Geologic Time Project

Today we began work on our geologic time brochure or poster project.
- We chose time periods to research
- Discussed the various eons, eras, and periods that exist in Earth's history
- Began researching our time periods.

Due Dates
A2: Tuesday, December 2
B6: Wednesday, December 3

Homework:
Read Lucky Strike Article and answer questions on reading review

Radioactive Decay

Today in class we discussed:
- Radioactive elements
- Use of radioactive elements in determining the absolute age of rocks
- What is a half-life?
- The role of Potassium 40 and Carbon 14 in dating rocks and fossils.

Worked on Radiometric Dating Activity

Homework due Wednesday/Thursday
Finish lab and study for quiz on geologic time

B6:Stratigraphy

Today in class we:
Discussed the role of unconformities in reading the rock record
Discussed the role of fossils and index fossils in reading the rock record

Worked on stratigraphy activity (due at end of class)

Due Tuesday:
Finish Skills Lab on pg 122: Analyze and Conclude and More to Explore

A2: Relative and Absolute Time

Do Now:
Define relative and absolute time. Give an example of each

Today in class we:
Discussed the difference between relative and absolute time
Discussed how sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, and faults can tell us about events in Earth's history
Worked on "This is your life" Sequencing Activity

Homework due Thursday:
Read Section 2 pg 117-121, answer questions 1-3 on pg 121
Finish Sequencing activity worksheet

Rock Unit Review

B6: Today in class we reviewed for Rock Unit Test (see sidebar for copy of review sheet)
- Completed rock cycle lab (if not handed in today, due Friday)
- Worked on rock identification lab


Due Friday:
Study for Rock Unit Test - Study session on Friday morning @ 7:20 in Rm 411

Rock Cycle

Do Now: Do rocks change over time? What influences if and when rocks change?

Today in class we:
- Reviewed igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
- Discussed the rock cycle and introduced some new vocabulary:

• Crystallization
• Weathering
  
• Erosion
• Contact and Regional Metamorphism
• Uplift

- Drew rock cycle diagrams
- Worked on rock cycle worksheet

Homework due Monday:
Questions 1-7 on rock cycle worksheet

Review Quiz / Metamorphic Rocks

Today in class we:
Reviewed the concepts covered in the quiz: igneous and sedimentary rocks
Began discussion of metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Do Now:
Explain the difference between clastic, organic, and chemical sedimentary rocks. Give an example of each

Today in class we:
- Finished discussion of sedimentary rocks
- Began discussion of metamorphic rocks

Homework:
pg 162 Section 5 Assessment


November 30th, 2007
Sedimentary Rocks

Do Now:
Discuss two ways in which you can determine whether an igneous rock is intrusive or extrusive and whether it is mafic or felsic in composition.

Today in class we:
Discussed different types of sedimentary rocks and how we classify sedimentary rocks.

Homework:
pg 151 Section 2 Assesment

Igneous Rocks

DO NOW:
Describe what is meant by the grain of a rock and 3 ways in which grain can be used to describe the texture of a rock.

Today in class we:
Discussed the location, texture, and composition of igneous rocks
Looked at various examples of igneous rocks including granite, gabbro, basalt, rhyolite, pumice, and obsidian

Homework due Friday:
- pg 150 Data Analysis, pg 151 Section Review 1-2 all

Introduction to Rocks

In class today we:

Handed back and reviewed mineral quiz
Handed in How Minerals Form homework
Began discussion of rocks, how rocks are classified, and the 3 main classifications of rocks
Worked on finishing mineral lab


Homework due Wednesday:
Completed mineral lab due at end of class on Wednesday

Mineral Quiz and Identification Lab

Today in class we:
Took quiz on minerals
Continued work on mineral identification lab

Homework over Thanksgiving break - Due Tuesday, November 27th
- Read section 4.2: How Minerals Form
- Complete reading review worksheet handed out in class

Mineral Identification Lab

Do Now:
Do practice problem on pg 118: Mineral Density

Today in class we discussed:
- Mineral properties cleavage and fracture
- Special properties of minerals including magnetism, optical properties, and effervescence

Began Mineral identification lab

Homework:
Study notes and labs from Chemistry of Minerals and Introduction to Minerals for Monday's quiz

Properties of Minerals II

Today in class we:
Watched Eyewitness Video: Rock and Mineral
Continued discussion of properties of minerals including hardness, density, cleavage and fracture, and special properties.


Homework due Thursday:
Math Analyzing Data: Mineral Density #1-6 on pg 119 of text book

Properties of Minerals

Today in class we:

Worked on Mineral Madness worksheet (handed in) to practice using the periodic table of elements and reading chemical formulas

Began discussion of properties of minerals including color, luster, and streak


Homework:
No homework over the long weekend! Enjoy

Introduction to Minerals

Today in class we:
Turned in old textbooks and received Inside Earth edition textbooks
Discussed the basic units of minerals - atoms: components of an atom, atomic number, mass, and symbols.

Homework:
Read Chapter 4, Section 1: Properties of Minerals
Complete Section 1 Assessment (1-3) on pg 122

Chased by dinosaurs!

Today in class we:
Handed in old text books, "Earth's Changing Surface" for new text book "Inside Earth"
Handed back and reviewed geologic time tests
Watched BBC production "Chased by Dinosaurs"

Homework:
Make typed test corrections due Tuesday for a possible 1/4 point back on each missed question
Cover new text book
Read Chapter 4.1: Minerals and complete the 4.1 section review

Geologic Time Review

Do Now:
Write 3 good test questions on geologic time, include your answers to the questions.

Today in class we:
- Reviewed geologic time material

Homework:
Geologic Time Review handout - Due at the test on Monday

Study session:
Students can come early on Monday morning for a study session in Rm 411 from 7:15 to 7:45. Bring questions and material you want to review

Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras

* While the 7th and 8th graders are participating in the ITBS Testing, regular class schedules will be slightly interrupted. Classes will resume normal schedule on Monday, Oct 29th.

Do Now:
List all the eras of the phanerozoic eon. For each era list all of the periods from oldest to most recent. Describe two events that took place during each of these periods

In class we:
- Discussed the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras (see PPT link to download this lecture)
- Worked in groups to design geologic time review cards

Homework:
Bring a completed set of review cards with you to the next class

Paleozoic Era

Do Now:
What main event occured between the Proterozoic and Cambrian Periods?
List the periods of the Paleozoic Era

Today in class we:
- Finished discussion of the Paleozoic Era (see ppt link on sidebar)
- Began presentations of geologic time travel brochures

Phanerozoic Eon: Paleozoic Era

Today in class we:
Took quiz on PreCambrian Eon
Turned in review work and Geologic Time Brochures

Discussed the begining of the Paleozoic Era: Cambrian, Ordivician, Silurian periods

Homework due Wednesday:
pg 137: Math Analyzing Data # 1-4
pg 145: #1 a-c