Test Day

So we got off to a late start (I needed the extra sleep) but everything is running smoothly now.

Test was taken today I hope all did as well as they should have.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and be ready to work when we get back!

Dissappointing Day!

So I made a deal with all of my classes yesterday. I told them that everyone in the class would simply complete their test review I would read the test to them today so they would have an easier time. An early Christmas present if you will. But low and behold after being given 55 minutes in class and an entire evening NO class even came close to fulfilling their end of the deal.

So today we went methodically thru the test review. There is not one single thing on the test that wasnt reviewed today. If they will take the time to actually study tonight they should do quite well!!

Heres to hoping they do!

Test Review

Well we are in the home stretch for 2007. Today we began the test review. It will be posted below. Please complete this it is FREE points!!!! Tomorrow we will continue to review and finish the week with a test on Friday!

CHAPTER 8
TEST REVIEW SHEET
1) Explain the difference between homozygous and heterozygous.
2) List and describe Mendel's three laws.
3) Who was Gregor Mendel and why was he important?
4) Explain the difference between P, F1, and F2 generations.
5) Know all the key words from Chapter 8.
6) What is the difference between dominant and recessive traits?
7) What is the difference between genotypes and phenotypes?
8) What is probability?
9) How is a monohybrid cross different from a dihybrid cross?
10) What is a test cross?
11) Explain the difference between codominance and incomplete dominance?
12) Cross RR and rr. Give the genotypic ratios for the F2 generation.
13) What are the possible phenotypes for the following cross? Tt x tt. T=Tall t=Short
14) What would be the possible genotypes for the cross of a homozygous Tall
green plant with a heterozygous short yellow plant?
15) Give the phenotypes for the F1 produced by the cross of a homozygous tall
round plant with a homozygous short rough plant where tall and rough are
dominant.

Lab Day

Yesterday we finished with Punnett square problems. Now all of you should be able to sucessfully complete monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.

Today we made babies in class. No not really but we did a lab that showed how probability comes in to play when talking about traits being passed down from parents to children. The kids used coin flips to determine what the offspring looked like and then they had to draw the baby! Lets just hope their real kids in a few years look better than their drawn babies lol!


Tomorrow we begin the test review. Thursday will be the final test review and Friday Merry Christamas we have our last test of the year!! (2007 that is)

Friday at last

So here we are on Friday. We have spent the last three days working on Punnett Square problems. We started with one trait problems and should now be able to work three trait problems. Remember 3 traits 8 possible gametes and 64 squares in your Punnett Square.

Next week will be more Punnet square problems, a lab, a test review and a test next Friday.

If I were you I would not miss next week because trying to retain this material over break is not a good thing to try when your grade depends on it!! Speaking of break I hope everyone enjoys their time off but when we get back we have to hit the ground running! There will be no EASING back in, the SOL test is just around the corner!

8 more days!!!

Today we begin the last lecture of the year!!! Yes thats right 2007 is dwindling. We have 8 more days left well really 7.5 because this Friday is screwy since we have the student faculty basketball game. We have lots to get thru before the test next Friday the 21st!

If I were you I wouldnt miss any of the days from here until break because they are going to be jam packed and I would hate for you to get behind starting the new year!!!

Long Weekend

Well I hope all of you enjoyed the unexpected long weekend due to the dangerous ice that lasted a couple of hours. Well now it is time to get back to business.

Today we will be beginning Genetics. I really hope we can get thru this by next Friday but we will just have to see.

The over view is posted below . Please complete this ASAP!!!


Chapter 8 Overview


Key Terms :
Trait Genotype
Gene Phenotype
Hybrid Homozygous
Pure-Bred Heterozygous
Dominant Trait Probability
Recessive Trait Punnett Square
Allele Incomplete Dominance
Polygenic Traits Codominance





Questions:

1) Why is Gregor Mendel important to the field of Genetics?



2) What is genetics?



3) Describe Mendel’s three laws.



4) What is the difference between a monohybrid cross and a dihybrid cross?




5) What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?

Test Day

So here it is Thursday and we took a test on Mitosis and Meiosis.

This week we have taken a quiz, done a lab, a test review and now taken a test. Some of my classes are really starting to get it and are putting the effort into being sucessful some are are not.

Tomorrow is a lousy day, we have the student faculty basketball game which means crazy schedule and wild kids!!! But we will charge forward and start on Chapter 8 Overview (another free points assignment)

Meiosis (Creating Sex cells)

Funny how I kept everyone's attention today, must have been the topic.

