Wednesday, May 25, 2011

DNA quiz, dissection wrap up

Today in biology, we had a quiz over DNA structure and replication. I also gave students their current grade print outs and handed back the Punnett squares quiz. Get these things from your period's returned work drawer. Also, we continued to work on the DNA essays.

For homework, finish your Fijian draft of your DNA essay, due Thurs.

In AP bio, students worked on their dissection post-lab questions.

For homework, finish them!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Frog Dissection, Candy DNA Models

Today in AP biology, we started the frog dissection.

In regular bio, we completed the Candy DNA model (in 4th, 5th, and 6th periods.)  The other periods we did it on Friday.  In 2nd and 8th we worked on the DNA Structure and Function Essay (described at the bottom of NB p. 155.)

For homework, finish your first draft of the DNA Structure and Function essay (4 paragraphs.)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

DNA Structure Notes, Organ System Presentations

Today in biology students took notes about DNA structure (on NB pp. 150-152.)  Get a DNA structure handout from the Week 37 folder in the Document Crate.  Also, I checked the Isolating DNA from Your Cheek Cells Lab (NB p. 148.)

For homework, complete the "Review: DNA Structure" handout on NB p. 153.  (Get it from the document crate.)

In AP bio, students presented their organ system projects.

For homework, highlight and annotate the frog dissection lab handout, due tomorrow.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Check Punnett Squares, Start Body Systems Project

On Friday in Biology, we went over Punnett Squares #1, 2, and 3.  I checked them in for completion and then students checked them for correctness.  If you were absent, be sure to check with me to get credit for your work.  Also make sure that you get your Intro to Genetics Quizzes back from the returned work box.

In 2nd and 4th periods, we started Punnett Squares #3, so get that from the Week 36 folder.

For homework, finish Punnett Squares #3 (2nd and 4th only) and study for Monday's Punnett Squares quiz.

In AP biology, students got into groups to begin an organ systems project.  Get your assignment from the Week 36 folder if you were absent.  The posters will be due on Wednesday next week.

For homework, each group assigned its members homework in order to ensure that the project will be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

NWEA testing,extra credit opportunity

For AP bio, your extra credit opportunity is to visit the following website and to take notes and draw pictures to prepare for the frog dissection.  The more you take notes, the more points you will get, up to 30 pts. of homework.  

For regular bio, see Wednesday's blog post for your extra credit.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

NWEA testing, extra credit opportunity

Today in biology, we completed NWEA testing for science.  When you finish, you may complete your Punnett Squares #1 and #2 OR do the following web-based activity for extra credit.

Record your information for extra credit on notebook p. 138.  Who's the Daddy? Tutorial

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Punnett Squares Practice, Evolution Video

Today in biology, we did Punnett Squares #2 question #7 as a do now question.  Then we worked in groups to check and modify the Punnett Squares problems that I gave students feedback on (Punnett Squares #1 that were assigned on Friday and I returned on Monday) and the first 3 questions on Punnett Squares #2.  Then students worked on finishing the rest of Punnett Squares #2.  We went over the answers for PS #1 in class.  If you were absent, make sure to see Ms. Adams to get the correct answers for PS #1 so you can ensure that you are doing them correctly.

For homework, finish up all of the Punnett Squares #1 and 2, review them, label them correctly, and make sure they are pasted in your notebook.

In AP bio, we watched a video about evolution.

Monday, May 9, 2011

AP Exam, Intro to Genetics Quiz

Today the AP biology students took the AP biology exam. 

Today in regular biology, I collected the notebooks and checked for the Genetics Frayer Models and the notes on p. 118.  If you were absent, make sure to make those things up.  Also, get the handouts back from the returned work drawer from your period and put them in your notebook.  Finally, I handed out Punnett Squares #2.  Get it from the Week 36 folder.

For homework, do three of the Punnett Squares #2 problems.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Punnett Squares #1

Today in biology, students completed "Punnett Squares #1," which consisted of five genetics problems.  Get the handouts from the Week 35 folder.  Use five Graphic Organizers for Solving Genetics Problems to solve the five genetics problems.  Turn the five problems in.

I checked the Frayer Models on NB pp. 114-117.

For homework: Review the genetics vocabulary/Frayer Models on pp. 114-117 for Monday's vocab quiz.  There will be one Punnnett square on the quiz.

In AP biology, students studied for the AP bio test, which is Monday at 8 AM.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Punnett Squares 101

If you were absent on Thursday, then you missed out on the basics of Punnett Squares.  You also need to get a bunch of handouts from the Week 35 folder.

First, get the "Genetics Vocab Entrance Ticket" and turn it in.

Then, finish the Genetics and Probability Lab (NB pp. 122-123.)  Have Ms. Adams check it.

Then, get the handouts "Punnett Squares 101" (1 of 2 and 2 of 2) and glue onto NB pp. 124-125.  Read through these steps as you read the "Punnett Squares 101 Sample Problem"  (NB p. 127) and the "Graphic Organizer for Solving Genetics Problems" (NB p. 126.)  Check out Ms. Adams' or a classmate's notebook to see how the graphic organizer was filled out, based on this sample problem.

For homework: Review NB pp. 124-125.  Frayer Model Vocabulary Due Friday.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Probability with Pennies, Analyzing DNA

Today in regular bio, we did a probability lab with pennies.  (Get the 2 handouts from the Week 35 folder.)  You can actually do this activity at home, so if you were absent, get the handouts and do it at home and show it to me within three days.  (Make sure to get the class data from me or from a classmate.)

For homework, continue working on the genetics Frayer model words (due Friday.)  Attempt the lab analysis questions for tomorrow.

In AP bio, I provided the band patterns for the DNA analysis.  Use it to measure the distance that the DNA fragments traveled.  Then make a graph of your DNA Marker data.  Then analyze the results.

For homework, finish the lab.  Continue to study for the AP test.  Bring your practice AP test and both your semester 1 and semester 2 materials to class on Thursday.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

What'd Mendel Do? DNA Fingerprinting Lab

Today in regular bio, students completed notes on textbook section 10.1 on notebook pp. 118-120.  Read the section, write questions, and take notes.  I checked students' notebooks for pp. 105, 107-108, and the first 5 Frayer Model vocab words on p. 114.  (See the table of contents if you do not know what any of these items are.)

For homework, start working on the remaining 8 Frayer Models words (on NB pp. 115-117.)  All of the words are due on Friday.  The words are

  1. heredity
  2. genetics
  3. trait
  4. gamete
  5. fertilization
  6. hybrid
  7. phenotype
  8. genotype
The extra credit words are
  1. pollination
  2. law of segregation
  3. law of independent assortment
In AP bio, we worked on Lab 6A.  Turn in your DNA essay. 

For homework, do the lab analysis questions that you can in the absence of data (I will give you the data tomorrow.)  Also, keep studying, studying, studying for the AP test.  Bring both your 1st and 2nd semester notebooks tomorrow.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Monday, Monday

Today the do now for all classes was about making connections between our current studies of DNA and genetics and how they used tissue from Osama bin Laden's late sister's brain to help identify his body.  Check your table of contents for the appropriate page number.

If you were absent on Monday, make sure you get the Genetics Intro Notes on notebook pp. 112-113 for regular bio.

For homework, do Frayer models on pp. 114-115 of the following words: homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, allele.

In AP bio, we had a pre-lab for AP Lab 6B.  I also checked your highlighting of those notes.

For homework, finish the DNA and DNA replication essay, due tomorrow.  Review Cell Structure and Function and Replication.  Review Lab 6B.