Mr. Mathews

December 10, 2007

Good evening parents and students!

I have wonderful news...Here is a link to the Earth Science textbook online. Students, you no longer have to bring your textbooks home if you have access to the Internet.

Classwork

Today in class we began with a map reading skills warm up.  The map is on page 227 and the question asked "How many types of soil are in the United States and what are they?"  The students then had approximately 2 minutes to copy their homework in their agenda.  We reviewed their homework from the weekend and reviewed the steps in the note making process.  I then passed out their vocabulary quizzes from chpt 7 sec 1-2.  With any remaining class time, students began working on their homework.

Homework

Students are to complete their Chpt 7 Sec 2 Vocabulary sheet by doing the definitions in their own words.  They are also to start Chpt 7 Sec 3 Vocabulary sheet by doing the definitions from the back of the book side ONLY!  I will attach both of those vocab sheets below.

Download chpt_7_sec_2_soil_formation_and_composition_vocabulary_sheet.doc - Sec 2 Vocab

Download chpt_7_sec_3_conserving_land_and_soil_vocabulary_sheet.doc - Sec 3 Vocab

Thank you very much,

Mr. Mathews

December 7, 2007

cGood evening parents and students!

I have wonderful news...Here is a link to the Earth Science textbook online. Students, you no longer have to bring your textbooks home if you have access to the Internet.

Classwork

Today in class we began with copying some information on soil from the board.  I gave students about 10 minutes to do that.  We then learned how to "Make Notes" from the textbook.  The steps for this process are:

1. Pick a section to make notes from.  We picked Chpt 7 Sec 2 "Soil Formation and Composition"

2. Write down the title of the first subheading in that section.  (Soil Formation)

3.  Make 3 to 4 questions using the subheading before you read.  These questions should be centered around what you think that subheading section is about.  For example, for the subheading "Soil Formation" some sample questions could be How long does it take for soil to form?  Or, How does soil form?

4. Next, read the subheading section and eliminate all your questions except one.  This is the question that is best answered by the information in the subheading section. 

5. Write that question down again and then answer it from the subheading section. 

6. Move on to the next subheading.

Homework

Students in 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th will finish Chpt 7 Sec 2 "Note Making" for the last 5 subheadings in section 2.  Those are "Soil Texture", "Soil Horizon", "The Rate of Soil Formation", "Life in Soil", and "Soil Types in the United States."  Students in 3rd period will finish Chpt 7 Sec 2 "Note Making" for the last 4 subheadings in section 2.  Those are "Soil Horizon", "The Rate of Soil Formation", "Life in Soil", and "Soil Types in the United States." 

Thank you so much,

Mr. Mathews

December 4, 2007

Good evening parents and students!

I have wonderful news...Here is a link to the Earth Science textbook online. Students, you no longer have to bring your textbooks home if you have access to the Internet.

Classwork

Today in class we began with a warm up that led into a discussion requiring the students to think critically.  We held a class discussion for about 5 minutes over the warm up.  Next, students copied their homework down in their agenda and I passed out the "VINGO" sheet they will need for homework, which will be attached at the bottom.  We then did peer editing/reviewing on the soil activity we have been working on in the library for the past three days.  This gave the students an opportunity to have other students review their work and correct any grammatical mistakes, sloppy handwriting, and/or incorrect answers.  They will have tonight to make any last minute corrections and changes.  This will be a large grade and will be graded very strictly because of the amount of time we spent on this assignment.  If the students have lost their handout it can be downloaded from November 29th's blog. 

Homework

Students are to spend 10 minutes studying their vocabulary words from Chpt 7 Section 2 and review their terms from Chpt 7 Section 1.  They are also to fill in their "VINGO" vocabulary bingo sheet.  That sheet can be downloaded below.  Each box on this sheet must have either a vocabulary word from section 1 and 2 or a definition from one of the vocabulary words from those sections.  One word or definition per box.  They may be filled in any order the student chooses.  We will play "VINGO" tomorrow in class as a review.  I will have a box to pull either a vocab word or definition from.  If I pull a vocabulary word, students must find on their "VINGO" sheet the definition that matches that word.  If I pull a definition, students must find on their "VINGO" sheet the vocab word that matches that definition. 

Download vingo_vocabulary_game_sheet.doc - "VINGO" vocabulary bingo sheet.

Thank you so much,

Mr. Mathews.

December 3, 2007

Good evening parents and students!

I have wonderful news...Here is a link to the Earth Science textbook online. Students, you no longer have to bring your textbooks home if you have access to the Internet.

Classwork

Today in class we finished our soil web activity in the library.  Any of the assignment that was not finished today, must be finished tonight at home or at the library. 

Homework

Students are to study 10 minutes over Chpt 7 Section 2 vocabulary words and review Section 1 vocabulary words.  Thursday 12/6/07 we will have a QUIZ over those sections vocab words.  There are 16 and they can be found below attached to this blog to be downloaded. 

Download chpt_7_sec_1_rocks_and_weathering_vocabulary_sheet.doc

Download chpt_7_sec_2_soil_formation_and_composition_vocabulary_sheet.doc

Thank you so much,

Mr. Mathews