February 1-5

NOTE: The monthly optional "replacement assignment" (for period 1, 3, 4) is available here. Your score on this will replace your lowest non-test score so far. Honors students - Your "replacement assignment" is 1-10 on pages 292-293 of your text.

Monday
Students will continue taking notes as Benson explains various hazards associated with volcanism. See links below if you were gone.

Tuesday
Benson will explain 3 great eruptions and we will finish the notes on volcanic hazards. Then students will work on their crystal growth lab. See links below if you were gone, and read this. Honors students will be assigned the "Crown Butte Virtual Field Trip" - It is due SOC on Friday. If you miss class, copy the notes from a friend and take a look at the links below.

Wednesday
Students will watch a video called Earth's Deadliest Eruption.

Thursday
Students will do a lab to called "Magma and Lava". If you were gone, do questions 1-7 page 74 (Honors do 1-7 p. 62). Honors students: The handouts for your projects and papers can be found here. Decide which you want to do, print out the handout and read it. We will have a lottery later this month to determine who gets to do what, and which shifts you will work. The Science Circus will be on Friday and Saturday, March 18-19.

Friday
Students will take notes as Benson explains various types of volcanic formations.

Question of the week
How can geologists determine whether an igneous rock formed from lava that cooled above the surface, or from magma that cooled beneath the surface?

Click on the links below to see many resources related to this unit.

Monday/Tuesday: Mt. St. Helens Lava Dome

Monday/Tuesday: Deadliest Eruptions of All time

Monday/Tuesday: The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens

Monday/Tuesday: Benson's Three Days of Hiking - St. Helens and Rainier

Monday/Tuesday: Laki Eruption in Iceland 1783-1784

Monday/Tuesday: Mt. Rainier Mudflow (future)

Monday/Tuesday: Bodies at Pompeii

Monday/Tuesday: Collection of Photos: Bodies at Pompeii

Monday/Tuesday: Krakatau Tsunami (1883)

Monday/Tuesday: Ship Survives Krakatau Tsunami (1883)

Monday/Tuesday: Ashfall Fossil Site in Nebraska

Monday/Tuesday: Mazama Ash near Helena

Monday/Tuesday: Virtual Tour of the Ashfall Fossil Site in Nebraska

Monday/Tuesday: Yellowstone Volcano Explained by the Scientist-In-Charge

Monday/Tuesday: Misconceptions about the Yellowstone Volcano

Monday/Tuesday: The Elkhorn Volcano (near Helena)

Monday/Tuesday: Igneous Rocks in Montana

Monday/Tuesday: Ancient Volcano Between Helena and Great Falls

Monday/Tuesday: Time-Lapse of Mt. St. Helens Lava Domes 2004-2008 (1:26)

Monday/Tuesday: Short Time-Lapse of Mt. St. Helens Lava Dome (00:07)

Monday/Tuesday: Animation of Mt. St. Helens Lava Domes (00:12)

Friday: Animation of Lava Flows at Craters of the Moon (Idaho)

January 25-29 The new semester begins!

Monday
We will discuss the semester grades, and then students will be given time to start an assignment (WS: Intro to Volcanism). Attention honors students: MESPOWs this week are #6 and #80.

Tuesday
Students will take notes (on handout) as Benson explains basic concepts related to volcanism. If you were gone, take a look at this animation.

Wednesday
Students will do a lab - "What happened at Lake Nyos?" If you are gone, read this and watch this video.

Thursday
Periods 1-3-4 will watch a video - "Mystery of the Meagavolcano". If you were gone, be sure to watch it HERE. Periods 6-7: Benson will explain various hazards associated with volcanoes as students take notes. If you were gone, take a look at this photo album.

Friday
Periods 1-3-4: Benson will explain various hazards associated with volcanoes as students take notes. If you were gone, take a look at this photo album. Periods 1-3-4 will watch a video - "Mystery of the Meagavolcano". If you were gone, be sure to watch it HERE.

Question of the week: What are the three basic types of volcanic activity? Provide an example of each.

Interactive: Three Types of Volcanism

What happened at Lake Nyos?

Video of the Week

January 18-22 Finals Week

Monday
No school

Tuesday
First period final exam from 9:55-11:15

Wednesday
Third period final from 8:20-9:40

Fourth period final from 9:55-11:15

Fifth period final from 11:50-1:10

Thursday
Seventh period final from 9:55-11:15

Friday
No school for students.

Video of the Week

January 11-15

IMPORTANT: The study guide for the semester test is posted on this page in case you want to start studying. Benson will give you a copy on Friday.

Monday
Students will take notes (on handout) as Benson continues to explain Plate Tectonics. Attention honors students: No MESPOWs this week. If you were gone (or simply want to review), take a look at the links provided below AND read text pages 248-260 (honors 194-203).

Tuesday
We will watch a video about the Mariana Trench. If you miss this class, be sure to watch it online: Video: Deepest Place on Earth (43 minutes). As you watch answer questions on the WS, which can be found on this page.

Wednesday
Students will do a group problem-solving activity related to the movement of tectonic plates. If you were gone, read text page 285 (honors 212).

Thursday
We will review several concepts related to plate tectonics, and then Benson will explain the different types of geology that take place at various plate boundaries.

Friday
Benson will tell students about the test, provide a review sheet, and then give students time to study for the test.

Question(s) of the week: What is a zone of subduction, and what are the various features and activity that take place there?

Sea-Floor Spreading Animation

What makes the plates move?

Interactive: Position of the Continents Over the Past 600 million years

Interactive Plate Tectonics Map

Read About Wegener's Last Expedition

Journey to the Deepest Place on Earth

Animation of a Hot Spot

Video of the Week

Welcome back! January 4-8

Notice: The study guide for the semester test is posted on this page in case you want to start studying.

Monday
During the two weeks before finals week (January 19-21) students will be learning about the basic structure of the Earth and plate tectonics. Today they will start watching a video titled "Magnetic Storm" (to be finished tomorrow). If a you miss this day, get online and watch the 55-minute video HERE. As you watch, answer the questions on the WS, which can be found on this page. Attention honors students: The MESPOWs this week are #20 and #118.

Tuesday
We will finish the video and then Benson will explain the different "schools of thought" pertaining to the age of the Earth. Students should read text pages 233-237 (honors 249-252)

Wednesday
Benson will explain the structure of the Earth and paleomagnetism, and then students will do a WS titled, "Plate Tectonics". If you were gone, read text pages 233-236 (honors 249-252).

Thursday
Students will watch a video titled, "Birth of the Earth". Click here to watch the video. As you watch, answer the questions on the WS, which can be found on this page.

Friday
Students will take notes as Benson explains the development of the Theory of Plate Tectonics.

Question(s) of the week: What is paleomagnetism, and how does it support the theory of plate tectonics?

Jan. 4-5: NOVA: Magnetic Storm

Jan. 5: The Northern Lights

Jan. 5: Northern Lights FAQs

Jan. 8: Interactive: Position of the Continents Over the Past 600 million years

Jan. 8: Interactive Plate Tectonics Map

Jan. 8: Read About Wegener's Last Expedition

Video of the Week