April 13:  NO SCHOOL DUE TO WEATHER.  MAKEUP DAY MAY 29

April 14:  Anchor Activity.  Students will read "Disease-What's Gotten Into You"  and answer the questions at the end of the article.  I will discuss the research project we will begin tomorrow.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR RESEARCH PROJECT

APRIL 15:  CHOOSE TOPIC AND TURN IN A ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION OF THE DISEASE THAT YOU AND YOUR PARTNER HAVE SELECTED TO RESEARCH.

APRIL 21:  TURN IN A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT EACH MEMBER WILL DO FOR HIS/HER PART OF THE RESEARCH AND POSTER DESIGN

ONGOING:  RESEARCH, STUDENTS MUST HAVE 2 INTERNET SOURCES AND 2 PRINT SOURCES

APRIL 24:  TURN IN A ONE PAGE DESCRIPTION OF HOW YOUR POSTER WILL LOOK.  IF YOU PLAN TO USE ILLUSTRATIONS ON YOUR POSTER, USE BOXES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

APRIL 29:  COMPLETED POSTER AND BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

WEEK OF MAY 11:  EACH GROUP WILL COMPLETE A 2 MINUTE ORAL PRESENTATION

April 15:  Library research

April 16:  Library research

April 17:  NO School Spring Holiday

April 6:   Tesitng OLSAT, SAT Language, SAT Science

April 7:  Alabama Science Assessment Review

April 8:  Alabama Science Assessment Review

April 9:  ALABAMA SCIENCE ASSESSMENT

April 10:  Mega Party for fund raisers.  Those not involved will do a globe activity (I hope to be outside but with the crazy weather we are having this week I may need to adjust my plans.

March 30:  ARMT Testing Math.

March 31:  ARMT Testing Reading

April 1:  SAT Testing Reading

April 2:  SAT Testing Math

April 30:  No testing.  Weather permitting we will go outside and do GLOBE Activities.

March 23:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will continue learning about the Respiratory System.  I will show a Power Point and students will take notes.

March 24:  ASA Daily Question.  We will begin the Nervous System today.  Students will read Ch. 25 section 1 and complete a directed reading in class.

March 25:  ASA Daily Question.  Power Point on Nervous System.  Students will take notes.

March 26:  ASA Review.  We will use the CPS System and have a two day tournament covering all Alabama State Objectives.

March 27:  Same as Thursday.

SPRING BREAK

March 9:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will learn about the Cardiovascular System.  We will discuss Chapter 23, Section 1.  Students will then answer the section review questions on pg.  611.  I will go over what students should study for the test on the Digestive System, Skeletal System, and Muscular System.

March 10:  ASA Daily Question.  We will finish discussing the Cardiovascular System.  Students will make a model of the heart.

March 11:  ASA Daily Question.  We will begin the Respiratory System today. This topic is in chapter 23 section 4.  Students will read the section and answer the section review questions on pg. 623. 

March 12:  TEST

March 13:  Practice ASA

March 2:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will learn about diffusion, passive transport and active transport by watching a demostration and by performing a quick lab.  They will answer the data analysis questions on lesson 6 and write their conclusion.  Students will also take a few final notes on the digestive system.

March 3:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will begin learning about the skeletal system.  They will make a foldable to help learn the main concepts of this system.  I will begin a powerpoint presentation on the skeletal system.  HOMEWORK:  1 AND 2 PERIOD ONLY (THIS IS TO MAKE UP FOR DAYS WE DID NOT MEET DUE TO TESTING)  STUDENTS WILL READ "CHANCE OF A LIFETIME" AND SPIES INTO THE BLENDER.  THEY WILL ANSWER 5 QUESTIONS ON THE ARTICLES.

