Ms. Vikingson’s Life Science Blog

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break!  This week we are beginning our last unit of the semester: Classification.  We will begin the unit by introducing how we classify organisms.  Then we will spend approximately a week for each Kingdom: Monera (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria); Protista; Fungi; Plantae; & Animalia.  Look forward to fun labs, microscope work, and dissections!

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 take a common assessment today on genetics.  When they are finished, they will complete a vocabulary reading and matching activity on classification and will also make a classification unit page (title with three pictures).

Homework for Monday- SW complete vocab matching and their unit page if not done in class.

Tuesday- Today we have a special treat as Ms. Masuda from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens will be visiting and helping us with the new concept of using dichotomous keys.  It is an interactive lab day and students will receive classwork credit for all work done for the period.

Tuesday HW- Read pages 42-49 and do ?s 1-3

Wednesday- Why do we classify things?  Interesting question…  we’ll discover what led to classification and the importance of this process today in our Notes on Classification:  classification-notes classification-notes-ppt.  During our notes, we’ll learn the scientific process of using a dichotomous key.

Wednesday HW- Do questions 1-6 on page 71

Thursday- We will be doing some dichotomous key practice. Students may choose one or two of the following dichotomous key practice sheets: taxonomy-classification-dichotomous-keys , shark-classification, or  who-are-these-creepy-creatures.   Students are encouraged to finish during class so they may check their answers against the key.

Thursday HW- Finish dichotomous key activity and check answers

Friday-  SW use aliens flashcards to create their own dichotomous key using the aliens dichotomous key template!

Friday HW-finish dichotomous key at home if you did not finish in class

This is a short week but a busy one.  Students have a test on Tuesday along with a notebook check.  Hybrid animal projects are also due but most of you have probably completed it by now.  You are more than welcome to turn them in early!

Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  This is a well deserved vacation for all of us!! :)

Unit: Genetics

Georgia Performance Standards: S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7CS8, S7CS10, S7L3a, S7L3c

Student Objectives:

Explain what forms the genetic code

Describe how a cell produces proteins

Identify how mutations can affect an organism

Identify some patterns of inheritance in humans

Identify the function of sex chromosomes

Explain the relationship between genes and environment

Identify two causes of genetic disorders in humans

Explain how we trace the inheritance of traits

Describe how disorders can be diagnosed and treated

Describe three ways of producing organisms with desired traits

Essential Questions:

How is genetic material passed from parents to their offspring?

How can our knowledge of genetics be useful?

What is a pedigree and how can it help us to determine how a trait is inherited?

Higher Level Questioning

How can a mutation be helpful?

Why is selective breeding important to me?

Genetics Websites:

Click and Clone Mendel’s Experiments Genes and Cells

Mendel’s Discoveries Genetics Web Lab Activities Mendel’s Experiments

Alien Baby Boom Cloning Genetics Dominoes Game Genetics

Human Genome Karyotype Inheritance Memory Game

Ology Genetics Games Genome Games Paternity Testing

Space Doctor Game Human Genome Walkthrough Variation

What is a Stem Cell? Reproduction & Cloning Genetics Quiz

Pedigrees & Family Trees Genetic Counseling & Pedigrees

Punnett Squares Websites:

Mendelian Genetics Punnett Squares Punnett square introduction

Marble Mania Zoo Matchmaker Dog Breeding Punnett Squares

Meiosis Websites:

Meiosis Movie Meiosis Animation Double Cell Division

Meiosis and Twins

DNA Websites:

DNA games DNA Interactive DNA Base Pair Matching

DNA and Genes Gene Finder Gel Electrophoresis Cell to DNA

Putting DNA to Work DNA Quiz Build a DNA Model

Transcribe & Translate DNA

Monday- After we go over the Chapter review homework from the weekend, students are going to participate in Punnett square races to study up for their test tomorrow.  They should study all notes sheets from the unit on genetics in order to make sure that they are best prepared for tomorrow’s test.  Attached are more review sheets to help you:     Genetics Problems Genetics Practice Problems Genetics Practice Problem2 punnett squares

Homework for Monday- Study for test on Genetics and prepare INBs for a notebook check tomorrow.  You will also be turning in your Hybrid project if you haven’t done so already!

Tuesday- Students will have an INB check covering all of the genetics pages.  They will also take a test on Genetics.  When done with the test, students will post their hybrid project on the walls of the classroom for display!

Homework for Tuesday- None!!!

Wednesday-Friday  Have a WONDERFUL and relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday!!

