Science Classroom Connection

Students will read, write, and orally discuss the characteristics of natural resources through the application of the R.A.N. strategy. A a reminder, students will list what they know about natural resources, then they will read and write about the topic based on what new material they acquire as well as confirm or refute what they thought that they know in their starting point(s). Finally, they will conclude the process by identifying questions about the topic that they still wonder about.

“Dear Parents/Guardians:

It’s Parent Teacher Conference Time, and we are excited about sharing information with you about your child. Conferences will take place in classrooms on Tuesday, March 15^th from 4:30-7:30 pm. We look forward to meeting you on Tuesday and have a few reminders:

• Pick up your child’s report card in the atrium.

• Proceed to your child’s classroom for 5 minute conferences. If you wish to spend more time with a teacher, please make an appointment for another time.

• We are asking you to take a Parent Survey either in the Media Center (library) or on Chrome books which will be available in the hallways as you are waiting for teachers. Students will be on hand to help you with a computer. Once you are finished you will receive a raffle ticket to be entered  for gift cards.”

Sean Fisher, Ed.S.                                                                                                                     Principal, O. L. Smith Middle School

As many of you know that since we did not have as many A’s and B’s on our previous test/quiz, the classroom teacher has decided to retest you on the material after reforcing it further and adding to it the small section on currents and climate that focuses on El Nino, La Nina, and the upwelling process. We have discussed these three new concepts and reinforced them as the students appear to have understood them based on their reading and writing skills.

With that said, and as has become a standard procedure in our class, students are to review all handouts/study guides/bellwork in their possession along with the sections’ review questions pertaining to this subject matter in order to be better prepared for the test retake since students will earn the higher of the two scores (the previous test/quiz score OR the new score on Tuesday).

Any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

Using the Water on Earth textbook refer to Chapter 3, Sections 1 and 2 to answer the attached questions as a means of preparation for next week’s test.  Chapter 3, Sec.1 & 2

Create a Frayer model on each of the following concepts. Make sure that you define the term in your own words, lists at least two characteristics or facts, identify an example and a non-example of each (a sketch or a picture of the term for example/non-example is acceptable). Use the format that was given earlier in the year.

DEEP CURRENTS

SURFACE CURRENTS

CORIOLIS EFFECT

GLOBAL WINDS

CONTINENTAL DEFLECTION

UPWELLING

EL NINO

LA NINA

STORM SURGE

TSUNAMI

GULF STREAM

CALIFORNIA CURRENT

UNDERTOW

WHITECAPS

Frayer Model

Create a Frayer model on each of the following concepts. Make sure that you define the term in your own words, lists at least two characteristics or facts, identify an example and a non-example of each (a sketch or a picture of the term for example/non-example is acceptable). Use the format that was given earlier in the year.

DEEP CURRENTS

SURFACE CURRENTS

CORIOLIS EFFECT

GLOBAL WINDS

CONTINENTAL DEFLECTION

UPWELLING

EL NINO

LA NINA

STORM SURGE

TSUNAMI

GULF STREAM

CALIFORNIA CURRENT

UNDERTOW

WHITECAPS

Students will be evaluated upon surface currents and deep currents based on their characteristics that have been discussed and reinforced in class for the past several sessions.

As has become a standard in our class, students are to study their double journal entries for the main ideas and explanations of the key illustrations in the section, as well as the class reinforcement labelled “bellwork” and their standard study guide titled “Guided Reading”. For further reinforcement, students are advised to answer the section review questions (1-11) on page 85 as a final confirmation of their preparation for the test.

Each student will be assigned a passage or two to read and write down the key words or phrases from each sentence. Then students will be grouped in numbers from 1-5 with different key words or phrases and share within that group. Once done, each student will use his/her set of key words or phrases to write a paragraph on the list of words or concepts that they had shared with the group.

Students will read, write, and orally discuss the characteristics of surface and deep ocean currents based on the various factors that affect their formation over time.