Friday, December 12, 2014

2nd Grade-Week 1 Physical Properties of Rocks

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1st Lab Session Week
Concept: 3 Rocks-Physical properties of rocks
Investigation: Are all rocks the same?
Wonders READING: pg. 66-71 Rocks

Concept: Minerals and Rocks

What are rocks made of?
How are rocks and minerals different?

Vocabulary:
minerals
physical properties
color 
shape
size
color
texture
rough
smooth
luster
shiny
dull

BrainPopJr.com video of the week: Rocks & Minerals


















Find this "Levitated Mass" in Los Angeles...
take a picture of YOU underneath the rock ...

email the picture to mr.gantt@gmail.com for 2 extra credit points.

CA Science Standards
3. Earth is made of materials that have distinct properties and provide resources for human activities. As a basis for understanding this concept:
3a. Students know how to compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
4. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.
4f. Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe and draw descriptions of small objects or small features of objects.

2nd Grade- Week 1 Earth Science Syllabus

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1st Lab Session Week
Concept: 3 Rocks-Physical properties of rocks
Investigation: Are all rocks the same?
Wonders READING: pg. 66-71 Rocks
CA Science Standards
3. Earth is made of materials that have distinct properties and provide resources for human activities. As a basis for understanding this concept:
3a. Students know how to compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
4. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:
4f. Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe and draw descriptions of small objects or small features of objects.

2nd Lab Session Week
Concept: Sorting rocks by physical properties
Investigation: What are river rocks?
Wonders READING: pg. 72-77 Changing Rocks
CA Science Standards
3a. Students know how to compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
4c. Compare and sort common objects according to two or more physical attributes (e.g., color, shape, texture, size, weight).
4d. Write or draw descriptions of a sequence of steps, events, and observations.
4f. Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe and draw descriptions of small objects or small features of objects.

3rd Lab Session Week
Concept: Screening river rocks
Investigation: How do rocks get smaller?
NO Wonders READING
CA Science Standards
3a. Students know how to compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
3b. Students know smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of larger rocks.
4c. Compare and sort common objects according to two or more physical attributes (e.g., color, shape, texture, size, weight).
4d. Write or draw descriptions of a sequence of steps, events, and observations.
4f. Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe and draw descriptions of small objects or small features of objects.
4g. Follow oral instructions for a scientific investigation.

4th Lab Session Week
Concept: Measuring rocks
Investigation: How do scientist measure rocks?
NO Wonders READING
CA Science Standards
3a. Students know how to compare the physical properties of different kinds of rocks and know that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
4b. Measure length, weight, temperature, and liquid volume with appropriate tools and express those measurements in standard metric system units.

5th Lab Session Week
Concept: Different uses of rocks
Investigation: How are rocks used?
Wonders READING: pg. 90-95 Natural Resources
CA Science Standards
3e. Students know rock, water, plants, and soil provide many resources, including food, fuel, and building materials, that humans use.

6th Lab Session Week
Concept: Fossils 
Investigation: How can we learn from fossils?
Wonders READING: pg. 84-89 Fossils
CA Science Standards
3d. Students know that fossils provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago and that scientists learn about the past history of Earth by studying fossils.

7th Lab Session Week
Concept: Sand, soil, clay silt exploration
Investigation: What is soil made of?
Wonders READING: pg. 78-83 Soil
CA Science Standards
3c. Students know that soil is made partly from weathered rock and partly from organic materials and that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants.
4f. Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe and draw descriptions of small objects or small features of objects.

Subject to change.

2nd Grade-Week 1 Parent Letter

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http://www.donorschoose.org/David.Gantt 
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Mr. Gantt’s Earth Science Lab Policies
2nd Grade

Dear Parents and Students,

            Over the next few months, students will be studying about rocks, fossils and soil. Students will attend Earth Science Lab 1 day a week for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

            Student achievement grades are based on weekly class work, questioning during lab investigations and homework. Effort grades will be based on participation in class and turning in homework on time.

Information about what lessons 2nd graders are doing in Earth Science Lab can be found at bit.ly/mrgantt.

            If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact me through the main office or by email at mr.gantt@gmail.com.


