Dec 20th - 7th

Students took their quiz over cell division and the cell cycle.

Dec 20th - 8th grade

Students began sharing what they created with their week of wonder time.

Dec 16 - 8th grade

Students had their last day working on their projects. Some even started posting them to our blog (with some minor...okay major hiccups).

cjhsscience1617.edublogs.org

And some even started dreaming about what they may receive next wednesday...The Week of Wonder Championship belt!

Dec 15 - 7th grade

Students went to the computer lab and worked on the activity to locate cells in different stages of the cell cycle. While they were doing this, I checked for completion of their cell cycle foldable.

Link to today's activity:
http://bio.rutgers.edu/~gb101/lab2_mitosis/index2.html

Dec 15th - 8th grade

Students continued working on their WoW projects...and we added a reward for the best one as voted by the class.

Dec 14 - 7th

The following slide was on the board when students entered the room

Many students chose to use their time to socialize with the people around them instead of study.

Students took their quiz on the order of steps of mitosis.

Afterward, we took some time to try and help those people that seem to be making a sincere effort to fail science for 2nd quarter. Everyone got one more chance to get their work done for credit.

Other students who were done got a chance to work ahead.

At the end of class we previewed the lab that we will be working on tomorrow.

Dec 14 - 8th

Students began creating their presentation for their work.

And it is always a relief when the technology director stops by!

Dec 13th - 8th

Students worked on their research. Tomorrow is the first day to start making their projects.

Dec 13 - 7th grade

Students watched the following song for explanation of the steps of mitosis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOsAbTi9tHw&t=46s

We then went over the important details to note for each step. Students highlighted or added the details of each step. This is not for tomorrow's quiz, but the quiz/test next tuesday.

Students then watched the Amoeba Sisters video and completed the front side of the worksheet for a grade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI

There is a quiz tomorrow on the order of the steps of the cell cycle.

Dec 12th - 7th

Students wrote their grades into their grades sheets.

Students received their tests back from last week. We also put the following dates into planner pages:
Dec 14th - quiz on the order of the steps of the cell cycle.
Dec 20th- Big quiz on page 44 - 51 in their notebook.

Other things to be graded, but not written in planner pages:

Mitosis quiz on Khan academy (take until you get it right)
Cell Cycle Foldable (for completion)
Computer Sim (coming up this week)
Video sheet (coming up)

Still a lot of points to be had this quarter!

Dec 12 - 8th

Students continued working on their week of wonder research. Tomorrow will be our last day.

Learn on!

Dec 9 - 7th

Students worked on the following list of assignments.

Link for today's activity:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/mitosis/a/phases-of-mitosis

Dec 9 - 8th

Students worked on their week of wonder project. We will have Monday and Tuesday to finish up research and then start creating next week.

Dec 8th - 7th grade

Students colored a prediction of the steps of mitosis.

Students also worked to fill in a notebook page looking for key aspects of the steps of cell division.

The reading sections were as follows:

http://www.macroevolution.net/interphase.html

http://www.ck12.org/life-science/Mitosis-and-Cytokinesis-in-Life-Science/lesson/Mitosis-and-Cytokinesis-MS-LS/

Dec 8th - 8th grade

Students continued working on their Week of Wonder projects. Every student had a 1-2 minute conversation on what they learned and where they were going next.

Dec 7 - 7th grade

Students answered the following questions using math skills.

Then we discussed the functions of cell division.

Students finished by becoming campaign managers for cell division and making a poster with slogans to remember the functions.

Yeast Lab Write Up due tomorrow!

Dec 7 -8th

Students had their first day to work on their Week of Wonder project. Many students said how much they learned and how much they like what they are learning.

Students will be working on their final project to display starting Jan 14th.

Dec 6th - 8th

Students looked at example of ways to make a powerpoint more interesting.

We went to the computer lab. Students found their papers on OneDrive. The remainder of the time was used to work on the Week of Wonder prep activities. Some students began their research.

