Mrs. Vikingson's Science Blog

This week wraps up our Human Body unit!  Your multiple choice final exam for the unit is on Wednesday.  It is more like a lab practical because we are using the same frogs we explored in class- their organs will be labeled/numbered and you need to identify their name, function, and designated organ system.  It’s a lot to learn but use your frog sandwich to help you study!

Human Body

Standards: S7L2c, S7L2d, S7L2e, S7CS10, S7CS5

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body
-          Define homeostasis and how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis
-          Identify the functions of the systems of the body

Essential questions:

1. What are the levels of organization in the body?
2. What is homeostasis?
3. How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning:

1. SKELETAL- What would happen if you were born without a skeleton?  Why is important that babies skeletons are mostly cartilage when they are born?
2. MUSCULAR- Explain why the cells found within our muscles would have more mitochondria than most other cells of the body?
3. INTEGUMENTARY- The genetic disorder, albinism, causes the skin and hair of an individual to have no pigmentation.  Relate this to what you know about melanin and describe how this disorder would cause more harm than good?
4. DIGESTIVE- A friend of mine had cancer and had part of both his small and large intestine removed.  How would this affect his digestion?
5. CIRCULATORY- Explain why the ventricles of the heart have such thick muscular walls.  How does your circulatory system keep blood from pooling at your feet?
6. LYMPHATIC- Lymph moves by skeletal muscle contraction.  Why would it be important to stay somewhat active when you are sick?
7. RESPIRATORY- Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes heavy, thick mucus to be made by the body.  What body systems do you think would be affected by this disorder and how would they be affected?
8. URINARY- How does the color of your urine reflect your hydration levels?
9. NERVOUS- Some people are born without pain receptors in their skin?  How do you think a person would react to injury without pain receptors? Would this be a good thing, bad thing, or both?
10. ENDOCRINE- What would the release of the hormone adrenaline do for you if you were in a car accident?
11. REPRODUCTIVE- How is the transfer of genetic material similar to flipping a coin.

Here are some helpful websites for all of the body systems:

Websites for the Human Body and Integumentary System:

How the Body Works

InnerBody

Your Gross and Cool Body

Arnold I’ve Lost All My Organs! Game

Skin and the Integumentary System

Skeletal system:

Hip Resurfacing Joints of the body Human Bone Poem

Bones of the Body Song Coloring Skeleton Hip Replacement

Virtual Knee Replacement Labeling Bones of the body

Bones of the Skeleton Bone Games

Nervous System:

Brain Drain Sheep Brain Exploration Changing Illusions

Brains Rule Games How We Hear Human Eye MRI

Neuroscience Brain Games Immobile Illusions Parts of the Ear

Ear Pages Split Brain Experiments Planet Perplex Reaction Time

Nerve Wrecker N.S. Movie Blind Spot Hands On Eyeball

Lymphatic System:

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells
Urinary System:

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System:

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Circulatory System:

Heart Diagram Virtual Heart Transplant Blood Typing Game

Blood Flow through the Heart Heart Disease Heart & Fitness

Label the Heart Diagram Awesome Heart Animation

Heart Beat Monitor Heart Operation Virtual Open Heart

Heart Animations and Interactives ECG game

Respiratory System:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Monday:  Today we are going over the parts of the frog to prepare for your frog exploration tomorrow.  Pay attention to the powerpoint so you are familiar with the insides and outsides of the frog.  Then we will apply it to the REAL THING in class as a group.  Frog sandwiches will also be returned so you can glue them down in your INB.

Homework for Monday- Study frog parts so you’re ready for your alone time with the frog tomorrow!!!

Tuesday:  Today is your day to spend with the frog.  Use your frog sandwich and apply what you’ve learned to the real frog you are exploring.  Everyone in your group should be familiar with the parts of the frog, their functions, and the organ system they belong to.  Tomorrow’s exam is all about how the frog relates to the human body and the frogs we have used in class for the past two days will be pinned and parts will be numbered- you will have to identify the structures, their functions, and/or the organ systems they belong to.

Homework for Tuesday:  Study frog parts- Human body final exam/lab practical tomorrow!

Wednesday:  Today is your big test!  Frogs will be at stations and you will rotate around the room to identify the parts that are labeled on the frogs.  It is still a multiple choice test but it is much more involved than those you have previously taken.

Homework for Wednesday:  INB Quiz on Monday- update INB!

Thursday:  To finalize our unit on the Human body we are watching OSMOSIS JONES!!  Not only is this movie hilarious but it is a great trip through the human body so we can reflect on what we have learned.

Homework for Thursday:  Update your INB if needed- INB quiz on Monday of next week!

Friday: Today we finish up OSMOSIS JONES!

I hope you all had a nice 3-day weekend.  This week we hit the ground running with our end of the unit project- FROG SANDWICH!  YOU MUST HAVE COLORED PENCILS THIS WEEK!!!  We are coloring, cutting, and assembling our frog sandwich this week to better prepare us for our frog exploration next week and the final exam which is a lab practical.

This Friday is the Field trip to Montgomery, AL to visit historical civil rights sites.  It is a great learning opportunity and I hope many of you are taking advantage of the trip!  Those of you that are staying behind will be finishing up your frogs and taking a Health Survey in class.

