Mrs. DuBose’s Class: AdVeNtUrEs iN ScIeNcE

When the gray wolf was eradicated from Yellowstone National Park in the 1920s, more was lost than just the noble and fascinating predator. The park’s entire ecosystem changed. Now, nearly a dozen years since the wolves returned, the recovery of that system to its natural balance is well underway.  In the Valley of the Wolves is a riveting documentary that provides understanding into ecosystems, adapations, food chains, niche, animal interactions and more!! Teachers, I have a created movie questions that go along with the movie for your classroom use. Click here

Hi Super Scientist

This week we enjoyed learning about ecosystems.  We enjoyed watching Finding Nemo and applying what we have learned about ecosystems: abiotic and biotic factors, habitat, symbiosis, and food webs. We created our own cycle of life by creating food chain from National Geographic magazines. 

A food chain includes plants, or producers, plant-eating animals called herbivores, a meat-eating animals called carnivores, animals that eat both plants and other animals (omnivores), and tiny creature, or decomposers, that break down dead plant or animal remains

As a teacher, we all have come to the aid of a student who has bullied and seen the hurt, stress, and anxiety that this causes. Even after severe disciplinary actions, sometimes the cycle still continues and we are left wondering what is left. After reading and watching “How to Stop a Bully”, I found the principal’s concept was unique and definitely came to the source of the issue-the bully.   The recent school shooting in Germany is a constant reminder of what can go wrong when bullying is not dealt with.  These were the 14-year old shooters last words

I’ve had enough. I’m fed up of this pointless life. Always the same. Everybody laughs at me. No one sees my potential. I’m serious. I have weapons and I will go to my old school in the morning and have a proper barbecue. Maybe I’ll get away. Listen out. You will hear about me tomorrow….

Check out the “How to Stop a Bully” video BELOW. To read the full article “How to Stop A Bully” click here

LEAVE A COMMENT..Share what do you think??

The Great Debate: Geocentric vs. Heliocentric

This week we have been learning about how for 1500 years it was believed that the planets and stars revolved around the Earth not the Sun. The sun centered view, or heliocentric model was originated by Polish astronomer Nicholaus Copernicus. This seen as so radical that some people were called heretics just for having a different idea. Because the geocentric view was woven so deeply with the Bible, if you went against this view, you were seen as a heretic and faced persecution and possible death. Students were quite surprised and interested in Galileo’s life as he went through many hardships trying to get the TRUTH to others. The Animated Hero Classics: Galileo (must have a United Streaming login and password) is a wonderful video that not only teaches the content but also teaches Character education because it teaches about perseverance

Hey Super Scientist,

It’s BrainPop time. BrainPop is the only website around with over HUNDREDS of animated videos that you can watch to help you learn in reading, science, math, social studies, and more! Mrs. DuBose has a classroom subscription and we will meet Tim and Moby as they take us on adventures in different science topics. We will use the videos to help us introduce new concepts, review at the end of class, open up class discussions, and more. Lastly We will be using the online quizzes to to play quick review games in class to help assess your understanding. BrainPop also offers at-home science experiments, homework help, and much more.

BrainPop has offered some FREE videos that you can watch at home.
Check OUT the VIDEOS BELOW. If you feel like this is something that you want definitely, maybe ask your parents and see what they say. Hmm..you get learning and fun at the same time..What parent wouldn’t love it. Click HERE to check out how much a FAMILY subscription would be. It is quite AFFORDABLE. Of course, before you buy it, TRY the FREE 5 DAY trial. BE WARNED YOU WILL PROBABLY BE HOOKED after the 5 DAYS..

I originally found this on the Middle School Science Yahoo Group website and was so amazed by it.  It is SO cool.  My husband couldn’t see it.  Jackie looked at and I asked her if anything was moving and she said no..she’s only 18 months  The power of optics is so cool. Enjoy.  I still can’t believe this isn’t moving.  To see more optical illusions go to Might Optical Illusions (awesome site).  Teachers this would be a cool site to talk about the importance of not always trusting our eyes

 Hi Super Scientist

 Don’t forget to bring in your 1 liter or less plastic water bottle.  We will use this to create our sedimentary rocks. Also bring in your crayons.  We need them for our rock cycle activity where we use the crayon shavings to made the rock cycle process.  Let’s rock out..hehe..Ya get it :)

 In class we learned that one type of rock is formed from cooled magma or lava.  If the magma is allowed to cool inside the Earth, then the igneous rock will have big crystals or mineral grains.  This type of igneous rock is called an INTRUSIVE igneous rock.  If the lava reaches the surface is cools RAPIDLY and crystallization happens quickly creating small crystals.  This type of rock is an EXTRUSIVE igneous rock

     left to right: obsidian, granite, scoria (Have you seen these rocks before?)

Sedimentary rocks for over  thousands, even millions of years, little pieces of our earth have been weathered–broken down and worn away by wind and water. These little bits of our earth are carried downstream where they settle to the bottom of the rivers, lakes, and oceans. Layer after layer of eroded earth is deposited on top of each. These layers are pressed down more and more through time, until the bottom layers slowly turn into rock (cementation and compaction)

 left to right: sandstone, conglomerate,  shale (Have you seen these rocks before?)

Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have “morphed” or changed into another kind of rock. These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary rocks. How do sedimentary and igneous rocks change? The rocks are under tons and tons of pressure, which fosters heat build up, and this causes them to change.

                          left to right: granite, slate, marble (Have you seen these rocks before?)