Activities: physical sciences

Most of seventh grade science focuses on life science but here is a really fun site for the physical sciences. It has simulations of activities like roller coaster building, electrical circuits, catapult building and more.


http://phet.colorado.edu/index.php

Holiday Messages

Friday, December 19. I was at least as shocked as my students that we had school today. Parents and students alike deserve enormous credit for making it to school despite sleet, freezing rain, and bitter cold. My entire homeroom was in attendance today. I think we are the only homeroom who can make that claim. Way to go!





My first hour students had the choice of writing messages for posting to this site for your viewing pleasure:


I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

You all rock my socks!
See ya later!
Love,

-Shelby


Merry Christmas
-Jessica


If you live in an apartment, don't forget to buzz in big red.
-Anonymous student


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For those who celebrate other religions, happy holidays!

-Lawrenzo


Merry Christmas!
- Samantha*


Happy what?

-Ryan


Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Shout out to my 3 bestest buddies, Jenna, Jessikah, Brittny.
Yours till the butter flies,
-N'Dgo


Have an Amazziiingggg X-mas or whatever you celebrate!


-Tony ann


I wish everyone a Happy Holiday & an awesome New Year!
From Ms. Grumbine's awesome Science Student,
-Brittany
Shout Out to all my family & friends!


Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Shout out to my bestest friends, N'Dgo, Brittany, Jayaida, Tiana, Princess, Corrina, Bianca, Brianna, Paris.
From Ms. Grumbine's favorite student,
Jessikah Campbell

Merry Christmas,
Aerial
Make sure the fat man doesn't take your cookies!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Have an awesome holiday.
- Kaylee

12/18 Computer Activities

In-Class:

Students received detailed information about the extra credit opportunity. They went on to play educational games listed on this site.

Homework:

Bundle up, stay warm!

extra credit project

Create a Brochure about Cancer and the cell cycle

Brochure will include six panels (a trifold brochure)

Front page Panel 1 is the cover page, include an illustration/drawing, title and introduction (ALSO YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME)
Inside page Panel 2 will contain information about the cell cycle as it relates to cancer cells. i.e. the cancer cell cycle has a limited interphase stage and cells reproduce uncontrollably.
Panel 3, panel 4, panel 5 include information about the three primary treatments for cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy.
Panel 6 (the back of the pamphlet) will list sources for additional information about cancer. i.e. the American Cancer Society website or land mailing address/phone number.

Extra Credit Opportunity. DUE in bin, Tuesday, January 6, 2009. Students may receive 15 points extra credit.

12/17 offspring lab

In-Class:
Due to my absence in November, I allowed students to make up three assignments given during that time. Students had the chance to make up three different assignments. Most, but not all, students showed appreciation for this rare exception to the rules and used their time wisely to raise their scores. Students whose work was complete for that time period participated in an offspring lab.
Homework:
None

An extra credit assignment worth 15 points will be available for completion over winter break. Students will receive the information during class on Thursday or may pick up a copy of the assignment on Friday. The extra credit will be due the first Tuesday after Winter Break.

12/16 Genetic crosses

In-Class:
Students learned how to use punnett squares to demonstrate the expected traits in offspring. Reference pp.86,87 in text. All work was completed during class. Some students were so excited about the work, they chose to take it home for fun. All hours did great work today.
Homework:
Complete seventeen vocabulary words in notebook if not done in class Monday.

12/15 genetic vocabulary

In-Class:

Students wrote out vocabulary as they found the seventeen definitions through their reading. Teams began creating posters that graphically represent one assigned vocabulary word.

Homework:

Complete vocabulary if not done in class. 90% of my students completed the assignment in class. Work will be recorded Wednesday.

1. heredity
2. trait
3. genetics
4. fertilization
5. purebred
6. gene
7. allele
8. dominant allele
9. recessive allele
10. hybrid
11. probability
12. punnett square
13. phenotype
14. genotype
15. homozygous
16. heterozygous
17. codominance

All assignments are posted in the classroom for the week as well.

Overview of week -

Monday: genetic vocabulary DUE in notebook

Tuesday: Punnett squares and genetic crosses. Assignment DUE in class.

Wednesday: Offspring laboratory. Keep in folder.

Thursday: Computer lab activities online.

Friday: Half day of school. Students will meet in their homerooms.

12/12 genetics

In-Class:
Students submitted their DNA in the bin. We completed part II of genes and chromosomes.

