, Gold Panning Lab.
• Looking Ahead ~ Halite Crystal Project due Friday March 18th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Feb 28 - Mar 4

2011-02-26T08:39:00.000-08:00

• Monday ~ Warm-up (Q & A all week), Periodic Table, Progress Reports (take home, have signed & return by Friday), Mr.Moh's Lab, 90% Nine Quiz (all week).
• Tuesday ~ Test Fest Day Schedule - Freshmen report to assigned teachers 1st hour for Explore Testing.
• Wednesday~ Warm-up, Periodic Table, Core Sampling Lab, Michigan Basin demos.
• Thursday ~ Warm-up, Periodic Table, Michigan Basin slides & map.
• Friday~ Warm-up, Periodic Table, Michigan Basin samples & overheads, Michigan Basin Quiz.
• Looking Ahead ~ Halite Crystal Project due Friday March 18th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Feb 21 - 25

2011-02-19T11:07:00.000-08:00

• Monday - No School ~ Professional Development Day for Staff!
• Tuesday - New Warm-up assigned (Q & A's), Crystal Project assigned (due Friday March 18), Geode discussion, Rock Cycle diagram.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Periodic Table assigned, Sodium video clip, Review Rock Cycle, Four Mineral Questions discussion, Is it a Mineral? Lab.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Periodic Table, Magnesium video clip, Rock Cycle quiz, Review Volcanology Tests, Assign "90% Nine" Mineral Quiz.
• Friday - Warm-up, Periodic Table, Flint & Steel demo, Diamonds music video, Diamond notes.
• Looking Ahead ~ Halite Crystal Project due Friday March 18th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Feb 14 - 18

2011-02-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Volcano music & discussion, Monitoring Volcanoes review & quiz, Volcano Review Questions assigned (pgs. 128-129 #1-15).
• Tuesday - Delayed Start schedule, Volcano Review Questions due, Volcanology Review contest.
• Wednesday - Geology Vocab assigned, Volcanology Unit Test.
• Thursday - Sub Day (I'll be at the Regional Ski Meet all day) - Supervolcano video with video assignment.
• Friday - New Warm-up Sheet assigned (Q & A's), Geology Vocab due, Vocab Bingo.
• Looking Ahead ~ No school on Monday Feb. 21st (Professional Development Day for Staff).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Feb 7 - 11

2011-02-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Volcano Record Sheet), USGS video clip, USGS Careers reading, Monitoring Volcanoes Study Guide.
• Tuesday - Volcano Record Sheet is due, Intro to Dante's Peak reading, Assign Dante's Peak Analysis, Dante's Peak I, CO2 demos.
• Wednesday - Geyser & hot spring demo, Dante's Peak II.
• Thursday - Sulfur demo, Dante's Peak III.
• Friday - Dante's Peak IV, Dante's Peak Analysis is due, Monitoring Volcanoes review.
• Looking Ahead ~ Monitoring Volcanoes Quiz & Volcanology Unit Test next week!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Jan 31 - Feb 4

2011-01-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up all week (Volcano Record Sheet), Yellowstone slides & outline.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Map a Volcano Lab.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Lava Flow Lab.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Intro to Dante's Peak demos.
• Friday - Sub day with video & video facts ~ I will be working at the Benzie Ski Invitational all day.
• Looking Ahead ~ Dante's Peak next week!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: January 24-28

2011-01-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

• Monday - New Warm-up assigned (Volcano Record Sheet), Volcanic Cones Reading, Stratovolcano Model.
• Tuesday - Delayed Start schedule today, Warm-up, Volcanic Cones Study Guide, Finish Stratovolcano Models.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Volcano Laptop Research.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Volcanic Cones review, Mt. St. Helens slides & map.
• Friday - Warm-up, Volcanic Cones Quiz, Paricutin Reading & Video.
• Looking Ahead ~ More Volcanology next week!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

2011-01-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

• Monday - No Warm-ups this week, Semester Review & Study Guide.
• Tuesday - Semester Review & Study Guide.
• Wednesday - 2nd, 3rd & 4th hour exams.
• Thursday - 6th, 7th & 5th hour exams.
• Friday - 1st hour exam, Semester 1 deadline for late & missing work, students dismissed at 10:40 am.
• Looking Ahead ~ Semester 2 begins with more Volcanology.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: January 10-14

2011-01-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Q & A's all week), Assign Volcanology Vocab, Seismology Unit Test.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Check & collect Vocab, Why Volcanoes Form? video clip, Volcano diagram & notes.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Review Volcano Diagram, Pumice demo, Pompeii Video & Facts.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Review Volcano Diagram, Eruptin types notes & samples, Finish Pompeii Video, Volcano Music.
• Friday - Warm-up, Review Volcano Diagram, Volcano Quiz, Review Seismology Tests, Semester Exam information.
• Looking Ahead ~ End of the Semester Friday January 21, 2011.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: January 3-7

2011-01-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

• Monday - New Warm-up assigned (Q & A's), Finish EQ Buildings, EQ Building inspection & shake table testing, Shake Table Video Clip.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Epicenter Demos, Find the Epicenter Lab.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Review Epicenter Lab, Faultline Music Video, San Francisco EQ slides & map.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Elastic Rebound demos, Elastic Rebound Lab.
• Friday - Warm-up, Pass Back Papers, Seismology Study Guide.
• Looking Ahead ~ Seismology Test on Monday Jan. 10th • End of the Semester Friday January 21, 2011.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: December 20-24

