Ears and Sound Waves Notes

EARS, MUSIC, SOUND AND WAVES... (NOTES)
- Ears help the brain collect and process sounds.
- Sounds are created by waves of vibrations that are carried
through the air and through other objects.
- The properties of waves include the following:
- amplitude (height)
- wavelength (distance between the peaks/crests
of each wave.
- Sounds become louder as the amplitude of a wave becomes higher.
- Frequency is the number of wavelengths in a given amount
of time and is measured in hertz.
- A hertz is a unit of sound, equal to a wave cycle from crest
to crest.
- The greater the number of wavelengths that pass in a unit of time, the more high pitched the sound.
- infrasound less than 20 Hz is a range of sound waves below the audible span for human hearing. Elephants can hear in these ranges!
www.pulsethemovie.com (these notes are based on that website information)

Study Questions for Quiz

1. What does Hz stand for?

2. What does Hertz mean?

3. Can elephants hear at lower frequencies than humans?

4. What is the difference between ultrasound and infrasound?

5. What is the difference between amplitude and wavelength?

6. How do atoms transport sound through air?

Olympic Theme Song

I think I'm addicted to watching the olympics... The opening ceremony was amazing. My husband was especially excited when W.O.MItchell's work was quoted for the "prairie excerpt" during the ceremony... However I think my favourite part was... the whales and the amazing poet from the NWT's. I need to get a copy of that poem!

To check out "I Believe" copy paste the following URL into the window:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP9IQuz-jlk

ELA- Narrative Writing Assignment

Compose a narrative paragraph of 8-10 sentences retelling a personal experience that connects to the story "The Nest" (This was taken in class on last Thursday). This paragraph may explore issues related to people judging, friends that you defended, times when you had to stand up for what you believe... (Please reference the assignment that accompanies, "The Nest". The rough draft is due Tuesday, February 16. You are expected to write an introduction sentence that "reels in the audience"; 6-8 middle paragraph sentences that describe the events; be sure to use at least 4 transitions in the paragraph, to help your ideas "flow together"; and wrap it up with a conclusion sentence.
Due Date: Good copy - Monday, February 22 am. **Hand in all drafts.

MUSIC - Stomp unit

Videos from "Stomp Out Loud"found on Youtube.

We will be doing our own "found" and created instruments music project. Watch these videos to get some ideas...





Blue Man Group and Dave Matthews...

Music - Drumming Assignment

THE SOUND LAB - PULSETHEMOVIE.COM

Visit the Sound Lab on the PULSE website - Do this activity in PARTNERS.

A. Mega Taiko - Tell me 2 facts about this ancient drum
B. Go to Youtube and find an example of a performance with this ancient drum, the Japanese Taiko. Make sure it is an AUTHENTIC performance. *Write the title of the video and the website. Explain why this is an AUTHENTIC performance. How is the drum the central focus of the performance?
C. Draw an "X-Ray" of a drum and label it. (see the pulse website for this).
D. Explain how atoms transport sound through the air. Use a diagram if necessary.
E. How is this different in a gas, compared to a liquid, compared to a solid?
F. What is the difference between amplitude and frequency? Draw a diagram to aid in your explanation.
G. Have "Fun With Waves" - see the last activity with sound. Change the volume and pitch of the 2 tones.
How do the sounds interact? Explain briefly in jot not form.
THE SOUND LAB - PULSETHEMOVIE.COM

Visit the Beat Chaser on the pulse website.
Try out this interactive activity. What is the main OBJECTIVE or reason for creating this activity?
What can a person learn from participating in the activity?
DRUM MAKING…
Bring supplies to make your own rhythm instrument, like a drum. You can use a coffee can, soup or tin cans, other ideas?? Remember our culminating performance will involve a STOMP presentation, what instruments can you make?? Brainstorm here…

Social Studies

Canadian Geographic and CIDA have a map which will be a central part of our lessons in the mini unit, "Looking at Wealth Distribution in the World". This unit focuses on concepts in Interdependence and the role Canada has in helping developing countries.

To access the interactive map, "A Developing World", click on the following link or copy/paste it into your window browser.

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/worldmap/cida/cidaworldmap.aspx

"3 PLUS U" LESSON IN GLOBAL ECONOMICS
Another site we will be viewing is one from cyberschoolbus. This activity will explore Global Economies, child labour, forced labour and discrimination. You will need earphones and paper/pencil for jotnotes.
Here is the address to copy/paste into your browser window:
http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/3PLUSU/index.html

February/March Important Dates

February 9th - Last day for Downhill Skiing Money and forms
February 12 and 15 No School
Tuesday, February 16 - Grade 8 "Spend a Day at Leboldus"
Wednesday, February 17 - Grade 8/Leboldus Presentation at Deshaye
Friday, February 19 - "Lightening Thief" (movie at Galaxy - we leave at lunch, so you will need to bring a lunch to school that day.) Movie connects with mythology unit. Make sure you are caught up with homework assignments so that you can go!
Tuesday, February 23 Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge
Friday, March 5 - DQ Lunch Day
Tuesday, March 9 - Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge

Wednesday, June 16 - Grade 8 Farewell (it's not in Feb or March... just mark your calendars!)

CHECK OUT THE LIGTENING THIEF Trailer
I'm so excited to check out the movie!

VIDEO GAMES WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE...

Try out the following video games on-line.

WWW.PLAYAGAINSTALLODDS.COM

This game shows what it would like to live in a country that does not respect human rights and why some people become refugees. This game was created by the United Nations High Commission with the purpose of teaching students about human rights and the lives that refugees live.

WWW.DARFURISDYING.COM

Darfur is a western region of Sudan (in Africa). People everyday endure unimaginable atrocities. This video game reflects a small fraction of what it's like to survive in this region. The video is school appropriate, which means it was created to give students a chance to learn about life in this country. It is not violent nor does it treat the sensitive nature of this issue in way to "sell" video games. This game is sponsored by MTV and the Human Rights Foundation.

http://www.sayansi.ca/flash/sayansi-en.html

This game is sponsored by CIDA and I have yet to play it. It was designed for students... I'll let you know how it goes. It really took a long time to load, perhaps I was just too far away from my wireless connection hub. The cartoon at the beginning was pretty vivid.


As you play these games, think about the deeper meaning. The actual event that would be happening. Be sensitive to the fact that although it's a video game, the events were based on real people's lives. Play, have fun, but think and reflect too!

Ms. Stewie

Social Studies - Looking at the World and Wealth Distribution

QUESTIONS TO PONDER IN THIS MINI- UNIT...

How do we spend our money? How do we use our resources??
How does sustainability connect with economy? Why is it something that we should think about when we think of our future??
Is the way wealth is distributed around the world fair??
Who are the richest countries? Who are the poorest countries??
What is a fair trade product? How do fair trade products help to evenly distribute wealth in the world?
What does it mean to be a responsible consumer? What do responsible consumers do?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying locally produced goods; buying fair-trade products; and buying mass produced products?
Who "wins" or gets the best deal in each of the above situations??
How can we measure wealth? If you are wealthy, are you happier than those who are poor??

CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC AND CIDA MAP OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD - INTERACTIVE SITE
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/worldmap/cida/cidaworldmap.aspx

THE STORY OF STUFF VIDEO - Interesting video which connects to the questions above...



VIDEO - DO I NEED IT? A cute song written in reaction to "The Story of Stuff". The tune will probably never make the radio waves, but the message is excellent... Just listen to the message...



I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about shopping as I watched the above video... Hmmm... something to think about....

DISASTER IN HAITI ESSAY

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS IN HAITI


Please make sure you hand in your DISASTER IN HAITI ESSAY before 1st recess on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
This essay will be part of not only a Social Studies mark, but also some of the content will be evaluated for Science (Earthquake information - "Exactly what happened in terms of the earthquake, plate tectonics, etc. in Haiti?")

Ensure you hand in all drafts, outline, web and jotnotes with your essay as well as the rubric. Please staple your essay requirements with the good copy on top with the rubric attached. All late assignments will be deducted 5% / day, as explained in the Social Studies Expectations and Procedures at the beginning of the year.

I look forward to reading your essays! Really!!
Ms. S-M :-)

CRAIG KIELBURGER - FREE THE CHILDREN IN HAITI



COLD PLAY VIDEO - HAITI RELIEF TELETHON



Coldplay just happens to be a band I really like... and check it out... they are trying to do their part and make a difference and help those in need!!

Other musicians who worked together to help Haiti...

Disaster in Haiti Essays

This is a reminder that your Haiti essay must be handed in on Monday, February 8 before 1st recess or there will be late marks (5%/day) deducted from your mark. *** REMEMBER to hand in all drafts, outlines, webs and jot notes for your essay. Remember to reference all handouts from class, as well as the rubric before you hand it in. This essay will be primarily a Social Studies mark, however one aspect on earthquakes will be used for Science. Again, refer to the assignment handouts and evaluation rubric for more information.

ESSAY EXPECTATIONS... Make sure you have an introduction with attention getting lead, topic sentence (what the essay is about) and thesis statement (what topics will be explored in the essay - see examples on handouts given in class); at least 3 body paragraphs (one must explain scientific information on plate tectonics, the other 2 on life in Haiti before the earthquake and life after the earthquake) and finally how can Canadians help... or how can we help; and finally a conclusion paragraph that restates what topics were explored in the essay, plus wraps up the essay and leaves the reader thinking.

Make sure you follow the format above for the 5 paragraph essay and include the expected research for the questions that were given in class.

Pauline Vanier - Canadians Who Helped Refugees in WWII

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=13563

Copy/paste this into your URL window and search for Pauline Vanier for a 1 minute Historica audio clip.

This audio clip could be used to help you write your blogs. Feel free to learn more about Canadian volunteers like the Vaniers on this site.

Blogging to Videos

Choose one of the videos and write a journal response to the following questions:
1) What motivated Craig to start the "Free the Children" movement? What issue would you be motivated to tell other about and create public awarenes?

2) Do you know of other singers or celebrities that are working hard to create awareness about an important issue? What are they doing? How are their efforts helping those in need? How are you affected by their work?

3)Imagine you were living in a refugee camp. What are some of the challenges you noticed in the camp? How are the lives of these people impacted? How could you sustain hope for the future?

Craig Kielburger - How "Free the Children" Began

Musicians with a Message...

RISE AGAINST - Prayer for the Refugee



ALICIA KEYS - Prelude to a Kiss

Refugee Camp in Afghanistan

LANGUAGE ARTS BLOG - This video should help you with your blog response to the question, "What would it be like to be a refugee?" Feel free to check out other videos, but also reflect on what you learned when you read the novels, Parvana's Journey or Mud City.