Investigations in Science 7 May 6, 2016

What we did this week:

Monday, students completed a webquest on geological time. They used the
Chromebooks to access resources that guided through the different eras.
Tuesday, students worked in groups to create a geological time line on adding
machine paper. They continued to work on them on Tuesday and Wednesday and
use them to analyze the different eras. Here are some links that have a lot of
great information: http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/evolvingplanet/POST/EP_V8.swf
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/geotime/gtpage1.html

Thursday we dissected owl pellets. Owls swallow prey whole and arent able
to digest the bones and hair of their meal. They regurgitate (throw up) the bones
and hair in a pellet. Scientists (and budding scientists) dissect the pellet to learn
about what the owl is eating. These pellets act as small fossil collectors. We
identified the bones based on the animal and part of the body. Pictures are on my
blog.
Friday, we will start learning about the different types of fossils. The 5
types are molds, casts, carbon films, trace fossils, and petrified fossils. Petrified
fossils are when an animal is trapped in amber, frozen in ice, trapped in tar, etc.
This type of fossil was the premise for the movie Jurassic Park (the mosquito that
bit the dinosaur and then was found in amber).
Announcements:
Thank you to the PTA for all the generous food and prizes that were given
for teacher appreciation week. You really made us feel special and you outdid
yourself. Thanks for a full week of treats and kindness. I have stuffed myself
silly this week. You have spoiled us rotten.
Students should be coming with ear buds/earphones for PARCC testing.
PARCC testing will be on May 16-18 and then again on May 23-25. The first round
of PARCC testing will be focused on math and will occur during periods 3, 4 and 5
(specific to 7th grade students). The next round of PARCC will be testing English

Language Arts and will occur during periods 6 and 7 (specific to 7 th grade
students).
Coming Up:
Topics:
Fossil Record
Relative Age
Dates:
Dates:
May 2-6 Staff Appreciation Week
May 10 - PTA Meeting @ 7:00 pm
May 12 - Career Day
May 16-18 PARCC Testing (Bring ear buds) Math
May 18 - Spring Concert at Sherwood HS @ 7:00 pm
May 19 - Last Day of After School Activities
May 20-22 - Music Field Trip in Ohio
May 23-25 PARCC Testing (Bring ear buds) English Language Arts
May 26 - PTA Cheeburger Cheeburger Dine Out Night
May 30 No School
June 1 - National Honors Society Ceremony @ 6:30-7:30
June 3 - SSL Hours due
June 15 - 7th Grade Fun Day
June 17 - Last Day of School Half Day (This date is specific to Farquhar
because of the modernization. It gives teachers an extra day to pack up
their classrooms.)
June 17 - Time Capsule Ceremony @ 8:30-9:30 am