2010-12-19T03:33:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Earthquake Record Sheet (collect & grade today), finish "The Day the Earth Shook" video, Talent Survey & form new Lab Groups (Honors Earth Science only - National Park Poster due today).
• Tuesday - Disaster Home Investigation Checklist due, California Earthquake Drill video clip, design & build Earthquake Building models.
• Wednesday - Christmas luncheon today (revised schedule in effect), Shake Table video clip, design & build Earthquake Building models.
• Thursday - Christmas Vacation ~ No school!
• Friday - Christmas Vacation ~ No school!
• Looking Ahead ~ Earthquake Buildings Shake Table testing after break • End of the Semester Friday January 21, 2011.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Lunar Eclipse Falls on Winter Solsctice

2010-12-19T03:29:00.000-08:00

The lunar eclipse of Dec. 21st falls on the same date as the northern winter solstice. Is this rare? It is indeed, according to Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory, who inspected a list of eclipses going back 2000 years. "Since Year 1, I can only find one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is Dec. 21, 1638," says Chester. "Fortunately we won't have to wait 372 years for the next one...that will be on Dec. 21, 2094." [Source: NASA]

This Week in Earth Science: December 13-17

2010-12-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Tsunami demos & DVD, Anatomy of a Tsunami internet activity.
• Tuesday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Seismic waves & faults demos & diagrams.
• Wednesday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Review waves & faults, Find the Epicenter Lab.
• Thursday - Earthquake Record Sheet (collect & grade today), Waves & Faults Quiz, Assign Disaster Home Investigation (due Tuesday), Earthquake video.
• Friday - National Park Ornament Project due, Earthquake video continued.
• Looking Ahead ~ Christmas Vacation begins at the end of Wednesday, December 22nd.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Volcano known as the 'Throat of Fire' erupts!

2010-12-05T04:43:00.000-08:00

Ecuador's Tungurahua Volcano erupted Saturday, sending ash and lava spewing nearly a mile into the sky. Click here to read CNN's report! Tungurahua is a steep-sided stratovolcano (5,023 meters) that towers 3 kilometers above its northern base. Historical eruptions have originated from the summit crater and have included strong explosions and sometimes lava flows, lahars, and pyroclastic flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. The volcano's complex historical record includes sudden, violent eruptions.

This Week in Earth Science: December 6 - 10

2010-12-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Review Tectonics Test, Richter Scale diagram & demos.
• Tuesday - Earthquake Record Sheet, New Madrid Mind Map.
• Wednesday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Richter Scale Quiz, Fault Types diagram & demos.
• Thursday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Fault Types review, Michigan Earthquake Timeline.
• Friday - Earthquake Record Sheet, Fault Types Quiz, Michigan Earthquake Timeline continued.
• Looking Ahead ~ National Park Project due next Friday, December 17th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Nov. 29 - Dec. 3

2010-11-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

• Monday- Q & A Warm-up, National Parks Research with Laptops.

• Tuesday - Q & A Warm-up (collected & graded today), National Park Project rubric explained, Grand Tetons map & slides, Tetonic Review Questions assigned.

• Wednesday - Tectonic Review Questions due, Assign Progress Reports, Tectonics Review Organizer.

• Thursday - Progress Reports due, assign Seismology Vocab, Tectonics Unit Test.

• Friday - Seismology Vocab & Progress Reports due, New Warm-up assigned (Earthquake Record Sheet), Fighting Scientists ACT practice.

• Looking Ahead ~ National Park Projects due on Friday December 17th, 2010.

• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

2010-11-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Question & Answer Warm-up, Continental Drift PowerPoint & notes, Magnetic Stripes demo, Tectonocycle Lab.

• Tuesday - Question & Answer Warm-up, Lava Lamp demo, Convection Current Paragraph assigned, Zones of the Earth diagram & demos.

• Wednesday - Question & Answer Warm-up, Convection Paragraph due, Tectonics Video & Five Facts.

• Thursday & Friday - No school due to the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Death toll rises to 240 from Indonesia Volcano

2010-11-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- The Indonesian volcano, Mount Merapi, has killed 240 people since it started erupting in October, officials said Saturday, a day after it spewed more hot ash and sent residents fleeing.

2010-11-13T04:58:00.000-08:00

• Monday - New Q & A Warm-up, Plate Boundary Quiz, Point Reyes slides & map.

• Tuesday - Q & A Warm-up, Tectonic Stress demos, Tectonic Stress Analysis Lab.

• Wednesday - Q & A Warm-up, Rising Himalayas Video Clip, Appalachian slides & map, Mountain Questions assigned.

• Thursday - Q & A Warm-up, collect & grade Mountain Questions, finish Appalachian slides & map, Appalachian Quiz.

• Friday - Q & A Warm-up, Plate Motion Calculator Laptop lab.

• Looking Ahead ~ No school for Thanksgiving November 25th & 26th.

• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: November 8-12

2010-11-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

• Monday - EarthSky Warm-up, Tectonic Jigsaw Puzzle.
• Tuesday - EarthSky Warm-up, Tectonic Jigsaw Puzzle, Mt. Everest video & notes.
• Wednesday - EarthSky Warm-up, Mt. Everest video & notes, Mt. Everest Video Quiz (open note).
• Thursday - EarthSky Warm-up, Tectonic Plates Quiz, Thin Air Demo & discussion.
• Friday - EarthSky Warm-up (collected & graded today), Plate Boundaries PowerPoint & Lab.
• Looking Ahead ~ No school for Thanksgiving November 25th & 26th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Sun Clock Projects on Display

2010-10-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

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The Sun Clock Projects have taken over our Earth Science classroom! If you haven't stopped by to see them they'll be here for one more week and they are definitely worth seeing this year. If you can't stop by check them out on the Benzie Central Earth Science Facebook Page where I am slowly uploading Sun Clock photos for all to enjpy. Mr. Olson, BCHS principal, shared a few Sun Clock photos on the Benzie County Central Schools website as well.

