Monday, February 28, 2011

Cell Division Notes, Cell Division Exam Corrections

Today in biology, I checked notebook pp. 55-57 (see last Thursday's blog post.) The do now was a timed practice ACT passage (get it from the Week 27 folder.)  I also returned the work that was done with the sub on Friday.

Homework: Write summaries for pp. 55-57 and 60-61.

In AP biology, we did the same timed ACT passage mentioned above.  (Get it from the Week 27 folder.)  Students also received their Cell Division Exams back and made corrections to the questions that they got wrong for partial credit.

For homework, finish the Genetics handouts that you were given on Friday.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Sub Plans

Today I was at a meeting outside of the building, so there was a sub.  Here is the work that was done:


In biology, read Section 8.2 (pp. 207-211) in the textbook and answer the following questions (on NB pp. 58-59) in Cornell Notes format (There is a handout that you may find in the week 26 folder.)

1) What factors limit cell size?
2) Give one example of how each of the 3 factors limits cell size.
3) What is the result of cell division?
4) What is a chromosome and what does it carry?
5) Describe what chromatin is and what it looks like.  Also, during what part of the cell's life cycle is chromatin visible?
6) What is the cell cycle and describe what occurs during each part of the cell cycle.
7) Read pp. 212-215 and describe the phases of Interphase and Mitosis.

No homework over the weekend (presuming you have your homework that was due today done...it will be checked on Monday.)

In AP biology, students worked on a variety of Punnett Square-related handouts.  Get them from the Week 26 folder.

No homework over the weekend (presuming you have your homework that was due today done...it will be checked on Monday.)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cell Organelle Test, Genetics Intro Notes

Today in biology, students took the cell organelle exam.  See Ms. Adams to set up a time to take it if you were absent.

After the test, students read and marked the "Cell Cycle and Mitosis Tutorial" (get it from the Week 26 folder in the document crate...or see it at the link above.)  Then they took Cornell Notes on it.

For homework: Finish reading the "cell cycle and mitosis" tutorial and take cornell notes.  AP: finish your Frayer models for the genetics vocabulary.

In AP bio, we finished taking the "Intro to Genetics" notes and then students worked on Frayer Models of the pertinent vocabulary from the notes.

For homework: Finish the Frayer models (minimum 15, maximum 19)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Review Jeopardy, Intro to Genetics Notes

Today in biology, I checked students' study guides for tomorrow's exam.  Then we played review jeopardy.

If you have any late or missing work to turn in, you must to so by 4:00 PM tomorrow!

Homework: Study for the exam!

Today in AP biology, we took notes over the Intro to Genetics.  Get the notes from Ms. Adams or from a classmate.  I also checked students' notes over Section 14.1.

Homework: Review your notes, highlight them, and re-read section 14.1.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Working on study guides, Taking the Cell Division Test

Today in biology, I checked the first half of the Cell Exam study guides and then students finished the rest of their study guides.

For homework: Review your study guides for tomorrow's Jeopardy game and Thursday's test.

Today in AP biology, we took the Cell Division Exam.  See Ms. Adams to make it up.

For homework, take notes on Textbook section 14.1.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

AP Biology Flash Cards for TI-84

I just noticed that there are electronic flash cards for the AP Biology Test that you may download for your TI-84 calculators.

Check it out!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Protein Factory, Lancelets Presentation, Cell Division Exam Review

Today in biology, I checked the homework (summaries of notebook pp. 48-49) and those that were finished worked in groups to complete the Cell Challenge: Protein Factory Lab Activity.  If you were absent, see me to check your homework and set up a time for Wednesday or Thursday after school to make up the lab activity.

For homework, answer 6 of the questions on the Cells Review Sheet (if you were absent, get the THREE (3) sheets from the Week 25 folder.)

In AP bio, I checked the Cell Division review sheet and then students worked in groups to go over it.  Then Savannah finished her presentation about Lancelets, so get the notes from someone.

For homework, study for the Cell Division test, which will be on Tuesday.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Organelle Structure and Function, amphibians, review sheet

Today in biology, students received their organelle quizzes back (get it from your period's drawer in the returned work box and then put it on NB p. 34.

