Mrs. Vikingson's Science Blog

Good evening scientists!  Welcome the end of the school year!   Couple of quick announcements before we get down to science business for the last two weeks:  First, I will be back on Monday to finish off the year with you all!  Second, CRCT Scores are IN and 7th GRADE SCIENTISTS ROCKED IT!  You all deserve a huge pat on the back and you should all be so proud of yourselves!  Way to go!!!!!

If you have borrowed a science book from me/Ms. Pendergast or Ms. Zaher, please return it so we may inventory books for the year.  Similarly, Library books, Coach books and any other books you have borrowed from the school need to be returned or you will not be able to receive your final report card.

Wellness days are this week:  7th grade is Tuesday, May 15th.  It is an all day event, and students should dress appropriately – knee length shorts for BOTH boys and girls, tennis shoes and a lightweight t-shirt.  NO TANK TOPS, NO RUNNING SHORTS.  Students found wearing inappropriate clothing will be asked to call home for a change of clothes or will not be able to participate.  Please bring a bottle of water to drink from for the day.

This year has gone by so fast, and I am excited, as I know you are, for what your future holds!  Our week will be filled with many fun activities as we close out the year.  Remember to bring snacks and drinks NEXT Tuesday to share with your classmates as you say goodbye to everyone!  Please also include cups if you’re bringing drinks and plates if you’re bringing messy snacks    Part of this week you will be participating in activities that will help you to prepare for the 8th grade, as you build items to perform a specific task using what you know about physics.  Have fun, but most importantly, follow the rules so you get full credit for the assignments each day!  As for your week, this is how it’ll go… and, in the immortal words of Dr. Suess, remember:

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.

You are the guy who’ll decide where to go…

Monday: Save FRED!  Use the scientific method to troubleshoot this problem.  Fred has been spending his summer boating on the Great Lakes. But he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small☺) He’s never learned how to swim and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning.  You have only paperclips to help you SAVE FRED.  His life is in your hands! Good luck.

Homework for Monday:  Dress appropriately for wellness day tomorrow!  Bring water and snacks!

Tuesday: Wellness Day is here.  You’ve signed up for your activities – now enjoy them with your friends and celebrate your health!   

Monday:  Today is 7th grade awards ceremony!  Enjoy this special time as we honor our students with accolades for their outstanding achievements throughout the year!

Tuesday:  Final Exam!  Hope you studied hard for your final in science! Just kidding!!!!  it’s the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  Enjoy this time with your friends and classmates and bid everyone a fond farewell and happy summer!

Great job Scientists!  You have successfully completed the CRCT and should feel super proud of yourself!  We are now ready to move on to our final unit if the year, The Lorax!  I know many of you have seen the recent movie version of The Lorax out in theaters, but did you know that the story of the Lorax is over 40 years old?  Written by Dr. Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel) in 1971, The Lorax was an outcry to the world to help protect our natural resources.  It’s a great story and a great unit to wrap our year together.  We’ll read the story, watch the original movie, and then discuss sustainability and the environmental impacts of the Once-ler’s actions.  Pull out your most creative work over these next two weeks as you create your own sequel to The Lorax, create a public awareness campaign and sustainability proposal, or a board game that goes along with the story.  Parents, we have discussed with other teachers of the 7th grade to ensure there are no due date conflicts with other projects, papers or exams.

I just have two more weeks of maternity leave and will be back on May 14 to end the year with my students

Unit:  Culminating Unit – The Lorax

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:  Students will understand how organisms interact with each other and their surroundings.  Students will explain how to make an industrial process more sustainable.

Essential Questions:

1.       How does the Once-ler’s actions affect the countryside home of The Lorax?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to him?

3.       What eventually happens the Once-ler’s business?

4.       How do humans affect their environment in a negative way?  What are some ways we can positively affect our environment?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       How could the Once-ler make his industry more sustainable?

