Thursday, November 12, 2009

You must have an independent reading book every day. If you are getting close to the end of one, have the next one at school and ready to go. Math: 7th & 8th Grade:

• Test tomorrow, Fri., 11/13, on Math's Mates Term 1. Use completed, corrected MM sheets for review.

Science:

• Due Fri., 11/13: Read Mesopotamian Science handout and answer attached questions.

Social Studies:

• None assigned.

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 11/13: Reread the Prometheus poem several times to become very familiar with it. Memorize the lines you have been assigned to know by heart for Thursday's performance.

Moment of Zen: Camels graze next to a ship abandoned in the Aral Sea bed. (click picture for larger version) Follow this link to see satellite photos of the Aral each year from 2000 to the present. I was there in 2002, visiting the city of Aralsk, Kazakhstan, not marked on this map, but on what was the Northeast coast in the 1960s. While the dramatic evaporation of the lower section is the most striking change, note that the upper section actually has expanded some. (NASA Earth Observatory) You can also see satellite shots of the Aral from 1964, 1973, 1987 and 1999 by following this link. (U.S. Geological Survey) Along this link are photos from Moynaq, Uzbekistan, another former coastal fishing city. (October 2008)