Traits Survey

We finished up our discussion on swans. The facts that students found out about swans were terrific! We will come back to swans and other migratory birds in the spring. So....

Today students were introduced to the term alleles. We did a class survey on traits. Their homework is to conduct a family survey on traits. They must include at least 8 traits in their survey.

Swan facts

Students worked in partners and collected 10 facts about swans. Students needed to use at least two books and one web site. One fact from each partnership was written on the overhead. We now know ALOT about swans!

Please be sure to visit the WJH Waterfowl Sanctuary for a tour. They are open for tours every Saturday in February. Tours start on the hour beginning at 9am.

Swans

We had a guest speaker today. from the WJH Waterfowl Sanctuary. She brought in a trumpeter swan and several teals to show us.
If you are interested she is offering tours of WJH. WJH is located at 2753 S56th St. West.
Tours are on Saturdays, starting tomorrow, and through the month of February.
Tours begin at 9am and on the hour thereafter until 4pm.
Groups can be no larger than 15.
Please call Shelia McKay at 652-7175 to let her know you are planning to come.

Students will receive extra credit points if they visit WJH.
 (Must have a note from parent stating that they went to the facility)

Swans and migration

We are taking a few days and doing some migration  lessons. These are a bit sooner than I normally do this but it is because we have the opportunity to have a swan brought into school. So students watched a video on swans and swan protection today. Tomorrow a speaker will be at school and she will have a swan.

Test

Students took a test today. The test will be graded in two parts - Part one( which was multiple choice and done using mimio votes) and Part two - which was short answer.

Study Guide

Students worked on a study guide for their test tomorrow. Most students finished this in class however if they did not then it is homework.
I will be here in the morning for a review session.

Study tonight!

Flip Books

Students started a cell cycle "Flip Book" in class on Friday. This book needed to be finished over the weekend and turned in on Monday (today).
Today we read, discussed and watched a short video clip on cancer.
We will be having a test this week on Chapter 2 on Wednesday.

Cell Cycle

We had shortened periods today due to a SOAR assembly. In class we corrected last night's homework. We then started to draw the different phases of the cell cycle. There is no homework.

Cell Division

We finished reading and taking notes on cell division pages 55-62. Students then got worksheets that they need to complete. They had about 20 minutes in class. If they did not finish then they need to complete for homework.

Cell Division

Today is the first day of 3rd quarter so everyone has an A! Please work hard to keep it.

Students read Cell Division pages 55-62 in the cell book. They then took vocabulary notes in their spirals. There is no homework.

Yeast fermentation graphs

Students finished up their graphs from yesterday's investigation. Students then took a pop quiz using an electronic quiz tool.
Enjoy the 3 day weekend! See you next semester!!

Respiration in Yeast

Today students performed an activity to witness respiration in yeast. We had trouble 2nd period because our ratios were off but we worked it out in all the other classes. 2nd period is always my "guinea pig" class and they are wonderful. Students do not have homework tonight as we will finish this assignment tomorrow in class.

Project Presentations

Yesterday and today is filled with project presentations. They are Great!!

Final Touches

Many students have finished with their projects and a number were adding final touches. Remember to share all your work with me.
My email is: gartonj@billingsschools.org

Have a great weekend

Thursday and Friday

Students have the next two day to continue working on their projects. Make sure to make use of the four links under learning tools to help with understanding! They are due Monday!!

Photosynthesis/Respiration

Students continued to work on their assignments. I have seen some extremely creative work! Remember students that tomorrow we will not have access to computers but we will again on Friday.

Photosynthesis/Respiration Project

Students were given the below rubric. Students must complete a project(s) worth up to 40 points. Students may receive up to 20 extra credit points by completing another project. Most of the project should be able to be completed in class as students have 4 days of in class time to work on them  - so part of this activity is teaching students time management skills and appropriate use of classroom time. Some work may have to be done at home.

Acrostic-Solo -At least 8.5/11 -Neatly typed or written -Target words will be written down left side of paper -Each descriptive phrase must begin with one of the letters from the target word -Each descriptive phrase chosen must be related to the target word 20 POINTS	Comic Strip-Solo -At least 8.5/11 -At least 6 cells -Must use ALL terms -Must include color -May be done using computer -Using GoAnimate or Easy comic creator 30 POINTS	Concentration Cards-Solo -At least 20 index cards (10 matching sets) must be made -Both pictures and words must be used -Information should be placed on just one side of each card -Include an answer key which shows the matches 20 POINTS
Diorama-Solo -Must be self standing -All interior space must be covered with relevant pictures and information -Must include ALL terms -Name written on back in permanent ink -Informational/title card attached to diorama 40 POINTS	Children’s Book-Solo -Must have a cover with the book’s title and student’s name as author -Must have at least 10 pages -Each page should have an illustration to accompany the story -Must include ALL terms -Should be neatly written or typed -Can be done on computer 40 POINTS	Three Facts and a Fib-Solo -Can be written, typed, or created using PowerPoint -Must include exactly four statements:  three true statements and one false statement -False statement should not be obvious -Brief paragraph should be included that explains why the fib is false 10 POINTS
Written Report-Solo -Must completely explain the entire process of topic -Must include ALL terms -Must include at least 3 sources -Must be done on the computer -May be done on google doc and shared with me 40 POINTS	Skit/Puppet Show/Rap           solo/partners -Must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the subject -Must have a typed or written script -Must include description of what each person did -ALL terms need to be included 40 POINTS	Powerpoint-Solo -Must include ALL terms -Must thoroughly describe the topic -Must include a minimum of 10 slides -Must include at least 3 sources -Must include pictures 30 POINTS
Game-solo/partners -Must include ALL terms -Must include written or typed instructions on how to play -Must include description of what each person did -Must demonstrate thorough knowledge of topic 40 POINTS	Word Find-solo -At least 8.5/11 -Must include ALL terms -Must provide a word bank -Must define each term on the back of the word find -May be done on the computer 10 POINTS	Poster-solo -Create a poster that can be used to share all relevant information -Must be type written -Must include ALL terms -Must include text and pictures -May be done using Glogster 30 POINTS

Photosynthesis/Respiration Project

Students will need to create a photosynthesis/respiration project. Almost all work will be done in class. Some ideas for projects are skits, poems, puppet show, poster, report, comic strip. More information will be forthcoming.

Terms, ideas, concepts that students need to understand and include in projects are:

1.  photosynthesis

2.  autotroph

3.  heterotroph

4.  pigment

5.  chlorophyll

6.  chloroplasts

7.  stomata

8.  energy

9.  sugar

10.  carbon dioxide

11.  oxygen

12.  water

13.  respiration

14. fermentation

15. alcoholic fermentation

16.  lactic acid fermentation