2.       List some ways the Once-ler could recapture byproducts of his industry and recycle them.

WEEK 1:

Monday:  Today we will start class by reading The Lorax.  Follow along in your student booklet and stop to answer questions about the story.

Homework for Monday:  Finish any story questions in your packet.

Tuesday & Wednesday:  We’re going old school today with the original Lorax cartoon movie.  After we watch, we’ll discuss some important concepts and ideas from the movie.  Anything we don’t finish on Tuesday in class, we’ll finish up on Wednesday.

Homework for Tuesday and Wednesday:  Finish any movie questions in your packet

Thursday:  Who’s side are you on?  Some people disagree with the message of the Lorax.  We’ll learn today how the flooring industry tried to tell the story from their side.   Then, you will have the opportunity to choose your final project of the year from five different options.  This final project is worth 500 points and will be due next Thursday, and will be presented on Thursday or Friday, depending on your time slot.  You will choose a time slot to present your project to the class, whether it is reading your story, fighting for your cause, or explaining your board game.

Homework for Thursday:  Brainstorm ideas for your project.  You will present them to me tomorrow in class before you move ahead with your project.

Friday:  Run your ideas past me before you settle into working on your final project.  This class time should be spent working with your group, brainstorming ideas, starting rough drafts, assigning roles.

Homework for Friday:  Gather materials and work on Lorax final project due next Thursday!

WEEK 2:

Monday through Wednesday:  Work on Lorax final project with your group. Sign up for a time slot to present in your class period.

Homework for Monday through Wednesday:  Continue to work on project.

Thursday and Friday:  Projects are due and presentations begin!  We will adhere to the time slots for presentations.  Everyone must be on time and present in order to receive credit for the project.  Class participation during presentations will count as part of your grade.

Homework for Friday:  None! Relax and prepare for your last full week of school!

Ready, SET, GO….!!!  CRCT begins this week, scientists.  Beginning Monday, please make sure that you arrive to school on time (8:30-8:45), get a good night’s sleep, and eat a brain-energizing breakfast.  The schedule for CRCT testing is as follows:

April 17                  CRCT Reading
April 18                  CRCT ELA
April 19                  CRCT Math
April 20                 CRCT Science
April 23                 CRCT Social Studies
April 24 – 27        CRCT Make-Up (Some Make-Ups may also occur in the afternoons of 4/18, 4/19, 4/20, 4/23)
Please remember that the Science portion is on Friday, April 20th  – over the week, review your INB in preparation for our test.  Please check out a CRCT Coach book if you would like.   All CRCT Coach books must be returned next week.  If lost or damaged, you will have to pay for one.

Lastly, if you have not yet returned your registration packet for attending Sutton in the 8th grade, please do so this week.  Read directions carefully as you will need to supply power bills and rental/mortgage info.  Packets are due by Friday the 27th.  Past that date, Ms. Pendergast is no longer able to accept them.  Thank you!

Unit:  CRCT Review topics:  Cells, Genetics, Classification, Evolution and Ecology

International Baccalaureate: Approaches to learning, Health & Social Education

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L1, S7L2, S7L3, S7L4, S7L5

Objectives:

- Understand cells, organelles and their processes

- Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next

- Understand how a dichotomous key is used and how to construct one

- Understand how organisms are related to one another

- Understand how organisms interact with each other and their environment

- Understand how the natural selection leads to speciation

Essential Questions:

1. How does the organization and functions of the cell organelles relate to the organs of the human body?

2.  How do cells perform the jobs necessary for the cell survive?

3.  How are traits passed from parent to offspring?

4.  How do we determine the likelihood that an offspring will receive a trait?

5.  What is a dichotomous key and how is it used?

6.  What are some ways we can demonstrate that organisms are related?

7.  What is natural selection and how does it lead to evolution?

8.  What is the ultimate source of energy in an ecosystem?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are cells so small?

