Pre-AP Semester Test Study List

•Characteristics of Living Things (Ch. 2)

•Cells (Ch. 3)

•Organelles

•Prokaryotes

•Eukaryotes

•Diagrams & Labeling

•The Cell Cycle (Ch. 4 Section 3)

•Heredity (Ch. 5)

•Vocabulary

•Punnett Squares

•Meiosis & chromosome numbers

•DNA (Ch. 6)

•Vocabulary

•Transcription

•Translation

•Replication

•Base pairing

•Differences between DNA & RNA

Test Thursday, 12/20

Pre-AP Semester Test

This week we will be reviewing for the Pre-AP Semester Test.  Topics will include our studies from this semester - - characteristics of living things, cells, heredity and DNA.  The Pre-AP Semester test will be Thursday.  It will be all multiple choice and counts as a regular test grade.

Wednesday - there will be a textbook check.  All students who bring *their* book to class will receive a 100 daily grade.   

DNA Study List

Vocabulary
Protein
Nucleotide
Amino acid
Nitrogenous base
DNA
RNA
Transcription
Replication
Translation
Mutation
Chromosome

Differences between DNA and RNA
Writing complementary DNA strands
Writing RNA strand from DNA
Using RNA to find amino acids
Important discoveries relating to DNA and the scientists who made them
Complementary base pairings

Finished Products and Follow Up

At the conclusion of the "Millers" DNA labs today, students were given a summary worksheet to complete over the weekend.  It corresponds to each lab we did this week.  It is due Monday.



This assignment is extremely important to consolidate what students learned in the lab this week.  I think this week spent on hands-on learning was extremely beneficial to the students for learning these concepts, and the worksheet will help them identify the most important take-aways from each activity. 


*While I normally don't assign homework over the weekend, this just happened to land on a weekend.  I reminded students of how infrequently they have "homework" for this class, and to be sure that it is completed and ready to be turned in on Monday. 

Finished Products:  (left to right) Amino Acids, RNA & DNA

Scroll down for pictures from earlier this week!

DNA Models

Wednesday, we learned about the 3 parts of a nucleotide and the structure of DNA.  Students used this knowledge to build DNA models of a fragment "Jack or Jill Miller's" DNA. 

Today, we are using these models to build RNA strands.

New Unit: DNA

Monday, we started our new unit on DNA.  This will be Chapter 6 in the textbook, but we will also be using a module developed by HudsonAlpha in Huntsville to help the students have a deeper understanding.

Students have already been introduced to the "Miller Family" who will be our "patients" as we learn about how DNA works.

On Monday, we were introduced to each member of the Miller family and we investigated the family's health history. As an extension of this lesson, students were asked to inquire about their own family health history and we discussed the importance of them taking charge and being aware of their own health. 

Next week, we will be extracting DNA from the patient's cells and building DNA molecules using K'nex construction toys.   

The test for this unit is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 13th. 

Genetic Disease Research

1.        Choose 3 genetic diseases to research

Progeria

Achondroplasia

Down Syndrome

Albinism

Hemophilia

Muscular Dystrophy

Turner Syndrome

Sickle Cell Anemia

Tay-Sachs Disease

Huntington's Disease

Use these sites to find information:

http://www.genome.gov/10001204 

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/#cat20165 (Click Genetic, Chromosomal & Metabolic Conditions for a drop-down list)

2.  Of the 3 genetic diseases that you researched, which one do you think would be the hardest to live with on a daily basis?

3.  Write or type a letter or note as if YOU currently have the disease you listed in question 2.  Explain to the reader:   

A.  how you got the disease (inhereted?  genetic mutation? )

B.   what your symptoms are (bleeding, physical disabilities, mental disabilities, etc. - - be specific!)

C.  what type of treatments you go through (medicines, therapy, special diet, surgery etc. or there may be no treatments available)

D.  how this disease affects your daily life

Genetics Test

The Genetics & Heredity Test (Ch. 5) is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th. 

This is the day before Thanksgiving Break.  If a student is planning to be absent this day, please arrange with Mrs. Smith to take this test early.   

Punnett Squares!

Tonight's Homework:

Punnett Square Practice Worksheet (front & back)
    *began in class today
    *for each problem, should have:  Completed Punnett Square, Genotype ratio & Phenotype ratio


Need Extra Help? 

