Weekly outline

  • Mrs. O'Brien's availability this week (check room 229, the science office or the teacher's lounge)
    Monday:  2:45-3:15pm 
    Tuesday: 7:30-7:55am, 2:45-3:15pm 
    Wednesday:  by request
    Thursday: 2:45-3:15pm
    Friday:  7:30-7:55am


    Welcome to Biology B for the Science Major!

    Biology is an exciting field with many issues you will deal with in your lifetime. Genetic engineering and gene therapy, beginning and end of life care, environmental pollution and climate change, medical advances and emerging diseases, population growth/changes… These are just some of the areas that bring us fascinating concepts and serious ethical questions. Last semester you focused on the the human body and tiny details of cells and DNA. We continue to focus on the ideas of awe and stewardship from Psalm 8 and this semester we zoom out a bit more to see how those materials from Biology A control organisms, populations and their environment. I pray you discover a greater awe of the Creator as I continue to do and also learn how to struggle with the questions of biology using the Word as your guide.

    CLASS RESOURCES:

    1. Field Study 
      1. Due dates for field notes:
        1. September 9 
        2. September 29
        3. October 16 
        4. November 3 
        5. November 24 
      2. Class Blogs
      3. Original Research Requirements
        1. Testing Materials/Resources
        2. Original Research Presentation Requirements and Grade Sheet
      4. The Art of Noticing (sketching, comparison, etc.)
      5. Information on common questions:
        1. some things you might wonder about...
        2. poison ivy
        3. ticks (common typesprevention and further info.)
        4. invasive species
        5. bird identification
    2. Microscope Usage Review
    3. Classroom Community Information
    4. Standards Based Grading
    5. Digital Footprints
    6. Biology Study Tips


    SOURCES FOR RESEARCH:

    1. Media Center Page
    2. Gale Research Page (  maroons    is the password if you're at home)
    3. Current Science News -- Science Daily
    4. Current Science News -- Eurkalert
    5. Science News for Students

    FUTURE/CAREER RESOURCES:

    Volunteering/Internships/Classes
    Career Information (jobs, education required, pay, etc.)
    Biology Careers
    Biology Job Ideas

  • November 9 - November 15

    Monday/Tuesday
    In Class: Creation Reflection, Plant Project, Seeds and Roots
    Homework: Field Study work?


    Wednesday/Thursday

    In Class:  Plant Project, Seeds and Roots
    Homework: You should currently be planted.  If not, you will need to work efficiently tomorrow!

    Friday 
    In Class: Plant Project, Seeds and Roots
    Homework: 

    1. Conclusions and Connections only of the Seeds and Roots document.  It will be assumed you have read the assigned pages in the documents that go with the plant content as we work our way through the documents and activities!
    2. Field Notes#5 and ALL THE REST OF YOUR FIELD STUDY WORK -- due Nov 24.  This includes the final of your EDD!! You will have approximately 30 minutes in class next Friday to finalize presentation work and ask any questions.  RUBRICS FOR EDD AND PRESENTATIONS

    FINAL FIELD STUDY REMINDERS:

    • Be sure you are in one of your 5 pictures taken from the same spot.
    • Add one additional final post with all 5 pictures from the same spot in order from earliest to most recent.  EXAMPLE (but you should appear in one of your 5 photos)
    • Your EDD should be finished and posted/linked/updated on the blog.  Linked as a Google Doc or Presentation is fine AS LONG AS ALL YOUR LINKS ARE ACTIVE AND CLICKABLE AND SHARED WITH EDITING RIGHTS AND IT IS VERY CLEAR WHERE THE DOC IS!!  You will lose credit if I need to request access for any part of your experiment work.
    • Field study work is NOT accepted late.  Please see me BEFORE Nov. 24 if you have questions!
    • FINAL DUE DATE = MONDAY, NOV. 24, 5pm

  • November 16 - November 22

    Monday/Tuesday
    In Class:  Seeds and Roots, Stems and Leaves, Plant Project
    Homework:  

    1. Read pages 685-687 if not already done.
    2. Field study due MONDAY by 5pm including your EDD!  We will spend approximately 30 minutes on EDD presentations in class on Friday.
    FINAL FIELD STUDY REMINDERS:
    FINAL DUE DATE = MONDAY 5pm
    • Be sure you are in one of your 5 pictures taken from the same spot.
    • Add one additional final post with all 5 pictures from the same spot in order from earliest to most recent.  EXAMPLE (but you should appear in one of your 5 photos)

      FINAL DUE DATE = TUESDAY 5pm
    • Your EDD should be finished and posted/linked/updated on the blog.  Linked as a Google Doc or Presentation is fine AS LONG AS ALL YOUR LINKS ARE ACTIVE AND CLICKABLE AND SHARED WITH EDITING RIGHTS AND IT IS VERY CLEAR WHERE THE DOC IS!!   You will lose credit if I need to request access to any part of your experiment information.  RUBRICS FOR EDD PRESENTATIONS
    • Field study work is NOT accepted late.  Please see me BEFORE Nov. 24 if you have questions on field notes or final 5 pics and by Nov 25 with any final EDD questions!


    Wednesday/Thursday
    In Class: Stems and Leaves, Transport, Reproduction
    Homework:

    1. Reminder: It will be assumed you have read the assigned pages in the documents that go with the plant content as we work our way through the documents and activities!  (You should currently be working on Transport...we will continue with that on Monday/Tuesday.)
    2. Stems and Leaves (and Seeds and Roots) cumulative mini quiz
    3. Field study work


    Friday 
    In Class: Quiz, Celery, EDD
    Homework:
    CHANGE DUE TO CELERY
    5pm Monday:  Be sure field study field notes and final post with all 5 pics is completely finished.  
    5pm Tuesday:  Be ready to discuss/check your experimental design presentation in class.  You will have about 30 minutes on Tuesday because of the changes with the celery today.  EDD presentations will be due at 5pm TUESDAY.  Be sure they are clearly linked to your final post on your blog.


  • November 23 - November 29

    This week

    Monday/Tuesday
    In Class:   Plant Projects, EDD, Plant Reproduction (flowers), Transport
    Homework: Happy Thanksgiving!!


    FIELD STUDY PRESENTATIONS: 

    • We will start the hour with the presentations.  
    • You should be totally ready to go when you walk in the door on your assigned day (dates will be listed by Wednesday).  
    • You will present in the order listed.  
    • Your presentation must be between 3 and 5 minutes long (not including class questions) unless you have cleared it with Mrs. O'Brien to be a different length. 
    • Look over the grade sheet!

    December 2 -- 
    December 4 -- 
    December 5 -- 
    December 9 -- 
    December 11 -- 
    December 12 -- 
    December 16 --  
    December 18 = plant project presentations
    December 19 --