HOW DO PLATE TECTONICS AFFECT THE EARTH'S CRUST?

Hello Fifth-Grades: Here's some information on plate tectonics to help you better understand this phenomenon. Remember, the Earth is always changing, always moving. The Earth's rocky crust (both oceanic and continental) is comprised of a series of plates that float on the semi-solid or magma-like mantle. Convection currents cause the magma to rise and fall, therefore, moving the Earth's plates in different directions. This movement is responsible for mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.


Convergent Plates: When two continental plates converge or collide, the crust is squished together, folding and buckling and forming mountains. This is just one way mountains are formed.


Subduction Plates: When one continental plate and one oceanic plate collide, the more dense oceanic plate is subducted or pushed under the continental plate. As it plunges deeper into the mantle, the rock of the oceanic crust melts, becoming part of the mantle. An ocean trench forms at the plate boundaries. Volcanoes and earthquakes may happen here. In the case of volcanoes, molten rock rises until it erupts at the surface.


Divergent Plates: When plates spread apart or diverge, magma rises up from the mantle and fills the gap, creating new crust. As this continues, volcanic islands may form at the surface.





Transform Plates: When plates grind against and past each other in opposite directions earthquakes may strike along these boundaries.





This map shows the continents and oceans and the plates on which they move.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

After a relaxing and often exciting summer hiking mountains, I am happy to be back at school. So get ready to be curious about the world around you and let's have fun doing science. And if you haven't checked out the school garden on McDonald Avenue, take a look. It's bursting with color!

School's Out For Summer!

I hope everyone had as great a year as I had! It was a pleasure teaching science to all of you. I wish all the fifth-graders happiness and success in middle school! Way to go! I look forward to seeing all of you in September for another fun-filled year of SCIENCE. Have a great summer! Peace and Hugs, Ms. Seitz

Horseshoe Crabs Galore

Went to Plumb Beach to see the annual mating ritual of the horseshoe crabs and what an event. There were thousands out there on the shore just after high tide at 9 a.m. We even found some eggs. It is a spectacular thing to witness. Check out the photos!

FOURTH-GRADE CAMPERS

From May 14-15, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Singer's fourth-grade classes enjoyed an overnight camping trip at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field, where they compiled scientific data about the health of Dead Horse Bay, learned about the value of composting, roasted marshmallows over a campfire and layers them with chocolate and graham crackers and made delicious 'Smores, and slept outside in tents. The kids and teachers, including moi--Ms. Seitz--had a blast....and it was educational! We're looking forward to doing this again next year!

School Garden is Now Planted

Be sure to check out the new school garden on the school's McDonald Avenue side. The Urban Nature Club has planted flowers that will attract butterflies, plants like Buddleia (butterfly bush) Monarda (bee balm), Rudebekia (Black-eyed Susans), Calendula, Zinnias, and others. There's also an herb garden to tickle the senses. Check out the Lamb's Ear, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary, and Lavendar.

A STRANGE TURTLE STORY

About two years ago, I had one of my turtles escape from its tank during the summer. I had kept the tank in my yard so the turtles could enjoy the sunshine. Somehow, the lid to the tank was not on correctly and one of the turtles figured out how to get out. I thought she was lost for good.

Just the other day, my neighbor, Sally, said she had something to show me. I went next door to her yard where she lifted a big piece of black plastic that she kept over some leaves. Under the plastic was a turtle. I checked it out. It was a female, like the one I lost. It was about the size of my turtle and it appeared to be a red-eared slider, the kind of turtle I had.

So for two years, the turtle has been able to ADAPT to the environment in our Brooklyn backyards. She probably feasted on plants and dug down into the soil during the winter to keep warm. I think it's pretty amazing that she was able to survive on her own. We call this RESILENCE when something is able to succeed despite difficulties. Now the question is....do I just let her continue her life in the wild, or scoop her up and put her back in a tank. WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET ME KNOW. Signing off, Ms. Seitz