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December 20, 2005
Today we examined two different lab procedures for extracting DNA from living (once living) things. We compared the two processes and then brainstormed several experiment topics based on the variables of the activities. Small groups of students worked together to decide which variable to investigate and then planned their individual experiments.
Tomorrow we will do our experiments. I am shopping for additional materials tonight and students may need to bring some things from home. So... Parents do not worry if your child asks if they can have a bell pepper or some spinach to take to school.
One of our procedures involves the use of a blender and I have asked students to ask their parents if they can bring one from home. If not, we will make do with the one that I have.
Posted by Carroll at 05:36 PM
December 19, 2005
I know that you tried. Everyone had problems with submitting their papers for evaluation. Here is the NEW procedure for submitting:
1. Create your report using Word or something similar. When you are finished with your report, highlight and copy it.
2. Log on to PHSuccessnet using the link on a previous post. Remember that you used your lunch number and your first name as your logon and your password.
3. On the far left drop-down menu, select e-rater instead of essay builder.
4. Use the edit - paste function to copy your report in the space provided. Do not try to submit the bibliography.
5. Select either C9 -Cause and Effect or C6 -Description as the type of essay. (I know that it does not seem to fit, but the scoring for your writing works fine in these functions.)
6. Submit
I will check the scores and print you a copy of their evaluation. Two students in my 6th period both earned 6 out of 6 on their writing thus far. Good luck everyone.
If you were one of the few students who did not turn in a research report today, then you will need to do it tonight for homework and earn a late grade.
Posted by Carroll at 06:06 PM
December 16, 2005
The test over evolution studies was today. I will get them graded and posted asap.
Monday is the due date for your research report. This is the introduction to your final report. It should be at least two typed pages (double spaced, 12 font) of well written paragraphs that introduce your reserach project. The works cited (bibliography) should also be included as a separate page. Chapter 11 in your Write Source text is the place to go to review the details and see a checklist for your writing.
You should have the problem or question revealed in your beginning paragraph. The purpose or importance for the study should be conveyed in the second paragraph. Your next 2, 3, or 4 paragraphs will be reporting the findings from the review of literature/ research done earlier. You have already written the first draft of these paragraphs in your log book. The ending paragraph should include your hypothesis. Think quality writing! ...Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, MLA form on the works cited page.
You were told to use your student number and name as your login and password. Some of you have used all caps and some of you have first letter caps so try other things before you give up on the logon.
Remember to write your paper in a program like Word.
Optional step: Copy-paste it into the essay builder and edit it.
Copy and paste your finished work into the e-rater funciton (on the left drop-down) for chapter 11 and SUBMIT it for evaluation.
If e-rater is still down this weekend, print a copy of your paper and bring it to class to turn in to me. I will evaluate it for following directions, content, and completion. We will submit your writing to e-rater for evaluation when it comes back up.
If you submit your writing to e-rater, I will be able to see it online and you do not have to print an extra copy to turn on Monday.
Posted by Carroll at 04:39 PM
December 15, 2005
Grades are current on I Parent and students in 3rd and 4th periods received a copy today (5th and 6th periods will get a copy tomorrow). Please check to see that the report is accurate. Students need to see me before or after school or write a note to explain any problems with their grade. There is one more test and one more project grade to be earned. A few daily grades will be recorded next week too. Stay current and finish the term strong!
The evolution unit test (Chap. 5 mostly) is tomorrow. Students who did not earn 80 or higher on the last test must do the workbook pages for chapter 5 and show them to me tomorrow.
Posted by Carroll at 06:33 PM
December 13, 2005
The background information part of your research report is due next week. It should be written in the research paper form discussed in the Write Source Text online Chapter 11.
You need to organize your report so that you introduce your problem or question in the first paragraph, provide the purpose for the study in the second paragraph, give background information related to the topic in the next few or several paragraphs, and close with a paragraph that includes your hypothesis. The bibliography or works cited page will also need to be included.
You do not have to include a title page at this time. Your work will be evaluated by the E-rater component of the writingscience site (see earlier post).
It is suggested that you prepare your report using a program like Word and then copy-paste it into essay builder component of the site and then use the revision checker component to edit your work based on the suggestions for a research report. When you are finished with your editing and are ready to have it graded, you will copy-paste the entire report and submit it to E-rater as a research report. The submit button is at the bottom.
Remember to SAVE OFTEN when you are working on your report.
Posted by Carroll at 05:26 PM
How can DNA analysis or amino acid sequences of Cytochrome C of organisms today be used to support the theory of evolution?
On page 170 in your text, you will find an activity that examines the use of amino acid sequencing in Cytochrome C protein to compare the relatedness between orgainsms. During class we worked in cooperative teams to compare the amino acid sequences for the Cytochrome C protein in horses, donkeys, whales, chickens, penguins, snakes, moths, yeast, and wheat using a more detailed handout. A cladogrom was then devised based on the data.