This Week in Earth Science: November 1-5

2010-10-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

• Monday - No school today - Regional Professional Development Day for Teachers.
• Tuesday - Earth-Sky Warm-up, Review Petoskey Stone Lab, El Nino Video Clip, El Nino Analysis Lab, Oceanography Review Questions assigned.
• Wednesday - Earth-Sky Warm-up, Check & collect Oceanography Review Questions, Oceanography Review Contest.
• Thursday - Earth-Sky Warm-up, Tectonics Xword assigned, Oceanography Unit Test.
• Friday - Last day of the 1st Marking Period (deadline for late, missing, make-up work & retakes), Earth-Sky Warm-up, Check & collect Tectonics Xword, Petoskey Stone Raffle, ACT Practice Questions.
• Looking Ahead ~ First week of the 2nd Marking Period, Plate Tectonics Jigsaw Puzzle.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: October 25-29

2010-10-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Tidal Record Sheet Warm-up, Deep Oceans Video & facts.
• Tuesday - Delayed Start today, Tidal Record Sheet Warm-up (collect & grade today), Hydrothermal Vent diagram, Chemosynthesis video clip.
• Wednesday - Review Hydrothermal Vent, Coral notes, Petoskey Lab.
• Thursday - Review Hydrothermal Vent, El Nino Analysis Lab.
• Friday - Hydrothermal Vent Quiz, SONAR demos & problems.
• Looking Ahead ~ Oceanography Unit Test on Wednesday Nov. 3rd & end of the 1st Marking Period is Friday Nov. 5th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Comet Hartley 2 Approaches Earth

2010-10-16T10:22:00.001-07:00

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Comet Hartley is approaching Earth for an 11-million-mile close encounter on Oct. 20th. Although it is barely visible to the naked eye, the comet can be seen through binoculars & looks great through backyard telescopes. The best time to look is during the dark hours before sunrise when the comet is almost straight overhead in the constellation Perseus. Check Sky & Telescope for a sky map.
Source: SpaceWeather.com.
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This Week in Earth Science: October 18-22

2010-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Tidal Record Sheet all week), Pacific Poster Key introduction, read "My Blue Wilderness" by Sylvia Earle.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, review Pacific Poster, Tide demos & animations, Olympic National Park slides & outline.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, review Pacific Poster, inspect & test Sun Clock Projects.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Pacific Poster Quiz, Oceanography Video.
• Friday - Warm-up, Atlantic Currents Search Laptop Lab.
• Reminder! - The Sun Clock Project is due Wednesday Oct. 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

New Warm-up this Week

2010-10-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

Students will become very familiar with this web-based application over the next two weeks as they plot tide data each day for their warm-up beginning on Tuesday. Seattle, Washington is located on the Puget Sound of the Pacific where the tide rises and falls twice a day, pulled by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun. A daily cycle along the Sound generally includes two unequal high tides and two unequal low tides.

This Week in Earth Science: October 11-15

2010-10-09T04:13:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (StarDate Podcast), Distribute Progress Reports (have signed & returned by Friday), Review Tests, Salinity demos & video clip, complete Oceanography Map study guide.
• Tuesday - Complete & collect StarDate Warm-up, Review Ocean Map, Giant Clam video clip, Mollusc Lab.
• Wednesday - Assign new Warm-up (Tidal Record Sheet), Review Ocean Map, Planet Earth: Shallow Seas Video - Five Facts assignment.
• Thursday - Tidal Warm-up, Oceanography Map Quiz, Finish Shallow Seas, Pacific Poster key introduction.
• Friday - Tidal Warm-up, Progress Reports due, Ocean Floor Features Lab, Marianas Trench video clip.
• Reminder! - The Sun Clock Project is due Wednesday Oct. 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: October 4-8

2010-10-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (StarDate Podcast), Pass back papers, Astronomy Review.
• Tuesday - Astronomy I Unit Test, Oceanography Vocab assigned.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Check & collect Oceanography Vocab, Vocab Bingo.
• Thursday - No school due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
• Friday - No school due to Teacher Professional Development.
• Reminder! - The Sun Clock Project is due Wednesday Oct. 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Aurora Borealis

2010-09-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

I saw this amazing photo of the Northern Lights today on one of my favorite websites, SpaceWeather.com. Photo caption: "The solar wind is gaining speed as it buffets Earth's magnetic field for the second day in a row. Bright moonlight, however, is overwhelming all but the brightest auroras. Traveling through Alaska, British photographer Paul Alsop is hoping for another display like this." Click on the photo to see the entire scene.

This Week in Earth Science: September 27 - October 1

2010-09-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (StarDate Podcast), Kepler's Laws demos & notes, Draw an Ellipse lab.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Solar System Formation lab, Birth of the Solar System video clip.
• Wednesday - Solar System video clip, Goldilocks Hypothesis organizer.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Ancient Astronomy demos, Stonehenge PowerPoint presentation & notes, Solar Motion Demonstrator activity.
• Friday - Warm-up, Solar System Video assignment.
• Reminder! - The Sun Clock Project is due Wednesday Oct. 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: September 20 - 24

2010-09-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Bob Moler's Ephemeris), What Planet is This? Bonus Challenge, Models of the Solar System Notes, Sun Clock Blueprint assigned.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Longitude demo, Seasons diagram & demos.
• Wednesday - Autumnal Equinox today!, Warm-up, Review Seasons, Solar System Survey laptop lab.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Carbone CD demo, Solar System Survey laptop lab.
• Friday - New Warm-up (StarDate Record Sheet), Solar System Survey Quiz (open note), Solar System Video.
• Reminder! - The Sun Clock Project is due Wednesday Oct. 20th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: September 13 - 17

2010-09-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Bob Moler's Ephemeris Program all week), Scientific Method notes & demos, The Large Hadron Collider Rap DVD.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Review the Scientific Method, Time Zones overhead, Michigan Map Search activity.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Scientific Method quiz, Latitude demo, Michigan Map Search continued.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Latitude demo #2, Michigan Map slide show & notes.
• Friday - Warm-up, Michigan Map quiz, Sun Clock Project assigned (due Wed. Oct. 20th), Expert on Sundials reading.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Welcome Back!