March 4:  ASA Daily Question.  NOTEBOOK TEST!!  Powerpoint on the skeletal system

March 5:  ASA Daily Question.  MANY CLASS WILL NOT MEET TODAY DUE TO THE MUSICAL.  THOSE CLASSES I DO NOT MEET WITH WILL HAVE HOMEWORK.  THEY NEED TO READ PG. 588-591 AND DO THE SECTION REVIEW ON PAGE 591 1-8.  THOSE STUDENTS I MEET WITH WILL DO THIS ASSIGNMENT IN CLASS

March 6:  ASA Daily Question.  Powerpoint on the Muscular System

Feb. 23:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will read "Making It Simple".  We will then discuss all the digestive processes that occur in the mouth.  Students will be able to describe the role amylase plays in digestion, as well as the difference in mechanical and chemical digestion.  Students will write their conclusion to Lesson 4.1.  If not completed in class this will be homework.

Feb. 24:  WRITING ASSESSMENT .  Students will read the introduction to lesson 5 and the story "Chance of a Lifetime"  They will answer the two questions at the end of the article.  If time allows we will also read "Spies Into the Blender" . 

Feb. 26:  Think Link Learn testing in the morning.  Those classes that meet will take a practice Alabama Science Assessment test.

Feb. 27:  Same as Wed.  When they have completed the ASA practice test we will go over each question.

Feb. 28:  ASA daily question.  I will be doing Lesson 5.1 as a demonstration today.  Students will learn the role the stomach plays in digestion.

Feb. 16:  No School Presidents Day

Feb. 17:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will complete inquiry 3.1 "Exploring Carbohydrates"  HOMEWORK:  STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE THE VENN DIAGRAM ON CARBOHYDRATES AND ANSWER THE DATA ANALYSIS QUESTIONS IN THEIR NOTEBOOK.

Feb. 18:  ASA Daily Question.  Each lab group will write their conclusion to Lesson 3  Introduction to lesson 4.  We will complete the getting started exercise and read the article "Making it simple"

Feb. 19:  ASA Daily Question.  We will set up our lab notebooks to prepare for lesson 4.  STUDENTS WILL HAVE A NOTEBOOK TEST AT THE END OF THE CLASS PERIOD.  THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR NOTEBOOK UP TO DATE   HOMEWORK: READ "SPIES, INTO THE SYSTEM".

Feb. 20:  ASA Daily Question.  Students will carry out Lab 4.1  If the lab is completed by the end of class, students are to answer the data analysis questions and write their conclusion to be turned in on Monday.  

Feb. 9:  ASA daily question.  Students will perform the getting started activities for lesson 2 "Moving Through the digestive Tract"  They will prepare their notebook with this lessons question, hypothesis, procedure, and data table.  They will then start Inquiry 2.1 "Moving Right Along"  We should complete steps 1-4 today and finish tomorrow.  HOMEWORK:  READ THE ARTICLE "SPIES, ALL SYSTEMS GO"

Feb. 10:  ASA daily question.  Students will complete Inquiry 2.1 steps 5-9.  They will complete the data analysis questions and write their conclusion.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE DATA ANALYSIS QUESTIONS AND CONCLUSION AT HOME IF NOT FINISHED IN CLASS.

Feb. 11:  ASA daily question.  Lecture on the digestive system and nutrients.

Feb. 12:  ASA daily question.  Students will read the introduction to lesson 3, "Exploring Carbohydrates. Students will prepare their notebook by listing the question, hypothesis, procedure (they will draw the procedure in their notebook), and data table.

Feb. 13: ASA daily question. Students will carry out Lesson 3.1 "Testing Foods for Sugar and Starch"  We will complete the data analysis and conclusion Tuesday in class.

Feb.2:  Students will review for their test on Wed.  We will be playing a tournament today and tomorrow to help them prepare.  HOMEWORK:  ALTHOUGH WE PLAYED THE TOURNAMENT STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY THEIR STUDY GUIDE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

Feb. 3:  SAME AS MONDAY.  TEST TOMORROW PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD STUDIES FOR THIS TEST.

Feb. 4:  TEST!!!!  When the test is complete we will start on Human Body Systems.  If time allows we will read "Galen-The Gladiators' Doctor" as a class. HOMEWORK:  READ THE ARTICLE "HUMANS-THE PROBLEM SOLVING ANIMALS" AND ANSWER THE 3 QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.

