Maps

We've been learning about maps. We've talked about the parts of a map (legend, scale, lines of latitude and longitude). For this blog post, I'd like you to tell us how people use different kinds of maps.

Use your Junior geographer book to find 3 different kinds of maps. In your reply, tell us the name of the kind of map and how people use it (what does the map show).

Don't forget to include your first name (this is an independent post) - no teams.

Please complete your post by Friday, September 3. I'll be checking for correct information and correct spelling (of words you should know), capitalization, punctuation, and complete sentences.

This blog post is worth 10 points.

Types of Sentences Stories

For this blog post, I would like you to work in groups to create narratives that include examples of each type of sentence.

To help you, please use these guidelines when you plan and write.

1. Use a story map to organize your ideas (think about character, plot, setting)
2. Write your draft on paper or on a word document
3. Use colored fonts to identify the different types of senteces in your word document
4. Revise and edit your story
5. Copy and paste your story in the comment box for this blog post.

Don't forget to include the names of the people in your group.

First Day of 3rd Grade

Hopefully you are extremely excited about your first day of 3rd grade. We have a lot to learn this year, and so many cool tools to help us practice our skills.

For your first blog post, you are going to work together in groups to write a response to this blog post. Make sure you read the entire post before you start writing.

For your first blog post, we would like you to write a response to these questions:

1. What makes a good student?

2. What makes a good teacher?

3. What is "quality work"?

4. What are your goals for the school year?

5. Share a memorable moment from school (an activity, lesson, or project that was special or important to you).

A couple of tips to help you get started:

1. If you need to write it on paper first, please do. Some people need to "see" their ideas so writing your ideas on paper might help you think about what you want to say.

2. You might want to type your group's response in a Word document before you paste it into the blog. This way you can check all of your spelling, capitalization, and punctuation and make any corrections easily.

3. Every person in your group needs to contribute to the post. If someone is sitting quietly, ask him or her what he or she would like to add to the group's reply.

4. Do not include your first and last names. You can give your group a name or just use first names.

Is anyone bored yet?

I know some of you are enjoying fabulous trips, please tell me what you've been doing.

Worm Recipes

After reading "How to Eat Fried Worms" you've learned a lot about delicious ways to prepare worms.

For this blog post, I'd like you to create your own worm recipe and share your recipe with the class.

Your recipe needs to include the following information:

1. Ingredients
Including how much of each, use standard or metric measurements, but be sure to include the measurement with the amount. (For example, 1/2 cup, 1/4 teaspoon, a pinch, 1 1/2 quarts, 3 liters, etc...)

2. Steps
Be specific and use cooking terms. You need to include numbers to order the steps. Make sure you include each thing you need to do, do not assume people will know to put something in a pot, or press start.

3. Other information
Include any other information you think someone needs to know (how many servings, breakfast, lunch, dinner, nutritional value, allergy alerts, etc...)

You also need to give your recipe a creative name and include your initials.

Earth Day Word Problems

In 1970, Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin proclaimed April 22 to be "Earth Day." We are going to celebrate this important day by working in groups to solve some real-world problems. Hopefully, what we learn will help us discover more ways to help our planet.

Use your math skills to solve these problems. Be earth-friendly creative in responding. Can you do it without using any paper? You may copy and paste into the wiki or you may reply to the blog post. Be sure to include your initials in your post.

Problem 1

Rainforests cover only a small part of the Earth but they are home to more than half the world's plants and animals. It is estimated that rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 trees per minute. At this rate, how many are cut down every a day (24 hours)? Every week (7 days)? Hint: You need to determine the number of minutes in one day. Use the calculator on your computer.

Problem 2
The average American uses 7 trees a year in paper, wood, and other products. If there are about 275 million Americans, how many trees are used in a year? Use the calculator on your computer.

Problem 3
Each American throws away about 60 pounds of plastic packaging each year. At this rate, about how many years would it take one person to have thrown away a ton of plastic? Hint: You need to find out how many pounds are in a ton.

Problem 4
When you shower, you use 5 gallons of water every minute. Most people take 5 minute showers. How many gallons of water does a family of 4 use in a week (assuming they each take a daily shower)? How much do they use in a month? Hint: You may want to create a table (you can create one on a word document) to help you organize your algebraic reasoning (think about number patterns and functions).

Problem 5
A bath uses 50 gallons of water. How much water could a person save in a week taking a shower instead of a bath (assume you take 1 shower each day).

Problem 6
If each person took a 4 minute shower instead of a 5 minute shower, how much water could a single person save in a year?

Problem 7
A gallon of thrown away paint can seep into the Earth and pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. A spilled gallon of gasoline can pollute 750,000 gallons of water. What kind of damage would be done by just 3 gallons of paint and 2 gallons of gasoline?

Problem 8
It has been estimated that, on the average, each person in the United States discards about 32 pounds of solid waste each week. Some of the things that we dispose of can be broken down into: 5.1 pounds of ashes and dirt; 3.5 pounds of metal; 2.6 pounds of glass; 2.6 pounds of garbage; 2.2 pounds of wood, rags, and plastic. Make a bar graph to display this information.

Problem 9
Make a bar graph showing the annual household waste per person in each country:
(in pounds per person):
United States - 1930
Canada - 1157
Italy - 542
Japan - 758
Sweden - 661
Australia - 1500

Problem 10

Create your own problem for others to solve. Post it in your reply to this blog. Be sure you know the correct answer for your problem.

Cesar Chavez

This week, you have been reading about and discussing Cesar Chavez. Hopefully, you've been learning about his many contributions and how his efforts improved working conditions for migrant farm workers.

In this reply, I would like you to submit a persuasive paragraph, citing 3 to 5 specific reasons why you think Cesar Chavez is an important figure in our country's history. Please support your opinion with examples or factual details.

Your reply will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Conventions - this includes spelling, capitalization, word choice, punctuation, and grammar

2. Powers of Persuasion - this includes how well you presented and defended your opinions (did you give specific examples, provide facts, support your reasons)

3. Style - this includes your writing style (a variety of sentences, interesting vocabulary, transitions, all sentences related to the topic)

4. Organization - Does your paragraph have a main idea or topic sentence, 3 to 5 supporting details, and a closing sentences? Are your sentences in a logical sequence?

Be sure to include your initials in your reply.

Thank you

Science on a Cart - Magnets

Today we worked in groups to study the effects of magnets on different objects. Please respond to this post and share some of your observations from the experiments. Include descriptive details and use vocabulary words relating to magnets (poles, attract, repel).

Be sure to include your initials in your post.

Thank you

Compare and Contrast

As you've been reading about our many historical figures, I hope you've been looking for characteristics or experiences that some of these figures share. For this blog post, I'd like you to write about some of the similarities and differences you've discovered.

This blog post has several requirements, please read carefully:

1. Reread 2 of the biographies

2. As you read, jot down notes about both people

3. Use your notes to create a Venn diagram on a piece of legal-size paper (you will turn this in so
make sure your name is on it)

4. Use your Venn diagram to organize 2 paragraphs (one for comparison - or how these people are alike, and one for contrast - or how these people are different)

5. Avoid obvious details like age, man or woman, etc.

Be sure to include your initials in your reply. Thank you.

The Heat is On!

We had an outstanding day today with our Science on a Cart high school volunteers! We experimented with conduction, convection, and learned about the difference between temperature and heat.

For this reply, please share your observations from today's experiments. Try to include descriptive words, vocabulary terms, and tell us what you enjoyed. Also, if you discovered something you didn't know before, share that with us.

Be sure to include your initials at the end of your reply.