Welcome to Science 7(Living Environment Intermediate Level (a.k.a. Life Science)
Instructor: Joyce G. Valenti: 28th year of teaching Science 7 Life Science
(One of the authors of the New York State LE Commencement Level
Core Curriculum Regents Class)
(Peer-reviewed the New York State Grades 5-8 Intermediate Core
Curriculum)
(One of the New York State Coordinating Mentor for Biology Teachers across
the State)
(The Regional Biology Mentor for all biology teachers within ONC BOCES)
(New York Director for "The Outstanding Biology Teacher for NYS"
(Subject Area Representative for Living Environment within the Science
Teachers Association of New York State)
(New York State Teacher of the Year 1994- 95)
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All months are archived at the end of the current month.. Current lessons are right below.
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WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 2ND, 2008
---Period D: did 4 Corner Prioritizing Ecological Problem (out of top 4) using
R.A.F.T. as the model of instruction (Role, Audience, Form, and Time)
---Assessing Prior Knowledge: Define Ecology in your own words.
---Began reading and highlighting packet on Food Chains and Food Webs
---Period F: D: did 4 Corner Prioritizing Ecological Problem (out of top 4) using
R.A.F.T. as the model of instruction (Role, Audience, Form, and Time)
HOMEWORK: This homework is only for Period D.
Finish highlighting packet. Answer all questions. Due in class time
tomorrow, not at 3:15pm. NO VOUCHER CAN BE USED ON THIS ONE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 2008
---Period D: Went over Homework; Visited the following websites:
http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/balance_of_nature.html
(Excellent summary of food chains/ food webs)
http://www.kidsplanet.org/
A fun Web site where you can play Wild Games or read about the Web of Life.http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html
Play a game where you drag and drop pictures of animals to make a food web.
---Period F: Defined Ecology. Started packet on Food Chains and Food Webs
(page 1 and page 2; Did questions on page 3; visited all websites above;
HOMEWORK: Only for Period F: How does energy flow within an environment?
The whole packet is to be highlighted and questions are to be answered.
(Due Friday).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH, 2008
---Period D: Learned Inspiration Software and how to make Concept Maps
---Period F: Went over Food Chain and Food Web packet. Went over "How Does The
Environment Cycle Materias"? in first Ecology Packet. Did extra handout,
The Nitrogen Cycle.
MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2008
---Period D; Did Review Questions packet;
student teams designed one of the following food webs: Pond,
Meadow/Field, Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest, Tundra, Desert. Then, they
began to put their approved food webs on to Inspiration to make a Concept Map
---Period F: Learned Inspiration Software and how to make Concept Maps
HOMEWORK: Only Period D: Finish Review Questions packet including
Crossword Puzzle (due tomorrow) Vouchable;
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2008
Period D: Finished up Food Chains/ Food Web on Inspiration Software
Period F: Did Review Questions packet; Finished up Food Chains/ Food Web
on Inspiration Software
Homework: Period F: Finish Review Questions packet including
Crossword Puzzle (due tomorrow) Vouchable;
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2008
Period D: Packet 7.7 Energy Pyramids
Period F: Packet 7.5 How Do Food Chains Interact? Packet 7.6
How Do Changes in a Food Web Affect the Organisms in It?
Packet; Packet 7.7 Energy Pyramids
HOMEWORK: NONE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2008
Active Powerpoint and Whiteboard Use: Interactions of Abiotic
Factors (Non-living) with Biotic Factors (living) and Biotic
Factors to Biotic Factors; Also started on page 38 in Ecology
Module (textbook) and perused all captions within the chapter that
dealt with the above topic.
HOMEWORK: None
MONDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2008
---Period D: no class due to 2 hour delay
---Period F: gave out Abiotic Factors information sheet; Assessing Prior Knowledge
on the term "succession" by comparing it to US Government Succession (President to
the Vice President to the Speaker of the House etc.); defined "ecological
succession". Reading in Content: Textbook pages on Ecological Succession (highlighted
key points); Construction of a Venn Diagram: similarities between Primary Succession
and Secondary Succession; Reading for Meaning: Primary Succession and filling in
"characteristics" of this kind of succession.
HOMEWORK: NONE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2008
---Period D: gave out Abiotic Factors information sheet; Assessing Prior Knowledge
on the term "succession" by comparing it to US Government Succession (President to
the Vice President to the Speaker of the House etc.); defined "ecological
succession". Reading in Content: Textbook pages on Ecological Succession (highlighted
key points); Construction of a Venn Diagram: similarities between Primary Succession
and Secondary Succession; Reading for Meaning: Primary Succession and filling in
"characteristics" of this kind of succession.