Homework:
None

12/11 make ups & activities

In-Class:
Make up tests. Genetics and cell games.
Homework:
DNA DUE IN BIN FRIDAY

www.quia.com/rr/32144.html rags to riches advanced

www.quia.com/jg/1375038.html concentration, matching

12/10 DNA

REMINDER: MAKE UP CELL UNIT TEST TOMORROW

In-Class:

video clip Chromosomes and Genes. Students took notes in their notebook.

Homework:

Complete the Paper DNA strand model. Color code each component of the strand. Cut out the "molecules" and tape them together on the back so that the Adenine pairs with Thymine and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.

Color Code

Adenine - Red

Cytosine - Blue

Thymine - Green

Guanine - Orange

Phosphoric Acid - Brown

Deoxyribose - Yellow

Due in bin Friday (10 points)

12/09 Cancer

In-Class:
Watched ten minute video clip on cancer as it relates to the cell cycle. Students will know the three primary treatments for cancer. They also learned about lifestyle choices that add to the risk of developing cancers.
Homework:
Complete cell cycle review sheet. Keep in folder. Due Wednesday.

Due to the low scores on the Cell Unit Test that was given during my absence, all students will be allowed to retake the test this Thursday. Study Group will be provided Wednesday in room 110 from 2:30 - 4:00. Students must bring a note from their parent/guardian stating that they have permission to stay after school with me.

Organelle songs, raps, poems

Students received ten extra credit points for writing and presenting their organelle songs, raps, or poems.

Tiffany E.

Cell membrane and the cell wall

yeah, we know it all.

The ribosomes,

they're the mighty zones.

The chloroplasts

they just seem to last.

The nucleus is not the spookiest

but it's the coolest.

You can always tell

if it's the cell.

Yeah.

That's the cell

and we learn it in school

because that's cool.

WORD

12/08 Cell Cycle Flip Chart

In-Class:
Students began Cell Cycle Flip Charts. DUE THURSDAY in bin. (20 points)
3 points per page + 2 points for neatness = 20 points.
Homework:
Complete flip chart. Begin reading assignment pp. 76-82.

Flip Chart Instructions

Students will use the six squares on their handout to create a flip chart of the cell cycle. The front of each square will have the name of the phase or stage and a colored diagram of the cell in that phase. The back of each square will have a summary of what is happening during that phase. A hole will be punched in the upper left hand corner of each of the six squares and yarn or string will be threaded through the hole to tie the six squares together in proper sequence. Student name must be written on the first page and initials ought to be on each square in case the chart comes apart.

12/05 Bill Nye, Genes

In-Class:
Students watched Bill Nye's video on genes.
Homework:
None

12/04 Section Outline

In-Class:
We began text outlines in class. The class was presented with one format for outlining. This text makes it easy since the headings are color coded.
Homework:
Review pp. 55-62 in text. Complete outline from text.
Red headings,
Blue Headings,
Black Bolded Words.

12/03 Presentations/ cell division

In-Class:

We continued with students who needed to present their projects. Then, moved on to discuss reading strategies that are helpful in reading science texts.

Homework:

Students are responsible for the material covered in pp.55-62 in their text.

The timeline for organelle raps, songs, poems has been extended through Friday. 10 extra credit points are available!

12/2 Cell Presentations

In-Class:
Students presented their cell projects to the class. As always, they did an awesome job and I really enjoyed the presentations!
Homework:
Browse through pp.5-62 The Cell Cycle

Catch Up November 21,24,25,26

Due to my absence Friday the 21st and all three days of last week, the recording of student assignments is not up to date. Take the midquarter reports received last Wednesday with a grain of salt. I will send out grade reports Friday or as soon as the scores are accurate.

I will catch up with the scoring and recording as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Monday, December 1

We reviewed cellular respiration assignment from last Wednesday. Students will keep the corrected assignment in their folder.

A few students presented their cell projects early. BRAVO!

All Cell Projects are DUE tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2. (50points)

Homework:

Students have until Thursday to read through cell division pages 55-62. We discussed ways to skim through the reading if time isn't available to complete the reading word for word.

Remember...Red headings, Blue headings, black bolded words.

Wednesday, November 26

Cellular respiration guided reading. Complete during class.

Tuesday, November 25

Cell Unit Test

Monday, November 24

Cell Unit Review

Friday, November 21

Photosynthesis video clip and notes.