Jan. 5:  We will begin the Human Body Unit.  Students will complete the getting started questions.  Students will then begin Human Body Mapping Inquiry 1.1

Jan. 6:  We will complete Inquiry 1.1 and finish with the reflection questions.

Jan. 26:  Quick review of RNA.  I will be out for the next 3 days for AMSTI training.  I will introduce a project the students will research while I am gone.  Students will be given instructions and assigned their topic today.

Jan. 27:  Students will use the computer lab to research the benefits and dangers of genetic engineering.  They will take notes and list all sites they get their information from for a bibliography they will turn in with their project.

Jan. 28:  Students will finish their research today in the computer lab.

Jan. 29:  Students will write their persuasive letters to Barack Obama explaining their views on genetic engineering.  They have a 4-square template to outline their letter which must be turned in with the final product.  On this template is a box that they are to list their internet sources.  They have this class period to work on the letter.  If they do not complete the letter it must be finished at home.  The project is due tomorrow (Friday)

Jan. 30:  PROJECT DUE.  Students will conduct an activity which will explain how genetic disorders occur in life.  Students will be given their study guide for our test on Wed. Feb. 4.  This test will include meiosis, Mendle's Laws, Punnett squares, DNA, and RNA.

Jan. 19:  NO SCHOOL

Jan 20:  Students will transfer DNA samples to micro-tubes.  We will watch a Discovery Education Podcast on the language of genetics to prepare for DNA model making.  We will discuss DNA code and nucleotides.

Jan. 21:  Students will construct nucleotides using KNEX when they have the nucleotides constructed they will use them to make a double helix DNA molecule.  HOMEWORK:  STUDENTS WILL ANSWER THE FOLLOWING: 1)  WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A DNA NUCLEOTIDE?  2) DESCRIBE THE SHAPE OF A DNA MOLECULE. 3) WHAT ARE THE BASE PAIRING ARRANGEMENTS?  4) WHAT TYPE OF SUGAR IS FOUND IN THE DNA MOLECULE?

Jan. 22:  Students will unzip the DNA model used yesterday and model replication of DNA during interphase.  HOMEWORK:  ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:  1) wHAT IS PRODUCED DURING REPLICATION? 2) WHY IS REPLICATION IMPORTANT? 3) IN WHAT PHASE DOES REPLICATION TAKE PLACE?

Jan. 23:  Students will make a model of an RNA strand.  HOMEWORK:  ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, 1) WHY IS RNA IMPORTANT IN THE CELL 2) WHAT TYPE OS SUGAR IS IN RNA 3) COMPARE AND CONTRAST DNA AND RNA USING A VENN DIAGRAM.

Jan. 12:  Review meiosis by discussing the foldable they did for homework over the weekend.  Discuss vocabulary needed for today's lesson on punnett squares.  Discuss Mendel's laws of genetics.  Law of  Dominance, Law of Independent Assortment, Law of Segregation, and Law of Co-Dominance.

Jan. 13:  Punnett Squares, students will practice using punnett squares to determine possible trait outcomes.

Jan. 14:  DNA.  Students will learn what DNA does, the structure of DNA, and how DNA replicates.

Jan. 15:  LAB Students will extract DNA from strawberries

Jan 16:  Students will read "The Age of Discovery" and make a foldable explaining who discovered DNA and what each scientist did to become famous.

Jan. 5:  Work Day No School

Jan. 6:  Review mitosis to prepare for our Heredity Unit.  Begin Heredity Vocabulary

Jan. 7:  Activity, Genetic Traits and probability.  We will do the activity but not use the data until next week. 

