Activity 32-33: Vectors and Carriers

Today students analyzed the difference between vectors and carriers. First, we discussed and defined carrier: a person who has no symptoms of a disease but still passes it on to someone else. Next, we defined vector: an organism other than a human who passes on a disease without getting sick. Then, we defined epidemiologist: a scientist who studies the path of an infectious disease. After we discussed these important terms, student watched a video on the Bubonic plague. While watching, students answered 4 questions:
1. In 1900, what did the government do to try to stop the plague?
2. Draw a diagram showing the spread of the Bubonic plague.
3. What is the vector of the Bubonic Plague?
4. In 1906, scientists finally knew what causes the plague, what did they do this time to stop the spread of the Plague?

Finally, students wrapped the day up by discussing how Malaria spreads and what we could do to stop the spread.

Activity #34 : The Story of Leprosy

Today students read a story about the infectious disease, Leprosy. As they read they took cornell notes on main ideas and details about the story. Next, students wrote a summary about the story and wrote to inference questions and answers that relate to the story. Then, students wrote a personal response to the story and explained how it was important to them. Finally, students took their weekly quiz over infectious vs non-infectious diseases.

Homework: Work on Science Fair!

Answers to Quiz

Herpes= Infectious
Asthma= Non-infectious
Heart Attack= Non-infectious
Flu=Infectious

Have a great weekend!

Activity #31: Range of Diseases

Today students worked on researching a particular infectious disease. First, our class read about how scientists study disease. Our new word for the day was PSA or Public Service Announcement. Next, each group picked a different infectious disease packet which contained important information about the disease. Each group read the disease and carried out an inner conversation chart when reading the packet. After students finished reading, they wrote down the following information about their disease:
1. Description of Disease
2. Symptoms of Disease
3. How Disease Spreads
4. Picture of Disease

Finally, students created a PSA poster about their disease to present to the class!

Review Test and Science Fair Packets

Today students reviewed unit B: Human Body. Students received two scores, one for knowledge and one for processing. Next students finalized their science fair question and received a packet that they need to keep in their binder. Finally, students graphed their results for activity #30.

Activity 30: It's Catching

Today students started unit C: Micro life. We started the unit by exploring how infectious diseases spread in a community. Our two new words were infectious and disease. Students modeled how a disease could go from person to person. Next we totalled the number of people infected and tomorrow we will graph the results.

Tomorrow: You will get your tests back and you will receive science fair packets.

TEST DAY FOR UNIT B: HUMAN BODY

Today student took their first test over the Human Body. There are 15 questions that cover the major concepts that we covered in class. The students also had a lab practical over the eye and frog. Students had to identify the organs and their function. Before students left they had to turn in their frog dissection lab report. As students took their test I graded their next four assignments in their notebook.

Homework: Have a great weekend!

You will know on Monday what your final science fair project is!

Activity #29: Unit B Review

Today students reviewed Unit B: The Human Body. We reviewed the digestive system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, and the nervous system. We talked about the parts and functions of each system. We also talked about the important concepts in each system. As we reviewed, the students took notes about what we talked about. We also reviewed the following dissection: Eyeball, frog, brain, and heart. The students will have to tell me what part I am pointing at and the function of each part. Finally, I answered any last minute questions about unit B!

Homework: Study for Test/ Frog Dissection Lab Report Due Tomorrow!