Mountain Building

We've simulated in the classroom how mountains can be made. Some mountains are made by compressed folding crust, some are made by blocks that are stretched out, squeezed, or uplifted. Tomorrow: we'll finish that, do a brief discussion of dome mountains, and then move into volcanoes. Anyone interested in challenge or EC work: you have 1 week to make a working volcano model. Limits: no flammable or explosive chemicals can be used in the classroom to make the volcano "erupt".

Homework: some classes were to answer questions in writing:
Blue: 1. Can you explain how mountains fold?
2. Compare and contrast "anticline" and "syncline".
3. Explain the difference between when crust folds , and when it breaks. Why does this
happen? What does it cause?

Yellow: 1. How is a normal fault different from a thrust fault?
2. How is a normal fault different from a reverse fault? and
3. How are normal, thrust & reverse faults different from a strike-slip fault?

Which would be more dense: a piece of aluminum metal that is a 1 cm cube, or a piece of aluminum metal that is a 5 cm cube? Write the answer down on a piece of paper and explain why. Turn it in for Extra credit tomorrow. Thanks, Arianne!

Homework tonight: copy down vocab words and definitions in your science notebooks. Finish your lab reports.

Sink or Float?

One of the most important theories in Earth Science is Plate Tectonics. Now that we've had our test on some of the basics, we will explore density in a lab. Then, we'll discuss a few of the major types of landforms, and then find out how mountains are made.

Tonight's homework: make flashcards about our mountain building vocabulary. Find the vocabulary words, including deformation, stress and fault, on the webpage. You also may want to review "density" , "mass ", and "volume" from earlier weeks.

Extra credit: word wall words on paper or card about 4" x 6" or 4.25" x 5.5". I'll accept up to 5 from a student for 1 point each, or up to a total of 5 points extra credit. Try to make the defined word large enough to see from a distance, and put the definition on the lower part of the card in small letters. Don't forget to include your name!

Science After School: we have re-started the popular Thursday afternoon science help session. Students who attend SAS (2:10-3:15) can get extra help with the teacher or tutors from AITE, and maybe snacks and extra credit for good effort. Check in, or just drop by.

Larry: As you requested, I need a colorful poster that shows the contrast between the 4 types of mountains that we study (folding, fault block, dome, volcano). Poster should be at least 12" by 12". Thx.

Important Information:
PARENTS OF RIPPOWAM STUDENTS… If you work at Pitney Bowes, please notify Rippowam’s Main Office at 203-977-5255. Rippowam is eligible for a grant of up to $2,000 for our students from Pitney Bowes.

Plate Tectonics Review:
Here are the review questions for tonight's hwk:
Yellow & Blue: Q 1 only (remainder on Thurs)
Thursday: start of Science After School (for extra help after school)
Review for Test (Tuesday)
TEST ON Tuesday includes:
* Geologic Time
* Fossils
* Structure of Earth: Spheres & Layers
* Density
* Convection
* Plate tectonics