By Stephen Pegler on Monday, October 27, 2008

This week we will do two labs and the students will write them up.  Their packets on cells are due on Wednesday, and the projects are due on election day!  We will begin the next unit on Thursday.  Friday is a bit open to see how much time we need to polish up some other odds and ends.  There is a good possibility of a quiz this week.

I have a test over cells scheduled for November 6.  This will be a short essay test with two major questions and a very few objective questions.  The students were given the two questions at the beginning of the unit.

By Stephen Pegler on Friday, October 17, 2008

This week the students will choose two labs to do in class on diffusion and osmosis.  They will have a complete write-up that they will need to do.  Thursday they will have the opportunity to work on their packets in class or to work on their write-ups.

The last extra credit for the trimester is on my blog site under the homework tab.  Also check the due dates.  If students wish to correct the tests that were handed back on Friday they need to do so by Friday of this week.  They should write out the complete question and answer for each question they missed for 1/2 credit.

Please note that the date for the projects has been changed to Tuesday, November 4.

By Stephen Pegler on Monday, October 13, 2008

This week we begin our study of cells.  Today and tomorrow will be a combination of short lecture, films and discussion.  Most of the rest of the week will spent working with microscopes.  Students will receive their new packets today.  They are due on Wednesday, October 29.  The students also have the following assignment:

Students will do one of the following.  (Due on Friday, October 31)

• 3-D model of a cell with information about what kind of cell it is, and the various organelles.
• Cartoons, flip book, or movie of two cell processes.  These would include meiosis, mitosis, respiration, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, active and passive transport, endocytosis, exocytosis and any others that students might find that would fit what we are studying.

Please check the links at ... Read More »

By Stephen Pegler on Sunday, October 05, 2008

There are only two days of class this week.  On Monday the second packet is due (genetics).  We will grade it in class and students will be graded on how much of it they did.  On Tuesday there is a cumulative test over safety, characteristics of living things, and genetics.

 

Next week we will begin the unit on cells.  There will be a packet and a project.  More details will follow on the project, but I am planning on the students doing one of the following.

• 3-D model of a cell with information about what kind of cell it is, and the various organelles.
• Cartoons, flip book, or movie of two cell processes.  These would include meiosis, mitosis, respiration, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and any others that students might find that would fit what we are studying. 

By Stephen Pegler on Sunday, September 28, 2008

On Monday we will finish the presentations for the haplogroup reports.  Tuesday the students will give their presentations.  A reminder that the packet on genetics is due on Monday, October 6 and there will be a test on all materials to date the following day.  I hope to see many of you at conferences.

By Stephen Pegler on Sunday, September 21, 2008

Today we will finish the activity we began on Thursday last week, that is learning how scientists place people into haplogroups based on their mtDNA and their yDNA.  The rest of this week will be spent on developing a presentation around mtDNA or yDNA.  The instructions and links will be on a webpage which will be placed on this blog.  The presentations will be given next week on Monday and Tuesday.  Students will have Tuesday through Friday of this week to work on their presentations.

A reminder that the second packet is due on Monday, October 6.  The first packet has mostly been graded for completeness rather than accuracy.  A key will be placed online in the Homework documents tab on the bottom of my webpage so that students can check the material in the packet for more accuracy.  The first major test will be on Tuesday, October 7.

By Stephen Pegler on Monday, September 15, 2008

This week we will begin our section on using DNA to help us understand human prehistory and migrations.  Today we will watch the National Geographic film "Adam."  This video traces the attempt to find a male ancestor that all men today are descended from.  Tomorrow we will do part of the genetics packet in class.  Everyone needs to bring their genetics (second) packet on Tuesday.  On Wednesday and Thursday we will begin a short exercise on how scientists obtain and use DNA samples to study human groups.

The first packet is due this Thursday.  The second is due on October 6, and the first test is the next day.

By Stephen Pegler on Friday, September 05, 2008

This week we will continue the activities on Mendelian genetics.  We will continue the activities from last week and begin a related unit on breeding dragons.

The first packet is due September 18, and the second is due on October 6 (pages 9-12 will be done in class).  The first test over all the material to date is scheduled for October 7.  The vocabulary on pages 27 and 115 may show up on any test or quiz in the future.

By Stephen Pegler on Friday, August 29, 2008

I forgot to mention one item to students in the first few days of school, and I want to make sure that both students and their parents understand my policy on horseplay in labs.  Horseplay is forbidden by me and by district policy.  Penalties will begin with the student being removed for the remainder of the lab, receiving a zero on that lab, and a phone call home.  If someone or something is damaged, then further action will be required.  The good news is that in five years I can count the incidents on one hand with a couple of fingers left over!

This week we will begin a unit on genetics.  We will study DNA, Mendelian genetics, and then look at how DNA studies help us understand human prehistory.

I have also attached my Animal Care Plan to my website (as required by the school and the district) and my Class Policies.  If there are any questions, please let me know.

We are off to a great ... Read More »

By Stephen Pegler on Monday, August 25, 2008

Signed Science Safety Agreements are due tomorrow.  Both parents and students need to sign these agreements.

Homework can be found under the homework tab on my web page. 

This week in class we will discuss the characteristics of living things.  If the packets return from the printer, then the students will be given their first packet.  I'll announce the due date based on when it arrives.  There is a good chance that the students will have this Friday to work on the packet in class.