2.  Explain the ways mutations can be helpful and how they can be harmful.

3.  Explain how we know that whales evolved from a land mammal.

4.  How would a disease affecting the primary consumer population of an ecosystem affect the food web in that ecosystem?

CRCT Prep Websites

Bitesize Review Games Mia Cadaver’s Tombstone Timeout Mr. Nussbaum’s Science Games  Questionaut & Gut Instinct- hands down, the BEST two games!  Edheads Virtual Surgeries and Odd Machines Bacterial Invasion  All Systems Are Go Animal Idol I Know That Games Planet Science Games  Wonderville Science Explorations  Scientific Method Selector! Launchball- Everyone’s FAVORITE!!  Tinker Ball Get Clobbered Lab Safety Gravity Launch Break it Down! Levers- addictive and hard to beat!

Monday: We will be reviewing test taking skills today as we prepare for the CRCT beginning tomorrow.  Now is the time to ask any final questions before the bif test this Friday!

Homework for Monday:  Get a good night’s sleep and make sure to wake up on time to arrive to school tomorrow for our first day of CRCT.

Tuesday: CRCT begins today with the Reading test.  Please make sure you arrive to school on time and have a healthy breakfast to nibble on before testing begins.  Testing will be from 9-12:30 and we will go to 1-3 period classes.  In lieu of CRCT review, we are going to do some fun activities!

Homework for Tuesday: Study INB. Get a good night’s sleep and make sure to wake up on time to arrive to school tomorrow for the CRCT.

Wednesday:  Language Arts testing today.  Please be here on time!  We will go to 4-6 period classes today.  In lieu of CRCT review, we are going to do some fun activities!

Homework for Wednesday: Study INB. Get a good night’s sleep and make sure to wake up on time to arrive to school tomorrow for the CRCT.

Thursday: Math testing today.  Please be here on time!  We will go to 1-3 period classes today.  In lieu of CRCT review, we are going to do some fun activities!

Homework for Thursday:  Study INB. Get a good night’s sleep and make sure to wake up on time to arrive to school tomorrow for the CRCT.

Friday:  Science testing today.  Remember to be here on time!  We will have 4-6 period classes today.  In lieu of CRCT review, we are going to do some fun activities!

Homework for Friday: Relax and prepare for your final day of testing on Monday.

Monday:  Social Studies testing today.  Please be here on time!  We will go to 1-3 period classes today.  In lieu of CRCT review, we are going to do some fun activities! 

Homework for Monday:  Relax!  It’s over!

Tuesday:  INB catch-up day.  Use this day to catch up your INB for the final quiz over pages 155-187. 

Homework for Tuesday:  Review your INB pages 155-187.

Wednesday:  Who killed the Iceman?  Find out as we watch this interesting movie about a prehistoric man discovered by hikers in the Italian Alps.  Forensic scientists and archaeologists investigating the cause of his death have uncovered new evidence that reveals a shocking conclusion.  Be sure to answer your questions – this will be on your INB quiz for Friday!

Homework for Wednesday: Review your INB pages 155-187.

Thursday:  Body Snatchers?!!?!?!?  Yep.  Check out this video about the world that thrives all around us, upon us and within us:  the world of the parasite.  See how parasites are able to live in some of the most inhospitable environments known to mankind.  Questions will appear on Friday’s quiz, so be prepared!

Homework for Thursday: Review your INB pages 155-187.  Quiz tomorrow!

Friday:  INB quiz today covering pages 155-187.

Homework for Friday:  Relax!

