MOS Reminder

Don't forget! You should have 3 activities completed by next Friday (October 2).

Use the guidelines to give you inspiration as to what activities would count (see class info for the link).

Some ideas that were inspired by class discussions:

• Design and test how many drops of water can fit on a penny if sugar was introduced.
• Research the career of a seismologist.
• Research information about earthquakes that happened in New Jersey (you might be surprised!)
• Redesign the pendulum lab to test a different weight.

If you still are completely stuck...PLEASE SEE ME FOR HELP!

Finally Friday!

We discussed our findings on earthquake waves:

• P-waves (Primary waves) are the fastest and first to travel during a quake
• S-waves (Secondary waves) come after the p-waves
• Surface waves arrive last and cause the most destruction

**BONUS** Can you tell me what name(s) seismologists call surface waves? If so, bring your answer into class on Tuesday!

Be sure to study your Lesson 10 and 11 notes  for a quiz on Friday, October 2.

Hope you enjoy the 3-day weekend!

Body waves

You may not have figured out which is fastest but you should know how the 2 waves move.

• P-waves ~ push and pull through the earth
• S-waves ~ move side to side through the earth

Tomorrow, we will share our data with the class and determine which waves travel the fastest.

To be completed for class tomorrow:

• All parts of Student Sheet 11.1
• Answer all reflection questions on page 127
• On a piece of paper, write a GOOD conclusion about what you have learned during this investigation.
• Use that small piece of paper that you taped into your binder to help you!

Earthquake waves

Today we discussed the differences between the Kobe and Northridge earthquakes. We also talked about what people could do to prepare for another big quake.

We started our investigation on how energy travels during a quake. Tomorrow we will complete Inquiry 11.1 and work on our conclusion about seismic waves.

Also, I have enjoyed reading your myths about what causes earthquakes. Be sure to check out the myths in the back of the room.

No homework tonight...BUT your MOS logs (3!) are due October 2.

Unhappy quiz/test grade??

Well, make corrections and earn half credit :)

There is no option of a retest. Take your quiz/test and complete the correction page. Don't just write the correct answer but explain how you found the right answer. An example to help you is on the guideline page.

Reminder ~ Your parent must sign the quiz/test and you have one week to complete.

Welcome Fall!

Although it may not feel like it outside, the fall equinox occurs this evening (5:18 pm to be exact!). Do you know why it is called the fall equinox? Bring your answer to me for a bonus!

In class we finished the video. Our focus today was determining what the cities had in place in case of a quake and what improvements could be made. We will share our answers in class tomorrow.

Homework!

• Read in text pages 118-119 Myths About Earthquakes
• Write your own myth explaining why earthquakes occur.
• I do not want or expect you to write about what really causes an earthquake.
• Use the ideas that other cultures had about quakes to inspire your own silly story.

Thinking about earthquakes

Today marks the first day of our unit on earthquakes. During the unit we will investigate (and be able to explain!) all the whys, hows and wheres we have about earthquakes.

To get us thinking we started off by viewing the video The Day the Earth Shook. First, we gathered some info so we could compare the 2 quakes. One interesting fact was the quakes occurred exactly a year a part (even the time was close). Tomorrow, we will look at how seismologists analyzed the data from those 2 quakes and what was learned from the data.

Remember ~ leave your textbook at home!

Field Trip!

Details:

• Where: Palmyra Nature Cove
• When: Tuesday, October 20 (9am-1:30pm)
• Why: To explore and investigate the local watershed
• Cost: $20 due by October 13

More info will be sent home regarding what to wear and bring as the trip gets closer.

Please speak with me if there are problems that may prevent you from going (cost, allergies, etc).