MAKING WAVES

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well! I’m excited to share what we’ve been working on in our science classroom. Your students did an amazing job on their Earth’s Processes Unit Test, and I couldn’t be more proud of the progress they’ve made.

Where We Were

We recently wrapped up our Earth’s Processes unit, where we explored how geologic forces shape our planet. To conclude this unit, we took our Earth’s Processes Unit Test. I’m thrilled to report that most students performed very well! Your students demonstrated a strong understanding of the material.

Where We Are

We’re now diving into our Earth’s Waters unit. Here are some of the exciting activities we’ve completed so far:

• Water Footprint Quiz: Students calculated their daily water usage using this quiz. This sparked meaningful discussions about how we can conserve water in our daily lives.

• Water Distribution: We explored how water is distributed on Earth and discussed its role in everyday life.

• Human Impacts on Oceans One-Pager Project: Students are working on a one-pager mini-project focused on human impacts on the oceans. They can choose from topics such as ocean acidification, coral bleaching, deep-sea mining, pollution, and offshore drilling. This project will be completed before the end of the week.

Below: A photo of a visual demonstration of how much salt water (green) there is compared to freshwater (blue) on Earth. 97% of water is salt water, which is very costly and energy-consuming to make drinkable and useable for everyday life. Therefore, only 3% of the freshwater we have is available for what we do every day, and 1% of that water is accessible since 2% is in glaciers or ice caps.

Where We Are Going

Next, we’ll focus on how water moves in connection to Earth’s Processes:

• Heat Transfer: We’ll investigate how heat energy affects water movement and what ways heat is transferred.

• Water Cycle: Students will deepen their understanding of the continuous movement of water through Earth’s Systems.

• Ocean Currents: We’ll explore surface and deep ocean currents and their roles in regulating Earth’s climate, which will lead nicely into our Weather & Climate unit.

We’ll conclude the unit with a 5-day lab inquiry on heating and cooling and relate it to water movement. This hands-on experience will allow students to apply their knowledge in an engaging and meaningful way.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our science classroom! If you have any questions or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at curtis_silverwood@conestogavalley.org. You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @classwithcatwood, where I share updates and snapshots of our exciting classroom activities.

Thank you for your time and support!

Best regards,

Mr. Catwood (formerly Silverwood)

GO WITH THE LAVA FLOW

Happy new marking period, everyone! With the fresh start, it’s a great time to check in on grades—if your student has a lower grade than expected, it’s likely due to a missing assignment. Getting those turned in as soon as possible is the best way to improve their score and stay on track. I’m always here to help if anyone needs clarification or assistance!

Where We Were

Last week, we wrapped up our Earthquake Mitigation Project, which was a big hit! Students particularly enjoyed the Stop Disasters Game, which challenged them to strategize ways to reduce the impact of earthquakes. We also connected this to the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, examining the real-world consequences of such natural disasters. Using both research and the game’s simulations, students developed mitigation strategies to reduce loss of life and property damage. It was great to see their creativity and critical thinking in action!

Below are photos from the project:

Where We Are

Now, we’re shifting gears to volcanoes! Students have been diving into how volcanoes and earthquakes are connected through our Plotting Natural Disasters Lab, mapping out their locations to see patterns in Earth's geologic activity. We also explored lava rocks and lava flows through an inquiry-based activity. This week, we’ll wrap up our volcano studies with a viscosity lab, where students will investigate how different types of lava impact eruptions. We’ll also watch a documentary on the catastrophic 2022 volcanic eruption in Tonga, learning about its immense impact on the Pacific island nation.

Where We Are Going

Next week, we’ll wrap up our Earth’s Processes Unit with a unit test on Friday, 2/7. Students will have three full class periods to review with a review packet and engaging games.

The test will be worth 40 points and includes:

• 16 multiple-choice questions (16 pts)

• 2 matching sections (2 @ 4 pts each)

• 1 diagram-based question (6 pts)

• 4 short-answer questions (2 @ 2 pts each and 2 @ 3 pts each)

After the test, we’ll begin our next unit: Earth’s Waters! This unit will build on what we’ve learned during the Earth’s Processes unit and connect it to our upcoming Weather & Climate unit. We’ll explore:

• Heat Transfer

• Phase Changes & States of Matter

• The Water Cycle

• Salinity & Density

• Environmental Issues

• Heating & Cooling Processes

This unit will not have a test—instead, the next major assessment will come in the Weather & Climate unit.

If you have any questions or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at curtis_silverwood@conestogavalley.org. You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @classwithcatwood, where I share updates and snapshots of our exciting classroom activities.

Thank you for your time and support, and here’s to an engaging and productive start to the New Year!

Best regards,

Mr. Catwood (formerly Silverwood)

SHAKING THINGS UP

Hello everyone!

It’s been a little while since my last blog post, due to the holiday season. Let me catch you up on what we’ve been working on in class and what’s ahead for our Earth's Processes Unit.

Where We Were

After the winter break, we began our Earth's Processes Unit by delving into the topic of Continental Drift. We examined Alfred Wegener’s evidence for this groundbreaking theory, including the puzzle-piece fit of continents, fossil distribution, and geological similarities across oceans. From there, we transitioned into plate tectonics, exploring how the movement of Earth's plates shapes our planet. Through various hands-on activities, students investigated the interactions at plate boundaries—from divergent and convergent boundaries to transform faults—and discovered the incredible geologic features they can create, such as mountains, trenches, and rift valleys.

Below are photos of our Continental Drift CER Activity:

Where We Are

Currently, we are focusing on earthquakes and mass movements. Students are learning how earthquakes are recorded using seismographs and how seismic waves provide valuable insights into the Earth's internal structure. We’ve been analyzing P- and S-waves and discussing how they help us understand what lies beneath the surface. This week, students are applying this knowledge in our Earthquake Triangulation Lab, where they used data and tools to locate the epicenters of earthquakes. Alongside this, we are exploring how mass movements like landslides and avalanches shape the Earth’s surface over time.

Below are Photos of the Earthquake Triangulation Lab:

Where We Are Going

Looking ahead, we’ll be starting our Earthquake Mitigation project using the Stop Disasters Game. This exciting activity will challenge students to design strategies that help cities and countries prepare for earthquake disasters, minimizing damage, loss of life, and other negative impacts. Over the next few class periods, we’ll explore the importance of planning and infrastructure in disaster mitigation. After completing this project, we’ll transition into the final section of our Earth's Processes Unit focusing on Volcanoes.

Mark your calendars! Our unit test is tentatively scheduled for Friday, February 7th. Don’t worry—there will be plenty of time to review in class so everyone feels confident and prepared.

Additionally, the Marking Period ends this Friday, January 17th. I do not offer extra credit opportunities. Students should have already turned in all missing work.

If you have any questions or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at curtis_silverwood@conestogavalley.org. You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @classwithcatwood, where I share updates and snapshots of our exciting classroom activities.

Thank you for your time and support, and here’s to an engaging and productive start to the New Year!

Best regards,

Mr. Catwood (formerly Silverwood)