An optional extra credit opportunity

Have a heart for conservation?
Have a passion for art?
Check out this website.

If you're interested in participating, I will reward your efforts with extra credit.

You must read and follow all printed directions (posted on the website). Submit your creation to me by April 20.

This is worth up to 20 points, but to earn all 20 points your creation must be well done!

Quizlet homework for Unit 8

For Students: How to complete tonight's Quizlet.com assignment

Your assignment is to add one term/definition relevant to Unit 8 to the quizlet file on quizlet.com

Go to quizlet.com
Click LOG IN
Username: harriswcsks
Password: Kingdoms

Complete this assignment by midnight on April 8, 2015.

What to do:

1. Click on the file. There is not a separate file for each class. We are creating one quizlet file for all of us to use.
2. Click ADD OR REMOVE TERMS 
3. Read through the terms & definitions already posted. Do NOT delete/change/alter anyone's term or definition, even if you think something is wrong with it. It is not your job to correct someone else's work. Just make sure what YOU enter is correct.
4. Click +.
5. Type in your term. It can only be 1-2 words, not a phrase. Unless the term is a domain or kingdom name, it should have no capital letter in it. Spelling counts.
6. You cannot repeat a term, even if your definition would be different. Spelling counts. 
7. Term can only be 1-2 words, not a phrase. 
8. Tab to the next section. Type in your definition, only using 15 words or less.Spelling counts. This does not need to be a sentence.
9. At the end of your definition, type your first name in parentheses. Yes, you capitalize the first letter of your name. DUH! {Max, Carter, and Nate - use your last names!}
10. Remember your definition can only be 15 words or less.
11. Click DONE. 
12. Click PRINT in the quizlet toolbar.
13. Click GLOSSARY. 
14. You should see your term & definition on this list. If not, you need to go back to step 2.
15. Click OPEN PDF.
16. Click PRINT.

**  If you can't print at home, then open the PDF to print, click SAVE AS. Save on to your computer and then you can come to school early and print that saved file at the help desk.

You will submit that sheet of paper tomorrow for a homework grade. 

• Be sure your term & definition is printed. 
• Check for capitalization. Remember the rules!
• Be sure your name is in parentheses.

Week of April 7

I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend! I find Easter to be a fabulous time to reflect with thanks on this life we live. And, of course, when I count my blessings, WCS is on that list!

For this week:
We will finish this unit on classification, which covers branching diagrams, dichotomous keys, binomial nomenclature, and the classification system.
Expect a test on Monday April 13.

Coming soon:
Body systems ....

Week of March 30

This is a "short week" for us, with shortened classes due to testing.

We will continue our brief overview of classification, discussing branching diagrams and binomial nomenclature. We're watching yet another cheesy (but knowledge filled) video this week to introduce some of this material.

No quizzes in science this week.

Week of March 23

Welcome back!
I hope everyone had a fun-filled spring break. I can hardly believe we have just nine weeks left in the school year.

If I hadn't already told you, thank you for making my first year here at WCS a great one. I continue to feel blessed to be part of the family here, and I am so very thankful that I was given the opportunity to join as faculty.

For this week:

• We will finish up with our genetic disorders poster presentations, with a Q&A session. We will also do a scavenger hunt to pay better attention to poster details and facts.
• We will start our plant & classification unit this week also. Kids will plant "fast plants" which go through their life cycle (from seed to re-seed) in about 45 days. We will take data as the plants grow and use this experience to practice data collection, taking observations, and graphing data.
• We will begin our introduction to classification, which will lead to a survey of kingdoms of living things.

As always, I'm an email or a phone call away if you have any questions or concerns.

Copy of email sent through PowerSchool on 3/3/15

Parents,

Just a couple things to be sure you're hearing correct and complete information from your child.

(1) Test is Thursday. Check the blog to see the topics and the list of what to study. Tomorrow will be an in class review day and I will have a test tutorial after school for those interested.

(2) There is a project that is accompanying this unit. Directions were available on Monday; topics were assigned today. I know this is a busy time, so Friday will be an in-class work day. There is a little bit of research necessary; a specific fact sheet has been provided. Research, if not completed by Friday, should easily be collected during the class work time. Information will then be put into some sort of poster format (poster board or foam board).  The directions are in the OneNote notebook. If your child efficiently uses the 45 minutes on Friday in class, I would expect about 45-60 minutes of time to organize and compose the poster. Access to a printer is needed, so be sure - if you're printer isn't working at home - that your child utilizes the access to printers at school on Friday.  If your child completes the research ahead of time (before class time on Friday), he/she can construct the poster at school on Friday. Friday is their work time - they can use it as they need it ... but I will expect them to work!

As always, thank you for your support at home for what goes on in the classroom! Remember to check the blog; I update it weekly!

** I am going to Target and can pick up poster board for your child, if that can save you a trip! Have your child bring $1 by Thursday, and I'll have a white poster board here on Friday for the work time.

Mrs. Harris

Week of March 2

This week we will learn about the processes of transcription & translation (and its relevance to protein synthesis) - as well as mutations that can occur during the process, which will conclude our unit on DNA & Genetics.

The test is scheduled for Thursday. This test will cover Mendel, Punnett Squares (dominant, recessive, and sex linked traits), and DNA/RNA/protein synthesis.

Things to study:

• Two PowerPoint lessons
• Countless Punnett Square practice problems - from classwork & homework (Re-do problems for practice. The only given information should be parent genotype & phenotype. You should be able to do the rest. Then, check your work with what you copied/did in class.)
• Outline - The genetic code (Lots of key words and definitions!)
• Assorted bell work practice problems
• Notes - Protein Synthesis (Lots of key words and application of terminology!)

Additional thing: (Added 3/3/15) A new quizlet has been created. See the right side bar.

Other dates to note:

• 3/3 Optional bonus due - Scroll down. Directions posted on the blog.
• 3/9 Project poster due - Directions on OneNote.