Human Body

Standards: S7L2c, S7L2d, S7L2e, S7CS10, S7CS5

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body
-          Define homeostasis and how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis
-          Identify the functions of the systems of the body

Essential questions:

1. What are the levels of organization in the body?
2. What is homeostasis?
3. How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning:

1. SKELETAL- What would happen if you were born without a skeleton?  Why is important that babies skeletons are mostly cartilage when they are born?
2. MUSCULAR- Explain why the cells found within our muscles would have more mitochondria than most other cells of the body?
3. INTEGUMENTARY- The genetic disorder, albinism, causes the skin and hair of an individual to have no pigmentation.  Relate this to what you know about melanin and describe how this disorder would cause more harm than good?
4. DIGESTIVE- A friend of mine had cancer and had part of both his small and large intestine removed.  How would this affect his digestion?
5. CIRCULATORY- Explain why the ventricles of the heart have such thick muscular walls.  How does your circulatory system keep blood from pooling at your feet?
6. LYMPHATIC- Lymph moves by skeletal muscle contraction.  Why would it be important to stay somewhat active when you are sick?
7. RESPIRATORY- Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes heavy, thick mucus to be made by the body.  What body systems do you think would be affected by this disorder and how would they be affected?
8. URINARY- How does the color of your urine reflect your hydration levels?
9. NERVOUS- Some people are born without pain receptors in their skin?  How do you think a person would react to injury without pain receptors? Would this be a good thing, bad thing, or both?
10. ENDOCRINE- What would the release of the hormone adrenaline do for you if you were in a car accident?
11. REPRODUCTIVE- How is the transfer of genetic material similar to flipping a coin.

Here are some helpful websites for all of the body systems:

Websites for the Human Body and Integumentary System:

How the Body Works

InnerBody

Your Gross and Cool Body

Arnold I’ve Lost All My Organs! Game

Skin and the Integumentary System

Skeletal system:

Hip Resurfacing Joints of the body Human Bone Poem

Bones of the Body Song Coloring Skeleton Hip Replacement

Virtual Knee Replacement Labeling Bones of the body

Bones of the Skeleton Bone Games

Nervous System:

Brain Drain Sheep Brain Exploration Changing Illusions

Brains Rule Games How We Hear Human Eye MRI

Neuroscience Brain Games Immobile Illusions Parts of the Ear

Ear Pages Split Brain Experiments Planet Perplex Reaction Time

Nerve Wrecker N.S. Movie Blind Spot Hands On Eyeball

Lymphatic System:

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells
Urinary System:

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System:

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Circulatory System:

Heart Diagram Virtual Heart Transplant Blood Typing Game

Blood Flow through the Heart Heart Disease Heart & Fitness

Label the Heart Diagram Awesome Heart Animation

Heart Beat Monitor Heart Operation Virtual Open Heart

Heart Animations and Interactives ECG game

Respiratory System:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Monday:  NO SCHOOL

Homework for Monday- NO SCHOOL

Tuesday:  Today is our first day working on Frog Sandwich.  To keep everyone on task, we are working as a group to complete the task of coloring the key and the frog.  It is essential that you complete the frog at home if you do not get it done in class and keep in mind, NEATNESS COUNTS!

Homework for Tuesday:  Finish coloring key and frog.  Frog sandwich is due Thursday!!

Wednesday:  Today you are working on your own to complete the frog organ functions for the key.  Complete the reading and get a good understanding of the functions of the frog’s organs and write the answers in your key. Then use your notes and textbooks to list the functions of the organs that are found in both frogs and humans.

Homework for Wednesday:  Complete organ functions for key.  DO NOT CUT OUT OR GLUE FROG PARTS ON YOUR OWN!  Frog sandwich due Thursday!

Thursday:  Today we are cutting out our frog and its organs and assembling all of the organs on the frog to complete the frog sandwich.  Frog sandwich is due at the end of class and you must turn it in DRY so please complete the tasks as we do them in class, not on your own time.

Homework for Thursday:  Relax and prep for tomorrow’s field trip!

Friday: For those of you staying, your day will continue as usual.  We will work on our INBs during class, making sure they are up to date and if frogs are graded, you will glue it into your INB to prepare for your frog exploration and lab practical next week.

Report cards go out this Friday so parents, please keep an eye out for it and make sure to sign it and have it returned to your child’s homeroom teacher.  A color copy will be sent home once the signed copy is received.  We are also completing SEVEN organ systems this week!  Each day has a lab that goes along with one of the systems we study and the best part is that Thursday we will be looking at sheep eyes and relating their structures to our own!

Next week we get ready for our final project of the Human Body Unit- the Frog Sandwich.  This project prepares us for our Frog Exploration next week and the big final exam- a Human Body/Frog Lab practical.  You must be familiar with all of the organs, their functions, and organ systems they belong to in order to do well.

Human Body

Standards: S7L2c, S7L2d, S7L2e, S7CS10, S7CS5

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body
-          Define homeostasis and how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis
-          Identify the functions of the systems of the body

Essential questions:

1. What are the levels of organization in the body?
2. What is homeostasis?
3. How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning:

1. SKELETAL- What would happen if you were born without a skeleton?  Why is important that babies skeletons are mostly cartilage when they are born?
2. MUSCULAR- Explain why the cells found within our muscles would have more mitochondria than most other cells of the body?
3. INTEGUMENTARY- The genetic disorder, albinism, causes the skin and hair of an individual to have no pigmentation.  Relate this to what you know about melanin and describe how this disorder would cause more harm than good?
4. DIGESTIVE- A friend of mine had cancer and had part of both his small and large intestine removed.  How would this affect his digestion?
5. CIRCULATORY- Explain why the ventricles of the heart have such thick muscular walls.  How does your circulatory system keep blood from pooling at your feet?
6. LYMPHATIC- Lymph moves by skeletal muscle contraction.  Why would it be important to stay somewhat active when you are sick?
7. RESPIRATORY- Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes heavy, thick mucus to be made by the body.  What body systems do you think would be affected by this disorder and how would they be affected?
8. URINARY- How does the color of your urine reflect your hydration levels?
9. NERVOUS- Some people are born without pain receptors in their skin?  How do you think a person would react to injury without pain receptors? Would this be a good thing, bad thing, or both?
10. ENDOCRINE- What would the release of the hormone adrenaline do for you if you were in a car accident?
11. REPRODUCTIVE- How is the transfer of genetic material similar to flipping a coin.

