If you want to practice making a dichotomous key, you can try it using these emoticons. I've given you names for each face. Create a key that would allow someone else to match a face with a name.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
How to create a dichotomous key
This week, students have been learning about dichotomous keys. Their test will be to create a dichotomous key, which they have practiced a few times. This video provides a very good method for creating a dichotomous key.
If you want to practice making a dichotomous key, you can try it using these emoticons. I've given you names for each face. Create a key that would allow someone else to match a face with a name.
If you want to practice making a dichotomous key, you can try it using these emoticons. I've given you names for each face. Create a key that would allow someone else to match a face with a name.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Probability
In today's class, students watched the Bill Nye video on probability. After the video, they wrote paragraphs to answer three questions.
Here are the three questions. For each question, students needed to write one paragraph, including a main idea, at least three details, and a conclusion.
1) What is probability?
2) How is probability used in insurance?
3) What is a bell curve?
Here are the three questions. For each question, students needed to write one paragraph, including a main idea, at least three details, and a conclusion.
1) What is probability?
2) How is probability used in insurance?
3) What is a bell curve?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Extra Credit due Thursday
You have two opportunities for extra credit. You can do either assignment, or both assignments. Write your answers on a sheet of paper and turn them in on either Wednesday (Oct 16) or Thursday (Oct 17). Each correct answer is worth 10 points toward your daily effort grade in Life Science.
Extra Credit Assignment #1
Read the article, "Brainy bees know two from three," and then answer these questions:
Extra Credit Assignment #2
Read the article, "Longer lives for wild elephants," and then answer these questions:
Extra Credit Assignment #1
Read the article, "Brainy bees know two from three," and then answer these questions:
- Who did the research?
- What did scientists learn from this research? When did Zhang begin studying bees?
- Where was the research conducted?
- Based on the information in this article, why do you think phone numbers are made in groups of 3 and 4 numbers? For example, 863-123-1234.
- How did scientists learn that bees can count to 3, but not to 4?
Extra Credit Assignment #2
Read the article, "Longer lives for wild elephants," and then answer these questions:
- Who did the research?
- What did scientists learn from this research?
- Where did the scientists get the data for how long elephants live in the wild and in zoos?
- What is one reason why elephants in zoos might die younger than elephants in the wild?
- What can scientists learn from this research about how to best protect the small population of elephants left in the world?
Friday, October 4, 2013
Test 3 on Oct 11
There will be a test on Friday, Oct 11. The test will cover the basics of scientific method. This will be a chance for students to bring up their grades. The first test was 4 points. The second test was 26 points. This third test will be worth 100 points.
This test will cover the basics of scientific method, just like the first two tests. Many students have trouble with simple vocabulary, even though they are taught the vocabulary year after year. But, this year, students will learn the information. They will learn how scientific investigations work.
Here are the important vocabulary terms students need to know for the test:
hypothesis = a prediction of the results scientists will find in an investigation; a predicted answer to a scientific question
(important note: a scientific hypothesis must be testable; we can test whether boys are better than girls at throwing a tennis ball into a trashcan, but we cannot test whether there are other universes besides the universe we live in.)
independent variable = the variable the scientist purposely changes in an experiment in order to determine whether the dependent variable will change with the independent variable; this is also the difference between the groups being tested
dependent variable = the variable being observed and measured during the experiment to see if it changes with the independent variable
controlled variables = these are all the other variables that could change but are purposely kept the same so they don't interfere with the results of the experiment
Here are a few practice questions. These were used on Test 2.
For questions 1-3, use this hypothesis: “If some plants are fertilized with organic fertilizer, and some plants are fertilized with artificial fertilizer, then it will be found that there will be no difference in the amount the plants grow during an 8-week period.”
1. What is the independent variable?2. What is the dependent variable?3. What are two controlled variables necessary for this experiment?For questions 4-6, use this hypothesis: “If the radiation emitted from three different appliances (a hair dryer, a microwave, and a blender) are compared, then it will be found that the hair dryer emits the most radiation.”
4. What is the independent variable?5. What is the dependent variable?6. What are two controlled variables necessary for this experiment?
Finally, here's a review video for understanding scientific method and variables:
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Summary paragraph assignment
Here's the information for the summary paragraphs students will write for "The Science of Life" reading passage. The top part of the page has directions for the paragraphs. The rest of the page has information on how to write paragraphs. Some students need help with writing good paragraphs, so I've included that information to help them be successful.
Frayer Models
Here's the handout for the Frayer Models. Students will use this to help them learn the key vocabulary terms in the reading passages.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Bubble Map for Foreword
Here's the handout to guide students through completing the bubble map for the book Foreword.
