Week 10

 

What did you do in lab today? 

    *The big question: Is it a rock? 

This week in lab, we began discussing rocks. This idea was introduced to us by taking a Google assessment having us decide if various things are considered to be rocks, for example dried mud, glass, hardened lava, limestone, brick, and more. To explore rocks even more, we were instructed to work with our tables to explore the differences between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. We practiced heating Starburst, dunking them in water, and let them cool on the table. This gave us a chance to look at the rock cycle, specifically the changes between igneous and metamorphic rocks. In addition to our exploration of rocks, we also had a discussion about student assessment. We talked about how teachers should pay attention to the amount of student growth, instead of just looking at each individual grade. To do this, teachers can give an assessment at the beginning of the year and then measure that student's growth as the year progresses. This should ultimately be how their grades are decided. 

What did you learn in Thursday's lecture? 

In Thursday's lecture, we spoke about all things earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, and the rock cycle. We were introduced to the composition of Earth and it's layers: inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. We then talked a little bit more about plate tectonics and how Hawaii is such a hot spot for volcanoes. Then, we talked about how plate tectonics relate to Pangea and visually saw how perfectly the continents of Earth fit so perfectly into one another. Finally, we spoke about the types of erosion and the difference between weathering and erosion. 

Pressbook Chapter 16: Earth's Structure-- At the Surface and Underground 

•  Since reading this chapter, I learned about the different kinds of plate tectonic boundaries: transform, divergent, and convergent. These three types move in different ways and have three different kinds of results. 
• I think the thing that was most helpful in this chapter was the diagram that depicted the three different tectonic plate boundaries, because it included arrows, which made it much easier to understand which directions the plates move. 
• I think I could use some more information on the Ring of Fire. 

3.What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?

I do not think I have any questions or comments at this time.