6/17/10 It's all over now

Everyone that took the Regents test passed the test and the class.  The grades have been posted to Edline.

Have a great summer and a great life.

6/14/10 Final class day

Today is our final class day.  I have posted a review PowerPoint supplied by another teacher at this site.  I showed part of it in class.  If you want some additional review, download it and review.  Make sure that you know all the scientific words. 

The Regents test will be in the gym on Wednesday June 16 at noon.  Be on time and bring 2 pencils and 2 pens.

6/2/10 Review & Final test coming

In class today, we will start by completing a survey for the NSF priject that allowed us to have Emily in class.  Go to http://eng.rpi.edu/GK12 There is a tab on the top that says “Student Survey”. This will take you to a new page where you will click on a link to access the survey.Each person should complete the survey. 

Students should collect their lab reports and bring them into class on Friday.  These reports must be on file, according to NYS guidelines.

There will be an in class final test on Monday and Tuesday June 7 & 8. This will include material from the entire year.This should help serve as final review.  It will count as a quarter test.  Additionally, any student that scores higher than they did on the midterm will geplace their midterm score with this score.  This test can really improve your grades, you should take it seriously.

The Regents test will be given on Wednesday June 16 at Noon.  Students will have 3 hours to complete the test. 

The makeup for the Ecology test is online at Castle Learning.  You will have until Wednesday, June 9, class time, to complete it.  If you score 80% or above and higher on this than your Ecology test, both of your grades will be averaged to give you your final grade.

5/24/10 End of Year Schedule

Today we will be working on an Ecology project for presentation tomorrow. Go to this site for instructions.

• On Tuesday June 1, 2010 we will take out final unit test on Ecology. A makeup will be posted on Castle Learning .
• On Monday and Tuesday June 7 & 8, we will take a class final test. This will include material from the entire year. It will count as a test grade for the fourth quarter. Additionally, it can count as a makeup for the midterm. If students score higher on this test than the midterm test, I will replace their midterm score with this one. There will be no makeup for this test.
• On Thursday, 5/27, we will do our final lab of the year. This will be the NYS lab on making connections.
• The Regents test is on Wednesday June 16 at noon.
  

Students that have to make up labs can use this list to help search for the actual labs in order to make up any missing lab reports. All lab reports must be turned in by June 1 and be satisfactorily done to be eligible for the Regents test. I have calculated that students may be missing up to 4 labs and still have enough lab time to take the test. Students have been notified in class as to which labs they are missing.

5/21/10 Energy Pyramids

We took the state field test in Living Environment. This is a NYS test to asses the questions that will be used on future Living Environment Regents tests. It is not scored for a class grade.

Students that have to make up labs can use this list to help search for the actual labs in order to make up any missing lab reports. All lab reports must be turned in by June 1 and be satisfactorily done to be eligible for the Regents test. I have calculated that students may be missing up to 4 labs and still have enough lab time to take the test. Students have been notified in class as to which labs they are missing.

Notes for the unit, Populations & Communities, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing.
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing.
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 41 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 11 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on Populations & Communities unit.

Homework

• Students should complete for Monday:

1.

1. Observe a system that includes living things.
-Backyard
-Pond
-Aquarium/terrarium
2. Construct a diagram to show the relationships between the living and non-living things.
At least 12 things must be listed, with at least 3 abiotic

• Finish the worksheet on Populations & Communities. This workshet will be due on Monday 5/24.
  
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The final May project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you do both projects you can get credit. This must be completed by Tuesday 6/1.

5/17/10 Biomes

We went over the first of four sections of the Ecology unit as we discussed biomes.

Notes for the unit, Ecology , are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing.
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing.
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 111 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 17 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Ecology unit.

Students that have to make up labs can use this list to help search for the actual labs in order to make up any missing lab reports. All lab reports must be turned in by June 1 and be satisfactorily done to be eligible for the Regents test. I have calculated that students may be missing up to 4 labs and still have enough lab time to take the test. Students have been notified in class as to which labs they are missing.

Notes for the unit, Populations & Communities, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing.
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing.
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 41 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 11 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on Populations & Communities unit.

