Investigations in Science 7 – May 3, 2019

Announcements:

PARCC testing is continuing next week. Please make sure your child gets a
good night’s rest, comes to school on time, and eats a good breakfast prior to
taking the PARCC test. Students need to bring headphones or earbuds for
testing. Dates of the PARCC test May 7-8.

We began our last unit yesterday. The new unit will focus on Earth’s history
and biological evolution. Students can clean out their science section. They should
leave all papers in a safe place at home.

Coming Up:

 Geological Time
 Fossils
 Owl Pellets 

Dates:

 May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week

 May 7-8 – PARCC - ELA
 May 13-15 – PARCC - Math
 May 14 – PTA Meeting at 7:00 pm
 May 16 – Last Day of After School Activities
 May 23 – Music Concert – Sherwood HS at 7:00 pm
 May 27 – No School
 June 11 – Fun Day
 June 14 – Last Day of School/Early Dismissal

What we did this week:

This week we continued piecing together information for the genetic
counseling project. The microarray results from last week informed students if
their client’s offspring had a genetic disorder. This week they tested the
offspring for the presence of dimples, tongue rolling, and free earlobes. To test
we used gel electrophoresis. Electrophoresis is the process that uses electricity to
pull molecules from one place to another. In this experiment, the genes were
represented by various dyes.

We finished up our RFP on disease by becoming genetic counselors and

counseling another couple on the likelihood of whether their offspring will get the
disease or not. Students will be able to clean out their science section. Please
have them leave all papers in a safe place at home and not recycle them.

Today, we started our new unit: Earth’s History and Biological Evolution. I
will talk to each class about that we are learning about the scientific theories and
everyone has their own personal beliefs and opinions on some of the topics we will
be learning about. We are simply learning the theories and are not trying to change
anyone’s beliefs/opinions throughout this unit. That being said, we will start with
learning about the project students will be working on throughout the unit. They
will be creating an exhibit about an extinct animal.
We will start with a game where we look to see how much we know about
dinosaurs.

Have a great weekend!