Ms. Vikingson’s Life Science Blog

Students will be receiving their lockers Monday.  If your child hasn’t paid already, lockers are $5.00 and the money must be turned in to their homeroom teacher.

Also, our biggest project of the year “The Incredible Edible Cell” begins next Tuesday (due to the labor day weekend) and will be due the following Tuesday (not Monday because I will have a sub that day).  Please see the direction sheet (under Thursday’s homework) so you may preview the contents of the project with your child. The project worth has been increased to 500 project points!

Week 4: Cells

Standards:  S7CS4, S7L2a, S7L2b, S7L2c

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

Objectives:

-          Tell what cells are

-          Explain how the invention of the microscope contributed to scientists understanding of living things

-          State the cell theory

-          Describe how microscopes produce magnified images

-          Identify the role of the cell wall and membrane in the cell

-          Describe the functions of cell organelles

-          Explain how cells are organized in many celled organisms

Higher Level Questioning:

1. How does scientific development rely on our knowledge of cells?
2. How are cells like building blocks?

Essential Questions:

1. How do you explain the relationship between the structures and functions of cell organelles?
2. Why is each part of the cell essential to survival?

Monday- Today we are going to begin class by discussing the different organelles of the cell and their definition according to our vocabulary dissection.  Students will then fill out a Cell Organelle Graphic Organizer using the Cell_structure_function ppt

Homework for Monday- Study for microscope parts and function quiz

Tuesday- We will begin class by reviewing the organelles learned from yesterday.  Students will then finish their Cell Organelle Graphic Organizer using the Cell_structure_function ppt

Homework for Tuesday- Complete the organelle comic book character on the left hand side of your INB. Study for microscope parts and functions quiz

Wednesday- Today students will be taking a quiz on the parts of the microscope.  Part of the quiz will be directly on a microscope (parts will be taped and numbered and must be identified) and other questions will be paper format.

Homework for Wednesday-  Begin thinking of who you would like to work with for the Incredible Edible Cell directions (must be someone in your life science class).  However, it is highly recommended to work alone!

Thursday- Students will have their first microscope lab in which they must find a small newspaper letter “e” under the microscope.  Students must answer lab questions as they use the microscope and complete the microscope e lab worksheet.

Homework for Thursday- Begin thinking of who you would like to work with for the Incredible Edible Cell project(must be someone in your life science class).  However, it is highly recommended to work alone!

Friday- Students will complete a cheek cell and elodea lab using the microscopes along with the plant vs animal cell microscope lab worksheet.

Homework for Friday- Have your partner determined for the incredible edible cell project. Exchange phone numbers so you can be ready to work all of next week.  Directions go out Tuesday and the completed project will be due on Tuesday of the next week.

This week we begin a new unit on Cells.  We will be taking a test on Monday to assess how much you have learned from the first two weeks of school.  Wednesday is an early release day for students so class time is only 28 min!  Expect to participate in microscope labs and one of the BEST projects of the year: the Incredible Edible Cell!

Week 4: Cells

Standards:  S7CS4, S7L2a, S7L2b, S7L2c

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

Objectives:

-          Tell what cells are

-          Explain how the invention of the microscope contributed to scientists understanding of living things

-          State the cell theory

-          Describe how microscopes produce magnified images

-          Identify the role of the cell wall and membrane in the cell

-          Describe the functions of cell organelles

-          Explain how cells are organized in many celled organisms

Higher Level Questioning:

1. How does scientific development rely on our knowledge of cells?
2. How are cells like building blocks?

Essential Questions:

1. How do you explain the relationship between the structures and functions of cell organelles?
2. Why is each part of the cell essential to survival?

Monday- Today, students will take a 35 question multiple choice test covering the scientific method, observation/inference, qualitative/quantitative observations, the different types of variables, characteristics of living things, needs of living things, and chemistry of life.  All of this is covered on pages 1-20 in the INB

Homework for Monday- None

Tuesday- Students are going to work on their first “Vocabulary Dissection” for the new unit on Cells using the Basic Science Root Words worksheet, Unit Cells Root Words worksheet, and Unit Cells vocab and title page ppt.  They will also create a unit page that explains the content and has pictures in regards to the new unit on Cells.

Homework for Tuesday- Finish vocabulary dissection & unit page

Wednesday- Students will complete a bellwork on the smallest unit of life.  They will then work on a squirrel worksheet and notes on the Levels of Organization from cell to organism using a Levels of Organization Ppt.  Remember, today is an early release day! 28 minute long classes!