Here are some helpful websites for all of the body systems:

Websites for the Human Body and Integumentary System:

How the Body Works

InnerBody

Your Gross and Cool Body

Arnold I’ve Lost All My Organs! Game

Skin and the Integumentary System

Skeletal system:

Hip Resurfacing Joints of the body Human Bone Poem

Bones of the Body Song Coloring Skeleton Hip Replacement

Virtual Knee Replacement Labeling Bones of the body

Bones of the Skeleton Bone Games

Nervous System:

Brain Drain Sheep Brain Exploration Changing Illusions

Brains Rule Games How We Hear Human Eye MRI

Neuroscience Brain Games Immobile Illusions Parts of the Ear

Ear Pages Split Brain Experiments Planet Perplex Reaction Time

Nerve Wrecker N.S. Movie Blind Spot Hands On Eyeball

Lymphatic System:

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells
Urinary System:

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System:

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Circulatory System:

Heart Diagram Virtual Heart Transplant Blood Typing Game

Blood Flow through the Heart Heart Disease Heart & Fitness

Label the Heart Diagram Awesome Heart Animation

Heart Beat Monitor Heart Operation Virtual Open Heart

Heart Animations and Interactives ECG game

Respiratory System:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Monday:  After putting the parts of the Circulatory and Lymphatic systems in order, we will take a brief section of notes on both systems.  Then, we will discuss our Circulatory system diagram on the front of your sheet- make sure to color it appropriately.  Then, get active and participate in our “heart as a pump” lab!  Don’t forget to use your data to back up the answers to your lab questions.

Homework for Monday- Have heart diagram colored & lab questions thoroughly answered.

Tuesday:  After organizing the parts of the Respiratory & Urinary system in order we will take notes on the systems.  Then we will label diagrams of both systems and color all of the organs.  We will also get started on our Lung Capacity lab.  Test your lung size and then answer the conclusion questions when you’re done!

Homework for Wednesday:  Make sure your respiratory system diagram is labeled and colored.  Answer lung capacity lab questions

Wednesday:  Today we are introducing the Nervous system.  After organizing the parts of the nervous system, we will take some notes, label a diagram, and then complete a reaction time lab!  Your reflexes better be fast!

Homework for Wednesday:  Complete reaction time lab questions

Thursday:  Today we will review the parts of the eye- one of the most complex organs of the nervous system (next to the brain of course)!  After reviewing the parts, I will walk you through the dissection of a sheep’s eye.  This is probably the most interesting structure to look at up close- one of my favorite dissections!

Homework for Thursday:  Review the parts of the eye.

Friday: Today we will review the Reproductive and Endocrine systems.  Take a brief section of notes covering both systems.  Then, we will watch Body Story: Infancy- a movie both about babies and their nervous system development.

Happy New Year as we ring in 2012!  I hope everyone had a fabulous break and is ready to work!  This week we begin the new semester and you know what that means?  A fresh start for everyone- a clean slate to begin the new grading period.  Do your best from the beginning and maintain those great grades for the remainder of the semester to end on a high note!

Report cards will be going out next Friday 01/13 so parents please be ready to keep an eye out for them.  Also, the gradebook for 2nd semester is all ready to go, so parents, you will know of assignments and their due dates well in advance of my blog.  And please keep in mind that just because a grade is blank, it doesn’t mean that it’s a zero.  Grades will be put in just a day or two after the due date for the assignment.  I am trying to get my gradebook set up well in advance of my leave in March to better assist my sub while I’m gone.  Thank you for understanding.

This week we continue with our human body unit as we work with the Digestive system.  Friday will be an INB quiz covering Invertebrate classification to our notes on Digestion.  Make sure INBs are up to date with work!

Human Body: Skeletal, Digestive, and Post Assessment

Standards: S7L2c, S7L2d, S7L2e, S7CS10, S7CS5

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body
-          Define homeostasis and how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis
-          Identify the functions of the systems of the body

Essential questions:

1. What are the levels of organization in the body?
2. What is homeostasis?
3. How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  How do the systems of the body work together to perform the necessary functions for life?

