Biome: Deciduous Forest

Take a look at this biome.  Does it look familiar?  What do you notice?  Write down your findings in your Science Notebook.

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The Desert Biome

Using your science notebook, you are going to research more about the desert biome.  Color in your map where deserts are located in the world.  Write down in your notebook features that make the desert unique.

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Map of desert biome

Desert Animals

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Finding the Author's Purpose

Authors write for several reasons.

Many authors write to entertain people and make them laugh.

Authors also write to persuade or convince their readers to believe in something.

Sometimes authors write to inform or teach you about something.

When we read, it is important for us to understand"why the piece was written"

Questions:

Did the author try to make me laugh? (Entertain) 

Did the author want to tell me a story? (Entertain) 

Did the author try to amuse me? (Entertain) 

Did the author give me facts? (Inform) 

Did the author try to teach me something? (Inform) 

Did the author try to convince me? (Persuade) 

Did the author want to change my opinion? (Persuade) 

Let's practice:

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Learning about the Tundra

Yesterday, we learned about different types of biomes.  You have a list of biomes in your science notebook.  For the next couple of days, we are going to study many different components to each biome. 

Beautiful Pictures of the Tundra

The Tundra Book

Another article

The Tundra

Take a Virtual Tour of the National Museum of Natural History

Using your laptop and the link below explore the National Museum of Natural History.  Look carefully at the Mammal Hall and the Ocean Hall.  Zoom in and read some of the information that is presented in this virtual tour.  In your science notebooks, write about what you are noticing?  Are all of these animals found in the same habitat?  What kind of animals do you see and in what environment would you find them?  Jot down your notes in your science notebook.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/vtp/1-desktop/ 

Sarah Banks Night

Last night (3/27), Sarah Banks Middle School had an orientation for parents.  For parents that were unable to attend the following links contain information given out last night.  Please take a look.

BYOD Commitment form | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/files/1270576/banks%20byod-commitment2014-15.pdf

Orientation materials covered during the meeting | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/Banks.cfm?subpage=1270576

Course Selection sheets website | Due April 2 | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/news.cfm?story=137869&school=1563  

Science Matters

Why does Science Matter? Science is critical to understanding the world around us. Most Americans feel that they received a good education and that their children will as well. Unfortunately, not many are aware that international tests show that American students are simply not performing well in science when compared to students in other countries. Many students (and their parents!) believe that science is irrelevant to their lives. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy, and this innovation depends on a solid knowledge base in science, math, and engineering. All jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science. The most recent ten year employment projections by the U.S. Labor Department show that of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014, 15 of them require significant mathematics or science preparation to successfully compete for a job This is why Science Matters.