Melting Icebergs

After completing the Melting Iceburgs experiment, it is very obvious that as the iceburgs melt there is the possibility of the oceans becoming too overloaded with water, causing rising waters on many shore areas.   This can have a negative impact on many different aspects of our natural world. 

One factor we must look at will be the temperature of our waters.  Even though the ice is melting, it will be cooler than some of the water found in some oceans.  As cooler water starts to fill the oceans, that will eventually move into other oceans.  What impact will this have on our ecosystems found in different oceans?  Will plants be able to survive a drop of 2-3 degrees in temperature?  How will food chains and webs be affected?  Also, will the melting occur so quickly that this will be an issue?  Or because they are melting slowly will this not be a factor at all? 

5 "E"mazing!!!!

Since October I have implemented the 5 E lesson plan strategy of instruction in my classroom as much as possible.  I ABSOLUTELY love it!!  I am no longer standing in the front of the room for 30 or 40 minutes lecturing my 7th graders.  They are engrossed in mini projects, some that take a few days, some that take a class period.  All in all, my students seem to be more engaged and are learning the material with more ease.  I taught the unit on Genetics with this strategy and it was very effective. 

I love getting away from a lecture based classroom.  My students are asking more questions, they are turning into scientists!!! =)