10/31 Cell Diagrams

In-Class:
Students completed handouts by labeling the cell organelles and describing the function of each.
Homework:

• Complete Drawing, labeling, and coloring plant cell and animal cell from Tuesday. DUE in bin Friday.
• Study for Microscope test.

Thursday, November 1 - Microscope TEST

Friday, November 2 - Cell drawings due in bin.

10/30 Cell Diagrams

In-Class:

Students discussed the development of the microscope and how it effected the advancement of the cell theory. Students began their diagrams of the Plant Cell (p.20) and the Animal Cell (p.21)

Homework:

Study the parts of the microscope for Test Thursday.

Complete the diagrams of the plant and animal cells - DUE FRIDAY in BIN (20 points)

Diagrams must include a title, labels correctly spelled, and it must be color code with colored pencil.



The Plant Cell will include:

1. Nucleus
2. Cytoplasm
   
3. Ribosomes
   
4. Golgi Body
   
5. Mitochondrion


6. Cell Membrane


7. Vacuole


8. Chloroplasts


9. Cell Wall


10. Endoplasmic Reticulum

The Animal Cell will include:

1. Nucleus


2. Endoplasmic Reticulum


3. Golgi Body


4. Cell Membrane


5. Vacuole


6. Lysosomes


7. Mitochondria


8. Cytoplasm
   
9. Ribosomes

10/29 microscope

In-Class:
labeled and detailed the structure and function of each of the parts on a microscope. Began a crossword puzzle to reinforce the function of the microscope structure. Discussed the relationship between the improvement of technology over time and the advance of science.
Homework:
Students should complete the crossword if not done in class. It is due in class Tuesday. Students will read and study pp.8 and 9 and be able to describe the historical changes in microscope design.

Thursday, November 1 - TEST: microscope structure and function

Students will be able to identify the following:

1. Coarse adjustment knob
2. Fine adjustment knob
3. eye piece/ocular lens
4. body tube
5. nose piece
6. high power objective lens
7. low power objective lens
8. diaphragm
9. stage
10. field
11. stage clips
12. base
13. mirror/light
14. arm

10/26 THE CELL introduction

In-Class:
Students used a list of 20 common cell organelle names to come up with a personal list of 20 candy or food names that would help them to remember the new and unusual cell organelle names. This is a form of "brain based" activity that should help students make new connections in their mind.
Homework:
Organize folders for Monday with 12 colored pencils and all handouts.

metric ruler

If you click on this link you can print off a metric ruler onto letter size paper. You never need to be without a ruler!


http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/UnstableURL/ruler_foot.pdf

10/25 lab-seed classification

In-Class:
Students used what they learned about taxonomic keys/dichotomous charts to create their own dichotomous chart of bird seed.
Homework:
A few students needed to take home their bird seed to complete the assignment at home. All students will study for 10 minutes from their notes and handouts.

Friday, October 26 - last day in the first quarter.

10/24 classification

In-Class:
Lecture: Students took notes on the history and purpose of classification.
Homework:
Study notes and rewrite them if they are not legible. You need to be able to read your own writing in order to study.



Some groups discussed the detail that a species is identified as closely related organisms that mate to produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce. Two examples of organisms that are produced by animals that were similar but not in the same species are the mule (donkey and horse mating) and the zorse (zebra and horse mating.)

10/23 classification lab

In-Class:
Discussed classification systems. Students arranged shape cut outs into meaningful groups based on their similar characteristics. Tomorrow we will discuss, in detail, the history of our current classification system for living organisms.
Homework:
The few students who did not complete the classification assignment in class must complete it at home. You may use glue, glue stick, or tape to attach the shapes to the construction paper.\

We discussed the fact that while students may not receive written assignments each night, they are required to study their handouts and notes each evening for at least ten minutes. Low test scores most often result from a lack of study time at home.

