____________________________________________________
FIRST QUARTER (12 AUG 2025 - 10 OCT 2025)
>>> Plate Motion Unit Review | Sentence Starters | Dictionary <<<
10 OCT 2025 - Friday - WIN
Retakes: (#31) PM 4.4 TEST
Check AERIES and do missing work or redo low-score work.
Most Incomplete Assignments: (#30) PM 3.4.4 Essay and (#23) Plate Boundary Model ("your poster", see 26 SEP 2025 for directions)
If you finish early, study: iReady My Path Math | Rock Transformations Key Terms on Blooket
09 OCT 2025 - Thursday
This is your last chance to practice what you have learned about plate motion or learn what you missed.
Amplify Assignments PM 4.1 | Pear Deck PM 4.1.3.1 Evidence Cards A-E | PM 4.1.4 Sorting Evidence | (#32) PM 4.1.1-3.1 - This assignment will be graded as a test in AERIES!
08 OCT 2025 - Wednesday
(31) PM 4.4 TEST (Use my website like your book. It's an open-book test.) There are 18 questions worth a total of 19 points.
If you finish early, draw your (#23) poster and write the (#30) PM 3.4.4 Essay before any free time activities.
07 OCT 2025 -Tuesday
Amplify Assignments PM 3.4 | Indian Plate Motion Video | (#29) PM 3.4.3-5 (#30) PM 3.4.4 Essay
(Optional Extras) Convection Currents Demonstration | Convection Currents Move the Mantel Material | Explore this plate simulator
How to Screenshot | How to upload: (add file, upload, browse, downloads, screenshot)
six-seven
06 OCT 2025 - Monday
Amplify Assignments PM 3.3 | PM 3.3.3 Reconstructing Gondawanaland | PM 3.3.3 Video Directions | (#28) PM 3.3.1-2
03 OCT 2025 - Friday
Amplify Assignments PM 3.2 | (#27) PM 3.2.1-3 | Explore this plate simulator
If you finish early, work on your poster or other missing or low-score assignments.
02 OCT 2025 - Thursday
Amplify Assignments PM 3.1 | PM 3.1.3 Word Relationships | (#26) PM 3.1.3-4
Plate Motion Simulation | Plate Motion Data Tool activity: Plate Distance vs. Time | Calculator
01 OCT 2025 - Wednesday - WIN
Check your answers to yesterday's review assignments | Video about Iceland (2:21) | Video about Iceland (40:39)
Retakes: Plate Motion 2.6 - Critical Juncture Assessment - (#24) PM 2.6 TEST (Use my website like your book. It's an open-book test.)
2nd priority: Complete your cross-section models of convergent and divergent plate boundaries. (#23 Plate Boundary Model)
3rd priority: Complete missing work, improve low scores, or both. If you have less than 75% in this class, go to Aeries to see what you need to fix; otherwise
Study the Plate Motion Key Terms on Blooket or Quizlet | iReady
30 SEP 2025 - Tuesday
Everyone: Exploring Iceland's Plate Boundary [ Video 7:00 Activity 1 | Activity 1 Warm-Up (See what color group you're in?) ]
Green Group: [ Video 5:52 Activity 2: Parts 1 and 2, Video 6:37 Parts 3, 4, and 5 | Activity 2 read and annotate then work on the PM 2.7 Modeling Tool | Video 2:25 Activity 3 | Activity 3 Critiquing Models | (#25) PM 2.7.1-2 ]
Blue Group: [ Video 6:34 Activity 2: Parts 1 and 2, Video 5:23 Parts 3 and 4 | Activity 2 read and annotate then work on the PM 2.7 Modeling Tool | Video 3:00 Activity 3 | Activity 3 Critiquing Models | (#25) PM 2.7.1-2 ]
Purple Group: [ Video 8:25 Activity 2: Parts 1 and 2 | Activity 2 read and annotate, then work on the PM 2.7 Modeling Tool | Video 3:10 Activity 3 | Activity 3 Critiquing Models | (#25) PM 2.7.1-2 ]
Everyone: Teacher Slides 2.7
The assessment retake will be tomorrow, October 1st, after the reteach lessons.
29 SEP 2025 - Monday
Plate Motion 2.6 - Critical Juncture Assessment - (#24) PM 2.6 TEST (Use my website like your book. It's an open-book test.)
If you finish early, work on your poster (#23 Plate Boundary Model), or this (PM 2.5.4).
