Mr. Nolde's Sixth Grade Earth Science Page

Before trying any of these experiments, you must have "Shockwave" and "Flash" on your computer.

If you don't have them, you can download both of them for free by clicking here:

The Earth & Its Materials

Name That Rock! -This game will help you to study for our lab practical on some of the most common types of rocks found on Earth.

The 15 Most Wanted Quiz Game! -This game will also help you to study for our lab practical on some of the most common types of rocks found on Earth.

Online Lab Practical -This page contains pictures of some of our most common rocks in the world. On a separate piece of paper, see if you can correctly identify each one of the rocks.

Here's a Second Online Lab Practical! -This page also contains pictures of some of our most common rocks in the world. On a separate piece of paper, see if you can correctly identify each one of the rocks.

Minerals and Metals Around the House -Did you ever stop and think about just how many raw materials are used in all of the things that we have in our house? This game helps you discover just some of the many minerals and metals that are used in making the many things that we take for granted.

Cementation of Sedimentary Rocks -This animation gives you a better understanding as to how sedimentary rocks like sandstone form over time.

Rock Cycle Interactive -Begin your adventure by collecting and learning about various rocks. All of the rocks that you collect are ones that we are learning about and will be on our lab practical! Also, be sure to click on the Rock Cycle Diagram. There are a lot of good animations to click on to help you better understand all of the processes that happen in the rock cycle.

Interactive Animated Rock Cycle -This animation does an excellent job helping you to understand all of the different parts of the rock cycle. Click the image to start the animation. Each time the main animation stops, be sure to click on the blinking features to see a visualization.

Drag & Drop Rock Cycle Chart -This activity will help you review all of the basic processes that happen throughout the course of the rock cycle. See if you can correctly place each label into this rock cycle chart.

Another Animated Rock Cycle -Although I like our rock cycle chart better than the one in this activity, there are some cool looking animations that are worth clicking on!

Take the Rock ID. Challenge -There are pictures of 12 different rocks. Test each rock by doing a number of on-line experiments. Be sure to use the "Rock Key" to help you in figuring out what each rock is. Good luck!

Find a Rock -Use the Foss database to find out about all sorts of rocks and minerals. A lot of the rocks and minerals found here, are ones that we've already discovered and learned about in class. I think that you'll be surprised at what you will remember from class!

Layers of the Earth -This site does a great job of quickly explaining the three basic layers of the Earth.

Mohs' Drill & Castle of Doom! -Learn about Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale while escaping the Castle of Doom! The walls are closing in on you. To escape, you must drill through the walls. See if you can find the right drill to blast through the wall.

How do Diamonds Form? -This is a question that I often get asked. This page has a great animation that does a good job of explaining the process that can turn carbon into a diamond.

Identifying Layers of Soil -See if you can remember what the different layers of soil are called. Drag the cards next to each of the layers and then match each layer with its description.

Stages of Soil Formation -In this activity, see if you can put the pictures in the correct order showing the stages of soil formation.

Soil Composting -Plants need soil that is enriched with nutrients. You can help enrich the soil by composting. In this activity, decide which items get recycled, and which items need to be put in the composting bin.

How Soil Forms in Layers -Find out how the Earth's materials break down and form distinctive layers of soil in this activity.

Why Soil Forms in Layers -This site also does an excellent job of helping you understand how and why soil forms in layers.

Test Your Soil IQ -Let's see just how well you understand the basics of soil and why soil is so very important to us. See if you are a soil expert by getting all 8 questions correct in this activity.

"The Dirt on Soil"- Soil Safari -Get ready to take the pilot's seat of the Earth Ship as you travel on a microscopic safari through the soil beneath your feet! Your help is desperately needed in this area where a toxic chemical is making its way through to the underground water. Your job is to discover what kind of soil organism can actually eat this toxic chemical. Can you find this organism in time to save the meadow? Let the adventures begin!

Soils Around the World -Did you ever stop to think about the fact that soil is NOT the same everywhere in the world? Depending on the type of climate & topography, soil varies from place to place. For example, the type of soil that you will find in a tropical rainforest will be quite different from a soil that you might find in a desert or in an polar region. This activity has a really good interactive map that lets you explore the various soils of the world.

How does Soil Vary from Place to Place? -In this activity, you will soon discover that soil isn't the same in all parts of the country. Be sure to check out all of the cool pictures of the different soil horizons by clicking on the United States map. If you carefully go through the first 5 parts of this activity, you will discover whether or not the amount of rain an area receives affects how deep the topsoil is for that area.

