Volcano Vocab

Here is a link to the Vocab we covered in the Volcano unit.  Learn these words, and become a Scrabble pro! 

Mount St. Helens Eruption - Bonus Material!

Today we're taking a look at just one epic volcanic eruption -- the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington.  In class, we'll be working with topographic maps to compare the shape of the volcano before and after the eruption.  We'll look at a large-scale map of the pre-eruption volcano and try to predict the paths that lahars (volcanic mudflows) might take.  

If you enjoyed this lesson and would like to explore a couple more modeling options, here is a pdf of the entire lesson from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).  If you're tuning in from home, the lesson we did in class was from pages 1, 6, 7 and 8.  You'll need to answer the additional questions for the topographic mapping activity, which are right here. 

BONUS!!!

Of course, there is a bounty of information available on this historic event.  Here are some neat sites:

If you don't have Google Earth yet, go for it!  It's a free download.  Here's your link.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the 1980 eruption, National Geographic published a ton of cool features on their site.  Surf around and become an expert!  Here's the link.

Feeling adventurous?  Here's a link to a travelogue from two backcountry skiers who hiked up to the very lip of the crater in 2012, peered over the edge, and skied down the backside.  Check out the details of their hike as well as great shots of snowmasses and a the lava dome that is rebuilding the mountain.

Earth Day Infographic Survey

Please click the following link and let me know what you plan to do for your infographic.  Thanks!

Survey

Earth Day Essay Template

The following template will give you a description of how to organize your essay. 

The formatting on the template is as it should be for your essay.  Times New Roman font, size 12.  Title can be size 14.  Title is centered.  Name and hour are right-justified.  The rest of it should be left-justified. 

Single spacing for the title and name/hour.  The body of your essay can be 1.5 spaced.  There is no length requirement, but 5 well-written paragraphs should run to a page or slightly longer.  Let me know if you have questions!

You may be able to access this Google Doc, then make a copy to your own drive.  If you make a copy, then you should be able to just keep my formatting and write over my text.  Good luck. 

Template

Earth Day Unit Kickoff

Earth Day Eco-Fair Kickoff

Today we are kicking off our Earth Day unit!  Your goal is to identify an environmental topic that you care about and would like to explore with some research.  We'll spend about one week in the computer lab, researching these issues and preparing to share information with the community at our Earth Day Eco-Fair.  You may choose to work alone, or with a partner in a group of two.

You will be sharing your information in a five-paragraph essay, as well as either a tri-fold display board or a functional model.  You will also be making some sort of advertisement/poster/t-shirt to spread your message to a wider audience.  I have compiled a list of suggested research topics for you, but you are also welcome to explore another topic, after getting approval from me.

Suggested Research Topics

Once you've identified a topic that you care about, sign up using the Google Doc below.  Make sure you click on the tab at the lower left for your hour, then add your name(s) and the topic you chose.  Multiple groups may cover the same topic.

Research Topic Signup Form

Chapter 7&8 Test, Part 2: Identifying Landforms

Chapter 7&8 Test, Part 2: Identifying Landforms

If you were absent when we took this part of the test in class, you can complete the test by clicking the link below.  This will take you to a GoogleDoc version of the PowerPoint we viewed in class.  Be sure to read the instructions on your test, as well as the text in the file.  The questions refer to the image posted below the question.

Chapter 7&8 Test, Part 2:  Identifying Landforms

Minnesota's Groundwater Resources - A Current Look

Our goal today is to get a good sense of the state of our groundwater resources in Minnesota.

We'll start with a whole-class activity focusing on usage trends over recent years.  After that, we'll examine the link between surface water and groundwater with a case study of White Bear Lake in the Twin Cities.  Then we'll bring it closer to home with a look at Little Rock Creek and Little Rock Lake.  Finally, you'll have a chance to explore several other topics that are of interest to you. 

White Bear Lake Case Study

- As we can see here, somtimes a problem only becomes a problem when it's impacting our comfortable lives.  The invisible world of groundwater became a visible problem at White Bear Lake in recent years. 

Use Google Earth to view the expansion of docks around White Bear Lake in the Twin Cities.  Use the "back in time" feature to see the lengthening of docks firsthand.  Use the ruler to measure the length of the dock in question at various dates. 

Some Questions for your consideration:

-  How much does it cost to buy a segment of dock?

-  How much would that dock expansion have cost over the last 20 years?

-  What's the longest dock on White Bear Lake?

-  How much have property values changed on this lake over the years?

Little Rock Creek, Little Rock Lake - Listen to the audio segment from the MPR News Archive, then use the printed version to work through the question set.

Tour Little Rock Lake and Little Rock Creek with Google Earth and look at how it has changed over the last 23 years (since 1991).  Note any changes you see. 

MPR Questionnaire:  What's Minnesota's Biggest Water Problem?

Here's your chance to make your voice heard.  Take part in a survey where you can speak up about water issues that concern you. 

More of MN's Farms Relying on Irrigation for Bigger Yields - this is another great article with a local focus.  It's great to see news stories on things that are happening right here in central Minnesota.

Poor Pesticide Enforcement and enforcement agency 'stacked' with special-interest groups.

This report shows some of the effects of using agricultural pesticides, and why our state guidelines may or may not always be enforced.

Crop Rotation to improve drinking water in Park Rapids - This is a very short article which highlights alternative farming methods that could positively impact our drinking water quality.