Order of Presentations- Wednesday, Feb. 12

Period 3		Period 4		Period 5
1	Cam	1	Izabella	1	Corey & Ian
2	Kelly	2	John and Brian	2	Sam
3	Madison	3	Amanda	3	Karolis
4	Tommy & Mike	4	Kaitlin	4	Jennifer
		5	Stephanie	5	Mitchell
		6	Max and Jack	6	Jimmy & Kurt
Period 7		Period 8
1	Kirk & Dewey	1	Jack & Jacob B
2	Lucy & Meghan	2	David T
3	Esther & Kaylee	3	Joseph
4	Anthony & Brock	4	Anthony & Jacob M
5	Hamza

2/7

Last week students took their Chapter 5 and 6 Test on genetics and DNA.  I was very impressed with how the students prepared themselves for this test.  Students showed their readiness for their genetics project!

This week students have been working very hard on their Genetics Project.  Each student has chosen a topic ( either a disorder or advance), and becoming experts through research.  Students have been reminded to write down their project due date (which would either be Wednesday February 12th, Thursday February 13th or Friday February 14th) to ensure they can have their completed project in on time.  If students need more time then the time allotted in class, they will need to work on the project outside of class.  

I am very eager to see the presentations and signs that the students are working very hard on!

1/17

Students have been continuing their understanding of Mendelian inheritance with Punnett Squares this week.
Students are working on different scenarios of crosses in organisms to visualize what outcome for the offspring might occur.  Students are demonstrating their understanding very nicely.
Today, students started exploring how some traits are carried only on the X chromosome.  We will explore how these traits are not always dominant and how, in fact, they do appear.  This will be a nice background for the students as we getting closer to our Genetics Project, which we will be initiating in about a week and a half.

1/10

I hope everyone had a nice break!  This week flew by as we only had 3 days together.  On Wednesday, students were welcomed back with a review over the material they had learned about prior to the break.  I was impressed with how much the students retained over the 2 weeks off.  On Thursday, the 7th graders reenacted Gregor Mendel's experiments by crossing given genotypes to see what the outcome would be. Students completed a checkpoint on Friday.  This inclass assignment was to make sure students felt comfortable and confident with the material in this unit so far.  Students were able to utilize their textbook and notes for the checkpoint.
Next week, students will discover how to use a Punnett Square using their knowledge of Mendel to identify the types of offspring in a crossed pair.

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.