Thursday, December 12, 2013

Today we will take a practice test. I will count all of this work as PROJECT GRADE

We will grade it immediately after.

While grading you need to:
  • list the SE
  • list the correct Answer for each question.
  • graph your results.

Category
3
2
1
Test Questions
 All 17 questions are answered
All multiple choice answered
80% of multiple choice answered
Originality
Free response questions answered in your own words.
Free response questions original, but shared with neighbors.
Free response questions copied from internet sources.
Graph
Titled, axes are labeled, SE’s identified, and percentages are displayed in a well- proportioned bar graph
Elements from 3 missing, bar graph is oddly proportioned and does not depict the information clearly.
Sloppy, quickly, thrown together graph.
Grading
SE’s are listed as well as correct answers. Clear that answers were not changed.
Correct answers, but no SE’s
Answers were changed, scribbled or erased.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Jeopardy Review Project

12/5/2013

Work with a partner, based on your lowest scoring SE's develop a Jeopardy review game with questions for each SE.

Your review must have:

  • Five topic SEs.
  • Five questions for each SE.
  • Be ready to play tomorrow.

You can use test questions, quiz questions, questions you find in your research.

CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Knowledge Gained
All students in group could easily and correctly state several facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.
All students in the group could easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.
Most students in the group could easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.
Several students in the group could NOT correctly state facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.
Accuracy of Content
All information cards made for the game are correct.
All but one of the information cards made for the game are correct.
All but two of the information cards made for the game are correct.
Several information cards made for the game are not accurate.
Cooperative work
The group worked well together with all members contributing significant amounts of quality work.
The group generally worked well together with all members contributing some quality work.
The group worked fairly well together with all members contributing some work.
The group often did not work well together and the game appeared to be the work of only 1-2 students in the group.

Here's the link to several Jeopardy PPT templates. 

This is a project grade.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

ACP Review continued...

12/3/2013

Answer the following quiz questions on a sheet of paper.

In your folder today, I expect to see a second essay on your lowest scoring Student Expectation (SE...look at your graph inside your folder).

Just so you know, these are the people in the lead to finish all daily assignments first:

3rd - Marc, Gisela, and Liliana are tied at 8 
4th - Juan and Brenda are tied at 8
5th - Joselin is the clear leader at 9!!!
6th - Jocelyn is the leader at 7!
7th - Emily at 8!
8th - Robert, Damien, and Jason at 8...a battle for the finish.

First finishers get pie :D, and I will drop their lowest grade. Go speed racers.

Everyone check their grades, I had to put in missing grades for anyone with less than 5 assignments. I don't want you to have a false sense of where you are at on your average. You can still work on those grades, but you need to WORK not TALK.


Monday, December 2, 2013

ACP Review

12/2/2013

Based on your graph, look up the low-scoring objective.

Look up your student expectation on the ACP Blueprint. If your lowest SE doesn't show up here, then write about the next lowest.

Start by mapping the key words for the prompt.

Write an essay, or create a graphic that answers the prompt. Be sure the SE number is in the title. Must be complete by the end of class. 

DOL: Answer five quiz questions for your low-scoring SE.  


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

1
Recent climate data suggests a global warming trend. Disruption of which natural cycle MOST LIKELYcontributes to this temperature increase?
Aphosphorus cycle
Bcarbon cycle
Cnitrogen cycle
Dpotassium cycle
Answer: B  SE: EVS.4(D)
2
In a biome, elements such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon move between living things and their environment. These transfers of matter are part of—
Fbiogeochemical cycles
G
ecological succession
H
energy pyramids
J
symbiotic relationships
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)
3
Which would be the BEST tools to measure the density of a small piece of limestone?
Aa temperature probe and a balance
Ba pH probe and a 500 mL beaker
Ca metric ruler and a balance
Da graduated cylinder and a balance
Answer: D  SE: EVS.2(G)
4
Students studying the hydrologic cycle plan to use several rain gauges to compare average annual precipitation in several Texas state parks. Which of these variables should be the independent variable?
Fheight of the gauge
Gbrand of the gauge
Hsize of the gauge
Jlocation of the gauge
Answer: J  SE: EVS.2(E)
5
A student made a model of the Earth and its atmosphere by covering a box with plastic wrap and placing thermometers inside and outside of the box. A heat lamp was shined on the box. The temperature inside the box increased at a faster rate than the outside temperature. This model best represents—
Athe effects of acid rain on temperature inversions
Bthe role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat from radiation in the greenhouse effect
Cthe role of convection creating the Coriolis Effect in the ocean
Dozone depletion and its effect on global temperatures
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(C)
6

