Sunday, May 4, 2008

Weekly Schedule May 5th – May 9th

This is our schedule for the week ending May 9th, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact me at extension 38.

1st Year Science (Period 2 & 3)

Monday: Work Due: none

Basics of Physics: Exploring Gravity

Gravity is often defined as simply the pull towards the center of the earth. That definition is completely wrong. A person standing on the moon isn’t going to think of gravity as the pull towards the center of the earth. He or she is going to think of it as the pull towards the center of the moon. Gravity is much more complex. It is a force that any two objects in the universe have towards each other. Anything made of matter has gravity. As students learn about gravity they will also explore mass, weight, weightlessness, and the law of universal gravitation. Skydivers and astronauts orbiting the earth in the space shuttle help to illustrate many of the ideas presented in this program. Worksheet is due Tuesday. There will be a quiz.

Tuesday: Work Due: Exploring Gravity

Space Exploration: The Rockets

Using archival film, NASA footage, and computer graphics, this fascinating video describes the development of the rocket from the early Chinese rocket arrow to the space shuttle of today. Robert Goddard's work with liquid fuel rockets and the German V-2 rockets are discussed and shown. The early rocket car, and the rocket bicycle, is shown. The V-2 rockets became the basis of the American and Russian space programs, which evolved into a space race. Major historic accomplishments are shown as the video chronologically moves to the greatest achievement of all-landing a person on the moon. Worksheet is due Wednesday.

Wednesday: Work Due: The Rockets and Wanted Poster

Earth Science: Space Exploration

Galileo started it all with his hand-held telescope. It was powerful enough to see some of Jupiter’s moons and show that the Earth isn’t the center of the universe. Space exploration has mushroomed in the past 50 years. Rockets that originally lofted weapons during World War II were converted to carry satellites, then astronauts. But more has been learned from unmanned probes and telescopes than from manned missions. The Hubble Space Telescope is a perfect case in point. With Hubble, we’ve been able to “see” billions of light years into space. And the view is amazing. It makes us wonder if we’re alone in the universe. Future missions to Mars may reveal whether life once existed on the Red Planet. If extreme-living bacteria on Earth are any indication, there may well be proof of ancient Martian microbes. The workhorses of NASA, the space shuttles, have launched probes and taken astronauts to service Hubble and kept our knowledge growing. Worksheet is due Thursday.

Thursday: Work Due: Space Exploration

A Spin around the Solar System:
How the Solar System Works

This is a primer on the solar system. The program describes the parts of the solar system (the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, etc.) and explains how they piece together with universal forces and various types of energy to form a complete system. The show also presents current scientific thought on how the sun and planets developed and shows where the solar system sits in relation to the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe. Worksheet is due Monday. There will be a quiz.
Building Character

Combines scenarios typical of student experience with thought-provoking discussion questions to help students understand what it means to take responsibility.


2nd Year Science (Period 1 & 4)

Monday: Work Due: None

Electricity and Magnetism: Generating Electricity

When a magnet spins in a coil of wire or a coil of wire spins in a magnetic field, electricity is generated and begins to flow. Power plants use many different methods for spinning the magnet or wire. This program discusses the science behind generating electricity and shows the various methods used to power the generators. Solar cells, wind turbines, geothermal energy, the burning of fossil fuels, nuclear power plants, and hydroelectric plants are all presented. There will be a worksheet that is due Tuesday. There will be a quiz.

Tuesday: Work Due: Generating Electricity

Water Smart: The Sun, Water Cycle, and Climate

The sun is presented as the source of energy for Earth, driving the water cycle. This program covers the fundamental phases of the water cycle but goes beyond precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. We recognize how plants assist in evaporation via transpiration. We also see how ice “evaporates” in the process of sublimation. Runoff is presented as a link between precipitation and evaporation as water flows into lakes and oceans. The heat capacity of oceans and large water bodies is shown to be a climate control, all at a level that kids comprehend. Excellent visuals and animations illustrate unique forms of condensation in dew and frost. Students become aware that the water cycle is far-reaching, never-ending, and crucial to life in plants and people. At the program conclusion a true/false quiz assesses students understanding. Teachers will be able to further illustrate components of the water cycle using the eight experiments and demonstrations provided. Measuring rainfall, for example, allows practice in recording and charting data. In addition, twelve unique Internet links will lead to further study by kids, and additional lesson plan ideas for the classroom. There will be a worksheet that is due Wednesday. There will be a quiz.

Wednesday: Work Due: The Sun, Water Cycle, and Climate and Wanted Poster

Water Smart: Water in the Air

Most kids probably think of water in the air as rain but it’s more than that. This Water Smart program covers all of the fascinating forms of water in the air - from liquid to solid to vapor. Students learn that water does not just fall in the sky, it floats as clouds, surrounds us as humidity, and it freezes into ice crystals like snowflakes or chunks of ice like hail. We find that wind, created by the sun, moves water in the air worldwide and provides generally freshwater to locations distant from oceans and lakes. Dynamic time-lapse video shows water in action. Water in the Air presents components of the water cycle that make our existence comfortable and possible. Student comprehension is tested with a true/false quiz at the conclusion of the program. Printed quizzes and word games further develop vocabulary. Teachers receive a dozen Internet references covering water’s travel in air, to assist in lesson planning, and to provide further fun for students. More than eight demonstrations and experiments are detailed that kids can undertake using simple materials in the classroom or at home. The scientific method is utilized in making observations, measurements, graphing, calculating, and repeating experiments. There will be a worksheet that is due Thursday. There will be a quiz.

Thursday: Work Due: Water in the Air

Our Restless Atmosphere

This video describes the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, specific changes that take place in the composition, the effects of the changes, and various solutions to the destructive pollutants we have and continue to add to our atmosphere. There will be a worksheet that is due Monday. There will be a quiz.
Mirror in My Mind: Body Image and Self Esteem

Body image anxiety is a problem for many teens, who exaggerate perceived flaws and depress themselves with negative self talk. This lively program uses innovative special effects and candid self-analysis from a varied group of teens to discuss the image issues students face, and to show how to drop a distorted body image and gain self acceptance.

1 comment:

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