week of 8 June

Hi all,
   So...here we go!!!  I'm sad that our time together is ending and it's hard to believe it's here already.  This week is pretty straightforward:

Monday and Tuesday = work time in class -- use this to do any of the following:

     • finish up any work owed -- please note -- ANY MISSING WORK needs to be turned in by Monday 15 June or I will not grade it.  I need time to grade missing work before grades close.

     • I am grading the unit 10 questions as "d for done" -- giving them a quick scan and you get full
credit as long as it looks like you gave it a good shot.  Am posting a key in our room so you can check your answers.

Thursday = take your final!  Please be here by 9 AM.  It is OK if you run over, so please don't stress about time.  Please note that I will be here by 8AM for any type of help you need and that I am happy to stay after on Wednesday if you need me.

AFT -- be here if you need it!!!! Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Food Web/Matter Cycle poster -- Monday 8 June
• Final Exam -- Thursday 11 June at 9 AM

week of 25 May & 1 June

Hey all,
  So we are really rounding the final turn and entering the homestretch here!  As I've probably said before, I will miss working with all of you.  While I certainly welcome and relish my summer vacation time, I always am sad to see my students go.  You all are truly the best aspect of my job and it gives me joy to work with you.  :)

  I thought I'd write for next week too, since that is the last week where you'll be doing new work.

  Here's the week of 25 May:

• Tuesday = do Biodiversity lab -- get data + work on questions

      ****NOTE****
the formula we provided for % change is INCORRECT in the version I initially shared with you!!!!  It has now been fixed in the document in your folder, but if you've made a copy, I want to make sure you know what the correct version is.  Here is the CORRECT formula:

       Percent change = ((final # - initial #)/initial #) x 100%

If you do it as originally written (initial - final/initial) x 100% doesn't make sense as it will generate + % changes in situations where you know the number is going down and vice versa.

• Thursday = discuss ecosystem ecology and start working with food webs

  Here's the week of 1 June:

• Monday = A - Z word root test + time to work if you have leftover time

• Wednesday + Thursday = time to work on Food Web project and Biome Builder

As ever, please come to AFT if you need help.  Thanks, Ms. Leary

PLEASE NOTE:  regarding the evolution test corrections, I am entering this in the gradebook as out of 10 points, but excluding it from your grade.  This allows me to note how people did on it without affecting your grade.  Once all the points for the semester are totaled up, we will figure out how many points the extra credit is actually worth.  Talk to me if confused OK?

DUE DATES:

• Biodiversity Lab - graph and follow up qs -- Thursday 28 May
• A-Z word root test -- Monday 1 June
• Biome Builder -- Thursday 4 June
• Unit 10 Reading questions -- Thursday 4 June
• Food Web project -- Monday 8 June
• Final Exam (cumulative 2nd semester) -- Thursday 11 June

week of 18 May

Hi all,
  So this week we actually have a full week of school!  Wow!  Let's make the most of it.  The following is the plan for the week, plus updated due dates.  I will fix our due date board in the room today too.

Monday = finish population ecology, discuss r- and K-strategists, work on deer lab

Wednesday = notes on community ecology

Thursday = Nature video on beavers and their impact as keystone species in their ecosystems...very well done!

NOTE:  here is the link to the "Leave it to Beavers" movie since we missed the last 6 minutes or so.  It is worth finishing as they do a nice job showing the interdependent dynamics inside the lodge during the winter.  Plus the scenery is lovely.  I hope you enjoyed the movie.  :)
Nature: Leave it to Beavers

As ever, please come to AFT if you are missing work and/or need help.  Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

•Deer & Human population growth "lab" -- Thursday 21 May
• S - Z word root definitions -- Thursday 21 May
• Evolution test corrections -- Thursday 21 May (OPTIONAL S 2 EXTRA CREDIT)
• A - Z word root test -- Monday 1 June
• Biome Builder -- Thursday 4 June
• Food Web project -- Monday 8 June
• Final Exam -- Thursday 11 June

week of 4 & 11 May

Hi everyone,

  I forgot to do the blog last week.  Sorry about that.  Then I wrote this on Friday and posted the wrong thing!  Excellent work on my part.  The information below is now correct.  Really!