Welcome back, Scientists!  Sorry for the late post – being at home with baby got the best of me and I totally forgot!  We are just ONE week away from the  start of the CRCT!!  Remember that this is a focused way for you to review the concepts with which you need the most help.  Also remember that it specifically guides your review in your INB and in the CRCT Coach Book.  As for the week, this is how it’s going…

Unit:  CRCT Review topics:  Cells, Genetics, Classification, Evolution and Ecology

International Baccalaureate: Approaches to learning, Health & Social Education

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L1, S7L2, S7L3, S7L4, S7L5

Objectives:

- Understand cells, organelles and their processes

- Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next

- Understand how a dichotomous key is used and how to construct one

- Understand how organisms are related to one another

- Understand how organisms interact with each other and their environment

- Understand how the natural selection leads to speciation

Essential Questions:

1. How does the organization and functions of the cell organelles relate to the organs of the human body?

2.  How do cells perform the jobs necessary for the cell survive?

3.  How are traits passed from parent to offspring?

4.  How do we determine the likelihood that an offspring will receive a trait?

5.  What is a dichotomous key and how is it used?

6.  What are some ways we can demonstrate that organisms are related?

7.  What is natural selection and how does it lead to evolution?

8.  What is the ultimate source of energy in an ecosystem?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why are cells so small?

2.  Explain the ways mutations can be helpful and how they can be harmful.

3.  Explain how we know that whales evolved from a land mammal.

4.  How would a disease affecting the primary consumer population of an ecosystem affect the food web in that ecosystem?

CRCT Prep Websites

Bitesize Review Games Mia Cadaver’s Tombstone Timeout Mr. Nussbaum’s Science Games  Questionaut & Gut Instinct- hands down, the BEST two games!  Edheads Virtual Surgeries and Odd Machines Bacterial Invasion  All Systems Are Go Animal Idol I Know That Games Planet Science Games  Wonderville Science Explorations  Scientific Method Selector! Launchball- Everyone’s FAVORITE!!  Tinker Ball Get Clobbered Lab Safety Gravity Launch Break it Down! Levers- addictive and hard to beat!

Monday: Today we will be reviewing Classification with an activity covering dichotomous keys.  Identify your jelly belly jelly beans and have fun practicing your classification skills!

Homework for Monday:  Study INB.  Visit websites on blog to study science concepts. 

Tuesday: Today we will be continuing our review of classification as you Gimme Five!  Use your hands to help you remember the five kingdoms of life as well as the five classes of vertebrate animals.

Homework for Tuesday: Finish Gimme Five for a GRADE.  Study INB.  Visit websites on blog to study science concepts. 

Wednesday:  You will discover how organisms depend on one another as we review ecology concepts with a Deer and Wolf Predation activity.  Finish this for a grade due tomorrow.

Homework for Wednesday: Finish Deer/Wolf Predation for a GRADE tomorrow.  Study INB.  Visit websites on blog to study science concepts.

Thursday:   Hopefully you’ve stacked the odds in your favor with your knowledge of ecology as you make food chain stackers.  This fun mini project will make reviewing food chains and webs easy as you create a hands on visual that will put the concept into perspective.

Homework for Thursday: Study INB.  Visit websites on blog to study science concepts. 

Friday:  Apply your knowledge of Ecology as you go on a scavenger hunt through your notebook to find answers!  Last day to review, so be sure to bring any questions you may have!

Homework for Friday: Study INB.  Visit websites on blog to study science concepts.

Barrett Anders Vikingson was born on March 22 at 3:56pm.  He weighed 7lbs 7oz and was 21 inches long.  We are all doing well and enjoying our time together.  As you can see, he looks a lot like his sister   He is only a few days old so it will be a while before I can bring him to school for a visit- however, he’s looking forward to meeting you all   Take care and keep up the hard work.  Before you know it, it’s CRCT time!

This week we are reviewing Genetics and Evolution.  We will do some Punnett Square races and you will receive a two-part project on Evolution that is due at the end of class on Friday for a project grade!

Topic:  CRCT Review

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives: ALL objectives will be covered

Essential Questions: All previous essential questions will be covered

Higher Level Questioning: All higher level questions will be covered

CRCT Prep Websites

Bitesize Review Games

Mia Cadaver’s Tombstone Timeout

Mr. Nussbaum’s Science Games

Questionaut & Gut Instinct- hands down, the BEST two games!

