Rock Cycle Project

I hope you are all having a pleasent break from the busy school year!

The Rock Cycle Project is due at the end of the week (1/6 and 1/7) after the children return from their break.  After watching them work for the last few days, I know many of the kids have good start on their projects.  There were a few children, here and there, who were spending more time socializing in class than working so I thought, just in case, I would post the Rock Cycle Project online.   

Please talk to your children about the Rock Cycle Project.  With a little preperation, this can be a really fun project!  Last year we had Rock Cycle Songs, Rock Cycle Game shows, and even a Rock Cycle Rap!  Here is the link to the Rock Cycle Project. It can also be found in our Classroom Documents to the right.  You will want to open it with Micrsoft Word For Windows.  Using another program, like Google Docs, will mess up the formating.

Happy Holidays

Daniel Kretchmar and Brian Streitz

Rocks and Minerals Test Review

Below is the review sheet that we are handing out to the students today and tomorrow!


Rocks and Minerals Test Review

1. Minerals can be described as: inorganic, formed in nature, and having a crystalline structure.

2. A mineral deposit that is large and pure enough to be mined is called .

3. Which mineral is the most resistant to scratching?

4. Which mineral is the least resistant to scratching?

5. A solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern is called a crystal.

6. What part of the appearance of a mineral can vary according to the impurities in that mineral?

7.What do you call the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces?

8. What is the name for the measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching?

9. What are the characteristics called that are particular to only a few types of minerals

10. What is the colored powder of a mineral called?

11. What is the name for the way in which a mineral reflects light.

12. What is the breaking of a mineral along either curved or irregular surfaces called?

13. What is the smallest part of an element?

14. What is a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a pattern?

15. What is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances?

16. The sizes, shapes, and positions of the grains that make up a rock is call texture

Words you should know

streak               luster                  atom                     cleavage                  ore                   reclamation

             density           surface-mines            subsurface-mines                  crystallizes                      mineral

 metamorphism                 hardness                  fracture                      special-properties 
               
metallic           submetallic              nonmetallic                Mohs-Scale          texture

conductivity           grain

Chapter 3 Mineral Test!!!

The Chapter 3 Mineral Test is Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  The information on the test is taken almost directly from the Reading Packets that we mentioned in out last post.  Our last post (below) contains links to the reading packets.  The test is not difficult as tests go, but there are a few words that we went over in class that the kids should review.  Also, students may have to use a dichotomous key to identify a mineral in class.

Mineral Properties:
Color (color and clearness: Opaque, Translucent, Transparent)
Luster (metallic, submetallic, nonmetallic),
Hardness (1-10 Moh Scale (1= talc (soft) 10=diamond (hard))
Streak (color)
Density (gm/ml)
Special Properties (like floresense, or Magnatism),
Breakage:  fractures (uneven or curved breaks) or cleavage (flat, even surfaces)
Texture (rough or smooth)
Conductivity (Good conductor or poor conductor; good insulator or bad insulator)
Good Luck!

Daniel Kretchamr and Brian Streitz
WWMS Earth Science

Directed Reading Packets

Good Afternoon,
                We have uploaded the Chapter 3 and 4 Directed reading packets to our documents on google.

Please follow the appropriate link if you need a copy of it.

Chapter 3 Directed Reading A

Chapter 3 Directed Reading B

Chapter 4 Directed Reading A

Chapter 4 Directed Reading B

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Daniel Kretchmar and Brian Streitz
WWMS

Geology Vocabulary

The Geology Vocabulary from the MN State Standards

The Ultimate Geology Vocabulary:  More Geology Vocabulary than you want to know

Chemistry Test Flash Cards

Good Afternoon!

We spent the last two days studying for our Chemistry Test.  Eighth Grade students who have science on "A" days will take the test on Wednesday. Eighth Grade students who have science on "B" days will take the test on Thursday.  We made flash cards in class yesterday and today so everyone should be prepared to study for the test. 

In case anyone forgot their flash cards at school or can't quite remember the correct order for the cards, We have placed a copy of the flashcards, complete with answers, on our google docs page.  Follow the link below and click in the "FlashCards.Chemistry Key.doc"

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B1wDNmvo7W92MjNmYmFhMDUtMTYzMC00M2FmLWE0YzEtNTM5MGEyM2RlN2Q5&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

If the link above doesn't work, just click on the link to the right! Classroom Documents/Assignments

Study hard and do well. 

