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January 31, 2007
Here is the site for you to link to Thursday's and Friday's lessons.
What does paleontology have to do with evolution?
Posted by carroll at 07:22 PM
February 28th is the due date for students to submit their written reports of their research/service projects. Students have a schedule (see handout for details) of extra times that they may work on their projects with my assistance and should be planning to budget their time to complete the data collection, analysis, and reporting within the remaining time. Class presentations by research teams will be made later in the year so students do not have to have a display board to go along with the project report on the 28th. (The presentation / sharing of research will count in the next grading period and details for the requirements will be provided in March.)
Here are the times that I am available:
Saturdays: February 3rd and 10th from 10:00A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
After school on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 5:30 P.M.
Every morning during homeroom 8:45-9:10 A.M. (Notify your HR teacher before you come to my room.)
Posted by carroll at 04:33 AM
January 29, 2007
S7L5.c Explain how the fossil record found in sedimentary rock provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms.
Today students read and discussed section 2 in chapter 5 (pages 157-164). Students who did not earn at least an 80 on the last test should be working on the study workbook pages for all of chapter 5.
We watched and discussed the video: Prehistoric Life.
Homework: Revise your project research plan to represent your what you are actually doing. (Some students have modified their plans since they were approved.) Research Plans (including bibliography) and signed forms are to be re-submitted to me on Wednesday. Please turn in your edited plan along with your original plan.
See me if you have a question.
Posted by carroll at 04:04 PM
January 25, 2007
Students will work on data collection outside tomorrow and the forecast is that it will be clear but cold. Please dress in layers and bring hats, gloves, etc to keep you warm outside during your class time. Extra socks are a good idea if you are using the boots to get in the creek.
I need to see student project journals by tomorrow.
Here is what I am checking:
- Do you have a journal for your project?
- Is your research plan copied there?
- Are there dates for each entry?
- Are you using a pen for entries?
- Are data and observations recorded?
- Have you been writing reflections about what you are doing and learning?
The timeline for completing this project is about 5 weeks and students should be planning their time to get the work done.
There is no additional homework.
Posted by carroll at 04:03 PM
January 24, 2007
Thank you parents for submitting money for the Jekyll Trip! I am encouraged and hopeful that we will get all the funds that are needed by the due date of Feb. 14.
Here are the answers to a few questions that I have heard from parents:
Checks should be made out to Mabry.
Students should place the checks in a payment envelope, fill out the information requested, and place the envelope with the check enclosed in the payment drop box.
School Payment Envelopes can be found in the white-board marker tray in the front of my room. Also...most teachers, front office, etc.
Contact Diane Osterfeld, the Mabry bookkeeper, if you have any questions about money for the trip.
If you have other questions, please email me. Thanks again for your support of this great learning opportunity.
Posted by carroll at 05:24 PM
How does natural selection lead to changes in a species over time?
Today students explored the genetic and environmental factors that play a part in natural selection using cards to model what might happen to a group of mice in a white sand environment over several generations. This activity is found in the text on pages 152-153. Students will collect data for part 2 tomorrow and complete the analyze and conclude questions.
For homework tonight, students will complete the 3 - column note taking assignment (statement of main idea, details, and reflection) for the last portion of their reading assignment in section 1, pages 154-156. I will check homework tomorrow.
Students received a handout in class today to help them plan their time for competing their research projects. The final report of the research is due on Feb. 28th.
Posted by carroll at 05:10 PM
How did Darwin's observations lead to his development of the theory of evolution by natural selection?
More on Darwin here.
Here is the link to the videos for students: Evolving Ideas. We watched a few of these during class.
Posted by carroll at 04:56 PM
January 23, 2007
EQ: How did the observations made by Charles Darwin on his voyage lead to his development of the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Monday students tracked Darwin's voyage through the Galapagos Islands using his journal entries. The annotated map should be in the notes section of student notebooks for me to check later.
During class, students recorded notes in the three column format (main idea, details, reflection) for pages 147 - 150. This assignment should have been completed for homework last night (Mon.).
Tuesday we continued out notes for pages 150-151 and participated in an activity to model natural selection. If you have not finished your notes through page 151, please do.
Homework:
Please submit your project journal for me to check by Wednesday. You should have your research plan copied in your journal and any observations and reflections relating to your work so far. Remember to use pen and date all entries. Journals submitted after that will earn a late grade.
We plan to go to the park for data collection on Thursday or Friday during class. More info tomorrow.
