October

Earth Systems

Science Standards

ESS1.C.1 Earth's Place in the Universe (The History of Planet Earth)
LS4.A.1 Biological Evolution; Unity and Diversity (Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity)
ESS2.A.1, 2 Earth's Systems (Earth's Materials and Systems)
ESS2.B.1 Earth's Systems (Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale Systems)
ESS3.A.1 Earth and Human Activity (Natural Resources)
ESS3.C.1, 2 Earth and Human Activity (Human Impacts on Earth's Systems)
ESS3.B.1 Earth and Human Activity (Natural Hazards)
ETS1.A.1 Engineering Design (Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems)
ETS1.B.1, 2, 3 Engineering Design (Developing Possible Solutions)

We began the Pumpkin Jack experiment which explores the phenomena of decomposition. We will be checking Pumpkin Jack every week and taking notes of what we notice and wonder for our Notice and Wonder board. Stay tuned for updates on how Pumpkin Jack is doing. In the spring, after he completes his decomposition cycle, we can plant the sprouted seeds.

Here is a link to the book (read aloud) that goes along with the activity.

Notice and Wonder chart (students use two sticky notes to record what they notice and wonder about Pumpkin Jack)

Pumpkin Jack Day 1 October 5, 2023 Let the phenomena of decomposition begin!!

Day 1 Notice and Wonder chart (look at all of those observations and questions 😀)

Week 2

October 13, 2023

Week 3

October 23, 2023

Week 4

October 30, 2023

He is getting more moldy and has shrunk a bit. The soil has also changed.

Check out more posts in November of how Pumpkin Jack is doing

Tectonic Plates - Pangaea

Explaining the changes on Earth's surface...what changes can a volcanic eruption cause? We studied Mt. St. Helens and the changes in the land around the area. We looked at the area before the 1980 eruption and today. We mapped out the changes and even created/erupted our own volcanoes in class!