Weekly outline
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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!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.
Classroom Syllabus and Guidelines
STANDARDS:
CLASS RESOURCES:
- Class Blogs
- Field Study Guidelines
- Due dates for field notes:
- September 9
- September 28
- October 13
- November 2
- November 23
- September 9
- Art of Noticing
- some things you might wonder about...
- poison ivy
- ticks (common types, prevention and further info.)
- invasive species
- Due dates for field notes:
- Microscope Usage Review
- Data Tables and Graphs in Google Sheets
- Digital Footprints
- Biology Study Tips
SOURCES FOR RESEARCH:
- Media Center Page
- Gale Research Page ( maroons is the password if you're at home)
- Current Science News -- Science Daily
- Current Science News -- Eurkalert
- Science News for Students
FUTURE/CAREER RESOURCES:
Volunteering/Internships/Classes
Career Information (Occupational Outlook Handbook -- jobs, education required, pay, etc.)
- Class Blogs
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Monday -- No Class (Freshmen Only)
Tuesday
In Class: Classroom Community and Guidelines, Safety, Field Study
Assignment:- We will be outdoors for at least parts of the block days (weather permitting) this week and next week. Dress appropriately.
This week: comfortable shoes and clothes you can easily move around and bend in.
Next week: knee high boots or old shoes, waders, clothes that can get wet/muddy, etc. We will be going in the pond. - Finish Student 1st Day Information
- Be sure you finished your summer assignment from Bio A by Friday. Take 2 pictures and be ready to share in Bio B -- one picture of an awe inspiring event/place/organism, etc. and one picture of something that makes you think a little about stewardship. Put your pictures on a slide in the class presentation labeled with awe or stewardship (See the example in the slideshow.) 1st Hour, 4th Hour
- Choose a field study location
Wednesday/Thursday
In Class: Observations, Classroom Community and Guidelines, Field Study
Assignment:- We will be outdoors for next Monday/Tuesday (weather permitting). Dress appropriately. We will be going in the pond. (knee high boots or old shoes, waders, clothes that can get wet/muddy, etc.)
- Be sure you finished your summer assignment from Bio A by Friday. (See Tuesday's assignment)
- Finish Safety if not already done.
- Submit your location AT THIS LINK for your field study work by 5pm Friday.
Friday
In Class: Field Study
Assignment:- Submit your location AT THIS LINK for your field study work by 5pm today.
- Link your blog to your name. (If you did not get this finished in class and have trouble getting it to work, we will help IN CLASS on the Monday/Tuesday block next week.
- Be sure you have read all the instructions for the field study and come ready to ask remaining questions.
- Bring knee high boots or old shoes, waders, clothes that can get wet/muddy, etc. for Wednesday/Thursday.
- We will be outdoors for at least parts of the block days (weather permitting) this week and next week. Dress appropriately.
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Monday/Tuesday
In Class: Biology A Review, Pond Challenge (POND TESTING RESOURCES), Field Study
Assignment:- Review the Biology A Review. Click on any links you need. See Mrs. O'Brien with any last questions. Request flex as necessary.
- Watch Ecology Part 1. Fill in the blank notes presentation or write out your own notes as you watch. Note: The presentation does not have a few slides that are in the video. They contain helpful information but are not required for your Standards assessments.
Wednesday/Thursday
In Class: Ecology Part 1, Pond Challenge
Assignment: Make a visit to your field study location! Birds Eye View Map, Sound Map, and Field Notes for the first visit are due Sept. 9 (Next Wednesday!) Field Study work is NOT accepted late.
Friday -- No School -- Labor Day Weekend -
Field Study Work Due Wednesday by 5pm! Not accepted late! See guidelines and request family flex time if you have questions or need help! Please see me IN PERSON as much as possible if you need help! Thanks!
VIEW YOUR BLOG TO BE SURE EVERYTHING IS WORKING CORRECTLY! ...be sure your blog has your:
- bird's eye view map finished and posted correctly
- sound map
- complete first entry of field notes with all pictures viewable
Monday -- No School (Labor Day)
Tuesday/Wednesday
In Class: Ecology Part 1 Questions, Pond Challenge
Assignment: Ecology Part 2 (fill in the presentation or write your own notes and come with questions!)Thursday/Friday
In Class: Ecology Part 2 Questions, Pond Challenge, Ecosystems and Energy Flow
Assignment:- Watch "What is a Watershed?" if you are unfamiliar with the term "watershed". Look at the map and notice the area of the Macatawa watershed.
- Field Study -- Reminder: VIDEOS You may post directly to Blogger (THIS WAY TAKES TIME TO PROCESS) OR you may save in your Google Drive and LINK to Blogger (Be sure to share so viewers can see it!). SEE ME IF YOU NEED HELP! Due Sept. 28. See your field study guidelines for requirements.
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PLEASE SEE MRS. O'BRIEN IN PERSON WITH ANY FIELD STUDY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT. DO NOT EMAIL. THANKS.
Monday/Tuesday
In Class: Pond Challenge, Project Clarity
Assignment:- Ecology Part 3 (if not already finished)
- Finish Ecosystems and Energy Flow document through Step 5 if not that far in class.
- Review Ecology Part 1, Ecology Part 2 (Energy), and Ecology Part 3 (Pyramids) as necessary. Assessment next week.
- Be sure you have dealt with ANY and ALL Field Study issues/questions before making a second visit!
Wednesday/Thursday
In Class: Lake Mac and Phosphorus, Ecology Part 2 and Ecology Part 3 Questions, Energy and Ecosystems, Pond Challenge Conclusions
Assignment:- Review the Unit 1 Standards and come with questions! Assessment Wednesday/Thursday next week.
- Finish Ecosystems and Energy Flow document if not finished in class.
Thursday/Friday
In Class: Project Clarity, Spring Lake and Pond Conclusions
Assignment:- Finish any part of Pond Challenge not already finished in class.
- Study for Unit 1 Assessment! Test Wed/Thurs next week. Come with any last questions!
- Field Notes and Video due September 28