Dr. Jonathan A. Rice
Science Department Chair, Science Teacher, and Math Teacher
Room B-203
School: 875-2146, ext. 211
Home Phone: 226-7897
For weekly homework assignments, please go to the bottom of this page:
Message to parents and students:
Welcome to my page! I have included a link to descriptions to all of my courses. If you ever have any questions about my courses, expectations, or specific assignments, please give me a call or email me.
I grew up on the West Coast. I can’t tell you my hometown because my family moved more than 50 times while I was growing up. (My birth certificate says that I was born in Los Angeles, though.) We eventually settled down in Washington state. Through my travels I developed a tremendous love for the outdoors and science. When my mother needed to find me she only had to look for the nearest stream because I spent most of my time fishing and panning for gold.
I have geology degrees from Central Washington University and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and I received my Ph.D. in geology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After graduation I worked as an exploration geologist for Shell Oil in New Orleans for several years before deciding to change careers and become a teacher. My wife, Stacia, and I decided to move to her hometown, Proctorsville, where we built our home on land that has been in her family for more than 200 years.
Teaching has been a fun and challenging career. I enjoy teaching students as they learn science and math. It is especially rewarding to experience the students’ energy level and excitement as they learn through inquiry. I develop standards- and inquiry-based units using my experiences in courses such as NASA’s NEWMAST and the Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI) Ocean Drilling Program. For the NEWMAST program I spent two weeks at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, working with NASA engineers, astronauts, and science teachers from throughout the Northeastern U.S. to develop space curriculum. In 2004, I spent the entire summer on a scientific drilling vessel in the Pacific Ocean where I was able to work with a wide variety of scientists as they studied rock, water, and biological samples from below the
seafloor. A year later, I went 1.7 miles to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in the ALVIN submersible with JOI scientists.
Because of my commitment to excellence in teaching, I have worked on several district and state science and mathematics curriculum and assessment committees. I received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2002 and was able to meet Vice President Cheney while I was in Washington, DC. I also earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science. I was named finalist for 2009 Vermont Teacher of the Year.
In addition to classroom teaching, I enjoy taking student groups on Extended Learning Opportunity trips. In 2008, Julie Walton and I took students to the Grand Canyon. In 2009, we took a group of students to our Nation's capitol over spring break.
If you get a chance to come out to the track in the spring to root on our track team, you may see me around as I am also an assistant track coach.
Grand Canyon Field Trip
I would like to invite students who are interested in extended learning opportunities to consider our Grand Canyon Trip. This year we will be using a professional firm called Grand Classroom to plan our trip. Any high school student at GMUHS who has taken and successfully passed Earth Science with a grade of "C" or better (or with my permission) and is willing to follow our behavioral expectations may go on the trip. The price of $1797 includes everything--- all transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing, evening activities, medical insurance, security, and a professional guide. We will be doing a variety of fund raisers to help students with the cost of the trip. I would like to invite parents to help with these activities so that we can do more activities than can fit in my schedule.
Some of the trip highlights include Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, hiking into the Grand Canyon, and a river float on the Colorado River. We have recently added Zion and Bryce National Monuments to our tour. This trip includes many educational experiences in geology, biology, archaeology, history, and more.
The following picture is of the group that went on the trip in 2008. Everyone had a fantastic time and would be happy to share their experiences with you.
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The picture below shows the group taking a rest during a hike on the Kaibab Trail near the top of the Grand Canyon.
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Washington, DC Field Trip
Every other year, we take a trip to Washington, DC to explore our nation's capitol. This trip is open to middle school students. Our next trip is scheduled for April vacation, 2011. If you have any questions, please ask me and I will be happy to discuss the trip with you. I will add more information in the near future.
The following picture is of the group that went on the trip in 2009.
[Image
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2009-2010
Forensics
Week 1 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 1/25/10
No Class: Semester 1 Finals
Tuesday, 1/26/10
No Class: Semester 1 Finals
Wednesday, 1/27/10
No School: Ice Day
Thursday, 1/28/10
N.H.
Friday, 1/29/10
Read pages 2-6. Take notes.
Week 2 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/1/10
Read pages 7-11. Take notes.
Copy the commercial that you will use for your experiment.
Tuesday, 2/2/10
Complete Activity 1-3.
Copy the commercial that you will use for your experiment.
Prepare your report for Part B up to the experimental results.
Study for Quiz on Observation Skills on Friday.
Wednesday, 2/3/10
Complete experiment and prepare your report for Part B up to the experimental results.
Study for quiz on Friday.
Thursday, 2/4/10
Complete experiment and prepare your report for all of Part B.
