Thursday, December 11, 2014

Natural Selection - 12.12.14

KWBAT describe variations in organisms over time through natural selection.
 
1. Watch this BrainPop video on natural selection. Username: sbspecial / Password: brainpop
 
2. Create a vocabulary card for the word: "Natural selection".
 
 
3. Complete the "Checkpoint" practice on your paper.
 
4. Raise your hand to have Ms. Robinson check your work.
 
5. Once you receive Ms. Robinson's initials, complete the natural selection simulations here. Be sure to follow the directions on the website!
 
Evolution Experience Game -  In this game, you are a young bird trying to eat enough to survive and reproduce. Pay attention to how the bug population changes in response to you. When you're ready, click here.
 
Charles Darwin Game - In this game, your goal is a create a species that can survive for one million years. You choose which genetic variations or adaptations your species will have and watch to see how they fare against various environmental pressures (predators, climate change, new food sources, etc.). Tip: You will probably have to play more than once to reach the goal! Use the "Hints" book at the bottom right hand corner of the screen to learn more about what each adaptation might be good for. When you're ready, click here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday, December 8, 2014

Natural Selection

 
Natural Selection
KWBAT describe changes that have occurred over generations through natural selection.

1. Watch the Educanon video here. There is a place on your classwork to take notes on the video as you watch.

2. Complete the practice on your paper. You will see the instructions below and on your paper.



3. Complete your Exit Ticket here.

Announcements:
If you were not here yesterday for the owl pellet dissection and would like to participate, stay after school with me on Friday 3:15-4:00 and we can dissect! Send me an email or text if you plan on staying.


Friday, November 21, 2014

Plant and Animal Adaptations

KWBAT describe how structural and behavioral adaptations of organisms enhance survival.


Quest #1: Watch this video on Animal Adaptations on Study Jams here. Next, take the Test Yourself quiz here and record your score on your paper.

Quest #2: You will be creating a well-adapted bird for TWO biomes. Start by reading ALL of the instructions on the left side. It will take some grit! When you are ready to begin, click here

Then, answer the questions on your paper.

Checkpoint! Complete the Checkpoint! questions on your paper. Check your answers against the correct answers. If you answer 4 or more correct, keep going. If you answered 3 or less correct, raise your hand to ask for help.

Quest #3: Watch this video on Plant Adaptations on Study Jams here. Next, take the Test Yourself quiz here and record your score on your paper.

Quest #4: All instructions are on your paper.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Unit 5: Day 1 Biomes

KWBAT describe the characteristics of land biomes including the plants and animals that inhabit the area.



Step 1: Watch the video here about land biomes.

Step 2: Watch this Study Jams video as it explains the climate and characteristics of the six land biomes.

Step 3: Complete the Study Jams Test Yourself!

Step 4: Complete research on the climate, plants and animals and  each of the 7 land biomes. You will need to use this website to find out the climate and plants. You may also choose to use this website to research the climate, plants and animals. ** Note: The grasslands biome is the same as the savannah biome! **

You will complete the chart like this one on your paper. See below for the Criteria For Success.

Criteria for Success:
  • Each box is correctly filled out with information from your research
  • Climate information includes TEMPERATURE range and rainfall amounts
  • Includes at least 3 different types of plants that grow in the biome
  • Includes at least 3 different types of animals that grow in the biome
Step 5: Answer the Checkpoint! questions on your paper. Continue working until you get to the stop sign on your paper. When you are finished, check your work on the checkpoint at the top tab on the blog.

Step 6: Complete your Exit Ticket on exittix.com

Step 7: Finished early? Build a compatible habitat for different organisms here! Also, check out this awesome biome song here. Enjoy!

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Station 3: Ecological Succession

Go the the website here to practice your knowledge of primary and secondary succession. Good luck!

Once you've played a round of succession, you may continue with practice on catastrophic events here

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Accommodations for Space Travel

Hi, KIPPsters! Today you will be researching the accommodations (adaptations) that allow for space travel. By the end of the lesson you should be able to describe at least 5 accommodations astronauts use to allow them to live, work and travel in space. Let's get started!