2010-09-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a brand new school year Benzie Central! I am looking forward to working with all of my students this year - some are familiar faces (like those who had me for 8th grade science last year) and lots of new faces too. Our first week is a short one with no school Monday and an early release on Friday, but we'll use the week to orient you, get acquainted with one another, & start delving into Earth Science. Visit the BC Earth Science Blog each week to keep track of what's ahead in class, homework assignments and interesting Earth Science related posts. You can also become a friend of Benzie Central Earth Science on FaceBook. See you soon!

Magnitude-5.5 earthquake felt in Michigan!

2010-06-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2010

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit the Ontario-Quebec border region of Canada at 1:41 p.m., and the Record-Eagle has received reports of tremors felt in Traverse City.

Deputy director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Mark Hammond tells The Associated Press that reports of tremors Wednesday came in “from downtown Detroit to Downriver.”

A Detroit police spokeswoman also says it was felt on the upper floors of the headquarters building.

There are no reports of injuries or damage in Michigan.

Residents as far west as Grand Rapids and north to the Port Huron and Saginaw areas also have reported feeling the ground move.

For more on this story, see Thursday's Record-Eagle.

Tornadoes Hit Minnesota!

2010-06-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Several areas of Minnesota were hit hard yesterday by deadly tornaodoes & thunderstorms. Check out this awesome footage posted on YouTube from TornadoVideos.net. Keep an eye on the sky!

This Week in Earth Science: June 7 - 11

2010-06-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up. Semester study guide & review.
• Tuesday - Warm-up sheet is due today. Semester study guide & review.
• Wednesday - Exams!
• Thursday - Exams!
• Friday - Exams! Last day of school. Have a great summer!
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 30 - June 4

2010-05-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

• Monday - No school due to Memorial Day. Remember to remember our fallen Veterans.
• Tuesday - Warm-up (SpaceWeather record sheet all week), H-R Diagram internet activity.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Supernova sciTunes, Stellar Evolution Concentration lab.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Galaxy Song sciTunes, Galaxy Sorting lab.
• Friday - Warm-up, Experimental Bead Project due, Astronomy II Quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Polyphemus Moth

2010-05-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Danica S. brought this incredible Polyphemus Moth to school a few days ago. She found it on her wooded property. At the end of the day it was released. The Polyphemus Moth was named after the one-eyed Cyclops, Polyphemus, who traps Odysseus and his men in a cave in Greek mythology. The Polyphemus' eye-spots on its wings and its giant size reminded scientists of the Greek monster.

This Week in Earth Science: May 24 - 28

2010-05-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Weather Record Sheet is due today), Greenhouse demos, CO2 video clip, Disappearing Glaciers PowerPoint & notes.
• Tuesday - New Warm-up assigned (SpaceWeather Record Sheet), Glaciology review game.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Glaciology Test, Astronomy II Vocab assigned
• Thursday - School-wide awards assembly in the morning & pow-wow in the afternoon.
• Friday - Warm-up, Astronomy II Vocab due,Cosmos Mind Map.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Honors Students Visit Rogers Observatory

2010-05-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Honors Earth Science class spent a few hours last night visiting NMC's Rogers Observatory in Traverse City. Unfortunately the clouds did not clear out for us (a few students did get a look at the moon before the fog settled in) but the Q & A time with astronomers Dr. Jerry Dobek & Bob Moler was very thought provoking. Dr. Dobek appears in the photo above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 17 - 21

2010-05-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up all week is the Weather Record Sheet, Great Lakes demos & Great Lakes Map Search activity.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Tornado Intercept video guide.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Weather demos, Severe Weather study guide.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Weather Watching slides & notes.
• Friday - Warm-up (due today), Severe Weather quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 10 - 21

2010-05-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

• Monday - New Warm-up assigned (Weather Record Sheet), Sand Dune Poster assigned, Valley Glacier Diagram & Lab.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, JetStream Online School internet activity.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Ice Age notes & Wisconsin Ice Age flip diagram project.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Ice Age Clues slides & map.
• Friday - Warm-up, Sand Dune Poster Quiz, Rise & Fall of the Great Lakes video.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: May 3 - 7

2010-04-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up, Glaciology Vocab due, Glacier Girl music video, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Ice Worlds Planet Earth Video facts.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Review Paleontology Test results, Recipe for a Glacier notes, Ice Cream Glacier demo.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Iceman Video clip, Iceman Reading.
• Friday - Warm-up (due today), Yosemite Valley slides & outline.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: April 26 - 30

2010-04-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

• Monday - School-wide Youth Opportunity Summit brought to us by S.E.E.D.S.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Secrets of the Cenozoic Bogs slides & outline, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Half-life Demos & Discussion, Paleontology Review assigned, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Thursday - Warm-up, Paleontology Review due, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Friday - Warm-up, Paleontology Unit Test, Glaciology Vocab assigned (due Monday), Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

HaPpY Earth Day!!!