---Period F: finished filling in Venn Diagram on Secondary Succession after reading in
in "How Ecosystems Change" packet about Secondary Succession; Looked at Yellowstone
National Park and the impact of fire there (story in packet). Figured out which pine
cone was from a Douglas Fir vs. a Californian Redwood (how compact the cone was
determined that it was a redwood since that cone needs extreme levels of heat to
open up and disperse seeds, hence, fire impacting the secondary succession of that
species.
---started working on Photosynthesis Packet for review
HOMWEORK: None
HOMEWORK: NONE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2008
---Period D: finished filling in Venn Diagram on Secondary Succession after reading in
in "How Ecosystems Change" packet about Secondary Succession; Looked at Yellowstone
National Park and the impact of fire there (story in packet). Figured out which pine
cone was from a Douglas Fir vs. a Californian Redwood (how compact the cone was
determined that it was a redwood since that cone needs extreme levels of heat to
open up and disperse seeds, hence, fire impacting the secondary succession of that
species. Looked at Yellowstone Science Club trip to reinforce Ecological Concepts,
especially those on succession (emphasis on secondary succession).
----Period F: finished Photosynthesis Packet;
Looked at Yellowstone Science Club trip to reinforce Ecological Concepts,
especially those on succession (emphasis on secondary succession).
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 2007
----Period D: no class today due to 2 hour delay
---0Period F: reviewed the categories of classication and used various analogies
to remember them; worked in partners on a practice sheet dealing with the
categories
HOMEWORK: Scientific Method Remediation Assignment One (cannot use vouchers)
(due Wednesday)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2007
---Period D: reviewed the categories of classication and used various analogies
to remember them; learned about scientific names and binomial nomenclature
---Period F: learned about scientific names the purpose of clearing up
confusion (binomial nomenclature; read selected passages from textbook
page 26 and 27; Did "Classification Lab"
HOMEWORK: Scientific Method Remediation Assignment One (cannot use vouchers)
(due Wednesday)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, 2007
---Period D: Did the Classification Name Game Matching Column Sheet;
Did "Classification Lab"; Began to talk about "How to Use and Read A
Dichotomous Key
---Period F: "How to Use and Read A Dichotomous Key" (did a 4 Corners
Activity, Reading for Meaning, Concept Map of the Two Formats of
Dichotomous Keys,Alien Key, and Shark Key
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 2007
---Period D: "How to Use and Read A Dichotomous Key" (did a 4 Corners
Activity, Reading for Meaning, Concept Map of the Two Formats of
Dichotomous Keys,Alien Key, and Shark Key
---Period F: Did the Classification Name Game Matching Column Sheet;
praticed "How to Use and Read A Dichotomous Key" by doing
the Jays of North America Key and the Beetle Key;
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 2007
---Period D: finished up the Shark Key and reinforced the verbal
format; saw the 4th grade trout; reinforced classification and the
Touch Tank Dossier by touching the organisms
---Period F: saw the 4th grade trout; reinforced classification and the
Touch Tank Dossier by touching the organisms; did Plant Plant Press
flowers;
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 2007
---Period D: reinforced classification and the
Touch Tank Dossier by touching the organisms; did Plant Plant Press
flowers;
---Period F: reinforced classification and the Touch Tank Dossier by
touching the organisms; began modern classification and looked at
how scientists classify organims today not only using the structural
characteristics, but also using the following criteria: DNA analysis,
bone structure (homologous structures), embryology, behavior, and
cell structure
HOMEWORK: Study Guide forthcoming. Classification Unit Test will be
next Wednesday. Postponement due to ice storm!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH, 2007
---due to in-house Forensic Field Trip students worked on Part 2
Remediation of Scientific Exam and Reading Assignment; What is
in a Name?
HOMEWORK: Finish class work. Due Friday.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
--Period D: modern classification and looked at
how scientists classify organims today not only using the structural
characteristics, but also using the following criteria: DNA analysis,
bone structure (homologous structures), embryology, behavior, and
cell structure; Six Kingdoms of Classification (matching representative
organisms to the correct kingdom)
---Period F: NO CLASS DUE TO EARLY DISMAL (SNOWSTORM)
HOMEWORK: finish Scientific Method Test Remediation Part 2;
What is in A Name Worksheet. (due on Friday)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
---Period D: Reinforced with "Shoe Sorting Problem"
---Period F: Six Kingdoms of Classification (matching representative
organisms to the correct kingdom); Started to Learned our to do a
Sorting Chart in Classification by doing "Shoe Sorting Problem"
HOMEWORK: All students received the following to help you study for the
test. All periods will have Classification Test on Thursday due to all
inclement weather.
