The schedule of the course: http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/schedule.php is being filled out as we go along so it is always changing as new information is added. Because I’m teaching this course for the first time I am learning how long each lesson takes. I’ve put up the date of the first unit test. The test will cover lessons 1,2,3 and4. Here are some tips to be ready:

1. Be sure you can answer the questions in each unit. If you don’t understand something ask about it in class!

2. Read at least two newspaper stories, more if you can, and write summaries in your journal. The goal of this class is to improve your understanding of CURRENT PUBLIC issues in Physical Science – and so I want to help you understand these news articles better.

3. Develop your glossary. Nobody knows all the words in the English language – but we are always learning new words. As you are reading pick out some words whose meanings you don’t know well – and look them up in a dictionary (book or online). Write the definitions in the glossary section of your journal.

4. On your own – follow the background links – as many as you can. Look around at these websites. Watch any videos that are posted. All this exposure to information will help you develop good questions to ask in class!

5. COME to class. Missing class is the worst thing you can do in this course. If you are there and you are participating you will do well. Be there or be square:-)

See you next class!

Students in this course have amazing energy. You are asking great questions! You are all coming to class and participating with wonderful enthusiam. This makes teaching lots of fun! Thank you.

This week we finished lesson one. On Monday and Tuesday both sections will begin lesson two: Ground Level Air Pollution. Follow this checklist to ensure that you are ready for lesson two.

1. Visit lesson one on the website. I’ve added some more information. I put up the powerpoint with large slides (student request). Go through each slide on the powerpoint to make sure you understand the main ideas that are presented in the diagrams. We did not cover the last four slides.

2. Read the Take Away (Main) Points I’ve added at the bottom of the page. This will help you organize all the information in lesson one.

3. Go over the questions and answer them in your journal.

This completes lesson one. The last four slides at the end of the powerpoint were not covered. One was about wind. One was about world climate. Do not be concerned with these slides at this time - we will discuss them in other lessons.

1. Visit lesson two on the website.

2. Read the posted NEWS articles.

3. Write down any questions you have about these articles.

4. Visit some of the background links and take a look at them. We will discuss this material in class.

Happy Learning!!

P.S. Remember, you can send me email anytime (jwalker@ccc.edu). I will answer it.

In order to gain the most from the lectures it is so important to come to class prepared. I am still hearing from students that they cannot find information on the website. So here are some quick links:

Our course website:

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/index.php

Lesson One: Earth’s Atmosphere

http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/atmosphere.php

What should you do to prepare for class?

Read the Lecture notes.
Look over the powerpoint slides.
Read the questions and think about them.
Read the news articles or other media.
Visit the background websites – see what they are about.

Learn everything you can about Earth’s Atmosphere.

What do we know so far??

Both classes have learned that the atmosphere is composed of two main ingredients – two gases – Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen(21%) and that Oxygen is the reactive gas and Nitrogen is non-reactive.

Monday’s class has begun to learn about the layers of the atmosphere.