11/30 Lab: Exhaling CO2

In-Class:
Completed laboratory: Exhaling Carbon Dioxide. Some students were able to complete the laboratory report during their class time.
Homework:
Complete laboratory report. Study material through p. 45 in textbook.

1st hour students were unable to complete the laboratory due to an assembly.

Tomorrow: Grade Reports go home to be signed and returned. Last day to present extra credit.

11/29 Cellular Respiration

In-Class:
Discussed cellular respiration. Students took notes. Dan from 5th period gave us a wonderful organelle presentation; I look forward to many more extra credit presentations before Friday!
Homework:
Read and review pp. 49-54. Be able to identify the steps performed in labs on pp. 49 & 54 in preparation of tomorrow's activities.
Periods 2, 7, 9 - complete p.53 (1&2)

Friday, December 1 - grade reports go home.

Friday, December 1 - extra credit due.

Several Student Cell Models are on display in the Media Center.

11/28 Cell Presentations

A small sample of student Cell Models

In-Class:
Students put on an awesome show with their cell model presentations! A few students did not have time to complete their presentations today and will do so tomorrow during class. A very small number of students did not have their cells completed and must present them tomorrow for partial credit.
Homework:
Review photosynthesis. Preview cellular respiration.

Friday, December 1 - last day to present organelle extra credit

Friday, December 1 - grade reports go home to be signed and returned

11/27 photosynthesis

In-Class:
Students will describe the detailed chain of transfer of energy from the sun to themselves. Read and reviewed pp.42-48.
Homework:
Complete section review p. 48 (1&2)

Tuesday, November 28 - Cell Model Presentions Due

Friday, December 1 - Organelle Extra Credit Due

Friday, December 1 - Midquarter grade reports go home to be signed

Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated instruction is the educational phrase for meeting the needs of all students by communicating ideas in ways that work well for each individual child. Some students have Individualized Educational Plans that are developed with special education professionals and list in detail what changes need to be made to instruction for that student to learn best. Other students have medical needs (hearing, speech, physical or health impairments) that require changes to instruction. Many students have learning differences that aren't identified by a doctor or an educational specialist but are informally identifiable just as well. A final group of students are those that are gifted or talented.

In class the other day I was discussing the fact that no cell is a "typical" cell as it is identified in a textbook; all cells are unique in some way. Likewise, no child is a "typical" child. I was able to give several examples from my extended family of children who are identified as different academically. One student offered up the idea that we are all like snowflakes, unique.

I differentiate instruction in many ways and continue to individualize my instruction as much as possible to meet each child's needs. All students with IEP's are accommodated in the ways listed in that document. I am as discrete as possible when handing out different forms of a test or a different assignment. As much as students want their needs met, they also don't want to be seen as different. Sometimes this results in my overlooking an opportunity to modify an assignment. Please call me if you feel that you (or your child) have not received a necessary modification and are struggling.

While "tracking" by ability isn't truly in place at Columbia Central, some groups exist that have a great similarity in student abilities. Gifted and talented students are given the opportunity to go beyond what is required in class. These students may be bored with the usual assignments but will excel with an alternative. One class may receive most of the instruction at an enriched level and have additional assignments that reflect their advanced ability. This same group may have some review activities eliminated because they have demonstrated, as a group, that they don't need the additional time. Yet another section may have the need for more review and more direct instruction time to understand the work.

Something I consider common to all students is that they are capable of completing and submitting assignments that reflect the best of their individual abilities. All students can and will learn science. I strive to meet each student where they are at academically and do everything possible to rise to the highest level of achievement possible. My expectation is that each student will work to achieve their individual best.

I am thankful for each of the snowflakes (uh, students) in my classes.

Ms. Grumbine

11/22 Cell Test

In-Class:
Cell Test
Homework:
Enjoy the time off!

Tuesday, November 28 - Cell Model Presentations Due

Extra Credit Opportunity - this opportunity will be presented to the class Monday, November 27 so if you keep up on the blog you have a head start!

Write up a short (less than 1 minute) presentation of one of the cell organelles to present to the class. The presentation may be in the form of a poem, a song, a rap or performance art. The information must include the structure and function of the organelle chosen. Presentations will be given during classtime over the course of the week. The write up and organelle presentation is worth 20 extra credit points.

11/21 Cell Review

In-Class:
Reviewed Chapter 1 for Cell Test tomorrow.
Homework:
Study notes, handouts, and text for test.

(Mr. Lale has been my substitute for the past 2 days and is a retired science teacher with many years experience. I'm confidant that the students are well prepared for the test tomorrow.)

11/20 Cell Chapter Review

In-Class:
Reviewed cell chapter and assignment pp.39&40.
Homwork:
Complete p.41

(I was regrettably, absent from school today.)

Wednesday, November 22 - Cell Unit Test

Tuesday, November 28 - Cell Model Presentation due

11/17 cells review

In-Class:
Students worked to complete p.39 & 40 chapter review as listed in yesterday's post. If the assignment was completed in class, students viewed fixed slides of specimen including glandular tissue and volcanic ash.
Homework:
Study handouts, notes, and text for Cell Unit Test.

Monday, November 20 - Chapter Review Due
Wednesday, November 22 - Cell Unit Test
Tuesday, November 28 - Cell Model Presentation Due

11/16 Unit Review

In-Class:
Chapter Review
Students should write out all questions and answers in their science notebooks to use the responses as a study guide.
Assignment is DUE Monday, November 20. Students may turn in their notebooks on Friday if assignment is completed early.
Complete p.39 (1-10)
p.40 (11-18) (20,22)
Homework:
Study Organelles. Review Cell Unit.