Profile of NJ's State Soil -This site has a picture of a typical soil profile from the state of NJ that will help you with the last step of our lab examining how soil varies from place to place.

Dirt Detective: Trees & Soils -This activity helps us to understand what soil scientists do. Perform two tests on the soil samples to learn why you find different trees growing in different environments. As you do this activity, think about which soil type is most similar to the soil that we find in Edgar woods!

Which Types of Soils Absorb Water the Fastest? -See if you can correctly predict which soil type: gravel, sand, or silt will absorb water the fastest. Be sure to click the red "off" button at the exact time in which the water gets completely absorbed by the soil type!

Landforms, Weathering, & Erosion

Shape it Up! -In class, we explored how the Grand Canyon was formed by the powerful eroding force of water. This activity explores how wind, water, volcanoes, and glaciers have had an impact on the shape of our land over time. Be sure to play this game more than once! Although you might get the same landform with the same erosional force, it might be showing you a different length of time!

Types of Mass Movement -As we discovered when working with our stream tables, gravity has a huge impact on the movement of sediments. In this activity, be sure to read the overview first. Then click on the overview tab. There are 8 slides for you to check out before going over to the interactive model.

The Virtual Stream Table Lab --Did you enjoy the work that we did with stream tables? There are so many really cool experiments that can be done with stream tables. This activity allows you to compare 2 stream tables at the same time by changing one variable in the experiment. The variables (the thing you change in an experiment!) include the length of time, the slope, the stream flow rate, and type of material. I recommend that you click on the "View Stream Table" first! Then click on the RED "?" in the upper right corner of the screen. It will explain all of the variables as well as how to conduct the different experiments.

Landforms Created by Erosion -Click on different parts of the U.S. map to see the different types of landforms that have all been created by forces of erosion.

How do Caves Form? -This animation shows us how limestone caves can develop over thousands of years.

How do Sinkholes Form? -Do you remember what we learned about chemical erosion? This activity really helps explain how caverns and sinkholes form under the ground.

Groundwater Adventure - Be sure to check out this interactive adventure that will help to understand and see groundwater, sinking streams, rock and other features in the structure of karst.

The Water Cycle Explained -Click on the various parts of this interactive to learn more about all of the processes that are involved in the water cycle.

Interactive Water Cycle -Click on the various parts of this interactive to learn more about all of the processes that are involved in the water cycle.

Water Cycle Diagram -Click on the various parts of this interactive diagram to learn more about all of the processes that are involved in the water cycle.

Water Cycle Interactive Video -Click on the various parts of this interactive video to learn more about all of the processes that are involved in the water cycle.

Water Cycle Game -This activity is a great way to learn about and remember all of the important parts of the water cycle.

Oceans and Continents Quiz Game -See if you can get a perfect score of 33 by correctly identifying all seven continents and four of the five oceans in this game.

Oceans & Continents ID Game -Click on the correct continent or ocean in this quiz game. See if you can get a perfect score of 11 points in the shortest amount of time!

Oceans & Continents Advanced ID Game -In this quiz game, you will need to click and drag the continent or ocean to the correct spot on this map. See if you can get a perfect score of 11 points in the shortest amount of time!

Fifty Nifty United States Quiz Game -See if you can get a perfect score of 50 out of 50 by correctly identifying the location of all fifty states of the U.S.A. in this game.

Place the State -This game is a bit trickier to play than the Fifty Nifty United States Quiz Game. In this game, see if you can correctly place each state in its EXACT place on the map.

Geospy- The Game! -This interactive game, put out by Maggie's Earth Adventures is a great way to see if you really know your continents and countries.

Observe the Many Faces of Mt. Shasta -In class, we created our own 3-D model of Mt. Shasta. Using the pieces from that model, we were able to create a topographic map and, ultimately, drew a profile of Mt. Shasta from one side of the mountain. In this activity, take a careful look at the 8 different types of imagery that depict the true shape of this beautiful volcanic mountain. In particular, be sure to check out the 3-D topographic map and the 3-D fly around movie. They're really cool!

How do Map Projections Distort the Earth's Surface? -This site does a great job of demonstrating what happens when we try to flatten the surface found on a globe. Be sure to click on the "Next" button on the right hand corner of the screen to see the map and globe comparison as well as seeing other interesting animations and illustrations of map projections.

