Welcome students and parents to my New.Schoolnotes.com page. You can use this website to access information about Biology and take online quizzes and tests. Just click on the bottom link for Biology Book and then click on Student Center. You can choose the chapter from the drop down menu on the left side. The online book can be accessed by choosing student online book after you are in the student center. The username for the Biology book is bdolnc05; Password is 30554c75. Please email me or see me in class if there are any questions.

August 25th, 2011: Periods 1 & 4: Biology-Students were assigned seats and filled out a student information paper. Then students and teacher reviewed class rules and expectations. Textbook scavenger hunt was assigned. Students should also get required supplies for class-notebook, paper, pens, #2 pencils, DEAR book, journal,  etc. and get rules signed. Sign up for website.

August 29th:Periods 1 & 4- Students copied the warm up into their journals and then finished taking notes on Chapter 1. Students then worked in pairs on the Peanut Lab which they will finish up in class tomorrow. Students should have all turned in their class rules, lab safety rules and handbook rules (period 1 only). All students should have also have read chapter 1 by now. HW: Read chapter 1, do at least half of the chapter 1 vocabulary on page 27 and half of the section assessments (there are 3 of them: do 1-4 only for each assessment) as they are due on Wednesday before your Ch 1 Test.

Aug 30th: Biology- Students completed the peanut lab and turned it in after copying the warm up off the board. Students then worked in small groups to create a poster on the characteristics of life. If students finished with time left they could work on the chapter 1 vocabulary and the section assessments which are due tomorrow. HW: Study for Ch 1 Test and complete vocabulary and the 3 section assessments to turn in tomorrow.

Sept 1st: Biology- Students will be able to relate the structure of the atom to the identity of elements. Students watched a video on atoms and then had oral questions and answers. Then, students took notes on fill in handouts. HW: Quiz on the 25 essential elements for the human body tomorrow.

Sept 2nd: Biology- Students will be able to relate the structure of the atom to the identity of elements. Students completed today's warm up concept map on the board and then took a short element's symbol quiz. Students then paired up and worked o tan atom activity wher they had to figure out the properties of their specific atom. If students didn't finish it in class they can complete at home and bring back on Tuesday. HW: Read 6.2 and continue working on defining chapter 6 vocabulary as well as 6.2 section reviews. Remember to write out questions and answers or write answers in compete sentences.

Sept 16th: Biology- Students will be able to describe the functions of the plasma membrane and be able to explain why it's called the fluid mosaic model. Students took notes on the plasma membrane and then received a packet that they can work on at home. HW: Students should read chapter 7.1 and 7.2 over the weekend if they haven't already. They should also complete their chapter 7 vocabulary in the chart as it was explained in class. Journals are due next Friday for the first 100 points.

Sept 19th: Biology-Students will be able to explain the functions of the plasma membrane. Students completed the first 4 pages of the cell membrane packet and took notes on diffusion and osmosis as well as hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solutions. Students should be able to identify pictures the different solutions and describe the direction that the water is moving. Ch 7 vocabulary was turned in today. HW: Study notes, complete the first 4 pages of packet if you didn't finish and study for a short quiz on today's information. Journals are due Friday.

Sept 20th: Students will be able to explain the affects of a hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solution on a cell. Students took notes on the three types of solutions and continue to work in their packets. HW: Students divided into groups and will 3 eggs, vinegar, syrup for day 1 of an osmosis lab. Also, journals are due on Friday.

Sept 21st: Students will be able to describe the functions of the cell's organelle's. Students started the osmosis lab with their eggs today and filled in the lab sheets within each group. Students also took notes on more cell organelles. HW: Bring in syrup and optional carrots, gummy bears, and beets (from can) per group. Also make sure Journal is ready for Friday. Progress reports will go out tomorrow and need parent signatures.

Oct 3rd: Students will be able to show mastery of the cell cycle. Students took the Ch 8 test today and then had time to work on Ch 9 vocabulary which will be due on Friday. Students who completed the optional study review worksheet could use them on the test and also earned an additional 5 points. Tomorrow is Tuesday-Students may use smart lunch for the entire hour to do test corrections, make up work or labs, or use the time as a study hall to get additional help on any assignment that they may need. Next smart lunch is Thursday. Please note-the nine weeks ends on Oct 28th. HW: Read 9.1 and begin working on vocabulary chart. 

Oct 4th: Students will be able to describe the make up of an ATP molecule and explain the process of photosynthesis. Students took notes today on ATP and Photosynthesis which can be read in chapter 9. Students then completed a flow chart together as a class on the photosynthesis process and was given a worksheet for homework tonight. Answers can be written on the back in complete sentences. There will be a quiz tomorrow over today's notes and discussion. HW: Complete worksheet and study for quiz on Photosynthesis.

