1/27 & 1/28: Teach a Kindergartner

Today we're continuing our group projects. We are teaching kindergartners about plants. Please read about the project and check the project rubric here before continuing.

Today I need your group to demonstrate progress on this project. Demonstrating progress is today's assignment and it is worth five points. Depending on the type of project you are working on, here is what you need to finish today to get credit:

You are filming a video. You need to show me your storyboard or a script.

You are singing a song. You need to show me your lyrics.

You are presenting online. You need to make a powerpoint presentation file.

If you are doing a video, here is an example of a storyboard:

The storyboard shows my plan for a video I intend to make.

I made this storyboard first, and then I filmed this video:

Here is an example of a presentation about plants for kindergartners:

1/25 & 1/26: Photosynthesis and Respiration

Opening:

Get out laptops and check your grades. Use your grade report to determine which assignments you still need to complete. Use this time at the beginning of class (approximately 20 minutes) to catch up on missing work.

You can click here for a complete list of assignments.

Worktime:

Listen to the Photosynthesis Song by clicking here.

We are starting a short group project today that is due next week (on 2/1 or 2/2). Your assignment is to teach a Kindergartner about plants on the computer. You can make a powerpoint presentation, a song, or a video. Please read more about the project by clicking here.

For the first part of the project, you must decide what you are going to teach and how you are going to teach it. Please complete this form to let me know this information by the end of class today.

Closing:

I will review the parts of photosynthesis with the class.

Homework:

There will be a test in class on 2/1 (periods 1,3,5) or 2/2 (periods 2,4,6). The project that we started today is due on 2/1 or 2/2.

1/19 & 1/20: Respiration, Photosynthesis, and Fermentation

First, please go to web.teenbiz3000.com and read both articles I have sent to you AND complete the multiple-choice "Activity" after reading each article (your score for this assignment will be based on the percentage answered correctly on your FIRST attempt).

Second, please read the instructions for #1 under the "Procedures" section on this site:

http://www.smm.org/heart/lessons/lesson8.htm

Complete the breathing experiment and record your data in the form below:

Third, you have a reading assignment. Please read Chapter 2, Section 2 (pgs 49 - 53) of Cells and Heredity. The section is called "Respiration." Read the section and answer the Section 2 Assessment questions #1 a,b,c,d & 2 a,b,c on page 53 AND the challenge question: "Using the idea of respiration, please explain why bikers have big hearts."

Fourth, please watch this animation all the way through:

http://www.johnkyrk.com/photosynthesis.html

Now, I want you to try to find a webpage or an animation about RESPIRATION. Visit a search engine website (such as google, yahoo, or bing) and search for "respiration" or "respiration article" or "cellular respiration" or "respiration animation". Once you have found a good one, please post the LINK to the site on this document by clicking here, finding your period and table number, and pasting the link.

After you have finished, please take a moment to check your grades here. If you're not sure how, please bring your computer to Mr. Trainer.

For HOMEWORK, please make sure that you have given Mr. Trainer your DonorsChoose permission slip. If you don't have a copy of this form, you can print it from here: http://www.donorschoose.org/docs/permission_slip.pdf

Quote of the day:

"Education costs money, but then so does ignorance."

-- Sir Claus Moser

1/13 & 1/14: Respiration

Now that you know about photosynthesis, respiration is easy to learn. Respiration is the process by which organisms turn food energy into cell energy that they can use for growth, movement, reproduction, and other activities that require energy. I am out sick today (Wednesday), so you will be completing the following with the substitute:

Read Ch. 2 Section 2 of Cells and Heredity. Answer the Section 2 Assessment questions (yes, ALL of them).

Watch Bill Nye's Respiration episode. Complete the quiz after the video and check your work with a neighbor.

1/11 & 1/12: Photosynthesis

Today's objective: State the products and reactants of photosynthesis.

Opening: Measure Plants (Plant Progress Report for period 5)

Worktime: Photosynthesis

Closing: Game!

HW: none

Today we are completing guided notes on photosynthesis, making posters about photosynthesis, and playing a photosynthesis game.

Here are some websites to look at to learn about photosynthesis:

Simple explanation

Complex explanation

1/7 & 1/8: Photosynthesis

Opening: What are Elements?

Worktime: Understanding Photosynthesis

Closing: Grade Check

For the opening activity, please watch this voicethread presentation by clicking here and complete the guided notes. The guided notes should go into your science binder.

Now that you've learned a little bit about elements and how plants grow, please read Section 1 of Chapter 2 of Cells and Heredity (on pages 44 - 48). Answer the Section Assessment questions (#1a,b,c & 2a,b,c on pg 48) on a piece of paper and hand them into the basket.

We're almost done! Now I want you to go check your grade online. To do this, click on this link and ask Mr. Trainer for your login code!

Please complete this brief feedback survey and then clean up your computer by putting it away in its box with its power cord and placing it onto your group's lab table. Thanks!

FINALLY, here is some optional homework: a crossword puzzle having to do with what you learned today. You may want to do the puzzle while watching the presentation OR while looking at your notes. Click here to download the puzzle and print it out. Click here to see the puzzle online and go down and click "Solve Online" to fill it out on the computer.

1/5 & 1/6: Seed Survey

Please click here to access the aquarist/zookeeper job application.

Please click here to complete the "SEED SURVEY" homework assignment (due 1/7 or 1/8).