Friday 4/15

Journal:

I collected your classification vocab (list on the new I can statements).

Then we worked on making classification keys using a "junk box collection" of objects. You can find about 5 sets of 10 objects (each set should be related but items not identical) at home and make a simple classification key (like the one used for the bell work today) for each set. You can also come after school and borrow the sets of objects I have. We turned that assignment in today.

HW:  none

Thursday 4/14

No journal today.

We shared with neighbors our Design an Organism assignment then turned it in.

Then we took the multiple choice/essay portion of this unit's assessment. If you missed class today you will need to set up a time with me to take the test at a later time.

You were then given the new I can statements and assigned the new vocabulary for homework.

HW:  Classification vocab from new I can statements due tomorrow.

Wednesday 4/13

Journal:

Give two examples of genetic traits in animals that have changed due to natural causes and two traits changed by man-made influences.

Today we finished working on the first half of your Reproduction unit mastery quiz:  Design an Organism. If you need an environment for the assignment come see me to choose one.

HW:  finish Design an Organism if not in class
Reminders:  Multiple choice portion of mastery quiz tomorrow in class

Tuesday 4/12

Journal:

1. Why must genetic changes occur in organisms?
2. Give one example of a species and how it might be different if it had not ever made any adaptations.

We finished the genetic changes powerpoint and notes then turned it in. It is officially due tomorrow so if you didn't finish you should bring it to class with you tomorrow.

We started the first part of your mastery quiz "Design an Organism." I have the environments you can choose from so if you missed class, see me to get one. Here is the worksheet for it.

HW:  anything left on the genetic changes ppt notes outline.
REMINDERS:  Mastery quiz on reproduction and genetic changes Thursday (traditional multiple-choice style test)

Monday 4/11

Journal:

Today we discussed the Genetic Variations assignment (see posts from last week) as a class then turned it in.

We then continued our discussion of unique genetic traits in organisms with this powerpoint and this notes outline.

HW:  none

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