How are Landforms Represented on Flat Maps? -Be sure to follow all 12 steps in this topographic map investigation by clicking on the Next button on the right hand corner of the screen! Some of the 3-D models are really cool, but may take a bit of time to load. Be patient! It's well worth it!

Creating a Profile from a Topographic Map -Do you remember creating a profile of Mt. Shasta from our topographic map? This website explores this process in a similar way.

Build a Landscape- An Adventure in Topographic Mapping -Use the buttons below the maps in this activity to change the features of the landscape. What's great about this activity, is that you get to see in real time, how both your 3-D model and your topographic map respond to changes that you create in your landscape.

Create Your Own Universe Timeline -Did you realize that the universe is between 13 and 15 billion years old? See if you can place the events in the correct order in which they happened.

Comprehending Geologic Time -It's hard to imagine just how long humans have been on this planet, especially when you put it in the context of the whole history of the Earth. This is a great activity that gives us a better understanding of just how short a period of time that humans have been on this Earth.

Rockman's Geological Time Chart -This site does an excellent job of describing and displaying all of the different geological time periods. Also, be sure to check out Rockman's rock cycle page.

Fossil Fun!- Burying Bodies -A lot about what we have learned about the Earth's history comes from its fossil record. This activity helps you understand what are the perfect conditions in order for a fossil to be formed. Click and drag the dead beast in this activity and place it in different parts of the picture to see what happens!

Making Fossils -A once living organism must go on a lengthy journey before it can reappear at the surface as a fossil. It's very rare that all the conditions are right for this strange process to happen. This website does a very nice job of giving you an overview of the types of fossils and how they form.

Mold & Cast Fossil Animation -This site has a good animation of how a fossil forms. Be sure to click over the animation to stop it at anytime.

Layers of Time! -This is a really cool game. Using the fossils found in each layer of rock, see if you can correctly place the rock layers in order from the oldest layer (being on the bottom) to youngest layer (being on the top.) When doing this activity, be sure to use the fossil clues in each layer to help you match layers of rock that belong together.

Using Index Fossils -As you may recall from class, index fossils are fossils of organisms that were from species that existed for short periods of time, were abundant, and were widespread geographically. In this activity, begin with the "Rock Layer Formation" mode to watch how the rock layers formed with various organisms fossilizing in the different layers. Then go to the "Identify Rock Layers" mode. Click & drag the different colored squares onto the correct rock layers by using the index fossils to determine the relative age of each rock layer.

What Causes an Unconformity? -Do you remember our virtual trip down the Grand Canyon, when we came across John Wesley Powell's "Great Unconformity?" This animation does an incredible job of explaining what happens when the layers of rock have a HUGE gap of geological time missing from them.

Grand Canyon Explorer -This site does an awesome job of explaining a lot of the common questions that students have about the Grand Canyon.... How did it form? Where did all of the rock come from? Why does it look like it does? When did all of this happen?

Photos from the Grand Canyon -Did you enjoy seeing Mr. Nolde's photos from his rafting trip down the Grand Canyon? The National Park Service has posted LOTS of great photos to enjoy. Click on any of the thumbnails for larger pictures.

Plates on the Move -Explore 12 different places around the world and learn how the movement of our tectonic plates has affected these areas in very different ways!

Those Puzzling Plates -This is a really fun activity that lets you learn the names and locations of 14 of the Earth's main plates. Click here if you have a high speed connection for an even cooler version of this game.

World Plates & Boundaries Flash Map -This flash map allows you to quickly see where the largest of the tectonic plates are located and allows you to animate their size and their boundary outlines.

Divergent Boundaries

Convergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries

Movement of Continental Plates -This is a great site that has some really good animations as to the basic ways in which continental plates move.

Interactive World Map -This interactive map allows you to display where the various types of plate boundaries are located throughout the world.

Sea Floor Spreading Animation -This flash animation does a fine job of illustrating what happens at divergent boundaries on the ocean floor.

Formation of Ocean Crust -This flash animation gives a good visualization of how new ocean crust forms.

Animation of Convection Currents -As we discovered in class, scientists believe that the continents are slowing moving due to the convection currents that are moving in the semi-liquid mantle below the Earth's crust. This animation does a nice job illustrating this movement.