This week we will be looking deeper into genetics by studying pedigrees, selective breeding, and DNA.  In fact, we will be doing an amazing and demonstration lab on Friday in which we will be extracting the microscopic DNA from a strawberry and will be able to see it with the naked eye!

Week 15: Genetics

Georgia Performance Standards: S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7CS8, S7CS10, S7L3a, S7L3c

Student Objectives:

Explain what forms the genetic code

Describe how a cell produces proteins

Identify how mutations can affect an organism

Identify some patterns of inheritance in humans

Identify the function of sex chromosomes

Explain the relationship between genes and environment

Identify two causes of genetic disorders in humans

Explain how we trace the inheritance of traits

Describe how disorders can be diagnosed and treated

Describe three ways of producing organisms with desired traits

Essential Questions:

How is genetic material passed from parents to their offspring?

How can our knowledge of genetics be useful?

What is a pedigree and how can it help us to determine how a trait is inherited?

Higher Level Questioning

How can a mutation be helpful?

Why is selective breeding important to me?

Genetics Websites:

Click and Clone Mendel’s Experiments Genes and Cells

Mendel’s Discoveries Genetics Web Lab Activities Mendel’s Experiments

Alien Baby Boom Cloning Genetics Dominoes Game Genetics

Human Genome Karyotype Inheritance Memory Game

Ology Genetics Games Genome Games Paternity Testing

Space Doctor Game Human Genome Walkthrough Variation

What is a Stem Cell? Reproduction & Cloning Genetics Quiz

Pedigrees & Family Trees Genetic Counseling & Pedigrees

Punnett Squares Websites:

Mendelian Genetics Punnett Squares Punnett square introduction

Marble Mania Zoo Matchmaker Dog Breeding Punnett Squares

Meiosis Websites:

Meiosis Movie Meiosis Animation Double Cell Division

Meiosis and Twins

DNA Websites:

DNA games DNA Interactive DNA Base Pair Matching

DNA and Genes Gene Finder Gel Electrophoresis Cell to DNA

Putting DNA to Work DNA Quiz Build a DNA Model

Transcribe & Translate DNA

Monday- Students will practice the use of new vocabulary and their knowledge of Punnett squares by playing a game called “It’s a Toss Up“  where they will pair up and create offspring that shares the parents traits.  Student will then take the list of characteristics their offspring inherited and create a picture of their offspring.

Homework for Monday- Finish It’s a Toss Up offspring picture in INB

Tuesday- Students will take notes on Advances in genetics, pedigrees, and mutations using the genetics notes ppt and Advances in Genetics & Human Inheritance blank notes INB 2009.  We will then play an interactive website about Genetic Counseling & Pedigrees

Homework for Tuesday-   Do ?s 1-10 on p.167 & ?s 1-5 on p. 169.

Wednesday- Students will create their own hybrid organism using the Hybrid Sales Campaign 2009 This project is worth 100 points and is due on Tuesday of next week.

Homework for Wednesday- work on hybrid and study notes for test on Tuesday

Thursday- Students will continue their work on their hybrid organism which is due Tuesday of next week.

Homework for Thursday- finish hybrid and study notes for test on Tuesday

Friday- Students will watch a DNA brainpop, take notes on DNA, color and fill out a picture of DNA. Students will take what they’ve learned about DNA and we will extract it from strawberries and be able to see it with the naked eye!  To do this, they will need to use the Strawberry DNA Extraction lab sheet.  This is an activity they can easily do at home to impress parents and siblings!  If strawberries are hard to get, onions work well too.

Homework for Friday- Study for test on Tuesday.  Do chapter review on pages 139-140 ?s 1-20 (200 hw points) & do ?s 1-5 on page 141 (100 hw points)

The ultrasound to determine the gender was done this afternoon! :) We have found out that we are having a baby….

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 GIRL!!!!!!  We are so excited!

Also, please remember that you have a test on Monday covering the Nervous System notes and eye diagram.  I will also be doing an INB check covering pages 61-70.  Every page should be filled so please make sure you’re ready on Monday as soon as you come in to class.

Week 14: Genetics

Georgia Performance Standards: S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7CS8, S7CS10, S7L3a, S7L3c

Student Objectives:

Explain what forms the genetic code

Describe how a cell produces proteins

Identify how mutations can affect an organism

Identify some patterns of inheritance in humans

Identify the function of sex chromosomes

Explain the relationship between genes and environment

Identify two causes of genetic disorders in humans

Explain how we trace the inheritance of traits

Describe how disorders can be diagnosed and treated

Describe three ways of producing organisms with desired traits

Essential Questions:

How is genetic material passed from parents to their offspring?

