Mrs. Gemmell, 12/20

At the beginning of the week, students connected all their DNA strands to create a 7^th grade DNA sequence.  This stand will be on display in the 7^th grade science room for the rest of the year!  From here, students took their first step into genetics.  We discussed what we already know about our traits and where they came from.  Additionally, students began to learn about the Father of Genetics, Gregor Mendel and his pea plants. 

On Thursday, students were given an optional extra credit for over the break.  You can find the directions on the 7^th grade filing cabinet.  This extra credit is worth up to 10 points! Students are able to choose an article about science from the news and create a summary and reflection on it.  Students can choose up to 2 article reflections to complete.

Once we get back from break, students will get right back into genetics with some in class simulations and discovery.  I hope everyone has a nice and relaxing break!

12/13

Students have had an exciting week while learning about DNA and Genetics.  We are beginning to understand how tiny these stings of molecules really are, yet so detailed in their nature.  We also discovered that DNA unites all living organisms!

Earlier this week, students started to build their own strand of DNA (a gene).  All the strands of DNA will be complete by Monday so we can combine and assemble the 7th grade DNA ladder.

On Wednesday, students partook in a DNA isolation and extraction lab where they were able to look at actual DNA from a split pea.  We broke the cell wall, nucleus and other proteins away from the DNA in order to see the tiny strands clearly in test tubes.  I was really impressed with how well the students did in this lab.  They were really able to see quite a bit of DNA.  

12/6

This week students completed their Mitosis Observation Lab.  Here students were able to visualize the various stages of the cell cycle by viewing onion root cells under the microscope.  While completing the observation lab, 7th graders were learning the details regarding each stage of mitosis.
On Thursday, students finished up the Cell Process Unit with a test.  Students took their test on computers and will be able to get their scores early next week.
Today students dove right into the next unit, DNA and Genetics.  I am combining two chapters (Chapter 5 and 6) in this unit, as they relate so closely with one another.

11/22

Seventh graders started the week with some work on polishing their Fantasy Island Papers.  In these papers, students demonstrated their understanding of cellular processes and how photosynthesis and cellular respiration work in sync to create ATP (energy).
On Wednesday, students completed a quiz on Chapter 4 Section 1 and 2.  Now we have moved on to explore the cell cycle, the last portion of the unit.  Students will spend some time with computer simulations to understand how the cell cycle looks and functions.  Next week students will be able to visualize this process by viewing onion root cells under the microscopes.  While completing the observation lab, 7th graders will be learning the details regarding each stage of the cell cycle. This lab will be finished up once we return from Thanksgiving Break.

11/15

Students have been taking their time and really getting a clear understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  This can be a challenging section though students are impressing me with their enthusiasm for the processes. Students have started a writing assignment ( Fantasy Island), where they are incorporating their own creative spin on the processes. I have essentially given each student a barren island and they need to identify the organisms (plants and animals) that co exist on the island.  Additionally, students will be explaining how the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are used on the island and how important they are.
The "fantasy island paper" needs to be typed and at least 3 paragraphs.  Students have the option of either printing out their paper or sharing it with me on Google.  The rough draft is due on Monday and the final draft will be due on Tuesday.  I am really looking forward to reading these papers!

11/7

Throughout the week, students have been continuing their learning about the activities a cell goes through.  On Wednesday, students completed and turned in their "Osmosis Lab" as groups.  This was a lab that groups made their own question, procedure, data tables, and hypothesis based on their knowledge of passive transport.  Students were quite surprised with their results. Students did a fine job on their labs, I was really impressed with how different the procedures ended up being.  We had very interesting results and I look forward to reading the labs.
Today and next week, students will get a thorough understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Students will be asked to bring their creative side to science next week with a fun writing assignment.  Have a nice weekend.

