Dear Parents,
Please bring in empty peanut butter jars with lids, any jar lids, and cereal or cracker boxes. Don't forget your Earth Science notebooks!
Thank you.
LEVEL ONE
Your student has learned about the earth's layers and volcanoes. (If you student entered Level One after the first of the school year, I am trying to catch her or him up. It is no big deal.)
Currently, we are learning about the three different types of rocks - volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic (or changed) rocks.
I am printing out colorful bits for your student's Earth Science notebook. A few have left their Earth Science notebook with me for safekeeping. If you want to see it, please let me know.
During class we do cover a bit of a tiny bit of phonics. My goal is to have these students enjoy science and know that it is fun to explore.
Recommendations for home follow-up:
Any picture books on rocks, volcanoes, and how the Earth was formed would be super.
DVD - Where Do Mountains Come From? (Billy Blue Hair) This is a very cute DVD with tons of great information in an easy format. I am sure your cherub would want to view it more than once. This is in the Onondaga County library system.
LEVEL TWO
Your student has learned about the earth's layers, tectonic plates, volcanoes, and earthquakes. We are now exploring the three ways that rocks are formed on our planet. My goal is to give your child a very basic foundation for Earth Science while having fun in a small group. Please let me know if you feel this goal is being met for your family.
Each week, we add something to our Earth Science notebooks. Please ensure that your student brings her or his notebook each week.
Recommendations for home follow-up:
DVD - Bill Nye's Rocks and Soil, Bill Nye's Earthquakes, Bill Nye's Volcanoes
Many great books on earthquakes, volcanoes and types of rocks are in our library system.
If your student likes historical fiction, I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 and A City Tossed and Broken: the Diary of Minnie Bonner might be of interest.
LEVEL THREE
There should be a fault lines map in your student's notebook and information on Pangaea. We are now studying the relationship of volcanoes and earthquakes along these tectonic boundaries. We will be moving into a review of rock types and the rock cycle. We will wind down in December with elements, rocks, minerals, and crystals.
When Academy resumes in January, a more in depth look at minerals will begin.
My goal for this class is to expose your student to higher level Earth Science topics in a fun class setting. If you or your Level Three student have specific Earth Science topics that you wish to explore, please let me know. I have a list of topics for our class. If you wish to see this at any time, please let me know.
Recommendations for home follow-up:
The Bill Nye videos mentioned for Level Two would be a fun review. There are some fun videos on YouTube "Geology Kitchen" on several good topics.
Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback.
:) Libby
