Monday, March 18th
Today in science: Students received three 1-page teacher evaluations of work completed in their lab notebooks during the Brassica rapa (plants) unit. These evaluations covered the following investigations: 1) Brassica observations & drawings, 2) Brassica flower dissection, and 3) Brassica pistil dissection. With each evaluation, students not only had the opportunity to see Dr. Merritt’s assessment of their work, but they also had the chance to self-evaluate this same work to see if they agreed (or disagreed) with Dr. Merritt’s marks/scores/grades. At the end of the lesson, students gave all three evaluations back to Dr. M along with their Power Plant Packet (Chapters 3 & 4 were both due today).
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Tuesday-Wednesday, March 19-20th
Today in science: After handing out midterm grade reports and reviewing how students’ science grades are determined, students were asked to finish their Brassica growth graphs (students began creating these line graphs during last Thursday’s science lesson). In addition to a single (colored) line on the graph representing each plant (A, B, C, D), students were also asked to create four ‘zones’ representing the known stages of Brassica rapa plant’s life: Germination & emergence, Growth & development, Flowering & Reproduction, and Post-Pollination.
Homework: If a student did not complete and turn in their line graph by the end of the science lesson, they have been asked to finish the line graph at home so that it is ready to give to Dr. M by the start of Thursday’s science lesson.
Thursday, March 21st
Today in science: The entire period today was dedicated to the introduction of the first “Formal Lab Report,” which constitutes 15% of a student’s semester science grade. In addition to explaining what a formal lab report is, what is involved in producing one, and why they are done in science classes (among other things!), Dr. Merritt shared with students the topic of this report: Brassica rapa seed germination. Stage (or Phase) I of this report involves becoming ‘smarter’ about three topics: SEEDS, SEED GERMINATION, and BRASSICA RAPA SEED GERMINATION. In pursuit of scientific knowledge about these three topics, students have been asked to begin searching for scientific facts/truths about both SEEDS and GERMINATION, and then to record these facts on two different designated pages within their Lab Notebook. Scientific facts/truths about BRASSICA RAPA SEED GERMINATION will be tackled later in the project.
Homework: Each night, Dr. M is asking students to spend approximately 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time at home becoming ‘smarter’ about SEEDS and GERMINATION.
Friday, March 22nd
Today in science: Today was harvest day!!! In class, students were asked to remove the mature seed pods from their dried-but-still-potted Brassica rapa plants. Before removing the mature seed pods, however, students were asked to take a picture of a single seed pod and to send it to Dr. M via email with a specific email “Subject” (e.g., 02F – Mature Pistil) and message in the (body) text of the email. After removing all of the dried pistils (seed pods) and processing the remain parts of their plants, students were asked to i) place their seed harvest in a numbered envelop, ii) seal it, and iii) store it in their classroom mailbox.
Homework: Each night, Dr. M is asking students to spend approximately 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time at home becoming ‘smarter’ about SEEDS and GERMINATION.
