Hey there, hi there, ho there!

Greetings from the Science (and Math, Religion, and Vocabulary) Classroom

You are seeing fewer (as in: zero) blogs from me because of the ChromeBook Pilot program successfully launched in January at our school. With the availability of individual student computers, online instructions for science class have migrated to Google Classroom. The students use Google Drive and its suite of tools to create original documents, slide presentations, and spreadsheets. All of these can be shared with their classmates and teachers (and parents, if parents have Google Drive installed) directly. Student groups can research and edit the same document at the same time on different computers in the classroom and from their homes.


Google Classroom permits the teacher to post assignments and announcements to the Class Page, so all class members see them as soon as they log in. The Class Page is accessible from any computer at any time, so no more "I didn't know we had to do that" or "my homework buddy didn't tell me/get me the handout/bring my homework downstairs when I was absent." Students can view assignments and obtain shared documents themselves, as well as turning in work online to the teacher. They can't "forget to bring their homework" if the homework is accessible from any computer in the building. The paper and ink saved are a positive step toward cost reduction and resource conservation for all of us. Plus, the increased clarity of communication will benefit both students and parents.

Google Classrooms have been established for all my classes: 7 sciences, 8 sciences, 6 math, and 7 homeroom, religion, and vocabulary. I will keep assignments up-to-date as possible, but keep in mind that due dates sometimes change and spur-of-the-moment assignments crop up, depending on how the class is progressing. Also, not all documents/handouts are available in digital form (yet), and students are still responsible for obtaining and completing all assignments at all times.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we implement our TEC - Technology Enhanced Classroom. This is a PILOT, so not all classes, teachers, and assignments will be available online. Please ask your student for their Google Login ID and password. Yes, they do know them. You probably remember receiving an email with this information from Mrs. Oleski earlier in the school year. You can go to their Classrooms and check for assignments or digital instructions. You are free to see the progress of their work for yourself on their Google Drives. The best way you can help your child is to support their teachers' instructions when they are supposed to use Google, not Word. If they do Word documents at home, they need to upload the files to Drive in order to share them with me and turn them in on Classroom.

We are all learning together! So far, the 7th graders have benefitted the most as they explore water conditions in third world countries and prepare presentations of their own original ideas that just might save the world. The skills needed to research, write, and share digital documents will be invaluable in high school. They are also beginning to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills that will serve them for a lifetime. Ask your seventh grader to show you around Google Drive. They might be proud of their skills and enjoy showing off a bit.

See you on Google Classroom!

7th grade LRC visit to work on "Shine On" PPT

Hello 7th Graders on October 21st,

If you really and truly have finished your PowerPoint for Shine On, you will be asked to present in class tomorrow, so it had better be good! Be sure you have incorporated what we learned yesterday from the website
http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/earlygrowth/germination/germ.html

Also check out http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/earlygrowth/photomorph/photomorph.html
to view the videos side by side.

Now practice your own presentation (in your head!) and be sure it includes the science you learned from these websites.

Can't wait to see your presentation about your plants and WHY they grew (or didn't) the way they did under different light conditions. Yay!

Dr. Harnois


7th Graders who have completed their Shine On PPT - or who don't have materials with them to work on their PPT - go to the links below to study the chapter material.

Photosynthesis and respiration BrainPop:
http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078802849/student_view0/brain_pop_movies.html#

On the same link, you may choose the Mitosis BrainPop.

Or you may wish to rewatch the Amoeba Sisters videos about Mitosis and Cancer. We haven't yet watched the DNA replication video, but that can be found on the same page:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwcwSZIfKlM

http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078802849/student_view0/brain_pop_movies.html

Please use headphones, so you don't disturb others who are on different activities.

Thank you!

Links for 7th Grade Cell Review

Hey Minions!

In LRC today, work your way through these links, learning every step along the way. There will be an optional cell organelle and function test to provide a boost to the chapter test grades. Learn all you can and have fun with these interactive sites. If control+click doesn't work, copy the link and paste into the address bar.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/cell/index.htm

http://www.biomanbio.com/GamesandLabs/Cellgames/CellExplorerAnimalCell.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/86966.html

http://sciencereviewgames.com/srg/games/hs.php?id=92

Here is one to refresh your memory about osmosis and diffusion:
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab1/intro.html

Remember: this is valuable learning time. Ask questions if you are uncertain about any of the organelles and their functions!