Complete questions on the Checklist.
Study for quiz tomorrow.
Friday, 2/5/10
N.H.
Week 3 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/8/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 2/9/10
Read pages 20-23. Take notes.
Wednesday, 2/10/10
Read pages 24-28. Take notes.
Thursday, 2/11/10
Read pages 29-31. Take notes.
Friday, 2/12/10
N.H.
Week 4 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/22/10
Read pages 29-31. Take notes. Due Tomorrow
Complete Chapter 2 Review. Due Wednesday.
Study for Chapter 2 Test on Thursday.
Tuesday, 2/23/10
Study for Chapter 2 Test on Thursday.
Wednesday, 2/24/10
Study for Chapter 2 Test Tomorrow.
Thursday, 2/25/10
N.H.
Friday, 2/26/10
N.H.
Week 5 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/1/10
Complete Chapter 2 Review. Due Wednesday.
Study for Chapter 2 Test on Thursday.
Tuesday, 3/2/10
Study for Chapter 2 Test on Thursday.
Wednesday, 3/3/10
Study for Chapter 2 Test on Tomorrow.
Thursday, 3/4/10
N.H.
Friday, 3/5/10
N.H.
Week 6 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/8/10
Read pages 53-59. Take notes. Add them to the notes on pages 50-53.
Tuesday, 3/9/10
Hair test next Tuesday
Wednesday,10/10
Hair test next Tuesday
Thursday, 3/11/10
Hair test next Tuesday
Friday, 3/12/10
Hair test next Tuesday
Week 7 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/15/10
Study for test tomorrow.
Tuesday, 3/16/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 3/17/10
Read pages 132-137. Take notes and do questions.
Thursday, 3/18/10
Read pages 132-137. Take notes and do questions.
Friday, 3/19/10
N.H.
Week 8 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/22/10
Read pages 137-139. Take notes.
Tuesday, 3/23/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 3/24/10
Read pages 139-145. Take notes.
Thursday, 3/25/10
Do chapter 6 Review questions on pages 146-148.
Friday, 3/26/10
N.H.
Week 9 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/29/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 3/30/10
Read Pages 76-84. Take notes.
Wednesday, 3/31/10
Read Pages 84-89. Take notes.
Thursday
N.H.
Friday, 4/2/10
N.H.
Week 10 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/5/10
Study for chapter 4 exam.
Tuesday, 4/6/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 4/7/10
N.H.
Thursday, 4/8/10
N.H.
Friday, 4/9/10
N.H.
Week 11 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/12/10
Study for chapter 4 exam.
Tuesday, 4/13/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 4/14/10
N.H.
Thursday, 4/15/10
N.H.
Friday, 4/16/10
N.H.
Week 12 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/26/10
Read Chapter 5. Take notes.
Tuesday, 4/27/10
Read Chapter 5. Take notes
Wednesday, 4/28/10
Complete Chapter Review Questions. Due Friday
Thursday, 4/29/10
Complete Chapter Review Questions. Due Friday (moved to Monday).
Friday, 4/30/10
Study for test.
Week 13 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/3/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 5/4/10
Read Chapter 8. Take notes. Due Friday
Wednesday, 5/5/10
Read Chapter 8. Take notes. Due Friday
Thursday, 5/6/10
Read Chapter 8. Take notes. Due Tomorrow
Friday, 5/7/10
Study for test.
Week 14 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/10/10
Complete chapter 8 review questions. Due on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 5/11/10
Complete chapter 8 review questions. Due tomorrow.
Wednesday, 5/12/10
Study for Chapter 8 test next Monday.
Thursday, 5/13/10
Study for Chapter 8 test next Monday.
Friday, 5/14/10
Study for Chapter 8 test next Monday.
Week 15 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/17/10
Prepare for Blood Test.
Tuesday, 5/18/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 5/19/10
N.H.
Thursday, 5/20/10
N.H.
Friday, 5/21/10
Study for Chapter 8 test next Monday.
Week 16 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/24/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 5/25/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 5/26/10
N.H.
Thursday, 5/27/10
N.H.
Friday, 5/28/10
N.H.
Week 17 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/31/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 6/1/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 6/2/10
N.H.
Thursday, 6/3/10
N.H.
Friday, 6/4/10
N.H.
Week 18 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 6/7/10
Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project for 1/2 of the class will be this Friday. The other 1/2 will be on the day of the final exam.
Tuesday, 6/8/10
Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project for 1/2 of the class will be this Friday. The other 1/2 will be on the day of the final exam.
Wednesday, 6/9/10
Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project for 1/2 of the class will be this Friday. The other 1/2 will be on the day of the final exam.
