Welcome to Unit 3: Organizations and Patterns in Life
We have started a new unit. The outline below can also be found on the weebly site. It includes all of the learning targets taught in this unit. This unit builds on our understanding of ecology and how organisms and their environments are connected for survival. Living things are similar in that they rely on many of the same processes to stay alive, yet are different in the ways that these processes are carried out. Nonliving things lack certain features of living organisms, such as cellular organization, maintaining internal equilibrium (homeostasis), and passing on traits through reproduction. Different organisms have different (but similar) systems that function to maintain the level of organization necessary for life. All life is dependent upon availability of resources that are used in internal processes of living organisms. These processes happen in specific conditions. Quiz: 50 pts. each Your child will be given a test once the learning targets of the subunit have been taught in class. The best way to prepare for these tests is by completing classwork and homework. If your child is struggling with homework assignments please contact us, or have your child attend an extra help session.
Quiz #1: Week of 1/18/16
I can illustrate a general cell.
I can explain how cells carry out life functions citing specific evidence.
I can create scientific models of plant and animal cells.
Quiz #2: Week of 1/25
I can summarize the elements and compounds in all living things.
I can analyze how the structure of the cell membrane allows some substances to pass through.
Quiz #3: Week of 2/1
I can hypothesize how some transport does not require energy.
I can critique the differences between active and passive transport.
Quiz #4: Week of 2/1
I can explain photosynthesis in terms of the compounds needed to make it happen.
I can justify why aerobic respiration produces more oxygen than anaerobic respiration.
I can relate the concept of cellular respiration to respiration in humans.
Unit Test: 100 pts. Approximate date:___2/9/16 Your student will need to review his or her notes to study for this exam. A review sheet will be discussed and created in class. Performance Task/Labs: 100 pts.: Approximate dates:____Weekly_____________________ This is an in class assessment. It is a usually a step-by-step procedure the students follow or provide a short response to a series of questions. In this unit, students will begin to learn how to use a microscope and they will create their own slides using newspaper as well as looking at actual cheek cells. Other labs include a photosynthesis investigation and a reaction time lab. There will be 3-5 labs during this unit. Culminating Project: 75 pts. The culminating project will be assigned in the middle of the unit. This unit will have a couple of culminating projects. One will be the Cell City project where students will be creating analogies of cells and their organelles to larger complex organizations such as a city or school. Students will be required to create a poster of their Cell City as well as a paper detailing their analogies. Due the week of 1/25/16 Another project will be to create a book showing the daily intake of three of the four macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins). They will create a booklet containing the labels off of ten foods. They will create multiple charts showing the percentage each macromolecule contributes to the whole of the food. Due the week of 2/1/16. Please see Class homework page for the exact assignment and due date. Learning Activities Your child will be completing a variety of learning activities in class that reflect the learning targets for Unit 3. These will be graded, and you will be able to track your child’s progress online: www.teacherease.com. Students will complete webquests both in class and out of class. Webquests are guided on-line research to complete a specific task. They will be creating models of cells and body systems and doing a Reader's Theatre play about Cell Theory. Thank you for your continued support,
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Unit 2:Ecology We have started a new unit. The outline below can also be found on the weebly site. It includes all of the learning targets taught in this unit. This unit studies the interactions of living and non-living things in our environments, as well as the natural phenomena that cause the ecosystems and biomes to change over time. Students will be able to investigate different aspects of ecosystems and how they interact through hands on activities. In addition, they will use data to predict what would happen over time in a given ecosystem.
Quiz: 50 pts. each Your child will be given a test once the learning targets of the subunit have been taught in class. The best way to prepare for these tests is by completing classwork and homework. If your child is struggling with homework assignments please contact us, or have your child attend an extra help session.
Quiz #1:
I can categorize objects into the two parts of the environment.
I can recognize the cause/effect relationship between biotic and abiotic factors.
I can classify living things found in a given area.
Quiz #2:
I can connect how competition for the same resources may affect many species in an area.
I can analyze how some species need each other to survive.
Quiz #3:
I can create an energy pyramid to show how energy moves in a food web.
I can assess how communities may change over time.
Quiz #4:
I can synthesize the conditions for the different biomes on Earth.
Unit Test: 100 pts. Approximate date:_________________________ Your student will need to review his or her notes to study for this exam. A review sheet will be discussed and created in class.
Performance Task/Labs: 100 pts.: Approximate date:_________________________ This is an in class assessment. It is a usually a step-by-step procedure the students follow or provide a short response to a series of questions.
Culminating Project:100 pts. The culminating project will be assigned in the middle of the unit. It will not be due until the end of the unit. It will assess all or most of the learning targets. It can be an essay, a short research paper, poster or formal lab report.
Learning Activities Your child will be completing a variety of learning activities in class that reflect the learning targets for Unit 2. These will be graded, and you will be able to track your child’s progress online: www.teacherease.com.
Thank you for your continued support,
Behaviors I will expect to see in the classroom and hallways:
I expect students to be: on time to class. On time can be defined as in your seat when the late bell rings. You should already be working on your Question of the Day (QOD). If you are still walking in or talking to your friends without doing any work, you are not on time. prepared for class. You should always have an acceptable writing instrument with you. Acceptable instruments include pencils (with points), and standard blue or black pens. Any other colored ink will not be accepted for work that is turned in for a grade. You may use colored ink in your notebooks for organization purposes. up to date with work. That means that your homework is completed as well as any classwork that could not be completed during class time. If you are not current on your work, you can not participate fully and that will affect your grade. All missed assignments will result in e-mail notification to parents/guardians. All work that is not handed in or recorded when asked for will be considered late. Leaving your work in another room or at home does not mean it is completed. It must be in the room and available at the time. Assignments will be available on weebly (see link on important sites) and will be updated regularly. Please check frequently for information. respectful to everyone in the building (both adults and other students). I will not tolerate foul language (I define what is foul), any bullying or disrespect of any other person in the building. Please behave as your parents expect you to behave if they were standing with you.