More El Nino Info

Here are 3 simple pages to better understand El Nino.

1. An Introduction
2. Normal Conditions
3. El Nino Event
   

For a more in depth look go to the Home Study page.

Ocean Circulation

Over the past few weeks we've been studying the oceans and in particular how the water circulates around the globe. This is important to understand as these currents affect our climate and aquatic food chains. Plus you'll use this information in your Chapter Challenge.


We've watched a video, experimented with changing the density of water (by changing the temperature and salinity), tracked floating sneakers, examined wind patterns and their affect on currents, and developed a better understanding of gyres and basic oceanic currents.


I hope the PowerPoint review presentation in class today helped to pull some of these topics together. To develop an even better understanding I've put together some additional resources. Remember you can always check out either of our textbooks at the Media Center.


You have online access to the Prentice Hall Earth Science Textbook. Click on the textbook image. The user id is: lms123 and the password is: lakeview. Click on "HS Earth Science -2006" and the table of contents will appear. Scroll down to Chapter 16 Dynamic Ocean, click on that and review 1. Ocean Circulation. When you are done with that go to Chapter 15 Ocean Water and Ocean Life and review 1. The Composition of Seawater. Be sure when you are using this resource not to change the user profile id or password.


Another resource is Oceans Alive. This site provides a greater variety of information but less detail. It's a good site to get a bigger picture.


If you've been to the Home Study page in the last week or so then you should have noticed the Ocean Currents Online link. This is a much more in depth study, but it provides some audio and video advantages (less reading for you). Click the image to the right to begin this learning guide.

Want to take a ride into space?

This video takes you far from the ocean currents we're learning about in class, but I thought it was interesting. Plus we'll be studying space later this year. Enjoy the video and who knows maybe you'll take the ride!

Improve Your Grades

What is the easiest way to improve your grade?

Get your grade report signed and return it by this Friday. It's an easy 10 points and for some of you it will count 20 points!

If you're struggling, well you've taken a good step in the right direction by visiting this site. Now read some of the posts and follow the links. Go to the home study page and click on the textbook links on the right sidebar.

Want some more help? Check out a textbook from the Media Center or come see me before or after school. You can also ask me questions by leaving a comment on any of the posts.

Understanding Oceans

Today we watched a pretty good video on the oceans. We saw scientists, surfers, sailors and kayakers; viewed surface currents and creatures from the deep; learned about waves, tides and ocean circulation. Not bad for just one period! Want a refresher? Here's a short clip.

Over the next several days we'll further investigate surface and deep ocean circulation, follow the trail of sneakers washed overboard in the Pacific Ocean, and analyze sea surface temperature changes during an El Nino.

Remember to be thinking about your Chapter Challenge. Click the image below for more information.

Parent / Student Access to Progress Book

Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who came to open house last week. Just by that one act you show your support for your children and their teachers, plus demonstrate the importance of education. I wish we had had more time to actually to speak to one another, but that just wasn't possible with the number of parents in attendance. However, please feel free to communicate with me through this website by posting comments or use the contact link on the sidebar to email me at anytime.

If you were at open house you received your login id and password for Progress Book. This is your online access to your child's grades, attendance, homework and more. If you were unable to attend open house the information was mailed to your home address. Be sure to login and explore the Progress Book site. I'll be adding a link to Progress Book on the sidebar of this page, just look for this logo. Click on the image and it will take you to the login page.

While you're at the Progress Book site check your child's science grade. After last weeks quiz almost everyone's grade went up! Now make sure you are studying for this week quiz.