All living things are made of one or more cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of all organisms. The organization of cells into complex structures allows for the wide variety of life found in multicellular organisms.

Assignment...Choose one of the topics below to complete your post for this week. (use study islande
  1. Compare and contrast plant vs. animal cells
  2. Compare and contrast single cellular vs. multicellular organisms
  3. Describe, starting with organelles, how small building blocks come together to form whole organisms.
Post must include...
  • What topic you chose (5 points)
  • detailed answer and complete thoughts (5 points)
  • 5 or more sentences (5 points)



Standard OH Grade 6-8, Science Standard Life Sciences A
Explain that the basic functions of organisms are carried out in cells and groups of specialized cells form tissues and organs; the combination of these cells make up multicellular organisms that have a variety of body plans and internal structures.
 
The above map is an image of the current weather in the United States...Using the information in Study Island, post a paragraph describing the current weather patterns in the US. (information for this can be found on page 3 of the lesson)

You must include the following in your response...
  • Describe what the H stands for and where (use state names) they are located on the map. (2.5 points)
  • Describe what the L stands for and where (use state names) they are located on the map. (2.5 points)
  • Tell what type of fronts are on the map and where they are located (2.5 points)
  • If there is any precipitation on the map, describe where and what it is. (2.5 points)
  • This post should be at least 5 sentences long (2.5 points) and written like a weather forecast that would appear on TV. (2.5 points)
A quality post will be detailed and should take 20-30 minutes to complete. 




 
Today you are to investigate one current news event.  For this you can either read an article from an online newspaper (links are below) or watch a video from a network news station (links below). 

Steps to complete your assignment:
  1. Find an article
  2. Read or watch the story
  3. Summarize the story in 4-6 sentences
  4. Create a time line for your story with at least 5 dates/events (if you cant find 5 dates research the topic and find out some history on it)
  5. Write a 2 sentence response to your summary.  Include your reaction to reading the article.
  6. Post your article on the comment section of this blog post and include the link to your article or video.
Newspaper links:
http://www.ohio.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/?reload=true
http://www.usatoday.com/?refresh=1
 
This week is split into two parts...You must complete both parts to earn full credit this week!

Part 1...Study the graph  and use it to complete the quiz.  The answers come straight to me and only I can view them.
                                    "Water Usage in the United States (2005)"
Part 2....Posted in the comment Section of this post!

    Using the at least 5 of the processes of the water cycle (listed below), you are to write a story as if you were a drop of water going on a journey through the water cycle.  Make sure you include each phase of the water cycle and that it is in the proper order.  You can start at any stage of the cycle, however the stage you start with should be the same stage you finish with.   Be creative and accurate!

Use the following processes:
  • Evaporation--->Liquid water is converted into water vapor
  • Condensation--->Water vapor is converted into liquid water
  • Melting--->Ice is converted into liquid water
  • Freezing--->liquid water is converted to ice
  • Sublimation--->ice is converted into water vapor
  • Precipitation--->water vapor in the air condenses to form drops heavy enough to fall to the Earth’s surface.

OH Grade 6-8, Science Standard Earth and Space Sciences C
Describe interactions of matter and energy throughout the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (e.g., water cycle, weather and pollution).
OH Grade 6-8, Science Standard Scientific Inquiry B
Analyze and interpret data from scientific investigations using appropriate mathematical skills in order to draw valid conclusions.
 
This week you are to take a closer look at rocks and minerals. For your assignment complete the following:
  1. Compare and contrast Rocks and Minerals...Include 5 Characteristics specific to rocks, 5 Characteristics specific to Minerals and 5 common characteristics of both. (10 points)
  2. List 5 examples of Rocks...Include the name and a brief description (2.5 points)
  3. List 5 examples of Minerals...Include the name and a brief description (2.5 points)

This should take you no longer than 30 minutes to complete...please organize your blog post into 3 sections for each part of the assignment.
 
No blog assignment this week...Make sure you complete this lesson in Study Island.
 
Investigate five earthquakes that have occurred over the past 100 years.  Tell where they occurred, what kind of damage occurred and how it effects the landscape.  Make sure to include all of this info for each quake you investigate. 

Use the internet to look up earthquakes (link below)

List of earthquakes



 
Picture
Pretend you are making a Journey to the Center of the Earth.  Write a paragraph describing the different layers (there are six you should mention) you pass as you reach the center of Earth.  Make sure you use the scientific terms for each layer.  Refer to Study Island for information.

Remember to include what the composition of each layer is (whats its made up of).



OH Grade 6-8, Science Standard Earth and Space Sciences D
Identify that the lithosphere contains rocks and minerals and that minerals make up rocks. Describe how rocks and minerals are formed and/or classified.
 
This week Answer the following questions in detailed, complete sentences.  These come right from the Study Island lesson.
  1. Why is a year 365 days?
  2. What effect does the moon have on ocean tides?
  3. Why do we have night and day? 
  4. What causes us to have seasons?
  5. Name the 4 phases of the moon.
Please number each answer and submit them in the comment section.

Thanks,
Mr. Reese

OH Grade 6-8, Science Standard Earth and Space Sciences A
Describe how the positions and motions of the objects in the universe cause predictable and cyclic events.
 
For this activity you are to pretend you are traveling in a space ship through our Solar System.  Using a slide show (the links are below for each group) you are to describe and show your journey.  Make sure you include images and descriptions of celestial bodies that you see while traveling, including planets, moons, stars, and so on.  Use Study Island for factual information as well as websites to help find pictures.  Remember to use creditable websites to find pictures (for example, the NASA website).

Be Creative!

Group 1
Team 1
Team 2
Team 3

Group 2
Team 1
Team 2
Team 3

Group 3
Team 1
Team 2
Team 3