Study materials given: Powerpoint of whole classification lesson;
textbook chapter; study guide sheet. Study all classification materials
in your binder.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17TH
---SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: Reinforcement lesson Classification. Did packet on
"Identifying Families"
HOMEWORK: Flying Frogs (due Tuesday) Vouchers may be used.
STUDY FOR TEST:All students received the following to help you study for the
test. All periods will have Classification Test on Thursday due to all
inclement weathre.
Study materials given: Powerpoint of whole classification lesson;
textbook chapter; study guide sheet. Study all classification materials
in your binder.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH
---Period D and Period F: Started to Learn how to do a Sorting Chart in
Classification using various pictures of seeds.
HOMEWORK: All students received the following to help you study for the
test. All periods will have Classification Test on Thursday due to all
inclement weather.
Study materials given: Powerpoint of whole classification lesson;
textbook chapter; study guide sheet. Study all classification materials
in your binder.
Written Homework: Flying Frogs Voucher may be used. (due Wed)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
---continued working on Sorting of Seeds
HOMEWORK: All students received the following to help you study for the
test. All periods will have Classification Test tomorrow
due to all inclement weather.Study materials given: Powerpoint of whole
classification lesson; textbook chapter; study guide sheet. Study all
classification materials in your binder.
THURSDAY, DECMEBER 20TH
---Classification Unit Test
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
---Period D only met for 10 minutes.
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2007
---continued with Instant Lab in completing the Data Table, Graphing (and reviewing
all kinds of graphs that we will use in science this year), Analysis, and Conclusion.
HOMEWORK: NO OFFICIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT
FRIDAY, NOVERMBER 2ND, 2007
---Mr. Valenti was the substitute teacher. Students did an active listening video
experince called "Deep Waters" which is a historical, geographical, social, and
science rendition on the making of the reservoirs in the Catskill Watershed Areas.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2007
---continued with movie "Deep Waters"
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH, 2007
---Used Ecology textbooks
page 8 vocabulary list: biosphere ecosystem ecology population
community habitat
page 50 vocabulary list; chemosynthesis energy pyramid food web
page 64 vocabulary list: succession pioneer species climax community
page 77 vocabulary list wetland coral reef intertidal zone estuary
HOMEWORK: NO OFFICIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2007
---Congratulations: retrieved 8 out of 9 leaf pack bags.
Field trip to the stream.
HOMEWORK: NO OFFICIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2007
---sorted, classified, and tallied all Leaf Packets macroinvertebrates
(gathering of data) to continue our Scientific Experiment on Leaf Packs
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2007
---Period D: finished writing the Instant Lab and decided "the next
step" (Student-designer lab)
---Period F: finished watching "The Seedy Side of Plants"
HOMEWORK: NO OFFICIAL HOMEWORK TONIGHT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2007
---gave out summary sheet on "Learning Strategies Section of Binder"
---gave out Study Guide for Scientific Method Exam
---finished designing the Instant Lab Student Designer Lab to be
performed on Thursday.
HOMEWORK: Bring in materials for Instant Lab on Thursday if this
applies to you;
Begin studying for Scientific Method Exam by using Study
Guide and notes in the Scientific Method Section of your binder
(test next Monday)
Do Acrostic Worksheet on "Inquiry" (due this Thursday)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2007
---analyzed leaf pack tally from yesterday. wrote observation/
facts/ inferences from the data; compared this to Year 2006
data
---finished writing lab report on the Leaf Pack lab
--viewed pictures from Leaf Pack Retrieval
HOMEWORK: Bring in materials for Instant Lab on Thursday if this
applies to you;
Begin studying for Scientific Method Exam by using Study
Guide and notes in the Scientific Method Section of your binder
(test next Monday)
Do Acrostic Worksheet on "Inquiry" (due this Thursday)
new homework; The 10 Questions on the Leaf Pack lab (due next Monday)
(voucher may be used, but you must do any 4 questions, excused from
the other 6 questions.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, 2007
---Did Student-designer Instant Lab Part 2:Lab report and
metacogition questions on Individual Accountability and
Group Accountability.