Dr. H 

Matter Matters for 8th Graders in LRC

The Crab Nebula (famous Matter)

On Tuesday, September 16th, we will focus on matter, its properties, and changes in matter with a Web quest. You have received the packet in class, but I have loaded the links here to facilitate site access for you. Complete each activity in your packet, entering your answers, notes, and results as indicated on the handout pages. Have fun!

Task #1

http://www.quia.com/custom/2202gate.html

Task #2

http://vtaide.com/png/matter.htm

Task #3

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_states.html

Task #4

http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/science/matter.html

Task #5

http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/atoms/states.html

Task #6

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter/index.html

Task #7

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/hotplate/index.html

Task #8

http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/chem0010/unit2/2.3_changes.htm

Task #9

http://www.quia.com/quiz/303980.html

If needed, you can access this blog from home and finish the packet later.

8th Grade Circulatory System Review

Have fun with the links below. They will help you review the circulatory system, heart anatomy, blood components, function, and of course, blood types.


Remember, you are here to reinforce what you know, but have fun while doing so!


Put your headphones or earbuds in place before you begin. Many of these links have sound effects or narration.

For ABO drama, go to
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/landsteiner/landsteiner.html

For a launching page to several great activities and informational sites, go to
https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcoschools.us/mr-volk-s-science-website/science-content/circulatory-and-respiratory-systems/the-circulatory-system

• The first link there: ABC Science, Virtual Heart Surgery is great. Try your hand at open-heart virtual surgery. 
• The animation of a blood cell moving through the body is a quick review of the loops in the circulatory system, and is just cool. (Pulmonary and Systemic, remember?)
• Circulatory System Review Games is a bit over your heads (try them if you like!), but visit the Basketball and Soccer Review Games. I still can't make a basket, but I haven't missed a goal!
• The Science Rap video below the links is pretty good, too. See what you think.

If you just want to watch John have another heart attack go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8VI5ccaKuE

and the cheesy artery goop can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEc-Rsv9pMc

Other videos we have seen in class can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMmtqKgs50

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQp3XM3zugI

I almost forgot; here is the link to the textbook quiz site. Every time you refresh the page, it will give you new questions about the Circulatory System.

http://www.glencoe.com/qe/science.php?qi=214  (Just select and paste it into the address bar in a new tab.)

OK? Enjoy and Learn!

Virtual Frog Dissection Lab

Hello 8th graders,

Because we are human and humane, we will be doing a virtual frog dissection today. If you would like to read about the plight of frogs in the world and some discussion of why it is best to go with virtual dissection, try here: http://pcrm.org/research/edtraining/dissectionalt
There are many more, but this is concise and factual.

YOU WILL NEED YOUR HEADPHONES.
To begin today's lab, you will visit the following link and work your way through the exercise, one video and page at a time. Some of the information is probably known to you. When you get to the virtual exercise, do it! http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_16/BL_16.html

If you want to feel like you've really poked around inside a dead frog, try this link:
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/frog_alternative.html
It uses a real frog for the demonstrations.

There will be a frog quiz tomorrow, so be sure to take notes on structures and procedures.

Have fun!

First Step Toward Science Fair!

Hello Seventh Grade Science Class,

We discussed today's task yesterday in class: by Monday you will have three possible science fair project ideas, with one online reference for each. The online reference should provide information you will want to study to learn more about your topic.

If you already have ideas, Great! Get right to researching and see what you can find.

If you want to get some ideas, go to any of these websites and start browsing:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml

http://www.education.com/science-fair/eighth-grade/

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html

Use the online research skills you developed this year for the Water Crisis project to help you navigate the websites.

Remember, you can type up a document right now and save it to your school account or a flash drive (preferably both...so you don't leave your document at home on Monday). We can print them out upstairs on Monday. Have fun! See you on Monday.

Dr. H.