Friday, November 17 - organelle mini-quiz retake
Wednesday, November 22 - Cell Unit Test
Tuesday, November 28 - Cell Model Presentations

11/15 Cell Processes

In-Class:
Students took lecture notes over Cell Processes.
Laboratory - Diffusion. The written lab was due in bin at end of class or may be turned in completed before first hour tomorrow.
Homework:
Read pp. 25-30. (Should read pp. through 35)
Continue to study cell organelles. A "requiz" over organelles will be given Friday. The Unit test over cells will be given Wednesday, November 22.

Tuesday, November 28 - Cell models due for presentation.

11/14 cells & scopes

In-class:
Students took a mini-quiz over ten organelles. Reviewed chemistry of cells. Discussed cell projects which will be DUE November 28, 2006 for presentation. Most sections had the opportunity to practice microscope skills.
Homework:
Study pp.25-30 and be able to orally respond to questions on p. 30, section review.
Period 9
Complete section review p.30 1.a; 1.b; 2a; 2b.

Statistics

It occurs to me after parent-teacher conferences that it is hard to have perspective on the overall progress of seventh grade students when looking at only one report card. Rest assured that there is a normal spread of achievement throughout my 132 students. The elements common to students who earn an A in science is a high level of homework completion and high test scores. The elements common to most students who earn a failing grade in science may include lack of homework completion, low test scores, poor organizational skills, poor attendance, inattention during class.

The following is a table of first quarter scores by percentage

A 17.4%
B 30.3%
C 24.2%
D 12.9%
F 14.8%

11/13 chemistry of cells

In-Class:
Reviewed w/s "Looking Inside Cells"
Introduced the concepts: elements, compounds, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, amino acids, enzymes, nucleic acids. Students took notes during class.
Period 1 - attended awards assembly and can gain the same material by reading pp.25-30.
Period 8 - several students left for the perfect attendance ice cream social and can gain the same material by reading pp. 25-30.
Homework:
All students should read pp. 25-30 and study the concepts listed above.

Note: On days when there are planned disruptions, my lessons are those that can be easily duplicated by studying at home.

Congratulations to the many students honored at today's events!

11/08 specialized cells & bacteria

In-Class:
Discussed the levels of organization from cells through organisms. Discussed the relationship between structure and function of cells. Identified bacteria and the Kingdom Monera. Some sections had the opportunity to view bacterial cells and epithelial cells under the microscope.
Homework:
Periods 1,2,5,7,9
Complete worksheet "looking inside cells"
Period 8
Complete Enrichment work "Modeling cell structure"
Due Monday in bin

Thursday, November 9, 12:30 - 7:00 Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday, November 10 - No School, Veteran's Day Observance

Availability of "Office Hours" 06-07

Because the telephones will not ring through to my classroom during teaching hours (8am - 2:30pm) I am not immediately available by phone. However, If you leave a message on voicemail my computer will alert me by way of email that you have called and I can listen to and respond to your message during my plan period or lunch period.

Plan periods:
3rd period 9:26-10:06
4th period 10:09-10:49

Lunch
6th period 11:37-12:19

I often have meetings during 4th period plan but am able to set up conferences during 3rd period plan.

11/07 Lab - Microscopic cells

In-Class:
Reviewed "Can you Identify These Cell Structures" w/s. Introduced students to microscope use and troubleshooting. Students viewed and sketched cells under 40X and 400X.
Homework:
Students should read text through p.24 and be prepared to discuss specialized cells in class Wednesday.

Wednesday - 7th grade honor roll breakfast first hour.

Thursday - Parent/Teacher conferences 12:30pm - 7:00pm

Friday - No School Veteran's Day observance

11/06 Cell Organelle functions

In-Class:
Completed the last 10 minutes of "The Cell" video. Students completed their video notes. Completed w/s Identifying the names of cell organelles and a word search that introduced cell processes.
Assignments are due in class Tuesday.
Homework:
Review pp.4-21 in text and study organelles and functions.

Report Cards and attached grade reports went home with students today. Signed grade reports are worth 5 points extra credit if returned during class Tuesday.

Cell Diagrams

Typical Animal Cell

Cell Diagrams can be found on pp.20 & 21 in the text.

11/03 The Cell - Video

In-Class:
We laughed...we cried...it was a movie that remains a favorite... "The Cell." Students took brief notes on the organelles listed in this video. We will complete the video and video quiz section Monday.
Homework:
Study plant cell/animal cell worksheet. Study organelle functions.

11/02 Cell Organelles

In-Class:
Microscope Test (13 points)
Corrected and reviewed plant and animal cell labels and organelle functions.
Color coding organelles.
Homework:
Cells must be completed including color coding organelles. Chloroplasts must be green.

Monday, November 6 - Report cards go home.
Tuesday, November 7 - signed grade reports are due in bin.
Thursday, November 9 - Parent/Teacher conferences by appointment.
Friday, November 10 - No School.

11/01 Cell Organelles

In-Class:
Introduced the names and functions of the cell organelles.
Students began work on their homework assignment in class.
Homework:
Worksheet - Fill in the blanks with the names of the plant cell and animal cell organelles. Write out the function of the organelles in the blanks below.
Information is in the text pp. 20 & 21. The centrioles are not required to be labeled as this information isn't provided in the text.

Study for microscope test.
Thursday, November 2 - Microscope Test