HOMEWORK: The 10 Questions on the Leaf Pack lab (due next Monday)
(voucher may be used, but you must do any 4 questions, excused from
the other 6 questions.
HOMEWORK: STUDY FOR SCIENTIFIC METHOD UNIT TEST. USE STUDY GUIDE THAT
WAS GIVEN OUT TO YOU ON MONDAY, AND THE NOTES IN THE "SCIENTIFIC METHOD"
SECTION OF YOUR BINDER.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2007
---Reviewed for the Scientific Method Unit Test by going over Study Guide
that was handed out on Monday;
also reviewed by doing the Scientific Method
Hangman at the following website: http://www.quia.com/hm/84300.html
another website to review the Scientific Method (concentration game)
http://www.quia.com/mc/65726.html
HOMEWORK: STUDY FOR SCIENTIFIC METHOD UNIT TEST. USE STUDY GUIDE THAT
WAS GIVEN OUT TO YOU ON MONDAY, AND THE NOTES IN THE "SCIENTIFIC METHOD"
SECTION OF YOUR BINDER.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2007
Period D: Scientific Method Unit Test (only had 30 minutes due to 2 hour delay);
will resume test tomorrow.
Period F: full period Scientific Method Unit Test
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2007
Period D: finished Scientific Method Unit Test; finished watching the
Catskill Watershed Commerative 10th Year Anniversary DVD showcasing
last year's interview of me and the students in the stream;
investigated Pill Bugs quickly (can't do official lab due to 2 hour
delay yesterday; we just did a quick verbal observation and inquiry
questions;
(We should have done this lesson, but ran out of time due to 2 hour
delay: continue with Warm-up Activity on new Scientif Method
Data....KWL strategy for assessing prior knowledge on
the Pill Bug (an Isopod); Reinforcement Activity:
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Inferences on the Pill
Bug; began lab---recording response time to curling
up and uncurling when touched)
Period F: all of the above except finished test yesterday.
HOMEWORK: NONE. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH, 2007
---Assessing Prior Knowledge on Zoos
---Active Listening on viewing of Panda Bear and Zoos (This is an
intro to the next unit of Classification. It also gives the student a
general overview of future topics we will be studying: Ecology;
Endangered Species; Evolution; Reproduction and Development; Nutriton;)
HOMEWORK: NONE.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH, 2007
---due to a Spanish/French Club Field Trip and the amount of students missing
from class, a substitute lesson was done. Either students played a "Safety Game" or
watched diving DVD clips that Mr. Bob Prevosti donated to the science class:
saw videoclips on Sea Manatees, Tiger Sharks of the Bahamas, and other sea creatures
of the Dominica.
HOMEWORK: NONE.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH, 2007
---no class due to Parent Conferences.
HOMEWORK: NONE.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, 2007
---finished Panda Bear active listening lesson.
Looked at Panda Bear live cam at San Diego Zoo.
Only gave back Scientific Method Exams
in Period D and went over it.
---began Assessing Prior Knowledge in the introduction of the new unit of
Classification
HOMEWORK: NONE.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 2007
---continued with the active participation powerpoint on Classfiication
(What is Classification? The History of Classification? The Father of
Taxonomy, Carolus Linnaeus, The Categories of Classification created by
Carolus Linnaeus.
HOMEWORK: NONE.
Possible future work
Homework:
The following (link also above) is fabulous.
I highly recommend that you do this tonight or tomorrow or
next week.
Many different macroinvertebrates live in these streams.
This activity will help you identify them and to recognize the
special adaptations each has to its aquatic habitat. The activity
will also demonstrate how macroinvertebrates can be indicators of
the health of the stream.
November 16, 2006
---compared Leaf Pack 4th grade data with our data
---continue with Warm-up Activity on new Scientif Method
Data....KWL strategy for assessing prior knowledge on
the Pill Bug (an Isopod); Reinforcement Activity:
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Inferences on the Pill
Bug; began lab---recording response time to curling
up and uncurling when touched
---lab will continue tomorrow
Homework: Macroinvertebrate Webquest (need worksheet
and access to the Internet) due Tuesday, November 21st
Monday, October 1, 2007
---Introduction to the concept of natural leaf packs and artificial
leaf packs, the Stroud Research Leaf Pack Network, and the
protocol and scientific experiment set up to study the state of
stream health; Assessing Prior Knowledge, discussion, and active listening
assignment during a brief video on the Leaf Pack Network;
---Leaf Packs (a future Batavia Kill stream experiment following protocols set by
the Stroud Research Center and that we will be performing)and the impact they
have in taking care of water quality in our fresh water streams
---Saw the equipment that we will be using
HOMEWORK: Study for Unit Test (Scientific Method, Lab Equipment, and
Measurement)using Study Guide given to you (test next Thursday)
Do Multiple Intelligences Safety Assignment: choose any Multiple Intelligence
category. If there is a choice within the category, only choose one. Indicate
on top of the paper "how many bars" you have recorded on the Multiple Intelligence
Bar Graph we did in class or look on your Profile card from Home and Careers Class.