2.  How are the organ systems of the body similar to the organelles of a cell?

Here are some helpful websites for all of the body systems:

Websites for the Human Body and Integumentary System:

How the Body Works

InnerBody

Your Gross and Cool Body

Arnold I’ve Lost All My Organs! Game

Skin and the Integumentary System

Skeletal system:

Hip Resurfacing Joints of the body Human Bone Poem

Bones of the Body Song Coloring Skeleton Hip Replacement

Virtual Knee Replacement Labeling Bones of the body

Bones of the Skeleton Bone Games

Nervous System:

Brain Drain Sheep Brain Exploration Changing Illusions

Brains Rule Games How We Hear Human Eye MRI

Neuroscience Brain Games Immobile Illusions Parts of the Ear

Ear Pages Split Brain Experiments Planet Perplex Reaction Time

Nerve Wrecker N.S. Movie Blind Spot Hands On Eyeball

Lymphatic System:

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells
Urinary System:

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System:

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Circulatory System:

Heart Diagram Virtual Heart Transplant Blood Typing Game

Blood Flow through the Heart Heart Disease Heart & Fitness

Label the Heart Diagram Awesome Heart Animation

Heart Beat Monitor Heart Operation Virtual Open Heart

Heart Animations and Interactives ECG game

Respiratory System:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Wednesday: Today we begin the section on the Digestive System.  For your bellwork, put the digestive cells, tissues, organs, and organ system in order of the levels of organization.  Following that, we will take a brief section of notes about the structure and function of the digestive system.  Then, we will label and color a diagram of the digestive system.  !  Be ready to answer questions regarding the movie.  If we have time, we’ll watch a Digestion Animation

Homework for Wednesday:  Make sure digestive system diagram is colored and labeled.  Review digestive organs and their functions.  Prep INB for Friday’s quiz on pp. 107-120.

Thursday: After reviewing the digestive system organs using the Digestion Animation game, we are going to discuss an activity called “Trek the Tract.”  We are going to break up into groups and each group will be assigned a digestive tract organ: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum.  You will research your organ and find answers to three questions about it.  You will write the answers to those three answers and draw a picture of that organ on a piece of ticker tape that is cut to the exact length of that organ.  When time is up, beginning with the mouth, groups will share their info with the class and then attach their ticker tape to the next groups until we have everyone’s connected and we can SEE just how long the digestive tract is inside of an average adult!

Homework for Thursday: Prepare your INB for tomorrow’s open notes quiz on pp. 107-120.

Friday: Today is your INB quiz- remember it’s work three grades: Quiz grade, Classwork grade, and lab grade!

Homework for Friday:  Review notes

Friday: Today is your INB quiz covering pp. 107-120.

I am posting this blog for the next two weeks since next week is so short.  Just a little less than 1.5 weeks until we are done for the winter holiday! IB portfolios will be passed out and worked on during the 12th and 13th this week in all classes.  Students are responsible for reflecting on their favorite piece of work from science- either a project that you have hung onto OR any page from your INB.  If you chose a piece from your INB, you will only include a reflection, not the piece of work, because we do not want to tear it out of our INB.

This week we will begin a project on the skeletal system called Dem Bones!  This awesome project will help you remember the bones of the body and is due no later than Monday of next week.  On Tuesday of next week, we will have a party to celebrate our upcoming holiday and also to say goodbye to Ms. Zaher as she is leaving to start her family!  Bring in food, plates, cups, napkins, drinks, etc and let’s end the year with a fun party!

Report cards will come out in January and you will also see a change in advisory starting January 11.  Your advisory group will be your homeroom class and we will be meeting in the morning after homeroom starting January 11! 

Human Body: Overview, Integumentary, Muscular, and Skeletal Systems

Standards: S7L2c, S7L2d, S7L2e, S7CS10, S7CS5

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body
-          Define homeostasis and how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis
-          Identify the functions of the systems of the body

Essential questions:

1. What are the levels of organization in the body?
2. What is homeostasis?
3. How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  How do the systems of the body work together to perform the necessary functions for life?

2.  How are the organ systems of the body similar to the organelles of a cell?

Here are some helpful websites for all of the body systems:

Websites for the Human Body and Integumentary System:

How the Body Works

InnerBody

Your Gross and Cool Body

Arnold I’ve Lost All My Organs! Game

Skin and the Integumentary System

Skeletal system:

Hip Resurfacing Joints of the body Human Bone Poem

Bones of the Body Song Coloring Skeleton Hip Replacement

Virtual Knee Replacement Labeling Bones of the body

Bones of the Skeleton Bone Games

Nervous System:

Brain Drain Sheep Brain Exploration Changing Illusions

Brains Rule Games How We Hear Human Eye MRI

Neuroscience Brain Games Immobile Illusions Parts of the Ear

Ear Pages Split Brain Experiments Planet Perplex Reaction Time

Nerve Wrecker N.S. Movie Blind Spot Hands On Eyeball

Lymphatic System:

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells
Urinary System:

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System:

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Circulatory System:

Heart Diagram Virtual Heart Transplant Blood Typing Game

Blood Flow through the Heart Heart Disease Heart & Fitness

Label the Heart Diagram Awesome Heart Animation

Heart Beat Monitor Heart Operation Virtual Open Heart

Heart Animations and Interactives ECG game

Respiratory System:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Monday: We’ll begin our unit on the human body with a fun interactive game with Arnold who lost all his organs.  Afterward, you’ll complete a short matching activity regarding the systems and their functions.  We’ll then complete a pre-assessment and a medical jargon sheet – an introductory vocabulary lesson that will teach you the roots, prefixes and suffixes that are used in the medical field.

Homework for Monday:  Finish Medical Jargon.

Tuesday: We will begin today by learning the levels of organization for our first body system – the Skin (aka. the Integumentary System).  We’ll follow that up with a short session of notes about skin, a diagram cross-section of the skin, and our first of many labs: Skin Sensitivity, where you’ll find out which area of the body has the most receptors!

Homework for Tuesday: Color and label the skin diagram.  Finish lab questions from today’s lab. 

