12/16

This week in class students created a RAFTs explaining processes cellular respiration and photosynthesis and how they are related to one another. Students took a quiz on cell transport and cell energy yesterday in class. I was very impressed with students creativity and overall understanding of the concept!
Over the break, I am offering an extra credit opportunity; up to 10 points! If the students should be interested, they will be completing a brief write up(s) on science related articles. Please see the worksheet that I have made available in class that explains where to find these articles. This is a totally optional item for the students to partake in over the break! Keep in mind that the article write ups need to be typed and are due on the Wednesday that we are back in school.
I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday and nice relaxing break!
Science Current Events Journals

Cell Energy Raft/ Online Study Materials

RAFT Check List

Online Activities

12/9

This week in science, students started to learn about the different processes that the cell will undergo. We started out with different types of transport (passive and active) and understanding the similarities and differences between the two. Students took a deeper understanding into passive transport, specifically diffusion of water (osmosis) in a Gummy Bear Osmosis Lab. Students completed a 2 day lab. During a discussion afterward, the 7th graders did a really nice job with explaining the science behind their findings. I am eager to read the student labs that have been turned in today in class.
Additionally, today in class students started learning about the process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and how the two have such a close relationship!
Have a nice weekend.

12/1

We have concluded the first unit of cells today in class by taking the cell test. Earlier in the week students took a deeper look into the cell and its organelles. Students constructed their own cell diagrams(either plant or animal) and made visual analogies that paired with each organelle.
Next week we will initiate our second unit on the cells, the cell process. Students will learn about passive and active transport through the cell membrane, photosynthesis and cellular respiration and even cell division!
Have a great weekend!

11/18

This week the students were able to take a deeper step into the cell unit. We explored the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and examples of each. We also learned the differences and similarities between plant and animal cells. In addition, students are learning the different organelles that make the cell function so efficiently. Later in the week, students were able to actually see a plant cell and identify the different structures within the cell. Next week we will take a step further by looking at an animal cell and identifying key structures within.
Students are preparing for a quiz on Tuesday that will cover the key organelles along with other important information regarding the cell. To help with studying, students are preparing flashcards. I have encouraged them to study whenever there is a free moment as there are quite a few vocabulary terms to remember.

11/9

This week students continued to work on the cell unit. Students learned about the different scientists who were part of the discovery of the cell theory, which took over 200 years to complete! Students partook in a jigsaw activity where they learned about a particular scientist and then taught the rest of their home group. I was very impressed with how the students completed this activity!!
Leaf Collection Projects are almost all done, and the grades are being posted on the gradebook. They are available in the room and can be taken home once they have been graded.
With regards to the Plant Unit Test, I am offering all students the chance to correct their answers that they got wrong. During classtime tomorrow and on Monday, I will give 15 minutes of classtime to correct those answers that have already been marked wrong on the original test. For each answer correct I will add 1/2 credit onto the original score, students can only perform better on this test correction!

Tuesday, 11/1

ANSWERS to Review

10/28

This week students explored the section on flowers and the reproductive parts in the the flower.  The students examined why pollinators are attracted to different types of petals and how pollination and fertilization are different.  Later in the week the students were given an opportunity to design their own flower including all the special features that we have learned about in class.  We will wrap up this activity on Monday and start reviewing for our unit test, which will be held on Wednesday.
As a reminder, the Leaf Collection Project is due on Monday.  For those students who have already turned theirs in, I am really enjoying the creativity that has been put into these projects!!  I look forward to seeing the rest of the projects on Monday.  Have a great weekend.

10/21

We started this week off by taking our quiz on the different types of plants and their characteristics.  We started our next plant section of plants with seeds.  Students explored a little more in depth the characteristics of gymnosperms ( pine like plants) and angiosperms ( flowering plants).
We took some time to really place detail on the importance of the seed structure of the plants and how important seed dispersal is to plants as well.  Students initiated a lab later on in the week by designing their own seed structure.  On Monday we will see which seed structure is able to carried by wind the farthest.  I am eager to see how the seeds travel; I have seen some very creative ideas this week!
Have a nice weekend!

10/14

This week we completed a Leaf Classification Lab which helped the students become aware of the trees that are around them. We utilized the website, www.oplin.org to help identify the leaves. Students used characteristics and vocabulary that helped them determine what tree each leaf came from. This is one of the websites that I gave as an option to use for the Leaf Collection Project.
On Friday, we completed a lab write up. This is something that the students will be completing throughout the year for labs by conveying their findings. We were also able to sneak in a little review for the quiz on Monday. Below you will find the answers for the Review Homework that was given on Thursday. If you were not in class on Friday, please use the answer sheet below to check your work.
Have a nice weekend.