How can our knowledge of genetics be useful?

What is a pedigree and how can it help us to determine how a trait is inherited?

Higher Level Questioning

How can a mutation be helpful?

Why is selective breeding important to me?

Genetics Websites:

Click and Clone Mendel’s Experiments Genes and Cells

Mendel’s Discoveries Genetics Web Lab Activities Mendel’s Experiments

Alien Baby Boom Cloning Genetics Dominoes Game Genetics

Human Genome Karyotype Inheritance Memory Game

Ology Genetics Games Genome Games Paternity Testing

Space Doctor Game Human Genome Walkthrough Variation

What is a Stem Cell? Reproduction & Cloning Genetics Quiz

Pedigrees & Family Trees Genetic Counseling & Pedigrees

Punnett Squares Websites:

Mendelian Genetics Punnett Squares Punnett square introduction

Marble Mania Zoo Matchmaker Dog Breeding Punnett Squares

Meiosis Websites:

Meiosis Movie Meiosis Animation Double Cell Division

Meiosis and Twins

DNA Websites:

DNA games DNA Interactive DNA Base Pair Matching

DNA and Genes Gene Finder Gel Electrophoresis Cell to DNA

Putting DNA to Work DNA Quiz Build a DNA Model

Transcribe & Translate DNA

Monday- Students are going to take a test on the Nervous System.  An INB check will be done covering pages 61-70 which is for 500 points.

Homework for Monday- None

Tuesday- Students are going to work on genetics vocabulary and complete a unit page in their notebook on page 71.  Vocabuary will be done on page 72 as a foldable and students will use the genetics notes ppt slides 1-4 to complete.

Homework for Tuesday-  Finish vocabulary and unit page

Wednesday- Students will take notes on heredity, Mendel, and punnett squares and we will practice punnett squares using the genetics notes ppt and Genetics Notes sheet.

Homework for Wednesday-  Read pages 110-115 and answer questions 1-2 on page 115.  Practice punnett squares.

Thursday- Students will work on a second set of punnett square practice with the help of spongebob! Students will use parts of the spongebob genetics worksheet I and Spongebob genetics sheet II.  Students can do extra problems by using the Genetics Review Puzzle and Spongebob genetics quiz.

Homework for Thrusday- Finish spongebob genetics  worksheet.  Read pages 118-123 and answer questions 1-3 on page 123.

Friday- Today is going to be all interactive! Students are going to use the Foss Web site to work on Larkey genetics.  Larkey Genetics Website If you wish to use it outside of class, please login using: gvikingson password: Seren4me

Homework for Friday- NONE

This week we are finishing up our last unit on the human body.  We are beginning the Nervous System and we will be having our Sheep eye exploration on Friday of this week! Any parental help would be more than welcome as this is a very hectic lab AND it will be my first dissection as a pregnant person :)

We will have a test on Monday of next week, covering all material on the Nervous system that we learn this week.

Unit: Human Body- Nervous System

Standards:  S7CS5, S7CS10, S7L2e,

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

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Describe the functions of the nervous system

-          Describe the structure of a neuron and the kinds of neurons

-          Explain how nerve impulses travel from one neuron to another

-          Identify two ways in which the nervous system can be injured

-          Describe the structures and functions of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

-          Explain what a reflex is

-          Explain how the fives senses work

-          Explain how alcohol and drugs affect the nervous system

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. What are the functions and structures of the nervous system?
2. What might cause a nerve impulse?
3. How do nerve impulses travel from one neuron to another?
4. What are the types of neurons?
5. What are the parts of a neuron?
6. What might be some diseases associated with the nervous system?
7. How does a reflex happen?
8. What are the parts of the brain and what activities do they control?
9. What are the fives senses and how do they send messages to the brain?
10. What are the effects of drugs and alcohol on the nervous system?

Nervous System Websites:

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

Monday- Students will watch a movie call Body Stories: Infancy.   This will tie up our Reproductive unit and help introduce our nervous system unit.

Homework for Monday- None

Tuesday- Have a great break!

Homework for Tuesday- None

Wednesday- SW take nervous system notes 2009 with diagram on the nervous system and five senses using the Nervous Notes 2009 ppt and will view a sheep’s brain.

