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August 31, 2006
Students enjoyed D.E.A.R. time with a focus of looking for examples of cause and effect. The effect is often implied, not stated. How many examples could you find today?
We watched a video called Assignment Discovery: Cells following our reading. Students were encouraged to take notes and we discussed interesting points following the viewing.
There is no homework for Thursday night.
Students who did not have their Wednesday homework when I checked it today should remember to complete it tonight and show it to me for a late grade tomorrow.
Posted by Carroll at 05:37 PM
It was a pleasure to meet the parents of my students at Open House on Tuesday night. I hope that everyone has made arrangements to access I-parent by now so you can see how your student is performing in class.
In class on Wednesday, we analyzed our data from our activity "How big is that cell?" and discussed the answers to Part IV questions.
It will be interesting to see how close our estimates are to the actual sizes of the various cell types. (I wonder if any of my students know how to find that information?) In class, we also completed a note taking activity (concept definition map available below) based on pages 18-25 "What is Life?" reading assignment.
For homework:
Please read pages 27-33 "Discovering Cells" and record notes as described... In you notes, State the Cell Theory and create a table to record the contributions made by Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow to our understanding of cells that led to The Cell Theory.
Student journals should now have several items to be graded: A reflection on the importance of accurate record keeping, Experiment using Gummi candies, activity on "How to use a Microscope", and the activity "How big is that cell?" I will begin checking them today, please make sure that your journal is on the shelf with your class.
Posted by Carroll at 06:48 AM
August 28, 2006
Posted by Carroll at 09:48 AM
August 27, 2006
This is the activity that we are working on in class. We will complete parts I. II. and III in class. You should complete Part IV for homework - due on Wednesday.
How Big Is That Cell?
Learn the basic theory and methods of optical microscopy.
Use a compound microscope to examine and determine the relative size of plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
What you will do:
Recognize the concepts of magnification and optical inversion
Prepare a wet-mount slide and examine and measure a standard sample
Examine and measure different cells
Posted by Carroll at 10:27 PM
August 25, 2006
Students were introduced to microscopes in today's class activity. Following the lesson, students should be able to:
1. use the appropriate terminology to describe the parts of the microscope
2. demonstrate the correct use of a compound light microscope
3. calculate the total magnification of the various objectives on the microscopes
4. explain how to prepare a wet mount slide
I asked students to check the blog tonight for some interesting links relating to microscopy. Check them out.
How do images from compound light microscopes differ from the images from electron microscopes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which do you prefer?
Another thing to ponder---how do advancements in technology affect our understanding of the natural world?
P.S. Today (officially), our solar system has only 8 true planets. What a wonderful example of how science is constantly changing because of new information. My 6th period was most mournful of the demotion of Pluto to dwarf planet status; I was surprised that they were so passionate. They are already trying to rethink that familiar phrase..."My very earthy mother just served us nothing (or was that nachos?)" .
Books will be assigned on Monday! It is time for us to begin learning about living things and the nature of their cells.
Parents please plan to attend open house Tuesday evening. I am anxious to meet you.
There is no homework this weekend. We will complete the lab write up and lesson extensions on Monday. Journals will be checked next week, so have them completed and on the shelf. You should have one writing assignment, an experiment on Gummi candy, and the activity on using a microscope in your journal.
Posted by Carroll at 07:27 PM
August 23, 2006
We reviewed some of the terminology of experimental design today in class and analyzed their experiments using appropriate terms.
For homework tonight, students should finish the questions on their handout from class.
Students were surprised at the outcomes for several of the experiments with Gummi candies. More details in another post...
Posted by Carroll at 06:27 PM
August 21, 2006
How do you evaluate scientific claims?
Students read article summaries of recent headlines in science today in class. They created a table to compare some of the facts and each group discussed them with the class.
There is no homework for tonight.
Posted by Carroll at 07:04 PM
August 17, 2006
Today we discussed our safety rules as students participated in a quiz using our interactive white board and the hand held remote "eggs". It was fun and I was pleased that most of my students know rules relating how to be safe in the classroom.
Homework:
Cartoons are due tomorrow. (See earlier post for the grading criteria.)
Safety contracts with a parent signature are due tomorrow too.
Do you have your science binder organized? Tomorrow I will check to see if you do.
Posted by Carroll at 06:56 PM
August 16, 2006
Students reviewed the importance of safety in science class today. We started working on a cartoon to illustrate one of the safety rules. Students have a safety contract that needs a parent signature for my files and another science safety contract with attached rules to store in their binder.
Criteria for evaluation of the bookmark:
1. Based on a specific safety rule
2. The rule is written on the back (along with name and class period)
3. All writing is ligible and not in pencil.
4. The bookmark is neat and colorful
Homework: Due Friday- cartoon/bookmark, safety contract with parent signature, notebook check
Tomorrow is D.E.A.R. day in science- remember your book
Do you know the safety rules well enough to pass a surprise safety test?
Posted by Carroll at 06:19 PM
August 15, 2006
I once heard someone say about scientific record keeping..."If you don't write it down, then it didn't happen." We discussed this notion as we set up journals and notebooks today. Students made their first entry in their journals by writing a reflection on: What is the value keeping organized and accurate records in science?
There is no homework for tonight.
Posted by Carroll at 05:20 PM
August 14, 2006
Hi everyone! I had such a great time meeting my students today. My homeroom and classes are awesome and I am looking forward to a great year.
Today we learned and practiced some important classroom procedures. How do you
- begin class?
- give attention to instruction when you are focused in group work (three words/ what are the signals)?
- Participate in discussions?
- leave the room to go to the restroom or some place else?
- exit the room?
- We discussed the attributes that lead to team success as student groups worked through some problems using manipulatives.
Homework:
Bring your journal and your notebook to class tomorrow. We will get them organized and continue to learn how to have a successful year.
Posted by Carroll at 10:01 PM
August 10, 2006
I hope that my science class will be a great and fun learning experience for you this year.
Posted by Carroll at 06:18 AM