1 day left!!!!

Dec 5th - 7th

Students checked grades and put them in their planner pages. Students also went over their science grades to look for any missing assignments.

We went over correct answers to the assessment from friday.

Students had 10 minutes to put their papers in their notebook (page 41) and study before class was over.

Dec 5th - 8th

Students checked their grades and wrote them in their planner pages. Students were also asked (per Mrs. Litchfield) to look closely at their math grades individually and check for agreement.

Students worked on their plan for their Week of Wonder project. During this time I walked around and met with each student individually. We discussed their WoW project, gave points for work already completed, and looked over labs that were being turned in late.

Dec 1st - 7th

Students completed the yeast respiration lab.

Dec 1st - 8th

Students discussed Week of Wonder.

Students worked on their Passion Bracket. By tomorrow, they should have narrowed down their choice on what they want to study.

Rock Identification Lab is due tomorrow.

Nov 30th - 7th

Students put page 39 (Energy For Life WS) and page 40 (relationship notes) in their notebooks.

Students then began preparing to do their lab tomorrow. They were required to finish their variables before working with their materials.

Nov 30th - 8th

Students had 20 minutes to work on their labs.

Students were given the lab write up rubric. This lab write up is due friday.

Students FINALLY found out what the countdown was for...

https://sway.com/bZwjVxXQgMXAJ7EU

Nov 29 - 7th

Students board work:

We then went through setting up their planner pages to help them be successful in the coming weeks. Lots of points available to raise grades.

We also discussed the Energy for Life WS.

Students finished class by receiving their respiration lab handout.

Nov 29 - 8th

Students continued working on the rock identification lab. Tomorrow will be the last day to work on this in class.

Nov 28 - 7th

We went over their Cell Processes Quiz from Wednesday. Students practiced finding the main idea in the question and then how to identify the best answer in the choices.

Then we worked on the relationship between Photosynthesis and Respiration.

Nov 28 - 8th grade

Students wrote down grades as well as two things in their planner pages:
Metamorphic rock worksheet due wednesday.
Lab write up due Friday.

Began working on the Rock Identification Lab.

Nov 23 - 7th

Students took their cell processes quiz.

After that, they worked on an assessment to gauge how much they were understanding of our current material.

Students were also reminded of work that wasn't finished this week. That needs to be done by Monday.

Nov 23 - 8th

Students read the following section on sedimentary rocks:
http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Earth-Science-For-Middle-School/section/4.3/

Groups then worked to answer notebook questions.

And there is this...

Ahhhhhh! What is it?

Nov 22 - 7th

Students received papers back. We then went over answers to the Moving Cellular Materials WS (ask students to explain what happens to the vesicle at the end of exocytosis).

Students then worked to finish work from yesterday (fermentation notes and energy for life worksheet).

Quiz tomorrow. Fermentation notes and Energy for Life worksheet is due after Thanksgiving break.

Nov 22 - 8th

Went over correct answers to the worksheet on igneous rocks.

Then we played "Hard as a rock"

Students completed the Metamorphic rocks notes

Link for today's reading:  Metamorphic rocks

Nov 21 - 7th grade

Students went over correct answers for the respiration notebook page. We also discussed why each item was on the right or left side.

We then watched the Amoeba sisters video on cell respiration and worked on the WS. I walked around and graded labs or helped with WS questions while the students finished.

Reading section for today:
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Life-Science-For-Middle-School/section/4.3/

If your notebook page 30 is not complete:
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Life-Science-For-Middle-School/section/4.1/

Nov 21 - 7th grade

Reading section for today:
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Life-Science-For-Middle-School/section/4.3/

If your notebook page 30 is not complete:
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Life-Science-For-Middle-School/section/4.1/

Nov 21 - 8th

Students checked grades and put page 42 in their notebook.

We then discussed the properties of igneous rocks.

Comic strip due soon.