(du this Friday)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2007
---Environemental Impact Study--definition, how, why, where, etc.
Case Study Analysis: Pine Bush Impact Study when Crossgates Mall was built
---Learning the Identification of Sample Macroinvertebrates for our future
leaf pack and stream studies
HOMEWORK: Study for Unit Test (Scientific Method, Lab Equipment, and
Measurement)using Study Guide given to you (test this Thursday)
Do Multiple Intelligences Safety Assignment: choose any Multiple Intelligence
category. If there is a choice within the category, only choose one. Indicate
on top of the paper "how many bars" you have recorded on the Multiple Intelligence
Bar Graph we did in class or look on your Profile card from Home and Careers Class.
(due this Friday)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2007
---Bucket of Bugs Lab (a simulation for stream studies)
HOMEWORK: Study for Unit Test (Scientific Method, Lab Equipment, and
Measurement)using Study Guide given to you (test tomorrow)
Do Multiple Intelligences Safety Assignment: choose any Multiple Intelligence
category. If there is a choice within the category, only choose one. Indicate
on top of the paper "how many bars" you have recorded on the Multiple Intelligence
Bar Graph we did in class or look on your Profile card from Home and Careers Class.
(due this Friday)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 2007
---Unit Test on Lab Safety,
Scientific Equipment, Measurement, and Wildflower Lab
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2007
---analyzed Bugs in the Bucket Lab
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2007
---continued analyzing Bugs in the Bucket Lab; started Leaf Pack experiment;
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, 2007
---Period D: went to Leaf Pack Network website and learned how to use it; analyzed
7th grade data from Year 2003 and Mrs. Valerio's data from Year 2006 and came to a
conclusion on the status of the Batavia Kill; read through pre-lab material of Leaf
Pack Lab; started to design our own lab.
---Period F: role-played what it is like to make a presentation (Presented
Trout in the Classroom)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2007
----Period D: continued with Leaf Pack Design;
----Period F: went to Leaf Pack Network website and learned how to use it; analyzed
7th grade data from Year 2003 and Mrs. Valerio's data from Year 2006 and came to a
conclusion on the status of the Batavia Kill; read through pre-lab material of Leaf
Pack Lab; started to design our own lab.
Played with "Safety Lab Games)
BOTH CLASSES: Gave out 5 week progress reports and went over this; gave out vouchers and
explained how to use them
HOMEWORK: visit and explore the following website:
Leaf Pack Network http://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/ See link above.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2007
---Period D: Learned a new strategy called "Filming" and did the vocabulary words
using this technique to learn further about leaf packs; played with "Safety
Lab Games"
---Period F:read through pre-lab material of Leaf Pack Lab; started to design our
own lab. Then procedded to do Period D's work minus the games since we did this
yesterday.
HOMEWORK: visit and explore the following websites:
Leaf Pack Network http://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/ See link above.
Stroud Research Center http://www.stroudcenter.org/
MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2007
---worked on Filming Activity on Leaf Pack vocabulary; Lab: put together
the leaf packs to put in the stream tomorrow.
HOMEWORK: Finish Leaf Pack Filming Activity (due Tuesday) (due Wednesday for Period F)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2007
---field trip to the Batavia Kill Stream to put leaf packs in for experiment using
the Leaf Pack Network Protocol from the Stroud Research Center
---drew a "site map" and did a stream inventory sheet on general abiotic and biotic
characteristics of the stream
IMPORTANT WEBSITE TO CONVERT TEMPERATURE FROM FAHRENHEIT TO CELSIUS AND VICE
VERSA: http://www.intmed.mcw.edu/clincalc/wtmeas.html
HOMEWORK: Finish Leaf Pack Filming Activity (due Wednesday for Period F)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, 2007
---follow-up to Leaf Packs in the Stream Lab
----Intro to the Salt Water Tank and the invertebrates living there (comparison
to freshwater studies
---went over assignment on “Dossier” of one creature in the Touch Tank
HOMEWORK: “Dossier” of one creature in the Touch Tank (due Wednesday)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18TH,2007
---we watched the short videotape on "The Stream Keeper" and did an active
listening activity: 1. What is a Watershed? 2. Make 3 columns and fill
in the information from the film: Headings for columns: Investigate your
stream; inventory and monitor; take action!