Convection Currents in a Heated Container of Water -When water boils, it's basically convection currents going at full tilt!! This animation gives us a good visualization of what's really happening at the molecular level. Be sure to click on the bunsen burner to heat up the liquid.

Mr. Nolde's Convection Movie -This film demonstrates what happens when a body of warmer liquid is placed under a much colder body of liquid. If you look carefully, you can see the colder water replacing the warmer water that is leaving the glass flask!

Mr. Nolde's Convection in a Room Movie Part 1 -As you have hear me say in class before, whether we are working with water or we are working with air, they both behave in quite similar ways. This experiment demonstrates what happens when a heat source such as a radiator provides warm air to a room full of cooler air.

Mr. Nolde's Convection in a Room Movie Part 2 -What happens when this fish tank experiment is left to sit out for a while? Well, the small bottle of warm water eventually cools down to the point that it's temperature is similar to that of the rest of the fish tank full of water. When this happens, "no movement occurs!"

Mr. Nolde's Plate Motion Movie -How can we demonstrate that the tectonic plates in the crust are slowly moving due to the convection currents within the mantle?? Watch this demonstration to see convection currents in action! As you can see, I carefully placed tiny bits of wax paper on the surface of the tank of water. As the convection currents from the warm water in the flask below begins to circulate, the bits of wax paper begin to circulate as well- JUST like our tectonic plates do from the convection currents that circulate in the semi-liquid mantle. (It just happens much more slowly with the crustal plates- OF COURSE!)

Mr. Nolde's Convection Box Movie -Quite often, it is difficult to actually see the movement of convection currents when it comes to air. In this classic experiment, we are able to see the movement of convection currents as the smoke from the smoldering paper towel travels downward with the cool air into the box. The cooler air is drawn into the box as it replaces the warmer air that leaves the box. The warmer air leaves the box due to the heat of the candle heating the air under the second hole in the box.

Crusty Stuff! -This is a fun activity in which you roll the Earth out with a rolling pin and travel back to a time when the continents were all together. Be sure to slide your mouse along the timeline to see how the Earth's surface has changed.

Continental Divide- The Breakup of Pangaea -This site has a great interactive timeline. Just click and drag on the circle to see where we believe the continents were located at the various time periods. Also, be sure to click on the different clues to learn more!

Continental Drift -Click the play button on the timeline underneath the map to see where various landmasses have moved over the course of the last 225 million years. Also, be sure to click on the other options in the "Continent Movement" menu. See if you can click and drag the correct present-day landmass to its correct spot on the map for each time period.

Pangaea Flash Animation -This flash animation shows Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.

Split-up of Pangaea -This is a great animation that you can control yourself showing the movements of the continents from 200 million years ago to the present. Just click and drag your mouse across the image.

Split-up of Pangaea -Although this takes a bit longer to load, this is also a great animation that you can control showing the movements of the continents and the seafloor spreading from 200 million years ago to the present.

250 million years into the future! -Did you ever wonder where the Earth's continents will be located 250 million years from now? This animation does a great job showing where the continents will be located based on current movements of our Earth's plates. Just click and drag your mouse across the image.

Solve the Interactive Map -See if you can correctly identify all seven continents on our 250 million year old map of Pangaea.

Anatomy of an Earthquake -Take a journey below the Earth's surface to discover what causes earthquakes. Find out where earthquakes are most likely to take place.

Changing the Thickness of a Layer -This animation allows you to compare the paths that P and S waves would take in models of the Earth with liquid cores of different sizes.

Make Your Own Earthquake -There are 3 types of seismic waves that occur during an earthquake. Play this activity to discover how P waves, S waves, & Surface waves all move through the crust in different ways. Be sure to click on the grid in the ground structure box to see each type of wave travel separately through the crust!

Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker -As we learned in class, the Earth's crust is made up of a series of thick plates that drift atop the soft underlying mantle. In this activity, you can build mountains, trigger volcanoes, and create new sea floor by moving these plates.

What is the Richter Scale Anyway? -This site does a great job explaining what the typical effects are that we feel when we experience earthquakes of different magnitudes.

Plate Action -This activity explores how plates, earthquakes and volcanoes are related. To play this game, squeeze the sponge to remove Earth's oceans, then drag the scanner and seismic tool over the picture to see where Earth's volcanoes and earthquakes occur. What do you notice?

The Hot Zones -This is another site that explores how plate movement causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains to form. There are a number of really good animations in this site to help explain these wonders of the Earth.