We learned how sex cells are made and why it is important for them to be haploid and not diploid. Expect a quiz on this on Monday!

Wednesdays Lab

Today we did a lab that had us recreate every stage of Mitosis!!

Please make sure you understand what is going on and not just memorizing the numbers!

An extended hiatus

Ok so this has been a little rough on me to keep up with lately. I promise to try and do better.

Today we started the lecture on Mitosis and Meiosis, hopefully we will be done with the lecture portion by Thursday at the latest. We will have 2 or 3 labs in this unit and a test probably next week sometime.

Yesterday we did the Chapter 7 Overview and I hope people will start turning these in and quit throwing away free points!

Ok Im back

So here it is November 14th and I have slacked a little on the posting.

Well here is a quick synopsis!

Monday we reviewed cellular Respiration and took the quiz yet again. Yes we did improve from the first time but it still isnt where we needed it to be, but that probably stems from the quiz being on Monday!

Tuesday we began to learn about Photosynthesis and the Light Dependent Reaction.

Wednesday we covered the Calvin Cycle and for the first time all year all 5 classes blew me away. All of them really got this and were into showing me that they understood!

Today we took a quiz on Photosynthesis. The scores are heads and shoulders above the other quiz scores!!!

Finishing the lab

Today we finished the ATP lab. Things went much smoother today and hopefully we are starting to get it!!

Tomorrow we will go back thru cellular respiration and will probably have a quiz on Monday!

Wednesday after the break

Today we began a lab that dealt with the formation of ATP. It was very evident from the quiz last Friday and the beginning of this lab that we have a long way to go with this!!! But we will get there.

Part Deux

Today in an attempt to make sure that everyone completes an assignment, we supposedly finished the Chapter 6 Overview. Tomorrow will be notes as will Thursday. Look for a quiz on Friday!!!!

Chapter 6 Photosynthesis/Cellular Respiration

Today we used to the computers to start the Chapter 6 Overview. I was amazed that even after Friday's talk that I had to hand out pens in every class and paper in all but one class.

I can only present the material to you, you have to take the challenge to learn it!

Fridays rant

Ok so today we discussed responsibility, effort, and a whole host of other things in an attempt to get the kids pointed back in the right direction.


We shall see MOnday....

Drumroll please!!!! Its Test Day

So we finish up cells today and hopefully everyone will do very well with the test. I gave you the questions yesterday so I hope you had the self discipline to at least review the info last night!!!


Dont forget Chapter 5 Overview was due today as well.

Test review

Ok so maybe test review is a little too literal here. I went thru the entire test with each class question by question!

Each class was basically given each question and given the opportunity to find the answer in their notes.

There is absolutely NO reason to not be sucessful on the test!!! I hope you take th etime to look at what is on the test tonight!!!

Drawings!!!

Today is Tuesday and we finished our drawings of th eplant and animal cells. We also got a refresher on cell organelles and their functions.

We also learned that we need alot more work on pulling two concepts together.

Tomorrow we will test review and Thursday Test!!!

The Lab is Done!

Today we completed the questions on the lab and turned it in!

Tomorrow we will begin our review of Chapter 5 The Cell. We will be drawing bith plant and animal cells, reviewing cell parts and cell functions, and reviewing the 5 scientists. Test will probably be Thursday at this point.

Pep Rally

Pep rallies always make for an interesting day in the classroom! But to the kids credit they worked thru this and actually did some good stuff today.

We look at Elodea, a water plant. We saw chloroplasts circling and a great example of a cell wall.

Then we looked at preserved blood cells and cheek cells.

Test will end up sometime next week probably Wednesday. Monday we will finish the lab by answering all the questions.

Resuming the lab

Today we observed the carrot, potato, and banana. I really hope you headed my warnings about taking the time to draw and label since the questions will ask this information of you.

Tomorrow we will look at Elodea, blood cells, and cheeks cells. Please be here!


There will be a few of you staying with me Friday afternoon!

Wednesdays Dental Appointment

Today I had a dentist appointment and wasnt at school. The students completed a review activity that if completed correctly will really help with the test next week.

I hope everyone remembers my policy as to how subs should be treated!!!

Cell Lab

Here it is Tuesday and we have started the lab. Today we looked at onions and drew what we saw.

Some chose to blow this off and arent taking this lab seriously and ther grade will reflect that.

We will finish this lab probably sometime next week!!!

The Smartboard!!!!

Today we took a few notes and then did a review activity on the Smartboard. Some classes did very very well on this activity, others really struggled!

