Mrs. DuBose’s Class: AdVeNtUrEs iN ScIeNcE

THIS WEEK’S ADVENTURES:
This week are learning how Earth’s surface changes due to the dynamic duo: Weathering and Erosion. Weathering is the breakdown of rocks due to mechanical/physical weathering or chemical weathering. Mechanical weathering is rock breaking down but keeping its chemical composition. This can occur through plant growth, abrasion, ice wedging, animal action, and release of pressure. Chemical weathering can occur when rocks are broken down but under go a chemical composition change. This can occur through water, acid rain, oxidation (rusting), living organism, or carbon dioxide. After weathering breaks down the rock, erosion swoops in to carry sediments off through wind, water, or ice. Students will use their knowledge of mechanical and chemical weathering and simulate these processes on our sugar cubes (fake rocks). Students will later in the week use various objects to try conserve their soil.  This activity will help them understand the importance of protecting the soil from erosion.  Check out the dynamic duo below: Weathering an Erosion video and the dire consequences that can happen when we don’t protect the soil–Dust Bowl.

ANIMATIONS:

Last week we learned what a mineral is and the 8 ways they can be identified. This week were are learning how rocks and minerals are related. Minerals are the building rocks for rocks! There are 3 main types of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic).

An igneous rocks forms when magma or lava hardens. There are 2 Types: extrusive (forms small crystals because lava cools quickly once it reaches earth’s surface) or intrusive (forms large crystals because magma cools slowly beneath earth’s surface)A sedimentary rock is made from pieces of sediments, rock fragments, animal or plant remains.There are 3 types of sedimentary rocks: clastic (rocks stick together), chemical (formed from solutions), and organic (remains of plants and animals/living things. The last type of rock is a metamorphic rock (morph means to change..think if the POWER Rangers) are rock made from rock that has been put under heat and pressure deep within Earth. There are 2 type foliated (minerals grains have been flattened and aligned) and non-foliated

We will use crayon shaving to take a ride on the rock cycle (thank to scienceclass.net) as we explore how rocks are formed. We will be acting out the Rock Cycle and students will have the opportunity to be creative by  song, rap, poem, or story that goes with the Rock Cycle ! If you are great with video and love music, you may create a music video that incorporates the Rock Cycle. This project would be due by May 29th! Make sure you complete your vocabulary foldables on Rocks and Minerals. These are great review before your Minerals and Rock test this Friday.  If time permits, we may be playing a review game on Thursday

IGNEOUS ——————- SEDIMENTARY————— METAMORPHIC
Check out the Rock Cycle Animation below and Da Rock Cycle to the tune of Webbie’s Independent

• What are the 3 Types of Rocks
• Interactive Rock Cycle
• Rock Cycle Interactive
• Interactive Rock Cycle Animation
• Rocky’s Journey on the Rock Cycle
• Fun Rock Cycle Activities for Home

Don’t you just love when what you are teaching just so happens to be in the news!! Well we have TWO volcanoes that have sprung to live.  An undersea volcano has erupting near the island of Tonga, shooting smoke and ash THOUSANDS of feet into the sky above the Pacific Ocean.   “In the short term it is very damaging and will have limited, localized effects,” Bellwood, a marine biologist said, noting that the ash could kill reefs and marine animals alike. “But an underwater explosion is really a wonderful thing, it’s creating new land. This kind of activity helps develop reef systems and helps preserve marine life.”

On the other side of the world, 10, 200 ft Mount Redoubt has erupted so far six times and sent volcanic ash cloud 9.5 miles (50, 000 ft) into the sky, dusting nearby towns, sparking a swarm of earthquakes, and spurring massive mudflows. Based on seismic data, a lava dome appears to be forming in the volcano’s crater, volcanologist Peter Cevelli of the Alaska Volcano Observatory said March 24.  Early data suggest the volcano could continue erupting for days or even months. “I doubt this eruption is over,” Cervelli said. “In fact, it may be just beginning.”

Aren’t Earth’s plates totally AMAZING!!

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