We then played a game outside called "Oh, deer" to witness how predator prey relationships and resource availability affects population size. We will look at our data tomorrow.
HW: Finish Performance Task #4 (due tomorrow)
Today we discussed population growth and how it relates to the stability of ecosystems. If absent, please take good notes over the powerpoint entitled "Populations".
We then played a game outside called "Oh, deer" to witness how predator prey relationships and resource availability affects population size. We will look at our data tomorrow. HW: Finish Performance Task #4 (due tomorrow)
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Today, as a group, we completed the ecology learning stations found here. If you were absent, please see me as to how to make up this work.
Videos for Stations: Video #1: Symbiosis: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism Video #2: ASAP Science: Parasites Video #3: Tiny Hamster Homework for tonight is pages 372-373, 378-379. Today we discussed how new species are created through the process of evolution, also called speciation. If absent, make sure to take good notes over the Speciation powerpoint under Unit 4. We watched two videos: "The Five Fingers of Evolution", which explains the conditions that are optimal for natural selection to occur, and "Lego Evolution", which explains the topics of genetic drift, Founder's effect, and bottlenecking. Performance task #4 was assigned today; directions for the task are on Google Classroom. The cladogram assigned, as well as the CER+R explanation, are due Friday. HW: pages 365-369, 415-417
Today we discussed the trophic levels that comprise ecosystems on this planet and the various organisms that could fill each role. The powerpoint can be found within the appropriate folder in Unit 5. Students should read pages 354-361 in their book for the information in the powerpoint.
After our discussion, students were tasked with creating a food web containing an organism FOUND HERE. The food web can be done on paper or electronically and the requirements are found in the documents folder. The assignment is due Tuesday, April 4th. This is your homework tonight! Today we discussed the vast amount of evidence that supports the Theory of Evolution, such as fossils, homologous/analogous structures, embryology, vestigial structures, and DNA. The powerpoint with information (and fun pictures) can be found in the folder. We also played "Guess the Embryo" on PBS NOVA's website. You can play that game here. Today we discussed the four principles of Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection and talked about the three ways that the environment can impose challenges on the driving force of natural selection (or the 3 types of natural selection). HW: pg. 326-334 Today we watched part of the BBC documentary "Galapagos", and saw the abundance of wildlife that helped lead Darwin to his ideas on evolution. HW: 297-301 (Types of Natural Selection) Today we started reading The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston. This book is based on a true story regarding the Ebola panic that occurred in the 1990's in the U.S.
We also discussed the mandatory project for this nine week's grading period which is associated with this book. Information and rubrics for the project can be found under the tab "The Hot Zone Project Info." The project has various due dates; please see the tab for more information. HW: none. Prepare for the English STAAR tomorrow! Welcome back from Spring Break!
Today we began class with an introduction into dichotomous keys, which is a resource used to help identify organisms. Students then completed a dichotomous key using characters from Mario Bros. The activity can be found here. Homework tonight is to complete the Gel Electrophoresis activity found here. YOU MUST USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN AN IPAD TO DO THIS ACTIVITY since it is Flash based. Today we started class by finishing up the activity from yesterday. Afterwards, we discussed how scientists classify the insanely diverse organisms on this planet. Information regarding this topic can be found in the powerpoints folder.
Next, students were to choose an animal from a pre-constructed list found here (or have approval from teacher for another animal), and create a foldable showing the animal's classification. The foldable must include the following: - A cover of sorts with a picture of the animal and its scientific name correctly written (10 points) - The correct Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species for the organism (40 points) - At least 3 characteristics of each of the taxa (species can include 3 interesting facts about that organism) (25 points) - A picture on each taxon that relates to the level of classification or the characteristics (25 points) - Must be in color for full points A very rudimentary example is shown below. This assignment is due Friday, March 10th at the end of class. |
AuthorAll posts written by Samuel the cat in a catnip-induced haze. Forgive any spelling/grammatical errors. Do your homework or feel his wrath... Archives
January 2018
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