Oct 5th: Students will be able to explain the process of photosynthesis and break the process down into the two main phases. Students took a Photosynthesis quiz today which was also graded in class. Please check SPAN as Ch 8 test is now posted and today's quiz. SMART lunch is available tomorrow for test corrections, make up work, etc. HW: Read 9.3 and continue to work on vocabulary chart that is due on Monday.

Oct 6th: Students will be able to explain how cells create ATP during cellular respiration and how this aerobic respiration contrasts with fermentation which is anaerobic. Students took notes today on 9.3-cellular respiration and then began a lab activity on muscle fatigue which they will finish tomorrow. HW: Complete chapter 9 vocabulary in chart form for tomorrow. Test on chapter 9 on Monday due to shortened periods on Friday.

Oct 7th: Students will be able to distinguish between cellular respiration and photosynthesis but also between aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Students reviewed with teacher and then completed the muscle fatigue lab. HW: Finish questions on lab to be turned in on Monday. Study for chapter 9 for test on Monday!

Oct 10th: Students will be able to demonstrate master of the cell's energy. Students took the chapter 9 test today on Photosynthesis and Respiration. Today's warm up reviewed the two processes. After the test, the students had about 20 minutes to work on their chapter 10 vocabulary which will be due on Friday. Please work on it a little everyday so you are not overwhelmed on Thursday night. When all of the students completed the test, we began notes and discussion on Genetics and Gregor Mendel-"The Father of Genetics" HW: Read 10.1 and begin working on vocabulary for chapter 10.

Oct 11th: Students will be able to predict offspring traits by using a Punnett Square. Students took notes from teacher's lecture/discussion on Mendel, Phenotypes and Genotypes, heterozygous and homozygous traits, alleles, the Law of Segregation, The Law of Independent Assortment, and monohybrid crosses using Punnett Squares. Students and teacher did practice Punnett Squares and then students were given a worksheet to start on in class and finish at home. HW: Complete worksheet to be corrected in class tomorrow and then study for Quiz on 10.1 Vocabulary and how to use a Punnett Square to predict offspring characteristics. TIP- Take the onlione quizzes for 10.1 through the online book-VERY HELPFUL!! (Period 1 will have tomorrow's plans pushed to Thursday due to the PSAT)

Oct 12th: 4th period Biology had a Genetics quiz today and then had time to work on their chapter 10 vocabulary. 1st period didn't meet due to PSAT testing during 1st and 2nd periods but will take their quiz tomorrow. Both classes will turn in their SpongeBob Punnett square worksheet tomorrow-Thursday. Yeah!! for 4th period for getting almost all A's on their quizzes! You guys make me proud! :-) 

Oct 17th: Students will be able to compare and contrast the steps of mitosis and meiosis. Students completed an activity where they could work in small groups and create a step by step illustration using yarn to show the steps of mitosis and meiosis. If they din't finish in class they should complete it at home to turn in tomorrow. HW: Study chapter 10 including nondisjuction for a quiz tomorrow. SMART lunch is by pass only *please stop by class in the morning if you need a pass to attend smart lunch.

Oct 18th:  Students will be able to distinguish between the steps of meiosis and mitosis and explain the purpose of both processes in the body and the final products. Students took a quiz on chapter 10 and then discussed nondisjunction and how it can be beneficial in plants. Students turned in the meiosis activity from yesterday. HW: Read Ch. 12 (we will go back to 11 later) and begin working on chapter 12 vocabulary du on Monday. Also, continue working on mid-term review. All make up work, test corrections etc are due by Monday- Oct. 24th. Midterm review will be on Tuesday after school from 3:15-4:30. Also, if students want to come to smart lunch on Thursday they must ask for a pass ahead of time.

Oct 24th: Students will be able to apply genetic characteristics learned previously to humans. Students will be able to describe incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple allelles and sex linked traits in humans. Students will be able to read a karyotype and recognize genetic problems from a a karyotype. Students worked on a karyotype activity in class and will finish activity at home and turn it in on Tuesday. HW: Complete activity at home if needed to turn in tomorrow.

Oct 25th: Students will be able to describe the composition the two types of nucleic acids and be able to compare and contrast their structures and functions. Students took notes and participated in discussions about DNA and RNA. Students worked on a review worksheet. HW: Be prepared to turn in Journals and Review for Midterm tomorrow before the exam.

Oct 26th: Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the first half of Biology on a midterm exam. Students took their Biology Midterm Test today. They were able to turn in their midterm review sheet for additional points if they completed it in within the last 2 weeks. Students also turned in their Journals for the last 4 weeks. No Homework.