There is a Saturday work day scheduled for Feb. 3 from 10:00- 1:00. More later.
Posted by carroll at 05:36 PM
January 19, 2007
EQ - How does the inquiry process lead to scientific theories like the Theory of Evolution?
S7CS9.b Investigate by collecting evidence, reasoning, devising hypotheses, and then formulating explanations to make sense of evidence.
Students practiced and probed the inquiry process with a class activity involving three mystery cubes today.
Homework: Please work on your research project. Get your journal up to date with your research plan and reflections on prior work. Additional research may be needed as you prepare to get out in the field again next week. Students should bring needed materials to class for work on this ongoing project.
Is evolution happening today? Here is an interesting article.
Posted by carroll at 03:06 PM
January 17, 2007
Today students completed the study guides for the final body systems in our unit.
If the work was not finished during class, please finish at home.
How do the lymphatic, integumentary, and endocrine systems function to serve the needs of cells and how do they function to help organisms maintain homeostasis?
Posted by carroll at 04:26 PM
January 16, 2007
Homework: Read and study pages 620-634, complete the study guide for the nervous system
Links:
There are several students who need to stay tomorrow to make up their test from Dec. 20. (Human Body Systems Part 1). Students who were absent for the pig lab test should also stay tomorrow afternoon after school to take a make-up test. Other interested students may also stay and take a make-up exam. Your grade will be averaged with your first grade. Remember that you will be answering questions and interpreting illustrations---NOT USING ACTUAL PIGS for this test.
Posted by carroll at 05:05 PM
Please know that the initial $100 for the Jekyll trip is past due and the final donation of $90 is due on Feb. 14, 2007. We will need to cancel the trip if donations are not forthcoming. If you are not sure if you have paid, please check the statement that was sent home with students on Friday along with the report card and the Jekyll Information Update.
Posted by carroll at 04:20 PM
January 12, 2007
EQ: Explain how different organ systems interact to serve the needs of cells for oxygen, food, and waste removal. (S7L2)
Our exciting week of discovery about human body systems via the investigation of fetal pigs came to an end today with a lab test. Student scores will be posted next Tuesday when the system becomes available again.
Wilbur (pictured below) is one lucky pig that has been visiting our class during pig week. He was an observer and not a participant. As you can see, he has made a new friend.
Following our test today, students enjoyed some DEAR time that was missed on Thursday. There is no homework for this weekend.
Everyone enjoy your holiday. We will continue working on our research projects when we return. I will post a schedule of Saturday optional work days by the end of next week.
We have a few more system notes to complete and then we will be on to our next unit.
Posted by carroll at 05:37 PM
January 10, 2007
Classwork/Homework: Complete the questions on page 4 and the terms through "heart and pericardial sac" on page 6.
Remember to study and review all that you have learned each night so you will be ready for the lab test this Friday (1/12/07). The three sites posted on Monday should be very useful for completing your study guide and testing yourself.
Students who missed the final test of last term (Human Body Systems -part 1) will need to make it up tomorrow morning (1/11) at 8:15 AM or Wednesday (1/17) afternoon at 4:15.
Posted by carroll at 04:30 PM
January 09, 2007
Homework/Classwork:
Complete pages 1-3 and terms through "diaphragm" on page 6.
I will check to see that you are up to date on your assignments tomorrow.
Use the links in the prior post to help with questions and to learn even more.
Here is an idea of what your test on Friday might be like?
What is the name of the body part/structure that is indicated by the probe? What is it's function?
What is the substance used to break up fat particles that is produced by the organ that is indicated in the lower picture? Where is it stored?
Posted by carroll at 04:12 PM
January 08, 2007
EQ: How do the organ systems interact to serve the needs of cells for oxygen, food, and waste removal?
This week seventh grade science students will dissect fetal pigs. Today in class students received a 6 page handout titled: Study Questions and Anatomy Review. Please keep your study questions in your notebook for safe keeping. They will count as 2 daily grades and 2 homework grades. Homework/classwork will be assigned in this packet each night this week and there will be a lab test on Friday.
Monday, today, we investigated the external features and explored inside the mouth of the pigs.
Students should be able to answer all questions found on page 1, questions 1-3 on page 2, and the first 7 terms on page 6 for class/homework. Tomorrow we will open the abdominal cavity and study the digestive system.
Check out the sites linked below for additional information, virtual dissection, and practice quizzes.
Posted by carroll at 04:27 PM
