Skeletal System - Composition of Bones and Review

Here are some links to some review items on the skeletal system:
Reading on Bones and joints- Sciencesaurus
Worksheet Labeling the Bones found in your body

Today we are going to cover the major structures and functions of you bones:

• Periosteum
• compact (hard) bone
• cancellous (spongy) bone
• bone marrow (red and yellow)

Here is a link to a great video on the composition of bone by National Geographic.

Link to Worksheet on Your Bones - Bone Composition.

Here is the link to KidsHealth -Your bones

Yeast Fermentation Lab

Greetings Scientists,

On Friday you will be conducting an experiment to observe the evidence of yeast activity.  Before performing the lab, you must take the time to answer the Pre-Lab Questions from the handout given to you today in class.  The link to the reading "Chapter 15-Investigating Fungi II--Yeast" will help you answer these questions.  Be sure to read pg. 180-182 and the Lab Instructions!

Chapter 15-Investigating Fungi II--Yeast

The Pre-Lab Questions must be completed by the start of class on Friday for you to do the lab.

Good Luck!

Monday, April 1, 2013

MAJOR EXAM TOMORROW WORTH 95% OF GRADE!

....April Fools!
(Mr. Greg is so lame...)

What's no joke is how well both classes worked today as we started to shift our focus from one cell process to another and are now looking at respiration.

Now that we know cellular respiration is a series of chemical reactions by which energy is released from sugars with the use of oxygen; heat is a waste product of the thousands of respirations taking place in the mitochondria of your cells.

The following link includes what we read in class today (it is always a good idea to refresh!) as well as some extra reading that will help you with your Photosynthesis vs. Respiration Venn Diagrams you are making tonight!

Science Explorer - Respiration

Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.  Keep up the good work!

Thursday 28th -DNA Modeling and Genes and your Health

We will be constructing DNA models using one of the three methods:

• Bead Jewelry
• Origami or
• Candy

The point of the activity is to be able to correctly identify the smaller parts that make up a DNA Molecule .

Here is the DNA Model Rubric

When you are done with your model...

Here is the link to the Nobel Prize Game on DNA Replication.  Be sure to use the correct base pairs!

Finally, here is a link to a reading on cholesterol genes to your health.

Wednesday Feb 27th - DNA Structure

Here is the video on Chromosome wrapping and DNA Synthesis
(Watch until 2:55)




Here is the link to the Nobel Prize Game on DNA Replication.


The following is a link to a reading on DNA's structure and composition.

The Guide- DNA's Chemical Composition and Structure.

Here are two images of the make-up of DNA.
In both of these images you can see the "ladder" sides are made up of a sugar and phosphate, where the central rungs are made up of nitrogen base pairs (A,G,T and C).

We will be constructing DNA models using one of the three methods:

• Bead Jewelry
• Origami or
• Candy

The point of the activity is to be able to correctly identify the smaller parts that make up a strand of DNA.

Welcome Back - Feb 25th and 26th 2013

Welcome back from a wonderful break!

We are going to continue our work with Cell Reproduction.  Specifically we are going to look at DNA and how it makes up the chromosomes in your body.

The following are two great readings on DNA.
1. Science for Kids Link- DNA
2. Kidipede - Genetics for Kids


Here is a link to an interactive site on DNA:
1. Tour of the Basics  - from the University of Utah - Choose "What is a Chromosome?"


Here are two good videos explaining the relationship between DNA, genes, histones, chromatin, chromatids, and chromosomes.

Rh Factor and Blood and Blood Types in the US

Here are some links to help you find information on the Rh Factor in blood.

Palomar Edu- Rh Factor and Blood

University of Arizona and Rh Factor in Blood

Blood Type Percents in the US - Stanford University Medical Center

Monday January 14th

American Red Cross - Arm to Arm Reading.
Click on link to access.

Here are the notes on blood components and blood typing from today's class.
Click here to acces notes.

Comparing Plant and Animal Cells

Here is a link to tonight's reading.  p 83-85 Exploring Cells

Be ready to come in and compare and contrast a plant cell to an animal cell.

Here is a link to an example Venn Diagram to use.

Monday December 10th

Here is the link for tonight's reading p. 113-115 - "Methods of Reproduction."