Tomorrow is our first really BIG lab. Please dont be absent for the next three days!!

Tomorrow Prelab. Looking at the onion and the carrot. And hopefully finishing our cell drawings.

Another week gone!

Today went much more smoothly as the assignment was quite as abstract!

Today we created PowerPoint presentations that had one picture and 4 facts for each of the following parts:
Nucleus
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Ribosome
Lysosome
Golgi Apparatus
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Mitochondria
DNA
Nucleolus

Most did very well today, and I am looking at where I can build in some time during the next couple of weeks to finish this up!!!!

Have a great weekend go out and support the football team and the band!! And dont forget Kentucky Basketball season begins tonight Go Big Blue!!!

Firedrill Thursday

So we got off to a rough start today with the stinkbombs and firedrill but we made it thru.

Today we did a computer exercise where we compared the cell and its parts to an item of each groups choosing. We had cars, computers, the city of Lynchburg, and even the classroom used. I cant wait to grade these!!!!

More computer usage tomorrow!

Wednesday surprise

Today the class got a real treat Mr Kitts wheeled in a brand new smartboard. This changes everything in the class. I will be creating more and more interactive activities that will engage every student!!!

But back to today and class. We finished most of the cell parts today and will begin on the computer lab tomorrow. I hope you take this seriously because it will be a large grade!

Cells Alive!

Today we begin the lecture portion of this Chapter. We learned about Leeowenhoek, Hooke, Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow. The Cell theory, and started in on cell parts.

Tentative schedule for the week.
Tomorrow continue the lecture on cells
Thursday and Friday computer activity regarding cells.

Attendance is the key to being sucessful!!!

A Fresh Start

So today begins the 2nd six weeks. I had 23 students come in on Friday and complete make up work. BUT that was only about a third of the number that should have come in!!! If you dont do the work you will not get the grade from me!

Today we start into the best part of Biology, how things work!!! Our first topic will be cells.

We will be learning about the differences between cells, how cells perform their functions, and what organelles are found in the different cell types. We will also being doing a lab that will probably take about 3 days. You dont want to miss ANY of those days!!!

Summer is over lets really start working hard now peoples!!!!

Last day of the six weeks!

Well here it is Thursday and the last day of the six weeks and the kids are scrambling trying to find out about missing assignments. Even though they have been posted on the board for 3 weeks now!

Going into today I have 353 missing assignments, and 304 absences. Both numbers are absurd for 30 days of school.

Today we did an assignment that hopefully will help a few peoples grades. Also I told everyone if you want to make up the missing work you better be here tomorrow!

Test Day

There is no excuse to do poorly on this test as I gave you the questions yesterday.

I am a little dismayed about the lack of work that was turned in, but hey it is your grade!!!

Tomorrow is the end of the first six weeks!

Tuesday Oct 2

Ok so today I went thru the test. Question by question. I gave them every bit of info they needed to score a 100 on the test.

I had people decide they wanted to sleep. I had people that refused to take notes.

All I can say is that I wish I had a teacher growing up that would go thru the test with me!

Do tomorrow: Chapt 3 OV
Chapt 4 OV
Chapt 4 Review
Chapt 3 and 4 Test Review

Monday Oct 1

Today we worked on the Chapter 3 and 4 Test Review that we were supposed to do on Friday before the power went out.

I am really worried about the lack of focus and effort right now. They feel like they dont have to do any work, and their grades this six weeks are going to reflect it!!!

Monday Oct 1

Today we worked on the Chapter 3 and 4 Test Review that we were supposed to do on Friday before the power went out.

I am really worried about the lack of focus and effort right now. They feel like they dont have to do any work, and their grades this six weeks are going to reflect it!!!

And we begin...

Today begins the three day marathon review for the test.

We will review Chapter 4 exclusively today. Remember this is one of the 4 items that are due to me on Tuesday before we take the test.

Tomorrow I will be out. I have to take my kids to their doctors appointments, and I have one myself. Please remember my policy regarding substitute teachers. I like each and every one of my students but I really dont want them with me every Friday afternoon after school for detention!

Start Organizing now! Due Tuesday: 1)Chapter 3 Overview
2)Chapter 4 Overview
3)Chapter 4 Review Sheet
4)Chapter 3 and 4 Test Review (Friday)

Done at last

Well we finished up the notes for Chapter 4 in class today.

Tomorrow we will do a review activity of Chapter 4.
Friday will be the test review.
Monday will be a review day.
Tuesday will be the test.