Step 2: If you have not completed your Educanon lifework, do that first by clicking here.

Step 3: Watch a quick video here to learn how some astronaut are trying to overcome the challenges of microgravity and weightlessness.

Step 4: Today you will research the accommodations that allow astronauts to overcome the challenges of living in space. You will complete the chart on your paper like the one below:


To answer the questions, you will need to conduct research at this website: http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/station/living_microgravity.htm Use the arrows at the bottom to scroll through the pages. ALL of the information you need to correctly answer the questions on the chart are found on the website.

Step 5: Complete your Exit Ticket at Exittix.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Tuesday, November 4th:

1. Watch the video on Educanon here

2. Complete the practice questions.

3. Complete the Exit Ticket (I will use this grade to update your mastery)

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Hypoxic Zones

Today, you will be working through a series of tasks in order to master today's objective.

KWBAT describe how hypoxic zones are created.

Please follow the step by step instructions below. Raise your hand if you have questions.

1. Watch video #1 on the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico here. You must login in to Educanon using your username and password.

2. Watch video #2 on the hypoxic zone here AND take notes on your paper. You must login in to Educanon using your username and password.

3. Complete the practice on your paper.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Topographic Maps

KWBAT analyze topographic maps to determine land features.


Finished your practice? Check your work on the checkpoint above!

Take today's exit ticket here!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Natural Disasters News Report

You will be writing a news broadcast as if you were reporting on a natural disaster. Your broadcast must include:

a.     What the disaster was
b.     Where the disaster occurred
c.     What the damage was (i.e. how many people died or were injured, destruction to buildings, etc.)
d.     Why it occurred (What forces in nature caused the disaster)
e.     How this disaster can be measured
f.      How this disaster can be predicted
g.     What safety measures can be taken to protect yourself


Please read the example below for an idea of what is expected:


Good morning, Houston!

I am live on the scene following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. This is certainly one of the most destructive hurricanes in the last 10 years. The storm developed in the Gulf of Mexico. The Category 1 Hurricane crossed southern Florida causing some flooding before returning back into the warm Gulf water. Once in the Gulf, the storm strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane and hit land in southeast Louisiana with wind gusts up to 173 mph.

The Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale measures hurricanes by categories, with Category 1 being the weakest storms and Category 5 the strongest storms.

The city of New Orleans was particularly hit due to the storm surge that cause severe flooding. More than 80% of the city was underwater for weeks. Close to 90% of Mississippi beachfront towns were destroyed.

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for southeastern Louisiana before the storm hit. Once the National Hurricane Center received word that the storm was growing in strength, voluntary and mandatory evacuations were issued for large areas of southeast Louisiana. Those who were escaping the storm fleed to nearby Houston, Georgia and surrounding states.

This storm was devastating. At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods. The total property damage totaled $108 billion. The reconstruction of some towns hit by Hurricane Katrina are still in progress today.  As we endure this tragedy, be prepared for future storms by having an evacuation plan in place.

In order to research, check out these links.

Great descriptions of Natural Disasters from National Geographic: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/

Deadliest Natural Disasters of the Last Decade: http://www.weather.com/news/deadliest-natural-disasters-20131112

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Unit 3 Test Tracking

KWBAT complete common assessment and track mastery on the Unit 3 test.

1. READ THIS FIRST: Today, you will check your answers on the Unit 3 test by entering the answer you marked on your test into Exittix.com. You put a check or an "X" over the question based on whether you answered correctly or incorrectly. See below for an example.


2. Click on the links below to answer the questions based on the question on your test. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE TEST QUESTION NUMBER.


3. Transfer your mastery percentages for each of the 4 objectives into your SCIENCE mastery tracker. This score should be written in the TEST column.

4. Silently walk to the back of the classroom to get your science binder and transfer Unit 3 materials (classwork, lifework, quizzes) into your science binder.