Help sessions during break!
  *don't wait until it's too late! 

Punnett Square Tutorial

AMSTI Online Access

To access the AMSTI book, "Organisms from Macro to Micro", online:

follow the link under the "Helpful Links" section to the left of this post (or click here).

Student access code: AMSTIOMM in all caps.

New Unit - Genetics and Heredity!

We began our new unit on Genetics and Heredity today.  This information will be in Chapter 5, but we will also pull in information from LTF and AMSTI.

The students have been told to prepare for a little more homework and studying time during this interesting, but difficult, unit.

Egg Osmosis

The students have LOVED the egg osmosis experiment we have been monitoring each day.  Many have wanted to repeat the experiment at home.  It's very easy and you may already have the supplies on hand!

Here's how:

Supplies:   Eggs (uncooked), Vinegar, Water, and Corn Syrup (or other liquid)

1. Soak regular (uncooked) eggs in vinegar for about 2 days.  (This will dissolve the shell.)
2. You may need to gently run water over the egg to remove all of the shell.
3. At this point, you will have a bouncy, squishy egg!  (The egg is kept intact by the cell membrane.)

----Some of the students just wanted to play with the squishy egg, so some may stop here----

1. Soak one of the eggs in tap water for about one day.
2. Soak the other egg in corn syrup for the same amount of time (or you could experiment with other substances).
3. Observe the whether water has moved into or out of the eggs.
4. Switch the eggs.

Here are our eggs after soaking in water and corn syrup for 2 days. 

Here's a close-up of the corn syrup egg:

Ch. 4 - The Cell in Action

The Ch. 4 "The Cell in Action" test will be Tuesday, October 30th.

Cell Cycle

Cell Cycle

1.      Interphase – chromosomes are copied; the cell spends most of its time in this phase

2.      Mitosis

a.       Prophase - the chromosomes condense (become visible)

b.      Metaphase - chromosomes line up along center of the cell

c.       Anaphase- the centromeres split and chromosomes begin to separate

d.      Telophase - A nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes

3.       Cytokinesis – division of the cytoplasm

Save Lids to Save Lives

Mrs. Smith will be collecting Pink Yoplait Yogurt Lids from now through December!

 For each lid collected, 10 cents will be donated to Komen for the Cure.  Additionally, 5 cents will be donated to the ZTA Foundation for College scholarships and additonaly breast cancer research and education. 

For more information:  https://savelidstosavelives.com/



Winning Homecoming Door Decoration!

Congratulations homeroom for winning the Homecoming Door Decoration Contest!

New Unit

We will start a new unit tomorrow discussing Ch. 4 in the textbook "The Cell in Action".  The unit will take approximately 3 weeks.

Next Test

The next test will be Tuesday, October 9th.  It will cover Characteristics of Living Things and Cells.

Pep Rally of the Week

Vote for Buckhorn High School - Pep Rally of the Week!

http://whnt.com/2012/09/28/vote-for-the-next-pep-rally-of-the-week/

Buckhorn Homecoming!

Buckhorn Middle School will be joining to celebrate homecoming with Buckhorn High School on October 5^th.  In preparation of the week’s activities, we would like to share a schedule of events that outlines BMS activities. 

Our homecoming theme for the week is “Smash the Senators”.  We will show our school spirit by dressing up on the following days: 

-Monday, October 1^st:  BMS Picture Day (America, Dress Your Best Day)

-Tuesday, October 2^nd:  Twin Day

-Wednesday, October 3^rd: Hippie Day

-Thursday, October 4^th:  Character Day

-Friday, October 5^th:  Crazy Blue/Gold Day

Additional Activities are as follows:

-Thursday, October 4^th:  BMS Pep Rally in the gym.  Parents are welcome! This will be the last county game vs. Meridianville (football-away).  Volleyball will also play away at Monrovia.  Eighth grade volleyball players will be recognized at this pep rally.  Pep Rally will begin at 2:25pm. 

-Friday, October 5^th:  BMS will attend BHS pep rally.  Time-TBA. 

-Homerooms will decorate doors to promote homecoming week.  The winning homeroom class will receive a popcorn party at break. 

-The BMS homecoming representatives will participate in Homecoming festivities during half time on Friday, October 5^th against Sparkman. 

