10/3/13

Tonight's homework is to wrap up reading and note taking about plate tectonics and the composition of Earth. Everyone should read "The Tectonic Cycle" on p. 113 and 114 of Botkin and Keller but 6.3 "General Aspects of Biogeochemical Cycles" on p. 112 could be helpful as well.

Additionally, Chapter  9 ("The Surprising Importance of Plate Tectonics") of Rare Earth by Peter Ward and David Brownlee (p. 191 - 221) is really interesting (but optional).

There will be a brief check-in given at the end of class tomorrow based on this week's notes.

10/2/13

Tonight's homework is to read about the composition of the Earth and then take notes in order to prepare for tomorrow's discussion.

10/1/13

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 10 and read/take notes on 20.2 "Weather and Climate" (p. 431-433) in Botkin and Keller.

Assignment 10 - “Earth’s Atmosphere” Comprehension and Review Questions

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability in complete sentences in the space below or on a piece of looseleaf.

1. Explain how Earth’s atmosphere is conducive to complex life (as we know it).

2. Explain, in your own words, why and how air moves on Earth.

3. Compare and contrast Earth’s current atmosphere to that of Mars and Venus.

9/30/13

Tonight's homework is to accomplish the following:

1. Complete Assignment 9 in which you need to: 

a. Obtain a separate page of looseleaf. Title the page, “Why Life on Earth Relies on Water.” You will answer question on this piece of looseleaf.

b. Review and read p. 161 and 162 of Glencoe Biology (see below) and the very first section of 18.1 “Water” in Botkin and Keller. Add vocabulary and any information that you deem important to your previous summary.

c. Based on what you now know, why is water a universal component to all life on Earth? Support your answer with vocabulary and observations/inferences.

2. Read and take notes on "The Atmosphere" on p. 434 through 437 of Botkin and Keller.

9/27/13

Assignment #8 - What Do You Want to Know? – Conducting Independent Research

 So, your homework over the weekend is the following:

•  Choose a question that interests you related to what we discussed this week. This may involve some research.
•  Conduct research to answer that question to a level that satisfies you (and me). Go to the library, hang out at a bookstore, search using the Internet, etc. in order to find your answer.
• Record your source. Aim for using at least 2 sources.
• Write a summary of what you learned about your question and its answer. Your response should be at least one page long (12 point font, double spaced), but no more than two pages. It does not have to be typed though.
• Draft an APA formatted bibliography with your summary. This link provides instructions for how to set up an APA formatted bibliography.

More importantly, the video below could be very helpful for finding potential questions/sources of information to answer your question. Also, the podcast BrainStuff is amazing and is totally formatted in a way that goes well with this assignment. Good luck and have fun.

Potential Questions for Researching (NOTE: You do NOT have to choose one of these questions):

- Why does the Moon orbit the Earth?

- Why does the Earth spin?

- How does the Moon spin?

- What are the origins of the Moon?

- Is the Moon magnetic?

- Why is the Moon gray?

- Why does there appear to be "a face" on the surface of the Moon?

- Is the Moon drifting away from us?

- Why are there tides?

- Does Jupiter's gravity affect the Moon and/or the Earth?

- What would happen if I tried to land on Jupiter?

- What is the Big Red Spot on the surface of Jupiter?

- How do we look for life in space?

9/26/13

Tonight's homework is to read Section 6.2 “Life and Chemical Cycles” on p. 111-112 in Botkin and Keller. Add to your notes from today.

9/25/13

Tonight's homework is to read Section 6.1 "Earth is a Peculiar Planet" on p. 106 through 110 in Botkin & Keller. Take notes on the reading and answer the two questions below.

Ideas for Notetaking Strategies
- Summarize and record big ideas of sections, paragraphs, etc.
- Define new/relevant terms and summarize
- Use in-text headings to organize notes

Reading Questions
1. How is Earth a unique planet?
2. Earth's atmosphere did not always contain oxygen like it does today. Describe the story of oxygen, including: how it came to be more prevalent in the atmosphere, the consequences of increased oxygen, and how we know about the oxygen content of earlier Earth's atmosphere.