The Columbia Hills

Reading Class

February 3, 2014

Chapter 8 - A Broken Spirit

In chapter 8, Spirit is roaming around the Columbia Hills.  However, Elizabeth Rusch has chosen not to give us any background information about them.  Instead the chapter focuses on the issues Spirit had while she was there.  Let's take some time to learn more about the Columbia Hills by completing this close reading activity.  This close reading activity will count as a SUMMATIVE grade.

I will correct this assignment THURSDAY night!

When you're done, share it with me and post one interesting thing you learned on the blog.  

Columbia Hills Activity

Mighty Mars Rover - Chapter Questions

Reading

Ongoing

Did you miss a day?  Do you have late work?

Check this link for a list of questions for each chapter of Mighty Mars Rover

MMR - Chapter Questions

Pros and Cons of a Decision

Reading

January 29 or 30
When people have to make a tough choice, they often make a Pro/Con list.  In chapter 7, the scientists at JPL have two tough choices to make.  Should they shut off safety features so that they can drive faster?  Should they try to go to Victoria Crater?

You will be looking at one of those choices and making a Pro/Con list using the text on pages 52-53.  When you are done, share your list with me.

Pro/Con List

Opportunity found a jelly doughnut rock on Mars?

Language Arts

For class January 24, 2014

After you finish your short research project, take some time to find out about the new rock that Opportunity found recently.  It will be important to find a valid source, as there are many conspiracy theories out there.  When you are done, you will share how you searched for the website, the website you used, and one interesting thing you found.

I've got a sample for you!

Jupiter and Saturn - Bridge Activity

Science

Project for January 24, 29 & 30?

Will be due January 31st

Now that we have learned about the inner planets, let's start to learn about the 4 outer planets.  We started this in the episode of The Universe that we watched on Jan 23.  From that episode, we know that both Saturn and Jupiter were instrumental in how our solar system took shape.  Now we will continue it by learning more about Jupiter and Saturn in a bridge activity.  We'll be using the science textbook, some videos, as well as NASA's website about each planet.

When you are done, share something that you thought was interesting or important as a comment on this post.  Then share your bridge activity with me!

Saturn/Jupiter Bridge Activity

Warm up for January 30

Jupiter  - Show me when you get a 5/5.  Then move on to Saturn.
Saturn - Show me when you get a 5/5.  Then work on your Bridge Activity.

Who is Scott Maxwell?

Reading Class

January 24, 2014

We've looked at how the rovers are driven, but have we investigated who is driving them?  Let's take some time to learn more about the people who are driving the rovers.

When you are done, comment with the most interesting thing you found.

Who is Scott Maxwell?

Should Opportunity climb into Endurance?

Reading Class

Chapter 5 Activity
January 22, 2014

The scientists at JPL created and shared arguments both for and against climbing into Endurance.  The author shared two of those arguments.  Your job will be to analyze the arguments made by the scientists on the google doc.  The link is below.

When you are done, write a comment about who you believe made a better argument.  Make sure you give good details about why you think that scientists argument was better!

Should Opportunity go to Endurance?

Short Research Project based on Mighty Mars Rover

Language Arts

Project for January 21, 2013

In the book, The Might Mars Rovers, we've seen several different pull out sections that explain different aspects of the mission.  Those sections include:
- Naming Names page 28
- How to Drive a Rover page 28
- Chatting with Rovers page 30
- Living on Martian Time page 38

Today, you are going to take some time to research one of those subtopics.  You'll begin by skimming each section and choosing one that interests you most.  Then think a bit more about that topic.  What are you curious about in regards to the topic?  Make a list of questions.  Then choose one question that interests you most. 
You will then research that question, take some notes, and write a short paragraph to answer the question.  You will be putting all of this information on a Google Doc. (Link for it is below)

When you are done, you will make a comment on this post.  You will tell your research question, websites used, and your paragraph answer.  Then take some time to reply to others' questions.

Research Process Sheet - Create a copy and share with me when you are done.


Why are we doing this?

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9a Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics”).
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9b Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not”)

A Colony on Mars?

Science Class

Activity for January 21 & 22

Mars Colony Activity Sheet

There is a group planning to create a colony on Mars.  Will it work?  Would you go?  Let's take some time to explore the idea of a colony on Mars by completing the "Mars Colony Activity Sheet" that is linked above.

When you are done, write an argument about whether or not you believe the Mars One mission will be successful or not.  Remember to include at least 3 reasons to back up your opinion.  After posting your argument, take some time to respond to other students' arguments.

January 22 Warm Up - Complete and show me when you have a 5/5.  Do not worry about this until Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.  We will do a different warm up on Tuesday.

What are you reading?

Language Arts - January 16, 2014

Write a summary of the book you are currently reading.  It should include a little bit about the basic problem and a description of the main characters.  Be careful not to include too much information and spoil things for others.  Include just enough to make people want to read the story.

This will be graded with the blog post rubric.  It will be a summative assignment for second quarter.

The Planet Venus

Science Class
Activity for January 16, 2014

January 20, 2014 - Complete this warm-up before you begin

This video gives us a brief look at the planet Venus.  From this information, and the information you can find in your textbook, choose one of the following activities to complete.  Feel free to watch the video again to get information or inspiration.  (Just use your headphones!)

Venus Creature

Postcards from Venus

Venus Poetry

Mercury Lab

Science Class

How much do things weigh on Mercury?  Let's use our math and science skills to find out!

Click on the lab below and follow the directions it gives.

Weight on Mercury

What's in a Name?

Reading Class

January 13, 2014

If you had the chance to name the next Mars rover, what would you name it?  Think of a name that would be meaningful for our country, the space program, humanity, etc.  Once you decide on a name write a brief argument about why your name should be chosen.

Parts of the essay that Sofi Collins wrote to argue that the first rovers should be named Spirit and Opportunity is on page 20 of your text.

When you are done, look at others' ideas and reply to their arguments.

Constellation WebQuest

Science
Friday, January, 3, 2014

Now that we've taken a little time to look at constellations, lets take an in-depth look at constellations.  We will do this by completing a WebQuest.    The worksheet contained in the webquest is a PDF, so you will need to click on the google doc version that is located below.  Make sure to save a copy and share it with me when you are done with the webquest.

When you are done, copy and paste your personal constellation story into the comment portion of the blog.  Reply to at least one person's story.

WebQuest - Website

WebQuest Worksheet

Constellation Game

Take some time to play the constellation game at this website.  When you are done, comment about what you learned while you played it.

Constellation Game