Quiz 1 Review Answers

10/7

We wrapped up our short unit on Living Organisms and the Microscope. Just like previous units, this will be one of those chapters that we will consistantly be revisiting throughout the year!
On Tuesday we initiated our unit of Plants. Not only were students able to explore the different characteristics that all plants share but also students were able to identify how the many plants around us are classified. A little later on in the week, students were given the opportunity to identify some leaves from the area. What students are starting to learn, is that leaves have many forms and variations which need to be described. Students seemed to really enjoy this activity!
The activity brought us right into the "Leaf Collection Project", which was handed out today in class. This is a possible 60 point project which I hope students will enjoy the opportunity to take science outside of the classroom!
What I have below are just a few helpful hints for pressing and preserving the leaves the students will be collecting for the project. This will ensure that the leaves will keep their color and shape by the date it is due!

Plant Pressing

10/3

Here is the Bellringer we did in class which will be very helpful for studying.

Bellringer 10-3

9/30

This week students started the week by receiving their Life Science textbooks.  (As a reminder, students may keep their textbooks at home, as we have an extra set of books here at school.)  Students were given their first reaing about "The Characteristics of Living Organisms".  Along with the reading, students learned how to organize their notes while reading,  in a T-note style.  With T-notes, sub headings, vocabulary terms, larger concepts and questions are on the left hand side of the paper, while on the right hand side, answers to the respective bullet points are placed.  T- notes are just one type of notes that we will use in class, and will take some getting used to, though I was very impressed with how the students caught on to the concept!!
After learning about the characteristics that living things share, we explored a very important scientific tool, the microscope.  Students learned about the pieces of the microscope and how to utilize this tool properly prior to stepping into a lab on Thursday.  The lab required students to demonstrate techniques we will be utilizing in the laboratory throughout the year.  Students finished up their lab today in class.
We will wrap up this short unit on Tuesday with a quiz.  Have a fantastic weekend!

9/23

  We picked up at the beginning of the week with our Metric System Notes and worked on conversions.  Students practiced quite a bit with these conversions.  Midweek, students were introduced to the "Metric Maze" which were mini labs, stationed around the laboratory for students to apply their measurement and conversion knowledge.  Students seemed to really enjoy themselves and truly demonstrated their knowledge of measurement well.
We finished up the Measurement and Metric Unit today with a Quest assessment (worth a bit more than a quiz though less than a test).  On Monday we will be starting our new unit of The Cell and Microscopes. 
Have a nice weekend!

9/16

Earlier this week, the students revisited the Scientific Method to make sure we were fully understanding the concepts and process.  This will be a concept that the students will be applying throughout the year, so we wanted to make sure we understood the various identifying features of a hypothesis along with controls and constants. Once we completed the Scientific Method, we were able to initiate with the Measurement and Metric Unit.  The students began with a few notes along with practicing with the tools that we will be utilizing for measurement.  I am so impressed with how well the students are practicing their measurements! 
Next week we will follow up with the Metric System and conversions!

9/9

We started the week by revisiting the Scientific Method.  Students practiced how to properly write testable hypotheses by utilizing both the independent and dependent variables in an experiment. Students were also challenged with various examples and identifying the constants and controls of experiments.  We wrapped up our unit on the Scientific Method on Thursday with a quiz.
On Friday, we became a little more familiar with the placement of "Learning Targets and Graded Material"( the first tab) in our binders.  Students are becoming more familiar with the organization piece of the class. 
Today "Preparation Points" were introduced to the students.  I am expecting that students come to class, prepared with their binder, assignment notebook, homework and writing utencils.  If a student forgets something in his/her locker, I will let him/her go and retreive it, though I will take "1" point off of their "Prepartion Points" grade.
Have a great weekend!

9/2

We started out this week with a Lab Safety demonstration.  I demonstrated what not to do in the lab, and the students listed all the safety techniques and procedures that I did not follow.  We discussed the safety features of the room and how to follow the lab expectations appropriately.  We will be revisiting Lab Safety throughout the year as it is essential within the laboratory.
We then started our first unit of the year, the Scientific Method.  The students reexplored the scientific method this week with the "Paper Chromatography Lab".  Prior to the lab, students identified how paper chromatography is utilized and what it means.  Our "Paper Chromatography Lab" initiated with a letter from the a detective and a problem which the students were excited to solve!  Throughout the lab, students were able to stay focused and complete their work.  Conclusions were written as a letter to the detective, which I am excited to use as a grading piece for the class; this was due today in class.
Overall, I was very impressed with how students were able to complete the lab and able to ask questions if needed.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

8/26

I have had a really great time getting to know my students in this short week!  On Thursday and Friday we went over some expectations in the syllabus that the 7th graders should be aware of.  My hope is that everyone will be on the same page while going into the first unit of study which will be the Scientific Method.   Once again, if there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesistate to email me  at khopkinson@ccsd66.org or call me at 630-783-5017.

8/22

Welcome incoming 7th graders! I hope you are as excited as I am to start this year.  Please bring with you an open mind and a positive attitude. 
For those of you who will be visiting on Wednesday, for the open house, I look forward to meeting you.  Everyone else, I will see you on Thursday where we will be begin our discovery of the Life Sciences this year!