Lesson 1 - Monday, Nov 17
Housekeeping: Dr. M offered students some observations about difference aspects of the Initial Atmosphere models they completed last Friday. In particular, despite many students including the thickness of each of the layers (in km), he highlighted the lack of visible scaling of each of the 5 layers in the student models.
1. Students were then asked to create a scale model of the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere by taping two pieces of A3 paper together in the portrait orientation.
2. Students were then asked to draw lines representing the boundaries of each of the layers IF the first layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, was itself 1 cm thick.
Homework: A final due date for the Science Essay (“Odysseus the Grain”) has now been announced. The final due date is FRIDAY, 21 NOV. Therefore, students should spend another 20 minutes working on their essay prior to the start of their next science lesson.
Lesson 2 - Tue, Nov 18 (B,) & Wed, Nov 19 (H - Dr. M absent)
Housekeeping: Returning to our atmosphere model, students added temperature ranges to each of the layers. We then drew circles on the back of the model so that we can build a visual representation of 1) the percentages of the gases found in each atmosphere layer, and 2) the density of the gases found in each layer of the atmosphere.
H period worked with Dr. Sinnathamby, who walked students through an investigation related to “particulate matter.” In it, students created a device with a glass slide, a grid, and double-sided tape designed to sample the air quality (overnight) at their house. They will bring their slides back to class on Thursday for analysis with a light microscope.
Homework: A final due date for the Science Essay (“Odysseus the Grain”) has now been announced. The final due date is FRIDAY, 21 NOV. Therefore, students should spend another 20 minutes working on their essay prior to the start of their next science lesson.
Lesson 3 - Wed, Nov 19 (B) & Thu, Nov 20 (H)
Housekeeping: B & H period students continued working on their atmosphere model by representing a) the percentage of gases found in each layer of the atmosphere, and b) the relative densities of gases found in each layer of the atmosphere, and also listing known pollutants in each layer of the atmosphere.
Homework: A final due date for the Science Essay (“Odysseus the Grain”) has now been announced. The final due date is FRIDAY, 21 NOV. Therefore, students should spend another 20 minutes working on their essay prior to the start of their next science lesson.
Lesson 4 - Thu, Nov 20 (B) & Fri, Nov 21 (H)
Housekeeping: Both B and H period students began their lesson by answering a series of PQs on Exam.net related to “Air quality.”
B period then worked with Dr. M on an investigation related to “particulate matter.” In it, students created a device with a glass slide, a grid, and double-sided tape designed to sample the air quality (overnight) at their house. They will bring their slides back to class on Monday for analysis with a light microscope.
H period students continued working on their atmosphere model by representing a) the percentage of gases found in each layer of the atmosphere, and b) the relative densities of gases found in each layer of the atmosphere, and also listing known pollutants in each layer of the atmosphere. In the remaining part of the lesson, students had a chance to put at least one of their air quality slides under the microscope to see if it was able to trap any “particulate matter.”
Homework: As per the TASIS MS school homework policy, there is no weekend science homework (due on Monday).
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: How do chemical substances move through Earth's atmosphere, water, and land to change the planet we live on?
B period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
H period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
Including this week, there are 7 weeks of school to complete before the end of the Fall Semester.