Extra Credit over the break

Below you will find a link to the extra credit that students are able to complete over the Winter Break.  The specifics are outlined on this worksheet but the basics of the activity are that students need to choose an organism and predict how it would evolve over time based on the environmental changes they predict will occur.  My only request is that students be sure they understand that evolutionary changes are the result of environmental factors and that must be reflected in their prediction.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nbHlmRHNmSWdWV0U/view?usp=sharing

Whale Evolution Packet Homework: 12/3 & 12/4

In class today students started working on their Evolution Packet.  Students were told that they are responsible for having the chart completed and the first 2 questions on Whale Evolution.  Students need to be aware that these questions will be graded based on the rubric that is included in the first packet linked below.  These worksheets are also linked on focus for your convenience.


Chart, Questions, & Rubric:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nZjNhNmtSX1RPU2c/view?usp=sharing

Article:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nWUVsUkpmdkkxMkk/view?usp=sharing

Cards:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9ndDJxcE5ZNlZqdEU/view?usp=sharing

Toothpick Fish Lab Questions

Below I have posted the Toothpick fish lab for students to look at the questions they were unable to complete in class.  Please be sure to support your 4 conclusion questions with evidence from the activity.  These questions are due at the start of next class and will be checked at the start of the period.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nYnFDcC00YjE0T1E/view?usp=sharing

Homework 11/6 & 11/9

Today in class we reviewed how Punnett Squares were completed as well as the key concepts for our Heredity unit that came from Mendel's experiments.  After completion of the practice students began working on the Mouse Genetics (1 Trait) gizmo.  A day students are expected to have this completed by Tuesday and B day students must be done by Thursday.  I have attached a copy of the exploration guide in focus if students need another copy.

Driftwood Packing List

I have had a couple of parents email me asking for a packing list for Driftwood.  These lists were sent home about a week and a half ago with all of the students along with a form allowing students to bring medication.  The extra medication forms are on Ms. Norona's desk in guidance.  Students are not allowed to have any medication (prescription or over the counter) with them on the trip.  You must turn in a permission slip and the medication in a zip lock bag with your students name on it to guidance.  The staff from school attending the trip will provide the students the medication as it is needed.  Epi pens and inhalers are allowed to be kept with students.  Below you will find the link to the packing list.  Please remember that they only need to pack for 2 days and everything they bring will be on the bus with us.  The more they pack the more people they will be sitting with on the way to Georgia, please keep it light :)

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at johnsonc7@duvalschools.org


Driftwood Packing List:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nQnF6YlJZaFJ1Z28/view?usp=sharing

Extra Credit: Due 10/22/15

The extra credit for this quarter entails students reading the article below and answering the questions linked below.  The key for students to earn all of the extra credit points is for them to be sure to not only provide support in their answer from the article but explain their thinking as well.  There are a potential 5 points for students to earn (one could go from an 85% to a 90% in the grade book).

For students to earn credit they must turn in the extra credit no later that Thursday, October 22nd of next week.  Points will not be given for any extra credit turned in after that date.

Article:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9neEVlRHZmdWw3NGc/view?usp=sharing

Questions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9ncXc1eVoycmo4U2c/view?usp=sharing

Course Recovery Packet for all students with a D or an F

This packet is is for any student that currently has a D or an F.  If students will complete this packet and answer the questions fully and completely their grade will go up by 1 letter.  This is another safety net to try and ensure that all students are given every opportunity to pass this first quarter.  The expectation is that all answers are supported and explained fully.  If students do not give full effort they will not get the benefit of the raising of their grade.  All packets must be turned in by Thursday of next week at the latest, which is October 22nd.

Course Recovery Packet:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nSDg5LTd6MExxMDg/view?usp=sharing

Recycle Day in class

Today in class I allowed students a chance to work on any assignment that they have a zero on or earned a D or an F on something that they turned in.  The only exception to that is that if an assignment was turned in late they are not able to redo that.  There are many students that have not turned in all of their work and have dug a hole for themselves and this is an opportunity to fix that.

For A day students any make up work must be turned in by Monday 10/12 and for B day students the work must be turned in on Tuesday 10/13.  There will be no chance to turn in any work past this point and it is a 1 time opportunity.   PLEASE take advantage of this.  If you have any questions please give me a call.

Online Textbook Login information

I finally was able to create logins for each class so that they are able to access the online textbook.  The link for the textbook can be found at the top right hand side of the blog.  Below is the information that students in each class will need to use to login.  If a student ever forgets their book at home they will be able to follow the link and login with the info below.

               Username                       Password

2A:            second                             landon

3A:            third                                landon

4A:            fourth                              landon

5B:            fifth                                 landon

6B:            sixth                                landon

7B:            seventh                            landon

8B:            eighth                              landon

Link to Online book:

http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do

Invasive Species "Wanted Poster"

In class students began working on creating a "wanted poster" for an invasive species currently living in Florida.  Students were given copies of the handout, which includes a rubric, and the expectations were gone over in class.  Students were allowed to work with a partner if they wanted too but the goal was to have the research completed by the end of class.