Then students used Cornell Notes to respond to the following questions: 1) what is similar about chloplasts and mitochondria? (in terms of their structure and function ) on p. 48. On p. 49: what's similar about the nucleus, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosome? (in terms of structure and function?)

For homework in Reg. Bio: write summaries on NB p.48-49 (finish the classwork if you didn't) Correct your quiz on p. 34 (if necessary.)

In AP bio, we took notes on the Chordata/Reptilia presentation and then worked on the Cell Division Review Sheet. Get the handouts crom the week 26 folder in the document crate.

For AP homework, finish the cell division review sheet.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

ACT Prep, 2 AP Bio presentations

Today in regular bio, we did 3 practice science passages for the interim ACT assessment.  You can find them in the Week 26 folder, labeled p. 42-43, 44-45 and 46-47.

For homework, practice your ACT questions and review your key terms.  Sleep well and eat protein for breakfast to sustain your energy.

Today in regular bio, Tre' and Monet' presented about Hagfish and Lampreys and then Shatara and Teyonna presented about Echinoderms.  Get the notes and handouts upon your return.

For homework, complete all of the ODP presentation handouts by Thursday.  Also, we will have a cell division exam on Friday, so review mitosis and meiosis.

Friday, February 11, 2011

ACT Review, Insect Presentation

Today in biology, we went over the homework (Passage VII on NB p. 39) and the classwork from yesterday (Passage I on NB p. 38.)  I checked both, so if you were absent, make sure you have me check them.  Then students took Cornell Notes on the 8 ACT Strategies that Work packet (borrow one from the Week 25 folder) on NB p. 40-41.  I also gave out slips of paper with the December scores on them and students pasted them in the inside cover of their notebooks.

For homework, practice your sample ACT questions from your final exam packet and any other location that you can find.  (Check out http://www.act.org/ too.)

In AP biology, Brielle did her presentation on Insects.  Then we went over the ACT packet on NB p. 33.  For homework, do Practice Test 3 in Cambridge Vol. II pp. 484-494 and check your answers.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Extrapolating Data, 2 AP Bio presentations

Today in biology, we went over the exit ticket from yesterday (just questions 7, 8, and 9) and glued it on NB p. 36.  Then I checked last night's homework (the summary on NB p. 35.)  Then students read, marked the text, wrote questions, and a summary of the Extrapolating/Predicting Results Notes (get from the Week 24 folder) on NB p. 37.

Finally, students marked the text and answered questions in an ACT passage (Passage #1/Extrapolation/Prediction Practice--get it from the Week 24 folder) and turned it in for classwork.

For homework, complete Passage VII on NB p. 39 (get it from the Week 24 folder.)

In AP biology, we had two presentations (Chordata-jawed fish by Chris and Tunicates and Lancelets by Savannah.)  Get the handouts from the Week 24 box and the notes from a classmate.

For homework, finish the rest of the ACT practice questions (on NB p. 33) by tomorrow.  Work on the crossword puzzle, due Monday.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Ok, there's a facebook account too.

In addition to this blog, twitter, and email, I've now created a CICS-Longwood facebook page.  So "Like" my page and get the updates on homework, etc.

ACT Practice, Meiosis Crossing Over Lab

Today in biology, I checked students' homework from the Cambridge Vol. 1 book.  (If you were absent, have me check it.)  Then we took notes on NB p. 35 on manipulating data in data presentations (get from a classmate.)  Then students worked on practice problems from the Cambridge Vol. 1 pp. 652-654.  Finally, students completed an Exit ticket.  (Get it from the Week 24 folder in the Document Crate.  Complete only #7-9.)

Homework: Complete a summary about the notes on NB p. 35.

Today in AP biology, students completed Lab 3.B.2.  They used the Sordaria to view the results of crossing over from meiosis.

For homework, complete all of the ACT practice problems by Friday.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Bing! Quiz! ACT Prep

Today in biology we played Bing!  (a short version of BINGO) to review for an organelle quiz.  If you were absent, make sure to review for the quiz and then schedule a time with Ms. Adams to take the 10 minute quiz over organelle function.  I also checked the Frayer models on notebook pp. 28-31, so make sure I check those too.

For homework, bring your Cambridge Vol. 1 books tomorrow.  Also complete the following problems in Cambridge Vol. 1 pp. 674-675: #72-82.

