Life Science with Lovett

This week we are concluding our Genetics Unit.  By our unit test on Friday, we will have covered text book chapters 5.1 and 6.1.  Here’s what is in store:

MONDAY, 11/16: “Genes and DNA”; Chapter 6.1 notes

TUESDAY, 11/17: Chapter 6.1 notes continued; DUE: Research Paper Rough Draft (typed and double-spaced)

WEDNESDAY, 11/18: “Research Paper Peer Review” Students will work in groups to read, analyze and comment on others’ papers.

THURSDAY, 11/19: Genetics Unit Review  DUE: Rough Draft edited and signed by an adult

FRIDAY, 11/20: Genetics Unit Test

Upon our return from the weekend…

MONDAY, 11/23: “NoodleTools Tutorial” – learning how to create a bibliography

TUESDAY, 11/24: “DNA Extraction Lab”; DUE: FINAL Research Paper (title page, 5 paragraph min., bibliography, front and back cover)

Have a safe, happy, and filling Turkey Day!

I hope that you all enjoyed your 3-day weekend.  It was lovely to meet all of you grown-ups last week at Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Here’s what is in store for this week:

MONDAY, 11/9: due: 3 Main Points for Body Paragraphs of Research Paper (essentially, the outline of the content to be covered); “Mendelian Genetics notes continued. Ch. 5.1″

TUESDAY, 11/10: “Computer simulation of Mendelian Genetics – Breeding organisms”; Hmwk: Complete Research for Paper – 3 Resources needed (min).

WEDNESDAY, 11/11: Due: 3 Resources with citation slips from media center; “Research Paper – Organizing and Typing Rough Draft”; Hmwk:  Rough Draft due Tuesday, Nov. 17th – all 5 paragraphs should be typed and printed, double-spaced, when students come into class on 11/17.  Recommended pace: Complete one paragraph each night until assignment is done!

THURSDAY, 11/12: Quiz: Genetics, Ch. 5.1

**Note: 30 minute classes periods 1-4; 10:00am-12:00pm the entire 7th grade will be traveling to the Center for the Arts to view the play ‘MacBeth’.

FRIDAY, 11/13: Practice using Punnett Squares!

Friday, November 13th will be a school dance from 7-9pm!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Students have received a calendar of due dates for their Genetic Disorder research paper.  You will find the calendar below as well.  As we explore our Genetics Unit (Ch 5.1 and 6.1 in our text book), we will dedicate one full class period each week to this research paper.  However, this may not be ample time to complete the entire assignment.  Using the due dates outlined below, students will have to dedicate homework time to completing each step of the research paper process.  Your student has also received helpful sheets titled “Tips for Researching” (which outlines where to go to find information) and the “Research Paper Guidelines” (which contains the structure and requirements for writing).  These documents are kept in the Reference section of your student’s science binder.

NOVEMBER

Welcome to the 2nd Quarter!!! Can you believe that we are 25% through the school year already?  This week we are starting our Genetics unit in science class.  We will be covering Chapters 5.1 and 6.1 in the text book for this unit.  Throughout the month of November, students will also be writing a Science Research Paper on a genetic disorder of their choice.  Note: Parent-Teacher Conferences are occurring this week on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd and Wednesday, Nov.4th - See previous post for more information.

MONDAY, 11/2: Introduction to Genetics.  What is heredity? Which characteristics do you have that you believe are inherited?

TUESDAY, 11/3: History of Genetics – exploring the work of Gregor Mendel. Introduction to the Genetic Disorder Research paper.

Students may choose one of the following disorders to investigate: Albinism, Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, PKU (phenylketonuria), Huntington’s Disease, Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, Down Syndrome.  Alternatively, students may choose to instead investigate one of the following gene technologies: Stem Cell Research, Cloning, Forensic Evidence, Prenatal Genetic Screening Homework:  Commit to a Research Topic, due Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY, 11/4: due: Research Topic. “Research Tutorial”.  Students will receive a “Researching Tips” reference sheet and receive time in the computer lab for instruction, guidance, and time to search for resources.  Homework:  Two Credible Resources for Research Paper, due Thursday.

THURSDAY, 11/5: due: Two Credible Resources. “How to use Punnett Squares for predicting probability of inherited traits”

FRIDAY, 11/6: No School!!!

Enjoy your 3-day weekend!

Friday, October 30th, Students who have met our school’s Positive Behavioral Support expectations will be eligible to participate in our Quarterly Recognition festivities.  Students will have the opportunity to sign up for one of the following teacher-supervised activities:

• “Napoleon Dynamite” movie @ JH High School
• Stadium Sports – rotate soccer, capture the flag, and extreme track & field  (inclement weather plan will be Dodgeball in big gym)
• Spinning Poi @ Center for the Arts
• Taekwondo @ Center for the Arts
• Decorating Cupcakes
• Bike Ride
• Ropes Course
• Claymation Creation
• Wii Guitar Hero
• Enclosure Rock Gym ($10 cost)
• Media Center computer gaming

Students have signed up for their preferences.  Confirmations will be shared on Wednesday.  It’ll be a Blast!

JH Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be occurring Tuesday, November 3rd & Wednesday, November 4th from 3:00-7:00pm.  Students will be bringing home a letter with your scheduled time.  In order to minimize wait-time, your scheduled time is for your arrival at school in order to avoid conference ‘rush hour’.  You can then circulate amongst your student’s teachers as they become available.  Please note that your scheduled time is not an appointment with any one teacher at that time.

During conferences, you may pick up your child’s quarter 1 report card with his/her home base teacher.  Attached you will find your student’s recent MAP test scores and your student’s very own personal goal statement for reading and math which he/she created for him/herself.  MAP testing is done during the fall, winter, and again in spring to monitor a student’s growth in reading and math.

Please return the bottom portion of your conference scheduling letter to confirm whether you can or can not attend.

Note:  Due to Parent Conferences, JH Middle School has NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 6th.

Welcome to the final week of the 1st Quarter.  Can you believe it!?  We are concluding our Cells Unit this week.  Note: Wednesday @ 3pm is the final day for Extra Credit and Late Work to be submitted.

MONDAY, 10/26: “Mitosis” continued – Students visit cellsalive.com to view cell cycle animation.  Students study each phase and prepare to for “Mitosis Musical Chairs”!  Study tonight!

TUESDAY, 10/27: Cell Unit Test.  Hmwk: Study Guide. Students should be studying text book sections: 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3; class note outlines, do now questions and graded work.

WEDNESDAY: 10/28: due: Study Guide; Cells Unit Test.

THURSDAY, 10/29: “Cancer Warrior” film.

FRIDAY, 10/30: Complete “Cancer Warrior” film.  Students with 100% of homework handed in on time can battle Mrs. Lovett at Guitar Hero!!!  Early Release class schedule before Quarterly Recognition activities.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!

There is only 2 more weeks left in the quarter.  All students are encouraged to take advantage of our extra credit opportunities, hand in any late work for unit 2 and make up missed quizzes before Wednesday 10/28 at 3pm.

MONDAY, 10/19: “Osmosis and Diffusion” notes.  Final Day of Egg Lab

TUESDAY, 10/20: Identifying Microorganisms from the field.  This will require 10 minutes outside, dress warmly; Hand in Completed Egg Lab

WEDNESDAY: 10/21: Identifying Microorganisms… from our frog tank!

THURSDAY, 10/22: “Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration” notes; Due: Microorganism Lab Due

FRIDAY, 10/23: “Mitosis – the Cell Cycle” notes.

Next Week we will likely have our Cell Unit Test.  Students should be studying text book sections: 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3; class note outlines, do now questions and graded work.

Today our super cellular Scavenger Hunt took all period. Sooooo, our Cell Quiz is being moved to tomorrow, Thursday, 10/15.  Make sure that you are studying all of our “salmon” colored sheets which represent our 2nd unit: 2.3 biochemistry, 3.1 Organization of Life and  3.2 Discovery of Cells.  Hint: Look over Cheek Cell Lab, too!!!!

Also, tomorrow I will be checking student agendas and binders for a 10 point “Preparation” grade.  We did this in September to check whether students are staying organized.  We did not grade it at that time – instead we retaught the expectations.  I am announcing the “Prep Check” for tomorrow, however, as the year goes on, they may come unannounced.  For a 10/10, students should have: a writing utensil, student agenda, student agenda should be filled out (we do this on the first day of each week together), binder in order: ‘do now’ section, class notes section, graded work section, reference section.

This week our student teacher, Kat Brewer, will be taking on all class lectures.  We have an “egg-citing” line up for you this week:

MONDAY, 10/12: Students are off.  Teacher In-service Day.

TUESDAY, 10/13: Egg Lab “Day 4″; Class notes, “Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes”; Hmwk: Complete Venn Diagram Foldable comparing both types of cells.

WEDNESDAY: 10/14: Due: Cell Foldable; Cell Scavenger Hunt;  Cell Quiz!

THURSDAY, 10/15: Egg Lab “Day 6″; “Plant Cells and Animal Cells”

FRIDAY, 10/16: Class notes, “Diffusion and Osmosis”

Next Week we will likely have our Cell Unit Test.  Students should be studying text book sections: 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3; class note outlines, do now questions and graded work.