Sincerely,


Mr. Gantt

1st Grade-Week 1 Sun, Earth & Moon

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1st Lab Week
Concept: Sun, Earth, and Moon

Objective: Students will learn that the Sun heats the Earth.

Vocabulary:
star
Sun
heat
light
planet
Earth
Moon
craters

Question of the Week:
•Who gives the Earth light and heat?

BrainPopJr.com video of the week: The Sun

Sun
Earth
Moon
The Earth orbiting the Sun and the Moon orbiting the Earth.

CA State Science Standards
3. Weather can be observed, measured, and described. As a basis for understanding this concept:
3c. Students know the sun warms the land, air, and water.
4. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

1st Grade-Week 1 Earth Science Syllabus

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Mr. Gantt’s Earth Science Lab
Weekly Lab Lessons and Homework
1st Grade

Common Core Standards for 1st grade quarter 
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).

1st Lab Session Week
Concept: Sun, Earth, and Moon
Investigation: What are the Sun, Earth, and the Moon?
Homework: worksheet- Sun, Earth, and Moon
3. Weather can be observed, measured, and described. As a basis for understanding this concept:
3c. Students know the sun warms the land, air, and water.
4. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

2nd Lab Session Week
Concept: Exploring Air-Part 1
Investigation: What is Air? 
1. Materials come in different forms (states), including solids, liquids, and gases. As a basis for understanding this concept:
1a. Students know solids, liquids, and gases have different properties.
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

3rd Lab Session Week
Concept: Exploring Air-Part 2
Investigation: How do balloon rockets move?
1. Materials come in different forms (states), including solids, liquids, and gases. As a basis for understanding this concept:
1a. Students know solids, liquids, and gases have different properties.
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

4th Lab Session Week
Concept: Weather
Investigation: What is weather? What are the different types of weather?
3b. Students know that the weather changes from day to day but that trends in temperature or of rain (or snow) tend to be predictable during a season.
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

5th Lab Session Week
Concept: Weather Instruments
Investigation: How is temperature and wind speed measured?
Homework: worksheet- End of Module Weather Assessment
3a. Students know how to use simple tools (e.g., thermometer, wind vane) to measure weather conditions and record changes from day to day and across the seasons.
3b. Students know that the weather changes from day to day but that trends in temperature or of rain (or snow) tend to be predictable during a season.

6th Lab Session Week 
Concept: Seasons of the Year
Investigation: What are the four seasons? What are the characteristics of each season?
Homework: worksheet- Summer and Winter
3a. Students know that the weather changes from day to day but that trends in temperature or of rain (or snow) tend to be predictable during a season.
4a. Draw pictures that portray some features of the thing being described.
4b. Record observations and data with pictures, numbers, or written statements.

7th Lab Session Week 
Concept: Wind and Air Explorations
Investigation: How do you measure wind direction?
3a. Students know how to use simple tools (e.g., thermometer, wind vane) to measure weather conditions and record changes from day to day and across the seasons.


Subject to change.

1st Grade-Week 1 Parent Letter

Mr. Gantt’s Earth Science Lab Policies
1st Grade 

Dear Parents and Students,

            Over the next few months, students will be studying about the Earth and the weather around it. Students will attend Earth Science Lab 1 day a week for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

            Student achievement grades are based on weekly class work, questioning during lab investigations and homework. Effort grades will be based on participation in class and turning in homework on time. 

Information about what lessons 1st graders are doing in Earth Science Lab can be found at bit.ly/mrgantt...you found it!!!

            If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact me through the main office or by email at mr.gantt@gmail.com


Sincerely,

Mr. Gantt

Earth Science Lab Wish List
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Every little bit helps!

Monday, December 8, 2014

5th Grade-Week 7 Quiz and Weather vs Climate in California

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7th Lab Week
Concept: Weather vs Climate in California

Objective: Students will learn how the ocean effects California's daily weather and climate.


Vocabulary:
climate
front
air mass



Questions of the Week: 
•How does the Pacific Ocean effect the climate of California?
•What are the main sources of fresh water?
•Where is most of the water found on Earth?
•How is most of the fresh water used in California?
•How can a water molecule be recycled through the Water Cycle?

CA State Science Standards
4a. Students know the influence that the ocean has on the weather and the role that the water cycle plays in weather patterns.