10/22 Opera Field Trip

In-Class:
Students attended the Lyric Opera production of Cinderella. Hours 1 and 7 attended class as usual.
Hour 1 - Reviewed the solar system and played a whiteboard activity to reinforce their memories.
Hour 7 - Reviewed the steps in the scientific method.

Homework:
Organize notes and ensure planner is up to date.

Students will be studying classification this week.

Friday, October 26 - Last day in the first Quarter

10/19 Wheel of Wisdom

8am-9am Seventh Grade Students participated in the "Wheel of Wisdom" game show assembly.
9am-10am 6th hour classes
10am-11am 7th hour classes
Students in my 6th hour and 7th hour science classes attended class for one hour each. We watched "Volcanoes" and played whiteboard activities to review the video and reinforce the metric system and the scientific method.

Monday, October 22 - Lyric Opera Fieldtrip

10/18 TEST-Scientific Method

In-Class:
TEST: Scientific Method (15 points)
Make up TEST: Metric System
Preview: Classification
Homework:
Organize folder and notebook.

10/17 Lab: effervescent tablets

In-Class:
Laboratory: Observations on an effervescent tablet. Students dissolved Alka Selzer in 400ml of water to observe and write about the reaction. We then listed variables that could effect the outcome and suggested an hypothesis for each. Students noted that we would need a control in order to determine if it was the variable that effected the outcome.

Students reviewed information from their vocabulary/study guide for the Scientific Method TEST tomorrow.

Homework:
Study handouts, notes, and study guide for TEST.

10/16 lab: burning candle

In-Class:
Observations on a burning candle. Students wrote out quantitative and qualitative observations of a burning candle. We discussed conservation of mass as it relates to a burning candle and students came up with some additional examples.
Homework:
Complete Vocabulary/Study Guide for the scientific method.
Study for Thursday, October 18 TEST - Scientific method.

Thursday, October 18 Make up TEST - metric system.

scientific method vocabulary

Scientific Method Vocabulary and Study Guide

Vocabulary

1. Scientific Method
2. variable
3. control
4. data
5. hypothesis
6. observation
7. inference
8. quantitative observation
9. qualitative observation
10. predicting
11. classifying
12. evidence
13. scientific theory
14. scientific law
15. biology

Students should be able to:

• identify the method for finding the mass of material on a triple beam balance with and without a container and use the correct unit of measure.
• read a thermometer in degrees celsius and label it correctly.
• read a graduated cylinder and use the correct unit of measure.
• Complete conversions within the metric system.
• Identify errors in an example of an experiment.
• Identify the steps in the scientific method.

10/15 scientific method

In-Class:

Students reviewed the scientific method. It is important in writing out responses that students include the unit of measure (i.e. ml, g, km, C, etc.) Students received a study guide that doubles as a vocabulary list for the scientific method. We will be using the scientifc method Tuesday and Wednesday as we practice making observations and manipulating variables during our laboratories.

Homework:

Study scientific method handouts, notes, and vocabulary.

Thursday, October 18: TEST - Scientific Method.

Thursday, October 18: Make up TEST for the metric system.

10/12 measurement skills

In-Class:
Students reviewed skills in the scientific method.
Pages 31,32,33 are due in the bin Monday at the beginning of class. Students are expected to make an honest attempt at p.40.

The two Inferring and Measuring answers will be written in the student's notebook with today's date.

Hour 7 does not need to complete p.40 and did not receive the Inferring and Measuring assignment.

Hour 4 may submit whatever work was completed in class. They will not receive a score due to the unplanned interruption of the school's schedule today.

Homework:
Finish any assignments not completed in class today.

Thursday, October 18 - Test: The Scientific Method
Thursday, October 18 - Test Makeup for students with signed and submitted Metric System tests.

10/11 metrics

In-Class:
Students did activities or review related to the metric system. Assignments were based on the individual needs of each group or individual. All students reviewed the conversions between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Hour 1, Hour 4, and Hour 6 - Students participated in a displaced volume lab OR completed a guided review of the metric system conversions.