Edheads Virtual Surgeries and Odd Machines

Bacterial Invasion

All Systems Are Go

Animal Idol

I Know That Games

Planet Science Games

Wonderville Science Explorations

Scientific Method Selector!

Launchball- Everyone’s FAVORITE!!

Tinker Ball

Get Clobbered Lab Safety

Gravity Launch

Break it Down!

Levers- addictive and hard to beat!

Monday- Today we are making “Paper Pets” as we review for Genetics.  Work the punnett square and figure out what your paper pet will look like.  Make sure to complete your sheet if you didn’t do so in class.

Homework for Monday-  Study INB from p. 37-76.  Complete INB sheet.

Tuesday- On your mark, get set, GO!  Work as a group to complete the Punnett Squares and get the right answer first! 

Homework for Tuesday- Study INB from p. 37-76.  Complete INB sheet

Wednesday- An Island of Squirrels?  Yep!  You will inherit an island with specific characteristics and YOU get to create squirrels that best fit this enivornment.  Consider how they need to get food, find shelter, hide from predators, etc.  Try and create the perfect animal for your island!

 Homework for Wednesday- Study INB from p. 37-76.  Work on Squirrel Island Project

Thursday- Continue working on your squirrel island- get the entire project complete because it is due tomorrow first things when you come to class.

Homework for Thursday- Study INB from p. 37-76.  Complete Squirrel Island project.

Friday- Oh no!  A catastrophe!!  Your island is under attack by a natural force and your squirrels are at risk of dying out!  What will happen to your populations as a result?  Finish the project today in class and turn in all parts by the end of class.

Homework for Friday- Study INB from p. 37-76.  Finish Squirrel Island and turn in at the end of class.

This week is our first full week of review for CRCT.  We are focusing on our levels of organization: Cells-Tissues-Organs-Organ Systems-Organisms!  We will review Cells and the Human Body this week!  As most of your homework is studying, make sure you focus on those particular units that we are reviewing this week!

Topic:  CRCT Review 

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives: ALL objectives will be covered

Essential Questions: All previous essential questions will be covered

Higher Level Questioning: All higher level questions will be covered

CRCT Prep Websites

Bitesize Review Games

Mia Cadaver’s Tombstone Timeout

Mr. Nussbaum’s Science Games

Questionaut & Gut Instinct- hands down, the BEST two games!

Edheads Virtual Surgeries and Odd Machines

Bacterial Invasion

All Systems Are Go

Animal Idol

I Know That Games

Planet Science Games

Wonderville Science Explorations

Scientific Method Selector!

Launchball- Everyone’s FAVORITE!!

Tinker Ball

Get Clobbered Lab Safety

Gravity Launch

Break it Down!

Levers- addictive and hard to beat!

Monday- Today we are talking about cells!  What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?  How do plant and animal cells differ?  How are they alike?

Homework for Monday-  Study entire INB- focus on unit on Cells: pp. 9-36.  Complete INB sheet.

Tuesday- Today we continue learning about cells by acting out a cell play in which you  are an organelle!  Each organelle has a specific part in the cell just like every actor has a part in a play!  Learn about the various processes cells go through and review the functions of organelles of a cell.

Homework for Tuesday- Study INB from p. 9-36.  Complete INB sheet.

Wednesday- Today we  are reviewing cell processes: photosynthesis, mitosis, meiosis, respiration, osmosis, etc.  This study guide will help refresh your memory regarding these often difficult to understand terms.

Homework for Wednesday- Study INB from p. 9-36.  Complete INB sheet.

Thursday- Today we move up the levels of organization to the tissues, organs, and organ systems found in the human body.  Take on the Human Body challenge and see what you know and remember from our unit!

Homework for Thursday- Study INB from p. 111-134.  Complete INB sheet

Friday- Let’s take another challenge and test ourselves on the organs and organ systems associated with the Human body!