Oct 27th:  Students will be able to create a DNA molecule using the template and placing the nitrogen bases in the proper order. Students participated in an activity where they cut out, colored and assembled the parts of a DNA molecule. They then answered a few questions on the worksheet and stapled both together and turned it in at the end of the period. If they didn't finish they could finish at home and turn it in in class on Friday. Students could also work on Ch apter 11 Vocabulary for extra credit if they finished early or complete that at home as well. Friday is the end of the 1st quarter. Be sure all make up work has been turned in. HW: Complete todays assignments at home if needed.

Nov 1st: Students will be able to explain how chromosomal mutations can affect your gene expression and how blood type is expressed as a multiple allele.  Period 1 also did Test Crossing to determine the genotype of of the unknown organism for selective breeding. Students took notes on genetic mutations  and how to determine blood type. Students were reminded to turn in their Karyotype Activity and to work on their chapter 13 vocabulary that can now be done in 1 of three ways: Chart,Notecards or Concept Map. Vocabulary is due on Friday. Please read chapter 11 tonight as we are starting chapter 13 tomorrow. 

Nov 3rd: Students should be able to explain gel electrophoresis and how to make a DNA fingerprint. Students watched an animation of making a DNA fingerprint using gel electrophoresis and the worked on a worksheet where they had to identify the parents of specific babies. Worksheet was turned in at the end of the period or can be completed at home and turned in tomorrow. HW: Chapter 13 Vocabulary is due tomorrow in any of the 3 formats. A paper explaining the 3 formats was passed out in class today. Also: IMPORTANT-Please report directly to the media center to take a practice Biology EOC! Get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast! :-)

Nov 4th: Period 1 Biology took a practice Biology EOC Test today in the Media Center. Students turned in their Ch 13 Vocabulary and yesterdays worksheets at the end of the period.  Check SPAN as 2nd quarter grades  are now posted. HW: Read Ch 14 Period 4 Biology  learned about PCR-Polymerase Chain Reactions and watched a Short Video on cloning. Students also completed 13.3 Mini Lab and the Ch 13 Assessment at the end of the chapter. Please complete at home if needed.

November 9th: Students will be able to explain the difference between spontaneous generation (abiogenesis) and biogenesis and how scientists disproved abiogenesis. Students and teacher discussed the chapter 14 worksheet and the correct answers. Students then turned in the worksheet HW:Student need to complete the chapter 14 vocabulary (6 words) and study them for a quiz tomorrow. Students will be completing the geologic time scale tomorrow and can bring pictures to paste onto their timeline if they don't want to draw them tomorrow in class.

November 14th: Students will be able to summarize major events of the geologic time scale and explain who Darwin was. Students took a chapter 14 quiz today and was able to use their chapter 14 worksheet and vocabulary that was already graded and returned to them today. Students then discussed what they knew of Darwin and watched a short brainpop animation that explained who Darwin was and the Theory of Natural Selection. Class discussed why the Galapagos birds appeared to be different from each other but all evolved from the same original bird. HW: Read chapter 15 and begin working on the chapter 15 vocabulary in student's choice of format. Vocabulary is due on Thursday.

November 15th: Students will be able to explain the theory of natural selection and compare that to the idea of artificial selection. Students took notes from overhead and discussed ways nature and man has affected the way organisms have evolved. Students watched a short video clip of how an octopus camouflaged on a piece of coral and then discussed how mimicry and camouflage can help an organism successfully adapt to its environment. Students then began working on a worksheet that compared organisms with homologous structures in which they had to make a chart comparing their features. HW: Complete todays worksheet and chart for class tomorrow. Also-Bring in Teddy Bear Graham Cookies for Activity.

November 16th: Students will be able to show how natural selection can affect a population. Students worked in small groups on "The Teddy Bear Lab" in which they used graham cracker cookies that represented real organisms that were being eaten by a monster. Students showed how natural selection chose the "happy" bears and how their population increased while the "sad" bears decreased. All students graphed their results and attached it to the worksheet. Labs were due at the end of the period. HW: Ch.15 vocabulary is due tomorrow.

December 21st: Students should be able to demonstrate mastery of ecological concepts. Students took the Ecology UNit Test today covering chapters 2-5. Students were able to use their worksheets during their test from earlier this week and then turned them in as well for a grade. Students also turned in their Biome Pictures from yesterday if they didn't finish them in class. HW: Please check span and complete any missing assignments. Students should also work on their review packets or their enrichment packets over the break to prepare for the EOC on the 12th of January.