In AP Bio, students turned in their lab questions #1, 2, 3, and 5 on p. 39 and the meiosis handout.  Then we worked on ACT practice problems. 

For AP homework, finish the ACT practice problems (they're on NB p. 33) by Friday.  Also--if you didn't turn in Lab 3, bring it tomorrow because the Sordaria came in so we can do the lab on Wed.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Catch up from Friday

Today in all of my classes, we caught up from Friday and from last week.

In biology, finish your Frayer models on NB pp. 28-31.  Also, get a Plant Cell diagram handout from the Week 24 folder.

If you are all done with everything, get the "Cell as a City" extra credit assignment from the Week 24 folder (it's due on Wednesday.)

For homework, Review and highlight your Frayer Models for tomorrow's quiz on organelle function.

In AP bio, students who were not present on Friday completed Friday's assignment (see Friday's blog post.)  People who were present on Friday had their work checked and then they worked on the Lab 3.B.2 pre-lab.

For homework, answer the analysis questions from Lab 3.B.1 (all except the one about spermatogenesis and oogenesis.)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday after the blizzard

On Friday, I was absent, and so were over 50% of you.  For regular bio, students should finish their Modified Frayer Models* (12 required, 15 for extra credit) on NB pp. 28-31.  They should use the textbook section 7.3, their Amazing Cells Webquest, and the animal cell diagram on NB p. 26 of their notebooks.  Check the blog post from Tuesday for the words.

*There is a poster on a bulletin board in the room to explain what should be in the Frayer Model.  The bottom two boxes should be 1) Examples of Structure (A description of what the organelle looks like and where it's located) and 2) An Analogy (a connection or comparison to what you know.)

You may complete the "Cell as a City" assignment for Extra Credit (but only if all of their other assignments are finished and graded.)  (Get the handout from the Week 23 Folder in the Document Crate.)


Reg. Bio Homework: Review the organelles' functions and what they look like.


For AP bio, Students completed AP Lab 3.B.1.  (We may have to revisit this on Monday, since it looks like 50% of the class was absent.)  Get 4 pipe cleaners (2 yellow and 2 red.)  Get the "Crossing over and Meiosis" handout from the Week 23 Folder and the Lab 3B.1: Simulation of Meiosis (that they already have and should have read and annotated for homework) in order to simulate meiosis and crossing over.  Answer analysis questions #1, 2, 3, and 5 on Lab p. 39-40.

AP Bio Homework: Re-read Lab 3.B.2.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Day! (Mitosis Meiosis Lab link)

I hope everyone is enjoying their day off (and that everyone has power and is staying warm.)  Although this is my first snow day as a teacher, I like to think of days like these as "extra" days to do the things that we don't get around to during the rest of the week.

Thanks to Monet', I found an online version of the AP lab, so here it is!  Start reading on p. 15.  (The page numbers are different from the original packet.

AP Lab #3: Mitosis & Meiosis (from Carolina)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

In class essays, Frayer Models explained

Today in biology I further explained the Frayer models for vocabulary for the organelles on pp. 28-31.  In the two bottom boxes, students should write about 1) Examples of Structure (A description of what the organelle looks like and where it's located) and 2) An Analogy (a connection or comparison to what you know.)

Students used Section 7.3 in the textbook to read about the organelles.  Then they filled out information in their Frayer models about the organelles.  The list of organelles is below.  The starred* organelles are extra credit.

  1. chromatin
  2. ribosome
  3. endoplasmic reticulum
  4. golgi apparatus
  5. vacuole
  6. chloroplasts
  7. chlorophyll*
  8. mitochondria
  9. cytoskeleton*
  10. cilia
  11. flagella
  12. cell wall
  13. nucleolus
  14. cytoplasm
  15. nucleus*
For homework, all of the Frayer Model words will be due on Friday.

In AP bio, students wrote an in class essay title comparing and contrasting mitosis and meiosis.  Then I returned a bunch of assignments and students looked at their grades, which were posted. 

For homework, read and annotate Lab 3B1 and 3B2 (packet pp. 35-44 by Thursday.)  (Email Ms. Adams ASAP at jennifer.adams@cics.edisonlearning.com if you do not have your Lab 3 packet.)