14 days until a nice surprise...

For those that missed the video on friday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQsKRWiy-uE

Nov 17th - 8th

We had a discussion about the activity we did yesterday in the Lego Gym. Students were able to figure out the main goal of the activity without being told. Good work Panthers!

Students then took a vocab quiz over minerals.

We then discussed answers to the chemical change quiz we took Tuesday. Students did a good job on the quiz with the exception of trying to figure out what actually happened during the reaction. We made a point to discuss this as well as the purpose of the dish soap in the reaction.

We finished by talking about the comic strip assignment that is due next week. Students will use their pathway along the rock cycle as a guide to get started on the comic strip.

FOR THOSE GOING TO BE GONE TOMORROW, HERE IS THE VIDEO THAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT YOU WILL MISS.

Nov 16th - 7th

students had today to finish working on the simulation. Some students used their time afterwards to work on their lab that is due thursday.

Nov 16th - 8th

Students went to the Lego gym and took a journey on the rock cycle.

We then came back to the room and worked on putting a rock cycle diagram into our notebooks.

Students have the mineral vocab quiz tomorrow.

Nov 15th - 7th

Here is the simulation:

http://wise.berkeley.edu/previewproject.html?projectId=9923

Here is the question packet:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sTpSSBatgKPrIBGqJDMgyWw4jtsB9R5Xr0womaNiAuo/edit?usp=sharing

This should be completed by the end of class tomorrow.

Nov 15th - 8th

Students took a "pop" quiz on recognizing chemical reactions.

The following video was used as the reaction.

Students then played "Diamond Mine". This was a review on the properties of minerals, as well as help for the upcoming vocab quiz (Thursday).

Nov 14 - 7th

Students wrote down grades for this week and made a note in their planner that their labs are due thursday.

We had a class discussion about the correct answers to notebook page 31.

Students then began filling in notebook page 34 with teacher discussion and use of a WISE simulation.

Nov 14th - 8th

Students checked their grades. We also talked about looking at individual grades in each class to assure they are accurate.

Students received the handout for their vocab quiz this Thursday.

Students were given a choice (and time) to :

1) finish work from Wednesday
2) make vocab flashcards
3) play mineral rummy.

Nov 8th - 7th grade

Students began working on the gummy bear lab.

Nov 8th - 8th

Students received multiple papers back (mineral WS, bonding quiz, Chem/Phys Change WS).

After going over correct answers, we played mineral jeopardy. Students were struggling with how information from the last few days appeared as questions. Going to need to do some discussion on how to study for this.

Nov 7th - 7th grade

1) Go to edmodo and take the marshmallow science quiz.

2) Check your grades and write them down.

3) Go to the following site and complete the virtual lab
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/LS03/LS03.html
You have an assignment sent to you on Office 365. Fill in the assignment as you work on the lab.

4) Get the Moving Cellular Materials WS and complete it. It must be turned in by Wednesday

Nov 7th - 8th grade

1) check grades
-I went around and met with students and looked at their science grades. We talked about positives or areas where improvement can be made.

2) complete notebook page
http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Earth-Science-For-Middle-School/section/3.2/

3) Try identifying some minerals at the following virtual lab
http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078617499/student_view0/chapter1/virtual_lab.html

Nov 4 - 7th

Link to the reading

Quiz over page 28 and 29 on monday

Nov 4 - 8th

Students completed their mineral hunt activity. To demonstrate knowledge, students completed written reports, powerpoints, word documents, sway, or any other form they wanted. They showed what they had done, the minerals they identified, and what they had learned.

Students also turned in their mineral Worksheets.

Nov 3 - 7th grade

Students played "Row Your Boat" review game.

We then discussed answers to the marshmallow science activity. Quiz over this material on monday!

Chemistry of Life WS is due tomorrow.

Nov 3 - 8th

Students worked on the Mineral Hunt lab. In order to document their progress, students used different forms of social media/ technology along the way.