Week of 4 May:

Monday = Evolution test
Wednesday = Excerpts from "Emperor of All Maladies"
Thursday = Brief work with Taxonomy/Classification

Week of 11 May:  short week b/c of half day on Wednesday

Tuesday = start the ecology unit
Wednesday = long AFT -- PLEASE come in if you are missing work!!! The end of the year will be here before you know it!
Thursday = I-R quiz + continue population ecology

I'm going to list all major due dates for the rest of the year below. As always, please come to AFT to get caught up/get help.  Have a great weekend!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• I-R quiz -- Thursday 14 May
• Population graph practice -- Thursday 14 May
• S - Z word root definitions -- Thursday 21 May
• Evolution test corrections -- Thursday 21 May (OPTIONAL S 2 EXTRA CREDIT)
• A - Z word root test -- Monday 1 June
• Biome Builder -- Thursday 4 June
• Food Web project -- Monday 8 June
• Final Exam -- Thursday 11 June

week of 4 & 11 May

Hi everyone,
  So this week totally got away from me!  Sorry about that.  I figure at this point I'll just post retroactively about this week and then do next week.

  This week -- Monday  you took the evolution test, Wednesday we watched excerpts from "The Emperor of All Maladies" and Thursday we did a quick review of how and why taxonomy is used.

   Week of 11 May -- another weird week as Wednesday is a half day so I'll only see you 2x.  I totally forgot to mention the I-R quiz so it is NOT on Monday, it is on Thursday!!!

Monday 11 May = start ecology unit with basic terminology and potentially starting population ecology.

Wednesday = long AFT -- come on in!  Would love to help you out.

Thursday 14 May = I-R quiz and then continue ecology if time

As ever, come to AFT for help!  My apologies about the I-R quiz totally slipping my mind.  I'm sure you'll recover from the blow though as it gives you more time to study!  :) Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• I-R quiz -- Thursday 14 May

week of 27 April

Hey all,
  Good to see you today!  So this week we are finishing up the evolution unit by doing the tiger lab to demonstrate whether a population is undergoing natural selection.  Wednesday and Thursday are essentially work days, with Thursday's focus being test review.

  As you hopefully remember, the evolution test is next Monday.  As always, please come to AFT if you need any help!

  Less than 8 weeks before the end of the year!  It is going to fly by.  While I of course always enjoy the advent of summer vacation, I will miss having you all as my class.  :)  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Evolution Unit questions - Weds 29 April
• Inner Fish Activity -- Thursday 20 April
• Evolution test - Monday 4 May

week of 13 April

Hi everyone,
  Today you did the human natural selection game and we talked about the three different types of evolution.  On Wednesday and Thursday we will look at some video clips on coevolution, talk about types of natural selection and also talk about speciation.

  As always, come to AFT if you need help!  No homework due directly after vacation as you have your usual homework:  you take a break, I take a break and we come back ready to work.  :)  Ms. L

NOTE:  to clarify about work due this week -- by the end of the day on Friday is fine.  However, be aware that I am going to blast out of here ASAP at the end of the day!!!! I will NOT be hanging around on Friday so please don't tell me you "came by at 3 to hand it in, but you weren't here".  That work would be counted late!

DUE DATES:
• Evolution Stations revisit -- Thursday 16 April (or before you leave for vacation)
• Human Natural Selection game -- Thursday 16 April (or before you leave for vacation)
• Evolution Unit questions -- Weds 29 April
• Evolution Unit test -- Monday 4 May

week of 6 April

Hi there,
  This week we'll continue with our evolution unit, beginning with watching the video "What Darwin Never Knew" in its entirety.  While it is lengthy, we feel that the information presented in it is very useful and the video is well done, so worth the time.  I hope you agree!  Thursday you'll be revisiting the evolution stations assignment for a follow up assignment.
  Remember AFT if you need help!  Please be keeping up with your reading and reading questions.  AFT is a great time to get help on these!  Also remember O-R defs are due on Thursday.  This week I'm doing one of those put all due dates even if they are far off...remember if that stresses you out, just ignore the distant ones.  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• O-R definitions due Thursday 9 April
• Evolution Stations revisit due Thursday 16 April (or before you leave for vacation)
• Vacation = relax and HAVE FUN -- remember you get/do no work and I do the same!!!!
• Evolution Unit questions due Weds 29 April
• Evolution test Monday 4 May

week of 31 March

Hi all,
  Sorry am only posting now after we've already had 2/3 of our class for the week.  As I mentioned in class, I'm really struggling with migraines lately and am behind and overwhelmed.  I thank you in advance for your indulgence of my potentially very slow grading!