---reviewed on how to "take notes" using the Leaf Pack information
HOMEWORK: “Dossier” of one creature in the Touch Tank (due Wednesday)
Taking Notes on the "Leaf Pack" Packet (due Tuesday)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2007
---guest speakers/streamkeepers, Ben and Julia from The Catskill
Center came to the class and did Lesson Number 1: What is a Watershed?
Analysis of our Watershed using a map; Model of Groundwater etc.;
took notes on this information;
website: http://www.catskillcenter.org/
HOMEWORK: “Dossier” of one creature in the Touch Tank (due Wednesday)
Taking Notes on the "Leaf Pack" Packet (due Tuesday)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 2007
---guest speakers/streamkeepers, Ben from The Catskill
Center came to the class and did Lesson Number 2: The physical makeup
of the stream, the review of the benthic macroinvertebrates, and
a preview of the chemical tests
HOMEWORK: “Dossier” of one creature in the Touch Tank (due Wednesday)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2007
---Field trip to the stream: physical, chemical, and biological monitoring
exercises with Sense of Place curriculum
HOMEWORK: No homework tonight.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2007
---Handed back and went over a week's worth of labs, assignments, etc
---debriefed on field trip to stream (will debrief more tomorrow)
HOMEWORK: No homework tonight.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2007
---finished Stream Watch debriefing (pH, dissolved oxygen, non-impacted
vs. impacted, and biotic index. definition of "parts per million"
(ppm) and "parts per billion" (ppb)
---watched DVD clip on Catalina Island and Kelp Forest Ecosystem (tie into
ecosytems and touch tank projects.)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2007
---began a new unit "The Scientific Method"
---APK: how do you solve everyday problems
---Hook to Scientific Method: "Do the chimpanzees study Dr. Goodall"
---the commonality between chimpanzee and bonobo characteristics and
a link to a common ancestor with humans
---gave out "8 STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
---Instant Lab: use as the lab to review and add on concepts of the
Scientific Method
---showed Animal Cams to Period F
HOMEWORK: The Case of the Polluted Stream (due Wednesday)
Animal Cams websites: check them out (see Favorite Links also)
http://www.animalcams.com/
(Link to the most popular animal web cams in the world)
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/
(Over 19 live cams running)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2007
---continued with Scientific Method (3 kinds of hypotheses, control,
methods and materials, diagram of set-up,assumptions, replicates,
constants (only 1 variable)(all in the context of The Instant Lab).
HOMEWORK: The Case of the Polluted Stream (due Wednesday)
Animal Cams websites: check them out (see Favorite Links also)
http://www.animalcams.com/
(Link to the most popular animal web cams in the world)
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/
(Over 19 live cams running)
WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 31ST, 2007
---continued with Scientific Method: the operational definition,
independent and dependent variable, how to make a data table
---did actual Instant Lab, both experimental and control group
FUTURE LESSONS
We studied what an Environmental Impact Study is and connected it to the real world (Windham Mountain Ski Area, Golf Courses, Pine Bush---Crossgates Mall.
To prepare the class to analyze Leaf Pack Data
from the Batavia Kill, students did Part 1 "Bugs
in the Bucket" Lab
Homework:
Dossier on Touch Tank Organism due Friday
---continued with Part 2 "Bugs in the Bucket";
learned how to take the Biotic Index of a stream;
wrote lab report; played "Name That Macroinvertebrate
from real flash cards on Powerpoint
Homework:
Dossier on Touch Tank Organism due Friday
---made "take home flashcards" to practice identifying
Macroinvertebrates
---Assessing Prior Knowledge: Jane Goodall and
activity on artificial lab vs. real world lab on primate
animal behavior
Homework: Practice identifying Macroinvertebrates with
flashcards made in class; study Macorinvetebrate
Classification Key found in Long-term Projects of Binder too;
---outlined notes from Stroud Research
Center Leaf Pack Packet; wrote definition
for all stream terms;
I welcome all students to Science 7 Intermediate Level Course, and I am
very excited to be your science teacher this year.
