Thursday 3/31

Journal:

1. How do the large, flat teeth of a cow help it survive?
2. What adaptive advantage do the stripes on a tiger provide?
3. Why do wolves have large sharp teeth?
4. Human beings walk upright.  What adaptive advantage does this provide?
5. When a genetic trait allows a group of animals to be more likely to survive and reproduce, what happens to that trait?

Today I gave you some time in class to finish the Genetic Variations assignment (here is the worksheet and here are the handouts). Anything you still have left is homework.

Then we started going through slides of genetic variations in organisms and discussing whether or not they're advantageous. Here is the PPT I used and the notes outline. We only got through the first two [real] organisms. We'll finish the rest on Monday 4/11.

Have a good spring break!

HW:  anything left on Genetic Variations

Wednesday 3/30

Journal:

Fill out the chart (A-E moving left to right):

Today we finished the genetic variations assignment. You will need this worksheet and this folder of handouts that goes with it. It is due tomorrow for anyone that didn't finish in class.

HW:  anything left on genetic variations assignment

Tuesday 3/29

Journal:

1. Watch the video about the frozen frogs and answer these questions:

1. Why is it beneficial for the wood frog to become frozen during the winter?
2. Why can the frog freeze and thaw but you cannot?
3. What adaptations for protection from the cold do other animals in temperate regions have?

2. What is the difference between a chromosome, gene, and DNA?

Today I handed out new late/hall passes and then started an assignment on genetic mutations.

You will need this worksheet to record your answers and these handouts to help you fill them out (all the handouts are in one folder). We will finish tomorrow.

HW:  none

Monday 3/28

Journal:

1. What kinds of adaptations do organisms make?
2. What is the ultimate purpose of an organism's adaptations?

Today I collected your Adaptations of Birds, Survival Adaptations (movie notes), butterfly, and late/hall passes to finish off your term 3 grade. Then I called up students one at a time to collect any last-minute makeup work and discuss your final term 3 grade.

HW:  none

Friday 3/25

No journal today.

Today we did a writing activity about genetic changes in animals called a RAFT. Here is the worksheet. Come see me if you need help with the assignment.

HW:  anything left of RAFT due Monday 3/28

Thursday 3/24

Journal:

Why are bird beaks and feet so greatly varied?

Today we finished the Adaptations of Birds assignment (designing a bird) then shared the finished product with a group of classmates.

HW:  anything left of the bird assignment

Wednesday 3/23

Journal:

Why must organisms change genetically over time?

Today 7th period found 8th period's hidden butterflies, then we started an assignment where you were to design a bird with the most advantageous parts. Here is the worksheet for the bird assignment. We will finish and share the bird tomorrow.

HW:  none

Tuesday 3/22

Journal:

Give 5 examples of camouflage or mimicry.

We finished the camouflage/mimicry video from yesterday, then created a butterfly to blend in to the classroom somewhere. No makeup necessary today.

HW:  none

Monday 3/21

Journal:

What is camouflage? Mimicry? What do they have to do with reproduction?

Today we watched a movie about camouflage and mimicry. No makeup necessary today; it was just an introduction to adaptations.

HW:  none

Thursday 3/17

Journal:

Make a simple diagram of the test tubes you will use in the yeasty beasty lab. Make sure to label them as "control" or "test" test tube and include exactly (with  measurements) what you will put in each one.

Today we worked on and finished the "Yeasty Beasty" lab. We will turn it in next week. If you missed class, you will need to get data from a friend.

HW:  anything left of lab

Wednesday 3/16

Journal:

I collected your flower dissection lab, then we wrote a hypothesis and procedures for the "Yeasty Beasty" lab. We will take data and do the analysis tomorrow.

After I checked off your hypothesis and procedures, we worked on a crossword puzzle to review reproduction vocabulary.

HW:  none

Tuesday 3/15

No journal today.

We finished up the flower dissection lab today. We will turn the lab in tomorrow.

HW:  anything left of your lab

Monday 3/14

Journal:

1. Give one or two advantages for asexual reproduction over sexual reproduction.
2. Give 5 examples of how flowering plants can be pollinated.

We started a flower dissection lab today. You will need to make up the lab portion in class after school if you missed class today, but here is the writeup. We will finish tomorrow.

HW:  none

Thursday 3/10

Journal:

1. What advantages are there for sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction?
2. Explain how a flowering plant is fertilized.

We watched a series of video clips today found here, then filled out questions to go along with it. Please use this worksheet.

HW:  none

Wednesday 3/9

Journal:

What are the two types of reproduction? Give two examples of each.

We did a textbook assignment today reviewing reproduction. If you missed class today, please come see me and I'll give you the assignment and you can check out a textbook.

HW:  anything left of assignment

Tuesday 3/8

Journal:

Do you think talents are acquired or inherited? Why?

I collected your vocabulary homework, then we took 10 minutes at the beginning of the class finishing and turning in Inherited or Acquired Traits. We then took notes on different types of reproduction using this PPT and this notes outline. That took us to the end of class.

HW:  none

Monday 3/7

Journal:

Differentiate between inherited and acquired traits.

I handed out your homework assignment which is to define all the vocab words (11) on your new I Can statements.

Then we worked on an assignment practicing distinguishing between inherited and acquired traits using your classmates. If you were absent, download the worksheet and find 10 friends/family to use.

HW:  Genetics/Inheritance vocab due tomorrow Tuesday 3/8

Friday 3/4

Journal:

1. What are a cell's needs?
2. How are a cell's needs met by tissues and organs?

Today we spent some class time sharing your Cells to Body booklets with classmates, then we taught each other the Cells I can statements since this unit is over today. You can get 10% worth of your current grade in extra credit by teaching someone each objective on the old I can statements. Have them initial the paper and bring them by Monday 3/7.

We then did an introductory activity about inherited/acquired traits (no makeup required).

HW:  teach cells objectives for extra credit by Monday 3/7

Thursday 3/3

Journal:

1.List the major organ systems as discussed in class.

2. Describe the main function of each organ system.

We spent one more class day working on "Cell to Body" booklets (your mastery quiz for this objective).

HW:  anything left of "Cell to Body" - it's due TOMORROW Friday 3/4 at the beginning of class; progress reports signed for extra credit due tomorrow 3/4

Wednesday 3/2

Journal:

After going over the journal, we made a booklet for your Human Systems Mastery Quiz:  Cells to Body. Here is a list of possible cells to use and instructions on how to make the booklet. I gave you the last 20 minutes to work on the booklet (see page-by-page instructions here). We will finish it tomorrow.

HW:  research anything you need in addition to what you found in the textbook about your cell for your booklet

Monday 2/29

No journal today.

We finished the human systems presentations today.

HW:  Come prepared with the name of one specific type of cell in the human body. I will ask you about it on Wednesday 3/2