  This week:  Monday we talked about the tenets of Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Make sure you understand this!  As I said today, this is THE CENTRAL idea of biological science.  As Theodosius Dobzhansky said in the title of a famous 1973 paper on evolution, "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution." I heartily concur!  Wednesday we talked about the evidence for evolution and tomorrow you will take the quiz on the Blind Watchmaker excerpt.

  As ever, please come to AFT if you need help!  Thanks, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• Evolution Stations assignment was due Weds 1 April
• Genetics test corrections (optional) due Thursday 2 April
• Blind Watchmaker reading quiz Thursday 2 April
• Blind Watchmaker questions by Friday 3 April
• O - R word root definitions Thursday 9 April
• Evolution Unit reading questions Wednesday 29 April

week of 23 March

Hey everyone,

  I won't be in class tomorrow.  Got sick Friday afternoon and am still down for the count. See you on Wednesday if you want to come to AFT, otherwise, see you Thursday for the Ax day.  Please read the plans for Monday's class!  Remember, we have AFT 3 times this week, Weds for a whole morning, so you've got lots of time to get help if you need it.

MONDAY -- time to work on the evolution stations assignment.  You may work with a partner or in a small group of three on this.  Here's how it works:

• there are 6 different folders (labeled station 1 - 6) each dealing with a different aspect of         evolution
• please note there are several of each folder -- only do each station once!
• it doesn't matter which folder you start with, they do not depend on each other
• I highly suggest doing this as a googledoc which you can then just share with me
• your task in this assignment is to work with the data provided in each folder (pictures, data set) and then answer the questions in each folder

          -- please notice that some of the questions are factual and/or ask for specific observations -- I will grade these for accuracy and detail
          -- some of the questions are asking you what you think about how the data relates to evolution
-- on these questions, I am grading you based on how well you've explained your thinking and how well you have used evidence from the station to back up your thoughts

• don't panic if you don't finish today!  THIS IS NOT DUE ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't recall any of  the due dates right now and will update when I'm back at school, but this is definitely NOT due on 26 March!!

WEDNESDAY -- AFT all AM...feel free to come in if you want.  That could be a time where you start working on test corrections for the genetics test

THURSDAY -- Ax day -- more time for the stations + I will give you the final non-fiction reading for the year and you can start working on that if you want


Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Evolution stations -- Monday 30 March (unless you need Weds AFT of next week in which case, tell me)
• Genetics test corrections by Thursday 2 April
• Blind Watchmaker (last non-fiction reading) reading questions (required unless you did the
        Emperor assignment) due Thursday 2 April (OK to give me on Friday if you need another AFT)
• Blind Watchmaker quiz Thursday 2 April

week of 16 March

Hello everyone,

   This week we are finishing genetics and then transitioning to the evolution unit via a discussion of population genetics.  I'll also be talking about possible science course selections for the next two years.  There may be in-class time to work on test corrections this week.  That depends on whether or not I can give you the tests this week, as there are people who haven't taken it yet.  I'll be giving you the new unit guide tomorrow.

   Monday = test as you obviously know!

   Wednesday = talk about course offerings, start Hardy-Weinberg materials (population genetics)

   Thursday = finish talking about Hardy-Weinberg, possibly start evolution

  As always please come to AFT if you need help, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• Genetics Extension activity - Weds 18 March
• Test corrections - genetics test - TBD -- I will update this...

test for Monday -- ADDENDUM -- PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS FOR TEST ON MONDAY!!!!!!

