A Story with a Huge Number

Scientists have just published a Genetic Encylcopedia of Microbes. It says there are nonillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) on earth.

Check it out here:
Microbial Encyclopedia

Homework this week -- 7th and 8th Grade

Please check the PVC website for your assignments for this week.

Meiosis Animation -8th Grade

Here is a link to the Meiosis Animation we looked at in class:

Meiosis Animation

Have fun!

Dichotomous Key Lab - 8th Grade

Here is a link so you can download the lab if you need to:
Dichotomous Key Lab

Getting Scratch

Here is where you can download Scratch:
Scratch

Have fun!

Snow Day Announcement - 7th and 8th grade

I hope you are enjoying our first snow day.

In terms of the various assignments you are working on. If you have the materials you need (like the UPCO book for the 8th graders), then do the work.

Otherwise, I'll be extending deadlines.

See you Thursday.

Inventing Meiosis - Period 6

Just a reminder about your homework for tonight.

You are:
1. Finishing "inventing" meiosis. Using what you know about mitosis, see if you can invent a process that starts with one 2N cell and ends up with four N cells.
2. Doing some research to find information about organisms that normally have an odd number of chromosomes.

Good luck!

Adopt an Element - 7th Grade

As we discussed in class today, you are going to Adopt an Element. Elements are different kinds of atoms. Scientists have put together what we know about them into something called the Periodic Table of the Elements.

You can find one online here:
Periodic Table

You goal is to pick one of the elements to adopt and to come in with at least 3 cool facts about it.

Have fun!

Answer Keys - 7th Grade

Today you did the SpongeBob variables worksheet. You can find the answer key here:
SpongeBob Variables Worksheet with Answers

Remember that the answers are at the end of the file.

I also asked you to design an experiment in class as well today. You can see my answer here:
SmartChips Experiment

If you have any questions, be sure to stop by before school tomorrow.

Becoming Experts on Ant Reproduction - Period 1

Just a reminder that we are working on becoming experts on Ant Reproduction.
Please add notes to our shared document, which you can access by logging into your Google Docs.

I am really excited to see what you discover.

Scientific Method Study Guide

Here are the notes for Friday's test.
Come see me if you have questions.

Scientific Method Study Guide

You may also find this presentation helpful:

Scientific Method

View more presentations from Jeremy Mularella.

Extra Credit Blog Work - 7th Grade

Here is the place to post any extra credit blog work you may want to do.

Have fun!

Human Body Systems Test Study Guide - 8th Grade

As promised, I have put together a study guide for the test on the body systems coming up Friday.

You can get it here:
Body Systems Study Guide

There is a lot of information and concepts for you to put together.

I recommend that you start studying now. I am always available for extra help.

Getting to our Google Stuff

Here is the link to work with our school Google stuff:
Personalized Start Page

Hey, We Did That, Too - 7th Grade

Today's NY Times has an article about how companies are suing each other about claims that they have made in ads. In order to defend themselves, the companies must provide scientific evidence for their claims. Just like us.

You can read it here:

Best Soup Ever?

Enzyme Animation - 8th Grade

I thought you might like to review the presentation on enzymes that we went through in class.
You can find it here.

Product Claim Lab - 7th Grade

Here is the stuff you need for the Product Claim Lab.

The instructions for the lab are here:
Product Claim Lab Instructions

And here is the presentation I showed in class to help you get some ideas for possible experiments:

8th Grade UPCO Work for Next Week

Here is the UPCO work for next week.

8th Grade Science
Mr. Ardito

Homework:
Body Systems in the UPCO textbook

Please work through the following chapters and sections of your UPCO books. In addition, please makes notes about questions you may have about what you are reading.

This work is due by Friday November 20, 2009

Digestion
Chapter 8, sections A-G

Transport
Chapter 9, sections A-Q

Regulation
Chapter 12, sections A-P.

8th Grade - Nervous System Lab Write Up

Here is the lab write up for the set of nervous system labs you have done -- reaction time, toothpick mapping, and hot/cold water.

Let me know if you have any questions.


Learning about Learning Lab

Body Systems Project Notes Requirements - 8th Grade

We are in the home stretch with this project, so I thought it might be helpful to post the requirements for your notes.

Body System Project Notes Requirements

Weekly Science Article Report #3 - Period 5

For this week's report, I would like us to try something different.

