Soon, I'll be leaving you...but I'll be back!

First, I've posted all of the notes that I didn't post earlier as well as the notes that you'll most likely be doing in the future. I've given my substitute some latitude as to what chapters she might choose to do with you, but just in case, I've included the chapter 17 notes as well, as that is the chapter that I would be doing with you if I were there. Be nice! I know that I can count on you. She plans on doing much of your gradingn, after all!

Finally, I will update this blog at some point with information about the new little guy, in case you're curious. I may even include a photo...just depends upon whether I feel like opening him up to the web at such a young age...

Silly Chinese...

Ok, because some Chinese folks thought that it would be a good idea to hack into Google servers and because Google decided to change the way that they encrypt data, I can't post from school until central office reworks some things. Ho hum.....

Anyway, we've begun a new unit on the running water, chapter 9, and will continue with groundwater, chapter 10. My two favorites! Next to geologic dating, fossils, and origins, of course. Sometime during all of this, my wife and I will have another baby and you'll be blessed with a reprieve from me. Ha! Until then, we have a quiz next Tuesday over chapter 9! Don't forget that homework!

Congrats to those groups whose projects were funded. Nice job!

The end of chapter 12

Well folks, we've had lot's of time away from one another...perhaps we'll have more. But, we will be wrapping up chapter 12 (deserts) for sure this Friday. We will start on chapter 9, running water, and continue with chapter 10 after that. Beyond that, we'll have to see where we are.

Snowmageddon!

Mrs. Somers made that word up! Well, we haven't had school for awhile, and I think that it looks as though we may not be seeing each other for a while longer. The huge storm Friday into Saturday should bring us between 12-24 inches of snow. Another storm, coming on its heels this coming Tuesday, along with all of the cold air, may very well snow us in next week as well. We'll see what the weather does and how school officials respond. Whatever happens, keep on studying chapter 12!

Keep an eye on Henry Margusity's blog at accuweather.com. I've posted his lastest snow map for you here.

You've got to see this...rock on!

Geology Rocks from Jason Arvanites on Vimeo.

Deserts!

Our next chapter, chapter 12, will focus on deserts. Now, you might ask, why learn about deserts this time of year? Well, it's a great time of year to think warm thoughts! You might also ask, whatever happened to chapters 9 and 10, I was really looking forward to them!? Well, don't dismay. We'll do those, because I'm looking forward to them also! I just want to hit them when we can get outside a bit, so we'll save those for spring and jump around just a little as we begin this new semester. Deserts are a fun places. If you've been to a desert, then you know what I mean! I've been to deserts in several states (and countries), Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Kansas, Greece...just to name a few. But, Mr. Kohrs, I didn't know there were deserts in Kansas! Well, the great plains is sometimes referred to as "The Great American Desert". The plains to get more rainfall then, say, Nevada, but it's still limited. So what defines a desert? Rainfall! We'll talk more about this, but you should certainly begin working on your homework!

A new year...and an end to a semester!

I sincerely hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year is staring off well. Have you resolved to improve yourselves in any way this year? While your performance in my class is important to me, and hopefully to yourself, it's more important to constantly find ways to perform well as "you". That ability will take you much further in life than any knowledge of geology!

We'll be ending the semester with chapter 11. It's a cold topic, glaciers, that is appropriate for this time of year. It's also a relatively short chapter that can easily be fit before exams. Consequently, we'll finish with the homework and quiz on next Friday, January 15th. This will give us some time to review for your exam which will take place one week after that.

Let's finish the semester strong!