Earthquake Animation -What happens inside the Earth when an earthquake happens? Click here to find out. This site has some good animations that help us to better understand earthquakes.

Earth: All Stressed Out -This step-by-step exploration of what happens during an earthquake features a number of great animations to help us better understand just what goes on during an earthquake.

Observe What Happens During an Earthquake -There are 3 films from 3 different security cameras taken during the same earthquake at locations near Seattle, Washington. Watch each clip carefully. Use the time stamps in the lower left corner of each movie to determine when the shaking started and how long it lasted in each location.

Locating Earthquakes

Earthquake Top Ten Lists and Maps -This site has everything you might want to know about significant earthquakes in recent history.

Top Earthquake States -Which states are the riskiest one's to live in with regards to earthquakes? Click here to find out.

Latest Quakes in the USA -This site has really great, detailed map of the latest earthquakes that have happened in the U.S. Be sure to click on parts of the map to zoom in!

Any earthquake activity happen today? -This site has really great, detailed maps of the earth that show us where recent volcanic and earthquake activity has occurred. This site is updated daily.

List of Earthquake Times & Locations -This site gives you a concise listing in chronological order of the latest earthquakes over 2.5 and their locations. Make sure that you move the map around to see the latest Earthquakes for that particular region.

Mr. Nolde's 2004-2005 Earthquake Journal -Click here to see our first-ever Edgar School Earthquake Journal! Do you notice any patterns as to where the major earthquakes in the world tend to take place?

Mr. Nolde's 2005-2006 Earthquake Journal -Click here to see our second Edgar School Earthquake Journal. Do you notice any similarity in the patterns as to where the major earthquakes in the world took place in this year's journal compared to our previous journal?

Mr. Nolde's 2006-2007 Earthquake Journal -Click here to see our third Edgar School Earthquake Journal. Do you notice any similarities or differences in the patterns as to where the major earthquakes in the world took place in this year's journal as compared to our previous journals?

Mr. Nolde's 2007-2008 Earthquake Journal -Click here to see last year's Edgar School Earthquake Journal. Looking at all of our earlier data, do you find any patterns emerging?

Mr. Nolde's Compiled Classroom Earthquake Journals -This map is the work of ongoing research that Mr. Nolde's students have collected using data from the USGS website. Click here to see what the world map looks like with ALL of the earthquakes that Mr. Nolde's students have plotted over the past 4 years! Do you notice any distinct patterns as to where the major earthquakes in the world take place? Why do you think so??

Build a Volcano! -This comes from the National Geographic Website activity called "Forces of Nature" and is one of the best sites that I've found about the basics of volcanoes. To begin, click on the volcano image on the upper left corner of the yellow screen. Explore the science behind volcanoes and then create your own volcano by controlling the variables that cause different types of eruptions. Also, be sure to click on the "map" & "case studies" tabs on the upper right-hand corner of the screen for additional volcano adventures. While you're at it, be sure to check out the science behind tornadoes, hurricanes, & earthquakes too!

Basic Types of Volcanoes -This site does a great job of providing you with an overview of the basic types of volcanoes.

Composite Volcanic Eruption Animation -Click here to interact with the art of a composite volcano eruption. This site does a great job of labeling the common features found inside and outside a composite volcano.

Volcanoes of the World -This is the most complete database on all of the world's volcanoes! Click on a region by creating a polygon on the world map. Then click on that map section to see all of the volcanoes in that region. Click on any particular volcano name to learn a bit about each one.

Volcano Animation -This site gives us a good view of what happens inside a volcano when it erupts.

Potentially Active Volcanoes in the U.S.A. -This interactive map lets you discover and explore where the most likely to erupt volcanoes are located in the United States. Move your mouse over each volcano site and see a picture of what each one looks like!

Visit a Volcano- Cascade Range Volcanoes -This is another interactive map that focuses on the volcanoes all along the west coast of Washington, Oregon, & northern California.

Mount Saint Helens VolcanoCam -Where else can you see what's going on with Mount Saint Helens? Right here on Mr. Nolde's sixth grade page of course! This web cam gives you live images of this active volcano.

Animation of Volcanic Eruption at a Subduction Zone -This site does a fairly good job of simply animating what goes on at a subduction zone. Be sure to continue to press the play button to see the next part of the animation!

