February 27 - March 3

Monday
Students will watch a video called "The Day the Mesozoic Died". If you were gone, watch it here. Honors students: The MESPOWs are #73, and #103.

Update: I tweaked my back while shoveling snow Monday morning, and had to take a "sick day" Tuesday. So, students will watch a video about the Grand Canyon on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, the Link Crew will be coming in to do a presentation. -Benson

Thursday
Students will do an activity to help them understand the rock cycle. If you were gone, carefully read pages 67-69 (honors pages 52-54) and take a look at this animation.

Friday
Students will do a station to station activity related to recent topics. If you are gone, periods 1-4-5 do "Reviewing Content" 1-10 on page 89 (honors do 1-10 on page 78-79).

February 21-24

NOTE: The monthly optional "replacement assignment" for periods 1-4-5 is 1-22 on page 303. Honors students - Your "replacement assignment" is 1-10 on pages 292-293 of your text. Optional replacement assignments are due the last day of the month.

Monday
No school today.

Tuesday
We will go over a recent lab and then students will do a WS. Honors students: There are no MESPOWs this week.

Wednesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains weathering and erosion. If you were gone, it is important that you read chapter 5 in your text (Honors - chapter 4), and watch this animation - 5 parts.

Thursday
Students will watch a video about the Alps.

Friday
Students will take notes on a handout as Benson explains sedimentary rocks. If you were gone, read pages 76-79 (Honors 62-68). Also read these web pages: Montana coal - Madison limestone - Eagle sandstone - Belt formation

PowerPoint Presentation - Weathering and Erosion

Washington Mudslide Interactive

Mass Wasting in Gates of Mountains

Mass Wasting in Jackson Hole

Mt. Rushmore Facelift

Photos of March 2011 Rockslide Near Billings

Rockslide Caught on Camera in Tennessee

Cleaning Lichens from Mt. Rushmore in 2005

Formation of the Himalayas

Coal Mine Near Colstrip

Thursday: Eagle Sandstone

General Article About Limestone

Madison Limestone

An Ice Cave in the Madison Limestone

The Belt Supergroup

(YouTube Video) Virtual Tour of a Wyoming Strip Mine

Montana Coal Mine

Montana's Oldest Rocks

Chief Mountain

Sea Creatures in Glacier Park?

Video of the week . . .

February 13-17 . . . Test on Thursday!

Monday
We will review several topics covered last week, and then spend some time examining various types of igneous rocks.

Tuesday
Students will do a group activity related to igneous rocks. If you were gone, read text pages 72-74 and do questions 1-7 on page 74 (honors read 57-60).

Wednesday
We will return and go over several recent assignments/labs, and review for the test (Kahoot). A study guide will be provided. The photo below may be helpful in preparing for the test.

Thursday
Students will take a test.

Friday
Students will do a lab titled, Frost Wedging. (If you were gone, click on the link and follow instructions.)

Question of the Week: Crown Butte is made of an igneous rock called "porphyry". Explain how this rock formed.

Longer Video (13-min) about Alex Honnold Climbing

Excellent Video About Hiking Onto Half Dome

Ringing Rocks

February 6-10

NOTE: The monthly optional "replacement assignment" (for period 1, 3, 4) is 1-22 page 303. 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
We will go over several concepts from last week, and then students will take notes as Benson explains several aspects of mineral formation.

Tuesday
Students will watch a video. If you were gone, you can watch the video here..

Wednesday
Students will take notes as Benson explains "plutonic formations". If you were gone, read through the Crown Butte Virtual Field Trip and then take a look at this animation (4 parts). Read pages 295-297 (honors 276-280).

Thursday
Students will take notes as Benson explains various types of igneous rocks. Read 70-74 (honors pages 55-58).

Friday
Students will do a lab to determine the density of different types of igneous rocks.

Question of the week
If plutonic formations form beneath the surface, why can they be found standing above the surface today?

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

Plutons Animation

Benson and Daughter Climb Devils Tower (photo album)

Igneous Rocks Pictures