Due to the timing of the UNF field trips A day will need to turn their projects in on Thursday, October 8th and B day will need to turn theirs in on Tuesday, October 13th.  Students, be sure to follow the directions carefully as the rubric will be followed exactly when grading the posters.

On a small side note, even though it says it is a poster, students are allowed to create theirs on a piece of computer paper and don't need to go and purchase an actual poster board.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9neVB0NDV3WEMyV0k/view?usp=sharing

Alien Bugs homework: 9/28 & 9/29

Yesterday and today in class we completed the following activity simulating Limiting Factors.  We did not have enough decks of cards so we substituted with dice.  Most every student was able to have the data collected prior to the end of class, but if that isn't the case for your student they are able to complete this at home.  All work should be completed in the students interactive journal and please ensure that the conclusion is not only completed but supported as well.

Worksheet:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nWEpZUlN2UjM2Z2c/view?usp=sharing

Oh deer here come the wolves!!! Due 9/28 & 9/29

Today in class we began working on an activity detailing the predator and prey relationship as well as carrying capacity within an ecosystem.  Students were given 2 scenarios and were tasked with determining which would be the best long term for the population of deer in question.  They were also provided with 2 data charts they had to produce graphs for as well as answer 10 analysis/conclusion questions.  Students need to be sure to set their graphs up carefully with appropriate labels and be detailed in their conclusions being sure to provide support from the activity.

Worksheet:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nRVplcFZoVUNVZEU/view?usp=sharing

Food Web and Energy Pyramid Homework due 9/22 & 9/23

In class on Friday and Monday students took a quiz that covered standard 17.1 (Lessons 10.1 and 10.2 in the book).  Once the quiz was completed we graded the quizzes in class and grades were entered that period.  For the remainder of the period students began researching an ecosystem of their choosing and were tasked with creating a food web and energy pyramid for the ecosystem they decided to research.  Below are listed the expectations for the web and pyramid, and any work not completed in class was to be done for homework.

Food Web and Energy Pyramid:

1. Create a food web with 15-20 organisms that live in your ecosystem.  Be sure to label the arrows correctly

2. Create an energy pyramid based on the food web you designed.  Be sure to have the correct distribution of organisms (1-2 Tertiary consumers, 3-4 secondary consumers, 5-6 primary consumers, and 6-8 producers).

3. Be creative in the way that you put everything together and be sure to color your organisms as well.

Quiz covering 10.1 & 10.2 from the book!!!

Just a last minute reminder that students will be taking a 10 question checkpoint quiz covering standard 17.1, which deals with information in lesson 10.1 and 10.2.  Please be sure that you students spend time reviewing that information prior to coming to class on either Friday or Monday.

Food Chain Gizmo Homework: 9/16 & 9/17

Today in class students began working on the Food Chain gizmo.  Any work that wasn't completed in class is expected to be finished at home and turned in at the start of the next class.  The due date for A day classes is 9/18 and the due date for B day classes is 9/21.

Please be sure that students are being detailed in their responses, 1 word answers aren't acceptable!  Along with the exploration guide they were provided, they are responsible for completing the 5 assessment questions below the gizmo for credit as well.  If by chance a student can't find their exploration guide once they leave class they are able to print one from the website.  They just need to click on the gizmo assigned and click the tab/link that says lesson info, there they can download the for to be printed.

Gizmo homework: Growing Plants

Students were logged in and signed up for their Gizmo accounts yesterday and today in class and began working on their first Gizmo of the year, Growing Plants.  Students were given the exploration guide in class and any work that they were unable to finish in class is expected to be completed as homework.  If students have any problem logging on please email me and let me know at johnsonc7@duvalschools.org  This assignment is due at the start of the next class.

Gizmo class sign up information

Yesterday and today in class students signed up for their gizmo accounts and worked on their first assignment, Growing Plants.  Below I am going to post the class codes each class will need to register.  Students should have completed this prior to the end of class as they had at least 30 minutes to get signed up and begin working on the gizmo.  If for some reason a student wasn't able to get signed up in class below are the codes along with instructions.

2A: RBTXBGHN8Y

3A: BR5G34QQCM

4A: J52AYEZGMK

5B: 5EELMHGDTH

6B: 97KJFJJ9YV

7B: J2UA3GLAXD

8B: Gizmo's only allows me to have 6 class periods so students in this class were divided up into the other sections based on last names.  When students enter their appropriate class code I want the students in this section to create a new username and password so that when they have to enter their name they put 8B before their first name so I can differentiate them easily from the other students within that section.  For example: 8BJohn Smith, below you can find the breakdown by last name and what sections they should be registering for.

          A-C          Register with 2A
   
          D-G          Register with 3A

          H-K          Register with 4A

          L-R           Register with 5B

          S-Z           Register with 6B

First Quiz!!!

Students will be taking their first quiz on Tuesday and Wednesday.  It will cover all Scientific Knowledge/Investigation skills.  Students should focus on the information covered in Lessons 1 and 2 from unit 1.  There will be an option for a retake for those that don't do well on the quiz.