Tuesday you will need to turn into me:

1)Chapter 3 Overview
2)Chapter 4 Overview
3)Chapter 4 Review
4)Test Review

The six weeks ends next Thursday please get any missing work in to me ASAP!

Thanks!!

A big thank you to all of the parents that attended the Back to School night. I hope I will see most of you at Parent Teacher conferences Oct 22nd and 29th.

Today we finished up the overview and started on the lecture. the bad news is that we will not get to the test on Friday.
Tentative schedule for the rest of this unit.

Wednesday Finish Lecture
Thursday Chapter 4 Review Sheet
Friday Chapter 3 and 4 Test Review
Monday Review Game
Tuesday Chapter 3 and 4 Test

I dont like to test these guys on Mondays!!!

The Begining of the End

This is the start to the end of Biochem. I know the students will be glad to say goodbye to this topic but I wont!!!

Today we used the computers to research the answers for our Chapter 4 Overview. For some strange reason the kids like using the internet for research instead of the book.

We are looking at trying to test on Friday on Chapters 3 and 4 but that will depend on the lecture/discussion tomorrow and Wednesday.

Thursday

OK so they struggled a little more on the review than I would have liked. Notes are your friend people, take them, review them, study them, know them!!!! Everything on the review sheet could be answered from the notes.

You need to be practicing drawing molecules IT WILL BE ON THE TEST!

Wednesday

OK so this was the classes first test with a sub. I was at a conference learning how to create more interactive lesson plans.

Here is my soapbox. I will not tolerate anyone treating a substitute poorly. Anyone that the substitiute says treated him or her poorly will suffer SEVERE consequences!!!

On a great note the class passed this first test. They worked on a review sheet that they struggled with a bit but hopefully I can take care of that tomorrow!

Tuesday Sept 18th

We finished all the notes today.

We also practiced drawing out covalent bond structures. I know it is difficult, but remember the following:

Carbon makes 4 bonds
Oxygen makes 2 bonds
Nitrogen makes 3 bonds
Hydrogen makes 1 bond

Monday Sept 17th

Today we took lots and lots of notes. people we need to keep in mind that this is the easy part of this unit. If you dont master the notes from this week next week will be awfully difficult.

Today interims also went home!!!

Energy Levels

today we started the notes on Chapter 3. More specifically we leanred about atomic mass, atomic number, and how to draw energy orbitals.

I know this stuff was very difficult, but we will get thru this.

Also dont forget in life there is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Think before you ACT!!!!

Biochem!

Today we started one of the harder units we will do all year biochemistry, but not after a lecture on working hard in class so you dont have to for the next 50 years.

We started Chapter 3 Overview, most were much more focused today and are starting to really get back into the swing of school, though we do have a few that still think it is July.

Tomorrow will be more work on Chapter 3 Overview and some notes.

Next week I hope to get to our first real lab and probably some computer usage!!

Dont forget to wear Blue tomorrow and go see us play at JF tomorrw night!

Test Day

These days are always fun! The panic, the emotion, the pleading, and the whining. We have known for days now what was coming, what was on the test and what was due. Yet we have many that it just slipped their minds. Some parents arent going to be too happy with interims on Friday!!!

Overall I think they did ok for the first test, but it gets alot tougher strating tomorrow!

Frustration

Ok so I am a little frustrated today. Tomorrow we have our first and we have 4 assignments due.

Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 2 Overview
Microscope Lab
Chapter 1 and 2 Test Review

We finished up the lab and worked on the test review. I was very upset at the amount of kids that chose to do nothing instead of utilize the test review. The test review is a tool to help each student. There is no new information on this review, it is just a means to help the student organize their information into one place. I really hope the kids do well on this test because it gets alot harder after this intro unit!

What a day!!!

We did alot of stuff today.

We finished the notes from Chapter 2. You should all have your information needed to complete Chapter 1 and 2 Overviews. We also covered the first 4 pages of the Microscope Lab.

Remember we have moved the test to Wednesday. Also on Wednesday the following items will be due to me:

Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 2 Overview
Microscope Lab
Chapter 1 and 2 Test Review


Dont forget also what we talked about today in class this is your job, be professional and get done what is expected of you!

Week 2 is in the Books!!

Pep Rally day and you could tell. These typically aren't my favorite days because the kids are so distracted, but we managed to get thru.

Today we started the intro to the microscope lab. We will have to finish it up on Monday due to our lack of focus. Remember people if you read the instructions life is very easy!!!

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday (by the way Monday is going to be a whirlwind!!!!)

Is it Alive?

