Wednesday 22 April 2015

Update - April 22

Hello Everyone,

My apologies for such a delay in posting.  We are moving along quite nicely in Biology 30 as the weather warms up and we head into the homestretch of the school year.

Today, students are completing the final assessment for Unit C1: Cell Division.  This has been a relatively short unit, so the assessment is a bit shorter and not worth quite as much as our previous tests.

Tomorrow, we will be starting the biggest unit of our course: Unit C2: Mendelian Genetics.  Students will be exploring answers to questions like: "If both of your parents have brown eyes, how could you possible have blue eyes?"; and "If you are a carrier of a particular genetic disorder, what is the probability that your offspring could get the disorder?"; among many others!  Most often, this unit is reported as the most interesting.

Aside from our regular classroom activities, students should be reminded to be workshopping and writing their first draft of their Major Research Paper.  This is a semester-long assignment that students have been working on since February.  At this point, students should have completed their research and should be in the writing phase.  Students have been asked to pass in one paragraph every week or two weeks for formative feedback from me.  The final paper will be due on June 12.

On Friday, students will be receiving their first term report cards.  The assessments completed in Unit A1, Unit A2, and Unit B will be featured on this report card.  Please take a moment to review your child's mark and discuss strengths and areas for improvement with your son or daughter.  I encourage you to look at Parent Portal frequently.  In many ways, the information on Parent Portal paints a more comprehensive picture of your child's learning as it breaks marks down by individual assessment.  You can also check out the number of absences and lates your son/daughter has in the course.

I highly encourage you to attend Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences this coming Monday April 28 from 5 pm - 8 pm.  I can be found in the large breakout room in the Science Hallway upstairs.  I would love to meet you, chat about your son or daughter's progress, and identify any areas where I may be able to further support your child's learning.

For up to date information on upcoming assessments, please click here.

Have a wonderful Wednesday,

Mat

Monday 23 March 2015

March 23

Today, we continued our exploration of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems with a focus on the hormones and phases related to the menstrual cycle.

For homework this evening, students have been asked to complete CYU Task #4 and CYU Task #5, questions 1-9.

Additionally, students were advised of a Male and Female Quiz that will take place on Wednesday of this week.

This unit's performance task was introduced this morning and students can find the outline on the Google Classroom stream.

The Unit B: Reproduction & Development Test will be on Wednesday, April 1.


By 3:00 pm today, the student/parent portal will be completely updated.  This means that you will be able to find out your son/daughter's current academic progress after the completion of our first unit.

The Unit A: Endocrine & Nervous Systems Test Rewrite will be taking place on Monday, March 30 after school.  Interested students have been given the Rewrite Agreement and will be sharing it with you (if they have not already done so) because it requires your signature.

I look forward to seeing students this week at Extra Learning Support from 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm on Monday and Thursday.


Monday 9 March 2015

March 9

Today, we reviewed "Check Your Understanding" tasks, worked on reinforcing our knowledge of thyroid hormones, and began to review learning objectives from the endocrine unit.

I assigned Research Paper Checkpoint 3 in our Google Classroom and students are expected to complete this checkpoint by the end of next week (March 20).

Today was the due date for the Endocrine Unit Assignment, however many students were not finished so I extended the deadline to Wednesday, March 11.  Parents/guardians of students who do not submit the assignment on March 11 will be phoned.

This Thursday, March 12 will be our first major unit test.  This assessment will cover all learning outcomes from the Nervous System and Endocrine System units.  Those students who receive an accommodation for extra-time are asked to arrive to being the test at 7:40 am.

I am available for extra learning support every Monday and Thursday from 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm.

To stay up to date on upcoming assessments, click here.


Thursday 5 March 2015

March 5

Today, we explored the hormones related to water regulation and blood pressure management.  Additionally, we introduced our major performance task for the endocrine unit by looking at the connection between our hormone system and the male reproductive system.  Tomorrow, students will be analyzing the results of an experiment that involved the insertion of Hormone X into laboratory rats.  The mission for students will be to consider the symptoms displayed by the rat in an attempt to identify Hormone X.

At home this evening, students will be completing two pre-knowledge tasks for the performance task.

I moved the Unit A1/A2 Test back a day, so students will be completing this assessment on Thursday, March 12 rather than Wednesday, March 11.


Wednesday 4 March 2015

March 4, 2015

Today, we focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the hormones that control blood sugar levels.  We also looked closer at the hormones associated with stress response.

Homework for this evening is Check Your Understanding Tasks #3 and #6.

Tuesday 3 March 2015

March 3, 2015

Today, students continued to explore and understand twenty-one hormones released and managed by the Endocrine System.  This evening, students will take a closer look at two of the most important hormones, glucagon and insulin, by completing Tasks #1 and #2 in their Check Your Understanding booklet.

Tomorrow, students will be issued an endocrinology assignment (due date: Monday, March 9).  Our Unit A1/A2 Test (Nervous & Endocrine Systems) will be on Wednesday, March 11.

Attendance at extra learning support sessions has been quite sparse!  Just a reminder that I am available on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm.

Monday 2 March 2015

March 2, 2015

Welcome back!  I hope you enjoyed a restful and enjoyable Convention Week.

Today, we continued our introductory exploration of the Endocrine System.

Homework:

Review hormones using the Feedback Loop Google Presentation, the Shared Spreadsheet, and your Study Guide. Become familiar with each hormone. Write the Feedback Loops into your Study Guide