11/1

Students have gotten right into our new chapter of Cell Processes. On Monday, students identified various ways that molecules transport through a cell membrane and how that can be beneficial to a cell.
Starting on Tuesday students started to design their own lab in groups.  I gave them materials (our fake cell is a gummy bear) and told them that their lab needed to have a question or problem about osmosis.  I have been very impressed with the various types of labs that students came up with.  Students initiated the actual lab on Thursday and viewed their results today.  Overall, I think students were very impressed with how their labs turned out!
Next week, students will explore cellular respiration and photosynthesis!

10/25

This week students wrapped up the Cell Unit.  On Tuesday, students turned in their Cell Analogy Projects and presented on Thursday.  I am very eager to grade these creative assignments!  I am very impressed with the analogies that some students have come up with.
On Wednesday, students took their Cell Test.  I really feel students are ready for our next unit that we will really be getting into next week.  We will be starting the Cell Process Unit.  Here students will create labs and stories to elaborate their understanding of the topics included in the unit.
Keep up the good work 7th graders!

10/18

This week students focused on eukaryotic cells.  Seventh graders completed a discovery lab and viewed the differences between plant and animal cells.  Students created their own slides and viewed onion cells (plant) and cheek cells (animal).  Their understanding of the differences is a little more defined now that they were able to visualize the differences. 

On Thursday and Friday, students started their Cell Analogy Projects.  Students will be comparing each organelle to something with a similar function,  that they are more familiar with.  These familiar items will come from magazines.  As an extra challenge, some students have decided to base all their images around a certain theme.  I am very excited to view the final products on Tuesday before our Cell Test on Wednesday.

Have a nice weekend!

10/11

This week students explored the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.  Not only did we discuss them in class, students were able to visualize the differences in a short observation lab.  Next, students took a deeper look into the eukaryotic cell (i.e. plant cell, animal cell, etc.) and the organelles that enable them to work efficiently.  Students have started to think of ways to compare these organelles to structures or items that they are more familiar with in their everyday lives.

Below I have posted a picture of the extra effort one the 7^th graders put forth.  He compared each organelle to a part of a city in the form of a Lego city.

All students will use their creative sides to develop their own analogies for each organelle in the Cell Analogy Project that we start next Thursday.

Have a great weekend!

10/4

On Monday, students finished off the Chapter 2 and the Microscope Unit with a quiz.  

Throughout the past week, 7^th graders have started to explore the microscopic world of cells. Students have been utilizing microscopes quite often.  These are very important tools in the science classroom and I am impressed with how well students are handling them.  This week, students became experts in the Cell Theory, along with the various scientists who took part in creating the theory for us today. 

Next week, students will continue to explore the cell by identifying the similarities and differences of all cells.  

9/27

Now that students have their textbooks, we are continuing our learning about the characteristics of living things. Additionally students demonstrated what they already know about microscopes this week.  This second part of our short unit will emphasize the importance of the microscope, how to utilize them properly and most efficiently.  Students are completing Microscope Mania now in preparation for their first science assessment on Monday.

9/20

Students have had a busy week.  Yesterday, the 7th graders wrapped up their unit on the Scientific Method with a graded homework and their Straw Tower Lab Write Up.  Students used the steps in the scientific method in the Straw Towers Lab to make sure they were confident in their understanding of this process of inquiry.  Students did a nice job on the unit and I am eager to see them utilize this process throughout the year.  
Additionally, students received their Life Science Textbook yesterday in class.  Students can keep this book at home until May.  I have an extra set here at school for work in class.  Next week, we will be starting our unit of Living Things.

9/13

Seventh graders had a very successful week of exploring the scientific method.  The lesson started with some notes on the steps that we are going to be utilizing throughout each of our labs this year.  Afterwards students were given a purpose ( their question) to take 40 straws, 30 paper clips, and 2 ft. of masking tape to build a tower to hold up a full can of soda for 3 seconds.  They had to come up with their own procedure and hypothesis.  Throughout the week, students collaborated in their groups to come up with the best design to hold up with pop can.  Thursday was our presentation and testing day.  Seventh graders observed their tower along with other classmates' towers and how they handled the can of soda.  Today we started writing our conclusions, which will be finished up in class on Monday. This first lab will be due on Tuesday.
Overall I am very impressed with the creativity and the collaboration shared by all groups. Have a great weekend

9/6

Welcome back!!
Seventh graders are doing a nice job getting used to the science room and the expectations. Last week, we went over the science syllabus and completed a few activities where students demonstrated their readiness for 7th grade science.
We started off this week taking the MAP Math Test in science.  Tomorrow we will pick science back up again go over lab safety and the scientific method.

