Cell-a-bration!!! November 8th, 2013

Cell Project Ideas and Analogies

Zooming into cell level

                                                                  Powers of Ten

11/4-11/8

Monday	-Review cells and organelles, correct homework -Quiz on labeling the parts of plant and animal cells/matching organelles with functions Thursday, 11/7 -Set up matching game that should be used as a study guide -Internet lesson: Cells in Perspective and Alive!  Using Chrome books (websites: http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm   and http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/
Tuesday	- Continue Internet lesson -Review for Quiz
Wednesday	-Cell Charades!
Thursday	-Quiz - Cell organelles labeling and matching organelles with functions
Friday	- Cell-a-bration!!!! -Cell Projects are due today!

Cell-a-bration!!!

October 31, 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

       Students have begun a unit on The Cell, chapter 2 (pgs. 40-47) in the Life’s Structure and Function textbook.  We have studied all about the various organelles and parts and how each has a particular function.  Students have been assigned a project called, Building a Cell.  Students will create a three-dimensional model of a plant or animal cell.  Please see the project directions sheet for details.  

Many creative ideas are available to students and some are discussed in class.  Students are encouraged to use recyclable materials and other inexpensive objects that represent by shape, size and color the various organelles that are found in the cell.  Shoe boxes work great as well as plastic containers.  In the past some cells were made out of cake decorated with various types of candies each chosen carefully to represent the parts of a cell and some were made out of pizza.  Other cells have been made out of foam or Styrofoam.

This Cell project is due Friday, November 8th.  On this day students will present and share their projects.  The classroom will be a virtual cell museum.  I call this very special day, “Cell-a-Bration”.  We celebrate remarkable and amazing cells.  Students are allowed to eat the edible cells if they wish.  This is a really fun visual and kinesthetic activity that engages student learning of the cell as well as helping to reinforce concepts.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Pratt

10/28-11/1

Monday	-Begin "The Cell" Chapter 2 -Two types of cells: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes -Cell organelles and functions
Tuesday	-"The Demise of the Halloween Pumpkins" assignment due -Continue to read about cell organelles and their functions -Cell analogies
Wednesday	-Cells and organelles
Thursday	-Continue to discuss cells and organelles Happy Halloween!!
Friday	-Introduce Cell Project -Discuss Cell Project expectations and ideas

10/21-10/25

Monday	-Blog Assignment Due -Pumpkin observations -Read about Classification; Notes -Quiz on Wednesday, 10/23
Tuesday	-Plant Lab Due -Continue Notes -Pumpkin observations
Wednesday	-Pumpkin observations -Review for Quiz
Thursday	-Quiz on Classification (pgs. 24-28) -Pumpkin Observations
Friday	-Finish Leaf Taxonomy Key activity -"The Demise of the Halloween Pumpkins" activity Due 10/29

Click on this link to view deep space time interactives

http://www.chronozoom.com/

How Did Plants Evolve?

Please watch this podcast.  The information can help further your understanding of the lab.

Write a 2-3 paragraph response to the following task:

Your task: You need to find a way to survive with your feet permanently anchored in cement?

You Can't:                                                        

• Hide from predators                                 
• Seek a mate
• Walk to water or food
• Change your habitat

You Have to:

• Get necessary nutrients
• Get water and oxygen
• Reproduce (your mate may be mile away)
• Deal with changes in your environment (i.e. dry, wet, hot, cold, dark, light etc..)

10/14-10/18

Monday	-No School - Columbus Day
Tuesday	-Lab: The Evolution of Plants: Form Fits Function -Pumpkin observations
Wednesday	-Finish Lab -Portfolio Reflections are due!!! -Pumpkin observations
Thursday	-Classification; Domains and Kingdoms -Pumpkin observations
Friday	-Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes -Pumpkin observations

Spontaneous Generation Animation

This is an animation and tutorial that explains the different experiments done by scientists that eventually disproved the Theory of Spontaneous Generation.

Click on this link: Spontaneous Generation Animation

10/7-10/11

Monday	-Observe pumpkins and record data -Set-up Spallanzani boiled broth demonstration -Check textbook covers -Notes on Where Does Life Come From? -Begin Origins: How Life Began video; notes
Tuesday	-Review for Quiz -Continue video -Record pumpkin data
Wednesday	-Quiz on Where Does Life Come From?  Sect.1.3 (pgs. 21-23) -Continue Video -Record pumpkin data
Thursday	-Finish Video -Begin lab, Evidence of Plant Evolution: Form Fits Function -Record pumpkin data
Friday	-Work on Lab -Record pumpkin data

Nova Origins: How Life Began

Click this Link: Paper Bag Book Cover

This Week in Science

Interesting Podcasts about all different genre in the world of science.  Check it out!!