Summary of Today's Class:
1) Introduction Powerpoint: Supplies List and How to Organize Your Notebook (Please refer to handout)
2) Building A Sense of Community of Learners
In order for me to get to know the students and to reconnect with peers after
a summer vacation, I use an activity called "Interview/ Interviewee". During this
activity, students work in random peers and take turns interviewing each other using
3 question format. These questions are:
1. What is your favorite TV program?
2. Who is your hero and what makes them your hero?
3. What Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek or
Wizard of Oz character do you most identify with
and why?
After the activity is completed, each student team presents to me and to the class,
the peer they interiewed and the answers to the question. This indeed begins:
---- to build "a sense of community"
---- allows me to get to know something interesting
about the student
---- gives new students and opportunity to feel
comfortable
---- allows students who know each other well to
learn something new about their classmate.
Homework: Have all supplies and binder organized by
Monday 9/10
________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th, 2007
Dear Students:
Please share "Intermediate Level Living Environment Course" Packet with your parents. Place this very important document in the General Information section of your binder.
This document contains:
-My letter to students
-Supplies List
-Course Guidelines and Expectations
-Homework Guidelines
-Grading System
-Quarterly Average Calculation
(tests 65%, labs 20%, homeworks 15%)
Also show your parents the Homework Guidelines, Discipline Plan, and the Voucher System.
(When we went over all Course Guidelines and Expectations, we earned how to use the Learning Strategy K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stuff) by taking each guideline and simplifying them in "Mrs. V's Top 10 Rules. Both documents will be filed in binder in the General Information section.
Also Learned the Strategy of Peer Review.
If you need to contact me, you may:
---use email joyvalenti@wajcs.org
---use voice mail 734-3400 ext. 241
SCHOOL NOTES!!! (Went over the two ways to navigate to this wonderful and useful website.)
Do not forget to look at School Notes if you need a reminder, or if you need your parents to get an update on what is happening in class and what you are responsible for so far.
Remember, the website is: www.schoolnotes.com
Enter Windham's zip code: 12496
Scroll down link to Valenti Joyce
Science 7
It is real easy!!! You know who were successful because it will always bring you this this page.
Homework: Since this is a transition time for all 7th grade students and a lot of groundwork has to be established in science class, no homework is assigned during this beginning.
Monday, September 10, 2007
All students took a Multiple Intelligence" Survey to see "How They Are Smart". We will use these profiles to help to differentiate instruction throughout the year. Students will also see where their talents are strong, and which ones need to gain experience. Using various "learning style" techniques are a major part of my teaching tool kit. We started
to make our Profiles.
HOMEWORK: Flights of Fancy (Don't forget full sentences) due Wednesday 9/12
FUTURE LESSONS
We analyzed the Multiple Intelligence Survey and each student made a Profile of his/her results. We compared theirs, my Profile as a Junior High Student and my Profile as
an adult. Observations and inferences and conclusions on quantitative data were made.
Please refer to this Profile in the future. It will help you to focus on
"How Your Are Smart" and which intelligences you can work on during this year.
This Profile will be filed in Learning Strategies in your Binder. You will
be filling out "other surveys" dealing with learning in Home and Careers to
finish making a complete profile.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2007
Reinforces: How to Make Graphs which is needed in MST 1; Analysis,
Inquiry, and Engineering Design
---finished filling in bar graph of Multiple Intelligences Survey
---answered 3 process questions that made observations, inferred, and drew
conclusions on each student's personal data and comparing my Multiple
Intelligence Bar Graphs (one when I was in JHS and one as an adult)
HOMEWORK: Postponed to xerox machine not working properly.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2007
Began Safety Unit with Assessing Prior Knowledge.
THURSDAY and Friday, SEPTMEBER 13TH, 2007
Reinforces Laboratory Skills Checklist
---Reading in Content: Safety in the Classroom
---Demonstration: Why we should wear goggles in the science classroom? (egg-HCL acid demonstration)
---Learning Safety Symbols and their meanings
---Working in Pairs: Envelope Activity: Matching Symbols with their meanings
without the answer key
---tour of safety equipment in Rm S16
---Reading for meaning: My top 5 rules to be safe in the lab from a list
of safety concerns/answer 3 questions
---Went over Science Club: What is the club? How do I join? What are
available trips for me to go on?