1st 9-weeks assignment list
This is the list of assignments students should have completed by Oct 18, which is the end of the 1st 9-weeks. Any assignment not completed by the 18th will become a zero in the gradebook.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Studying for Friday's test
If you've come here to study for the test on Friday, you can find three separate posts that will help you. Scroll down and read the posts:
Scientific Method study guide
Multitasking study guide
Iceman hypotheses study guide
Scientific Method study guide
Multitasking study guide
Iceman hypotheses study guide
Scientific Method study guide
For the test, you will need to know some basic vocabulary.
independent variable = the variable that is purposely changed by the scientist in order to see if the dependent variable changes with the independent variable; you can also think of this as the difference in your groups.
dependent variable = the variable observed and/or measured during the experiment to find out if it changes with the independent variable
controlled variables = all the things that could change but the scientist keeps the same to prevent them from interfering with the experiment
hypothesis = a prediction of what you will find in your experiment; a predicted answer to your scientific question; a hypothesis is usually stated as an if/then statement.
Important detail: A scientific hypothesis must be testable.
In our class experiment, we had the question, "Do 7th grade DRMS boys have better hand-eye coordination for throwing than 7th grade DRMS girls?"
Our independent variable was the gender of the people--boys vs girls.
Our dependent variable was the number of baskets scored by each person.
Our controlled variables included everyone using the same tennis balls, standing the same distance away, throwing at the same trash can, in the same room, having the same number of tries, etc.
Remember that the independent and dependent variables will be in the hypothesis. The "if" part contains the independent variable, and the "then" part contains the dependent variable. In our experiment, the "if" was comparing boys and girls, and the "then" was the number of baskets scored per person.
independent variable = the variable that is purposely changed by the scientist in order to see if the dependent variable changes with the independent variable; you can also think of this as the difference in your groups.
dependent variable = the variable observed and/or measured during the experiment to find out if it changes with the independent variable
controlled variables = all the things that could change but the scientist keeps the same to prevent them from interfering with the experiment
hypothesis = a prediction of what you will find in your experiment; a predicted answer to your scientific question; a hypothesis is usually stated as an if/then statement.
Important detail: A scientific hypothesis must be testable.
In our class experiment, we had the question, "Do 7th grade DRMS boys have better hand-eye coordination for throwing than 7th grade DRMS girls?"
Our hypothesis was, "If I compare the accuracy of
7th grade DRMS males and females at throwing tennis balls into a
trash can, then it will be found that males are more accurate than
females."
Our independent variable was the gender of the people--boys vs girls.
Our dependent variable was the number of baskets scored by each person.
Our controlled variables included everyone using the same tennis balls, standing the same distance away, throwing at the same trash can, in the same room, having the same number of tries, etc.
Remember that the independent and dependent variables will be in the hypothesis. The "if" part contains the independent variable, and the "then" part contains the dependent variable. In our experiment, the "if" was comparing boys and girls, and the "then" was the number of baskets scored per person.
Multitasking study guide
For the multitasking information on the test, you will need to know:
Multitasking is the ability to think about two things at once. Obviously, people can do two things at once, such as walking and talking. But, people cannot think about two things at once.
When people think they're multitasking, such as listening in class and drawing, their brain is really switching back and forth.
The brain naturally focuses on social information. So, social cues, such as text messages, are very distracting when you're trying to focus on something else.
Multitasking is the ability to think about two things at once. Obviously, people can do two things at once, such as walking and talking. But, people cannot think about two things at once.
When people think they're multitasking, such as listening in class and drawing, their brain is really switching back and forth.
The brain naturally focuses on social information. So, social cues, such as text messages, are very distracting when you're trying to focus on something else.
Iceman hypotheses study guide
Here are some bits of evidence for the various hypotheses about the Iceman. For the test, you should be able to match the evidence with the hypothesis. You will not need to be able to name all the evidence from memory.
Austrian
hiker
Found in the mountains by Austrian
hikers
His body did not seem more than a
few years old
Drowned
Wrinkled skin
Missing epidermis
Muscle decay
Shepherd
Arrow head in back
Entry wound hadn’t healed
Copper ax
Found with dagger in his hand
Area is used by shepherds today
Religious
leader or sacrifice
Warm, well-made clothing
Shoes were not suited for mountain climbing
Entry
wound hadn’t healed
More
than 59 tattoos
Found
near sacred mountain peak
Copper
ax was rare
Tools
were laid out around him
Little
wear on joints and bones
Political
leader
Arrow head in back
Warm, well-made clothing
Shoes were not suited for mountain climbing
Entry wound hadn’t healed
Found with dagger in his hand
Copper ax was rare
Tools were laid out around him
Little
wear on joints and bones
Died in
spring
Pollen from hop-hornbeam, which
blooms in spring
From
Katarinaburgh, Italy
Pollen from hop-hornbeam plant was
27’ into his intestines
Village had been inhabited for
thousands of years
Dogwood arrow shafts
Ash knife handle
Here is the partially-completed bubble map students made to outline these hypotheses.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Charlotte and the Iceman
My 6-year old daughter, Charlotte, likes to ask me about what I teach my students. So, when she heard about the Iceman video I showed students, she asked if she could watch the video. Saturday morning, I decided to look on YouTube and see what I could find. YouTube didn't have the same video students watched, but I did let her watch a different video about the Iceman. She watched the entire video, straight through. She even continued watching the video while eating her breakfast.