Thinking ahead....

I hope everyone is having a great summer filled with sun and memories.  If you are questioning what to do one of these last days of summer, try to take a trip to the Morton Arboretum or go downtown to the Museum of Science and Industry, there is so much to offer!

I am very excited to meet the new 7th graders; we are going to have a great year!

5/31

Students completed the very much anticipated Frog Dissection today.  I am very impressed with the accuracy, patience, and team work I saw throughout this lab.  The students focused their time last week on the anatomy of the frog and the functions of each organ and definitely exhibited their understanding throughout the lab. I think we might have a few surgeons in this class!
Have a great weekend!

5/24

This week, students have been preparing for the Frog Dissection.  Students will be studying the anatomy of the frog and discover how various tissue and organs work together to function as a whole.  I really do feel that students are excited about this opportunity and I am looking forward to see how they handle such a fun and educational lab.
To prepare, I have asked the students to view and print up the dissection lab by Tuesday.  I have shared this document with all seventh graders on Google Drive.  
Additionally, as we are coming to the end of the quarter and the year, I am offering an extra credit opportunity.  There is up to 15 points that are available to earn.  Please check out this document under "Final Extra Credit Opportunity" on my blog.
Have a nice Memorial Day weekend!

Final Extra Credit Opportunity

Invertebrate Extra Credit.odt

5/3

Over  two weeks students have really taken a step into the Bacteria Unit.  We went over some various differences along with a few similarities both of the two domains (Archaea and Bacteria) and their kingdoms. Additionally at the end of last week, students were placed on a mission to find bacteria around the school. They designed their own lab starting with a question. The students took their various samples and placed them into their petri dishes. 
The students have been amazed at the bacterial growth on their petri dishes and a few groups have even decided to see the growth after this weekend, as well!  Though there was a lot of bacteria growth, students did understand that not all bacteria is pathogenic.  
Overall, I am very impressed with the questions the students came up with for the lab. Students are beginning to realize that bacteria do in fact live all around us, whether they are harmful or helpful. 

Bacteria Lab Rubric

Bacteria Lab RUBRIC by hop2star

Bacteria Study Guide

Bacteria Study Guide

Classification Study Guide KEY

Classification Study Guide Answer Key.docx

4/19

The week started off with an assessment on Darwin and Natural Selection.  Overall, I was very impressed with how the students performed.  Our next unit is the Classification Unit.  Students started out identifying how we classify/ categorize various nonliving items(i.e paper, paper clips, pennies, etc.).  Then we took a look at how we as young scientists classify living organisms.  Students realized that we group organisms into categories based on their physical features and function, just like we do in our everyday lives with non living items.  Now students are working on their Shape Island Activity, where they are essentially naming different animals based on those traits.

Quest Study Guide

Evolution and Natural Selection Quest.docx

Becoming Darwin Rubric

Becoming Darwin RUBRIC.docx

Track Information

Track calendar 13.docx

Track Infromation.pdf

4/5

Welcome back from break!  This week students just dove into our next unit of Evolution and Natural Selection.  On Tuesday we watched a video which really opened up some great questions regarding adaptations and various species.  Students kept busy learning about Darwin, his finches, and the Galapagos Islands.  Over the past two days students have been able to show their creative side by designing an animal based on an environment given to them.  These Designer Animals are due in class on Monday when the students will be presenting them.