Hour 2 - completed a review of the metric system and wrote out the information on converting within the metric system from p. 177.

Hour 3 and Hour 7 - completed a review of the metric system including a math review on solving problems to find the volume of regular and irregularly shaped objects.

Homework:
All Students: Study the steps in the scientific method.
Students who received a metric conversion w/s must complete the work and turn it in to the bin Friday in class.

Thursday, October 18 - Quiz: Scientific Method

Thursday, October 18 - Make up Metric Test for students with signed, failing Tests that were turned in by Friday, October 12.

10/10 metric temperature

In-Class:
We reviewed the scientific method packets in class and students received credit for the work completed.

Students received a conversion worksheet that gives the equation for converting back and forth between degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit. We also discussed standard temperature readings for boiling point of water, freezing point of water, room temperature, and body temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Students should know how to convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit but what is more important is that they can identify whether the number given is reasonable.
Homework:
Hours 1,2,4 and 6 complete the six conversion problems from the worksheet. We completed at least two examples in class. All classes should memorize the standard temperatures.

You can check your conversions or practice converting other units within the metric system at www.convert-me.com

10/9 scientific method

In-Class:
Scientific method packets were begun or completed by students. The packets include laboratory skills checkup 2,3,4 and 5.
Homework:
Complete scientific method packet.
Due Wednesday at beginning of class. Completion credit will be assigned.

Students wishing to retake the metric system test must have a test copy signed by a parent/guardian by Thursday. Hours 4, 6 and 7 will receive their test copies tomorrow and they may be signed and returned by Friday.

The metric system is used throughout upcoming assignments. Students requiring additional instruction will be given some time in class to review rather than completing a laboratory but should continue to practice metric conversions at home.

10/5 Scientific Method

In-Class:
Video notes - "The Scientific Method" Students need to be able to identify the steps in the scientific method. Notes from video must include the difference between a control and a variable. Most students completed the practice sheet in class.
Homework:
If a student did not turn in the worksheet Skills Test B: measuring and calculating it must be completed over the weekend and turned in to the bin Tuesday before class.

Monday, October 8 - NO SCHOOL.

10/4 TEST

In-Class:
TEST - Metric system.
Homework was turned in before the test - Length Worksheet II
Extra Credit worksheet (2 ships) which was handed to students Monday was not due until the end of class.
Homework:
None

I was absent from class. Mr. Lale was my substitute.

10/3 metric review/pipette lab

In-Class:
We reviewed measurements within the metric system and converting within the metric system. Some sections also had the opportunity to practice using the serological pipettes in the lab.
Homework:
Complete Metric Length Worksheet II. Due in bin Thursday before the test.


Thursday, October 4 - TEST - Metric units and conversions.
Rulers are required for the test.

Hint: you must know the parts of the triple beam balance including the pan and the riders.

The Extra Credit worksheet ("2 ships") is due in the bin after the test.

10/2 volume lab

In-Class:
Laboratory - students practiced measuring metric volume using graduated cylinders. Students need to understand how the meniscus is created and how to read the volume of fluid in a graduated cylinder. We also reviewed orally for the metric system test.
Homework:
Practice making conversions within the metric system. Study notes for test.

Wednesday, October 3 - Make up laboratory, 7:30-7:50am.
Thursday, October 4 - Metric System Test. (30 points.) RULERS ARE REQUIRED. Extra credit sheet due in class with test.

Reminder - SQuOD must be completed every day in your science notebook. The entire question must be written out daily as well as the answer.

10/01 scientific method/metrics

In-Class:
Introduced the steps and purpose of the scientific method. Reviewed metric conversions. We will continue practicing conversions throughout the year.
Homework:
Practice converting units within the metric system. Students will use their in class assignments to review converting units. They can fold today's assignment in half so that the answers are hidden, write out the conversion in their notebook then unfold the assignment to check the answer.

Wednesday, October 3 - 7:30 -7:50am lab makeups.
Thursday, October 4 - TEST metric conversions and units of measure.