Jan. 8:  Students will read Ch. 5 section 1 (pg. 114-119) in class.  This section is introducing Gregor Mendel (the father of heredity).HOMEWORK:  SECTION 1 REVIEW PAGE 119 1-10 OMIT # 8.   Some students will complete this in class.  Any work not completed in class is the homework

Jan. 9:  Students will watch a podcast discussing heredity.  They will then complete a graphic organizer describing the 11 steps of meiosis.  If they do not complete in class they must finish it at home over the weekend.  They may use their book and will find the information on page 128-129

Dec. 15:  Lab, We will be observing the Daphnia and completing a scientific drawing.  We will also find the average heart rate of the Daphnia when it is in spring water.

Dec. 16:  Lab, We will observe the Daphnia's heart rate when it has been in a cola soultion (stimulant) and an alcohol solution (depressant). and compare it to the average heart rate found yesterday when the Daphnia was in spring water.

Dec. 17:  Test review

Dec. 18:  TEST CHAPTER 11 PROTISTS AND FUNGI

Dec. 19:  We will go over the test and then pack up AMSTI.

Dec. 8:  Lab We will be looking at prepared slide of protists and doing scientific drawings of the ameoba, euglena, volvox, and paramecium.

Dec. 9:  Lab. We will be looking at live protists (ameoba, euglena volvox, and paramecium.).  Students will fill out a table explaining the plant-like and animal-like features of each protist.  They will also explain which structure allows the protist to move.

Dec. 10:  Power-Point presentation on fungi.  Students will learn the characteristics of fungi and be able to differentiate between thread-like fungi, sac fungi, club fungi, and lichens.

Dec. 11:  Lab:  We will be re-visiting our ponds and looking for organisms that have emerged over the last 10 weeks.

Dec. 12:  We will prepare for our labs on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  Students will prepare their lab by listing materials and procedures they will be using.  HEADS-UP:  STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN A STUDY GUIDE ON MONDAY FOR A TEST NEXT THURSDAY COVERING PROTISTS AND FUNGI.  WE WILL NOT BE REVIEWING IN THE CLASS.  STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO STUDY ON THEIR OWN.  THIS TEST WILL BE MULTIPLE CHOICE ONLY. 

Dec. 1:  Students will be introduced to plant tropisms (light and gravity) as well as seasonal changes in flowering plants.  Students will be given their study guide for test 3 on chapter 13.  These study guides are due on Wed.  I will be grading these for correctness.  After I collect them I will give students a typed copy of the correct answers for the study guide.  The test will be on Friday.  We will not be going over these in class, it is up to the student to study at home.  I will take individual questions before or after class.  HOMEWORK:  WORK ON STUDY GUIDE.  THIS IS DUE ON WED.  TEST WILL BE FRIDAY DEC. 5TH.

Dec. 2:  We will start learning about the Protista kingdom.  Today students will discuss their general characteristics, how they get food, and how they reproduce. (Ch. 11 section 1)

Dec. 3rd:  We will prepare for tomorrows lab, and watch the AMSTI video Protists.

Dec. 4th:  We will complete Inquiry 11.1 and 11.2 in the lab today.

Dec 5th:  TEST CH 13

Nov. 24 and 25:  These two days will be used for students to complete any missed assignments.  1st and 2nd period will not meet due to Think Link Learn Testing.

Nov. 17:  Quiz on photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  Students will then read "Looking at Leaves" and take notes on the article.  We will discuss the article and go over the procedures for tomorrows lab "Observing and drawing a Stomatal Unit from a Lettuce Leaf, and "Preparing a Model of a Stomatal Unit.

Nov. 18:  Lab, students will use the microscope to observe guard cells and stoma in a lettuce leaf.  Thay will then prepare a model of a stoma.

Nov. 19:  We will complete lab questions and discuss the directions for making a model of a perfect flower.  We will discuss the purpose of each structure found in a perfect flower.

Nov. 20:  Students will make their model of a perfect flower

Nov. 21:  Students will complete their model of the perfect flower.  We will then have a short quiz on the parts of the flower.

