Lesson 1 - Monday, Feb 3
Today in science: We added more to version 2.0 of our Producer System model today. You can see the latest versions of all three classes models in the Grade 7 Notes Portal. In today’s work, we focused in on elaborating our model with respect to three specific areas: 1) What goes IN (i.e., inputs)?, 2) What does OUT (i.e., outputs)?, and 3) What happens INSIDE the producer’s body (i.e., internal processes)?
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 2 - Tue, Feb 4 (B, C) & Wed, Feb 5 (H)
Today in science: After finalizing our Producer System model today and briefly looking at the models of all the other science classes, we shifted our attention to one the early stages of life of a flowering plant, a seed. We then considered if a seed has the same requirements (i.e., inputs) as an older plant such as a mature tree. We modified our working model and designed a collection of petri-dish experiments for some radish seeds. We are calling this investigation, INV#6 – SEED GERMINATION. Here is a list of the variables being tested in each class period…
B period: 1) Light vs. No light, 2) Water vs. No water, 3) Soil vs. No soil, 4) Air vs. No air*
C period: 1) Light vs. No light, 2) Water vs. No water, 3) Soil vs. No soil, 4) Minerals vs. No Minerals, 5) Soil + Minerals vs. Soil + No minerals, 6) Room temperature vs. Lower than room temperature (but not freezing), 7) CO2 gas vs. No CO2 gas*
H period: 1) Light vs. No light, 2) Water vs. No water, 3) Soil vs. No soil, 4) Minerals vs. No Minerals, 5) Fertilizer vs. No fertilizer, 6) CO2 gas vs. No CO2 gas*
*Although an excellent variable to test, we learned it might be too difficult to control given our lab equipment.
Homework: There is no science homework tonight.
Lesson 3 - Wed, Feb 5 (B, C) & Thu, Feb 6 (H)
Today in science: To take an important first step toward answering our current focus question, “What is food for seeds?”, students used stereo microscopes and hand lenses to collect DAY 1 data from their petri dish experiments. Although students are expected to record their observations and results in their science notebooks, Dr. M is also keeping track of the DAY 1 student data in the Grade 7 Notes Portal.
In their notebooks, H period students were asked to include 1) Drawings of any germinated seeds (if students choose to take photos, they must print them on their own and glue them into their noteoboks), 2) Results (How many seed germinated successfully? How many did not?), 3) Noticings, and 4) Wonderings (always related to the Noticings).
Homework: Those H period students who choose to take photos instead of make drawings of their germinated seeds on Day 1 agreed to print their photos outside of class and glue them into their science notebook prior to the start of their next science lesson, which is FRIDAY, 7 FEB. B period students who choose to take photos instead of make drawings of their germinated seeds on Day 2 agreed to print their photos outside of class and glue them into their science notebook prior to the start of their next science lesson, which is TUESDAY, 11 FEB.
Lesson 4 - Thu, Feb 6 (B) & Fri, Feb 7 (C, H)
Today in science: To take a second important step toward answering our current focus question, “What is food for seeds?”, students again used stereo microscopes and hand lenses to collect DAY 2 (B & H period) or Day 3 (C period) data from their petri dish experiments. Although students are expected to record their observations and results in their science notebooks, Dr. M is also keeping track of the DAY 2/3 student data in the Grade 7 Notes Portal.
In their notebooks, B, C, & H period students were asked to include 1) Drawings of any germinated seeds (if students choose to take photos, they must print them on their own and glue them into their noteoboks), 2) Results (How many seed germinated successfully? How many did not?), 3) Noticings, and 4) Wonderings (always related to the Noticings).
To help students learn the names of the parts of any successfully geminated plants, Dr. M provided resources to assist students in this task. These resources can now be found in the Google Science Classroom.
Homework: There is no science homework due on Monday, but in Veracross all students will see they have INV#6 photo-related science notebook assignments due by either Tuesday (B period) or Wednesday (C & H period).
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: Where does food come from?
C & H period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
B period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
This week marks the second full week of the new Spring Semester.