Homework for Friday- Study INB from p. 111-134.  Complete INB sheet

This week we are finishing our unit on Ecology by completing a study guide on Monday and taking a test on Tuesday.  Then we are diving into CRCT prep by taking a mock CRCT and then analyzing our data to determine strengths and weaknesses for the upcoming test in April!  Many of your grades are going to be classwork grades that you earn by completing assignments we do in class.  Ms. Pendergast will be checking INBs frequently.  The gradebook is already set up for all of the grades during my absence so please don’t be deterred if you see a blank for a grade.

Topic:  Ecosystems

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Explain the causes of changes in population size

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Essential Questions:

1.       Where does the energy in my food come from?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to me?

3.       Where did all that energy come from?

4.  How do humans affect their environment in a negative way?  What are some ways we can positively affect our environment?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       If global warming continues to increase due to greenhouse gases, what do you think will happen to the earth’s water levels?  Polar bear populations?  How will the earth’s poles change?

2.       Consider a rainforest ecosystem.  What do you think would happen to biotic and abiotic factors in the environment if the top predator, like a jaguar, were eliminated?

3.    How does the release of a tropical aquarium fish into a stream behind your fish affect the ecosystem?

Ecology Websites

Food WebsFoodWeb Kerplunk EcoKids GamesWater Cycle

FoodChain GameChain Reaction GameWorld’s Biomes

SymbiosisBiomes of the WorldHabitats Energy Saver Game

Interdependence & AdapatationSecrets at SeaWonderville Wetlands

Animal UniverseBuild a FishEco Friendly GameEnergy Hog

Save the WorldEngaging Science GamesNature Explorers

Fish FoodNon-living FactorsAntarctic Food Webs Knowing Trail

Build a Habitat Carbon CycleCoral ReefsFeeding cycle

Feeding RelationshipsFun with FoodwebsFood ChainsLife as an Elk

Deformed FrogsOn the Resource TrailSecondary Succession

Switch ZooClimate Change Walk in the ForestWater Cycle Up Close

WolfQuestWorld BiomesVirtual Owl Pellet Dissection Environment

Biobob Biodiversity Adventure Enviromysteries Trade Offs

Food Chain StoryFood Chain InteractiveMake a Marine Biome

Model EcosystemsOwl Pellet Story Pond LifeSymbiosis video

Virtual Ecosystems Windows into Wonderland

Monday- Today you will work on recapping what you’ve learned about Ecology by completing an Ecology Study Guide.  You have a test tomorrow covering pp. 135-162 in your INB.  Study guides will be checked for a classwork grade tomorrow.

Homework for Monday-  Study notes & Finish study guide for test tomorrow.

Tuesday- Today is your test on Ecology: Relationships and Biomes.  Good luck!

Homework for Tuesday- FinNone

Wednesday- Today we are beginning a Mock CRCT test.  You will take the first 30 questions of the multiple choice test.

Homework for Wednesday- Review INB in its entirety

Thursday- We will finish the Mock CRCT today and you will analyze your data tomorrow

Homework for Thursday- Review entire INB

Friday- You down with CRCT? Ya, you know me!  We will analyze our graded tests and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses for the upcoming CRCT test.  With this data, you will know where you need to concentrate your studies so you can better prepare for the test in April.

Homework for Friday- Study entire INB.

Please read the entire post as there are some important announcements:

I will not be at Sutton from March 5-May 11.  Until then, Ms. Pendergast is in charge.  The gradebook is set up for every assignment that will be checked during my absence.  Keep in mind that Ms. Pendergast can add and delete things as she sees fit so nothing is set in stone.

This week you are working on your biome diorama project.  It is a 500 point project that is due EITHER on Friday before you leave for the early release day or on Monday March 12- Ms. Pendergast will decide. 