5. Complete the pre-work/lifework on catastrophic events. You can find the lifework by clicking the LIFEWORK tab at the top of the blog.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Station 3

Step 1: You will register for STEMscopes today. After clicking here, complete the information as shown below.

First Name: Your first name
Last name: Your last name
SIS ID: Your SBISD username
Grade Level: 7th grade
Email: (Leave blank)
Username: Your SBISD username
Password: Your lunch number



Step 2: Complete the assigned challenges on STEMScopes.

Step 3: Race against the clock with the vocabulary on Quizlet here.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

KWBAT explain the cycling of matter in the Carbon Cycle.


Step 1: Watch a video of the Carbon Cycle on StudyJams here. Don't be afraid to watch the video twice to make sure you understand! Next, complete the quiz here.

Step 2: Complete the practice on your paper.

Step 3: Check your answers at the Checkpoint at the top of the page. If you correctly answered 8 or more questions, proceed to Step 4. If you correctly answered 7 or less questions, raise your hand to ask Ms. Robinson for help :)

Step 4: Complete the Carbon Cycle writing and diagram.

Check out the new LIFEWORK tab above to find your lifework for tonight, October 8th!

Unit 3: Nitrogen Cycle

KWBAT explain the cycling of matter in the Nitrogen Cycle.


Step 1: Watch the StudyJams video on the Nitrogen Cycle here. When you are finished watching the video, complete the "Test Yourself" quiz.

Step 2: Read the key points of today's lesson below.
  • Nitrogen is important to living things because plants and animals use it to make protein, which allows plants and animals to live and grow.
  • Plants and animals cannot use nitrogen in gas form.
  • Bacteria in soil "fix" nitrogen gas by turning it in to usable nitrogen compounds.
  • Plants absorb the usable compounds in the soil.
  • Humans and animals eat plants to get nitrogen.
  • When plants and animals die, bacteria and decomposers release nitrogen from their body back into the atmosphere.
Step 3: Answer the practice questions on your paper.

Step 4: Check your work at the "Checkpoint" tab above.

Step 5: Create your own nitrogen cycle diagram. Your diagram MUST include:
  • A picture of one producer
  • A picture of one consumer
  • Bacteria
  • Steps explaining how nitrogen is cycled in the nitrogen cycle.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Nitrogen Cycle Lifework

Watch the video here on the Nitrogen Cycle then complete your lifework notes. Don't forget! Your lifework tonight has TWO sides.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Decomposers and Composting

Decomposers and Composting


Finished with practice? Log in to Exittix.com to complete your exit ticket for today. Then proceed to the last page in your packet.

Watch the video below on America's Landfills:
America's Landfills

Then, watch this video on the benefits of composting:
Benefits of Composting video

Looking for places to conduct your research on composting? Try these!
Facts about Waste
Environmental Protection Agency




Decomposer Lifework

For tonight's lifework, please watch the video below and complete the notes on decomposers

Decomposers LW video

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Energy Pyramid Lifework

In order to prepare for Monday's lesson on energy pyramids, watch the video here AND take notes on your paper as you watch.

Note: The lifework paper you received on Thursday looks like the one below.


Food Webs - Day 2

KWBAT describe the transfer of energy in food webs.

Goal: By the end of the class, 100% of students will complete 100% of tasks at an exemplar level. Look around the room for examples of EXEMPLAR work :)

Step 1: Watch a video from Discovery Channel here on real life food webs.

Step 2: Use the food webs below to answer the questions on your paper. Pay close attention to the food web the questions are referring to!

Food web #1:


Food web #2:


Food web #3:


Food web #4:


Food web #5:



Food web #6:


Step 3: Check your work by clicking the "Checkpoint" button at the top of the page.

Step 4: Finish your "Create your own food web" you started on Tuesday. Need a copy? Extra copies are located on the back table.

Hint: The paper looks like the one below.


Step 5: Finish or start your Endangered Species research from yesterday. You will need to go this website to research one endangered species of your choice.

Hint: The paper looks like the one below.