The assessment retake will be on Wednesday, October 1st, after the reteach lessons.
26 SEP 2025 -Friday
Reminder: If you have not done this yet, I need you to write your response... PM 2.5.4
(#23) Plate Boundary Model | Supplies available: paper, colored pencils, crayons, rulers, scissors
Include the following items (worth 5 points total):
(1) Title: Plate Boundaries
(2) Subtitles: Divergent, Convergent
(3) Model: Draw and color each type of plate boundary.
(4) Label: plate 1, plate 2, trench, ridge or mid-ocean ridge, mantle, the direction of plate movement
(5) Description: Write a brief description of the plate and mantle interactions at each boundary.
Use the following resources for help: Listening to Earth | PM 2.3.2: Boundary Characteristics Chart
BE CREATIVE: Feel free to research other plate boundary pictures on the Internet and example posters.
Suppose you do not have access to physical supplies or need to modify this assignment, create a digital poster and share it with Mr. Ruiz at eruiz@turlock.k12.ca.us. In that case, You can copy and paste digital images into your digital poster if needed. If you copy and paste pictures from the internet, cite your image sources (include the hyperlink).
Have FUN! I plan on posting these all over the classroom walls and on my website. :-)
25 SEP 2025 - Thursday
Amplify Assignments PM 2.5 | PM 2.5.3 Modeling Tool | (#22) PM 2.5.3-5
Reminders: PM 2.3.2 Notes | PM 2.4.3 Notes
24 SEP 2025 - Wednesday
Amplify Assignments PM 2.4 | PM 2.3: Boundary Characteristics Chart | PM 2.4.2 Modeling Tool | (#21) PM 2.4.3-4
23 SEP 2025 - Tuesday - WIN
If you fell behind yesterday, catch up. Don't forget to take notes about the "Listening to Earth" article here: PM 2.3: Boundary Characteristics Chart.
Check your grade in Aeries and make-up or redo missing or low-score assignments.
22 SEP 2025 - Monday
Amplify Assignments PM 2.3 | PD: Boundary Characteristics Chart | (#20) PM 2.3.1-2
Complete your scientific argument (#12) GM 3.4 Essay. Make sure you turned it in on Class Companion. Then, you may mark it as complete in Google Classroom.
19 SEP 2025 - Friday
Amplify Assignments PM 2.2 | (#19) PM 2.2.1-2
(Example of Sound from a Hydrophone) | Tsunami (2) | Understanding the Richter Scale (5:56)
Complete your scientific argument (#12) GM 3.4 Essay. Make sure you turned it in on Class Companion. Then, you may mark it as complete in Google Classroom.
17 SEP 2025 - Wednesday - WIN
Check AERIES and Make-up work (missing assignments, low scores, or both).
UP2D8
15 SEP 2026 - Tuesday - LAB
14 SEP 2026 - Monday
11 SEP 2026 - Friday
Amplify Assignments PM 1.3 | (#16) PM 1.3.1-2 | PM 1.3 Activity 3 Maps & Projections | (Optional) PM 1.3.3-4
>>> Plate Motion Unit Review | Sentence Starters | Dictionary <<<
10 SEP 2026 - Thursday
Amplify Assignments PM 1.2 | Pear Deck PM 1.2.4 Map | (#15) PM 1.2.1-2
(#14) GM 3.5 Test- Make-ups and retakes. Tests are "open-book," meaning you can use any links from my website. Retakes are mandatory if you scored 11 or less. Retakes are optional if you scored 12 or higher.
>>> Geology on Mars Unit Review <<<
09 SEP 2026 - Wednesday - WIN
If you have a separate setting accommodation and you want to test in a separate setting, let me know.
(#14) GM 3.5 Test- Make-ups and retakes. Tests are "open-book," meaning you can use any links from my website. Retakes are mandatory if you scored 11 or less. Retakes are optional if you scored 12 or higher.
Due today: Plate Motion Pre-Unit Assessment. This is mandatory. However, it does not affect your grade.
Complete your scientific argument (#12) GM 3.4 Essay. Make sure you turned it in on Class Companion. Then, you may mark it as complete in Google Classroom.
If you finish early, try: iReady | Dynamic Systems (Engineering Practice) | Dynamic Systems 2 | Explore Mars: A Mars Rover Game
08 SEP 2026 - Tuesday - FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIPS DUE TODAY!
If you have a separate setting accommodation and you want to test in a separate setting, let me know.