Homework: Study all content and content learned up to date.
Flight of Fancy Due Friday Sept 14th
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2007
reinforces Laboratory Skills Checklist
---what safety feature(s) are wrong in these SCENES?Dramatization of 6 Scenarios
---signed safety contract
---learned how to light a bunsen burner
Homework: Study all content and content learned up to date.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH,2007
Meets MST 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Engineering Design
--Check for Understanding: What's wrong with the safety practices with
students in the illustrations?
Wildflower Lab: First lab of the year!!!
--Observation vs. Inference Qualitative Observations vs. Quantitative
Observations
--I collected local wildflowers (reinforce students' aesthetic appreciation of our own "Sense of Place") to use in this lab.
HOMEWORK: Start looking for a wildflower to pick. You are to bring flowers in on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2007
Meets MST 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Engineering Design
--continued Wildflower Lab
--Period F: Watched videoclip of "The Seedy Side of Plants"
ASSIGNMENT: Pick a wildflower and prepare to bring it to school to Mrs. Valenti's
room first thing in the morning; fill out data sheet on the collection of the flower;
(due Thursday, September 20th, and worth 200 points)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2007
Skills enforced: Classification
---We learned the science protocol of how to document data, and then preserve wildflowers via a plant press to simulate what plant taxonomists do for study.
HOMEWORK: Study what we have learned already in this unit.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2007
---debriefed the collecting and preserving of wildflowers
---learned a new learning strategy called the Double Bouble; looked at the Double Bubble
by comparing and contrasting "wildflowers" to "annuals"
---did another new learning stratgy called The Scavenger Hunt; analyzed a Field Guide
to Wildflowers by using "Butter n' Eggs" Wildflower to locate and understand the information that a field guide can tell you
HOMEWORK: Read the article, "When Plants Cry, Do Insects Hear". Answer 2 questions: What are new things you learned? What is one new question you now have?
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2007
Identify Laboratory Equipment (Part 1): Function and Structure of many pieces
of laboratory equipment that we will use this year and in high school.
HOMEWORK: Study notes learned so far in class.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2007
---finished Identifying Laboratory Equipment lab (Part 2)and answered all
questions
---reinforced content by matching pictures of scientific equipment to names
of the pieces
(Period F: got to see a videoclip of the Venus Fly trap capturing a fly; this
is connected to the homework assignment on insectivorous plants; go to "Favorite Link"
and connect to website).
HOMEWORK; Reading Comprehension; Modified Leaves: reading passage on the insectivorous
and how the leaves are adapted to capture flies for the nitrogen in the protein of the
fly, and use this nitrogen for fertilizer (minerals) so it can perform photosynthesis
in the poor mineral soils where they live. (due Thursday)
WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 26TH and THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2007
---finished matching pictures of scientific equipment to names of the pieces and went over
it
---APK (assessed prior knowledge) on the differences between the English System and the
Metric System of measuring; went through common everyday items and how we measure these
items using the metric system (eg. bag of potato chips, a bottle of gatorade)
---discussed why it is hard for the American people to do the metric system
---went over the four ways to measure and the units of measurement that 7th graders are
responsible to know (gave out chart on this)
---labeled the parts of a triple-beam balance scale
---began lab on Wednesday, and finished on Thursday, working and measuring with real
equipment the length, mass, volume, and temperature with real items.
HOMEWORK for Wednesday night; Reading Comprehension; Modified Leaves: reading passage on the insectivorous
and how the leaves are adapted to capture flies for the nitrogen in the protein of the
fly, and use this nitrogen for fertilizer (minerals) so it can perform photosynthesis
in the poor mineral soils where they live. (due Thursday)
HOMEWORK FOR Thursday night: Study for future test next week. Study Guide forthcoming.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2007
---gave out Study Guide for first unit test (Scientific Method, Lab Equipment, and
Measurement); went over how to use the guide and study with the notes/materials found
in binder; went over the makeup of the exam
---took Pre-Survey of Stream Watch (Assessing Prior Knowledge)
HOMEWORK: Study for Unit Test (Scientific Method, Lab Equipment, and
Measurement)using Study Guide given to you (test next Thursday)
Do Multiple Intelligences Safety Assignment: choose any Multiple Intelligence
category. If there is a choice within the category, only choose one. Indicate
on top of the paper "how many bars" you have recorded on the Multiple Intelligence
Bar Graph we did in class or look on your Profile card from Home and Careers Class.
(due next Friday)
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