-Note: BMS Band is sponsoring a dance on Friday, October 26^th.   Dance times and details will be announced

Super Duper Cell Webquest

Website #1    http://www.williamsclass.com/SeventhScienceWork/CellTheoryParts.htm

Website #2    http://www.scsc.k12.in.us/SMS/Teachers/Martin/replacementlink.htm
Website #3   http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/70.asp
 
Website #4   http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/3dcell.htm

Website #5   http://www.cellsalive.com/gallery.htm

Finished Early?  http://www.cellsalive.com/puzzles/index.htm 



Use the BACK arrow on the top left side of your screen to bring you back to this site when it's time to move to the next website on your list!

Don't Forget - Picture File Due MONDAY!

Picture File Due Monday! 

Scroll down for instructions and example!

Living Organisms Picture File Activity

Objective:  Students will identify real-life examples of living things using their knowledge of the
                     characteristics of living things.

Requirements: 

1.        You must find a minimum of five pictures that show real-life examples of living organisms. (No Cartoons!)  The pictures must be from magazines, books, the internet, or photos that you take. 

2.        Each picture must be placed on a full sized sheet of construction paper or printer paper.

3.       Each page should be labeled with your name and a brief description of how the picture exemplifies a living organism.  Make sure you are specific in your description.  (Use the 6 characteristics!)

4.       The assignment is due Monday, September 24^th and will count as 2 homework grades.  There will be a 5 point deduction for each day that it is late.

Example:

New Unit

Our new unit will cover:

Characteristics of Living Things     - and -     Cells

Microscopes & Scientific Method Webquest

Site 1:  A-Z Microscope History
Site 2:  Microbus
Site 3:  Magnification Module
Site 4:  Scientific Method in Action (scroll down)

Microscopes & Scientific Method Webquest

Choose ONE of the following true situations, and answer the questions that follow.

The Strange Case of BeriBeri
In 1887 a strange nerve disease attacked the people in the Dutch East Indies. The disease was beriberi. Symptoms of the disease included weakness and loss of appetite, victims often died of heart failure. Scientists thought the disease might be caused by bacteria. They injected chickens with bacteria from the blood of patients with beriberi. The injected chickens became sick. However, so did a group of chickens that were not injected with bacteria.
One of the scientists, Dr. Eijkman, noticed something. Before the experiment, all the chickens had eaten whole-grain rice, but during the experiment, the chickens were fed polished rice. Dr. Eijkman researched this interesting case. he found that polished rice lacked thiamine, a vitamin necessary for good health.

1. State the Problem
2. What was the hypothesis?
3. How was the hypothesis tested?
4. Should the hypothesis be supported or rejected based on the experiment?
5. What should be the new hypothesis?

How Penicillin Was Discovered
In 1928, Sir Alexander Fleming was studying Staphylococcus bacteria growing in culture dishes. He noticed that a mold called Penicillium was also growing in some of the dishes. A clear area existed around the mold because all the bacteria that had grown in this area had died. In the culture dishes without the mold, no clear areas were present.
Fleming hypothesized that the mold must be producing a chemical that killed the bacteria. He decided to isolate this substance and test it to see if it would kill bacteria. Fleming transferred the mold to a nutrient broth solution. This solution contained all the materials the mold needed to grow. After the mold grew, he removed it from the nutruient broth. Fleming then added the nutrient broth in which the mold had grown to a culture of bacteria. He observed that the bacteria died.

1. Identify the problem.
2. What was Fleming's hypothesis?
3. How was the hypothesis tested?
4. Should the hypothesis be supported or rejected based on the experiment?
5. This experiment lead to the development of what major medical advancement?

Test Review

Check out these two websites to review the parts of the microscope!

Microscope Labeling Game

Online Microscope Labeling Quiz

Microscopes & Scientific Method

The Microscopes & Scientific Method Test will be Tuesday, September 18th. 

Today:  Students participated in their first microscope lab investigating how a newsprint "e" looks under low and medium power.

Friday:  Students will use the scientific method to investigate M&M candies.

photo from:  http://www1.broward.edu/~ssimpson/letterE.htm




photo from:  http://www.scsastro.co.uk/category/microscopes

 

Email Distribution List

The first distribution list email was sent today, 8/31.  If you did not receive this email, but would like to receive emails in the future, please email ssmith@madison.k12.al.us with your name, your student's name & class period.