2010-04-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Students from Mr. Block's Environmental Science and Mr. Kinnan's Earth Science classes spent Earth Day working & learning at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Here they listen to Ranger Jim's concluding remarks at the end of the day before returning to school. The teens removed old fencing, cleaned up a dump site, dismantled illegal tree stands and planted seedlings in the National Park. This was the fourteenth consecutive year Benzie Central students have participated in the Earth Day outing to improve the Lakeshore.

This Week in Earth Science: April 19 - 23

2010-04-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

• Monday - NOVA Podcast Warm-up (record sheet will be collected today), Dark as a Dungeon sciTune, Carboniferous Coal Formula PowerPoint, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Tuesday - New Warm-up Record Sheet assigned, Tour the Triassic sciMovie, Asteroid Impact computer simulations, T-Rex Article assigned, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Dinosaur Name Project, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Thursday - Prehistoric America: Canyonlands video & question sheet.
• Friday - No school for students - Professional Development Day for teachers.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Volcanic Ash Disrupts Air Travel

2010-04-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ash from the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajoekull (pronounced AY-yah-fyah-lah-YOH-kuul) in Iceland this week is paralyzing air travel because it is too dangerous for aircraft to fly through it. Read more about it on CNN.

This Week in Earth Science: April 12 - 16

2010-04-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Warm-up (NOVA Podcast Record Sheet all week), Geologic Eras Study Guide, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Fossil Assemblage Lab Part 1.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Fossil Assemblage Lab Part 2.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Geologic Eras Quiz, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time.
• Friday - Warm-up, Michigan's Paleozoic Seas Lab.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Hits Baja

2010-04-05T05:25:00.001-07:00

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Baja California (in Mexico) yesterday and was widely felt throughout southern California as well. My own father was talking on the telephone with his brother, who lives outside of Los Angeles, when the earthquake shook my uncle's house. Visit the USGS Earthquake website for more detailed information.

Bob the Beardie

2010-04-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Bob the Beardie has been lonely over the break. Bob is an adult Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) who has lived in our classroom the past four years. Bearded Dragons are native to Australia. They eat a variety of leafy greens and invertebrates. Bob loves leaf lettuce, wax worms, crickets and grasshoppers.

This Week in Earth Science: April 5 - 9

2010-04-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

• Monday - No school, it's still Spring Break!
• Tuesday - New Warm-up (NOVA Podcast Record Sheet), Index Fossil Logic Lab.
• Wednesday - Warm-up; Grand Canyon video clip, demo, slides & diagram.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Grand Canyon video clip, demo, slides & diagram.
• Friday - Warm-up, Grand Canyon Quiz, Geologic Time Quiz Study Time (self-paced quiz).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Hadron Collider Breakthrough as Beams Collide

2010-03-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

The Hadron Collider in Europe is finally up and running. Learn all about it on CNN.com.

Halite Crystal Project Contest Winners!

2010-03-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the
winners of this year's
Halite Crystal Project Contest:
1st Place -
Joel F.
@ 113.0 grams,
2nd Place -
Breeahna P.
@ 81.7 grams,
& 3rd Place -
Lexi A.
@ 65.9 grams.

This Week in Earth Science: March 22-26

2010-03-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

• Monday - Periodic Table Warm-up (Mon - Wed), Paleontology Vocab is due today, Inspection of Halite Crystals continues, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Geology Time Quiz assigned, Fossil Types PowerPoint & Notes, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Wednesday - Warm-up (Periodic Tables collected & graded today), Fossil Analysis Lab, & 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Thursday - Review last week's Geology Test, SuperCroc Video, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Friday - SuperCroc Video continued, Last day of the 3rd Quarter.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Mud Puppy (Necturus maculosus)

2010-03-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

The live mud puppy in this photo was on display in our classroom for the past week. It had been caught in Crystal Lake by an ice fisherman and brought to school for us to study and observe. Mud puppies are a species of aquatic salamander that feature external gills throughout every stage of life. In contrast, most species of salamanders begin life underwater with external gills but later go through metamorphosis, transitioning from gills to lungs and emerging from their watery nursery as adults. This mud puppy measured approximately 13 inches long (the record is nineteen inches!). At week's end our Necturus maculosus was released back into Crystal Lake.

This Week in Earth Science: March 15-19

2010-03-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Periodic Table Warm-up (all week), Spelunking Music, Speleothem Lab, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Dow Brine Lab, Geology Review Questions assigned, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Geology Review Questions due, Geology Review game, & 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Thursday - Warm-up, Geology Test, Paleontology Vocab assigned (due Monday), 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Friday - Warm-up, Crystal Project is due today!, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake hits Chile!

2010-02-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

Visit these links for information:
USGS
NPR
CNN

This Week in Earth Science: March 1 - 5

2010-02-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Periodic Table Warm-up (all week), Core Sampling Lab, Michigan Basin Demos & Discussion (quiz on Wednesday), 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Signed Progress Reports are due, Michigan Basin slides & map, 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Elements Music, Michigan Basin Quiz & 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Thursday - Warm-up, Odyssey of Atom X Flow Chart (+10), 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Friday - Warm-up, Wreck of the E. Fitzgerald Video, Iron Ore Concentration Lab, Buried Treasure Questions assigned (due Monday), 90% Nine Mineral Quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

2010-02-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a recent shot of our classroom Red-eared Slider relaxing on his rock. During the school year he lives in the class- room and in the summer enjoys an outdoor pool. Red-eared Sliders are probably not native to Michigan but have escaped or been released into our state by pet owners. According to Harding and Holman (1990) this turtle species is native from northwestern Indiana south to Georgia and west to Texas and Oklahoma where it prefers to live in still-water habitats (lakes, ponds, sloughs).

