Friday, May 1st: Changes Nature Journal

Yay!  It's May!

Celebrate the new month by getting outside for a nature journal.  

For the past several weeks I’ve asked you to go outside and notice different things- senses, shapes, colors, what’s up and what’s down. 

Today I want you to think back on some of the things you’ve noticed on your earlier nature journals and look for how nature has CHANGED over the last few weeks.  

Set a timer for at least 15 minutes and then look around- What’s the same?  What’s different?  You may use words and/or pictures.

 If you don’t notice changes or don’t remember, you can just draw and/or describe anything in nature that stands out to you.

You can print this note-catcher or make your own.

Please send a picture of yourself outside and a picture of your nature journal to Ms. Dolan; adolan@hccs481.org     ms.dolans_science

Thursday, April 30th: Practicing Punnett Squares

Let's practice using Punnett Squares!

CLICK HERE for Punnett Squares practice problems

You can print the pages or write your work and your answers on any sheet of paper. 

If you are feeling confident... and want to try some Punnett Squares problems on your own, go for it!  You can then check your work with the videos.   Just be sure to show all your work! 

If you are NOT feeling confident yet... that's ok!  Watch the videos and do the problems together with me.

Practice Problem 1:

Practice Problem 2:

Practice Problem 3:

When you're finished,

Please send Ms. Dolan a message.  Let me know:  

1.  If you did the problems on your own or with the video.  

2.  How confident you are feeling with this topic.

Wednesday, April 29th: Introducing Punnett Squares

Hi there, 7th graders!

Today we are going to build on our genetics understanding and learn how to use Punnett squares to make predictions.  

Task 1:

Print this fill-in-the-blank note-catcher.  If you can't print, that's ok!  You can make your own note-catcher on any sheet of paper (like the picture below shows).  

CLICK HERE for the Punnett squares notes page

Task 2:

Watch this video that introduces Punnett squares.  As you watch, fill in your notes page.

Task 3:
Follow along and takes notes as we go through the first example problem.

Task 4:
Follow along and takes notes as we go through the second example problem.

Task 5:
Send Ms. Dolan your answers to these 3 questions:

1.  What is a Punnett square?

2.  What is probability?

3.  How well do you think you understand what you just watched in the videos?


(adolan@hccs481.org   ms.dolans_science)

Tuesday, April 28th: Check your answers & reflect on learning

Please watch the video below to check your answers to the unicorn genetics practice page:

Think about what you've learned about genetics and heredity.  Answer these 5 reflection questions and send your answers to Ms. Dolan: adolan@hccs481.org     ms.dolans_science

1.   On a scale of 0-5 (0 = “I’m lost; 5 = “I got this!”), how do you feel about the genetics work we’ve been doing?  Please explain your rating.

2.    What has been the easiest part of this to understand?

3.    What has been the most challenging thing to understand?

4.    What do you still not quite understand?

5.    What would help you feel more confident?

Monday, April 27th: Unicorn Genetics

Happy Monday, 7th graders!

Task 1: 
Let's start today by reviewing the genetics vocabulary you learned last week.  Can you define or explain these words? 

Genotype-

Phenotype-

Homozygous-

Heterozygous-

Dominant-

Recessive-

Try writing your own definitions.  Then check your answers here.

Task 2:

Now, use this understanding to complete the unicorn genetics practice page.  You can print the page below or write your answers on any sheet of paper.

           Click here for the unicorn genetics practice page

Please send a picture of your answers to Ms. Dolan  adolan@hssc481.org    ms.dolans_science

I'll go over the answers in a video tomorrow!

Friday, April 24th: Nature Journal Day!

It's Nature Journal Day!

Today let's do an Up & Down nature journal.

Part 1:  Look UP! 

• Find a safe and comfortable place to lie on the ground or sit in a chair. 
• Set a timer for 7 minutes.
• Look up and study the sky or the trees or whatever you can see.  What do you see?  What colors, shapes, objects, or animals do you see?  Record your observations.  You may use words and/or pictures.

Part 2:  Look DOWN!

• Find a safe and comfortable place to lie on the ground or sit in a chair. It's also ok to walk or crawl around.
• Set a timer for 7 minutes.
• Look down and study the soil, plants, insects or whatever you can see.  What do you see?  What colors, shapes, objects, or animals do you see?  Record your observations.  You may use words and/or pictures.

There is a note-catcher here that you may use.  But you can also create your own. 

Have Fun!

Send a picture of your journal (and a picture of you outside if possible) to Ms. Dolan: adolan@hccs481.org          ms.dolans_science

Wednesday, April 22nd: Babies!

Yay!  It's Baby Day!

(you have two days to complete these tasks)

Task 1: Check your answers to the genetics practice page from yesterday.  Be sure to email Ms. Dolan with questions if there is anything you don't understand.

Task 2: Print or read the Baby Activity Handout.

Task 3: Watch the Baby Activity introduction.  Find two coins.

Task 4: Watch the Baby Activity example.  

Task 5: Complete the data table for your own baby!

Task 6:  Draw your baby and give him/her a name. 

Task 7:  Send a picture of your data table and baby drawing to Ms. Dolan.

                  adolan@hccs481.org         ms.dolans_science

Tuesday, April 21st: Practicing Genetics Vocabulary

How do you feel about Mendel's genetics vocabulary?

There are definitely some big words, but I know you can handle it, especially if we practice!

Task 1: Check your answers to the genetics vocabulary matching assignment from yesterday:

Task 2:  Practice!  Please complete this practice page and send it to Ms. Dolan.  Make sure you send questions too if there is anything you get stuck on!  adolan@hccs481.org  Answers will get posted tomorrow!

Link: Practicing Genetics Vocabulary and Ideas

Monday, April 20th: Gregor Mendel's Genetics

How do traits get passed from parents to children?

Carefully read through the slides below.  As you do, you have TWO learning targets:

1. I can describe who Gregor Mendel is and why he is famous.
2. I can define key genetics vocabulary words.

When you finish reading the slides, click the link below to complete a vocabulary matching activity.

Click here for vocabulary matching activity

Send your answers to Ms. Dolan: adolan@hccs481.org

We will go over this matching activity tomorrow for you to check your work.

Friday, April 17th: Colors Nature Journal

It's Nature Journal Day!

You can walk through your neighborhood, yard, park, or apartment complex or just find a natural area and sit.  Remember to look for natural (not man-made) objects.

  

Look for as many DIFFERENT COLORS as you can find.

Draw or trace the objects you find. Include a label to identify what each object is, what color it is, and to describe any details you notice.  

You can use this note-catcher or create your own.

Send me your journal entries and, if possible, a picture of you in nature!

adolan@hccs481.org or ms.dolans_science