This time, instead of finding an article to read, I would like you to listen to a podcast as your "article."
For this assignment, you should pick an episode from one of the following podcasts:
Lab Out Loud
Radio Lab
NPR's Science Friday
Science Made Fun

Extra credit will given to students who choose their podcasts from Radio Lab or Science Friday.

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

In addition to your usual report, I would also like you to talk about what it was like to listen to the "article" instead of reading it.

Have fun!

Weekly Science Article Report #3 - Period 3

For this week's report, I would like us to try something different.

This time, instead of finding an article to read, I would like you to listen to a podcast as your "article."
For this assignment, you should pick an episode from one of the following podcasts:
Lab Out Loud
Radio Lab
NPR's Science Friday
Science Made Fun

Extra credit will given to students who choose their podcasts from Radio Lab or Science Friday.

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

In addition to your usual report, I would also like you to talk about what it was like to listen to the "article" instead of reading it.

Have fun!

Body System Project Notes Rubric - 8th Grade

I have put together a rubric for the notes part of your Body System Project. You can find it here:
Note Rubric

Be sure to look it over well before you hand in your notes on October 30th.

Let me know if you have any questions.

The Marking Period So Far - Period 5

We have now reached the halfway point for the first trimester. So, it's time to look back and see where we are and where we want to go next.

For this assignment, I want you to assess yourself as a science student. Please write about:
1. Where are you strong/what do you do well?
2. Where could you improve?
3. What will you specifically try to improve over the next 6 weeks?

I look forward to reading your reflections.

The Marking Period So Far - Period 3

We have now reached the halfway point for the first trimester. So, it's time to look back and see where we are and where we want to go next.

For this assignment, I want you to assess yourself as a science student. Please write about:
1. Where are you strong/what do you do well?
2. Where could you improve?
3. What will you specifically try to improve over the next 6 weeks?

I look forward to reading your reflections.

The Marking Period So Far - Period 6

We have now reached the halfway point for the first trimester. So, it's time to look back and see where we are and where we want to go next.

For this assignment, I want you to assess yourself as a science student. Please write about:
1. Where are you strong/what do you do well?
2. Where could you improve?
3. What will you specifically try to improve over the next 6 weeks?

I look forward to reading your reflections.

The Marking Period So Far - Period 1

We have now reached the halfway point for the first trimester. So, it's time to look back and see where we are and where we want to go next.

For this assignment, I want you to assess yourself as a science student. Please write about:
1. Where are you strong/what do you do well?
2. Where could you improve?
3. What will you specifically try to improve over the next 6 weeks?

I look forward to reading your reflections.

Google Flu Trends - Period 6

This week for your blog assignment, you are going to spend some time exploring Google's Flu Trends map.
You can find it here:
Google Flu Trends

I want you to spend about 30 minutes exploring the map, and then report back here what you found.

Have fun!

Google Flu Trends - Period 1

This week for your blog assignment, you are going to spend some time exploring Google's Flu Trends map.
You can find it here:
Google Flu Trends

I want you to spend about 30 minutes exploring the map, and then report back here what you found.

Have fun!

Measuring Video

Very cool story

Here is a really cool story about how some animals communicate danger to one another:

‘Leopard Behind You!’

Weekly Science Article Report #2 - Period 5

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

Your report is due Friday here on the blog.

By Monday, you will post comments on the work of three other students. Your comments should include:
1) One thing you appreciated/liked about their report - something you think they did well.
2) One suggestion you have for how they might improve their work in the future.
As always, I look forward to reading your work.

Weekly Science Article Report #2 - Period 3

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

Your report is due Friday here on the blog.

By Monday, you will post comments on the work of three other students. Your comments should include:
1) One thing you appreciated/liked about their report - something you think they did well.
2) One suggestion you have for how they might improve their work in the future.
As always, I look forward to reading your work.

Weekly Science Article Report #2 - Period 6

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

Your report is due Friday here on the blog.

By Monday, you will post comments on the work of three other students. Your comments should include:
1) One thing you appreciated/liked about their report - something you think they did well.
2) One suggestion you have for how they might improve their work in the future.
As always, I look forward to reading your work.

Weekly Science Article Report #2 - Period 1

For a reminder, here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

Your report is due Friday here on the blog.

By Monday, you will post comments on the work of three other students. Your comments should include:
1) One thing you appreciated/liked about their report - something you think they did well.
2) One suggestion you have for how they might improve their work in the future.
As always, I look forward to reading your work.