Wednesday: Today is all about the Muscular System.  We will take brief notes, draw and color three diagrams showing the different types of muscle tissue, and then a lab about blinking.  Is blinking a voluntary or involuntary muscle action?  You’ll find out when you’re done!

Homework for Wednesday: Answer lab questions and study notes.

Thursday: We are focusing on the skeletal system today.  Before class is over you will have learned 35 bones of the human body and the functions and composition of the system.  You will need to know this information so you can work on our last project of the semester- Dem Bones!  The skeleton you label today will be a huge help with this project so please make sure you focus on your spelling and placement of the bone names.

Homework for Thursday:  Read over directions for Dem Bones

Friday:  Today is a project day.  You will get all class period to familiarize yourself with Dem Bones and ask any questions regarding the project.  Once I show you examples and you feel comfortable with the project guidelines, you will have the rest of class to work on it.  I will provide construction paper only.  If you wish to have poster board or any other kind of paper, please bring your own.

Homework for Friday:  Work on Dem Bones over the weekend and gather food, drink, supplies for party on Tuesday of next week.

Monday:  Today is your last day to work on Dem Bones.  Remember that the project must be done with a ruler pointing to all of the bones you need to identify and you must identify them on the left or right hand side of the page according to the directions.  Your skeleton must also be placed in some kind of scene as well to make the poster more interesting.  Don’t forget to include a key to show what all the colored circles mean and tape your rubric to the back of your project so I can grade it.  No rubric = 10 points off!!

Homework for Monday: Dem Bones due tomorrow at the latest.  Please bring food, drink, plates, napkins, candy, utensils for tomorrow’s party- happy holidays and goodbye to my pal Ms. Zaher.

Tuesday:  PARTY!  Today we will munch on snack and drink and watch a great holiday flick while we celebrate our long holiday break.

Homework for Tuesday:  Have a WONDERFUL and safe holiday and see you in 2012!!!

This week we finish our Classification unit with Kingdom Animalia!  Because we have reached the end of our unit, you will have a BIG test that covers both Evolution and Classification.  This test may be a bit more difficult than ones in the past because it spans such a long period of time, but if you have continued studying like your homework suggests, you should do fine.  Make sure you understand how the dichotomous keys fit together and how each one works.  The Test will cover pp. 65-110 in your INB and although it is open notes, you still need to be prepared to answer 40 questions in just 50 minutes.   Just two weeks left until the end of the semester so please stay on top of your school work! 

Also, it has come to my attention that there are TWO programs for girls (sorry boys!) in science in February.  Please read the following and contact the individuals mentioned if you or your daughter are interested!

1) Georgia Tech’s Women in Engineering Program , in collaboration with IBM and several local engineering firms, is hosting an event called ” Introduce a Girl (IAG) to Engineering” for middle school girls in 6 th – 8 th grade. This year’s program will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012 in the Georgia Tech Student Center Ballroom from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Space is limited on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we encourage girls to register early. A flyer with more information as well as the registration link is attached to this email. If you have questions about this event, please email me at ann.blasick@coe.gatech.edu
2) GT’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student chapter is hosting a Spring Middle School Engineering Outreach Program , targeted for females in grades 5-8 who are interested in math or science . The program will be offered on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:00AM to 2:30PM on the Georgia Tech Campus. Space is limited to 100 girls on a first-come, first-serve basis, so register early! For more info and to register, please visit: http://swemsoutreachspring2012.eventbrite.com/ . If you have any questions about this event, please email Maggie or Pooja at swemsoutreach@gmail.com.

Unit:  Classification- Kingdom Animalia

Standards:  S7L1a, S7L1b

Objectives:

-          Explain why biologists classify organisms

-          List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

-          Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Essential Questions:

1.       Why are there fewer animals than plants?

2.       How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?

3.       How does reproduction vary among organisms?

4.       How does the construction of a dichotomous key help you to see the similarities and differences among organisms in the 6 kingdoms?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are there so many different kinds of organisms?

2.  How are we related?

3.  How do the systems compare in different organisms?

Classification Websites:

A Walk in the Forest A Touch of Class Lifecycles of Animals and plants

Animals Websites:

Creature Feature Walk in the Woods- animals Animal Migration

Biodiversity of Animals Quiz Animal articles quizzes games

Wacky water creatures Virtual Owl Pellet How Fish Get Oxygen

Grasshopper Exploration Newton’s Apple free Animal Movies

Pavlov\’s Dog Seafood Surgery Virtual Worm Tour

Build an Animal Skeleton Evolution of Flight in Birds

Plant Websites:

Fern Lifecycles Photosynthesis Movie Photosynthesis up close

Wonderville Photosynthesis Plant Reproduction Plants in Motion

Pollen Park Root Factory Great Plant Escape Plant Life Cycle

Potato Story Tree Cookie Types of Fruits Vascular Plants

Plant Life Cycles Plant Resources Cycles of Life in Plants

Fungi Websites:

Protist Websites:

Protist Movies Pond Life Protists

Moneran (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria) Websites:

Bad Bacteria Disease Detectives Antibiotic Resistance

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells

Monday-We introduce Invertebrate animals using a vocabulary sheet that discusses animal symmetry.  Then we will watch a Bill Nye movie on Invertebrates!

Homework for Monday- Study notes- BIG test Friday on pp. 65-110

Tuesday- We continue with invertebrate animals as we receive our dichotomous key for the animal group.  Fill in all of the notes and color the pictures when you are done.