(#14) GM 3.5 Test. Mr. Ruiz will unlock the test after giving directions. Tests are "open-book," meaning you can use any links from my website.
If incomplete, work on your scientific argument (#12) GM 3.4 Essay and (#13) GM 3.4.1-4
04 SEP 2026 - Friday
Amplify Assignments GM 3.4 | Join Class Companion | SENTENCE STARTERS | (#12) GM 3.4 Essay | (#13) GM 3.4.1-4
(Optional Video 14:30) Mars Facts and History
03 SEP 2026 - Thursday
02 SEP 2026 - Wednesday - WIN
Plate Motion Pre-Unit Assessment: This is mandatory. However, it does not affect your grade.
Explore Mars: A Mars Rover Game | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids
01 SEP 2026 - Tuesday - LAB
Amplify Assignments GM 3.2 | GM 3.2.2 More New Information | GM 3.2.3 Evidence Gradient | (#10) GM 3.2.1-5
31 AUG 2026 - Monday
Amplify Assignments GM 3.1 | GM 3.1.2-3 Evidence Gradient | GM 3.1.3 New NASA Information | (#9) GM 3.1.1-3
Extra information if you were absent today (old video, but still relevant)
If you finish early, explore this just for fun!
28 AUG 2026 - Friday
Amplify Assignments GM 2.3 | Testing an Idea Student Sheets | Stream 1 (low slope) | Stream 2 (high slope) | Video of both slopes (0:27)
Flowing Lava Model (5:14) | Real Lava Flowing (4:10)
27 AUG 2025 - Thursday - WIN - (19 minute periods)
Amplify Assignments GM 2.2.2 (Reread and Answer Questions)| Observation Sheets | Flowing Water Model (4:30) | Science Lab Tips
(#7) GM 2.2.1-4 (Continued From Yesterday)
26 AUG 2025 - Wednesday - LAB
25 AUG 2026 - Tuesday
Amplify Assignments GM 2.1 | Observation Sheets | Amplify GM 2.2.4
(#5) GM 2.1.1-5 | (#6) GM 2.1.4 Screenshot Annotation | How to Screenshot | How to upload: (add file, upload, browse, downloads, screenshot)
Optional: https://orb.farm/ | Venus Death of a Planet 4k
24 AUG 2026 - Monday
21 AUG 2026 - Friday - WIN
First Period ONLY: PBIS Classroom Expectations - Slides 27-31. Also, on the lined paper from Monday, write at least three sentences about you. What would you like me to know about you?
Check your grade in AERIES. If you are unable to log in, please ask Mr. Ruiz for assistance.
If you are missing an assignment in AERIES, use this class time to make up the work.
20 AUG 2026- Thursday
Amplify Assignments GM 1.2 | Geologic Processes (water and lava flow pictures) | MAP-2 | Mar's Trek | Google Maps | | Channel on Mar
(#3) GM 1.2.1-5
19 AUG 2026 - Wednesday (Day 2 of 2)
Amplify Assignments GM 1.1 | The Night Sky | Our Solar System | The Four Rocky Planets | The Earth System | Spheres | Meet a Planetary Geologist (2:56)
(#2) GM 1.1.1-5
18 AUG 2026 - Tuesday (Day 1 of 2)
Amplify Assignments GM 1.1 | The Night Sky | Our Solar System | The Four Rocky Planets | The Earth System | Spheres | Meet a Planetary Geologist (2:56)
(#2) GM 1.1.1-5
17 AUG 2026 - Monday
Join our Google Class: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODcyMjcyMzA1NjE1?cjc=yl4w32or
Introduction to Amplify Science (3:11) | Navigating Amplify Science (15:39) | 27 Insanely Cool Experiments (13:44). Students can watch these while I help them log in.
(#1) First Day Form
14 AUG 2026 - Friday - LAB
Join our Google Class: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODcyMjcyMzA1NjE1?cjc=yl4w32or
Bookmark: https://sites.google.com/turlockusd.org/ruizspieces/
13 AUG 2026 - Thursday
Complete the missing face of the cube: Virtual Cube | Printable Paper Cube
Students will be asked to look for patterns of information. Using the information found on the virtual cube, students will need to interpret patterns and use the evidence provided to defend their ideas about completing the missing face of the cube.
12 AUG 2026 - Wednesday
Welcome back to school!
Review the Syllabus
Join our Google Class: https://classroom.google.com/c/NzkxODE1NTQwNzIx?cjc=3ys44ilz