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