Yesterday we began our exploration of cyclones. We  ended the lesson filling out a world map, locating the regions where cyclones occur. You’ll need to complete this by Friday. Don’t forget to colour code these regions and make a key for your map. Also you’ll need to come to class ready to answer the following question:

“—Why do you think cyclones occur in those regions?”

For today’s science lesson we will be working on develop an understanding of the features of cyclones. We will also be investigating the conditions necessary to form a cyclone.We’ll start with reading and taking notes from this document: asta_lesson 2 Background information about cyclones

To help record our notes from our readings we will be using a note taking method we’ve explored before, the Cornell Note Taking System. We will be going over it in class but to refresh your memory check out the following link: http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html

If you want to further explore this area the following links will help:

After much discussion we came up with the following definition of  ’Extreme Weather Conditions’:

“Extreme weather is like regular weather only more intense. It occurs when normal weather conditions increase to potentially create a substantial amount of damage.”

Some definitions on ‘Extreme Weather Conditions’ we came across include:

Extreme or severe weather is simply really bad weather or weather on a larger, more serious and devastating scale.

(http://www.econet.org.uk/weather/extreme.html)

Extreme weather includes unusual, severe or unseasonal weather; weather at the extremes of the historical distribution—the range that has been seen in the past.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_weather)

Extreme weather is when a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern. This may take place over one day or a period of time. A flash flood or heat wave are two examples of extreme weather in the UK.

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/weather_climate/extreme_weather_rev1.shtml)

For today’s science lesson

For today’s science lesson we will be looking at developing a definition for the term ‘extreme weather’. I’ll then ask you to record your understanding of cyclones.

The following links will help:

Three Way Conferences: Students as leaders of their own learning

The three way conference is part of the personal learning domain. It gives you the opportunity to articulate and reflect on your learning and show what you have learnt since the beginning of this year. You are in charge of your own learning and this is the forum for you to show your parents what you can do.

Things to consider:

• You will focus on the two areas of literacy and numeracy and one area of your choice (if time permits).
• You may like to choose a work sample from the beginning of the year and one from recently to show your growth.
• You might prefer to choose one sample and highlight new knowledge and skill.
• Highlight your strengths: be specific and explicit about what you know and the learning you demonstrate.
• Discuss areas for future development: what is next for you in terms of your future goals. This may include your personal learning goals from your report.

Structure:

The duration of the interview is 10 minutes. You will discuss your learning for about 5 minutes and then there will be opportunity for your parents and teacher to ask you questions and give you feedback.

Throughout the conference parents and the teacher may; ask questions, provide feedback and give encouragement, and to share thoughts and ideas on what is being presented.

You will have the opportunity to practise your conference in class time. Use sticky notes and note taking to help be prepared for your presentation.

Below are several tables. The first three outline who does what on which day.

The last one shows the various debate topics for each week as well as topics for the prepared speech.

There will be no classmasters on the week of 18/8/2014 due to Book Week and the Trivia Quiz.