Here are a few pictures.
On Tuesday, before her bedtime, I decided to ask her a few questions about the topic. I made a video of that conversation.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Extra Credit
This is an extra credit assignment for those students who would like to improve their grades. The assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 23.
First:
The first part of the assignment is to watch the TED Talk titled, "Apollo Robbins: The art of misdirection."
Second:
Write a 5 paragraph essay explaining how "Frank" is related to what we learned in class about multitasking. Your essay should have:
1) an introduction paragraph
2) three detail paragraphs
a) The first detail paragraph should explain who "Frank" is.
b) The second detail paragraph should explain how Frank relates
to our topic of multitasking.
c) The third detail paragraph should explain how this information
can help you be a better student.
3) a conclusion paragraph
Make sure your essay is well written. Do your best.
Oh, and I know this requires a lot of thinking on your part. That's the point.
If you want to review the information about multitasking, here's a link to the partially completed Bubble Map for the multitasking article. You spent two days in class working on that Bubble Map, so you should have it finished. And here's a link to the multitasking article.
First:
The first part of the assignment is to watch the TED Talk titled, "Apollo Robbins: The art of misdirection."
Second:
Write a 5 paragraph essay explaining how "Frank" is related to what we learned in class about multitasking. Your essay should have:
1) an introduction paragraph
2) three detail paragraphs
a) The first detail paragraph should explain who "Frank" is.
b) The second detail paragraph should explain how Frank relates
to our topic of multitasking.
c) The third detail paragraph should explain how this information
can help you be a better student.
3) a conclusion paragraph
Make sure your essay is well written. Do your best.
Oh, and I know this requires a lot of thinking on your part. That's the point.
If you want to review the information about multitasking, here's a link to the partially completed Bubble Map for the multitasking article. You spent two days in class working on that Bubble Map, so you should have it finished. And here's a link to the multitasking article.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Homework
If you didn't pass the first test on the basics of science, this homework will be a chance for you to learn what you missed in class.
First, go to this website and read about variables.
For each type of variable, write a definition in your own words.
Make sure to read the link about creating a fair test. Then, write one paragraph explaining why a "fair test" is so important in science.
Finally, identify a) the independent variable, b) the dependent variable and c) at least five controlled variables that would be needed for an experiment to test this hypothesis:
Write all this on a sheet of paper and turn it in by this Friday, which is Friday the 13th.
Homework is 10% of your class grade. Plus future tests will also include questions related to the basics of science. You need to understand these basic concepts in order to understand science.
First, go to this website and read about variables.
For each type of variable, write a definition in your own words.
Make sure to read the link about creating a fair test. Then, write one paragraph explaining why a "fair test" is so important in science.
Finally, identify a) the independent variable, b) the dependent variable and c) at least five controlled variables that would be needed for an experiment to test this hypothesis:
"If ants are given the opportunity to eat sugar or bread, then it will be found ants choose sugar more often than they choose bread."
Write all this on a sheet of paper and turn it in by this Friday, which is Friday the 13th.
Homework is 10% of your class grade. Plus future tests will also include questions related to the basics of science. You need to understand these basic concepts in order to understand science.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Lab Safety
During this year's Life Science class, I will be teaching students how to conduct scientific research. But, for us to do labs, students need to know and practice basic lab safety procedures. So, in class today, I taught students about lab safety. We went over the Polk County Science Safety Rules and I gave students the Polk County Science Safety Contract.
No student can participate in a science lab until the Safety Contract has been completed and signed by a parent or guardian. The Contract was assigned as homework and is due tomorrow, Friday, August 23.
If you would like to review the lab safety information, you can read over the Safety Rules and you can watch the two videos I showed in class.
No student can participate in a science lab until the Safety Contract has been completed and signed by a parent or guardian. The Contract was assigned as homework and is due tomorrow, Friday, August 23.
If you would like to review the lab safety information, you can read over the Safety Rules and you can watch the two videos I showed in class.
FSU Lab Safety video
Ultimate Lab Safety video
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Welcome to Life Science
Here we are at the start of a brand new school year. In this class, we'll be studying Life Science (also known as Biology).
