10/31 Cell Theory and Microscopes

In-Class:
Discussed relationship between the advancement of technology and the progression of science. Students identified the timeline of discoveries and inventions of Robert Hook, Anton von Leeuwenhook, Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow. Notes should remain in student notebook. Students practiced labeling microscope parts and functions.
Homework:
memorize scope parts.
Read and study through p.13 in text.

10/30 THE CELL

In-Class:
Reviewed pp.16-19 Classification and pp.85,86 Graphing.
Introduced the cell and microscope skills.
Students read pp.4-9 in text and summarized pp.8&9.
Students labeled the parts of the microscope and will be tested over this on Thursday.
Homework:
Complete summary in notebook if not accomplished during classtime.
Memorize scope parts from p.196 in text.

Thursday, November 2 - Test
Identifying microscope parts and use

Overview of the First Quarter

• Content covered during the first academic quarter of 7th grade includes:

Laboratory Safety
Metric Measurement
The Scientific Method

• and introduced the following laboratory skills:

Measuring volume with graduated cylinders
measuring mass with a triple beam balance
lighting bunsen burners
filtering fluids with a ring stand apparatus

• as well as the cognitive skills:

observing
inferring
classifying
graphing
predicting
investigating
forming hypotheses
communicating results

• 30 points of extra credit work was offered to students during first quarter.
• Students requiring additional support were offered tutorial during lunchtime study hall and before school.

10/27 Classification & Graphing Review

In-Class:
Skills Practice-Classifying pp.16-19 w/s (1-4.) Skills Test-Graphing pp.85,86
Due Monday in bin.

Homework:
Complete any work not finished during classtime.

Laboratory-"Classifying Seeds" Due Monday in bin.

10/26 Lab: Classification of Seeds

In-Class:
Lab: Developing a classification system for seeds. Students worked with a partner to organize bird seed so that their final classification contained only one type of seed. Individual Lab reports are due in the inbins no later than Monday, October 30.
Homework:
Work on completing "Developing a classification system for seeds" lab report.

Monday, November 6 - Report cards go home. Please sign and return the individual teacher reports. Students receive 5 points extra credit for reports signed and returned by the next day, Tuesday.

10/25 Classification of paper shapes

In-Class:
Students worked to organize 30 shapes, shaded or not shaded, into meaningful classes (groups.) Then, they glued the groups onto paper by class or subclass.
Homework:
Complete assignment if not completed during science.

5th hour and 7th hour sections did not meet due to the shortened day.

10/24 Graphs

Example of a line graph using data from Steger Annual Precipitation

In-Class:
Practiced using data tables to create line graphs and bar graphs.
Homework:
p. 183 Activity
"Create line graphs to display the data from Experiment 2 and Experiment 3 in the data table."
The data table is located at the top of p. 182
Students began assignment in class and should finish and review assignment at home.

Wednesday, October 25 - Early release 11:00am

Friday, October 27 - End of First Quarter

10/23 Hypotheses

In-Class:
Students reviewed safety procedures and the Code of Conduct. Students made a personal committment to maintain safety in the classroom by finishing this writing prompt: "I am going to keep the laboratory safe by..."
Students reviewed Developing a Hypothesis w/s pp. 42&43
Homework:
Review safety symbols and procedures from text and handouts.

Tuesday, October 24: Extra Credit due

Wednesday, October 25: Early Release 11am

Friday, October 27: End of First Quarter

Student Code of Conduct and Procedure

1. Come to class every day with necessary materials (pen, pencils, science folder, and science notebook.)
2. Chewing gum, eating lunch or other snacks is prohibited.
3. Textbooks, tables and equipment are not to be written on or damaged in any way. Students will pay for property damage.
4. Talking during class is permitted only after the instructor grants permission.
5. Leaving seat is permitted only after the instructor grants permission.
6. Work at your assigned stations during lab. Do not wander.
7. No doing homework in class other than Science homework as assigned.
8. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all information when he/she has been absent. Maximum - 2 days for make up work. It is the responsibility of your lab partner to inform you of missed assignments.
9. Progress reports must be returned the following day, signed by a parent/guardian.
10. Any materials checked out (i.e. books) must be returned before homeroom the following morning.
11. Do not touch lab equipment and material until the teacher gives permission.
12. All material must be returned to its proper place at end of period.
13. Talking negatively of teachers or classmates will not be permitted.
14. Respect authority. This includes substitutes as well as classroom teacher.

Failure to observe the above safety rules will result in disciplinary actions.

Parent and Student Signatures were received during the first week of attendance.

