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.