Today we did a mini lab on viruses and tried to determine if they are alive or not. Remember anything that is living must meet the 6 characteristics of living things:

All living things are made up of cells
All living things respond to their environment
All living things use energy for growth and maintenance
All living things reproduce.
All living things grow and develop
All living things adapt to their environment


Now as we discussed in class, some people believe viruses are alive and some do not, but the important thing is to be able to support YOUR idea as to which is correct or not!

Tomorrow is our Intro to Microscopes Lab, and our pep rally for the big game against those guys from across town, I cant remember their name, SO EVERYONE WEAR BLUE TOMORROW!!!!

Day 7

Today we finished up a few notes from Chapter 1 and completed Chapter 2 Overview. The first test will cover Chapters 1&2 and we will probably be next Wednesday.


As of right now it looks like tomorrow will be Is it Alive Lab, followed by the Intro to the Microscope Lab on Friday. Notes on Chapter 2 next Monday, Test Review on Tuesday, and Test on Wednesday.


Remember on Test Days you will turn in all overviews we covered for the test, and your test reviews. Both of which need to be completed in their entirety.

My Test reviews give you a chance to organize all the information you need for the test into one place, and are EXTREMELY useful for studying for my tests. Therefore no late test reviews will be accepted and failure to complete them will drastically hurt your grade!

Its September!

Well September here and the temperature has dropped, at least in my classroom so if you need a jacket bring it!

Today we had our first dose of noting taking here in Biology. The first three classes went extremely well, the last 2 struggled with staying on task a bit. Those of you that did your overview correctly didnt have many notes to take. Remember everything we do in class has meaning, I hate busy work so you wont get any. Please see me or a fellow classmate for the notes that you missed today.

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so I finally got both labs graded. So today we passed back these graded assignments and went over them. This was our best day yet in the classroom. The kids asked some great questions about why they got stuff wrong. They also seemed to walk away understanding more about charts and graphs. The is a really important skill and we will be working it back in through out the year.

I also introduced to the kids a saying, Good is the enemy of great! Remember people if you are satisfied being good at something you will never be great!!! Lets keep working together to be great!!

Drill Day

This is my least favorite day of the year!!! We started out with a fire drill, followed by a bomb threat drill, next was lockdown drill, and finally was the tonado drill. Too many distractions for the kids. I know we have to do these drills and I like the fact we get them out of the way on one day, but trying to get the kids to focus after`the drill is very difficult. OK enough whining.

Today we started our first overview. I give overview at the begining of every chapter. My thought is if the kids define the key terms and jot down a few things about the main concepts we will be covering, then when it comes time for me to present the info the kids 1)arent frantically writing, and instead are thinking, and 2)are more prepared to discuss the material. I like it when they do a lot of the talking, I want to know what part of Biology they are interested in and when they discuss things they have seen or want to know about I can lead them down an educational path that is much more interesting for them.

So as I said before we started our first overview, but we didnt get too far, but we will finish that up on Tuesday.

First Day with Computers

I really think we enjoyed our first computer based lab, but we have some work to do to really understand how to use excel to create graphs. Don't worry we will get there with all the practice we are going to get.

For you parents the gist of what we did today. We obtained data from just flipping a coin. We then converted into usable information (coordinates for a graph). Then we used Microsoft excel to generate a simple scatter graph. We all got it eventually but it will be second nature by the time we are done.

Tomorrow is drill day so wear comfy clothes and we will get to work on our first unit!!

Day 2

Today we did our first lab. Using Graphing skills.

We covered how to create a line graph and a bar graph. Remember the x axis is always flat and the y axis always runs straight up and down.

Labs were turned in and most seemed to have no problems.

Tomorrow we will be applying what we learned today to the computer.

Dont forget Thursday is drill day and to wear your tennis shoes because lots of walking is in store!

First Day

I am sure everyone was exhausted at the end of the day, I know I was. Overall things went smoothly here in the Biology class. I handed out syllabi and asked for them to be returned signed tomorrow. Parents please send me your email if you haven't done so, it makes communication so much easier!!!

butchercr@lcsedu.net


For those of you in my 2nd period class that haven't turned in their folders please get them in ASAP!

More tomorrow!

Registration Day

Hopefully everyone showed up to registration! Dont forget to bring back your folders with all the information filled out and signed on Monday August 27th.

Supply List: 3 Ring Notebook

Loose leaf paper

Colored Pencils

Pens and or pencils

Box of Tissues

I am looking forward to a great year. Check back here daily for updates!