Homework for Wednesday- finish squirrel organization worksheet

Thursday- Students will watch a brainpop on microscopes.  They will then learn the function of each part of the microscope using the The Microscope worksheet and microscope parts ppt.  At the end of class, they will take a group quiz on the brainpop microscope movie.

Homework for Thursday- study microscope parts and functions for quiz next Wednesday. Use microscope mania worksheet to help you study!

Friday- Students will be introduced to the cell by reviewing any organelles they think they may know inside of a cell.  We will then color a plant and animal cell using a ANIMAL & PLANT CELL coloring key for our INBs and paste them inside when done.

Homework for Friday- Finish coloring cells using key and study microscope parts and functions for quiz next Wednesday.

Congratulations on finishing your first week of life science!  This week we will be finishing up our intro to science, so study up on a daily basis so you can be prepared for an upcoming test on Monday the 24th.  I am unsure when our textbooks can be distributed because students’ schedules are still changing, so in the meantime, please go to the online textbook if you want to use it as a resource.

Week 2:  Scientific Method & Living Things

Standards:  S7CS1, S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS4, S7CS5, S7CS6, S7CS7, S7CS8, S7CS9, S7CS10

IB Connections:   Human Ingenuity; Approaches to Learning

Objectives: 

-Identify the qualities of a safe laboratory

-Identify independent, dependent, and control variables

-List the characteristics that all living things have

-Explain where living things come from

-Identify what all living things need to survive

Essential Questions:

1. What is the scientific method?
2. What are the types of variables used when planning experiment?
3. What are the characteristics of living things?
4. What are the four needs of living things?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.  Why is it important that only one variable is changed at a time during an investigation?

2.  How do the characteristics determine what is living and non-living?

Monday- Today’s lesson on lab safety will be introduced using a lab safety mishap worksheet.  When we are finished identifying all of the wrong-doings withing the worksheet, students will review the lab safety contract, sign it, and then we will go over life science lab equipment.  Finally, we will use a Lab Safety Website: Get Clobbered. 

Homework for Monday- SW get lab safety contract signed.  These contracts go on file and by signing it, you state that you will adhere to all rules of the laboratory and breaking any said rules will remove you for some or all labs in the future.

Tuesday- Today we will review the scientific method.  We will first begin by putting an experiment order according to the steps of the scientific method.  Following that, we will take notes using the Scientific Method Worksheet(right side of INB) then we will apply what we learned by creating our own experiment (left side of INB).  We will end class with one of the most addictive website games I know of, Launchball.  It integrates the scientific method and problem solving and you will find yourself playing it until you beat all levels!

Homework for Tuesday- NONE!!!!  Lucky you!

Wednesday- Today we will be going further into the scientific method by discussing the different types of variables: control, dependent, and independent.  We will take a few quick lines of notes (right side of INB) and then work on two worksheets for practice: Spongebob Scientific Method and Simpson variables and controls.  Any questions not answered must be done for homework and will be checked tomorrow for a classwork grade.  The sheet must be pasted into the INB.

Homework for Wednesday- SW finish Spongebob and Simpson’s scientific method worksheet and paste it into the INB.  Study for test on Monday!

Thursday- We will begin class by reviewing what we have learned about variables.  Then we will begin a very quick chapter on the Characteristics of Living Things.  Students will take notes using the Characteristics of Living Things ppt.  Students will then make a foldable of the characteristics on the left side of you INB for a classwork grade

Homework for Thursday-  Finish foldable; Study for test on Monday!

Friday- For bellwork, students will think of the Four necessities of life using  The Needs of Living Things ppt .  Then, students will work on a Scientific Method & Living Things Study Guide for a classwork grade. 

Homework for Friday- Finish study guide for classwork grade and study for test on Monday.

As I stated in class today, the online access code for the textbook was not correct.  I have now remedied this problem and you can all now sign up using the access code CEC5681BB803A22AAE9A (please make sure there is not a space AFTER the “A” at the end. Hit backspace to make sure). Once the actual books are distributed, they will go home with the students and are to remain there until the end of the school year.  The texts are brand new and are a great resource for our class.  Students may use just the textbook, a combination of the text and online text, or just the online version of the text.  We are asking that if a student would like to use the online access only, they must have permission from their parent stating this.  You can simply write a quick line of permission and signature at the bottom of the online access sheet I gave your child today.  Please take advantage of all the book has to offer by going online and using the access codes provided within the text to gain access to games, vocabulary, crosswords, etc.  They are very useful tools to make studying tests easier and more interactive!  Plus, by using solely using the online texts, we may have enough books remaining to create a classroom set that everyone may use for projects, to do homework during downtime, etc.