Homework

• The worksheet on Ecology is due on Wednesday, 5/19.
• Begin the worksheet on Populations & Communities. This workshet will be due on Monday 5/24.
  
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• Students should read and review the section on evolution in their review books. They should answer the question in the back of the unit "Questions for Regents Practice" p 92 - 96. This is due on Friday 5/21.
  
• The first May project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you do both projects you can get credit. This must be completed by Tuesday 5/18.

5/14/10 Ecology

We are doing the Ecology unit. Notes for the unit, Ecology , are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing.
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing.
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 111 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 17 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Ecology unit.

Students that have to make up labs can use this list to help search for the actual labs in order to make up any missing lab reports. All lab reports must be turned in by June 1 and be satisfactorily done to be eligible for the Regents test. I have calculated that students may be missing up to 4 labs and still have enough lab time to take the test. Students have been notified in class as to which labs they are missing.

Homework

• The worksheet on Ecology is due on Wednesday, 5/19.
  
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The first May project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you do both projects you can get credit. This must be completed by Tuesday 5/18.

5/13/10 Medicine Man

Today we started watching the movie "Medicine Man" starring Sean Connery. This movie is an excellent portrayal of the interactions of man and the environment and directly applies to many of the concepts that we will be addressing in the Ecology section.

This is a list of the labs that we have done, to date. Students that have to make up labs can use this list to help search for the actual labs in order to make up any missing lab reports. All lab reports must be turned in by June 1 and be satisfactorily done to be eligible for the Regents test. I have calculated that students may be missing up to 4 labs and still have enough lab time to take the test. Students have been notified in class as to which labs they are missing.

Egg Osmo = Egg Osmosis lab

Skin Cel = Skin Cell Lab

Diff Mem = Diffusion through a Membrane

Elodea = L Elodea leaf cells

Enzyme = Lab Enzymes & Jello

Pulse & = Lab Pulse & Respiration

Blood Ce = Lab Blood Cells

Reaction = Reaction Time

L T/TSH = Lab thyroxine feedback simulation

Reflex = Reflex arc lab

Urine = Urine analysis lab

Infec = Simulating infection epidemic

PPt Imm = Powerpoint Immunity

Flipbook = Mitosis flipbook

Mitosis = Microscopic mitosis

Mit Mei = Mitosis & meiosis table simulation

Flower = Flower dissection

Visembry = Visembryo

DNA Ori = DNA origami

DNA Stra = Extracting DNA from strawberry

Mend Gen = Mendelian Genetics Coin toss

Pedig = Pedigree

Karyo = Karyotypine simulation

Blood Ty = Simulated Blood Typing

Rel&Bio = Relationships & biodiversity Pt1

5/12/10 Ecology

Today we will start the ecology unit. This is the last section of material we will cover this year.
For today we will be working on a data sheet in class. You should use the Internet to fill out the information and bring it into class for a reference. It is important that you find correct answers and do not merely fill in something to make it look like you did something.
The sheet has six categories that you should fill out for each of seven biomes:
Rainfall is the average amount of rain per year and whether the environment is wet/dry or intermediate
Sunlight is the way light fluctuates throughout the year. Everywhere on Earth averages about 12 hours of sun per day, but some locations have about the same, each day, all year long and some vary considerably.
Temperature; again you should note the way temperatures vary throughout the year and if there are daily fluctuations.
Soil conditions refers to whether the soil is rich (good for growing) or poor (bad for growing). You might be surprised be some of these findings.
Fauna means the kinds of animals that are characteristically found in the area.
Flora means the kinds of plants that are characteristically found in the area.

5/10/10 Tests Returned

The Genetics & Inheritance tests were returned today and the labs on Relationships & Biodiversity were collected.

The makeup for the Genetics & Inheritance test is online. Log into Castle Learning to take the test. students have until class time on Monday, 5/17, to complete this test. If you score 80% or above and higher on this than your Genetics & Inheritance test, both of your grades will be averaged to give you your final grade.

We will continue the Biotechnology unit. Notes for the unit, Biotechnology , are be available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Worksheet on the Biotechnology unit. This worksheet must be completed for Wednesday, 5/12.