      Designer Animal Rubric:

·        You must fulfill all parts of the task:

o   Completely answer questions A-I from the “Task Requirements” (10 pts)

o   Draw a picture of your animal in its environment (4 pts)

o   Neatly color your picture (2 pts)

o   Clearly label the important parts (characteristics) of your animal (2 pts)

o   Make up a name for your animal (1 pt)

o   List your environmental change, state whether or not your animal will survive in its new environment, and EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING. (5 pts)

·       

·        25 points possible

   Students may choose to do a mini-presentation 

3/22

Students really impressed me these past few weeks with their diligence and attitudes in science.  I was very happy with the Genetics Project, and also very impressed with the DNA and Genetics Test.  The seventh graders really finished out their third quarter strong.
When students return from break, we will start our quick unit on Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation.
I wish everyone a very safe and relaxing Spring Break.

Review answers correction

Question #15:  How many sex chromosomes do humans have?
Answer: The answer is 2 sex chromosomes, either XX ( female) or XY (male). Though also note that there are 23 chromosomes in sex cells.

Pink Review Packet Answers

Genetics / DNA Review Game Questions.docx

Jeopardy Review Game

Review jeopardy.ppt

3/15

I have been viewing all the students' Genetics Projects over the past 3 days, and I have to say how impressed I am with how well these presentations have turned out.  I think students have really taken ownership on their expert topics, and it has really shown through each time a new student presents to the class.  Well done 7th graders!!  We still have a couple more to view on Monday, see below for the order of presentations on Monday.
Next week the 7th graders are going to be taking their Unit 5 & 6 Test (this will cover Genetics and DNA).  The students were given the orange study guide today in class.  I really stressed that even though they do not have homework in science over the weekend, to make sure they have the materials they need in order to study before the test.  I always like to remind the students that I have extra copies of anything that they might need.  Additionally, I will be here in the morning early Monday- Wednesday if the students should have any questions at all.

Period 2		Period 3		Period 4
1	Iyana	1	Paul & Andy	1	Keiran & Matt
		2	David & Pedro	2	Aidan

Period 5		Period 8
1	Michael & James	1	Tommy & Andrew
2	Marcelo	2	Jennifer & Emily

Order of Presentations 3/15

Genetics Presentations

Order of Presentations for Friday, March 15

**Remember if you are not ready during the time/ day that you signed up, there will be a deduction of 10 points**

	Period 2		Period 3		Period 4
1	Daniel & Tauras	1	Nick & Jack	1	Kailee
2	Sara	2	Mike, Sebastian & John	2	Eloisa & Kaitlyn
3	Viraj	3	Sean	3	Liam
4	Iyana	4	Naomi & Natalie	4	Scott & Kyle
		5	Paul & Jeremy	5	Elijah
		6	Paul & Andy	6	Teddy
		7	David & Pedro	7	Steven & Mark
				M	Keiran & Matt

	Period 5		Period 8
1	Tommy	1	John & Mark M
2	Maddie & Kaitlyn	2	Lauren K & Sydney
3	Mia & Sophia	3	Myles & Jack
4	Taylor	4	Eric & Mark A
5	Gino	5	Ashley & Sarina
6	Michael & James	6	Andrew S. & Tommy
7	Marcelo	7	Jennifer & Emily

Order of Presentations 3/14

Genetics Presentations

Order of Presentations for Thursday, March 14

**Remember if you are not ready during the time/ day that you signed up, there will be a deduction of 10 points**

	Period 2		Period 3		Period 4
1	Matt & Carl	1	Kaelyn	1	Chantalle
2	Stephen	2	Trudy	2	Amy
3	Vincent	3	Nicole & Chrissy	3	Cate
4	Iyanna	4	Matt & Kyle	4	Elena & Josh
		5	Jay & Michael L	5	Kailee
		6	Nick & Jack	6	Eloisa & Kaitlyn

	Period 5		Period 8
1	Declan & Tyler Sm.	1	Lucas
2	Henrietta	2	Kyla & Maggie
3	Tyler Sp.	3	Allie & Eve
4	Natalie	4	Danny & Dylan
5	Adam & Arman	5	John & Mark M
6	Tommy	6	Lauren & Sydney