Homework due 9/8 & 9/9

In class we introduced our shark tracking activity.  Students learned about the group OCEARCH and the role that they play in marine conservation, specifically sharks.  They have a website that shows real time data for sharks they have tagged around the world, which we will use throughout the year.  Students were asked to choose a shark from their website and record basic information onto the worksheet provided to them in class.  If this wasn't completed during the time given in class students are expected to complete it at home.  Parents if you are interested please take the time to go to their website www.ocearch.org and have your students tell you about what we are learning.  It is a very interactive and fun website!

Also students were asked to read lesson 1.1 in their book (it starts on page 6) and complete the lesson review, which will need to be turned in at the start of their next class.  For this lesson I am not requiring students to answer the questions that are embedded within the text, only the lesson review.

Science baseline and Homework for 9/1 & 9/2

Today in class students took the 7th Grade Science District Baseline assessment.  As soon as we receive the results students will get a print out detailing how they did.  This is a very important tool for us as it helps to guide the instruction your children will receive throughout the year.

Once we completed the baseline a worksheet was handed out the detailed 4 different scenarios.  Students were asked to identify the Independent/Dependent variables as well as control groups.  If a student was unable to complete the worksheet they need to open the link below and be sure to have this completed in the Right hand side of their Journal prior to the next meeting of class.

Identifying Variables worksheet:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nTkFUVWZkNDlkMGs/view?usp=sharing

Homework 8/28 & 8/31: Whirlygig Lab

Today in class we completed our first lab.  Students did a great job coming up with designs for their whirlygigs and were very diligent as they tested them.  I am excited to see their lab reports and the results from their work in class.  Below I am posting 2 links, 1 will be to the lab directions and rubric and the second will be the template for the whirlygig in case they need to continue their testing from home.

Students were asked to develop their hypothesis and record their data in their Science Journals and will need to complete the lab write up either handwritten on a separate sheet of paper or be typed.  Students please be sure to turn it in with the rubric sheet attached for grading purposes.  When the lab write up is returned it will be attached into their Journals.

The only exception to this is my 3rd period class.  We had an assembly today that took the majority of the period and they were unable to do this lab.  I handed out an alternate assignment to them and they are expected to turn that worksheet in on Tuesday.

Whirlygig Directions, Rubric, & Template:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nWFNzZzVlZk9mazQ/view?usp=sharing


3A Worksheet:


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nTmZOWkdMOVpUcXc/view?usp=sharing

Homework from 8/26 & 8/27: Lesson 1.2

The first two days of class we have been working on making observations and drawing valid conclusions.  I have been impressed with the quality of the students work so far and am excited to see all they create throughout the school year.

This will be the first homework out of the book this year and I just want to be sure that I detail all that I expect for them to complete.  I talked with the students but please remind them that I DO NOT want anything torn out of the book except the Lesson Review, Unit Summary, and Benchmark Review.  All information from within the lesson itself needs to remain in the book.  For this assignment the lesson in the book is 1.2 and it begins on page 18.

What is potentially required to complete within the lessons (varies based on the lesson):

1. Engage your Brain and Active Reading: I will not always require students to complete this page, it will depend on the lesson and how the knowledge they have demonstrated that they already have.

2. Text of the Lesson:  Students will be expected to read ALL of the lesson.  Within each lesson students will highlight and/or underline all important concepts and circle items that they don't fully understand.  Also there are questions embedded within the text and they are expected to answer all questions.  The only exception to that is any question that asks them to do something outside of the book, those do not need to be completed.

3. Visual Summary: Just like with item #1 this page will not always need to be completed and will be based on the performance of the students in class prior to the assigning of the homework.

4. Lesson Review:  This will always be completed and turned in.  Please make sure your student writes their name on their Lesson Review, I would hate for them to do the work and then not get credit.

For lesson 1.2 students DO NOT have to complete the Engage your Brain/Active Reading or the Visual Summary.  All other items must be completed and are due by the next class period.

1st homework of the year: Safety Agreement

All of my classes are off to a wonderful start and I am so excited to get to know each of the students as the year progresses.  Even though it is day 1 I have homework that I need the students to complete, thankfully it should be very painless!

I gave each student a copy of the Safety Agreement and they were asked to bring this document home for a signature from their parent/guardian, sign it themselves and return it by the next class period.  Please be reminded that while there is late work this quarter, it is only for half credit and will only be accepted up to 1 class period late.  After that point students will be unable to receive credit for their work.  Please be sure your student has this completed and ready to turn in!

Student Safety Agreement: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nMGMzMWZkYjAtMmIzNS00OTE4LWE4MTktYzhiNDczNTM1M2I5/view?usp=sharing 

Curriculum Paper

          It's hard to believe but the new school year is here!  I trust and hope you had a fun and restful summer and are looking forward to getting the year started off well.  Below you will find a link that will take you to my Curriculum Paper for 7th Grade Science.  The paper will give you a good idea of the topics covered this year and some of the basic expectations for my class.  I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in class and feel free to ask any questions that you may have.  Also you are welcome to email me at any point during the year at johnsonc7@duvalschools.org

Curriculum Paper:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6NqXT4MtQ9nenFUdW90NXI1QjA/view?usp=sharing