Nov. 10:  Students will read chapter 13 section 2 and answer the section review questions on page 339

Nov. 11:  NO SCHOOL VETERAN'S DAY

Nov. 12:  Students will make test corrections and reference the study guide to each test question.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE TEST CORRECTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE REFERENCE.  PARENTS NEED TO SIGN BOTH THE ORIGINAL TEST ANSWERS AND THE TEST CORRECTION/STUDY GUIDE REFERENCE PAGE.  IF COMPLETED STUDENTS TEST SCORE WILL INCREASE BY 10%

Nov. 13:  We will begin discussing photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  Students will learn the chemical formulas for both processes and reach the conclusion that the reactions are the exact opposite of each other.

Nov. 14:  Power Point presentation on Photosynthesis.  Students will be given directions for a project we will complete next week.  Thy will be making a 3-D model of a perfect flower.  These models will show all the reproductive structures of a flowering plant.

Nov. 3:  We will go over the study guide, numbers 1-15.  If time allows students will work on questions 16-30.  These are due tomorrow.  HOMEWORK:  FINISH STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS 16-30

Nov. 4:  We will go over the last 15 questions on the study guide for Friday's test.  HOMEWORK:  STUDY FOR TEST

Nov. 5:  We will play "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" to review for the test.  HOMEWORK:  STUDY FOR TEST

Nov. 6:  Students will have a substitute today.  I will leave a review game for them to play.  HOMEWORK:  STUDY FOR TEST

Nov. 7:  TEST TODAY!!!!! There will be a substitute today also.  Therefore students will not get test grades until Wed. of next week.  I am out of town all weekend and will not get the actual tests until Monday.  We will be out of school on Tuesday.  Thank you for your patience.

Oct. 27:  Students will turn in lesson 7 lab sheets.  We will begin studying mitosis.  As a class we will read "Multiply, Divide, and Survive".  I will use the overhead to simulate the following steps of mitosis, Interphase, the four mitosis phases (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase), and cytokinesis in both plant and animal cells.  Students will then read inquiry 8.2 to prepare for tomorrows activity.

Oct. 28:  Students will create a model of Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis.  They will then describe what is happening in each stage.

Oct. 29:  Students will complete reflection questions on lesson 8..  They will read the article "Methods of reproduction" using the PLAN method with a 2 paragraph summary.  If not competed in class they will need to finish this at home.

Oct. 30:  Students will take notes on a power point presentation on Flowering plants.

Oct. 31:  I am hoping to do Inquiry 9.1 disecting  a flower today.  It will depend on the availability of perfect flowers.  Students will need to finish the lab sheets at home over the weekend.  They will be receiving their study guide for their test next Friday.

Oct. 20:  Students will be presenting their cell analogy projects.

Oct. 21:  We will finish presentations of cell analogy projects.  I will give directions for tomorrow as I will be at a training conference.  The sub will be Mrs. Wrinkle.  Students will know what they are responsible for when I return on Thursday.

Oct. 22:  Students will read the article "Plant and Animal Cells:  The Same, but Different" on page 83 of the AMSTI book.  They will complete a one pager on this article.  Students will then do an "I am" poem on one of the cell organelles.  If they do not finish this in class it is HOMEWORK!!!!!!!  If students finish all their work early there will be a crossword puzzle on the cell they may do for extra credit.  If they want to do this at home, I will give them extra credit.

Oct. 23:  Lab Day, We will be looking at plant and animal cells today and tomorrow.  Students will be required to use their guidelines for a scientific drawing to complete drawings of  Spirogyra, Onion Leaf, Elodea, Cheek Cells, and the Nerve Cell.  This lab will take two days.  All lab drawings will be due on Monday Oct. 27. 

Oct 24:  Lab Day, We will complete Lesson 7 inquiries.  Students will answer reflection questions and have their drawings completed by Monday.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE SCIENTIFIC DRAWINGS (GUIDELINES ARE IN THEIR NOTEBOOK)

Oct 6:  Students will watch the video Inside A Cell.  They will be given a quiz on cell organelles tomorrow.  They may find the descriptions on page 74 of their Life Science Book.

Oct. 7:  Quiz on cell organelles.  We will finish the discussion on the diversity of cells.  Students will discuss the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.  If time allows we will update our organism cards. 

