Earth and Space Science gives students one more option in choosing among different science classes. It takes them into a new dimension. For some students, it is an introduction and excellent preparation for more advanced subjects like physics or chemistry. For others, it is a challenge and opportunity to venture into the world of unknown. Students will not only learn about our Universe, galaxies, stars, planets, the Earth and forces that shape our planet but also refine their mathematical, scientific, artistic and linguistic skills. The Earth and Space Science class incorporates a variety of activities including reading scientific journals, watching scientific movies, exploring physical phenomena by performing hands on activities, discussions, inquiries about the past, present, and the future of the Universe and its integral part, the human kind.
Topics in Science
Course overview:
The Topic in Science class gives juniors one more option in choosing among different science classes. The class is designed to prepare students for ACT and PSAE exams. It joins topics from subjects like Earth and Space Science, Chemistry, Physics, biology and Environmental Science. The course is a combination of scientific knowledge from many scientific fields. Students will not only learn about our Universe, the Earth, forces that shape our planet, physical phenomena, and life but also refine their mathematical, scientific, artistic and linguistic skills. The Topic in Science class incorporates a variety of activities including reading scientific journals, watching scientific movies, exploring physical phenomena by performing hands on activities, discussions, etc.
Portfolio:
I implement a portfolio method in my teaching. The portfolio serves as a teaching tool and an assessment (grading) method. Students collect all their work in a 3-ring binder. The portfolio allows me to better monitor students' progress. It gives the learners more options to express what they learn. It allows them to control their own progress and gives them an ownership of their work. In addition, the portfolio allows parents or guardians to observe student's work and progress. Students are required to have the 3-ring binder to collect their work.
Homework policy:
Students are given a set of homework questions or problems related to the covered material. Students have two weeks to complete and turn their homework to me. The deadline for turning the homework is specified on each homework set
My display( you will find here pictures of the display "Fossils, Minerals
and Rocks". You can visit the display on the first floor at Lake View HS)
My display: "Fossils, Minerals and Rocks"
Topographic Map ( you will find her a description of the project "Creating a Topographic Map" and two topographic maps of the Lake View High School area created by stydents.
Project: "Creating a Topographic Map"
The project "Creating a Topographic Map" was a 2005 Teacher Incentive Grant Winner of the Oppenheimer Family Foundation. The Grant allowed me to purchase sophisticated instruments such as (Global Positioning System) GPS systems and Altimeters for my students to create a topographic map of the Lake View High School area. My students learned about a topographic map by created their own very detailed map of the area around the school. The project was completed in one month and involved 10 teams of 3-5 students in my Topics in Science classes. Students performed field measurements of latitude, longitude, altitude, distance, and dimensions of all ground features of the area. They used their measurements to create the topographic map of the area in scale 1:240. Ten teams used their measurements and graphing skills to create their unique maps. Click on the pictures to see full size photos of two topographic maps of the Lake View area created by my students (the real maps are the size of a big poster). The maps are displayed at Lake View High School in room 328.
Earth and Space Science gives students one more option in choosing among different science classes. It takes them into a new dimension. For some students, it is an introduction and excellent preparation for more advanced subjects like physics or chemistry. For others, it is a challenge and opportunity to venture into the world of unknown. Students will not only learn about our Universe, galaxies, stars, planets, the Earth and forces that shape our planet but also refine their mathematical, scientific, artistic and linguistic skills. The Earth and Space Science class incorporates a variety of activities including reading scientific journals, watching scientific movies, exploring physical phenomena by performing hands on activities, discussions, inquiries about the past, present, and the future of the Universe and its integral part, the human kind.
