November 15, 2009

Welcome to Mr. McDuffie's Life Science homework page!   

     Mrs. Boykin, my student teacher from Columbus State University, is currently teaching your child.  You can direct questions or concerns to either of us by emailing me or Mrs. Boykin.  I am aware of what is happening in the class and am in constant communication with Mrs. Boykin.    This week will be Mrs. Boykin's last and I will begin teaching on Wednesday of this week.  

Students will have a test over Chapter 21 on Tuesday, November 17th.  After Chapter 21 we will begin to study Chapter 7 Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi on page 208.  Studying about how viruses and bacteria are spread should be very relevant due to the H1N1 flu spreading throughout the world.  I have some very interesting demonstrations planned for all students for this section.   

PLEASE NOTE THAT SCHOOL WILL BE OUT FROM NOVEMBER 23RD TO FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 FOR THE THANKSGIVING BREAK.  Students will return fully rested on November 30th.  Hopefully everyone will have a restful time and eat plenty of food during this time while remembering the many things we have to be thankful for during this special occasion.  

 Students have been learning how matter and energy flow through the ecosystems.   Please encourage your student to read and reread Chapter 21 along with internalizing the vocabulary words.  The Georgia Performance Standards covered will be:  

S7CS5     Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.

S7L4     Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their environments. 

     Each night students should read a section in their science book and study their vocabulary words.  It is very important for all students to learn the vocabulary terms.  If your student knows the vocabulary terms, they will know what is being discussed in class.  Some students will have a book/audio CD of chapters 11-21 which is an exact duplicate of the textbook and can be used at home on a computer.   You do not have to have internet access to utilize this CD at home. 

After reading each section students should be able to answer the assessment questions on pages 715, 721, 725, and 739. 

     To learn more about Ecosystems and Biomes in Chapter 21 please visit the following websites on the internet:

     Visit:  www.SciLinks.org   Web Code:  scn-0521  Links on food chains and food webs

     Visit:  PHSchool.com  Web Code:  cqj-0021  Building science vocabulary

     Visit:  PHSchool.com  Web code:  cfp-4024  Water cycle activity

     Visit:  PHSchool.com  Web code:  cfp-1015  Continental Drift activity

     Visit:  www.SciLinks.org  Web code:  scn-0525  Links on aquatic ecosystems 

WARNING:  SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS ARE DUE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD!!!!! 

IB STUDENTS SHOULD BE WELL ALONG ON THEIR PROJECTS AT THIS TIME.  TESTING OF VARIABLES AND CONTROL GROUPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.  STUDENTS SHOULD  HAVE RESEARCHED AND BEGUN WRITING THEIR HISTORY OF THE SUBJECT SELECTED.  REMEMBER!!!!  DECEMBER 3RD IS A VERY SHORT TIME AWAY.  DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!  I will be going over how tri-boards are to be set up for display of their project this week.

You were given a packet of information concerning the Science Fair Project which will be due on December 3rd.  Please read and cover the information with your parents.  Don't feel embarrassed to ask for help.  This is one of the most difficult projects you will encounter in the 7th grade.  Please do not procrastinate on this project.

I am normally available after school if your child needs additional help (except on Mondays).  I normally will not leave school until 4:15 or 4:30 each day.    For a Parent/Teacher conference, please call Richards at 706-569-3697 and schedule an appointment. 

Mr. McDuffie   gmcduffie@mcsdga.net   or call Richards at (706) 569-3697