Hi there,

   I forgot to discuss these two terms (pleiotropy and polygenic inheritance) with you in class due to my extreme stress in coming back from Guatemala.  You are responsible for understanding this material!  I don't think these are very confusing, but please come to AFT for help tomorrow if you need it.  I'm sorry that I omitted this, I am overwhelmed by stress lately and it is causing me to make mistakes. Ms. Leary

Please notice that pleiotropy and polygenic inheritance are essentially the converse to each other.

pleiotropy = one gene influences multiple characteristics

Ex: sickle-cell anemia allele (SCA) is a recessive blood disease. People with SCA (homozygous recessive) experience many different affects from weakness to heart failure to brain damage to kidney failure.  Not everyone who has SCA will express all of these affects in their phenotype. There is no set way that SCA manifests in a person.

please see fig 9.14

polygenic inheritance = one characteristic affected by many genes

Ex: skin color…as far as we understand it now, looks like ≥ 3 genes control  skin color (A, B, and C). Someone who is AABBCC is very dark-skinned and someone who is aabbcc is very light skinned and then there is a huge gamut in between .

please see figure fig 9.15

ALSO NOTE: there are NO questions on mitosis or cancer on this test!!!!

week of 9 March

Hey all,

Sorry I forgot to post yesterday.  It turned out to be a very hectic day and posting just slipped my mind!  I do have one due date change that I want to put out there right away -- please note that the Genetics Extension assignment is NOW DUE next Wednesday 18 March.  I don't think you'll mind this change?  If you are dying to hand it in this Thursday, feel free!  :)

  Here's this week:

Monday -- you know, b/c it already happened!

Weds -- short day, time to work on Genetics Extension assignment

Thursday -- study for test/ask for help and/or work on Genetics Extension assignment

As always, please come to AFT if you need help.  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Genetics test -- Monday 16 March
• Genetics Extension assignment -- Wednesday 20 March -- NOTE NEW DUE DATE!!!!!!

week of 2 March

Hi all,
  I am doing this early as I just found out I need to be out on Monday to take care of a family matter (nothing dire, don't worry), so I wanted to post today.   Here's the plan for next week:

Monday - I have put a pedigree tutorial in your folder.  You should use class time to work on this (working together fine) and trying the practice problems.  I've also left another set of practice problems (dihybrid, incomplete dominance, etc) with the sub.  Keys are available for both so you can check to see how it's going.  You need to show the sub that you are done with a problem set BEFORE consulting the key.

Weds - I - N quiz and then time to work on genetics packet
Thursday - time to work on the genetics packet

Regarding the genetics packet, if you feel ready to pick it up and get started on it Tuesday, feel free to stop by Tuesday after school.  Otherwise I will hand it out in class Weds.  If you are having trouble with ANY of these problems, don't get the packet until you've seen me in AFT OK?

Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• I - N quiz - Weds 4 March
• Genetics packet - Monday 9 March
• Genetics stations activity (you don't have this yet) - Thurs 12 March
• Genetics test - Monday 16 March


P.S.  Here's a link to a story about two very unusual twins!  Courtesy of Mrs. Magnuson.  Thought you'd be interested. Unusual twin story

week of 23 February

Hi there,
  It was wonderful to see all of you today!  While I didn't miss the workload of teaching, I did miss my students very much and am happy to reconnect with you all.  :)

  This week we'll be covering meiosis and then starting genetics.  Have your mitosis/meiosis thing done for class on Weds and I'll check it for a homework credit.  Then we'll do a quick review and start genetics.  If you want to get ahead of the game, you can start defining the terms on the "HBio - Genetics Terms" sheet, up through dihybrid cross.  I will do these quickly and having a base will help you follow along.

  Then we'll be discussing a variety of genetics problems (monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, sex-linked traits, codominance, incomplete dominance) and working with pedigrees.  You will get many, ungraded practice problems leading up to a graded practice set.  The exam on the genetics unit is on 16 March.  I will get the unit guide into your folder by next class.

  Please be patient with me vis a vis grading.  The Guatemala trip was INTENSE and I am still processing it.  I think grading will go slowly.  Thanks for understanding this.

