Investigations in Science 7 – April 13, 2018

Announcements:
Unfortunately, our Holocaust speakers have had to cancel. We had them
originally scheduled for a day that we had a 2-hour delay and we tried to
reschedule them but have not been successful.

Graded Assignments Turned in this week:

 Strawberry DNA Extraction Lab

Coming Up:
Topics:
 Chromosomes and Genes
 Basic Genetics – Punnett Squares
 Artificial Selection

Dates:
 April 18 – REVIEW SHEET DUE: PUNNETT SQUARES
 April 19 – ASSESSMENT: PUNNETT SQUARES
 April 25 - SMOB
 April 26 – Take Your Child to Work Day
 April 26-28 – Band Trip to Tennessee
 May 1-3 – PARCC ELA
 May 4 – Roadrunner Night
 May 8-10 – PARCC Math
 May 18 – 7th Grade Lock In from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
 May 23-25 – Bay Trip
 June 11 – Fun Day
 June 15 – Last Day of School (change from original calendar due to “snow”
days)

What we did this week:

 This week we learned how to complete a Punnett square. On Monday and
Tuesday, we took a few notes and immediately started practicing how to fill in a
Punnett square if you know the parents ‘genotype.’

Two days this week (depending on the class period) we started an activity
where lab groups were challenged to complete more and more challenging work and
see how “hot” they could get. We started with a “mild” Punnett square worksheet
that students worked collaboratively on. When they were finished, they had their
paper checked by an adult. If they completed it perfectly, they were awarded a
Minion buck. If not, they went back and fixed any errors. When they mastered
the “mild” worksheet, they moved on to the “medium” station with slightly harder
Punnett squares. They again, got the sheet checked by an adult and when they
successfully completed the “medium” worksheet, they moved on to the “hot”
station and worksheet. The students that mastered Punnett squares easily, even
made it to the “very hot” station. Students were able to move at their own pace
and moved as they mastered the different levels.

Thursday we completed a lab where we extracted DNA from a strawberry.

Some students mentioned that they had done this lab before and had some
experience with how to complete it. When students saw the DNA, many students
said it looked like mucus. I have uploaded some photos on my class blog.

In addition, during period 7, we will have a practice PARCC test in our 7th
period classes. This will let us work out any kinks and to get the students
prepared, prior to taking the real assessment in May.

Have a great weekend!