December 15-19: Last week of school this year - test on Thursday!

Monday
We will review the connection between warm water and winds/precipitation in tropical cyclones, and then students will start watching a video about Hurricane Sandy. If you miss this day, watch Inside the Megastorm (50-minute video).

Tuesday
We will go over the recent map activity (Blizzard of '93) and then finish the video. If you miss this day, watch Inside the Megastorm (50-minute video)

Wednesday
We will wrap up the unit and review for the test. As study guide will be provided or you can print out a copy HERE.

Thursday
Students will take the test.

Friday
Students will make electric motors. See video of the week below.

Question(s) of the week:Warm water provides the "fuel" for tropical storms (we call them hurricanes). Explain this statement.

Dec. 15-16: Why fewer people die from lightning? (article)

Dec. 15-16: All About Sandy

Dec. 15-16: Inside the Megastorm (50-minute video)

Video of the Week

December 8-12

Monday
We will go over the Latent Heat Lab and then continue viewing TWISTER. Honors students: MESPOWs for this week are 72 and 109.

Tuesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains weather RADAR. Then we will finish watching TWISTER

Wednesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains weather satellites. Check this site (zip for Helena is 59601) to see if the International Space Station will be orbiting over Helena tonight.

Thursday
Students will do a map activity - The Blizzard of '93. Watch AND listen to this PenCast.

Friday
Students will take notes as Benson explains several aspects of tropical cyclones. If you miss this day be sure to check the links listed below for December 12.

Question(s) of the week:Warm water provides the "fuel" for tropical storms (we call them hurricanes). Explain this statement.

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Dec. 4: USA Weather-Related Fatalities for 2013

Dec. 9: Doppler RADAR Presentation

Dec. 9: Doppler RADAR

Dec. 9: Another Doppler RADAR Explanation

Dec. 10: Weather Satellites PowerPoint Presentation

Dec. 10: The Future of Weather Satellites

Dec. 11: The Blizzard of '93 PenCast

Dec. 11: The Blizzard of '93 PowerPoint

Dec. 12: Tropical Cyclone (hurricane) PowerPoint Presentation

Dec. 12: Good 3-minute Video about Hurricanes

Dec. 12: 2011 Hurricane Season in 4.5 minutes

Dec. 12: Animation of Storm Surge

Dec. 12: Current List of Hurricane Names

Dec. 12: Hurricanes Year By Year

Dec. 12: Inside the Megastorm (50-minute video)

Video of the Week

December 1-5

Attention period 1, 3, 4: Make test corrections by the end of the week.

Monday
We will start unit 4 today. Students will learn about all the hazards associated with lightning. They will take notes as Benson explains these. Be sure to watch/read the links below for December 1-2. Honors students: MESPOWs for this week are 79, 114, 116.

Tuesday
Students will continue to learn about all the hazards associated with thunderstorms. They will take notes as Benson explains these. Be sure to watch/read the links below for December 1-2.

Wednesday
Students will do a lab related to latent heat (microbursts). If you miss this day, watch the video below and complete the make-up assignment. Click here to print a copy of the make-up assignment..

Thursday
Students will take notes as Benson explains several aspects of tornadoes. If you miss this day be sure to check the links listed below for December 4.

Friday
We will go over the lab from Wednesday and then students will take notes as Benson explains how Doppler RADAR works.

Question(s) of the week:What is a microburst, and what causes it?

Dec. 1-2: Watch Lightning Strike a Car

Dec. 1-2: Lightning kills 45 cows near Darby, MT on July 14, 2014 (news video)

Dec. 1-2: USA Lightning Fatalities so far this year

Dec. 1-2: Lightning Safety (National Weather Service)

Dec. 1-2: Details of Ben Franklin's Lightning Experiment

Dec. 1-2: PowerPoint Presentation: Thunderstorm Hazards

Dec. 1-2: Flash Flood in Australia 2010

Dec. 1-2: Flash Flood in Southern Utah

Dec. 1-2: Flash Flood in Nepal

Dec. 1-2: Time-Lapse of a Supercell

Dec. 1-2: Flash Flood in ?

