Mr. Bent’s Edublog Page

I’ve attached the new homework expectations that will begin next week.  Of course, I handed out this paperwork in class, but if you ever forget it or lose it, you can print it up from your computer.  Please remember to refer to this document for HW help!

Mr. B

Mr b’s hw

Tuesday evening may provide a terrific “light show” for those of us that live on the East coast (as far North as Southern Maine) when NASA tries to launch an orbital rocket from its facility in Virginia.  Read about it in this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090501/sc_space/glaringrocketlaunchcouldsurpriseeastcoastresidentstuesdayevening

As you all know, we will be displaying research projects at Open House this year as part of the “Science Fair” that is being developed.  I have asked all of you to try to begin work during the vacation by doing some very simple things that will help you when we all return.  Here is a brief list of what you could do to get started:

1.  Go to various websites/books to get information about your topic.  If you print out pages from a website, make sure you get the site’s address so that we can keep track of where you are getting your info from.  Not all websites are reputable (contain accurate information).  Try to use sites that are obviously good sources (NASA, USGS, etc.).

2.  If you have extra time, go through your printouts or research notes and highlight information that you think will be MOST interesting.  Remember, this project is a combination of research/art.  We are purposefully providing limited information to attract people to the projects.

3.  Get a few pictures, preferably in color, that you can place on your poster board.

4.  If you are going to be painting, using clay, building something, etc., make sure you get that and have it ready to bring to school next Monday.  You can use anything I have, but I don’t have much!

5.  Try to plan out your project.  How do you want it to look on your poster board?

6.  Try to narrow the focus of your research and formulate it as a question.  For instance:

*What is the most dangerous volcano on Earth?  Why?

*How can creatures live on hydrothermal vents?

*Have we ever had a major earthquake in Massachusetts?

*Why don’t we have eclipses every month?

Note:  You will still do “normal” research about your topic, but your focus is narrowed by asking a specific question.

I hope this information helps.  We will use this thread for you to ask me ANY project questions.  I will answer them in the comments section.

Mr. B

end-of-year-project-rubric

endofyrproject09

connor-c-class-summary-example1

Connor impressed us with another terrific class summary. He even volunteered to read it aloud for all of us. Thanks!

Here is the new class log design.  I’ve filled out an example for you, based on yesterday’s class.  I’ve also provided a link a full page version of the worksheet, just in case you ever need to print one up at home.  You can find that link here:  class-log-worksheet single page

Earlier today I had removed the FCAs, but I have actually decided to leave them.   Your class logs will be graded as a “mini-quiz” grade, with all Collins-related quizes being averaged together at the end of the term for one final quiz grade.  Note:  This is considered a type 3 assignment.  Therefore, you will have to read your work to yourself in a “one-foot voice” before handing it in.  I will review what this means in class next week.

Please comment below to let me know if you like the new design.

Here is some audio of me reading the Class Log example that I have posted above.  It can give you an idea of how you read a Class Log to yourself (and why) before handing it in.  reading-a-class-log-to-yourself

Mr. Bent

Today in class we discussed some of the key vocabulary that we will be using in the first part of the new unit.  We will begin this unit by reviewing the Earth’s interior.  Much of this material was covered in 5th grade.  Here is a picture of the Inner Earth if you need reminding:

Here is the vocabulary list from today’s class:  ie-cd-and-pt-ttk-without-vocab

We also discussed our “Class Log” today.  Here is a copy of the class log paperwork just in case you need to print one from home:  class-log-worksheet1

Podcasts will return soon!

Mr. B

Today in class we discussed the global warming controversy.  We examined two different viewpoints (believers, and skeptics), and students were asked to think about how they felt about this issue.  When this was done, students went around the room, asking others what their beliefs were.  They ended up forming 3 groups (believers, skeptics, and not sure).  We had a short discussion on this matter, and class ended.

Over the next couple of days students will be writing a Type 3 paper that focuses on their position about global warming, glacial melting, sea level rise, etc.  We will also finish up our unit this week.

To see the article that we read in class today, click here:global-warming-arguments

My favorite Type 1 response today, by an anonymous source with the initials X.B. was “If it’s going to happen, let it happen soon. I’m freezing my butt off.”

Mr. B

Today in class we focused on glaciers.  We read an article entitled shrinking-glaciers.  (click to see the article)

Students then wrote a Type 1 paper, describing some of the facts that they learned from the article.  We discussed these facts, finding many that were correct, but some that were not very accurate at all.  We watched a couple of short video clips on Arctic glaciers, and then it was time to leave.

The main idea from today (besides a brief description of what glaciers are) was that when we read science material (or anything that might be complicated and/or dull), we must take great care to read this material slowly and carefully.  Otherwise what we THINK we read might be the same as what we ACTUALLY read.

Mr. Bent

Source:  http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect16/Sect16_16_2.html