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September 27, 2006

Students should expect a quiz on Friday, September 29th. The quiz will cover sections one, two, and three of Chapter Two. Topics include the chemicals of life, types of compounds, diffusion, osmosis, and photosynthesis.

Posted by Larkin at 04:37 PM

September 26, 2006

So it's not all fun and games in science, we actually have work to do! Last Friday, students created their sawdust Chia pets. We are anxiously awaiting the first signs of grass! Once the grass begins to grow, students will examine how light, carbon dioxide, and fertilizer effect the plant's growth. Click on the link below to download the lab format.

Posted by Larkin at 04:08 PM

September 25, 2006

This podcast is a little bit longer than most of our podcasts, but well worth the review.

Posted by Larkin at 05:54 PM

September 22, 2006

Many parents have been wondering, "Why does my child need panty hose for science class?" To kick off our unit on photosynthesis, students used panty hose, saw dust, and grass seeds to create their very own Chia Pets. We will keep the pets at school for the next few weeks and observe how they change and grow. Stay tuned!

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Posted by Larkin at 05:36 PM

September 20, 2006

Students will be making their very own Chia Pets in class on Friday as we begin our studies on photosynthesis. Students need to bring in pantyhose and any decorative items that can be glued down, such as pom-poms, googley eyes, pipe cleaners, buttons, beads, or anything that sparkles and shines. The pantyhose may be used or new and knee-highs will work as well.

Posted by Larkin at 04:43 PM

September 18, 2006

Students will be analyzing their data and writing lab reports based on their Eggcellent Eggsperiment. The lab reports should be typed; however, if this is not an option, the students may hand write their report, using pen and only writing on the front sides of the paper. Graphs should also be made on the computer, but again, if this is not an option the students may neatly make them by hand but should use computer paper or graph paper, not notebook paper! Students will have one day in class to work on rough drafts, ask questions, and proof read. Below is a rough draft of the lab report expectations, but more specific details will be presented in class. Lab reports are due on Friday, September 22.

Posted by Larkin at 05:40 PM

Students should complete Workbook 2-2 to review cellular transportation.

Posted by Larkin at 04:32 PM

Check out our podcast about what we are learning about cells.

Posted by Larkin at 12:09 PM

September 15, 2006

At last, the eggs have been laid to rest! Remember, last night students soaked their eggs in a solution of their choice. We had some really cool results! Here are some pictures of an egg that was soaked with a peppermint tea bag (and now smells like peppermint) and another egg that was soaked in laundry detergent and formed a light blue, shell-like coating.

In the next pictures, you can see what happens when water diffuses out of the egg and into the cup. Notice the cup of blue detergent now has a layer of water sitting on top, water that was once inside the egg. Check out how deflated one egg looks next to another. Can you guess which egg was sitting in a fluid with a higher water concentration?

A tragic ending.

Posted by Larkin at 04:52 PM

September 14, 2006

So was the dye inside the egg or only on the membrane? Did you guess correctly? Check out the broken egg on the floor. When the egg went splat, notice that its insides were red. This is because the red water in the cup diffused inside the egg through the cell membrane. Now check out the eggs in the cup. Last night we soaked the eggs in clear salt water, so why is the water colored again? This is because the colored water inside the egg diffused out through the membrane and into the cup of salt water. The process of water moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration is known as osmosis.

Tonight we are soaking our eggs in a solution of the students' choice. We have a great variety of liquids, examples include WD-40, Pepto, laundry detergent, tea, chocolate sauce, Listerine, and pancake syrup.

Posted by Larkin at 07:01 PM

September 13, 2006

Last night our eggs were soaked in water and food coloring. Was your hypothesis correct? What do you think happened? Did the membrane change colors, or is it the water inside the egg that's a different color? If you want to know the answer, check out section two of chapter two!

Tonight we have added water and salt to our eggs. What effect will the salt have on the mass and circumference of the eggs?

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Posted by Larkin at 05:48 PM

Today we began Chapter Two. Students should complete Workbook 2-1 as a review. Also, students are supposed to bring in a liquid of their choice for tomorrow's lab. Remember, fluids should be school appropriate, safe to touch, and in a sealed container.

Posted by Larkin at 04:12 PM

September 12, 2006

By Thursday students should have brought in a liquid of their choice to soak their eggs in overnight. It is only necessary for one partner to bring in a liquid. Please be sure that the liquid you choose is safe and school appropriate. Bring liquids in a sealed container (such as a water or coke bottle) with your name, class period, and liquid name clearly labeled.

Check out what our eggs are doing tonight! Can you guess what will happen to the eggs when soaked in food coloring overnight? Will the egg lose or gain mass? What effect will the dye have on the egg?

Posted by Larkin at 05:44 PM

September 11, 2006

This week students are participating in an Eggcellent Eggsperiment. For the past week we have been studying about cell organelles. Using a chicken egg, students will model how the cell membrane works to allow certain materials to diffuse into or out of the cell. We left the eggs soaking in vinegar over the weekend so that the shell would be dissolved, exposing the membrane. Students will be using various solutions, including salt water, dye, and syrup, to soak the eggs overnight. Each day they will remeasure the eggs, form a new hypothesis, and journal their conclusions. For a downloadable lab sheet, click on the link below:

Check out our eggs today!

Posted by Larkin at 05:23 PM

Don't forget, Chapter One test is tomorrow. Completed and signed study guides are worth five bonus points. There is a study session at 8:15, I'll meet you in the theater.

Posted by Larkin at 04:53 PM

September 06, 2006

We will be moving our Chapter One test from Friday the 8th to Tuesday the 12th. The study guide will now be due on Tuesday and the morning review session will be held on Tuesday morning instead of Friday morning. Remember, the study guides are optional but are worth five bonus points when completed and signed by a parent.

Posted by Larkin at 03:50 PM

September 05, 2006

There will be a test on Friday, September 8th, covering Chapter One, sections one through three. We will not test on section four. There will be an optional study guide available to students on Wednesday, September 6th. If completed and signed by a parent, the student will receive five bonus points on their test. I will also hold an optional study session on Friday morning at 8:15. While studying, students should focus on the following topics:

1. The six characteristics of life
2. The four needs of all living things
3. The three points of the Cell Theory
4. Who: Invented the microscope, the "discoverer" of cells
5. Cell organelles: identification and function
6. Difference between plant, animal, and bacterial cells.

Posted by Larkin at 11:53 AM