October 1-5

The optional assignment for October (to replace your lowest non-test score) is 1-21 page 183 (Honors - Do the following questions from your text: p. 120 #2, p. 122 #1, p. 125 #3, p. 127 #1-3, p. 129 #3, p 130 #1, p. 132 #1, p. 134 #1-3).

Honors students - MESPOWs are due next Tuesday (NOT Friday) #68 and #120 (read them both, pick one to do with the WS).

Monday
We will watch this 24-minute video and then go over the "Map Activity: USA Drainage Basins", and then Benson will explain several concepts related to surface water. If you were gone, watch the video.

Tuesday
Counselors from the guidance department will be working with students in class today all period.

Wednesday
Students will take notes on a handout (Groundwater). If you were gone, read pages 171-180. Also, watch this video.

Thursday
Students will do a map activity called "Helena Area Watersheds". If you were gone, get the make-up assignment from Benson.

Friday
We will go over the Montana Rivers Map Activity, take notes on the "Water Cycle", and then students will finish their map activity from yesterday.

The Great Falls of the Missouri

Watershed of the Yellowstone River

Milltown Dam

Triple Divide Peak

Island Watershed Project

Oxbow Lakes

SNOTEL Sites

Video of the Week

September 24-28

Reminder: Every month Benson offers an optional "replacement assignment" that students can to do replace their lowest non-test score so far. It is due by the end of the month, but can be turned in at any time. For periods 1-4-7 the September replacement assignment is 1-6 page 427, 1-5 page 432, and 1-4 page 437. For periods 3-6 (honors) the assignment is 1-9 pages 420-421. Honors students: The MESPOWs for this week are #27 and #58 - read them both and then pick one to do the WS with.

Monday
Students will do a "Map Activity: USA Drainage Basins". If you miss the map activity, get a copy of the packet from Benson, watch the PowerPoint here, and complete the packet.

Tuesday
We will review several topics and then students will be given time to finish the map activity that we started yesterday. It is due at the start of class on Thursday.

Wednesday
Benson will be gone today. Students answer questions on a worksheet as they watch Salmon: Running the Gauntlet (52-minute video). Note: Skip the intro and start at the 2-minute mark.

Thursday
Students will learn about several Montana water issues and start a "Montana Rivers Map Activity".

Friday
After we watch a couple short videos, students will continue working on the Montana Rivers Map Activity. If you were gone, watch this video and then watch this one too.

Groundwater Basics

Water Cycle Tutorial

Interactive Water Cycle Graphic

Berkeley Pit in Butte

Septic Systems

September 17-21

Reminder: If things go according to plan, the first test will be on Friday. Every month Benson offers an optional "replacement assignment" that students can to do replace their lowest non-test score so far. It is due by the end of the month, but can be turned in at any time. For periods 1-4-5 the September replacement assignment is 3-6 page 427, 1-5 page 432, and 1-4 page 437. For periods 3-6 (honors) the assignment is 1-9 pages 420-421.

Monday
Classes are a bit shorter today due to early release (every Monday). Students will take some notes as Benson explains a situation related to the "oceanic conveyor belt", and then students will watch a 25-minute video. If you missed class today, be sure to watch the first 25 minutes of this video.. Attention honors students - The MESPOWs for this week are #31 and #46. 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
Benson will explain the phenomenon known as "El Nino" and then students will work start a map activity related to El Nino. Ask Benson if you need help. Also, watch this short video.

Wednesday
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.

Thursday
We wrap things up and review for the test tomorrow. Students will be given a review sheet, and we will do a Kahoot review in class. Attention honors students - You will have only 2 additional questions on your test. The topics of those two questions will be the ocean conveyor belt . . . (read this also) and the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. CLICK HERE to access the Kahoot review that we did in class today.

Friday
Students will take a test. After the test students in periods 1-4-5 will work individually on a worksheet related to our next unit. Periods 3-6 students should read text pages 138-143.

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 10-14

Reminder:
Every month Benson offers an optional "replacement assignment" that students can to do replace their lowest non-test score so far. It is due by the end of the month, but can be turned in at any time. For periods 1-4-5 the September replacement assignment is 1-6 page 427, 1-5 page 432, and 1-4 page 437. For periods 3-6 (honors) the assignment is 1-9 pages 420-421.

Monday
Students will watch a video about ocean currents.

Tuesday
Students will be doing a lab today (The Briny Deep). If you miss the lab, get a copy of the lab handout from Benson, watch this Briny Deep Lab Video, and complete the handout (you will need your book).

Wednesday Students will take notes day as Benson explains "ocean currents". If you were gone, get a copy of the handout, copy the notes from a classmate, and read text pages 448-453 (honors 426-433).

Thursday
Students will review the lab, watch a 15-minute video about the Ocean Conveyor Belt, and then take notes (brief). If you were gone read this web page.

Friday
Students will take the ACT Aspire Test during class today.

September 4-7

Monday
No school!

Tuesday
We will go over the recent "pre-quiz" (not graded), watch a 14-minute video, Benson will do a demonstration, and then students will be given time to finish the Montana Map Activity.

Wednesday
All of Benson's classes will be doing a "Density Lab" today.

Thursday
Students will do a WS as Benson issues books.

Friday
All of Benson's classes will be doing a lab today ("How does salt affect ice-water?)

The following links will be needed by honors students to complete their Montana Highway Map Activity.

1. The Wilderness Society

2. Montana Wilderness Association

3. Wilderness FAQs

4. Map of Montana's 15 designated wilderness areas

Video of the Week