10/31

This week, discussed several important cell organelles that function to keep a cell running properly. In order to learn these organelles better, students spent most of the week working on a "Cell Analogy Project." In this project, students had to find pictures that represented analogies of the important cell organelles. In doing this, the students were able to make connections about how organelles function like everyday objects. The students presented their analogies to the class on Friday, and I was impressed with the result! Great work!

We have finished our microscope and cell chapter, so we will be taking our second chapter test on Wednesday of next week. Students have been given a study guide in order to help them prepare. Remember, students should not have to go back to the textbook in order to study! As long as they review the notes listed on the study guide, they will be in good shape for the test. Next week we will begin our discussion of diffusion and osmosis.

10/24

This week, we discussed the basic properties of cells. We did a math investigation to determine how changes in cell size (surface area and volume) affect the health of a cell. Remember that a "small cell is a happy cell!" We also had the chance to observe cheek and onion cells under the microscope in order to view a few differences between plant and animal cells. Next week we will be doing a "cell analogy" project in order to help us learn about the many cell organelles that exist inside of cells.

10/17

This week, we spent two days reviewing and practicing how to use light microscopes. We discovered how the microscope changes the position of an image, what our hair looks like when magnified 400x, and we also had the chance to explore other interesting prepared slides. I am impressed at how quickly the students are becoming accustomed to using the microscope. This is great, because we will use our microscopes a LOT this year! On Thursday we discussed what it meant to "be alive." After our "is fire living?" discussion, we finally agreed that fire was NOT living because it did not have cells or DNA. Next week, we will talk about cells in more depth, and we will have the opportunity to view our own cells under the microscope!

I returned the graded leaf collections to students this week. Overall, I must say that I was quite impressed by the quality of student work! Many students took the time to complete extra credit and really went "above and beyond" my expectations. Nicely done!

10/10

This week, we did a flower "dissection" lab in order to more clearly view the reproductive parts of an angiosperm. Students had the chance to cut open the flower and identify the main portions of the stamen and the pistil. Many were surprised to find lots of eggs inside of the flower's ovary! Students were also asked to measure and record the differences between flowers. We spent time reviewing the chapter on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we took our first test on Thursday. On Friday, we began our microscope introduction. Students will have two days to practice using microscopes next week!

10/3

This week, students were required to design a "wind-dispersing seed structure" using the materials that I provided for them. As a class, we tested each structure (using a fan) to see which design traveled the farthest. Congratulation to all of our class period winners, and a special congratulations to our overall winning structure, which was designed by Emily P., Brittany R., and Caitlyn B.! The students came up with some rather impressive and unique ideas for their structures!

We ended the week by discussing plant parts and reproduction. On Friday, we spent time reviewing our plant knowledge by viewing a few BrainPOP video clips and reviewing the "Biology of Plants" website. Next week, we will dissect a flower to review plant reproductive structures. We will have our first test of the year on Thursday. Remember that leaf collections are due on Wednesday, October 8th!