This Week in Earth Science: February 22-26

2010-02-20T12:23:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Geology Vocab due, Halite Crystal Project assigned (due Fri. March 19th), Rock Cycle Diagram (quiz on Wednesday).
• Tuesday - New Warm-up assigned (Periodic Table), Sodium Video Clip, "Is It A Mineral?" Lab.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Rock Cycle Quiz, Magnesium Video Clip, Review Volcanology Test results from last week, Assign 90% Nine Mineral Quiz (self-paced).
• Thursday - Warm-up, Flint & Steel Demo, Diamonds sciTunes DVD, Diamonds PowerPoint presentation & notes.
• Friday - Warm-up, Mr. Mohs Lab, time for students to try 90% Nine Mineral Quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: February 15 -19

2010-02-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Teacher Professional Development Day - no school for students!
• Tuesday - Completion of Dante's Peak & the Dante's Peak Analysis Sheets will be collected.
• Wednesday - Monitoring Volcanoes Quiz & Volcanology Unit Review Questions.
• Thursday - Volcanology Review Bonus Contest.
• Friday - Volcanology Unit Test & Geology Vocab assigned (due Monday).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: February 8 -12

2010-02-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up, Monitoring Volcanoes Notes & PowerPoint Presentation.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Dante's Peak Info Slips due, Yellowstone Slides & Outline.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Dante's Peak Analysis assigned, Dante's Peak Part I.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Dante's Peak Analysis, Dante's Peak Part II.
• Friday - Warm-up (complete & turn in today), Dante's Peak Analysis, Dante's Peak Part III.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: February 1-5

2010-01-30T11:54:00.000-08:00

• Monday - New Warm-up Record Sheet (question's on the chalkboard), Magmas & Lavas Study Guide (quiz on Friday).
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Lava Flow Lab.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Map a Volcano Lab.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Introduction to Dante's Peak Reading & Demos.
• Friday - Magmas & Lavas Quiz, Tsunami Laptop Search.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Close Encounter With Mars ~

2010-01-24T04:40:00.000-08:00

Earth and Mars are converging for a close encounter. On Jan. 27th, the Red Planet will be only 99 million kilometers (0.66 AU) away, appearing bigger through a telescope (14.1 arcseconds) than anytime from 2008 until 2012. You don't need a telescope to enjoy the close encounter. Pumpkin-colored Mars is very easy to see with the unaided eye. It rises in the east at sunset and soars overhead at midnight, outshining every star in its patch of sky. Check it out! [Source: Space Weather.Com]

This Week in Earth Science: January 25 - 29

2010-01-24T04:36:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Volcano Record Sheet), Stratovolcano Model.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Volcanic Cones Reading & Study Guide.
• Wednesday - Warm-up (due today), Internet Volcano Research.
• Thursday - Mount St. Helens Map & Slides.
• Friday - Volcanic Cones Quiz, Mount St. Helens Video.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: January 18 - 22

2010-01-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Volcano Record Sheet), Semester Review.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Semester Review, Deadline for 2nd Marking Period assignments.
• Wednesday - Semester Exams!
• Thursday - Semester Exams!
• Friday - Semester Exams! Students released at 10:40 am.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Haiti Earthquake Disaster Predicted -

2010-01-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

USGS Haiti Earthquake Info -
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/

USGS Haiti Earthquake Shake Map -
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/global/shake/2010rja6/

Latest Updates on Haiti -
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/16/haiti.updates.sat/index.html?hpt=T1

Haiti Earthquake Prediction -
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=haiti-earthquake-prediction

This Week in Earth Science: January 4 - 8

2010-01-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Earthquake Record Sheet), Elastic Rebound Lab.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Earthquake Building Model.
• Wednesday - Warm-up (due today), Earthquake Building Tests, Seismology Review Questions assigned (due Thursday).
• Thursday - Seismology Review Questions due today, Seismology Study Guide.
• Friday - Seismology Test, Volcanology Vocab (due Monday).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Dec 21 - 25

2009-12-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up (Earthquake Record Sheet), Collect Disaster Home Investigation, Livin' on the Fault Line Music Video, Great San Francisco Earthquake slides & map.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Collect Disaster Home Investigation, The Day the Earth Shook Video.
• Wednesday - No School, Christmas Vacation! :-)
• Thursday - No School, Christmas Vacation! :-)
• Friday - No School, Christmas Day! Merry Christmas! :-)
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

The Week in Earth Science: December 14 - 18

2009-12-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

• Note: The two snow days last week has affected the plans for this week
• Monday - New Warm-up assigned (Earthquake Record Sheet), Richter Scale Quiz, Review the Tectonics Test, Section 6.3 Review on page 105 #1-5 (due tomorrow).
• Tuesday - Delayed Start today, Warm-up, Section 6.3 Review due, Seismic Wave demos, animations & study guide.
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Review seismic waves, Michigan Earthquake Timeline part 1.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Review seismic waves, Michigan Earthquake Timeline part 2.
• Friday - Warm-up, Seismic Waves Quiz, Assign Disaster Home Investigation (due Monday), San Francisco slide show & map.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Dec 7 - 11

2009-12-06T04:56:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up, Seismology Vocab due, Locating new lab groups, Fighting Scientists Drill #1.
• Tuesday - Delayed Start today, Warm-up, Richter Scale Study Guide & practice.
• Wednesday - Warm-up Record Sheet is due, New Madrid Earthquake Reading & Mind Map.
• Thursday - New Warm-up assigned (Earthquake Record Sheet), Richter Scale Quiz, Review last week's Tectonics Test, Section 6.3 Review on page 105 #1-5 (due Friday).
• Friday - Page 105 #1-5 due, Earthquake video & five facts.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: Nov 30 - Dec 4