Today in class we finished the flower sketches on Lesson 9.1. 
You need to complete the three questions on the worksheet.

Tuesday November 13th

Today's Goals:
1. Be able learn the differences between monocot and dicot plants based on characteristics of seed, stem, roots and leaves.
2. Learn how to use the Gail Virtual Library - accessible through the HMS Library Site.

Notes for today's class can be accessed here.

The students were taught how to access the Gail Virtual Library to access research jounrals and books on line.  Then the students learned about monocot and dicot plants.  We took notes and then they applied the notes to the bean and corn seeds they grew in class.

Students need to read the following pages in the provided pdf from Lesson #5.

Wednesday Nov 7th

Today we are working through Lesson #4.  The students created and sketched ponds.  They will view these ponds over time to watch the reproduction of Lemna or duckweed, as well as the microscopic organisms that are living in this pond habitat. 

The students were also exposed to the next major project, The Greatest Scientific Discovery.  Click here for the link to the Project Page.  Students should be coming up with areas of science they are interested in to focus on a major breakthrough or discovery.  For example a student last year studied the M-11 hockey helmet.  This breakthrough was to decrease the number of concussions.  Students should think about and use the "Links" provided in the side bar of the sight to explore options.

Monday and Tuesday November 5th and 6th

Election Day!!  Be sure to remind your parents to vote!

Yesterday we worked through the directions in Lesson 5 - Beginning the Cycle. 
Students created growing systems for the radish seeds which the Cabbage White Butterflies will hatch and feed later on this Unit.

They also planted their bean and corn seeds.  Students will watch and observe the germination of these seeds and learn about the differences between monocot and dicot plants.  Click here for a comparison chart on monocot and dicot plants.

Today we will be finishing up the Black Worm Investigation and the students will be working through the Science Review.

Any questions not completed in class should be done for homework.
 

Wednesday - Microscopes!

Greetings All!

Today's goals for science were for students to:

• Understand the purpose of microscope parts.
• Understand and apply basic elements of a scientific sketch
• Explore and understand how to use a microscope

After some great work over the past few days, students were finally able to take what they have learned about microscopes--the history, the purpose, the parts, etc.--and apply it to a hands on activity.

We kicked it off by going over "How to Use a Microscope" and applied the instructions towards our microscope labs.

Students used "Guidelines for Scientific Drawings" to create their own sketches of a cat liver.

Finally, the class was unleashed to apply all of their knowledge to the "e" lab.  They took newspaper cuttings of the letter "e" and examined it through the lens of compound microscopes.  Their sketches and observations were recorded here.

 Homework Tonight:  Continue reviewing material and handouts about microscopes and sketches.
Also read pg's 22-25 in Micro to Macro ("Intriguing Insects" and "Dr Matthews and the WOWBug"). Write 3 things you take away from the reading, 2 things you would like to explore in more detail, and 1 question you have.

Today's scientists at work...

Monday October 22nd

Today we started the Second Lesson in the Macro to Micro Book which deals with microscopes.

The goals were:
1. Learn the parts of the microscope.
2. Understand the history behind the microscope.
3. Discover what happens to the diameter of field and magnification of the specimen under different objectives.

Students can reference the "Getting Started" Lesson.  Read the Macro to Micro entry on pages 13-16.  Have an answer to Question #5 on p. 16. 

Also study the handout on parts of the microscope and page 14 of the above text reading.

Here is a picture from our investigations today using hand lenses, a lead in to the compound microscope.

Friday October 19th

The students completed their Create-A-Creature Projects (see some photos below).

They answered the questions #3 A and B on page 5 of the reading.  This was to be done in their science journals which are in their Google Docs.  They need to title the entry, "October 19th 2012, Lesson #3 - What are Organisms?"

Once they are completed with that they can read the entry on "Microscope Pioneers" on p. 26-27 in the Macro to Micro Text.  This will be to preview for Monday's Class (an entry slip will be given on this).

Monday October 15th - Introduction to Macro to Micro

Today we started our New Unit- Macro to Micro.

The learning goals were:
1. Identify and list physical characteristics of organisms.
2. Understand how organisms earn there scientific name.

Students constructed a working definition of physical characteristics/traits.  From this they practiced identifying traits of common flowers and animals.

 

Here is the link to today's reading - Macro to Micro Lesson 1.