Oct. 8:  Discussion on the difference between plant and animal cells.  Students will draw both an animal and plant cell.  We will discuss the meaning of an analogy to prepare students for a project we will complete in class on cells.  HOMEWORK:  COME UP WITH AN ANALOGY FOR THE NUCLEUS, RIBOSOME, ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, MITOCHONDRIA, CHLOROPLAST, GOLGI COMPLEX, VACUOLE, LYSOSOME, CELL WALL, CELL MEMBRANE, AND CYTOPLASM.

Oct. 9:  Students will begin their cell analogies collage.  They will have today and 1/2 of tomorrow to complete.

Oct. 10:  Students will complete collage and present to the class.  If any student is absent or unable to present due to time constraints, they will present on Monday after fall break.

Sept. 29:  Lecture on Pieris rapae, The Cabbage White Butterfly.  Students will learn the 4 stages of metamorphous.  They will describe each stage of metamorphous.

Oct. 1:  Students will work in groups and read 1 of 5 articles.  They will make a visual aid to go with the article and will present the article to the class.

Oct. 2:  Students will finish presentations and I will add any information that needs clarification.

Oct. 3:  Students will take a quiz on the 5 articles.  lThey will be allowed to use any notes they took during the presentations.  We will then have an introduction to cells.

Oct. 4:  Power Point on cells.

Sept. 21:  Students will review for tomorrows test by playing "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"

Sept. 22:  Lesson 1-4 test.  We will try and complete the test in one day, but if needed we will complete at the beginning of class tomorrow.

Sept. 23:  Complete test if needed.  We will then go over the correct answers to the test

Sept.  24:  Lecture, the life cycle of a Wisconsin Fast Growing Plant.  We will also measure our Cabbage White Butterfly larva, and update of bean and corn seed drawings.

Sept.  25:  We will do reflection questions on lesson 5 and review the nutritional needs of plants.

Sept. 15:  Students will start lesson 5  (Wisconsin Fast Plants) by completing the getting started activity.  When they have completed this activity they will start a reading activity with the article "Nutritional Needs of Plants".  This activity is called PLAN.  We have used PLAN as a class, this will be the first time the students will be doing it on their own.  They will start in class and will have to finish it at home for homework tonight.  I have given them a set of instructions in case they can't remember each step of PLAN.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE PLAN ON ARTICLE "NUTRITIONAL NEED OF PLANTS"  PARENTS THEY WILL GET THEIR STUDEY GUIDES FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S TEST TOMORROW.  DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES I COULD NOT GET IT PRINTED OUT THIS WEEKEND.

Sept. 16:  Lab day.  We will be starting the growing systems we will be using over the next 6 weeks.  Students must follow all lab safety rules as we will be using flames and sharp objects.  Ladies must have their hair pulled back and closed toed shoes are required. HOMEWORK: COMPLETE QUESTIONS 1-10 ON THE STUDY GUIDE

Sept. 17:  We will begin observing the germination  and development of corn and bean seeds.  We will then go over 1-10 on the study guide  HOMEWORK 11-25 ON STUDY GUIDE

Sept. 18:  We will observe the bean and corn plants and then go over questions 11-25 on the study guide.  HOMEWORK:  26-40 ON STUDY GUIDE

Sept. 19:  We will observe the bean and corn plants and then start a tournament to help prepare for Tuesday's test.  We will complete the tournament on Monday.  HOMEWORK:  STUDY FOR TUESDAY'S TEST.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT!!!

Sept. 8:  Students will prepare to start lesson 4 "Creating Your Own Pond".  The class will complete the getting started exercise together.  Students will then read "Excuse Me, But Your Habitat is in My  Ecosystem" and complete a 1-pager on the article.  The class will then go over the lab procedures for making the ponds.