10/20 various assignments

In-class:
Hours 1, 2 & 5
Observations on an effervescent tablet. Those students who were able to participate observed diffusion in action. Students noted variables that effect the rate of diffusion and identified solutes and solvents.
Alternative Assignment for students unable to participate: summay of the elements of technological design from pp. 180 & 181 in text.
Hours 7, 8, 9 - completed alternative assignment and worksheet on forming an Hypothesis.
Homework:
Students must review safety measures in the science laboratory.

Violations of the Code of Conduct have resulted in the suspension of laboratory priveleges for those students. We all need to work together (students, parents and the instructor) so that each section of students has the opportunity to have a real-life laboratory experience.

Grade reports went home with hours 2 & 5. Behavior reports went home with several students and need to be signed and returned by Tuesday, October 24 at the latest.

Extra Credit is due October 24 and is now worth 20 points!
I evaluated the total number of points recorded for the quarter and determined that the work could receive 2 points per problem. Additional copies of the extra credit can be downloaded from yesterday's post.

Monday, October 23 - 7th grade student field trip to Lyric Opera. Some sections will miss science.

Tuesday, October 24 - Extra Credit due

Wednesday, October 25 - Half day of school

Friday, October 27 - Last day of first Quarter

Extra Credit Scientific Method

Students will receive a copy of extra credit "Scientific Method in Action" Thursday and Friday.

The assignment is due Tuesday, October 24 on a separate sheet of notebook paper. This is the last extra credit opportunity for first quarter.
10 points extra credit (Now worth 20 points!)

The instructions can also be printed or copied from the following link

http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/scientificmethodstories.html

10/19 TEST

In-Class:
Test - Scientific Method
35 points
Homework:
Organize folder

End of Quarter - October 27, 2006

Conferences - November 9
12:30 - 7:00 by appointment

10/18 Test Review

In-Class:
Students reviewed the 5 or 6 steps of the scientific method; vocabulary related to the scientific method; and skills related to measuring volume, length, and temperature in the metric system.
Homework:
Students will review handouts and notes related to the scientific method and may use textbook pp.174-179 to aid in the review for the test tomorrow over The Scientific Method.

Test Thursday, October 19, 2006
Scientific Method

First Quarter ends Friday, October 27, 2006

10/17 Observations on a Burning Candle

In-class:
Laboratory - students wrote out timed observations and inferences while observing a burning candle. Discussion included conservation of mass.
Homework:
Study notes and handouts for test.

Thursday - Test: The scientific method.
October 27 - End of 1st quarter.

10/16 scientific method

In-class:
Students discussed the difference between observation and inference. Students wrote out answers to p.7 skills review and completed the reading checkpoint on p.9.
Homework:
Study vocabulary and handouts related to the scientific method for quiz Thursday.

End of 1st quarter - October 27, 2006

10/13 Scientific Method

In-class:
Students reviewed previous assignments and notes to define the following:

scientific method
variable
control
data
hypothesis
observation
inference
*quantitative observation
*qualitative observation
predicting
classifying
evidence
scientific theory
scientific law
biology

*definitions given during Friday's class.

Homework:
Complete vocabulary in notebook if not completed during classtime.

Reminder -
Extra Credit due Monday.

First Quarter ends October 27, 2006

10/12 displaced volume

In-class:
Lab - identifying the volume of an irregularly shaped object using graduated cylinders and water.
Homework:
w/s pp. 29, 31, 33 measurement review
length, volume, temperature
Due Friday

Extra Credit Due Monday, October 16

10/11 metric temperature

Hours 1 and 2
In-class:
video notes
"Evidence" and "Patterns"

Hours 5,7,8,9
In-class:
Metric conversions
Celcius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celcius
Homework
6 problems
Due Thursday in bin

Metric Extra Credit

Points: 5 extra credit points to be assigned to your test scores.
Due: Monday, October 16.

Instructions -
Construct an organized table on lined paper that shows the following in millimeters, centimeters, and meters.

Assign the title "Metrics Around the House" to your paper.

1. length and width of kitchen or dining room table
2. length of Bed
3. Your Height
4. length of Language Arts textbook
5. length of Science textbook

10/06 metric temperature OR scientific method

Hours 1 and 2
In-class:
Metric measurement of temperature for body temperature, freezing point of water, and boiling point of water.
Homework:
w/s 6 conversion problems. Math help can be found on p.187 for multiplying fractions.
review p.177 (temperature) in text.

Hours 5,7,8,9
In-class:
The Scientific Method
"Evidence" and "Patterns" notes
Homework:
review p. 177 (temperature) in text.

Grade reports went home with students.