Thu/Fri – Review of Natural Selection

UPDATE: Check out today’s news about gene editing in the US – New U.S. Experiments Aim To Create Gene-Edited Human Embryos

For our 3rd lesson in our series reviewing 7th grade genetics, students will be reviewing Natural Selection. Here are the resources from class:

• Warm-Up: Giraffe Necks
• Review: Natural Selection Presentation
• Peppered Moth Gizmo and Worksheet
• Practice Quiz

Additional Resources:

• Darwin Survival Game
• Kahoot Evolution Test Review
• Whale Evolution Presentation
• NOVA Documentary (1 hour): Great Transformations

ASSIGNMENT:

• Complete the “Picture This” Note-taker for one of the gene -editing articles assigned earlier this week, due by the end of the week.

 

Wed/Thursday: Heredity Review

Today we are reviewing what students learned last year about heredity.  You can see the complete review here:

• Heredity Review

Students should do two of these practice sheets:

• Punnett Square Practice 1
• Punnett Square Practice 2
• Dragon Genetics
• Spongebob Genetics

Once you have completed the practice, try out these games:

• Selective Breeding Dogs
• Kahoot Genetics Review

ASSIGNMENT:

• Complete the “Picture This” Note-taker for one of the articles assigned last class, due by the end of the week.

 

Monday-Wednesday: High School Visits and Gene Editing

Last week it was reported that a Chinese scientist has created more “gene-edited” babies (in November, this scientist claimed to have made the first gene edited babies). That means he CHANGED the DNA of the babies before they were born using new technology that can “rewrite” someone’s DNA. He did this so that the babies would not have HIV. People have condemned his work because there are so many bad things that could happen and there is fear more scientists will try it. Today students will be discussing and researching gene-editing as part of our review of 6th and 7th grade science topics.

Articles for the class assignment:

• Science News for Students: Scientist reports first gene editing of humans (8th grade reading level)
• Newsela: Opinion: We can engineer a better baby, but we should be careful

Here are some helpful links:

• More about this news story
• Video: Selecting for Intelligence
• How CRISPR works, explained in two minutes
• Article – Science News for Students: Can DNA editing Save Endangered Species
• TED Ed: How CRISPR lets you edit DNA – Andrea M. Henle
• VIDEO: How Gene Editing Works
• TED Talk: The ethical dilemma of designer babies | Paul Knoepfler
• TED Talk: What you need to know about CRISPR | Ellen Jorgensen

ASSIGNMENT:

• Complete the “Picture This” Note-taker for one of the articles assigned in class, due by the end of the week.

 

Thursday: Making Stuff Faster

I am at a meeting all day today and a substitute teacher will be covering today’s science classes.  Students should watch this video about making things faster and complete the notes sheet from class.

• NOVA – Making Stuff Faster

Wednesday: Speed and Motion Graph Quiz

Students have their quiz today covering what they have learned about speed and motion graphs.  This quiz is part of our second semester focus on Forces and Motion.

Following the quiz, students that do not have missing work should check out these links:

• Maine School of Math and Science is a public high school open to all Mainers and is ranked as one of the best high schools in the country. Admission is based on application.  Students usually live on campus in Limestone Maine.
• Article: What is Terminal Velocity? and also, Ask An Expert: Terminal Velocity
• TED Ed Science Videos – short videos about a variety of science topics

Tuesday: Graph Review and Practice

Students have a test this week covering what they have learned about calculating speed and using distance time graphs. Students will have time in class today to review and practice the key concepts and skills.

Practice – In your notebook draw this graph and write your story:

Complete the Graphing Stories Worksheet

Here are some practice quizzes and review activities:

• Kahoot #1: Reading Time Distance Graphs
• Kahoot #2: More Time Distance Graphs
• Practice Quiz 1: Speed, Distance and Velocity
• Practice Quiz 2: Calculating Speed and Distance
• Practice Quiz 3: Speed, Distance and Time Graphs
• Speed, Velocity and Acceleration Jeopardy

CORE C:

Please do the following things in class today:

• Complete your distance-time gizmo and CK12 Speed and Velocity if they are missing in Infinite Campus
• Do any of the practice quizzes above that you did not do last week
• Try out the following Gizmos and complete the questions below the activity:
  • Pangaea
  • Moon Phases
  • Cell Structure

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Study for the Speed and Motion Graphs Quiz.  The quiz is tomorrow (Thursday for Core C).

Thursday: Speed and Velocity

Today students are learning about the difference between speed and velocity.  Students have a reading to complete in class with specific notes they need to take.  Here are the resources from class:

• Speed and Velocity Presentation
• Reading: CK12 – Speed and Velocity
• Brainpop Acceleration (need login)

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Time Distance Graph Gizmo Paper due by the end of the week
• CK12 Speed and Velocity Notes due by the end of the week
• End of Semester: Turn in all revised or missing work by Friday January 18th.

Monday & Tuesday: Distance-Time Graphs

Today students continue to learn about Force and Motion by focusing on distance-time graphs using the online interactive program called Gizmo.  Students have a series of activities and questions to complete using the Distance-Time Gizmo.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Distance-Time Gizmo Packet Due Thursday

Thursday/Friday: Time Distance Graphs

Students are making graphs of their paper airplane data and reviewing how the slope of each line on the graph relates to speed.

Here is the warm-up from class: Probe: Following Jack Part 2

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Paper Airplane (Save the Fleas) Graph due by the end of the day Friday
• End of Semester: Turn in all revised or missing work by Friday January 18th.

Tuesday: Paper Airplane Investigation

Today students are building and testing out paper airplanes in order to practice measuring and calculating time, distance and speed.  Students will be working in groups to find the planes that are both the fastest and can travel the greatest distance.

ASSIGNMENT:

• End of Semester: Turn in all revised or missing work, specifically assessment, by Friday January 18th.