Parents — A reminder that we will not be meeting on Tuesday, September 29, as Mr. B and I will be out of town that week. You can check the calendar page to see our complete schedule. All classes will resume as normal the week of October 6 and 7. Thanks.
September 15
Week 2: Life in the Habitable Zone
Read part of Lesson 2 this week and answer these questions:
New book: pages 27-31
Old book: pages 25-29
- How many other planets, besides earth, have breathable air?
- Besides breathable air, what other two gifts has God given us so that we can live on earth?
- What does “habitable zone” mean?
- The location of a planet’s orbit is important. What did you learn about earth’s distance from the sun?
- What is important about earth’s size? Why?
- What is important about earth’s surface? Why?
Next week you will make a terrarium! Bring a small jar, about the size of a jam jar, a small plant, and any decorations you would like to include in your terrarium.
Finally — if you didn’t finish your “science badge” face today, you can print a new copy from the link, below.
Hello Parents! On September 22, we will be constructing terrariums in class. Your child will need a “small” glass container, such as a jam jar. Also, they’ll need a plant small enough to fit inside of the jar, and any “decorations” they would like to add. You can see the idea on page 29 of the “old” book or page 31 of the “new” book. I’m using a different resource than the activity in our book, but the idea is the same. FYI — instead of purchasing a small plant, feel free to go outside and see what’s still growing…a nice-looking weed will be just fine.
September 8
Week 1: The Observable Universe
HW: Read Lesson 1, “The Observable Universe”.
If you have the “old book”, read pages 13 – 24
If you have the “new book”, read pages 13 – 26
Answer these questions on your own paper:
- We live on planet earth! Our planet is just one tiny part of God’s big, big universe. Why does our book call the universe “the observable universe?”
- What is the name for scientists who study space? What are some tools they use?
- What planets are in our solar system? List them in order, from the sun outward.
- What are the three galaxy shapes? Describe each one.
- What is the name of the galaxy we live in? What shape is it?
Also, complete the “Cosmic Address Activity” handout.
Put this homework inside your science binder, under the September tab.
You will turn your homework in on October 6.
Hello Parents —
It’s almost time!
I’m grateful to be your child’s science teacher this year. As you know, we are studying Earth Science, and you should have purchased Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Earth Science. In addition, your child will need a 3-ring binder dedicated to this class only. We’ve found that 1 ½ to 2-inch binders work great, and if your student has his/hers from last year, use it after removing the 2025-26 content. Binders need sectioned tab dividers, labeled for the seven months of our course: Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Lastly, add a batch of lined notebook paper and a few pencils in a pencil pouch and your student is good to go for the year!
This is the place your students must visit each week to know what I expect for science homework. I update homework assignments by Wednesday mornings, 8 a.m. (If you don’t see an update, please don’t be shy! The sooner somebody lets me know about a missing post, the sooner I can fix it. Thanks).
Science homework will follow this pattern:
- Assigned reading from our textbook.
- Questions to answer. We will train your student to write his/her answer in a complete sentence, incorporating the question into the answer. Students must NOT rewrite the exact question onto their paper.
- A lab activity to finish.
We don’t collect homework each week; instead, we collect a month’s worth of work at a time (I will call this “your science package”). For example, all of September’s homework (“your September package”) is due on October 6.
When science homework is about to be due, I’ll publish a “Table of Contents” page here, along with a list of assignments to be included in the package. If you don’t see something on the list, we don’t want it. Generally, I will provide PDF links to any handouts from class, so that if your student loses his, you may reprint it. Students who miss a lab due to absence are excused from labs done in class.
Missing work will be indicated by an “m” in the grade report and is worth “0” points. Missing work does affect a student’s overall grade. I do not accept late homework, unless it is due to an absence.
So many words — I know! Once we get going, all will be clear and rhythmic. If I had your students last year, nothing has changed. If you’re new this year and something seems fuzzy, please ask questions!
Thanks, and welcome to Earth Science!