Tuesday HW- Study notes- Evolution & Classification Test Friday on pp. 65-110

Wednesday- Today you receive your last dichotomous key for the unit on Classification!  Vertebrate animals ends our unit and you will complete the key and also play a game with the promethean board to match the characteristics with the correct vertebrate animal group.

Homework for Wednesday- Study notes- Evolution & Classification Test Friday

Thursday- Are you ready for Friday’s test?  If not, I hope this study guide helps you.  It will cover both Evolution & Classification and by completing it, I can guarantee it will benefit you in the long run.  Get it finished in class and study it tonight.  Remember though, not everything on your test is on the study guide- anything in the INB from pages 65-110.

Thursday HW- Study notes- Test tomorrow!

Friday-  Today’s test is 40 questions long and cover pp. 65-100 in your INB for Evolution and Classification.  It is open notes but that does not mean that it is easy!  If you completed your study guide and understood the questions from it, you should do just fine!

Homework for Friday- Relax!

I hope you had a wonderful break!  Now that you’re well fed and well rested, it’s time to get back to work!  This week we are working on Kingdom Plantae.   Don’t forget, you MUST BRING COLORED PENCILS on a daily basis to be successful in class.  From now until the end of our unit on Ecology (which ends in March) you will need them at least three days a week.

Also, there are only 3 weeks until Winter Break and the end of the semester, so let’s please make sure these last weeks count- do your best and finish on a good note!

INB quiz is this Friday and will mostly cover pages 91-102 in your INB.  Make sure you are coloring all pictures appropriately and labeling items because these kinds of things can be on your INB quiz to make sure you are completing class assignments properly.

Classification- Kingdom Plantae

Standards:  S7L1a, S7L1b

Objectives:

-          Explain why biologists classify organisms

-          List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

-          Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Essential Questions:

1.       Why are there fewer animals than plants?

2.       How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?

3.       How does reproduction vary among organisms?

4.       How does the construction of a dichotomous key help you to see the similarities and differences among organisms in the 6 kingdoms?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are there so many different kinds of organisms?

2.  How are we related?

3.  How do the systems compare in different organisms?

Classification Websites:

A Walk in the Forest A Touch of Class Lifecycles of Animals and plants

Animals Websites:

Creature Feature Walk in the Woods- animals Animal Migration

Biodiversity of Animals Quiz Animal articles quizzes games

Wacky water creatures Virtual Owl Pellet How Fish Get Oxygen

Grasshopper Exploration Newton’s Apple free Animal Movies

Pavlov\’s Dog Seafood Surgery Virtual Worm Tour

Build an Animal Skeleton Evolution of Flight in Birds

Plant Websites:

Fern Lifecycles Photosynthesis Movie Photosynthesis up close

Wonderville Photosynthesis Plant Reproduction Plants in Motion

Pollen Park Root Factory Great Plant Escape Plant Life Cycle

Potato Story Tree Cookie Types of Fruits Vascular Plants

Plant Life Cycles Plant Resources Cycles of Life in Plants

Fungi Websites:

Protist Websites:

Protist Movies Pond Life Protists

Moneran (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria) Websites:

Bad Bacteria Disease Detectives Antibiotic Resistance

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells

Monday- Today we are combining classes to complete our Plant Dichotomous key, pictures, and then we will watch Bill Nye Plants!

Homework for Monday- Make sure your pictures are labeled and colored.

Tuesday- After a quick overview of leaf vocabulary, you’re going to complete a dichotomous key using 13 leaf samples at your desk.

Tuesday HW- study notes/vocabulary

Wednesday- Help Wanted!  A plant is on the lookout for parts to fulfill special duties  that are needed to make the plant function!  Define the plant parts on the front of your sheet and then read the classified ads inside your sheet to match them with the plant structures you defined on the front.

Homework for Wednesday- Finish help wanted, study notes, prep INB pp. 91-102 for quiz on Friday

Thursday- Today we are studying flower structure and reproduction.  Read over the passage and answer the questions as you go.  Once you are done, go back through the reading and follow the directions for coloring your flower on the front of your sheet!

Thursday HW- Finish flowering plant sheet, study notes, prepare pp.91-102 in INB for quiz on Friday

Friday-  INB Quiz today!  This quiz will be covering pages 91-102 in your INB.

Homework for Friday- Study

Please read the blog post in its entirety- there is some important information that I want my parents to be aware of concerning my classroom.  Thank you!

Deficiencies went out on Friday so please make sure you ask your child if they have one, get it signed, and have it returned to their teacher- I give 100 points towards any missing homework so it’s a free grade!  On Wednesday, advisory groups will be meeting and the theme of our time together is: Being Thankful.  This is a perfect way to lead into Thanksgiving next week!   Also, this Friday we have an assembly so we will be on an altered schedule.

Also, many kids have been noticing, but I haven’t officially said anything until today- I am 5 months pregnant with my second,  a little boy!  I am due in mid-March and will be gone from that date until May 14 when I will be back for the last week of school with the kids.  Mrs. Zaher and I are working closely to ensure that everyone is well taken care of during both of our absences.  Mrs. Zaher is due in late December and will be back the day I am due!!  To make this easy on everyone, we are planned for the rest of the year (worksheets, powerpoints, projects, all completed) and ready to help out our substitute teachers.  Even in my absence, I know this year will be a successful one for my students!  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding my absence. And please don’t be afraid to reach out to Mrs. Zaher during my leave. 