Sept. 9:  Students will complete working definitions for the vocabulary in lessons 1-4.  They will then read Ch. 18 sections 1 and 2 to familiarize themselves with the material I will be presenting on Thursday and Friday.  I will be attending a grade level meeting for part of the day and a substitute will be covering my classes.  HOMEWORK:  ANYTHING NOT FINISHED IN CLASS TODAY IS TO BE COMPLETED AT HOME.  I WILL COLLECT TOMORROW.

Sept. 10:  LAB DAY  Students will create their ponds and use the microscope to check for any organisms that might be present in their ponds.  Students will revisit their ponds in 3 weeks to see the changes that have occurred.

Sept. 11:  Powerpoint presentation "Everything is Connected". 

Sept. 12:  Powerpoint presentation "Living Things Need Energy"

Sept. 1:  NO SCHOOL;  LABOR DAY

Sept. 2:  Students will conduct the lesson 3 getting started activity.  They will look at the Blackworm using a hand lens and answer question 5 a, b, c, and d.  Students will then go right into Inquiry 3.1 Drawing the Blackworm after viewing it under 40x on the microscope.  Students will then draw what they saw using the "Guidelines for a Scientific Drawing" .  Students have these guidelines in their notebook.  This will be a 100 point grade.  10 points for completing each of the 10 steps found listed in the guidelines.  We have practiced and discussed how to do these drawings.

Sept. 3:  In class students will complete Student sheet 3.1.  They will have time to finish their drawings and then do the reflection questions A, B, and C.  We will then discuss background information on the California Blackworm.  Students will then read Inquiry 3.2 which will be completed in lab tomorrow.

Sept. 4:  Lab  Students will complete Inquiry 3.2 Finding the average pulse rate of a Blackworm.  We will then observe Blackworm fragments and put them in micro-tubes so we will be able to observe the regeneration for the fragments over the next 3 weeks.  Students will fill in a data table on the pulse rate and answer the reflection questions D, E, and F.  IF REFLECTION QUESTIONS ARE NOT FINISHED IN CLASS THEY WILL BE HOMEWORK TONIGHT.  THE HANDOUTS ARE IN THEIR NOTEBOOKS.

Sept. 5:  Students will read the introduction to lesson 4 "Creating Your Own Pond".  Each group will complete the getting started exercise and will share their thoughts with the class.  We will CAREFULLY  read the directions for Inquiry 4.1 "Constructing your pond.  Students will simplify the steps which we will write on a large poster so that on Monday they will know what they are to do during the actual inquiry.

Aug. 25:  Students will complete Inquiry 2.1,2.2, and 2.3 "The WOW Bug:  Getting a Closer Look"  They will observe the WOW bug with a hand lens to determine their mode of locomotion, they will then use a depression slide and observe the WOW Bug's grooming habits.  Once they have observed these two characteristics they will make a scientific drawing of the WOW Bug using the guidelines given at the beginning of this lesson.  HOMEWORK:  READ THE ARTICLE ON MICROSCOPE PIONEERS, THEY HAVE THIS ARTICLE IN THEIR BINDER.  THEY WILL HAVE A VERY SHORT QUIZ ON THIS ARTICLE TOMORROW.

Aug. 26:  Students will have a short quiz on last nights homework.  We will then complete the reflection questions for lesson 2 in class.  Students will then do a quick activity to see how organisms react to stimuli in their environment.  Students will then watch a powerpoint presentation on life processes and necessities of life.  (if absent, a student may read Chapter 2 section 1 and pages section 2 pages 42 and 43) 

Aug. 27:  We will finish the power point presentation and complete a concept map on the material covered.  These concept maps will be great study tools when it is time for a test.  Students will make a poster showing living and non living things.  they will write a brief paragraph beneath each picture explaining the characteristics that identify each thing as living or nonliving.

Aug. 28:  LAB DAY:  We will introduce lesson 3 and students will perform the getting started exercises.  They will be investigating Lumbriculus Varigattas (the California blackworm).  Students will answer the 4 questions in the getting started section of the AMSTI book and then complete Inquiry 3.1, doing a scientific drawing of the California Blackworm.  They will peer review the drawings.