Thursday, 6/10/10
Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project for 1/2 of the class will be this Friday. The other 1/2 will be on the day of the final exam.
Friday, 6/11/10
Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project for second 1/2 of the class will be on the day of the final exam.
Week 19 homework for Forensics (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Tuesday, 6/15/10
Block 2: Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project from 9:45-11:15.
Wednesday, 6/16/10
Block 3: Final Presentations on the Forensic Science Research Project from 8:00-9:30.
ADVANCED EARTH SCIENCE
Week 1 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 1/25/10
No Class: Semester 1 Finals
Tuesday, 1/26/10
No ss: Semester 1 Finals
Wednesday, 1/27/10
No School: Ice Day
Thursday, 1/28/10
Read section 1.1 on pages 5–10. Take notes. Complete study guide.
Bring in a brown paper bag or a book cover. Your book must be covered.
Friday, 1/29/10
N.H.
Week 2 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/1/10
Lab Safety contract.
Read Section 1.2 “Methods of scientists.” Take notes,complete worksheet.
Review Appendixes A, B, and C.
Study for test on chapter 1 Thursday.
Tuesday, 2/2/10
Read Section 1.3. Take notes. Answer questions 1-6.
Study for test on chapter 1 Thursday.
Wednesday, 2/3/10
Test tomorrow on chapter 1. Study Chapter Review and complete Chapter Assessment 1-24.
Thursday, 2/4/10
Science Article Review on "Metric Mistakes" due on Monday.
Friday, 2/5/10
Read Section 4.1: What is a mineral? (on pages 77-83). Take notes. Complete Study Guide sheet.
Week 3 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/8/10
Read Section 4-2: Identifying Minerals on pages 84-91. Take notes. Complete Study Guide sheet.
Tuesday, 2/9/10
Study for Chapter 4 test on Minerals this Friday.
Wednesday, 2/10/10
Study for minerals test on Friday.
Review chapter 4 study guide on page 95.
Complete problems 1-23 on pages 96 and 97.
Thursday, 2/11/10
Study for minerals test on tomorrow.
Friday, 2/12/10
N.H.
Week 4 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 2/22/10
Study for Minerals Test tomorrow.
Tuesday, 2/23/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 2/24/10
Read “Volcanoes: Roaring Demons, Raging Giants” on pages 236-239. Write your own myth about volcanoes.
Thursday, 2/25/10
Read “Earth’s Waterworks” on pages 246-249.
Friday, 2/26/10
Read “The Rock Cycle” and draw a picture that shows “the life of a rock.
Week 5 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/1/10
Read “Volcanoes: Roaring Demons, Raging Giants” on pages 236-239. Write your own myth about volcanoes.
Tuesday, 3/2/10
Read “Earth’s Waterworks” on pages 246-249. Take notes.
Read Section 5.1 notes and questions.
Wednesday, 3/3/10
Read “The Rock Cycle” and draw a picture that shows “the life of a rock.
Thursday, 3/4/10
Read Section 5.2 notes and questions.
Friday, 3/5/10
Study for Chapter 5 for test on Tuesday.
Week 6 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/8/10
Study for Chapter 5 for test Tomorrow.
Tuesday, 3/9/10
N.H.
Wednesday, 3/10/10
Notes and sheet from section 6.1: “Formation of Sedimentary Rocks.”
Chapter 6 test Wednesday.
Thursday, 3/11/10
Read section 6.2: “Types of sedimentary rocks” on pages 128-132. Take notes, answer questions 1-5. Complete Content Reinforcement sheet for 6..
Chapter 6 test Wednesday.
Friday, 3/12/10
Study for chapter 6 test Wednesday.
Week 7 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/15/10
Chapter 6 test Friday.
Tuesday, 3/16/10
Metamorphic Rocks. Read Section 6.3: “Metamorphic Rocks” on pages 133-139. Take notes and answer questions1-7. Complete Content Reinforcement Sheet for section 6.3 Chapter 6 test Friday.
Chapter 6 test Friday.
Wednesday, 3/17/10
Complete Chapter 6 assessment questions 1-20.
Chapter 6 test tomorrow.
Thursday, 3/18/10
N.H.
Friday, 3/19/10
N.H.
Week 8 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/22/10
N.H.
Tuesday, 3/23/10
Read Section 21.1. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Wednesday, 3/24/10
Read Section 21.2. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Thursday, 3/25/10
Read Section 21.3. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Friday, 3/26/10
Read Section 21.4. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Week 9 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 3/29/10
Read Section 21.3. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Chapter 21 test on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 3/30/10
Read Section 21.1. Take notes and Complete Sheet.