Homework for Wednesday- Read pages 596-600 and answer questions 1-3 on page 600.  Read pages 612-620 and answer questions 1-4 on page 620.

Thursday- Students will complete an eye diagram notes sheet using the Nervous Notes 2009 ppt and watch a short clip to prepare for our Sheep Eye Exploration tomorrow using the Virtual Sheep Eye Exploration 2009.

Homework for Thursday- Study sheep eye diagram for our exploration tomorrow.  Study all notes and eye info for a nervous system test on Monday!  INB check on Monday from Respiratory system notes-present.

Friday- Students will explore the sheep’s eye today.  Behavior is of the utmost importance.  Parental help would be very much appreciated today!

Homework for Friday- Study all notes and eye info for a nervous system test on Monday!  INB check on Monday as well from the Respiratory system to present.

This week we are finishing up our second to the last unit on the human body.  We will be doing a study guide and taking a test at the end of this week.  I will not be here those two days but will return on Monday so we can begin the last unit: the Nervous system!

Unit: Human Body- Lymphatic, Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive systems

Standards:  S7CS5, S7CS10, S7L2e,

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

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Describe the functions of the endocrine system

-          Identify the endocrine glands

-          Define sexual reproduction

-          Identify the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems

-          List the stages of human development that occur before birth

-          Identify the changes that occur from infancy to adulthood

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. What are the functions and structures of the endocrine system?
2. What is the function of hormones?
3. What are endocrine glands?
4. How does negative feedback control hormones in the body?
5. What are the functions and structures of the male and female reproductive systems?
6. What is sexual reproduction?
7. Why might sperm and egg differ in form?
8. How is the function of the female reproductive system different from that of the male?

Lymphatic Webistes:

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 Websites

Urinary System movie Kidney Failure Kidney Stones

Endocrine/Reproductive System Websites

Hormones and Reproductive system Endocrine system movie

Monday- Students will do a reading activity on either the Lymphatic, Urinary, Reproductive, or Endocrine Systems using the ALL readings for human body jigsaw and the Lymphatic Urinary Endocrine Reproductive Graphic Organizer

Homework for Monday-  Finish the ?s for your assigned reading activity.  Because readings are so lengthy, there are only class copies. Get the copies online to finish.

Tuesday- Students will present their findings and their group and group members will fill out a chart for the systems they did not research.  This sheet will be used to study for their test on Friday.

Homework for Tuesday- CRCT practice questions 1-4 on page 593 and questions  1-5 on p. 665

Wednesday- After going over homework, students will complete a fetal development lab.

Homework for Wednesday- Finish lab questions if not completed in class.

Thursday- I will not be here today, please be on your best behavior for Ms. Phillips. Student will complete a study guide on Lymphatic, Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive systems.

Homework for Thursday- Finish study guide and study for test tomorrow on Lymphatic, Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive systems

Friday- I will not be here today,  please be on your best behavior for Ms. Phillips. Students will take a test on the Lymphatic, Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive Systems.  If time allows, they will be graded in class.

Homework for Friday- None!

Don’t forget that Digestive System Stories are due on Monday for a project grade.  This week we are learning about the circulatory and respiratory systems.  We will have two labs this week and a test on Friday covering the Digestive, Circulatory, and Respiratory systems.

Unit: Human Body-Circulatory and Respiratory systems

Standards:  S7L2d, S7L2e

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

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Human Ingenuity

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Explain the functions of the cardiovascular system

-          Describe the functions and structure of the heart

-          Sequence the path taken by blood through the cardiovascular system

-          Describe the functions and structures of the arteries, capillaries and veins

-          Describe the components of blood

-          Explain what determines the type of blood a person can receive in a transfusion

-          Name the structures and functions of the lymphatic system

-          Identify some diseases of the cardiovascular system

-          Describe the functions of the respiratory system

-          Identify the structures that air passes through as it travels to the lungs

-          Describe what happens during gas exchange and breathing

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 might blood travel through the cardiovascular system?
2. What are some materials that the cardiovascular system delivers throughout the body?
3. What chambers of the heart contain oxygenated blood?  Deoxygenated blood?
4. How might the circulatory and lymphatic systems be related?
5. What happens during gas exchange and breathing?
6. What is the path that air takes during respiration?

Circulatory Websites:

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 Websites:

Lung Cancer Label the Respiratory System

Lung animations and interactives

Monday- Students will take notes on the circulatory system using the Circulation notes ppt and circulation note sheetcomplete a lab called “heart as a pump.”