2nd Week Update

• Beginning today, students should be using their composition notebooks in class everyday.
• Our 1st test of the year is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 6th and will cover Lab Safety and Lab Equipment. 

Notebook Quizzes  – Fridays 

The  quiz covers that week’s Buck Bytes/classwork/labs.    (Students answer Buck Byte (Bellwork) questions in notebook every day at the beginning of class.)

5 - 10 questions are randomly selected and students are allowed to use their notebook.  This should be an easy grade if the students have kept up with their work and completed it each day.

For example, a quiz question would read:  "From Monday, 8/27, what was the answer to Buck Bytes #2?"



There will be a notebook quiz this Friday, August 31st. 

Have a Great Summer!

End of the Year Schedule

Tuesday, 5/22 - Junior Achievement Field Trip
Friday, 5/25 - 7th Grade Awards Day 8:30 am
Monday, 5/28 - Memorial Day *No School*
Wednesday, 5/30 - Last Student Day

Upcoming Events

Mrs. Smith's Science Class

• Today:  Disease Research Due
• Friday, 5/11 -  Buck Byte Quiz
• Tuesday, 5/15 - Ch. 27 & 28 Study Guide
• Thursday, 5/17 - Ch. 27 & 28 Test.  Study Guide Due.
• Friday, 5/18 - Textbook Turn In

Schoolwide

• Today:  Progress Reports
• Friday, 5/11 - Field Trips:  Archery, Battle of the Books, & Teens for Jeans
• Tuesday, 5/15 - Junior Achievement Field Trip Permission Slips & $5 due
• Friday, 5/18 - Indian Ed. Field Trip
• Tuesday, 5/22 - Junior Achievement Field Trip
• Friday, 5/25 - 7th Grade Awards Day (8:30 am)
• Monday, 5/28 - Memorial Day (no school)
• Wednesday, 5/30 - Last Student Day

Health & Disease Test

The Health & Disease Test (Ch. 27 & 28) will be Thursday, May 17th.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 26 - Take Your Child to Work Day
Monday, April 30 - 7th grade NJHS Field Trip

Thursday, May 3rd - ARMT Incentive Day*
Friday, May 4th - Weather Day
Friday, May 18th - Indian Ed. Field Trip
Friday, May 25th - 7th grade Awards Day 8:30 am

*For the ARMT Incentive, students have the option to pre-order pizza and drinks for lunch.  This money is due now to the homeroom teacher!  $1 per slice, $1 per drink.  Students will still have the option to get a lunch from the cafeteria.

Last Unit! Health & Disease

For our last unit this year, we will be learning about Health & Disease (Ch. 27 & 28 in the textbook). 

Standardized Testing

Tuesday, 4/10 - Reading Part I
Wednesday, 4/11 - Reading Part II
Thursday, 4/12 - Math Part I & II
Friday, 4/13 - Math Part III
Monday, 4/16 - Science

Human Body Systems Test 2 Tomorrow!

     For part of the class today, students were allowed to create a "cheat sheet" to use on the test tomorrow.  They were provided with a half-sheet of paper to use (front and back).  This information must be hand written.  The only exception is that they may take things out of their notebook to tape onto the cheat sheet.  If a student forgets their cheat sheet, they will still be required to take the test.

Cheat Sheet:

Write as much information or diagrams as you want on this sheet of paper (front and back) to use on the test.  The cheat sheet will be turned in with your test.  Make sure your name is written on it!

Respiratory         Ch. 23 Section 4                                 p. 620

Digestive             Ch. 24 Section 1                                p. 634

Nervous               Ch. 25 Section 1                                p. 656

Reproductive     Ch. 26 Section 2 & 3                           p. 688 & 692

This Week in Science

Monday:  *Welcome Back* Nervous System
Tuesday:  Reproductive System
Wednesday:  Reproductive System & Review for Test
Thursday:  Buck Byte Quiz & Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous & Reproductive System Test
Friday:  Weather Day - No School


Standardized Testing:  Tuesday, 4/10 - Monday, 4/16

This Week in Science

We started our last 9 weeks and the 2nd Human Body Systems unit today with the Respiratory System. 

Wednesday - Textbook Check (Having YOUR textbook in class - - will count as a daily grade.  10 points off per day it's late, 5 points off for getting it out of locker during class)

Thursday - Bowling Field Trip (will only see homeroom class, no Buck Bytes) & Report Cards

Friday - Buck Byte Quiz and Spring Break Begins!