Wednesday, 3/31/10
N.H.
Thursday, 4/1/10
Read Section 17.1. Complete notes and Concept Reinforcement sheet.
Friday, 4/2/10
Read Section 17.2. Complete notes and Concept Reinforcement sheet.
Week 10 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/5/10
Read section 17.3. Take notes and complete sheet.
Study for test Wednesday.
Tuesday, 4/6/10
Complete chapter 17 assessment.
Study for test.
Wednesday, 4/7/10
Read chapter, take notes and prepare questions for the teacher.
Thursday, 4/8/10
Read chapter, take notes and prepare questions for the teacher.
Study for chapter test on Tuesday.
Friday, 4/9/10
Read chapter, take notes and prepare questions for the teacher.
Study for chapter test on Tuesday.
Week 11 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/12/10
Study for chapter test tomorrow
Tuesday, 4/13/10
Plan and make props for lesson.
Presentations moved to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Wednesday, 4/14/10
Work on Lesson.
Thursday, 4/15/10
Plan and make props for lesson.
Make questions for lesson.
Friday, 4/16/10
Plan and make props for lesson.
Make questions for lesson.
Week 12 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 4/26/10
Complete planning lesson.
Tuesday, 4/27/10
Practice presentation. Make sure lab activities work.
Wednesday, 4/28/10
Practice presentation. Make sure lab activities work.
Thursday, 4/29/10
Practice presentation. Make sure lab activities work.
Friday, 4/30/10
Practice presentation. Make sure lab activities work.
Week 13 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/3/10
Study for chapter test that will include questions from other units.
Tuesday, 5/4/10
Read “How scientists study the Earth.” Select one type of scientist from the reader and make a list of interview questions that you might ask to find out more about this profession.
Read “Views from space.” Describe one catastrophic event that you think might be best monitored by a satellite… Explain Why.
Wednesday, 5/5/10
Read: “What is a vortex?” and “That’s a fact: an introduction to thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.” Then, using information from these two readings complete S.S. 2.1: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hurricane
Thursday, 5/6/10
Read “The source of Earth’s Heat” and answer the questions at the end of the reading selection.
Friday, 5/7/10
Finish 3.1: Investigating "rates of heating and cooling of air” and “Joseph Henry: The father of weather forecasting.”
Week 14 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/10/10
Read “The Source of Earth’s Heat” and answer the questions at the end of the reading.
Tuesday, 5/11/10
Read “The atmosphere: a blanket of air” and “Joseph Henry: The father of weather forecasting.” Take notes.
Wednesday, 5/12/10
Read: “What’s the Forecast?” (S.G. 50-53). Record 2 or more tehniques that Bob Ryan uses to collect data.
Thursday, 5/13/10
Collect daily weather maps of the United States from a local newspaper or the Internet. You need 3 consecutive weather maps.
Friday, 5/14/10
Collect daily weather maps of United States from a local newspaper or the Internet. You need 3 consecutive weather maps.
Week 15 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/17/10
If not done in class, read “Why does the wind blow?”and “Weather Fronts.” Take notes.
Collect daily weather maps of the United States from alocal newspaper or the Internet. You need 3 consecutive weather maps.
Tuesday, 5/18/10
Finish Science Article Reviews.
Collect daily weather maps of the United States from alocal newspaper or the Internet. You need 3 consecutive weather maps.
Wednesday, 5/19/10
N.H.
Thursday, 5/20/10
N.H.
Friday, 5/21/10
Study for Weather Unit test on next week.
Week 16 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/24/10
Study for Weather Unit test.
Tuesday, 5/25/10
Study for Weather Unit test.
Wednesday, 5/26/10
Study for Weather Unit test.
Thursday, 5/27/10
Study for Weather Unit test.
Friday, 5/28/10
N.H.
Week 17 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 5/31/10
No School: Memorial Day.
Tuesday, 6/1/10
Study for Weather Unit test.
Wednesday, 6/2/10
N.H.
Thursday, 6/4/10
N.H.
Friday, 6/5/10
N.H.
Week 18 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Monday, 6/7/10
Bring in notebook for notebook check.
Tuesday, 6/8/10
Study for Final Exam.
Wednesday, 6/9/10
Study for Final Exam.
Thursday, 6/10/10
Study for Final Exam.
Friday, 6/11/10
Study for Final Exam.
Week 19 homework for Advanced Earth Science (Please note that assignments may change if plans change).
Tuesday, 6/13/10
Final Exam today from 8:00-9:30. Please bring all books to check in so that you don't get billed this summer.
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