This Monday you (and one other person if you do not wish to work alone) will choose a biome, research on Tuesday to find specific biotic and abiotic factors for that biome, and then Wednesday/Thursday you will construct your biome in class (and at home) including those biotic and abiotic factors that you researched.  To complete the project, you will need a shoebox, crafty materials, tissue paper, and figurines (either hand made or purchased) to match your research. 

This project is the last grade on your Quarter 3 report card so do your best!  March 12 is the end of the grading period so report cards will be coming out shortly.  We will then begin the last quarter for Semester 2!  We are almost in the home stretch for the end of the year!

Topic:  Ecosystems

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Explain the causes of changes in population size

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Essential Questions:

1.       Where does the energy in my food come from?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to me?

3.       Where did all that energy come from?

4.  How do humans affect their environment in a negative way?  What are some ways we can positively affect our environment?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       If global warming continues to increase due to greenhouse gases, what do you think will happen to the earth’s water levels?  Polar bear populations?  How will the earth’s poles change?

2.       Consider a rainforest ecosystem.  What do you think would happen to biotic and abiotic factors in the environment if the top predator, like a jaguar, were eliminated?

3.    How does the release of a tropical aquarium fish into a stream behind your fish affect the ecosystem?

Ecology Websites

Food WebsFoodWeb Kerplunk EcoKids GamesWater Cycle

FoodChain GameChain Reaction GameWorld’s Biomes

SymbiosisBiomes of the WorldHabitats Energy Saver Game

Interdependence & AdapatationSecrets at SeaWonderville Wetlands

Animal UniverseBuild a FishEco Friendly GameEnergy Hog

Save the WorldEngaging Science GamesNature Explorers

Fish FoodNon-living FactorsAntarctic Food Webs Knowing Trail

Build a Habitat Carbon CycleCoral ReefsFeeding cycle

Feeding RelationshipsFun with FoodwebsFood ChainsLife as an Elk

Deformed FrogsOn the Resource TrailSecondary Succession

Switch ZooClimate Change Walk in the ForestWater Cycle Up Close

WolfQuestWorld BiomesVirtual Owl Pellet Dissection Environment

Biobob Biodiversity Adventure Enviromysteries Trade Offs

Food Chain StoryFood Chain InteractiveMake a Marine Biome

Model EcosystemsOwl Pellet Story Pond LifeSymbiosis video

Virtual Ecosystems Windows into Wonderland

Monday- Today you will go over your Biome Diorama project- make sure that you write down the biome you chose and you collect materials to complete it- shoebox, crafty materials, fake plants, animal figurines, etc.  Research and construction begin tomorrow!

Homework for Monday-  Collect materials and research biome

Tuesday- Today is a work day for your biome diorama.  Once your research is completed, you must include all of the SPECIFIC organisms you chose for your diorama:  two autotrophs, two herbivores, two secondary consumers, one primary consumer, and three abiotic components.

Homework for Tuesday- Finish your biome research and have materials ready to assemble tomorrow.

Wednesday- Begin assembling biome diorama in class.

Homework for Wednesday- Work on biome diorama

Thursday- Biome diorama construction in class.  Anything not completed must be done at home.  Projects must be finished as you walk in on Friday.

Homework for Thursday- Finish biome diorama and research sheet.

Friday- Today is a half day.  Because of this awkward schedule, your projects are due regardless of whether or not you go to science class.  ALL projects are expected to be turned in before the end of the day on Friday!

Homework for Friday- Study notes- test on Tuesday.

This is my last week at Sutton before I take my maternity leave. I will miss you all! Again, the kids will be in great hands as Ms. Pendergast will be taking over for my classroom.   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Ms. Pendergast or Ms. Zaher when she returns on March 25.

Next week you will receive information about your Ecology project- the Biome Diorama.  Begin collecting crafty materials like markers, paint, pipe cleaners, fake plants, etc.  Most importantly, find a nice sized shoebox for you to complete your project in.

Below is information about a science program being offered to middle school boys (sorry girls!).  I hope some of you are able to take advantage of this program as Georgia Tech delivers some great science instruction through STEM.