Students!  Remember, if you don't have time to do a good job the first time, how are you going to find time to take it a second time?


Mr Kretchmar and Mr Streitz

Interactive links about stars

Here are some wonderful links to learn about stars

Life Cycle of a Star
(This link will teach you all about how stars form from nebulae, age and change into other stars, die (nova, super nova, collapse into blackholes, or just run out of fuel) form nebulae, and turn into new stars!)



Interactive HR diagram

The H-R diagram will show the life cycle of a star and the connection between luminousity and temperature.

H-R Diagram Interactive
Similar to the one above (this one is from an online text book and appears very small unless you buy a link to the textbook, but it's still pretty cool)

Astronomy Java Applets
(lots of little demos!)

Cool Astronomy Simulator

I can only say WOW!!

I just found the coolest Astronomy Simulator.  It's called Celestia.  It's a free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It's an open source code which means that not only is it free, but you can add-on your own simulations.  There is even a tutorial on how to make your own planets and even space ships.  Lots of people have been using this program and adding on their own simulations.  You don't have to download them if you don't want to, but to be honest they are really fun.  After I downloaded alot of the basic stuff from the main website, I went to the ad'on site, at Celestia Motherlode and downloaded some space ships from the movie 2001, and the startrek series.


I recommend it highly!!  It was fun and a great way to learn about Astronomy.

Astronomy Links

Below are links to web pages that students can use them research planets for their travel brochure

Welcome to the Planets

Star Date Online

 

A Review of the Universe

 

Star Child

 

Astronomy For Kids - KidsAstronomy.com  I

 

Astronomy For Kids II

 

Astronomy.com

 

Nine Planets

The Nine Planets for Kids

NASA for Kids

 

 

 

 

Planet Travel Brochure

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Soon, you may see your students coming home with a travel brochure about a planet.  Students are able to choose a planet to learn more about and come up with creative way to get people excited about possibly visiting this planet. 

A rubric was given of the expectations for the project to make sure they understand what to include.  An attached copy of the document can be found on the Google Doc link. 

DUE DATE:
     Streitz's Classses:        September 23, 2010  (A Day) or September 24th, 2010 (B Day)
     Kretchmar's Classes: September 22, 2010 (B Day) or September 23, 2010  (A Day)

Astronomy Night: Date: Tuesday, Sept 14

Doors open from 9:30-9:45

Orientation: 9:45-10:00

Rooftop viewing 10:00 -10:30

Cleanup: 10:30- 10:40

Exit the building by 10:45

Requirements

1.     Remember! The sky must be clear for Astronomy night.  If it is cloudy or foggy or rainy, etc, Astronomy Night will be CANCELED!  Don’t come to school “just in case”. 

2.     You must have at least one Parent chaperone for every 5 students.  It doesn’t have to be your parent, but bring a parent and some friends.  Chaperones must be a Parent, Grandparent or Guardian.  No older siblings, cousins, etc.

3.     The front doors will be open from 9:30 to 9:45.  We will be going upstairs at 9:45 exactly. If you arrive late and the doors are locked, go home.  We will not come back down to open the doors.

4.     We will spend 10-15 minutes in orientation while we explain the rules of behavior while on the roof.

5.     Dress for the weather.  If it is chilly, wear a coat.

6.     Students and Parents are encouraged to bring telescopes and binoculars to share.

7.     Questions: Ask Mr. Kretchmar in room 201 or Mr Streitz in 215

Astronomy Night

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

We have set a time for our first astronomy night!  It will take place Tuesday, September 14th, at the Westwood Middle School.  As you son/daughter for the information passed out in class to look at the specifics.  Also, an attached document will be placed in the Google Doc link on the right hand side of this page.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Mr. Kretchmar or myself (Mr. Streitz).

Mr. Streitz and Mr. Kretchmar

Welcome Back

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome back!  We hope you were able to enjoy your summer vacation and are ready for the school year to start.

**Remember to pick up a composition notebook.  We will not be selling them this year in the classroom.

See you in school,
Mr. Streitz and Mr. Kretchmar