Homework for Monday- Read pages 515-521 and answer questions 1-3 on page 521

Tuesday- After discussing our lab from yesterday and going over homework, students will take notes on the heart and color and complete a heart diagram to show the flow of blood.  They will then work as a class to complete a virtual heart transplant!

Homework for Tuesday- Read pages 504-513 and answer questions 1-4 on page 512

Wednesday- After reviewing last night’s homework, students will complete a lab called “Lung capacity” in which they will  measure the different capacities of air in their lungs.

Homework for Wednesday- Read pages 534-542 and answer questions 1-3 on page 542

Thursday- Students will take notes on the Respiratory system using their respiratory note sheet and the Respiration ppt and will work on a diagram of the respiratory system.

Homework for Thursday- Study for Test on Digestive, Circulatory, and Respiratory Systems.  For extra credit on your test, complete the Chapter reviews on pages 529-530 & 557-558.

Friday- After reviewing our CRCT questions from last night’s homework, students will take a 30 question test on the Digestive, Circulatory, and Respiratory systems.  INB check on pages 55-60: 500 points.

Homework for Friday- NONE

I hope you all had a restful break.  We have started a new report card period.  These grades are continuing to add on to last quarter’s so continue working hard so you finish the semester with a BANG!  We are now back into full swing studying the digestive system.  The next test students have will cover the digestive system, circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems.

Unit: Human Body- Digestive system

Standards:  S7L2a, S7L2b, S7L2d, S7L2e

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

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Explain why the body needs food

-          Describe the functions carried out in the digestive system

-          Explain the roles of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach in digestion

-          Describe the digestive processes that occur in the small intestine and how other digestive organs are involved

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. What are some reasons that your body needs food?
2. Why do you need to eat a certain number of calories each day?
3. Why are proteins, vitamins and minerals essential to a healthy diet?
4. What are the two types of digestion and where does each occur?
5. What are the functions of the small intestine?
6. What is the role of the accessory organs in digestion?

Digestive system Websites:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

Monday-  No School

Tuesday- No School

Wednesday- Students will take notes on the digestive system from the mouth to the stomach using the Nutrition and Digestion notes and their digestion nutrition note sheet .

Homework for Wednesday-  Read pages 494-497 and answer questions 1-2 on page 497.

Thursday- Students will take notes on the digestive system from the small intestine to the end of the digestive tract.

Homework for Thursday- Answer questions 1-6  on pages 501 in your textbook.

Friday- Students will work on a project called “The Digestion Story.”  Using the directions and rubric in the Digestive System Story 2009 and the digestion story template if students wish to use it. Students will write and illustrate a story in which they follow a piece of food through the digestive tract.  Students may include accessory organs for extra credit.

Homework for Friday-  Finish Digestion Story for Monday.

I have great news to share with my Sutton students, families, and friends.  This April my husband and I will be expecting a new addition to our family!   I have finally made it through the agonizing first trimester and  I apologize if I was under the weather, cranky, or short :)  It’s been a rough road and I am thrilled to be nearing the end of this treacherous part of pregnancy and into a more enjoyable stage. This is the first baby for us  so any advice is more than welcome! :)

On a more educational note, our online gradebook goes public on Monday and grades will be visible 24/7!! This is a great opportunity for you to discuss grades with your child.  If you see assignments missing or low grades, now you can ask your child and get their explanation prior to talking with the teacher.  It will open up communication between all parties and make everyone feel responsbile for success in school!!   If you wish to gain access to the online gradebook, bring a picture ID to the main office and request your login and password.  Please keep in mind that teachers can only grade as quickly as they have time to do so.  If you or your child wishes to know their grade for an assignment, please give us until Tuesday night of every week to post grades (longer for more complicated assignments).

Tutorial has begun. Download and fill out the Vikingson tutorial form.  Please note that your child MUST have a signed permission slip and MUST notify the teacher they will be staying with the day before or day of tutorial.  Students must pick a teacher, notify the teacher,  and stay with them for the ENTIRE tutorial period.

This week, we are finishing our unit on the Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary systems and we’re entering the Digestive, Circulatory, Lymphatic, and Respiratory systems.  No dissections just yet but they will be coming in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for some wonderful opportunities to visit the classroom and help out during a hectic time of teaching :)

Human Body: Skeletal, Muscular and Integumentary 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

-          Identify the functions of the skeletal system

-          Explain the role that joints play in the body

-          Describe the characteristics of bone and how to keep bones strong and healthy

-          Identify the types of muscles in the body

-          Explain why skeletal muscles work in pairs

-          Describe the functions and structures of the skin

-          Identify habits that can help keep skin healthy

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. What role do joints play in the body?
2. What would your body be like if you didn’t have a skeleton?
3. Why do skeletal muscles work in pairs?
4. How does skin regulate temperature?