Upwelling is caused by thermal energy flowing through ecosystems when—
Foffshore winds blow the warm top layer of the ocean southward, bringing cold water and nutrients from deeper regions to the surface by convection
Gnortherly surface winds create offshore surface water to flow toward the land by conduction
Hradiation increases surface temperatures, causing water density to decrease and water to flow south
Jconduction from land to water in the summer increases surface water temperatures
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(C)
7
In the wealthy, oil-rich United Arab Emirates near Dubai, a $14 billion dollar construction project is creating a series of man-made islands topped with beautiful, resort homes for the super wealthy. Most renewable and non-renewable resources will have to come from outside ecosystems. Which one does NOT?
A
energy
B
steel
C
lumber
D
food
Answer: A  SE: EVS.5(D)
8
A couple from Dallas wants to build a vacation home on the coast of Texas. Which renewable resource must be imported from an outside ecosystem to finish the construction?
Fwater
Ggasoline
Hlumber
Jnatural gas
Answer: H  SE: EVS.5(D)
9
Excerpt from Nature News: October 2005: Parts of the Amazon rainforest are enduring the worst drought in 40 years, prompting local government to declare several cities in the Brazilian state of Amazonas as disaster areas. Researchers say that rising sea temperatures in the North Atlantic, perhaps prompted by climate change, are probably to blame. The warm waters tend to encourage evaporation, leading to low pressure systems over the Atlantic. This creates storm conditions that carry water and energy towards the United States. This caused one of the worst hurricane seasons on record, that included Hurricane Katrina. But it also sets up high pressure systems over neighboring regions further south, such as the Amazon. High pressure systems tend to carry fewer clouds and provide less rainwater. Dry conditions in the rainforest could lead to fires and continued deforestation, which could only increase the rate of global climate change.

How are the processes in the water cycle related to the strength and severity of hurricanes like Katrina in 2005?

AWarmer than normal ocean surface temperatures cause clouds to lose moisture and energy to ocean currents, causing hurricane-force winds.
BWarmer than normal ocean surface temperatures lead to an extreme amount of evaporation. This causes thick clouds of condensation to store huge amounts of energy and water vapor.
CCooler than normal ocean temperatures cause condensation and heavy precipitation along coastal areas.
D
Cooler than normal ocean surface temperatures cause strong winds to create heavy ocean evaporation. This leads to inland flooding.
Answer: B  SE: EVS.4(C)
10
On a field trip to a volcano that has recently erupted, your teacher asks you to classify the types of rock that you see and include them in a diagram of the rock cycle. You could expect to find samples of—
Fsedimentary rock, such as sandstone
Gmetamorphic rock, such as slate
Hextrusive igneous rock, such as obsidian
Jall three types of rock would be found in equal amounts
Answer: H  SE: EVS.4(C)
11
Deep water ocean currents, sometimes called “conveyer belt currents,” flow as warm waters from the Gulfstream lose thermal energy, decrease in density, and sink in the Northern Atlantic. The waters then flow southward and eventually into the Pacific where they are heated again and rise. Energy flows through this system due to—
Aconvection
B
conduction
C
radiation
D
deposition
Answer: A  SE: EVS.6(C)
12

Based on the diagram above, about what percent of the plant’s biomass is available to SECONDARY consumers who are predators of the caterpillar?
F17%
G33%
H53%
J100%
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)
13

Inorganic phosphate is an important nutrient in the ecosystem which organisms need to produce nucleic acids and cell membranes. Which of the following pairs of biogeochemical cycles have the GREATEST interaction with the phosphorus cycle to bring inorganic phosphate to plants?
ANitrogen Cycle and Hydrologic Cycle
BCarbon Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle
CCarbon Cycle and Sulfur Cycle
DRock Cycle and Hydrologic Cycle
Answer: D  SE: EVS.4(C)
14

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into layers based on temperature gradients. Which is the correct order of the layers (beginning at the Earth’s surface)?
FStratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Troposphere
GThermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
HTroposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere
JThermosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(A)
15
Currents carrying water past the continental shelves influence climate patterns. Currents such as the Gulf Stream in the Northern Hemisphere and the Brazilian Current in the Southern Hemisphere continually transport water heated by solar radiation from the equator toward the poles. Compared to inland areas at the same latitude, the coastal areas affected by these currents will—
Abe cooler in temperature
B
be warmer in temperature
C
have more storms
D
have a shorter growing season
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(E)
16
Which components of the Earth’s systems are MOST CORRECTLYmatched with their related topics?
FBiosphere: Earth’s mantle and core
GHydrosphere: Plate tectonics
HCryosphere: Glacier thickness
JGeosphere: Ocean currents
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(A)
17
Fresh water typically sits on top of seawater in estuaries where fresh water and salt water meet. This is due to seawater’s—
A
greater density
Blower freezing point
Cgreater mass
D
warmer temperature
Answer: A  SE: EVS.6(A)
18
Food waste in a compost bin gives off heat as it decomposes. What is the BEST explanation of this phenomenon?
F
As communities of decomposers break down waste, their cellular respiration gives off thermal energy.
G
As worms move through the soil, they generate heat due to friction.
H
Water in the compost pile heats as it evaporates.
J
Solar radiation causes the compost pile to heat faster than the surrounding area.
Answer: F  SE: EVS.6(E)
19
Farmers decide to stop growing legume crops. This reduces the number of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. How would this affect the nitrogen cycle?
AAfter a few years, plant production would decrease and farmers would have to add more synthetic fertilizers to get the same crop yields.
B
Precipitation would increase, causing lightning to fix more nitrogen in the atmosphere.
C
Nitrates would accumulate in the soil.
DThe amount of atmospheric nitrogen would decrease.
Answer: A  SE: EVS.4(C)
20
Nation
Electricity Production from Renewable Sources
(in billion kilowatt hours per year in 2008)
China
537
USA
393
Canada
390
Brazil
385
Russia
166
Norway
139
India
128

