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!