Unit:  Classification- Protists & Fungi

Standards:  S7L1a, S7L1b

Objectives:

-          Explain why biologists classify organisms

-          List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

-          Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Essential Questions:

1.       Why are there fewer animals than plants?

2.       How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?

3.       How does reproduction vary among organisms?

4.       How does the construction of a dichotomous key help you to see the similarities and differences among organisms in the 6 kingdoms?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are there so many different kinds of organisms?

2.  How are we related?

3.  How do the systems compare in different organisms?

Classification Websites:

A Walk in the Forest A Touch of Class Lifecycles of Animals and plants

Animals Websites:

Creature Feature Walk in the Woods- animals Animal Migration

Biodiversity of Animals Quiz Animal articles quizzes games

Wacky water creatures Virtual Owl Pellet How Fish Get Oxygen

Grasshopper Exploration Newton’s Apple free Animal Movies

Pavlov\’s Dog Seafood Surgery Virtual Worm Tour

Build an Animal Skeleton Evolution of Flight in Birds

Plant Websites:

Fern Lifecycles Photosynthesis Movie Photosynthesis up close

Wonderville Photosynthesis Plant Reproduction Plants in Motion

Pollen Park Root Factory Great Plant Escape Plant Life Cycle

Potato Story Tree Cookie Types of Fruits Vascular Plants

Plant Life Cycles Plant Resources Cycles of Life in Plants

Fungi Websites:

Protist Websites:

Protist Movies Pond Life Protists

Moneran (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria) Websites:

Bad Bacteria Disease Detectives Antibiotic Resistance

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells

Monday- Now that we have our first two Kingdoms behind us (Archaebacteria & Eubacteria), we are on our way to the remaining Kingdoms.  Today we are going to begin Kingdom Protista.  We will take a brief section of notes and you will draw and label several pictures of the three types of protists: Animal-like, Plant-like, and Fungus-like.  If time allows, you will receive the directions for your protist mini poster project we will complete tomorrow.

Homework for Monday- Study notes, color Protist pictures, and complete Cells chapter from escience3000.

Tuesday- Today is a quick project day!  In class, you will pair up with a partner to create a poster about an Animal-like, Plant-like, or Fungus-like Protist.  You will answer several questions about the protist along with decide which group it belongs in.  At the end of class, everyone will present their protist and then hang their poster in the appropriate section of the bulletin board by group.

Tuesday HW- Study vocabulary, finish protist pictures and work on Cells for escience3000

Wednesday- Today we are taking notes on Kingdom Fungi.  When we are done taking notes, we will complete some pictures and label them when we’re done.

Homework for Wednesday- Study notes, complete Fungi pictures and do Cells for escience3000.

Thursday- Are ye ready for yer Treasure Hunt of the Fungi??!!  Arrrgh…I’ve lost me treasure and need yar help!  Follow yar dichotomous key far mushrooms and discover yar treasure in the end!  No really, it’s not a chest of gold but it still is valuable- KNOWLEDGE!   Learn about the kingdom fungi and different species of fungi by completing this fun dichotomous key.  Enjoy!

Thursday HW- Study notes, finish map and do Cells for escience3000

Friday-  Happy Thanksgiving!  Along with having an assembly today, we will celebrate the beginning of our holiday, by disguising turkeys so they don’t get eaten for dinner!  Use the variety of “costumes” that are provided to you or create your own.  Have a great week off!!!

Homework for Friday- Do Cells for escience3000 and have a great week off!

Hey Scientists!  This week is shortened due to a Teacher work day on Nov 8 (no school for kids) and on Nov 10 we will have a visit from Junior Achievement and they will teach our homeroom from 9-12:30. However, we still have a few important things to cover- we will complete our first two kingdoms in our field guide: Eubacteria and Archaebacteria.  We will also have an INB quiz on Friday focusing on this Classification unit.

As far as escience3000 is concerned, I’ve tried my best to fix it but the program will only allow you to work on a few units.  SO I would like you to complete the unit on CELLS.  It’s not due until the end of November and it will get you a December homework pass!

Unit:  Classification- Bacteria

Standards:  S7L1a, S7L1b

Objectives:

-          Explain why biologists classify organisms

-          List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

-          Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Essential Questions:

1.       Why are there fewer animals than plants?

2.       How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?

3.       How does reproduction vary among organisms?

4.       How does the construction of a dichotomous key help you to see the similarities and differences among organisms in the 6 kingdoms?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are there so many different kinds of organisms?

2.  How are we related?

3.  How do the systems compare in different organisms?

Classification Websites:

A Walk in the Forest A Touch of Class Lifecycles of Animals and plants

Animals Websites:

Creature Feature Walk in the Woods- animals Animal Migration

Biodiversity of Animals Quiz Animal articles quizzes games

Wacky water creatures Virtual Owl Pellet How Fish Get Oxygen

Grasshopper Exploration Newton’s Apple free Animal Movies

Pavlov\’s Dog Seafood Surgery Virtual Worm Tour

Build an Animal Skeleton Evolution of Flight in Birds

Plant Websites:

Fern Lifecycles Photosynthesis Movie Photosynthesis up close

Wonderville Photosynthesis Plant Reproduction Plants in Motion

Pollen Park Root Factory Great Plant Escape Plant Life Cycle

Potato Story Tree Cookie Types of Fruits Vascular Plants

Plant Life Cycles Plant Resources Cycles of Life in Plants

Fungi Websites:

Protist Websites:

Protist Movies Pond Life Protists

Moneran (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria) Websites:

Bad Bacteria Disease Detectives Antibiotic Resistance

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells

Monday- Students will be introduced to the two Bacterial kingdoms: Eubacteria and Archaebacteria with a new dichotomous key for our field guide.  We will complete the data for our keys and then you will draw, color, and label pictures for each type of bacteria in your key.

