1/20

The students started the week by completing the short lesson on cancer and completing a few more questions.  Once again, the students really did a fantastic job with this short section!
On Wednesday, all of the science classes partook in the Spelling Bee. The students did a really nice job participating.  The finalist for each class went on to competing in the second round on Thursday during study hall.
On Thursday and Friday we picked right back up with science and started our Genetics and DNA Unit.  The students are designing a strand of DNA and will be combining it, not only with their individual classes but with the whole 7th grade.  This activity is designed to visualize the nucleotide base pairs and to see the different code combinations that each class will have.

1/13

This week students completed their unit on the cell processes.  Early in the week, the students focused their learning on Mitosis and Cell Division to determine and understand how many chromosome would be in each of the daughter cells.  Students finished a Mitosis Lab on Monday which carried right into a review for the test.  The Cell Process Test was held on Thursday.  On Friday, we extending the unit just a bit by learning about what happens when there is not a lot of apoptosis ( cell death) and too much mitosis.  The students learned about cancer, how this disease is caused and what types of treatments can be used.
Just next week Lakeview Junior High will be partaking in a fantastic fundraiser for cancer called Cancer Smashers.  I was very pleased with the inquiry that the students brought to the classroom today. 
Have a nice weekend.

1/6

This week students explored the final cell process of the unit, the cell cycle.  We took an in depth view into the three parts of the cell cycle and determining the differences between them.  After watching how this process actually takes place, the students ended the week with a mitosis lab.  The goal of the lab is to find all the stages of cell division along with interphase in an onion root tip.  So far, I am very impressed with how well the students are able to identify the stages of the cell cylce! 
Students will finish the "Mitosis Lab" on Monday. We will be wrapping up the Cell Process Unit next week with a test before moving onto genetics!

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!