How did the Hawaiian Islands Form? -As you might know, Hawaii's Islands have all been formed by volcanic activity. But did you know why Hawaii is a string of islands? This site does an excellent job of demonstrating how the Pacific plate is gradually moving across a hot spot below the lithosphere and how that has formed this string of islands.

Animation of a Hot-Spot -This site also has a great illustration of how hot-spots create a chain of volcanic islands like we have in Hawaii.

Phases of the Moon -This flash animation is one of my favorites out there showing the phases of the Moon!

Moon Phases Simulator -This animation also does a great job of showing the phases of the moon relative to where the Moon is in relationship to the Earth and the Sun.

Moon Phases Interactive -This site does an excellent job in helping you understand why we see the moon only at certain times of the day depending on what phase that the moon is in. Be sure to click on the tab that says "introduction" to get a better understanding as to how the interactive works.

Phases of the Moon from Earth and Space -What's nice about this animation is the fact that you can switch back and forth between views from above (North Pole) and views from the side (oblique view) while at the same time, see what the moon looks like from Earth.

Eclipses and Moon Phases -Be sure to check out both MODES of this activity: Eclipses & Moon Phases. When you check out the Eclipse Mode, be sure to click on your different choices in the View From box! Also, be sure to slide the Top View- Side View slider as well! COOL!!

Moon Phases Gizmo -The Moon phases gizmo actually lets you set how fast the phases of the Moon and the rotation of the Earth take place.

Why do we always see the same side of the Moon? -As you've been carefully observing the Moon during your moon journaling, you've probably noticed that you are always seeing the same surface of the Moon. If you don't believe me, use a pair of binoculars each night and you'll notice that you are always seeing the same craters! Anyhow, in addition to my coffee cup model that we do in class, this website does a good job of demonstrating why we always see the same side of the Moon.

How much do I weigh on the Moon? -Go to the weighing station to find out! As you learned in class, gravity is the force that pulls things towards the center of the Earth. When we weigh something, we are actually measuring this force! Your bodyweight will be different, depending on what planet you're standing on!

Sky Watching -This is a great website that has tons of cool articles about what to look for in our sky over the course of the year. In particular, I like some of the photographs that they include in their articles.

The Sky at a Glance -This is another great site that gives you fascinating information about what you may find in the sky on a clear night. This site usually has a good diagram or two of the evening sky which you might find to be very useful.

How Much Light Pollution is in Our Sky? -This site will give you a great idea as to how much light pollution there is in our area. It will also give you a little bit different perspective of the night sky depending upon what latitude you place yourself in the world. If you move the other slider closer towards the street light, you will see how much more of the night sky that you are missing out on! The constellation in this activity is the constellaion of Orion. Here's a link to help you find the constellation Orion in our night sky.

Moon Phases Calendar -This lunar calendar comes from the Old Farmer's Almanac website. It shows you what phase the moon is currently in and what the moon should look like for the rest of the month as well.

Mr. Nolde's 2006 Moon Journal - Here is next year's moon journal. Are there any similarities or differences with 2005's moon journal? Be sure to check out the page that has all of the still pictures from this slide show as well.

Mr. Nolde's 2007 Moon Journal - Here is 2007's year's moon journal. Be sure to check out the page that has all of the still pictures from this slide show as well.

Mr. Nolde's 2008 Moon Journal - Here is my moon journal from the next year. What makes this moon so different from the earlier ones??

Mr. Nolde's 2010 Moon Journal - And finally.......the last moon journal that I photo-documented. Six years of doing so was an AMAZING experience. I hope that you enjoy them all!

Mr. Nolde's Pictures from the Nov. 8th 2003 Lunar Eclipse -As we learned in class, eclipses of the moon are more commonly seen. If you ever get a chance to witness a lunar eclipse, I highly recommend documenting its progress with a digital camera just like I did!

Mr. Nolde's Pictures from the Oct. 27th 2004 Lunar Eclipse -Here is my second attempt at documenting a lunar eclipse. This time, I was able to do some more experimenting with the shutter speed to capture more of the red & orange colors when the moon was completely eclipsed by the Earth.

Mr. Nolde's Slide Show of the February 20th, 2008 Lunar Eclipse -Here is my third attempt at documenting a lunar eclipse. Again, I was able to do some more experimenting with the shutter speed to capture more of the red & orange colors when the moon was completely eclipsed by the Earth.

What Causes a Solar Eclipse? -In class we discovered what causes a solar eclipse. This website does a good job of explaining this phenomena.