Homework for Monday- Study notes and complete Cells chapter from escience3000 Cells

Tuesday- No School!

Tuesday HW- Study vocabulary and work on Cells for escience3000

Wednesday- Today you will be reading about bacteria and classifying them as Good or Bad bacteria.  When we are finished, we’ll watch Bill Nye Germs- pay close attention because you have quite a few questions to answer under your bellwork!

Homework for Wednesday- Study notes and do Cells for escience3000.  Prepare for INB Quiz tomorrow.

Thursday- Junior Achievement is here!  They will be with us during homeroom until 12:30 today.  For those classes that meet, you will work on completing your INB sheets, pictures, and table of contents in time for your quiz on Friday and with the time remaining, we will watch our first Body Story movie on Salmonella- FOOD POISONING!

Thursday HW- Prepare for INB Quiz tomorrow

Friday-  Hope you have your INB ready!  Today is a quiz covering the majority of worksheets we have completed on Classification since page 77.

Homework for Friday- Study notes, do Cells for escience3000 and have a great weekend!

Hello Scientists!  This week we are beginning our unit on Classification.  This unit is full of detailed information so please make sure to stay on top of your notebook and study nightly.  Also, continue working on escience3000- Unit 3 which is Diversity of Living things (i.e. Classification!).  I know some of you are having difficulty with escience but the problem is fixed.  The only issue remaining is that the Chapters will become available to you day to day.  I wish I could make it all available to you at once but the program is big on making sure no lessons overlap with each other.  The deadline is still Nov. 30 so get to work!  

Also, make sure you are visiting some of the websites listed below.  They can be very helpful if you need further explanation regarding a Classification topic.  Every Kingdom has cool sites with the exception of Fungi…but hey, Mr. Willard is a Fun Guy and he can tell you all about them!

Unit:  Classification

Standards:  S7L1a, S7L1b

Objectives:

-          Explain why biologists classify organisms

-          Relate the levels of classification to the relationship between organisms

-          List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

-          Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Essential Questions:

1.       Why are there fewer animals than plants?

2.       How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?

3.       How does reproduction vary among organisms?

4.       How does the construction of a dichotomous key help you to see the similarities and differences among organisms in the 6 kingdoms?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are there so many different kinds of organisms?

2.  How are we related?

3.  How do the systems compare in different organisms?

Classification Websites:

A Walk in the Forest A Touch of Class Lifecycles of Animals and plants

Animals Websites:

Creature Feature Walk in the Woods- animals Animal Migration

Biodiversity of Animals Quiz Animal articles quizzes games

Wacky water creatures Virtual Owl Pellet How Fish Get Oxygen

Grasshopper Exploration Newton’s Apple free Animal Movies

Pavlov\’s Dog Seafood Surgery Virtual Worm Tour

Build an Animal Skeleton Evolution of Flight in Birds

Plant Websites:

Fern Lifecycles Photosynthesis Movie Photosynthesis up close

Wonderville Photosynthesis Plant Reproduction Plants in Motion

Pollen Park Root Factory Great Plant Escape Plant Life Cycle

Potato Story Tree Cookie Types of Fruits Vascular Plants

Plant Life Cycles Plant Resources Cycles of Life in Plants

Fungi Websites:

Protist Websites:

Protist Movies Pond Life Protists

Moneran (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria) Websites:

Bad Bacteria Disease Detectives Antibiotic Resistance

Infectious Disease website Antibiotics Bacterial Invasion Flu Epidemic

Immune System Defender Defending Against Infection

Healing Cuts Tissue Invaders Rabies Lupus Aids

Medical Mysteries game Pneumonia Malaria H1N1 Flu

Antibiotics Movie Tracking malaria Immune Cells

Monday- Students will be introduced to classification vocabulary for the classification unit in their INB. Last week we were lucky to have a visit from Ms. Masuda and now we will put what we learned to good use.  After completing our vocab, we will watch a Classification video that will further explain the concept of putting organisms into groups.

Homework for Monday- Study vocabulary and work on Unit 3 for escience3000

Tuesday- Today you will get to pick from a variety of dichotomous keys and test yourself with regular, medium, and difficult keys.  Pick your poison and see how you do!

Tuesday HW- Study vocabulary and work on Unit 3 for escience3000

Wednesday- Today you will be creating your OWN dichotomous key by creating 5 creatures of your choosing and making a key to identify them.  These preposterous creatures will then be identified by a classmate and you can determine how well you made your key by how many creatures were correctly identified.

Homework for Wednesday- Study notes and do escience3000

Thursday- Today you are receiving the main dichotomous key for this unit! You will complete the key, draw a picture for each of the kingdoms of living things and then complete an activity where you will describe a cladogram and its parts and then create your own!

Thursday HW- Finish cladogram

Friday-  Today we are going to begin the 6 Kingdoms but we first must introduce a group that is not considered living, so it is not designated a kingdom: Viruses.   We will take a brief section of notes as you discover what characteristics of living things viruses do NOT have.  Then we will watch an awesome movie called: Body Story “Flu.”  You will answer questions regarding the film as we follow a musician’s struggle with the flu and watch as her body fights off the flu VIRUS!

Homework for Friday- Study notes, escience3000 and have a great weekend!