Skeletal, Muscular & Circulatory Systems Test Tomorrow!

Skeletal, Muscular & Circulatory System

CH. 22 Section 2 & 3    and      Ch. 23 Section 1

3 types of joints & examples

Cartilage

Bone marrow

Bone structure

Ligaments

Tendons

3 types of muscle tissue & examples

Flexor

Extensor

Heart

Flow of blood through the heart

4 chambers of the heart

Atrium

Ventricle 

Difference between pulmonary circulation & systemic circulation

Artery

Vein

Capillary

Blood pressure

DNA Test Tomorrow!

Ch. 6 Genes & DNA Study Guide

Vocabulary

DNA                                       chromosome                                     RNA                                       mutation

nucleotide                          nitrogen base                                    ribosome                             gene

Know the difference between DNA & RNA

DNA     A-T           G-C                        sugar:  deoxyribose                        double-stranded
RNA       A-U        G-C                        sugar:  ribose                                     single-stranded

How does DNA replication occur? 

Where are proteins made?

What are the 3 parts of a nucleotide?

Building complementary DNA & RNA strands.

***Note regarding the early dismissal Friday, 3/2:  1st and 2nd periods took the weekly Buck Byte quiz.  All other periods will not make up the quiz.

DNA

The DNA test will be Tuesday, March 6th and will cover information from Chapter 6 as well as additional information discussed in class (AMSTI).

New Unit: DNA

We will be covering Ch. 6 plus using AMSTI modules to extract DNA and building a DNA model with K'nex. 

Tonight's assignment:  finish coloring and labeling DNA & RNA molecules if not completed in class.

Genetics Test - Friday, February 17th

Make sure you are familiar with the following terms and related information (both definition and application).  For many of these terms, you will need to be able to identify examples.

Heterozygous

Homozygous

Allele

Dominant

Recessive

Genotype

Phenotype

Mendel’s Laws:  Segregation, Independent Assortment, and Dominance

Haploid

Diploid

Homologous chromosomes

Gametes

Gregor Mendel

Punnett Squares (both working and analyzing the results)

Meiosis
Chromosome Number reduced by 1/2
Occurs in sex cells
Results in 4 cells
Cells are haploid

Genetics Quiz Friday 2/10

Material it will include:

• Vocabulary terms (both application and/or definitions)
• Genotype, phenotype, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, gene, allele, hybrid, purebred
• Working Punnett Squares
• Analyzing Punnett Squares to determine possible outcomes

Genetics and Heredity Test - Friday, 2/17

New Unit: Genetics & Heredity

Chapter 5 in the textbook.  Test tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 16th. 

There will be a quiz a few days before the test.  I will announce the date for the quiz once it has been established.
Progress Reports go out today, 2/2.  This grade will not include the extra-credit project grades.  

Reminders for Tomorrow

• Buck Byte Quiz
• Extra-Credit Due
• Lion King Ecology Worksheet Due

Ecology & Evolution Test is Tuesday, January 31st. 
The study we will work on the study guide tomorrow in class and it will be due Tuesday.

Animal Adaptations Extra Credit Project

Instructions & links posted under "Class Information" on the left side of the screen.
<----------------------

Project due Friday, January 27th.  No late projects will be accepted.

January Schedule (updated)

19th: Vocabulary Quiz & Outdoor Activity  - students must have appropriate clothing (jackets/long sleeves) to be allowed to participate.   See flashcards for eligible vocabulary terms.

27th:  Extra-Credit Project Due

31st:  Ecology Test- Select portions of Ch. 7 & 18

Ecology Webquest Links

 These are the links for your Ecology Webquest:

I:    http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm 

II.   http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html

III.   http://mbgnet.mobot.org/

January Schedule:

10th:  Outdoor Activity (Postponed) - students must have appropriate clothing (jackets/long sleeves) to be allowed to participate.

12th:  End of 9 weeks

13th & 16th:  No school for students

19th:  Report Cards & Vocabulary Quiz (select terms from Ch. 7 & 18)


31st:  Tentative Test Date - Select portions of Ch. 7 & 18

There will be an extra credit opportunity given in the next few weeks.  This will be an at home project.