Solar Eclipse Animations -Did you know that there are actually three types of solar eclipses? Click here to see animations of all three types of solar eclipses.

Why Do We Have Tides? -The gravitational pull of both the Sun and the Moon have a tremendous effect on the oceans of our planet. This animation does a great job of showing just how the Sun and the Moon have different effects on the oceans at different times during the Moon's revolution around the Earth.

Why is there 2 Bulges? -Some of you were asking in class why there are 2 bulges of the ocean- one on the side closest to the Moon and one on the opposite side of the Earth. This site does a great job explaining why this phenomenon occurs.

Why Does the Size of the Sun Appear to Change? -This investigation allows you to figure out just how far the Earth is from the Sun at different times of the year. Once you calculate the Earth's distances for each month, you get to see what the Earth's actual orbit looks like!

What is the Reason for the Seasons? -Did you ever wonder why we have winter and summer when we do? Did you realize that half of the world is experiencing summer, while we're experiencing winter? This site helps reinforce some of the ideas that we will explore in class.

Interactive Season Animation -This animation allows you to view the Earth as seen from the Sun. Also, be sure to move the slider from "side view" to "top view" to get a different perspective as to why we have seasons.

Name the Planets -Do you know your solar system? Warm up with this activity! Click and drag the correct name over the correct picture. This activity came out a long time ago! How do I know that?? Well... scientists don't even consider Pluto to be a "planet" anymore. Due to its small size, we now consider Pluto to be a dwarf planet.

Explore the Solar System -Click on the planets and other items of interest found in our solar system to learn more about each.

Design a Planet -This activity lets you design your very own planet. You get to choose what kind of star it orbits around, whether or not it has volcanoes, whether or not it has water, and so much more!

The Environment & You

Is the Glass Half-Empty or Half-Full? -This film does a really good job in examining where we are and what we need to do in the world today. If nothing else, this film will make you think more deeply about this question!

Groundwater Adventure - Be sure to check out this interactive adventure that will help to understand and see groundwater, sinking streams, rock and other features that make up the ground that we live on. Be sure to click on the non point source pollution link as well!

What's Wrong with this Picture? -See if you can correctly identify all of the human activities in this picture that are polluting our groundwater.

Animation of a Watershed -This is a great animation that helps you visualize how water drains in a watershed. Just click on the play button to start the animation.

You are the Solution to the Pollution! -When you think about it, you are the solution to the pollution. This is another great site that identifies non-point sources that pollute our drinking water.

100 Ways to Save Water! -We know that one way to save energy is to reduce the amount of water that we use in our homes. This website does a great job of giving you 100 different ideas of how you can save water.

Take the Water Conservation Challenge -Imagine if everyone of us pledged to reduce our water consumption by ten gallons a day! I challenge YOU to take the Water Conservation Challenge!

Air Pollution & Acid Lakes -What happens when factories and cars put too much chemical pollution into our air? It pollutes our clouds, which then pollutes our ponds, rivers, streams, and underground water supplies when it comes down as acid rain. Find out just how bad acid rain can be to all of the plants and animals that live in this water by playing this activity.

Oil & Water Don't Mix! -Did you ever wonder how oil spills are cleaned up? Be sure to check out this activity to learn just how they do it.

Animation of the Greenhouse Effect -This site does a great job of animating and explaining exactly what it is that is causing a trend in global warming.

The Dumptown Game -You are Dumptown's new City Manager. When you start to play, you'll see Dumptown at its worst — it's littered, polluted, and nothing is being recycled or reused. There are many trash cans and dumpsters, but no recycling bins. That means all of the trash is going right into the landfill just outside town, where it isn't doing anyone any good. In your new position, you can start programs that encourage Dumptown's citizens and businesses to recycle and reduce waste.

Grocery Store Wars -This is a funny video with a serious message about choosing organic produce over cheaper produce that has been grown using pesticides. Remember... every choice that you make DOES make a difference!

Click on any of the subject areas to quickly get to that section of the 6th Grade Page.
Earth & It's Materials	Maps & Mapping	Earthquakes	Earth, Sun, & Moon
All About Soil	History of the Earth	Locating Earthquakes	The Environment & You
Landforms, Weathering, & Erosion	Plate Tectonics	Volcanoes	Famous Geologists

Normal Fault	Dip-Slip Fault
Strike-Slip Fault	Blind Thrust Fault