2009-11-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

• Monday - Warm-up, Magnetometer Lab.
• Tuesday - Warm-up, Zones of the Earth demos & diagram, Convection Paragraph assigned (due Thursday).
• Wednesday - Warm-up, Continental Drift PowerPoint & notes, Seafloor Spreading video.
• Thursday - Warm-up, Convection Paragraphs are due, Tectonic Review Organizer & test review.
• Friday - Tectonic Unit Test, Seismology Vocab assigned (due Monday).
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: November 23 - 27

2009-11-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

• Monday features a slide show on the Appalachian Highlands and their tectonic history. Students will complete a map to use as a study guide for an Appalachian Quiz to be given tomorrow. Section 5.3 Review Questions on page 93 will be assigned for homework.
• A new Warm-Up Record Sheet will begin on Tuesday. The Section 5.3 Review Questions are due at the beginning of the hour. An open note Appalachian Quiz will be given today.
• Due to an afternoon assembly there will be different schedule Wednesday. The Mountains Video will be shown. Students will listen & record scientific facts during the video to hand in to be graded.
• There is no school on Thursday & Friday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: November 9 - 13

2009-11-08T04:49:00.000-08:00

• Each class period this week will begin by listening to Scientific American's 60 Second Earth Podcast and recording the data on a record sheet.
• The Tectonics Xword is due on Monday. A new warm-up record sheet will be assigned, 60 Second Earth. Students will begin the Tectonic Puzzle in class.
• Students will complete the Tectonic Puzzle in class on Tuesday.
• On Wednesday there will be a Tectonic Plate Quiz. Time will also be spent reviewing last week's Oceanography Test.
• Thursday will feature some plate boundary demos and the beginning of the IMAX Everest Video.
• Students will complete the IMAX Everest Video on Friday followed by a video quiz. There will also be a "thin air" Everest demonstration.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: November 2 - 6

2009-11-01T03:42:00.000-08:00

• Monday & Tuesday this week will begin by recording tidal data from http://www.dairiki.org/tides/.
• There is no school Monday due to a professional development day for teachers.
• Some time will be spent Tuesday to review last week's lessons due to the many student absences due to illness and the two unexpected days off when school closed. The Hydrothermal Vent diagram will be reviewed in preparation for Wednesday's quiz (that was originally scheduled for last Friday).
• The Hydrothermal Vent Quiz will be held on Wednesday. The Tidal Record Sheet will now be complete and will be turned in for grading. Oceanography Review Questions will be assigned that are due on Thursday.
• Oceanography Review Questions are due on Thursday. Graded papers will be passed back to students to study and a review contest will prepare students for tomorrow's Oceanography Test.
• The Oceanography Test will be held on Friday. Students will be assigned a Tectonics Crossword Puzzle that will be due on Monday.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

2009 Sun Clock Project Sampler...

2009-10-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a sample of the 2009 Sun Clock Projects. The creativity and ingenuity of this year's Earth Science students certainly rivals their predecessors.

This Week in Earth Science: October 26 - 30

2009-10-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by recording tidal data from http://www.dairiki.org/tides/.
• Monday will feature tidal demos & animation as well as slides & an outline about Olympic National Park in Washington State. An article summary ("How much are coral ecosystems worth?") will be assigned that is due on Wednesday.
• On Tuesday students will draw and label a Hydrothermal Vent diagram in preparation for Friday's quiz. If it's sunny during class on Tuesday as the weather forecast is predicting, time will spent testing the Sun Clock projects outside.
• There will be a coral reef video on Wednesday. Students will be answering questions about coral reefs afterwards.
• Thursday will feature a video on the Ocean Deep. Students will be recording facts as they watch the film.
• The Hydrothermal Vent Quiz will be held on Friday. More of the Ocean Deep Video will be shown after the quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

2009-10-18T04:36:00.000-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by recording tidal data from http://www.dairiki.org/tides/.
• On Monday students will complete the Ocean Floor Diagram & construct clay models in the Ocean Floor Feature Lab.
• The Pacific Ocean Poster Study Guide will be reviewed on Tuesday in preparation for Friday's quiz. Students will also share data from last week's Survey of Atlantic Currents research.
• Sun Clocks are due on Wednesday! Students will present & grade them in class.
• Thursday will feature tidal demos & animation as well as slides & an outline about Olympic National Park in Washington state.
• The Pacific Poster Quiz will be held on Friday. The Shallow Ocean Video will be shown after the quiz.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: October 12 - 16

2009-10-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week will begin by listening to McDonald Observatory's StarDate Astronomy Radio Program and recording the data on a record sheet.
• Oceanography Vocab is due on Monday. Some Vocab Bingo will be happenin' too. Students will then be introduced to the work of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau through music and video.
• The Astronomy Test from last week will be reviewed Tuesday. Students will complete an oceanography map in preparation for a quiz on Friday.
• Wednesday is the final day for the StarDate Record Sheet which will be collected and graded. Students will learn how to identify marine molluscs using a dichotomous key in a lab today.
• A new warm-up will be assigned Thursday, the Tidal Record Sheet. The portable laptop lab will be in class for students to research currents in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Friday is the day for the Oceanography Map Quiz. More time will be spent on the laptops researching Atlantic Currents.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

Sun Clock Project Deadline Extended

2009-10-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Due to the glut of gloomy weather the Sun Clock Project deadline, which was slated for Wednesday October 14th, will now be Wednesday October 21st. Please contact Mr. Kinnan if you have any questions about this project. Construct your Sun Clock as soon as possible so you are ready to calibrate the hours whenever the Sun should reappear.