Dec. 1-2: Swath from Hi-Line Hail Storm Visible from Space

Dec. 1-2: Animation of Hail Formation

Dec. 1-2: Watch This Microburst Near Kansas City

Dec. 3: Microbursts

Dec. 3: Microburst Causes Blow-Down Near Butte

Dec. 3: Latent Heat Lab Activity

Dec. 3: Latent Heat Demo

Dec. 3: Make-Up Assignment for Microburst Lab

Dec. 4: Tornado Presentation (PowerPoint)

Dec. 4: Tornado Outbreak of 1974 Pencast

Dec. 4: Interactive Map of Tornado Deaths Through the Years

Dec. 4: USA Weather-Related Fatalities 1996-2011

Dec. 4: Tornado Records

Dec. 4: TOR:CON explained

Dec. 4: Montana Tornadoes of 2010

Dec. 4: NWS Report (pdf) of the Father's Day (Billings) Tornado (photos, etc.)

Dec. 4: Tornado Damage Activity (Select "Launch Interactive")

Video of the Week

November 24-25: Short week!

Attention period 1, 3, 4: You can do this worksheet to replace your lowest non-test score for the second quarter so far. It is due on November 25 (last day before Thanksgiving break). Note: The page may not open on all mobile phones, etc.

Monday
We will start unit 4 today. Periods 1, 3, 4: We will go over the "fronts lab", take some notes on fronts, and then start watching a video about lightning. Period 5, 6: Students will have about 20 minutes to complete the last 5 questions on their test, and then they will start the lightning video. If you miss Monday and/or Tuesday be sure to watch this 50-minute video

Tuesday
Benson will do some demonstrations related to lightning and then we will finish the lightning video. If you miss Monday and/or Tuesday be sure to watch this 50-minute video

Question(s) of the week: How does a lightning rod work?

Nov. 24: Cold and Warm Fronts Animations

Nov. 24: Warm Front Simulation (from the lab on Friday)

Nov. 24: Cold and Warm Front Animations

Nov. 25: Watch Lightning Strike a Car

Lightning captured at 7,207 images per second from ZT Research on Vimeo.

November 17-21: Test on Thursday!

Attention period 1, 3, 4: You can do this worksheet to replace your lowest non-test score for the second quarter so far. It is due on November 25 (last day before Thanksgiving break). Note: The page may not open on all mobile phones, etc.

Monday
Today, students will take some notes as Benson explains how "wind barbs" work, and then we will do a map activity together. If you were gone, check out the resources posted below for Nov. 17. Attention honors students: The MESPOWs for this week are #2, #47, and #88.

Tuesday
We will go over the Map Activity: Prevailing Winds, and then do a map activity related to high and low pressure systems. If you were gone, check out the resources posted below for Nov. 18

Wednesday
We will review for the test. A review sheet will be provided. The review sheet is posted here.

Thursday
Students will take the test.

Friday
Students will do a lab (Understanding Fronts). If you were gone, do questions 1-7 on page 570 (honors students do "concept check" questions on page 558), and check out the resources posted below for Nov. 21

Question(s) of the week: What is the weather like along a cold front, and why is it often more intense than weather along a warm front?

Nov. 17: All About Weather Balloons

Nov. 17: Wind Barbs PenCast (Review)

Nov. 18: Highs and Lows PenCast (Review)

Nov. 18: Highs and Lows - Read this.

Nov. 18: Real-Time Animation of Winds in USA (Must see!)

Nov. 19: Relative Humidity Review I Pencast

Nov. 19: Relative Humidity Review II Pencast

Nov. 19 Intro to Atmospheric Pressure Pencast

No. 19: Chinook Winds Explained

Nov. 19: Chinook Winds Pencast

Nov. 21: Cold Front Simulation (from the lab on Friday)

Nov. 21: Warm Front Simulation (from the lab on Friday)

Nov. 21: Cold and Warm Front Animations

Video of the Week

November 10-14: Wind Week!

Monday
We are continuing Unit 3 this week. We will review a couple recent labs, and then we will go over/correct the convection lab. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 10. Attention honors students: The MESPOWs this week are #23, #41, #43.

Tuesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains global circulation (wind belts). If you were gone, read pages 540-542 (honors 535-538). Also, get the notes handout from Benson and copy the notes from a classmate. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 11.

Wednesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains several wind topics. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 12. Students will also do a map activity (Prevailing Winds). The map acttiviy is posted here.

Thursday
Students will watch a video about WWII balloon bombs (related to the jet stream), and then take notes as Benson explains jet streams. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 13.

Friday
Benson will check notebooks/folders as students watch a video.

Question(s) of the week: What are the three factors that cause the global pattern of prevailing winds?

Nov. 10: Watch this 55-Gallon Drum get Crushed

Nov. 10: Can Crush Demo on a MUCH Larger Scale!

Nov. 10: Part A of the Convection Lab

Nov. 10: Part B of the Convection Lab

Nov. 10: Boiling Water With Ice

Nov. 11: Global Wind Belts (Prevailing Winds)

Nov. 12: The Monsoon Effect Explained

Nov. 12: Wind Generator Demo

Nov. 12: Why is Livingston, MT so windy?

Nov. 13: Balloon Bombs Delivered by Jet Stream

Nov. 13: Balloon Bombs of WWII

Nov. 13: Balloon Bombs of WWII (Wikipedia)

Nov. 13: All About Weather Balloons

Nov. 13: Weather Balloon Launch

Nov. 13: Jet Streams Video

Nov. 13: Image of current jet streams

Video of the Week

November 3-7: Field Trip on Tuesday!

IMPORTANT: Students must turn in a permission slip in order to go on the field trip to the Museum of the Rockies on Tuesday.

Monday
We are continuing Unit 3 today. We will go over the details for the field trip, and then students will watch a 25-minute video as Benson returns papers. After the video, we will go over the papers/review.

Tuesday
Students will meet in Benson's room at 8:15 to load the buses for the field trip to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. Students must have a permission slip that has been signed by a parent.

Wednesday
Benson will do a demonstration, students will take notes. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 5.

Thursday
Benson will do a demonstration, students will do a "can-crush" activity, and then do a worksheet. The worksheet is posted here. If you were gone check out the links listed below for November 6. If you miss this class (or want a review), check out the resources (Nov. 13 links) below.

Friday
Students will do a lab ("Convection"). If you were gone, print the lab handout (Convection Lab) from this site, watch the video posted below (November 7), and do the questions on the lab handout.

Question(s) of the week: Explain how the atmosphere was able to crush the cans this week (lab and demos)?

	November 3: How to make Supercooled Water
	November 5: Intro to Atmospheric Pressure
	November 5: Can Crush Demo
	November 5: What might happen to a human in the vacuum of space? (article)
	November 5: What might happen to a human in the vacuum of space? (video)
	November 6: Watch this 55-Gallon Drum get Crushed
	November 6: Can Crush Demo on a MUCH Larger Scale!
	November 6: Fountain Demo
	November 7: Conduction, Convection, Radiation Explained Review
	November 7: Part A of the Convection Lab
	November 7: Part B of the Convection Lab

Video of the Week

October 20-25: Test on Wednesday

Monday
Periods 1, 3, 4 will watch a 25-minute video and then we will go over a recent graph activity. Periods 5, 7 will correct and go over the temperature WS. MESPOWs this week are #14 and #104.

Tuesday
We will review for the test over Unit 2. Students will be given a review sheet, which is posted here.

Wednesday
Test today over Unit 2. After the test periods 1, 3, 4 should read text pages 504-509 (honors students read pages 490-498). Carefully examine all of the figures/illustrations and read the captions.

Thursday
Students will do a lab today - Introduction to Humidity

Friday
Students will take notes on a handout as Benson explains "humidity topics". If you were gone, get the handout from Benson and then copy the notes from a classmate. Also, be sure to watch this video: Relative Humidity at Football Practice.

Question of the week: What is "relative humidity" and why does it change throughout the day.

October 13-15 - No school Thursday and Friday!

Monday
We are continuing Unit 2 this week. Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Periods 1, 3, 4 will do a Worksheet (Temperature). It is due at the start of class tomorrow. Periods 5, 7 will go over a recent graph activity and then take notes (NE) as Benson explains temperature inversions. Period 5, 7 students who miss this day should go to this website and read it carefully.

Tuesday
We will have a lab (Heating Land and Water).

