Melting Icebergs Experiment

9.  Extended Questions
a.  What happens if the polar ice caps melt?
If the polar ice caps melt, there are two major issues.

1.  The melted water will combine with the existing ocean water, causing ocean levels to rise.  Low lying areas will begin to see a rise in sea level, and, over time, these areas will be covered.
2.  Because the ice caps are made from fresh water, the increased amounts of fresh water will off balance the natural salinity of the Earth's oceans.  This, in turn, affects the movement of the deep ocean currents, which rely on the increased salinity to move along the ocean floor.  Many believe that this impedes the great global conveyor belt of ocean currents that moves heat and water.

b.  What other questions do you have about this Science Inquiry Experience?
This is a great activity.  It allows for investigation, as well as open the door to other issues, such as emission's regulations and conservation techniques.

One question - Is there information concerning the recent impact of government regulations on CFC's?  Is it too early to tell?

Found a website http://www.nature.org/index.htm that discusses global warming.  It also allows you to calculate your carbon footprint - a great activity for our students. :)

Application Paper Review

Hmmmm....reflecting on the Instructional Plan, I would have to first say that it really offered me the opportunity to really consider how I was teaching my students.  I had to stop, think, reflect, and evaluate each portion of the plan.  I have a tendency to over analyze, so it took me longer than I planned. :P

The process of the 5 E's strongly aligns to the method in which I currently plan my lesson, but in more detail.  My administration has an idea on how a lesson should progress, and it closely matches the 5 E's strategy. 

I actually use the lesson that I used for the Application paper.  The students are instrumental in creating a rubric to assess the factors and levels of erosion in different areas of the middle school campus.  Then, we go outside to view the places, and the students evaluate the areas.  It is amusing to listen to the impassioned arguments on the amount of ground cover by sixth graders. 

The biggest problem with the lesson is time.  I find that many of my special needs students require more time and structure to complete their work.  Also, I have to be cognizant of any weather issues that might arise.  Many students needed the use of a word processor.  However, there is a limited amount of net books available.

After the lesson this year, we had a benchmark assessment.  The students scored well on the soil standard questions.  So, I believe this lesson is a keeper. :)

Hurricane Season Draws Near

Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Ocean begins on June 1, 2011.  The National Hurricane Service (a segment of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a tremendous amount of information, including interactive maps and historical data.  Also, there are maps of the Atlantic (as well as the Pacific region) that can be printed. 

Lesson Ideas
1.  Plot and follow the path of a historical hurricane using the maps mentioned above.  I usually suggest that students round the latitude and longitude as they are plotting the points.  Then, students create a key that denotes hurricane life stage based on color (blue - tropical depression, etc.)
2.  Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit.  Students may draw the items (bandages, flashlights, batteries) or cut and paste pictures from magazines.  I usually have a drawing of a "kit" that the students draw or paste the items in.  I also expect the students to describe the item and explain the use.
3.  Create an Emergency Plan.  Students create a plan for their home in response to emergencies.  This relates not only to hurricane related situations, but also other emergency situations.  Because the students are making it for their own homes, there is a sense of ownership, and they usually take it very seriously.
4.  Hurricane vs. Tornado Venn - It's a quick activity, but necessary.  Allows students to think about the similarities and differences of these natural disasters.

**more ideas to come**

The link below is for a booklet about basic hurricane information.  It includes important information, such as the differences between a watch and a warning.
http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf