Mrs. Nicole Schatzle’s 6th and 8th graders have been diving deep into dynamic science lessons that rock (and roll)! From fossils and geological time to weathering and waves, these students are uncovering Earth’s mysteries while having a blast.
6th Grade: From Deep Time to Slow Changes
Sixth graders took on the dual challenge of exploring the geological time scale and the forces that shape our Earth. After creating trace fossils from everyday objects in play-dough, they swapped their creations with classmates to see if others could interpret what left its mark. The activity taught students how scientists reconstruct the past, using analytical thinking and teamwork.
"Then, we fast-forwarded to the present to study weathering, erosion, and deposition—the slow yet powerful processes that shape our planet," explained Mrs. Schatzle. "Singing a lively W.E.D. chant, students got a fun and rhythmic way to remember how these processes work:
Weathering breaks it
Erosion takes it
When the motion stops
Deposition drops
Wind and water move it all around
Gravity drops it down to the ground
Breaks, move, drop
All of these processes happen to a rock!
"This catchy tune helps students grasp the concepts and connect them to their hands-on weathering lab, where they observed chalk changing when exposed to vinegar, salt water, and plain water," she said. "The students identified whether the changes were chemical, physical, or biological, reinforcing their understanding of Earth’s transformations."
8th Grade: Waves in Motion
Meanwhile, 8th graders made waves—literally! Jumping into a new unit on the properties of waves, students used Slinkies to explore wave movements before heading to the lab for some splash-worthy science. "They experimented with ping pong balls, golf balls, and marbles to observe how density and height impact wave amplitude and energy," explained Mrs. Schatzle. "By making waves and splashes, they discovered the relationship between an object’s properties and the energy it transfers, all while having a ball (or a marble!)."
Why These Lessons Matter
From uncovering ancient life through fossils to understanding Earth’s slow transformations and the energy of waves, these lessons teach students far more than science. "They develop critical thinking, observation, and problem-solving skills while exploring how natural processes impact their world," said Mrs. Schatzle. "Whether predicting Earth’s future changes or analyzing energy in their daily lives, these budding scientists are learning to think like professionals and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges."