Magic School Bus/ Talent Show

Today is an early release day before spring break. The students will not have school next week! The schedule for the day is periods 5, 6, 7, and enrichment. During enrichment the talent show will be going on. For periods 6 and 7 today in life science students will be watching Magic School bus and learning about ecosystems on the beach. During spring break students should be working on their introduced species project as described in the previous 2 blogs. Have a great Spring Break!

Activity 73: Introduced Species

Today students finished the suicide prevention and awareness class with a final post assessment to evaluate student learning. After the post test the students started activity 73 with an introduction to the project as stated in yesterday's blog. Students will be going to the computer lab to research specific questions about their chosen introduced species. The project will be due at the end of April. I will give an exact date later.

The questions the students will have to find are as followed:

1. Common and scientific name of the species

2. Where did it originally come from?

3. Where does it live now?

4. How does it effect its new ecosystem?

5. Reasons for its success in new ecosystem.

6. Issues related to the species growth and spread.

7. Predator/ Prey relationships.

8. Food web diagram

9. Pictures of species, its habitat, location, etc...

Hint of the day: Go Bobcats!

Homework: Research chosen introduced species

Snow Day!!!!!

Today, the students did not come to school because it is a SNOW DAY!!!!!!!! Some things to keep in mind: Students are going to have to create a project on a chosen introduced species either from Colorado or from the list given in the text book. There are different types of projects that the students can choose from. They can create a PowerPoint presentation, write a story, create a 3 sided poster board presentation, write a 5 page double spaced essay, perform a role play, or create a brochure. There are specific questions that the students will have to research and present. When students get back to school tomorrow they will be given more details!

Hint of the day: Enjoy your day off :)

Homework: None (Since we didn't have school today.)

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Part II

Today students continued on with the suicide prevention and awareness class. For the first part of class the students had to read an activity packet and answered questions including a word search and crossword puzzle. Ms. Cosgrove and Ms. Cooper then went over the packet with the students and reviewed important concepts and thoughts. The students ended the class with playing a review jeopardy game reminding the students about the do's and don'ts, warning signs, fact and fictions, and strategies to combat stress that was related to depression and suicide prevention.

Hint of the day: Bring in one example of a invasive species to Colorado and receive a free homework pass!

Homework: Students should be bringing home a parent packet with information about this class as well as a paper that provides resources for students who need help or have any questions or concerns.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Part I

Today students participated in a suicide prevention and awareness class. The students watched a video to introduce how to recognize friends, family members, and other peers who are depressed or are showing signs of suicide. The program recognizes the importance to ACT!

A= Acknowledge3: listen to your friend, don't ignore threats

C= Let your friend know you care

T= Tell a trusted adult that you are worried about your friend

Students will continue with part 2 tomorrow!

Hint of the day: Smile-Be Happy :)

Homework: None today :)

Activity 72: A Miracle Fish?

Today students started Unit E: Ecology. The first activity was a reading the discussed how an introduced species can effect an ecosystem. The topic of the reading was how the Nile Perch were introduced into Lake Victoria in Africa. The Nile Perch eventually caused 200 different species of fish to go extinct and to allow algae to overtake the lake. On a positive note, the Nile Perch gave a food source to the villagers as well as an income source. The students had to discuss the trade-offs of the introduction of the Nile Perch and predict what may happen in the future to Lake Victoria.

Homework: Finish analysis questions in page E-9: #'s 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7.

Hint of the day: Let the snow fall :)

Genetics Unit D Test Day #2

Today was the second day of Unit D: Genetics Test. The students did very well on the test. The most missed question was #14, ( What is a trade-of of genetic testing?). The answer is not being able to find health insurance! Overall I am very proud of how well all the students did. Keep up the great work!

Hint of the day: Ecology is the study of the interaction of organisms and the environment in which they live in.

Genetics Unit D Test Day

Today students took the Unit D Genetics test. There was 17 multiple choice questions which will be assessed on the knowledge of Science rubric and 3 short answer questions that will be assessed on the Processing of Science rubric. After the students finished taking their tests, they had to finish making their genetic disorder posters that will be hung up in the hallway. The poster will be created with the research questions they answered while we were in the computer lab on Monday! On Friday we will begin Unit E: Ecology!

Unit D Review Day

Today students reviewed for the Unit D: Genetics test that will be taken tomorrow and Thursday during the block science classes. Some important concepts and topics reviewed were:

* Differences between sexual and asexual reproduction

* Number of chromosomes (and pairs) in each nucleus of each cell

* Dominant vs Recessive Traits and Diseases

* Pedigrees

*Punnett Squares

* Homozygous and Heterozygous Alleles

* Trade-offs of genetic testing

Genetic Disorders

Today in Life Science Class, students chose a Genetic Disorder to research. We went to the computer lab for the students to find information on their specific Genetic Disorder. Here are the questions they had to answer about their topic:

1. What is your Genetic Disorder?

2. What are the symptoms of your Genetic Disorder?

3. How is the Genetic Disorder diagnosed?

4. How is the Genetic Disorder Treated?

5. How many people have this Genetic Disorder in the world?

6. What are the chances of getting this Genetic Disorder?

When the students have finished gathering the information they will create an informative poster about their specific Genetic Disorder.

Homework for tonight: Finish Research and answering all 6 questions

Friday March 12, 2010 DNA FINGERPRINTING

Today in Life Science, 7th graders investigated DNA Fingerprints of 8 missing children including 4 boys and 4 girls. The students had to match up the DNA to 2 sets of parents. Belinda and John are missing 2 children and Mai and Paul are missing 2 children. The students worked as a group to match the DNA as well as to look back at the ABO Blood types for additional evidence to find the missing children. The students do not have specific homework for the weekend, but should be reviewing their science notebooks to prepare for the test next week!

CSAP And Unit D: Genetics Test

For the past two weeks students have been taking their CSAP tests here at Henry World School. They put alot of effort into these tests and made all of their teachers very proud! Next week in Life Science class students will be reviewing unit D: Genetics. The test will be given during the block periods on Wednesday March17 and Thursday March 18th. On Friday we will begin Unit E: Ecology.