7th Grade - Study Guide

I have put together notes so you can study for your test on Monday.

You can find them here:
How Scientists Think and Work

Have fun!

Fun with Genetics - 8th Grade

Today we used the Wolfram/Alpha website to look up genetic information.

For homework, I want you to play with the site and see what you can find out about genes and/or chromosomes and/or DNA codes. You can find the site here:
Wolfram/Alpha Genetics

There will be prizes in the following categories:
Most creative/entertaining
Most interesting
Most weird

Have fun!

Lab Report Worksheet

I have put together a worksheet that will help you organize yourself in writing the Making Connections Lab Report.

You can get it by clicking on the link below:
Lab Report Planning Worksheet

Online Rulers

Here is an online rulers you can use to help with you Length Lab.

Online Ruler
Printable Rulers

Have fun.

Testing it Out

You can practice posting to our blog here.

Weekly Science Article Report #1 Period 6

This week (by Thursday at midnight), you will do your first Weekly Science Article Report.

Here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

I am really looking forward to reading what you write.

Weekly Science Article Report #1 Period 3

This week (by Thursday at midnight), you will do your first Weekly Science Article Report.

Here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

I am really looking forward to reading what you write.

Weekly Science Article Report #1 Period 5

This week (by Thursday at midnight), you will do your first Weekly Science Article Report.

Here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

I am really looking forward to reading what you write.

Weekly Science Article Report #1 - Period 1

This week (by Thursday at midnight), you will do your first Weekly Science Article Report.

Here's what to do for this assignment:
1) Citation: Here you will put the name of the article, the author, and where you found it (for example, the New York Times or Science News for Kids).
2) A brief summary: Here you will summarize the article in one or two sentences. This is to give your readers (including me) a sense of what you have read.
3) Reflection: This is the biggest part of your report. I am interested in your response to the article. Please address the following questions in your reflection:
a) What did you think about the article? Did you like it or not? Why?
b) What interested you or surprised you about the article?
c) What questions do you have about what you read? What would you like to know more about what you’ve read?

I am really looking forward to reading what you write.

Chemical Elements Song

Google Docs

Hello all.

Here is the link to get to our Google Docs:
GoogleStuff for School

Let me know if you have any problems.

Thinking Like a Scientist Videos

Create Your Blog Fake Name

Getting Into Cells

It is now time to focus our study of homeostasis to cells.

So, your homework for Wednesday is to answer two questions:
1. How do cells fulfill the 10 Characteristics of Life (MRLSTRNGER)?
2. How do cells manage homeostasis.
For this second question, you should focus on a specific kind of cell (e.g., the leaf cell of a potato plant), since all cells have different needs.

To help, you might organize yourself around these questions:
a. What is the cell you are studying?
b. What does it do?
c. Does it work with any other cells to accomplish its purpose?
d. What are the conditions in which it lives?
e. How is your cell well adapted to its environment?

Have fun!

Bring Me Your Data

Your homework for tomorrow (Tuesday, September 15th) is to bring in data of any kind. This could be:
Sports scores
Musical sales
Health information

Or anything else that's relevant to you.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Planning your Graph

We are learning to work like scientists.

Scientists collect data, which are organized observations. We collected data in the form of the Multiple Intelligences survey, and you are going to graph those results.

Keep planning your graphs.

See you soon.

Interruptions in Homeostasis

We are continuing to explore the question, "What does it mean to be alive?"

And we have been talking about homeostasis, the process by which living organisms work to maintain optimal conditions for life.

You are going to continue to research at least one of those interruptions. You will then:
1) Connect it to one or more of the human body systems
2) Connect it to the types of cells that are involved.

And here's link to the diagram I showed you today on the human body systems:
Human Body Systems

Have fun!

Observations - 7th Grade Homework

Your homework for Tuesday, September 9th:

Spend about 10 minutes someplace. While you are there, make 10 good observations and write them in your notebooks. These observations should be written on the left 1/3 of your notebook page from Friday.

Multiple Intellgences Survey Results

You have each taken the Multiple Intelligences Survey in class.
Now, we want to collect the data from everyone to see what we can learn about ourselves as a group.

Please click on the link below and enter your data. When you are done, press submit.
Multiple Intelligences Data Collection

On Monday, we'll look at the trends that we can see.

Welcome!

Welcome to our class blog for this year.
I can't wait to see where we go this year.