Worksheet is due tomorrow.

Nov 2 -7th

We spent the first 15 minutes of class going over our test from last week. We discussed correct answers and what the question was allowing them to show.

Students then had 10 minutes to look in their notebook to see where the information was located.

The remainder of the time was spent working on their marshmallow lab. LAB IS DUE TOMORROW.

Nov 2 - 8th

We discussed notebook page 34.

Students worked in groups on page 35 and page 36.

Students who have every page complete up to 36 will do a lab tomorrow. Others will work on their notebooks.

Students received the Mineral Worksheet which is due friday.

Nov 1 - 7th

Students added the reflection statement, "Now I know _____" to page 28 of their notebook. We also did some peer sharing to take the sentence and make it a little more descriptive.

Students then began working on marshmallow science.

And some people were late to class...

Nov 1 - 8th

Handed back vocab quizzes

Students turned in their physical chemical change worksheet

We went to the computer lab so students could take their pretest on minerals

Students used the text book to make page 34 of their notebook.
IN page

Oct 31 - 7th

Students and I had a heart to heart talk about their current grades. In short, they have to study for tests, turn in assignments, and work hard to get their grades up.

We finished the notes from Thursday.

We then went to the computer lab so that students could check their grades.

Students then took the pre-test on cell processes on edmodo.

Finally, students shared their thoughts on the upcoming topics as identified by the Next Generation Science standards.

6th hour go here

7th hour go here

8th hour go here

Next page in your notebook.

October 31 - 8th grade

Things to do today:

1) Complete your Bonding Quiz (handout from teacher)

2) Check your grade and write into your data notebook

3) Somewhere between page 30 and 33, you should have written the following statement, "I didn't know that __________, but now I understand ____________." You should fill in the blanks. For example, " I didn't know that there are different types of changes, but now I see that if something new is formed the change must be chemical."

4) watch the following video and add examples (words or drawings) around your phase change triangle of examples (page 33).

Video

5) Your phase change worksheet is due tomorrow.

Oct 27 - 7th

Students put page 28 into their notebook.

We then discussed the notes on the chemistry of life.

Oct 27 - 8th

Students took their vocabulary quiz.

We then looked at examples of physical and chemical changes by playing memory.

Students finished by adding the reflection statement, "I didn't know that _________ but now I understand ______________." This went on page 32 or 33.

IONIC AND COVALENT BONDING QUIZ MONDAY.

Oct 26th - 8th

We started by answering the following questions:

Students saw demonstrations of number 3 and number 4. Ask them about them!

We then looked at the following question, "Does the volume of a liquid change depending on the container it is in?" The answer was no according to our use of beakers and graduated cylinders.

We then did page 33 in our notebook.

Vocab quiz tomorrow

Oct 25 - 7th

We have spent the last two days in the computer lab working on our mini arguments on vaccines.

Tomorrow we will have a test. I am slightly worried that many, many students are asking what pages the test is on one day before the test. This graphic has been on the board since last Thursday.

This shows the number of questions on the test from each page.

Oct 25 - 8th

We discussed answers to the review and brain work questions.

In order to better understand the Law of Conservation of Matter, we watched the following Ted-Ed video. Link here.

We spent the last part of class filling in vocabulary and the notes chart from page 32 of our notebooks.

Oct 24 - 8th

Students checked grades for second quarter thus far.

Students also were assigned new seats today.

Students received  their tests from Friday back. The mean and median scores for this test were higher than usual.

We used our planner pages to look at upcoming events (Vocab quiz Thursday, Ionic/Covalent Quiz Monday).

Students then used the reading section below to fill in page 30 of their notebook.
Reading section for today.

We had a brief class discussion on the t chart from the notebook.

Students were assigned review and brain work questions for homework.

WHEW! Seems like a lot for a Monday...

Oct 21 - 7th

Students continued working on their vaccine mini-argument. They should come back on monday with their graphic organizer finished.