Welcome 8th graders to Earth Science class!

Welcome back 8th graders for what is sure to be an exciting and dynamic year of science!

Please take a couple of minutes to familiarize yourself with the class website. Notice the calendar where you can find up-to-date information about homework, projects, tests and quizzes. Also take a look at some of the links I have provided to help you explore your own interests in Earth Science and study the topics we are covering in class.

If you have any questions or concerns about how to most effectively use this site feel free to contact me via email, phone or by leaving a comment at the end of this post.

I look forward to getting to know all of you as the brilliant scientists you are! Its going to be a great year.

~ Mrs Koessler

Viscosity: A Physical Property of Liquid

Today in class we:
- Discussed the difference between physical and chemical properties
- Discussed the property of viscosity and the influences to the viscosity of lava: silica content and temperature

Worked on viscosity lab

Volcanoes!

Today in class we:

Reviewed Earthquake Quizzes
Watched news reels of Earthquake in Italy and Volcanic eruptions in Alaska (see National Geographic News)
Began discussion of volcanoes:
- Magma vs Lava
- Where do we find volcanoes?
- Physical vs Chemical properties of magma

Homework due next class:
Read Chapter 3 Section 1 and do the review questions on pg 85

Earth Interior/ Plate Tectonic Unit Test

Today in class we took test on Earth Interior/ Plate Tectonic Unit



Reminder:
Field Trip to Imiloa Friday 9:30 - 12:30
Bring a snack and a pen

Plate Tectonics

Today we discussed:
The three different types of plate boundaries: Convergent, Divergent, and Transform Boundaries
Examples of each of the different types of boundaries

Next class we will have a lab on plate movement

Homework:
Begin working on test review
- 6th period Test on Tuesday
- 2nd period Test on Monday

Continental Drift

Do Now:
Define the three types of heat transfer.

Today in class we:
Reviewed heat transfer and convection currents
Began discussion of Alfred Wegner and his theory of continental drift
Worked on Continental Drift activity of the continents of Gondwanaland

Homework due Thursday/Friday
Read section 3 and answer questions at the end of the Continental Drift section

Earth's Interior

Do Now: Describe how temperature and pressure change as you go deeper into Earth's interior

Today in class we:
Discussed the properties of the crust, mantle, and core
Worked on Earth's interior posters


Homework:
Review and Reinforce Worksheet: Earth's Interior
Study for quiz

Earth's Interior

Do Now: Name one piece of direct evidence and one piece of indirect evidence geologists use to get evidence about Earth's interior.

Today in class we:
Discussed evidence for Earth's interior
Discussed physical properties of temperature and pressure
Began Earth's interior poster project


Homework due next class
- Difference in arrival time worksheet