Aug. 29:  We will read "More Than Just Bait"  and students will complete a 1-pager on the article.  Students will then read Inquiry 3.2 and 3.3 so they will be ready to complete the lab on Monday.

Aug. 18:  Students will fill in the getting started answers for lesson 1 from last week.  Students will watch a video clip on Classification to reinforce last week lessons.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE REFLECTION QUESTIONS 3 AND 4.  ANY STUDENT WHO DID NOT FINISH THE READERS GUIDE FOR THE ARTICLE "WHAT'S IN AN ORGANISMS NAME" MUST COMPLETE AT HOME. (I HAVE COPIES OF THE ARTICLE THEY MAY TAKE HOME TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT)

BONUS HOMEWORK (10 POINTS)  LOOK UP ON THE INTERNET OR USE AN ENCYCLOPEDIA TO FIND THE DIFFERENCES AMONG COUGARS, PUMAS, AND MOUNTAIN LIONS.

Aug. 19:  We will meet in the lab to begin learning how to use a microscope.  Students will popcorn read "Through The Compound Eye".  They will do the lesson 2 Getting Started  activity using hand lenses.  We will discuss the parts of the microscope as well  as the steps in using the microscope properly.  If time allows students will practice using the microscope by examining prepared slides.

Aug. 20:  Students will practice focusing the microscope and will learn the  procedure for putting the microscopes away after each class.  Students will then learn how to properly complete a scientific drawing.  They will use this skill all semester and it is critical they learn how to complete their drawings correctly.

Aug. 21:  Students will have a quiz on the microscope parts today.  They will be given a picture of the microscope and they will need to label the parts correctly.  We will go over the lab procedure they will use on Friday in the lab.  We will set everything up so they can begin the lab as soon as class starts Friday.  We will begin reading the article "Intriguing Bugs" and students will have a concept map to complete as they read.  HOMEWORK:  COMPLETE THE READING AND CONCEPT MAP IF NOT COMPLETED IN CLASS.  THIS WILL BE A HOMEWORK GRADE.

Aug. 22:  Students will complete Inquiry 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 today.  They will be observing the WOW Bugs behavior, looking at the WOW Bug under the microscope and watch its grooming behavior.  Students will then complete 2 scientific drawings of the WOW Bug.  When the students have completed all three inquires they will be given more background information about the WOW Bug.  Students will learn which Kingdom, Genus, and Species the WOW bug is classified in.  We will discuss the life cycle, and the life processes the WOW Bug undergoes.

Aug. 11:  Students will take their safety test today.  They must receive a 90 or better to attend lab.  If they make lower then the 90 they will retake the test tomorrow.  Txt books will be handed out to take and leave a home for the entire school year.  The class will set up their notebooks.  If we have time students will cut out their organism cards to prepare for tomorrow's activity.

Aug 12:  Students will complete their daily question (physical science).  Students will complete the "Getting Started Activity for Inquiry 1.1 "Describing and Naming Organisms".  As a class we will come up with a working definition for "Organism".  Class will begin Inquiry 1.1 and read as a class the article "What's in an Organisms Name?"

Aug. 13:  Daily question (physical science).  Students will be given the student sheet "Latin and Greek Names".  Each student will name the organisms on the organism cards they were given yesterday.  We will briefly discuss habitats and ecosystems and decide as a class where each organism should be placed on our habitat poster.  Students will answer the reflection questions for inquiry 1.1.  HOMEWORK:  READ THE ARTICLE 'THAT'S LIFE' AND BE READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE ARTICLE TOMORROW.

Aug. 14:  Daily question (physical science).  Students will take notes on a power point presentation discussing classification.  If time we will complete a readers guide to check understanding.

Aug. 15:  Daily question (physical science).  Reading Initiative will be done in class.  We will start learning the parts of the microscope to prepare for our first lab next week.

Aug. 7:  General welcome to include paperwork, classroom procedures, supplies, safety contract, and science notebooks.

Aug. 9:  Lab safety rules.  HOMEWORK: STUDY FOR SAFETY TEST ON MONDAY