Wednesday
Periods 1, 3, 4 will have short presentation from the Link Crew (15 minutes), followed by a notebook entry (NE), and then we will go over a recent graph activity. If you missed this day, go to this website and read it carefully. Periods 5 and 7 will have the Link Crew presentation, followed by an assignment - Worksheet (Temperature) due SOC Monday.

Question(s) of the week: What is meant by the term, "annual temperature range"? Why is Bismark (North Dakota) colder than Seattle in the winter AND hotter than Seattle in the summer?

Watch the Video of the Week

October 6-10

Monday
(We are continuing Unit 2 today.) Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Benson will return and go over the recent Greenhouse Effect Worksheet. UV Bead Projects (posters) are due at the SOC tomorrow. Honors students: Only one MESPOW for this week (#59).

Tuesday
We will have a short notebook entry and then begin watching a video called "Chasing Ice". Be sure to watch the video of the week (below).

Wednesday
Periods 1, 3, 4 will continue watching the video. If you were gone go to the EIS website and watch both short videos. Honors students will do a graph activity.

Thursday
Periods 1, 3, 4 will do a graph activity and honors students will continue the video. Honors students: If you were gone go to the EIS website and watch both short videos.

Friday
Students will take notes as they learn about the acid rain issue. If you were gone, go through this Tutorial to learn how coal is burned to generate electricity.

Question(s) of the week: Why did Montana's production of coal increase so much in the 1970s?

September 29 - October 3

Update Sunday morning 10/5 - The weather looks good so the hike is ON! Here is a link to information about the big hike -> Big Hike!
Unfortunately, the site doesn't open on some mobile devices.

Monday
(We are continuing Unit 2 today.) Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Benson will review the UV bead project, and then students will be given the period to work on the project. If you were gone, carefully read this web page and pages 479-480 in your text (honors pages 466-467). Honors students: Only one MESPOW for this week (#18).

Tuesday
I will meet with the individual groups to discuss the project as other students work quietly on a WS at their assigned seats. If your were gone, watch this PenCast and do the worksheet (Greenhouse Effect) found on the Benson's Handouts Page.

Wednesday and Thursday
Groups will continue to work on their projects (weather-permitting).

Friday
Students will take notes on a handout as Benson explains concepts related to the global warming issue.

Question(s) of the week: The vast majority of climate scientists believe that the current climate change is caused (in part) by humans. According to this theory, what are we doing to cause the world to get warmer? Explain how this is causing our atmosphere to trap heat.

September 22-26 - The Hole in the Ozone Layer Week

Here is a link to information about the big hike on October 5 -> Big Hike!
Unfortunately, the site doesn't open on some mobile devices.

Monday
(We are starting Unit 2 today.) Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Benson will go over the lab that we did on Friday and then we will discuss several factors that influence the flight of a baseball or football. If you were gone, carefully read this web page and pages 479-480 in your text (honors pages 466-467). Honors students: MESPOWs for this week are #1 and #29. Read them both carefully and choose one to do with the WS.

Tuesday
Students will listen and take notes as Benson explains "The Hole in the Ozone Layer". If you were gone, get a copy of the notes handout and copy the notes from a classmate, read this web page and watch the video of the week below.

Wednesday
Benson will show students a demonstration, and then students will continue to take notes and learn about the hole in the ozone layer. If you were gone, copy the notes from a classmate and read this web page and be sure to select the arrow to watch the change over several years.

Thursday
We will do a quick review and then students will do an introductory lab activity to help them understand experimental design.

Friday
We will have a notebook entry and then Benson will explain the UV Bead Project. Watch this video -> How the Sun Sees You Students will have time to start working on their projects. Here is a description of the project-> UV Bead Project

Question(s) of the week: What causes the hole in the ozone layer to appear over Antarctica every September through November? Why does the hole affect the rest of the world?

September 15-19: First Test on Thursday

Here is a link to information about the big hike on October 5 -> Big Hike!
Unfortunately, the site doesn't open on some mobile devices.

Reminder: Students can come in this week on their own time (before school, lunch, after school) to make corrections on their tests. Honors students can only do this if they scored below 70/100 - and they can only raise the score to 70/100.