In order to help us communicate, I will be using this blog and a few other important resources, Remind101 and ClassDojo.
Remind101
Remind101 allows me to send short text messages (or emails, if you prefer) about assignment due dates, upcoming tests, or other announcements. Registering is free* and easy. All you need to do is send a code (based on your class) to 239-829-4601. For example, if you are a student (or parent of a student) in 1st period, simply text @drms1 to 239-829-4601. Here are the codes for each class period:
1st pd = @drms1
3rd pd = @drms3
4th pd = @drms4
5th pd = @drms5
6th pd = @drms6
7th pd = @drms7
8th pd = @drms8
You should receive a text message back letting you know you're signed up for the class texts. *Standard text messaging rates may apply.
Class Dojo
I have also created an account with ClassDojo.com. Each student will receive a unique code to use when registering with ClassDojo. Parents can send me an email and I can add their email addresses so they will also receive information from ClassDojo. Remember, the standard format for teacher emails is first.last@polk-fl.net. So, my email address is bruce.sabin@....
In order to help us communicate, I will be using this blog and a few other important resources, Remind101 and ClassDojo.
Remind101
Remind101 allows me to send short text messages (or emails, if you prefer) about assignment due dates, upcoming tests, or other announcements. Registering is free* and easy. All you need to do is send a code (based on your class) to 239-829-4601. For example, if you are a student (or parent of a student) in 1st period, simply text @drms1 to 239-829-4601. Here are the codes for each class period:
1st pd = @drms1
3rd pd = @drms3
4th pd = @drms4
5th pd = @drms5
6th pd = @drms6
7th pd = @drms7
8th pd = @drms8
You should receive a text message back letting you know you're signed up for the class texts. *Standard text messaging rates may apply.
Class Dojo
I have also created an account with ClassDojo.com. Each student will receive a unique code to use when registering with ClassDojo. Parents can send me an email and I can add their email addresses so they will also receive information from ClassDojo. Remember, the standard format for teacher emails is first.last@polk-fl.net. So, my email address is bruce.sabin@....
A little about me
If we're going to be spending the next school year together, it might be nice to get to know each other. So, here's a little about me.
I grew up in Deltona, FL (a couple hours north of here on I-4). After high school, I joined the Navy and worked as an avionic technician on H-60 helicopters. Then, I came back to Florida for a couple years before moving to New Orleans to finish college. While in Louisiana, I started my teaching career, teaching inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola).
I moved back to Florida to go into graduate school and earned my master's and doctor's degrees at the University of Central Florida. I did research on cognitive development, which is a fancy way of saying I studied how people learn to think.
Before becoming a teacher, I was a college professor, researcher and administrator. I started K-12 teaching at Ft Meade Middle School, and then taught at Haines City IB for a couple years. Finally, I came to Dundee Ridge, and this is my fifth year here. I still love doing research, and even spent three of my summers doing environmental research for the State of Florida. So, I look forward to teaching students how to do scientific research.
I have been married for 15 years and I have three kids, ages 6, 3 and 10 months.
I'm a deacon at Kathleen Baptist Church in Lakeland. This summer I went to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. In the past, I've been to Nicaragua three times and I've been to Romania.
I love motorcycles and I ride my Harley to work every day.
I'm also a fan of the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league baseball team, and I'm sad the season is ending. My family and I went to a lot of games over the summer.
I'm sure we'll get to know each other much more during the 2013-2014 school year.
I grew up in Deltona, FL (a couple hours north of here on I-4). After high school, I joined the Navy and worked as an avionic technician on H-60 helicopters. Then, I came back to Florida for a couple years before moving to New Orleans to finish college. While in Louisiana, I started my teaching career, teaching inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola).
I moved back to Florida to go into graduate school and earned my master's and doctor's degrees at the University of Central Florida. I did research on cognitive development, which is a fancy way of saying I studied how people learn to think.
Before becoming a teacher, I was a college professor, researcher and administrator. I started K-12 teaching at Ft Meade Middle School, and then taught at Haines City IB for a couple years. Finally, I came to Dundee Ridge, and this is my fifth year here. I still love doing research, and even spent three of my summers doing environmental research for the State of Florida. So, I look forward to teaching students how to do scientific research.
I have been married for 15 years and I have three kids, ages 6, 3 and 10 months.
I'm a deacon at Kathleen Baptist Church in Lakeland. This summer I went to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. In the past, I've been to Nicaragua three times and I've been to Romania.
I love motorcycles and I ride my Harley to work every day.
I'm also a fan of the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league baseball team, and I'm sad the season is ending. My family and I went to a lot of games over the summer.
I'm sure we'll get to know each other much more during the 2013-2014 school year.
This is my family at the beach over the summer.
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