  As always, come to AFT if you need help!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• I-N word root quiz - Weds 4 March
• Genetics packet (graded) - Monday 9 March
• Genetics station activity - Thursday 12 March
• Genetics exam - Monday 16 March

week of 2 February updated due dates & week of 9 Feb plans

Hi all,

  I apologize for my ineptitude in assigning due dates/dates of quizzes etc.  Thank you to those of you who noticed my mistakes!  I am listing all the assignments again below...the due dates are now CORRECT!!!

  The assignment for The Emperor of All Maladies is now in your folder along with the notes on cancer.  Please feel free to ask Mrs. Harder for help on the cancer stuff and the cell cycle stuff.

   Here are the plans for the week:

Monday and Wednesday = work periods...work on whatever is most helpful to you bearing in mind the due dates below

Thursday = take the quiz and then use the rest of the period for work.  Please be mindful of being quiet after the quiz until everyone is done.

  Have a good week!  Remember you have no homework over vacation unless you have chosen to wait on the Emperor reading assignment.  My usual assignment applies -- stay safe, have fun, rest up, enjoy time with friends and family!  See you on the 23rd, Ms. L



DUE DATES:
• Cell lab - Weds 11 February
• Cell Type & Function activity - Wednesday 11 Feb
• Unit 7 reading questions - Thursday 12 Feb
• Emperor of All Maladies reading + unit 7 questions quiz - (NOT optional) - Thursday 12 Feb
• Emperor of All Maladies reading assignment (OPTIONAL non-fiction #1) - by the end of the day Friday 13 Feb (or Tuesday 24 February, see above)
• I - N word root definitions - Monday 23 Feb
• I - N word root quiz - Weds 4 March

week of 2 February - animations to help with class on Thursday

Hi everyone,

  Well, another week, another snow storm and yet more time we're missing!  Glad we're not there today as it is bitterly cold and the roads are bad.  Anyway, I'll explain how things will be modified via the blog after I chat with Mrs. Harder and Mrs. Magnuson tomorrow.  We'll still be doing the cell lab in class tomorrow.

  Thursday (week is now A, B, Ax, Bx) we'll talk about the cell cycle and DNA replication.  I am linking several animations below and highly suggest that you view these a couple of times before we meet Thursday as well as reading the relevant sections in the book.  I am going to go fast with the assumption that I am reviewing what you've already studied on your own.  Keep track of questions/areas of confusion so you can ask in class!

  Feel free to come to AFT both Thursday and Friday to work on the cell lab.  It is NOT due Wednesday, will determine the new due date after conferring with the other teachers.

  See you tomorrow, Ms. L

ANIMATION LINKS:

NOTE:  for both of the cell cycle animations, don't worry so much about the names of stages of mitosis (prophase, etc)...rather focus on what is happening with the chromosomes

Cell Cycle animation (mitosis)

Cell Cycle animation (mitosis) -- another version -- this does a nice job showing how DNA becomes chromosomes

DNA replication (+ some cell cycle & DNA wrapping)  -- please note there is terminology here that you are not responsible for (e.g. Okazaki fragments)

DNA replication in real time (some overlap with other at beginning) -- note -- stop at 3:21 as after that it is the protein synthesis stuff you've already seen

update for week of 26 January + week of 2 February

Hi everyone,
  I was very vague about due dates and process this week when we met for our one day!  Sorry about that, I got really thrown off by the snow days.  Anyway, here is an updated view of what next week will look like, when things are due etc...

  I have put the cell parts unit guide (unit 6) into your folder.  Most of this you've already done and tested on on the midterm, but I wanted to make sure you had it.  There are no reading questions for this unit b/c of the midterm.  I also put in the unit guide for unit 7 (cell cycle + cancer) and the reading questions for that unit in your folder.  We'll be starting this material next week.

  During the week of 2 February, we are now doing this:

Tuesday A = cell lab  -- please note new due date is Weds 11 Feb
    • you will have work time in class on Monday 9 Feb if you need it for the cell lab, plus 2 AFTs this week, study halls, after school, AFT next Weds

Thursday Ax = notes on mitosis and cell cycle (and potentially cancer, though I doubt we'll get there)
    NOTE: Watching the animations before class on Thursday will really help you!