Following the directions below, you will be able to gain access to each and every page of the text, including an assortment of enrichment activities, quizzes and tests.  After registering, you should print off the info below to keep track of your user name and password.  I can also assign quizzes and assignments to kids who have registered so they may check their mastery of certain topics.  It is a great way of assessing your knowledge of the topics as you prepare for in-class tests!

Class/Group and Student Information

First time users:
To register in SuccessNet:

1. Go to www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
2. Click Register
3. On the first screen, type the class access code above in the access code field.
4. Follow the instructions to register.Please DO NOT use your full name as your user name.
   Write your user name on the blank line above exactly as you typed it.
5. At the end of registration process, the SuccessNet login page appears.
6. Log in by typing your user name and password.

Please note that this week your syllabus is due, parents and students are to subscribe to vikingson.edublogs.org and students will need TWO composition notebooks, colored pencils, glue, and scissors by Wednesday to begin our Interactive Student Notebook or INB.

Week 1: Scientific method

Standards:  S7CS1, S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS4, S7CS5, S7CS6, S7CS7, S7CS8, S7CS9, S7CS10

Objectives:

- Identify the skills that scientists use to learn about the world

-  Explain what scientific inquiry involves

-  Describe how to develop a hypothesis and design an experiment

-  Describe the attitudes, or habits of mind, that re important in science

-  Describe the goal of technology

-  Explain how technology affects people in both positive and negative ways

-  Explain why preparation is important when carrying out scientific investigations

-  Describe what you should do if an accident occurs

Essential Questions:

1. What are the steps of the scientific method?
2. What is the difference between observation and inference?
3. How does science affect my life?
4. Why might your emotions affect you perception of something?
5. Why is it important to collaborate in science?

International Baccalaureate:  Human Ingenuity

Monday- SW receive the syllabus, go over classroom rules, discuss vikingson.edublogs.org

Homework for Monday- Students and parents read and fill out syllabus (100 HW points).  Parents and students also subscribe for vikingson.edublogs.org (100 extra credit homework points).  For those of you who are actually reading this homework assignment, please post a comment to my blog with your name, class period, and what you’re looking forward to most in science class.  This will be for an EXTRA 100 extra credit points!!

Tuesday- I will pick up signed syllabi to be returned no later than Friday.  SW receive the Super Scientist Quiz and Super Scientist Tips to help them with the quiz.  This is a 100 point classwork assignment and it must be shown to me when completed.

Homework for Tuesday- get all materials needed for science class by Wednesday (TWO composition notebooks, colored pencils, glue (rubber cement, glue stick, bottled glue), and scissors).  Finish super scientist worksheet.

Wednesday- SW review how to set up their Interactive Student Notebook (INB) using science interactive notebook guideline and the Interactive Student Notebooks ppt.  Students will complete their cover page and “about me” during class and may finish it for homework.

Homework for Wednesday-  Finish cover page and author page in INB (due Friday for 200 HW points).  Finish pasting in syllabus, INB guidelines, and finish working on Table of Contents

Thursday- SW complete a bellwork assignment on inference and observation.  We will then take what we have learned and pply it to our first lab about observation and inference which will be the first main entry into our INB.  We will be doing a lab using something called an obscertainer and we will use the Obscertainer Lab Template to set the lab up in our INB.

Homework for Thursday- Finish any lab questions not completed in class.  Complete INB cover page and author page due tomorrow.

Friday- SW work on a bellwork in regards to what they’ve learned about observation and inference. While doing so, I will check INB work.  They will then complete an observation and inference activity called fossil footprint ppt in which students will determine the events that occur given a limited amount of information using fossil evidence.  SW create a story from their determination and put it into their INB for Monday.

Homework for Friday-  Finish Fossil Footprint 3 paragraph story for Monday.

Welcome back everyone! This year is going to be fun and exciting in 7th grade Life Science.

Please check this site often to view your homework, classwork, study tools, and notes.   I will keep this site up to date  on a weekly basis with all of that information and make it easy for you to access anything you have forgotten or missed.   Simply view online or download files from the website!   If your printer isn’t working, do the work on the computer and email it to me.

Your first two assignments are due Tuesday.   You and your parent must

1.  Review the SYLLABUS FOR SEVENTH GRADE SCIENCE and both you and your parent/guardian must sign it and turn it in to me on Tuesday (I will return it to you before Friday).  This is worth 100 homework points

2.  Visit this website from school or home and “subscribe by email” to this blog so you can receive updates pertaining to science class via email. Both you and your parent/guardian should be subscribed to the blog.  This is an assignment worth up to 100 extra credit homework points.  Please mark off on your syllabus if you have or have not subscribed.

Thank you and let’s have a great 2009-2010 school year!

Vikingson