September, 2004

                                                                           

Dear Students of Team 8-White,

 

Welcome to Room 231---- your place to inquire and learn about the Earth Sciences!

I'm very excited about this school year at Ferri Middle School. I'm particularly happy about working with your new group as we begin your eighth grade experience. During the entire school year your class will be utilizing the computer and other technology as well as being introduced to a new kit-based learning module during the fall semester.  These tools will enhance your learning about the planet we call home, Earth!

Our science classroom will be home to seven computers for our learning needs and I'm certain that the addition of these machines will help to make our learning both unique and memorable. This technology will enable us to work collaboratively with students around the world, utilize real-time data in our research, communicate with students and scientists via e-mail, and build power point presentations and web pages. I'm certain that many of you could teach me a thing or two and I encourage you to share all that you know with the class.

Beginning in October, our science room will be home to a new kit-based science module entitled Catastrophic Events.  This module will offer you many opportunities for hands-on learning about the natural disasters of our planet. You are certain to enjoy the many opportunities for laboratory experimentation and involvement that this module will offer. Earth Science will be a blast this year!

So just what is Earth Science? The study of Earth Science will take you to where the Earth "has been" in its long history, and we'll also predict and explore where the Earth is going as we continue forward into the 21st Century. Many different facets of Earth Science will be explored this year. All of which are inexplicably related and dependent upon each other.

Our studies will take us to the peaks of the world's highest mountains, like Mount Everest. All the way to the Mariana Trench, the deepest place in the ocean. We'll study some of the most devastating natural disasters, like hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. You'll even learn to appreciate the beauty of rocks and minerals and how these building blocks of the earth impact our lives.

In general, science class will revolve around learning about the land, the water, and the atmosphere and how these three parts interact to make our Earth the living planet it has been for the last 4.6 billion years! Humans as we know them were added to this Earth system approximately 10,000 years ago and thus, it is also important to study the impact that we have on our planet and how the daily changes of our planet affects us!

So why learn about the Earth? As the Earth's future leaders, you must be aware of the power that you hold to change and improve our world. The study of Earth Science will lead you to this path of knowledge about our ever-changing planet.

I expect that this year will bring about new and exciting experiences and I count on you to take advantage of this learning adventure as we discover our world together. Let's start this memorable year off with a positive attitude and a serious step toward learning and achieving all the goals we set for ourselves.  I can't wait to begin.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Saul

 

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