4/4 and 4/5

Today in class:

1. Today in class we begun class with the cell division quiz.


2. Then, we set-up the osmosis/egg lab and performed the day one procedures. To set-up the lab, you created a data table with space to record information about all of the variables in our lab. Each day, you will take the egg and record the date, liquid used, circumference, mass, and observations. Today, after taking down observations and measurements, you soaked the egg in vinegar.


3. We then discussed how to comment on a blog post. Comments should be meaningful and appropriate. Eighth graders and Mrs. McEwen have been busy reading your macroinvertebrates blog posts, so respond to any comments that they have left you.

Our egg lab is demosntrating the effects of osmosis. To review diffusion and osmosis watch this screencast:

HW for next class:

• Read pages 82-85 in plants textbook


• Vocab T-notes: rhizoid, rhizome


• Blog comment (see above) due by 4/11


• Work on study questions (Though these are not "due" for a grade, you MUST work on them to prepare for classwork and labs and our test on April14. I suggest working on the diffusion study questions tonight.

Posted by Emma Heaps

3/31 and 4/1

What we did in class today: We discussed the upcoming cell division quiz. Remember to study your powerpoint, textbook copy, foldables, videos, vocab T-notes, and study questions. Pictures will be helpful when you study. We then reviewed meiosis and finished up our meiosis foldables. We discussed diffusion and osmosis (see diffusion powerpoint). We also read the Osmosis/Diffusion Egg Lab that we will begin next class and discussed it breifly.

Watch the screencast below to review meiosis (pictures by Alexis!):



HW for next class:
-Cell Division Quiz (see above hints on what to study) -Diffusion T-Notes: diffusion, semipermeable, osmosis Note: Study questions will not be collected for a grade this unit. However, you should work on reviewing the study questions nightly that pertain to topics that we have covered in class that day.

Posted by Emma Heaps

Mitosis and Meiosis Videos

Screencast by Ms. Heaps to help clarify chromosomes, homologous chromosomes, and chromatids:



Some additional videos to view:

Posted by Emma Heaps

Science Class 3/29 and 3/30

Some cell division humor:





TODAY IN CLASS:

We reviewed the cell cycle and mitosis and finished our mitosis foldables. Then we discussed meiosis (using cell division powerpoint). Meiosis is a cell division process that produces 4 daughter cells with 1/2 the number of chromosomes as the orginal cell. You need to be sure to understand homologous chromosome and sister chromatids so that meiosis makes sense.

Watch this screen cast to review mitosis (pictures by Millicent!):




Meiosis screencast coming soon!

Homework for next class:
-Read diffusion packet
-Cell division quiz 4/4 for A day, 4/5 for B day (review now!!!!!!!!)
- Plants and Cell Division Test 4/13 for A day, 4/14 for B day

Posted by Emma Heaps

Tropical Storm Hermine in Texas

Tropical storm Hermine hit Texas hard yesterday. Severe flooding occurred in many areas and some tornados even touched down here in the North Texas area. When I was driving home yesterday, I saw some clouds and circulation that were indications of tornadic activity. Did you see any weather changes that hinted to you that tornados may be on the way?

Check out this video of flooding.

Check out this video of a tornado in Texas.

Posted by Emma Heaps

Tropical Storm Hermine

Have you heard the tropical storm Hermine is going to hit the coast of Mexico and Texas? The storm shouldn't pick up enough energy to become a hurricane (74 mph winds to become a hurricane). Southern Texas will be getting a lot of rain. Have you seen Dallas' weather forecast? We'll be getting some rain here too!

Check out this weather.com video

Think back to last year!!! Do you remember how a hurricane gains energy? What type of clouds bring thunderstorms?

Posted by Emma Heaps

Life at Deep Sea Vents

Hydrothermal deep sea vents are places where amazing life forms exist. These lifeforms live deep under the sea where there is no sunlight! It's incredibly interesting to learn how life forms here exist and survive.

Click here to check out scientist Jeffrey Marlow's blog post about exploring deep sea vents.

In the next few weeks of class we will be asking ourselves--What is life? --What conditions do we need for life to exist?

Posted by Emma Heaps