Homework

• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The first May project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you do both projects you can get credit. This must be completed by Sunday 5/2.

5/6/10 Field trip today, Test Friday

Today, most students will go on a field trip to RPI and the Albany Museum
Friday - Take the test on Genetics & Inheritance

Students that don't go on the trip have several options. They can choose to review for the test with resources outlined below, or they can do a makeup assignment to get participation credit for the missed field trip. For the makeup they should go to the Albany Museum site and pick three of the exhibits that you choose to write on. You may pick from any current or ongoing exhibits. You will then write a 250 word review of three different articles. This must be in your own handwriting to recieve credit. If you submit a typed paper, no matter how complete, you will not receive credit. You should write about the exhibits, not only as it is described on the museum site, but you should look up additional information about this material. You must site at least two sources for each of the three exhibits you write about. This will be due on Monday, 5/10.

We have finished the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Human Genetics & Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 4 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit.
  

We will finished the Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Color notes with 2 slides per page, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in B&W, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint with all media and a viewer in compressed (approx 8 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 10 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Inheritance unit.

5/4/10 Genetics & Inheritance test coming

This week we will:
Tuesday - review for the test on Friday Students may select from the materials listed below to review in class, or on their own. I recommend using the textbook links to enhance the material. The worksheets are also a good place to work on review. It is important that you have correct answers to these questions. If you are going to study from the worksheets, make sure your answers are correct. Additionally, these sites may be useful:

Genetics Worksheet – Types of Inheritance

Using karyotypes to predict genetic disorder with animations

Genetically Inherited Human Disorders
Genetics Basics

Wednesday - Finish the chemical tests from the Relationships & Biodiversity Lab
Thursday - Go on the field trip to RPI and the Albany Museum
Friday - Take the test on Genetics & Inheritance

We have finished the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Human Genetics & Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 4 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit.
  

We will finished the Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Color notes with 2 slides per page, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in B&W, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint with all media and a viewer in compressed (approx 8 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 10 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Inheritance unit.

4/28/10 Relationships & Biodiversity

We began the state lab on Relationships & Biodiversity. This lab cannot be posted, but all students got a copy. We did tests 1-3, 6 & 7. Students should write up these results and the report on these parts is due on Monday, 5/3. The lab reports will then be returned and we will do tests 4 & 5 on Wednesday.

Field Trip:
We will be going to RPI and the Albany Museum on Thursday 5/6. This is al all day trip. Students must get their permission slips signed and filled out and back to me, or they will not be allowed to go on the trip. At RPI we will be given a tour of the biotechnology labs. At the Albany Museum students will have a choice of viewing many exhibits, including the Cohoes Mastodon, the Adirondack Wilderness, Ancient Life of New York - A Billion Years of Earth History, Native Peoples of New York and many other exhibits.


We will continue the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Human Genetics & Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 4 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Thursday, 4/29.

Homework

• Do the worksheet on human genetics. This worksheet will be due on 4/29.
  
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The second April project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you have not done the first project you must do this one to get credit. This must be completed by Sunday 5/2.

4/22/10 Karyotyping lab

We will finished the Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Color notes with 2 slides per page, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in B&W, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint with all media and a viewer in compressed (approx 8 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 10 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Friday, 4/23.

We will finished the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Human Genetics & Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 4 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Thursday, 4/29.

Homework

• Write up lab on blood typing. This will be due on Friday, 4/23. If you missed the in class blood typing demo, or want some extra practice and information, you can go to this link and get information. For the lab use sample #1 as Mr Smith, sample #2 as Ms Brown, sample #3 as Mr Green and sample #5 as Mr Jones.
• The worksheet on the Inheritance unit is also due on 4/23.
  
• We did a lab on Karyotyping. This lab should be completed for Monday, 4/26.
• Do the worksheet on human genetics. This worksheet will be due on 4/29.
  
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The second April project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you have not done the first project you must do this one to get credit. This must be completed by Sunday 5/2.

The Strawberry DNA lab and a makeup can be found here.