 Depending on time, I may need to just provide the notes on cancer to you as a handout depending on how time goes.  If that happens, please use Mrs. Harder as a resource to help you understand the material  You'll also be getting the non-fiction reading for this quarter, an excerpt from the book Emperor of All Maladies which is about cancer.  That assignment (if you choose to do it) will be due by the time you leave for vacation so you don't have homework over the vacation.  If you get really stuck on the reading and want to wait to talk to me, I will take the assignment on Tuesday 24 February, so you can talk to me that Monday.

  I'm laying out all the deadlines into early March.  If this is overwhelming to you, just take it one step at a time.  I want to do this as I will not update the blog when I am in Guatemala!

  As always, see me if you need help!   Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• Cell lab - Weds 11 February
• Cell Type & Function activity - Wednesday 11 Feb
• Unit 7 reading questions - Friday 13 Feb
• Emperor of All Maladies reading + unit 7 questions quiz - (NOT optional) - Friday 13 Feb
• Emperor of All Maladies reading assignment (OPTIONAL non-fiction #1) - by the end of the day Friday 13 Feb (or Tuesday 24 February, see above)
• I - N word root definitions - Monday 23 Feb
• I - N word root quiz - Weds 4 March

week of 26 Jan

Hi all,
  You'll notice your midterm grades are entered.  The only thing I haven't finalized is the point values for the extra credit, so your grade may go up by a little bit.  If you didn't do the extra credit, your grade is done.

  This week we'll be continuing with the cell unit.  I'll get the unit guide into your folder by the end of the week.  Need to check it and unfortunately have another bad headache today so am limiting computer time.  Depending on the snowstorm, you'll either have one or two days of class this week.

  We'll be starting to work on a cell lab and you'll also be getting a cell observation project.  I'll explain all of this when I see you.  For now, enjoy the break from working for our class!

  See you when the weather allows!  Ms. L

week of 12 January

Hi everyone,

  No new work this week!  Just focus on getting ready for the midterm exam.  I will see many of you on Wednesday at some point during the AFT "extravaganza"!  Remember we have AFT Thursday and Friday as well, plus all of Thursday's class is time for midterm review, so you have lots of time to get help if you need it!

  All work due this week is optional, though HIGHLY suggested!  The cell parts and functions questions and the cell questions are due by the end of the day today, and the protein test corrections are due by Thursday the 15th.

  Also MISSING WORK????? If you have any missing work, I need it by Tuesday 20 Jan or I will not grade it.  Please check the gradebook to figure this out and speak to me if you are confused.

  Please get help if you need it!!  I have also put suggestions for managing anxiety during studying for and/or taking exams. I hope you find it useful! I am always happy to talk about this with you at any time.  Here's a link to it to make it easier to find:

mindfulness tips for studying/test taking

  --   Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• cell part and function questions and cell questions (BOTH OPTIONAL) due Monday 12 Jan by end of day
• protein test corrections (OPTIONAL) due by Thursday 15 Jan

week of 5 January -- update

Hi all,
  If you want to get your test corrections back sooner in the week, then please give them to me by Tuesday at the latest. That way I could have them done for class on Thursday.  If you don't care about that, then feel free to still hand them in on Thursday.  Remember, these are the semester 1 extra credit, so they are NOT required!  Thanks, Ms. L

week of 5 January

Hello and welcome back!

   As we discussed today, the cell parts and the prokaryote/eukaryote, surface area:volume ratio information will be on the midterm.  We'll cover the rest of the material in the cell unit after the midterm exam.  I'll be getting the cell unit reading guide into your folder in the next day or so.  The rest of this week will be devoted to going over the cell parts and making sure you understand all of their functions.

  The midterm is on Tuesday 20 January at 9:15 AM.  I will be here by 8 AM that day for any help you might need!

  Here is a link to an article on study tips shared with me by one of my students (who got it from Ms. Schouveiller).  I thought it was interesting and hope it is useful to you.  Enjoy!

Study tip article

  As always, please come to AFT if you need help.  Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• cell parts chart - Wednesday 7 January
• unit 5 test corrections (OPTIONAL semester 1 extra credit) - Thursday 15 January
• Midterm exam - cumulative of all of first semester!  -- Tuesday 20 January at 9:15 AM