Monday
Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Benson will explain the phenomenon known as "El Nino" and then students will work start a map activity related to El Nino. If you were gone, go to this web page and watch/read all of the resources that start with "El Nino" and get a copy of the map activity (and get it done). Ask Benson if you need help. Attention honors students - The MESPOWs for this week are #8 and #49. Carefully read both of them and then decide which one you want to the the worksheet with. The MESPOWs are due SOC on Friday.

Tuesday
Students will listen and take notes as Benson explains several concepts related to plankton. Students will have some time to complete the map activity from yesterday. If you were gone, copy the notebook entry from a classmate, read this web page and watch this video.

Wednesday
We wrap things up and review for the test tomorrow. Here are several Review Resources. Students will be given a review sheet - That sheet can be printed out from this web page.

Thursday
Students will take a test. After the test they will work individually on a graph activity related to our next unit.

Friday
Students will do a lab. The lab will serve as an introduction to our study of the atmosphhere.

Question of the week: What is El Nino?
(What causes it? What happens in the Pacific Ocean during an El Nino? Why does it affect the path of storms?)

Click here to see the VIDEO OF THE WEEK!

September 8-12: First full week of school!

Monday
Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Benson will give some papers back today and go over them. Then we will have a notebook entry. Honors students will have an assignment (worksheet) that is due SOC Tuesday and a MESPOW that is due SOC on Friday (read 110 and do 25). If you were gone today you should copy the notes from a classmate and watch this PenCast (select "full screen"). NOTE: These PenCasts may not work on all mobile devices.

Tuesday
We will be doing a lab today. The WS that goes with the lab is due SOC Wednesday. If you miss the lab, watch this YouTube Video and complete the WS (Lab: The Briny Deep is available on the Benson's handouts page).

Wednesday
Students will listen and take notes as Benson does a presentation on ocean currents. If you were gone, get the notes handout and then copy the notes from a classmate. Also, be sure to carefully read pages 448-454 (honors read pages 426-433). Finally, watch the video of the week below.

Thursday
Reminder: Open House at HHS tonight - In class today we will review some recent assignments/concepts and then students will watch a 26-minute video about the Ocean Conveyor Belt. If you were gone read this web page and watch this 26-minute video.

Friday
Students will take notes as Benson explains "the Ocean Conveyor Belt". Then we will will watch a video about El Nino (a topic to be covered in more detail next week). If you were gone, copy the notebook entry from a classmate and go to this web page and watch/read all of the resources that start with "El Nino".

Question of the week: In the ice-water lab, why did the temperature of the salty water get colder than that of the fresh-water by making come of the ice melt?

VIDEO OF THE WEEK!

September is here!

I encourage students and parents to subscribe to this blog.

1. If you missed class on Friday, August 29 (or just want a review) watch this short YouTube Video.

2. Missed class on Tuesday, September 2 (or just need a review)? Watch/listen to this PenCast. To watch (and listen), follow these instructions.

Make sure your volume is on so that you can listen as the notes and diagrams appear.

Select the Full Screen option to see a larger view of the page.

In the lower right, select Hide Preview and then play. Pause the pencast at any time.

To Print a copy of the pencast (pdf file), go back to reduced screen and select download as PDF from menu to left.

Reminders:

Thursday is picture day.

The Freshman Tail-Gating (free T-shirt and food) begins at 6 pm Friday evening in the stadium parking lot.

Welcome HHS class of 2018!

I hope everyone had a GREAT summer! I look forward to getting to know all of you, and I am excited about the upcoming school year. I will be using this site to keep students and parents updated on what's happening in class. (It's an experiment.) I plan to add at least one informative "post" each week (maybe more often). If you (students, parents, etc.) would like to receive the posts when they are added, select Posts (Atom) below and provide your information. Thanks!

Here are some tidbits to get you started . . .

1. www.bengalfrosh.com is a useful site that provides links to the web pages of HHS teachers who teach freshmen. Not all teachers have web pages, but this provides a convenient way to access all of the sites that are available. The teacher sites should be updated by September 1st.

2. CLICK HERE to learn more about my Earth Science courses.

3. I am one of the advisers for the HHS Outdoor Club. CLICK HERE to see our Facebook Page. We meet at noon every Friday, and our first event (a hike) will be on Friday, September 12.

NOTE: Check out the other "Important Links", which will always be available on the right side of the webpage.