This Week in Earth Science: October 5 - 9

2009-10-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by listening to McDonald Observatory's StarDate Astronomy Radio Program and recording the data on a record sheet.
• Ancient Astronomy will be the topic on Monday with music, video and demonstrations. An Astronomy Review assignment will be given for homework.
• Tuesday is a review day as we prepare for the Astronomy Unit Test. The Astronomy Review Questions are due at the beginning of class.
• The Astronomy Test will given on Wednesday. An Oceanography Vocab assignment will be given after the test that is due next Monday.
• No school on Thursday and Friday due to parent-teacher conferences. Conferences are scheduled on Wednesday evening from 5-830 pm and on Thursday afternoon from 1230-4 pm and 5-830 pm. I will be available in my classroom (room 229) during those times to meet with parents.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: September 28 - October 2

2009-09-26T02:58:00.001-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by listening to McDonald Observatory's StarDate Astronomy Radio Program and recording the data on a record sheet.
• Monday will be a video day featuring the DVD "Atlas of the Sky." Students will record five facts from the film to be graded (+5).
• On Tuesday students will take notes about the scientific models of the Solar System. Students will also spend time making a blueprint for their sun clock project (+10).
• Kepler's Laws of planetary motion will be featured on Wednesday. Students will work a "Draw an Ellipse" Lab in class (+10). Wednesday is also Positive Attendance Day.
• Thursday student will learn the possible steps of the formation of our Solar System in an activity called "Solar System Formation Concentration" (+5). A short video clip about this topic will be shown as well.
• A Solar System Formation Quiz (+10) will be given on Friday, and students will learn about the search for extra terrestrial intelligence (SETI) and the Drake equation.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

The Autumnal Equinox

2009-09-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009 will be this year's Autumnal Equinox. Read all about it at http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/september-equinox.html.

This Week in Earth Science: September 21-25

2009-09-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by listening to Bob Moler's Ephemeris Astronomy Radio Program and recording the data on a record sheet.
• Monday will be a video day featuring the DVD "Amazing Earth." Students will record five facts from the film to be graded.
• A seasons diagram and demos will be completed on Tuesday.
• The seasons will be reviewed on Wednesday first and then students will begin researching the Solar System.
• A Seasons Quiz will be given on Thursday. More time for Solar System research will be given.
• On Friday students will share their Solar System research with the class. An open note Solar System Quiz will follow.
• Students should be working on their Sun Clock Project at home which is due Wednesday October 14th.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: September 14-18

2009-09-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

• Each day this week will begin by listening to Bob Moler's Ephemeris Astronomy Radio Program and recording the data on the record sheet.
• On Monday the Astronomy Vocab is due. The Scientific Method will be reviewed and students will be asked to make hypotheses for several scientific demonstrations.
• The connection between time zones and astronomy will be discussed on Tuesday. Students will begin a "Michigan Map Search" classroom assignment to become familiar with many Earth Science related locations around the state.
• Wednesday will feature a latitude demonstration as well as a Scientific Method Quiz. Students should have time to finish the Michigan Map Search.
• A Michigan Map Slide Show will be shown on Thursday to help prepare students for the quiz tomorrow.
• The Michigan Map Quiz takes place on Friday. The Sun Clock Project will be explained and is due on Wed. Oct. 14th. Students will also learn about William Burt's Solar Compass and might be able to apply some of his ingenuity to their Sun Clock design.
• Disclaimer: The Honors Earth Science Class will follow a slightly different plan than what is presented above.

This Week in Earth Science: September 7-11

2009-09-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

• No school on Monday. Have a great Labor Day. If you have been laboring all summer take time to relax.
• School begins on Tuesday and I'm excited to begin working with a new group of students. On the first day in class, time will be spent learning seats, names, guidelines and other course info. A short video will be shown entitled "Why Earth Science?"
• On Wednesday students and teacher will learn more about one another with a "Letter of Introduction." I will read my letter to the class and students will spend some time writing me a letter, which is the first official assignment in Earth Science of the school year.
• Thursday will feature an overview of the Earth Science course complete with music video to watch, a syllabus to read, and a challenge quiz to take. Thursday is also "Picture Day" at BCHS. Be sure to look nice!
• Friday is an Early Release Day for Teacher Professional Development. Students will be excused at 12:30 pm. In class students will begin keeping a daily warm-up sheet that will be due in ten class days and a homework assignment due on Monday will be given (Astronomy I Vocab).

Summer Vacation!

2009-06-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

• Summer vacation is finally here and I'm just about ready to head out on the open road for the annual Kinnan Summer Adventure. This year we're traveling south to Texas. I hope I will be able to bring home many stories, photos and specimens to share with my future students in Earth Science. Have a great summer and I look forward to hearing about your adventures and discoveries in the future when we meet again.

This Week in Earth Science: June 1-5

2009-06-07T05:06:00.000-07:00

• This is is exam week. Exams will be given on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Any student who has earned a B+ average or better in the second semester is exempt from taking the Earth Science final exam.

• Any student may still turn in their Experimental Bead Project to Mr. Kinnan by the end of the school day (10:40 am) on Wednesday.

This Week in Earth Science: June 1 - 5

2009-05-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

• After recording the SpaceWeather.com data for the day (the first activity each day this week) and reviewing the constellations for tomorrow's quiz, students will observe some "expanding universe" demos and experiment with the giant frequency and wavelength spring on Monday.

• On Tuesday students will review constellations one more time with a slide show then they will take the Constellation Quiz.

• Wednesday will feature a music video "Supernova" and a lab "Stellar Evolution Concentration."

• An Astronomy II Unit Quiz will be given on Thursday and a study guide for the Semester Exam will be given and reviewed.

• Collecting textbooks and reviewing for the Semester Exam will be done on Friday. The SpaceWeather record sheet will be completed today and handed in to be graded. Also the Experimental Beads Project is due on Friday as well.