Grand Canyon

Stream table with standard flow of water and no slope

What landforms do you notice in these pictures?  The sand/clay mixture represented the Colorado Plateau.  Do you see the canyon?  Can you identify the delta?  In our investigation, we learned the wearing away of earth materials

 caused by the forces of water, have changed the shape of the earth's surface overtime.  We also learned that the flow of water changes the land by moving eroded earth particles downstream which then carve steep valleys and canyons, as well as forms plains and deltas along the way. 

How does steeper slopes affect the rate of erosion and deposition?  How does a flood affect the rate of erosion and deposition?  We will soon find out! 

Circle Graphs

What does a circle and rotational symmetry have in common?  A circle has 360 degrees.  In order to determine if a polygon has rotational symmetry, we need to rotate it in a circular motion.  If we rotate that polygon less than 360 degrees and it fits on top of its original position, then it has rotational symmetry.  


We used this knowledge to understand, interpret and create circle graphs.  Circle graph is just like a pie chart.  If we collect data from 24 people, then each part of the circle should add up to 24.  The data collected represents a portion of the circle (or pie).  If the total number of data collected is 24, then 12 represents half (or 50%) of the circle. So, half or 50% of the people chose blue as their favorite color.   4 out of 24 people chose yellow.  This number represents 1/6 of the total number of people, so it should occupy 1/6 of the circle.  8 people chose red, which represents 1/3 of the total number of people, so it should occupy 1/3 of the circle.  


If we divide the circle into 12 equal sections (similar to a clock), then each section of the circle will represent 2 people because 24 divided by 12 equals 2.  

Why do students need to know or be able to do this?

• Students apply their discoveries about angles in a circle to interpret and create circle graphs.

Did You Remember.....

Science Fair participation forms are due on Monday, January 13th.  If you have not starting working on your project, please do so!  

Geometry Review

Welcome back to school!  We needed some time to review geometry concepts, so we began with discussing how to measure the interior angles of a triangle.  Using a  protractor can be tricky, but just remember that the two sides of the angle being measured must cross the protractor.  The vertex (or point) of the angle should be in the middle of the small circle at the bottom of the protractor.  One side should intersect at 0 degrees and the location the second side intersects the protractor will be the measurement........but hold on!  You say there are two numbers on the protractor where the second side intersects?!  You would be correct, so you have to choose wisely.  If the angle is an acute angle (smaller than the corner of your paper, or 90 degrees), then use the smaller number.  If the angles is an obtuse angle (larger than the corner of your paper, or 90 degrees), then use the larger number.  If you add up all the measurements (three angles total), then you will surely get a sum of 180 degrees.  All interior angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees.  And since a quadrilateral (four-sided figure) is made of two triangles, the interior angles add up to 360 degrees.  How many triangles make up a pentagon?  Three.  So that means that the interior angles of a pentagon add up to 540 degrees if each of the three triangles are 180 degrees.  180 x 30 =540.

To "Create These Figures", you are given the measurement of two or three angles in a polygon.  Your job is to find the measurement of the missing angles and use a protractor to draw these figures.  Remember, a reflex angle is an angle that measures more than 180 degrees.  I have done number 1 for you.  Please study the example and use this information to complete the homework.  Have fun!