Websites for Digestive System:

Hands on Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion Animation Diet and Exercise Food Pyramid Game

Food Pyramid Sorter Digestive system labeling Milk

digestive system label game

Monday- Students will take a quiz on all of the bones of the body.  Students must look at a model of the human skeleton and name the bones labeled directly on the skeleton

Homework for Monday- SW ready pages 452-456 on the Muscular system and answer questions 1(a-c) – 2(a-c) on a separate sheet of paper to be turned in tomorrow.

Tuesday- We will review our homework from last night.  Students will complete notes on the muscular system using the skeletal muscular integ ppt and will then complete a “muscle action lab” in class.

Homework for Tuesday-  Finish lab questions.   Read pages 458-463 on the Integumentary system and answer questions 1(a-c) – 2(a-c) on a separate sheet of paper to be turned in tomorrow.

Wednesday- We will review our homework from last night and our lab from yesterday.  Students will complete notes on the integumentary system using the skeletal muscular integ ppt.  They will then complete a “skin sensitivity” lab in class.

Homework for Wednesday- Study notes on Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary systems for a 30 ? test tomorrow (10 questions from each section).

Thursday- SW take a 30 ? test on the skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary systems.  We will grade the tests in class if we have time.

Homework for Thursday- Read pages 486-491 and answer questions 1(a-c) – 2(a-c) on a piece of notebook paper to be turned in tomorrow.

Friday- SW review homework from last night and we will do a digestive system activity where students will be broken into groups and will be assigned a certain part of the digestive tract.  Students must then measure out ticker tape to the actual length of that part of the digestive tract, include the job of that part and a picture must span the length of their ticker tape.   Kids will present their part of the digestive tract and then we will then tape it all together and hang it from the room so students can see how loooong the digestive tract is!

Homework for Friday- none

This week we are venturing up a level of organization from Cells to Tissues/Organs during our unit studying the human body!  Students will be involved in lots of labs, activities, and we even begin our dissections for this unit!  Parents, please keep track of what we have going on week to week to see if you might be interested in coming to class to help out with a lab or especially dissections!

Human Body: Skeletal, Muscular and Integumentary 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

-          Identify the functions of the skeletal system

-          Explain the role that joints play in the body

-          Describe the characteristics of bone and how to keep bones strong and healthy

-          Identify the types of muscles in the body

-          Explain why skeletal muscles work in pairs

-          Describe the functions and structures of the skin

-          Identify habits that can help keep skin healthy

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. What role do joints play in the body?
2. What would your body be like if you didn’t have a skeleton?
3. Why do skeletal muscles work in pairs?
4. How does skin regulate temperature?

Websites for the Skeleton/Muscular/Integumentary Unit:

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

Monday- SW take a test on Cell organelles, moving cellular materials, and cellular processes.  Students who completed the extra credit homework assignment MUST staple their work to their test answer sheet to get credit! SW turn in Invaded by Chloroplasts story and picture.  Students will also have an INB check on pages 35-46.

Homework for Monday- None

Tuesday- Students will begin the unit on Human body.  They will complete a unit page on the human body: Title and 3 colored pictures.  Students will also work on a Medical Jargon worksheet which will act as their vocabulary dissection for the unit.

Homework for Tuesday- SW finish their medical jargon worksheet and unit page with a title and 3 colored pictures if not completed in class.  SW read pages 438-443 and complete questions 1-2 on 443.

Wednesday- Students will learn the bones of the skeleton and will take notes on the skeletal system using the skeleton note sheet and the skeletal muscular integ ppt.  SW have a quiz on the bones of the skeleton on Monday.
Homework for Wednesday- Students will read pages444-451 and answer questions 1-3 on pages 451.

Thursday- Students will receive the dem bones template and Dem Bones directions for the “Dem Bones” project

Homework for Thursday- SW work on dem bones and study bones of the skeleton for Monday.

Friday- I will not be here for 1/2 of the day.  Ms. Sumner, a retired Science teacher from Sutton, will be helping students with project today. SW work on Dem Bones in class.

Homework for Friday- Study bones of the skeleton for quiz on Monday and finish Dem Bones for Monday