Data from National Geographic June 2011 pg 120

A developing nation wants to set goals to become one of the leaders in clean energy and sustainable electricity generation in the world. What is the MEDIAN renewable electricity production of the top seven nations listed above?
F305
G
385
H
409
J
537
Answer: G  SE: EVS.5(C)
21

A valid conclusion that is supported from these graphic organizers is that—
Auranium mining wastes a tremendous amount of the stored energy in uranium
Bsilicon solar cells are extremely energy efficient compared to nuclear power plants
Cnuclear waste is a terrible environmental problem that can be solved by using fossil fuels
Dsolar and nuclear electricity generation have similar net efficiencies
Answer: D  SE: EVS.6(D)
22
An experiment was performed to determine the effect of different types of fertilizer on plant growth. Sixty pots containing identical plants were divided into three equal groups and placed in a well-lighted greenhouse. Each pot contained an unfertilized potting medium and one plant. Materials were then added to each experimental group of pots as shown.


What should be added to the control group of pots?
F
only water
Gonly water and organic fertilizer
Honly water and synthetic fertilizer
Jwater and both organic and synthetic fertilizer
Answer: F  SE: EVS.2(E)
23
Nitrogen Cycle Diagram

In the diagram above of the nitrogen cycle, the boxes marked X, Y, and Z should contain the following chemicals—
A
X = N2     Y= NO2-     Z= NH4+
B
X = NO3-     Y= NO2-     Z= NH4+
C
X = N2     Y= NH4+     Z = NO2-
D
X = NH4+     Y= NO2-     Z= NO3-
Answer: D  SE: EVS.4(C)
Use the following information to answer the next two questions.

24
The graphic above shows biomass at each level of the energy pyramid. Based on these numbers, how many tuna could be supported by 1 X 10kg of phytoplankton?
F10kg
G100kg
H1000kg
J10,000kg
Answer: H  SE: EVS.6(D)
25
Scientists have observed that ecosystems like the one shown rarely contain more than a few trophic levels. What is the BESTexplanation for this observation, based on the first law of thermodynamics?
AEnergy transfer efficiency is high because heat is stored at each trophic level.
BEnergy transfer efficiency is low because heat is released at each trophic level.
C
Energy amounts remain constant when transferred between levels.
DEnergy cannot be transferred through trophic levels.
Answer: B  SE: EVS.6(D)
26
Your company is developing an eco-resort that is built over a coral reef ecosystem. What challenges would you have in order to run a sustainable, green business? Name and EXPLAIN at least three. As you list these, consider: What energy source would you choose and why? What materials and resources must come from outside the ecosystem to make your project work?

Challenge #1:

Challenge #2: 

Challenge #3:
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.5(C)
27
Aldo Leopold was a pioneering environmental ethicist. His advanced training in the environment profoundly influenced his moral vision of the natural world. Leopold was an ecologist, farmer, forester and conservationist who wrote explicitly about human moral duties to nature. He was the first to articulate a land ethic, or to describe moral responsibilities for land.

As you reflect on the relationships that exist within the environment, what moral responsibilities do you think we as individuals have in relationship to the environment? Explain your answer.
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.9(I)
28
Identify and describe the interactions between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere as they play a role and how these interactions impact an ecosystem. Be sure to include the role solar energy plays in the interactions.
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.6(A)
29
The Caribbean Islands were formed as one plate was subducted under another plate. The subduction resulted in back-arc volcanism, which allowed for volcanic islands to form.


How would the geological structure of the Caribbean Islands affect the type of natural resources it would have?

What type of resources would the islands have to import, because they cannot be self-reliant?
Answer: 0 to 2  SE: EVS.5(D)
30
Should laws be created that mandate a community to recycle materials that are in high need? Justify your answer.
Answer: 0 to 1  SE: EVS.9(I)