Hands on Future Tech 2012 — Male Middle School Outreach Program

Saturday, March 3, 2012; 9am – 2pm

Georgia Tech’s Molecular Science & Engineering (MoSE) Building
This one day event is open to all boys in the 6th-8th grades. At the event boys will interact and participate in hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) demonstrations with college students, faculty, and industry professionals. The event will take place on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 9:00 am – 2:00pm, at the Molecular Science & Engineering building on Georgia Tech’s campus (901 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332).   The purpose of this event is to make STEM disciplines and concepts understandable, relevant, interesting, and applicable in student’s everyday life. The program will also include speakers, a parent’s session, and a career panel that provides information on STEM careers and the opportunities available in these areas. Lunch will be provided.

To register, please visit: http://www.chemistry.gatech.edu/departmental/futuretech.php

There are limited slots for participation and you are encouraged to register your students as soon as possible. Since we would like to share this opportunity with as many students as possible – there is a limit of ten students per school. We also ask the students that participated in our NOVEMBER 2011 Future Tech event – DO NOT participate in this event.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Keith Oden at keith.oden@chemistry.gatech.edu  or (404)894-8163.

Topic:  Ecosystems

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Explain the causes of changes in population size

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Essential Questions:

1.       Where does the energy in my food come from?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to me?

3.       Where did all that energy come from?

4.  How do humans affect their environment in a negative way?  What are some ways we can positively affect our environment?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       If global warming continues to increase due to greenhouse gases, what do you think will happen to the earth’s water levels?  Polar bear populations?  How will the earth’s poles change?

2.       Consider a rainforest ecosystem.  What do you think would happen to biotic and abiotic factors in the environment if the top predator, like a jaguar, were eliminated?

3.    How does the release of a tropical aquarium fish into a stream behind your fish affect the ecosystem?

Ecology Websites

Food WebsFoodWeb Kerplunk EcoKids GamesWater Cycle

FoodChain GameChain Reaction GameWorld’s Biomes

SymbiosisBiomes of the WorldHabitats Energy Saver Game

Interdependence & AdapatationSecrets at SeaWonderville Wetlands

Animal UniverseBuild a FishEco Friendly GameEnergy Hog

Save the WorldEngaging Science GamesNature Explorers

Fish FoodNon-living FactorsAntarctic Food Webs Knowing Trail

Build a Habitat Carbon CycleCoral ReefsFeeding cycle

Feeding RelationshipsFun with FoodwebsFood ChainsLife as an Elk

Deformed FrogsOn the Resource TrailSecondary Succession

Switch ZooClimate Change Walk in the ForestWater Cycle Up Close

WolfQuestWorld BiomesVirtual Owl Pellet Dissection Environment

Biobob Biodiversity Adventure Enviromysteries Trade Offs

Food Chain StoryFood Chain InteractiveMake a Marine Biome

Model EcosystemsOwl Pellet Story Pond LifeSymbiosis video

Virtual Ecosystems Windows into Wonderland

Monday- Today you have an INB quiz covering our Ecology unit.

Homework for Monday-  Study notes

Tuesday- Today we are visiting our last biome, Marine biomes, and learning about the various zones within the saltwater ecosystem.

Homework for Tuesday- Finish your biome drawings

Wednesday- We are finishing up our last biome by watching Planet Earth: Deep Ocean.

Homework for Wednesday-  Get shoebox and materials for Monday.

Thursday- To recap our unit on Biomes and Ecology before we start our big project, we are going to watch Finding Nemo.  Most everyone has seen this movie before, but how many of you have watched it from a “scientific” point of view?

Homework for Thursday- Work on Fin

Friday- We are finishing Finding Nemo today.  Make sure to get your questions done and collect materials for your Biome Diorama.  Directions to come on Monday.

Homework for Friday- Collect materials for Biome diorama- shoebox, paints, markers, etc.