Click on this link: http://www.twis.org/

Meal worm Behavior Virtual lab

Learn more about Responding and Adjusting (one of the 8 Features of Life) by doing this virtual lab about meal worms.

Click on the link: Virtual Lab

9/30-10/4

Monday	-Work on Mealworm Lab -Learn about Variables
Tuesday	-Finish Mealworm Lab
Wednesday	-Where Does Life Come From? (pgs. 21-23) -Hand out textbooks -"The Demise of the Halloween Pumpkins"    -Observe and predict
Thursday	-Discuss Theories and scientists, timeline -Pumpkins observations
Friday	-Pumpkins observations -Mealworm Lab due -Coacervate demo -Quiz on Wednesday 10/9

Homeostasis of the Eye Lab

This is a great YouTube video, 14 min or so, that helps explain positive and negative feedback loops.  Some of the information is a bit advanced but it can provide some basic information to help understand the lab and to advance your learning :)

Click on this link: Positive and Negative Feedback Loops and Homeostasis

9/23-9/27

Monday	-Work on mini-project (Due: Tuesday 9/24) -Review for Living Things Quiz (Tuesday 9/24); study notes
Tuesday	-Share projects -Take Quiz
Wednesday	-Homeostasis of the Eye Lab
Thursday	-Mealworm Lab
Friday	-Homeostasis of the Eye Lab Due - Continue Mealworm Lab

8 Features of Living Things Mini-Project

Students have been assigned this short and creative project to help reinforce their learning of the 8 features of living things. Students may choose either the cartoon or comic strip design and then they should research their chosen organism and plan their project to show how each of the 8 features applies to or "fits" their chosen organism. Ultimately, proving that their organism is indeed a living thing. Students will be given some time in school to work on this project and use iPads to research.  Some time may be required to work on this project at home.

DUE: Tuesday, 9/24

Name______________________________________Date_______________

Features of Living Things Mini-Project

Goal: To Create a Comic-Strip or Cartoon that portrays, describes and illustrates the 8 Features of Living Things of a specific organism.

• Choose a specific organism. Examples: zebra, alligator, hummingbird, mushroom, etc...
• Think of examples and describe how each of the 8 features “fits” or applies to your chosen organism.  This part should be completed as a brainstorming rough draft.  You may need to research a bit to find out specific information.
• Create a cartoon (one plate design) or a comic strip (many plate design) to show how each of the 8 features applies to your chosen organism.
• Illustrate your organism using color and design to show each feature.
• You may do this using a cartoon design where you would draw the organism and then provide labels in places where each of the 8 features would be represented.
• You may do this using a comic strip design where you would create separate plates that show your organism representing the 8 features.
• Label each feature neatly in a talking bubble and provide a description of how that feature applies to your organism.
• Include your name and date on the bottom, right-hand corner of the paper.
• Include a border that extends all the way around all sides of the paper.
• Have FUN!!

Checklist

___5___ Organism chosen is a living thing and evidence for this is substantial.

___3___ Name and date are on the bottom, right-hand corner of paper.

___2___ Border extends all the way around all sides of the paper.

___10__ Neatness, care, effort and color in your design and descriptions.

___35__ 8 features are represented and are correct.

___35__ 8 features are described inside a talking bubble and are accurate.

___10___ Works Cited: Use Citation Machine
Citation Machine

___100_

Comments:

9/16-9/20

Monday	-Crazy Catapult Challenge: design, fastest to knock down a fortress, accuracy shooting a target
Tuesday	-8 Characteristics of Life, review key ideas and notes -Go over Dog vs. Stream
Wednesday	-Introduce and work on 8 Features of Living Things Mini-Project
Thursday	-Work on mini-project (Due: Tuesday 9/24)
Friday	-Work on mini-project (Due: Tuesday 9/24)

9/9-9/13

Monday	-Science Current Event Write-ups Due; Share in class -Introduce: Crazy Catapult Challenge Scientific Method
Tuesday	-Work on Crazy Catapult Challenge
Wednesday	- Work on catapults
Thursday	-Work on catapults
Friday	-Living Things Day!!!