NEXUS: "Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know." ~Pema Chodron

. . . What do we need to know?

Don't you hate it when you don't "get" something? As it turns out, your search for understanding is a distinctly human characteristic--something we all have in common. We all want to know what's going on around us; it's how we've managed to survive, to adapt to our surroundings. That need to know is driven by our innate curiosity, which, by the way, leads to learning -- and it all takes place in our wonderful, ever developing brains.

Check out Learning and Intelligence

ANNOUNCEMENT

I have something to tell you that you may not want to hear. You do not know everything. You still have a lot to learn. . . In fact, you will always have a lot to learn. Are you listening? Good grief.

Here's a little food for thought--

Curiosity. It stimulates the imagination and the dendrites. Those important brain connections are made whenever we learn something new. We learn by imitation, experimentation, observation, examination. We satisfy our curiosity by asking questions. (Some questions are easy, others. . . not so much i.e.: What is the meaning of life? Geesh.) We read books, take courses, visit museums and national parks, walk in the woods, fish, build stuff. . . Together we puzzle through what we don't understand. Exploring, discovering, playing. Curiosity defines learning. Check out Curiosity & Learning

HERE'S ONE MORE THING TO THINK ABOUT

ASSIGNMENTS

FOR THE WEEK OF

11-15

SCIENCE

Lesson 4:

The Seasons

Monday/Tuesday: Powerpoint presentation and Notetaking actvity. We'll discuss/clarify any Open Response questions prior to your independent work time.

The Seasons Interactive can be found HERE Set the inclination angle of the earth to 23 degrees (earth's axis is actually tilted 23.5 degrees). Notice how the angle of the sun's rays influence temperature.

The Seasons and Ecliptic Simulator you'll be looking at is located HERE.

Find our town's Latitude and Longitude HERE and mouse over the map below them to find our school's exact coordinates. Turn them in for 5 bonus points.

Latitude: ____________________

Longitude: _________________

(For fun, check out the coordinates for the places we're going on our class trip! -- or your grandparents' house -- or the great pyramid at Giza. . .)

Wednesday - Thursday:

Complete the Inquiry Lab found HERE. You will then write a Lab Report on your findings. Look HERE for basic guidelines for setting it up.

You're going to be responding to a number of OPEN RESPONSE QUESTIONS. Look HERE for a quick refresher on how to write a them correctly and completely.

Independent Assignment: Watch Bill Nye Video about the seasons. Complete Comprehension/Analysis Quiz provided to you

A copy can be found in your drive in case you lose yours.

Friday: "Reasons for the Seasons"

minibook.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

Take two pieces of white art paper and fold them together the hamburger way.
Staple them together on the fold. (There's a good stapler in the copy room.)
IMPORTANT: Position your booklet with the fold at the top and the 4 loose ends on the bottom. Your booklet will open by lifting up a page.
Write the words REASONS FOR THE SEASONS neatly in the center of the paper. This will be the cover of your project. Use borders, color, illustrations as you wish to make the cover attractive.
Open your booklet.
Write the words Part 1: Misconceptions About the Seasons on the top of the page that is above the staples. Neatly write (or type and attach with glue stick) the required information.
Write the words Part 2, Tilt of the Earth on the page that is below the staples and Part 1. Illustrate. Be neat; use color. Label completely and neatly.
Flip up to the next two blank pages. On the top of the page above the staples write Part 3: How the Angle of Sunlight Affects the Earth, then write (or type) your completed questions & answers.
On the page below the staple write Part 4: Reasons for the Seasons. Write or paste your completed paragraph here. Remember to edit and revise!
On the back, write your name and the date.

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOR EACH PAGE

Part 1:
(Flip up first page of booklet. This goes above staple.)

A misconception is an incorrect idea about something. Read about common misconceptions of why we have seasons:

Make a list of some common misconceptions about the reasons for the seasons. (at least four). They should be written (or typed--to be attached to the booklet with glue stick only) in complete, well-constructed sentences. Title this page: Misconceptions About the Seasons

Part 2:
(This goes below the staple and Part 1.)

Draw a picture of the Earth, showing its tilt at each season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. Title this page: Tilt of the Earth and label the seasons and dates (You can use the websites from Part 4 below or others on our blog.)

Part 3:
(Flip up second page of booklet. This goes above staple.)

Write the following questions and answer them in complete sentences. You can use information from below or from our blog to help you. Title this page: How the Angle of Sunlight Affects the Earth

How does the angle of the sunlight that hits the Earth affect the seasons?
How does the angle of the sunlight that hits the Earth affect day and night?

Part 4:
(This goes below the staple and Part 3.)

Check out the websites below:

Write a well-constructed paragraph explaining the reasons for the seasons, making sure to incorporate information from at least two websites into your paragraph. (Indicate which two websites you used at the end of the paragraph.)

Title it Reasons for the Seasons.

(Minibook project modified from Reasons for the Seasons Webquest)

"Seasons" games can be found HERE!

FOR MONDAY (Ran out of time again!):

Activity 5: The Moon Powerpoint and notetaking activity

The Moon

Why do dogs howl at the moon?

For centuries, people have blamed odd behavior (dogs howling, cats yowling, people being, you know, weirder) on the full moon. You have to admit, it's the kind of sound of which legends are made. So, why do dogs howl at the moon? Could it be that dogs are channeling their inner wolf?

Dogs originate from wolves, so yea. . . but that's not it. You see, wolves don't bark at the moon, either. They might howl to keep track of their pack's movements or to alert other packs nearby of their presence. That's it.

Reasons Dogs "Howl at the Full Moon"

There's greater visibility during a full moon, which makes it easier to see. Brighter light may be disturbing and/or confusing to dogs.

Dogs have a keen sense of hearing and sounds carry better in night-time's cleaner atmosphere. Nocturnal critters are, in all likelihood, getting their attention.

Dogs are territorial creatures and may be reminding other dogs to stay away.

Dogs are also social animals. Could be they're just communicating with other canines?" Hel-ah-ooooooo!

Whatever the reason, dogs do lift their heads when they howl, but not to howl at the moon. It simply helps them to project their voices better. We do that, too. Try it! Ah-ooooooooo!

Check out:
Our Solar System For Kids - Lots of Free Games & Activities

SOCIAL STUDIES

For this week: tying up loose ends from last week. SBACs took precedence.

How Athens Got Its Name summary/art project
How Rome Got Its Name summary/art project
Mat completed Greek Amphora (see illustration)
Greek Alphabet chart
Roman Numerals chart

Once that is done, on to your very own Roman Mosaic!
Great Links:

Make a Marvelous Mosaic directions
Printable Mosaics to color
Design a Mosaic Online
Make Your Own Mosaic Pattern

LANGUAGE ARTS

Monday: Edit & revise first drafts & turn in
Tuesday: Last minute RTLs? Get them done!
Wednesday: Guidance and Bill Nye video/comprehension
Thursday: Type RTL final drafts
Friday: School-wide climb up Snake Mountain

MATH