Link to Google Docs with homework
Please follow this link to a copy of the Word Root homework.
Teaching Earth Science
Saving the world, one rock at a time.NEED Site
We are learning about our natural resources. One of the resources is the NEED Curriculum, learn more about NEED here.
My First TWIGPS
I am trying to produce a quick podcast every week about our class. Here is the first.
Rock and Mineral Wiki
I am putting together a support wiki for this unit. I have links to helpful sites and a PDF of the PowerPoint notes. Click Here to go The EMS Rock and Mineral Wiki.
Support Wikis
Did you know that I build a wiki for every unit? And did you know that you can go to theses wikis to get support of find out interesting things about science? It’s true! Follow this link to the East Science Home Page and look for the wiki’s listed in the left hand column.
Colormetric pH Lab
We are working on our chemistry unit and we are making scale, here is a video of class during the lab.
Welcome to Eighth Grade!
Welcome back!
There are many exciting things happening this year. I will have a student teacher, our curriculum is being rearranged, and the district is going to standards based grading.
I believe that inquiry is the best method for teaching science and work very hard to have as many hands on and minds on activities as possible. We will all work hard and have fun.
A little about me. This is my 18th year teaching science at East, I coach wrestling, run the robotics club, and have lots of other duties. I am teaching two classes at Colorado Mesa University, Science methods and Technology for Teachers.
Materials
Please have a 100 page comp book and something to write with. A calculator would be handy now and then, and bringing in some loose leaf paper to share would be appreciated.
Expectations
Because my class is very hands on, respect for one another and safety are very important. Students are expected to act responsibly and solve their own problems whenever possible. A major responsibility is coming prepared for class. This means not only having the equipment you need to learn, but also the attitude.
Standards Based Grading
In keeping with district policy, my grading is standards based which means the academic achievement grade is based on evidence of what each student knows and is able to do in relation to Colorado Content Standards.
I also assign a learning behavior grade based on student demonstration of collaboration, work ethic, civic and personal responsibility.
The scores are used to assess and to provide guidance regarding interventions needed for student success.
Resources
The blog Teaching Earth Science http://teachingearthscience.edublogs.org/ will have our day to day work, downloadable handouts, video tutorials, links to activities and general classroom information.
Each topic will have a resource wiki that have information to help students expand their knowledge. These can be accessed from the East Science Wiki http://eastmiddleschoolscience.wikispaces.com/
Units
Chemistry
Energy and Heat Transfer
Atmosphere, oceans and climate
Natural resources
Earth Processes
Surface
Interior
Earth’s History
Astronomy