4/21/10 Blood Typing & Human Genetics

We did a demonstration lab on blood typing. If you missed the in class demo, or want some extra practice and information, you can go to this link and get information. For the lab use sample #1 as Mr Smith, sample #2 as Ms Brown, sample #3 as Mr Green and sample #5 as Mr Jones.

We will finished the Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Color notes with 2 slides per page, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in B&W, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint with all media and a viewer in compressed (approx 8 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 10 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Friday, 4/23.

We will finished the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Human Genetics & Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Notes 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black and white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire presentation, with the media and a viewer in compressed (approx 16 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 4 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Human Genetics & Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Thursday, 4/29.

Homework

• Write the report for the lab on pedigrees. This will be due on Thursday, 4/22.
• Write up lab on blood typing. This will be due on Friday, 4/23.
  
• Do the worksheet on human genetics. This worksheet will be due on
• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The second April project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month. If you have not done the first project you must do this one to get credit. This must be completed by Sunday 5/2.

The Strawberry DNA lab and a makeup can be found here.

4/20/10 Inheritance

We will continue the Inheritance unit. Notes for the unit, Inheritance, are available in several formats:

• Color notes with 2 slides per page, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in B&W, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint with all media and a viewer in compressed (approx 8 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 10 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheet on the Inheritance unit. This worksheet must be completed for Thursday, April 29.
  

4/19/10 Genetics Webquest

Today we will be doing a webquest in genetics. Click on the link and you will download a copy of a document Webquest to explore Mendelian genetics.
make sure to save the downloaded file to your working directory with the proper name, "Mendel WQ name(s)".

This is the document that you will have to add your answers to and submit via email to aphsbio at gmail.com. Please format the email subject line and your document title correctly, as explained in the handout. Students should complete this project in class today. Be sure to email the document when completed , or at the end of class. The name of this document should be "Mendel WQ name(s)" and this should be in the subject line of your email along with your name(s). Be sure to open your email, in another window, before the end of the period so that you can quickly send the document at the end of the class. This must be sent today, by the end of class.

4/16/10 Testing

The makeup for the DNA - Genes unit test is online. Log into Castle Learning to take the test. You have until class time on Thursday to complete this test. If you score 80% or above and higher on this than your DNA - Genes test, both of your grades will be averaged to give you your final grade.

4/12/10 Genes

We will have a test on Wednesday 4/14/10. The test will stress the material from the DNA and Genes units.

We will continue the Genes unit. Notes for the unit, Genes, are available in several formats:

• 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black & white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint presentation with media included and a viewer in compressed (approx 23 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 6 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheets for the Genes unit. This worksheet must be completed for Friday, April 18. Note: this material will be included on the Wednesday test.
  

We finished the DNA unit. Notes for the unit, DNA , are available in several formats:

• 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black & white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint presentation with media included and a viewer in compressed (approx 7 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 7 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheets for the DNA unit. This worksheet must be completed for Monday , March 29.

Homework:

• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The First April project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month.

3/30/10 DNA Transcription & Translation

Click on the link and you will download a copy of a document Webquest to explore the processes of transcription & translation . This is the document that you will have to add your answers to and submit via email to aphsbio at gmail.com. Please format the email subject line and your document title correctly, as explained in the handout. Students should complete this project in class today. Answers must be in full sentences, written on a manner to include information to make a complete thought. Be sure to email the document when completed , or at the end of class. The nams of this document should be "DNA pt1 WQ" and this should be in the subject line of your email along with your name(s). Be sure to open your email, in another window, before the end of the period so that you can quickly send the document at the end of the class.

We will continued the DNA unit. Notes for the unit, DNA , are available in several formats:

• 2 slides per page in color, large format for viewing
• 6 slides per page in black & white, for economical printing
• 3 slides per page in black & white with room for notes on one side.
  
• The entire PowerPoint presentation with media included and a viewer in compressed (approx 7 MB) format.
• Link to a textbook for the current unit (approx 7 MB)that follows the course presented in class.
• Worksheets for the DNA unit. This worksheet must be completed for Monday , March 29.

Homework:

• Continue to enter data for the long term data collection project.
• The Second March project is online. You are required to do one of the two projects, each month.