Today we checked answers to the study guide questions relating to section 3 that were assigned as homework on Monday. If you were absent, you may get a copy of the handout when you return.
Everyone should finish the study guide for homework tonight.
The Evolution unit test (Ch. 5)is on Friday. Remember that all students who did not earn 80 or higher on the modern genetics test are required to do workbook pages 47-56 and show them to me for a grade before the test.
Posted by Carroll at 05:06 PM
December 12, 2005
Visit the following link to explore the lessons on What Did T. rex taste like? and Evolution of Flight.
As you work through the following module, check out how cladograms can be used to answer questions and make predictions. What evidence is used to create cladograms?
Check your answers to your pretest as you work through the lesson. Discuss your findings with your neighbor in the maclab. I will grade you as you do your work. Be prepared to answer some questions about what you have learned through this lesson on your test this Friday.
For homework tonight do the Other Evidence.. and Change Through Time sections of your review sheet.
Posted by Carroll at 12:12 PM
On Thursday, Dec. 8th, we played a game to simulate the slow process of changes that might occur in bird species on an island archipeligo like the Galapagos Islands.
Here is a link to the cool video we watched of a volcanic erruption a few weeks on the islands.
Galapagos Island video- Lindblad Expeditions
Posted by Carroll at 10:43 AM
If you missed class on Friday, Dec. 9., you missed a classroom guidance lesson on careers. Here is the site for creating your portfolio. Remember to use mabry as your user name and guidance as the password to get on to the site. To have access to your portfolio, you should use your first and last name as the username and your lunch number as your password.
Posted by Carroll at 10:31 AM
Wow! I am so impressed with my students' project plans. They are planning to do some interesting scientific research and many have already started gathering data. Please remember that I am available to help you with your questions about your research. Your study should be scientific- all variables except your one IV should be controlled. You should have a measurable DV and several trials to average.
I will check your logbook, when it is turned in in January, to see that you have recorded data in an orderly fashion (use a data table) and that you are being detailed in your account of observations. For the analysis, graphs of your data are needed and you should be writing the meaning of the data using words also. Remember to include pictures in your logbook to illustrate your work.
The introduction to your final paper is due next week. You will submit this to be graded online throught the writing site that you recently registered for. This is a research report format. More details will follow later this week.
Posted by Carroll at 07:00 AM
December 07, 2005
All students must take a few minutes to register for online access to the science and writing textbooks. The writing text component will be used to edit the science research report of background information for your project topic. It will also be used to submit your work and have your writing evaluated electronically.
Link to the site below and follow directions on the handout given in class to register as a new student. This address is not the same as given on the handout. Sorry for the confusion. Most of my 3rd period is registered; great job!
Prentice Hall registration site
Posted by Carroll at 06:36 AM
December 05, 2005
Did you know that science does not know all of the answers? Check out the following link to read about the top 125 unanswered questions that challenge scientists today. Scroll down to see the top 25. Link to a short explanation for each one.
Darwin was challenged to solve one of the mysteries of his day, which question of today's mysteries is most interesting to you?
Posted by Carroll at 06:06 PM
Take a moment to register at the Prentice Hall site. I have set up each of my classes so that they have access to their science and writing textbooks online. Students have the instructions and the class access code on a handout from today.
Do not add a class. You will need to go to first time registration (even though some of you are already registered users in LA and in SCI). You will use your student number and first name as your login and password.
We will be submitting the introduction part of your final report to the writing e-rater for scoring. This includes the problem, purpose for the study, background information, and hypothesis. We will use the research report format which can be found in the Write Source text on pages 381-410 (available when you log on to Prentice Hall as directed). The bibliography will also be included in the report.
You should have your notes organized and translated into 1st draft paragraphs in your journal and your bibliography is already finished. You should now begin working on the thesis statement and your outline. This assignment is due and should be submitted by Dec. 19th.
Posted by Carroll at 05:13 PM
Today we will examine several fossils that were collected in northwest Georgia. Students will also investigate the significance of fossils as they work through the four lessons found on the following site.
Stories From the Fossil Record
As you work through the 4 lessons, create six quality multiple choice questions to exchange with another student at a later time. Write neatly and hide the answers in an upside down box hidden on the back of your paper.
Homework: Read and study pages 157-164 in your text.
Posted by Carroll at 09:01 AM
December 01, 2005
Today we explored the nature of the scientific process from observations to theories. Following a short video "Isn't Evolution Just A Theory?", students worked in groups to solve mystery cubes using observations and making inferences. This activity was recorded in the science journal.
For homework, you should be working to translate your notes into paragraph form in your logbook. This information should be organized into a logical form to become the background information for your report. Logbook check is Dec. 8.
Posted by Carroll at 06:30 PM
