Hard to admit when you're wrong, but here you go...New Test Wednesday

After today's test, I realized (with some help of course), that I gave an invalid test. Everything was related to the content, but the nature of the questions was not reflective of the material. I have therefore decided to invalidate the previous test altogether and issue a new and MUCH more valid test on Wednesday. It is probably just as well due to the inordinate amount of sickness these past two weeks.

I sincerely apologize for this, and will give a brief overview to the students tomorrow. Sleep well.

Science Olympiad Practice and Paper

We will be practicing for Science Olympiad Tuesday Feb. 8 and Thursday Feb. 17 afterschool from 3:30-5:30.

Please note, those students in the classes chosen for Science Olympiad that were not chosen for a team do NOT have to complete a science fair project, but they do have to write a reasearch paper on a topic addressed in one of the events. That paper is being written under the direction of Mr. Mitchell.

Test Monday and Homework

Test on Monday, Jan 31.

We've had a lot of students out in the past several days with various illnesses. If you have been sick, here are some assignments you need to complete as well as the notes you need to study.

1. You should be working on or should have already completed your science fair experiment. If not, it is due by Feb 2 and you must use the week after that to complete your data collection and analysis. Don't put this off until the last minute (it is the last minute, by the way)
2. Please send a loved one or one of your classmates to pick up a book for you. Read pp. 246-265
3. Also complete the chapter review questions 1-23 on pp 270-271. This is a homework assignment for all students due tomorrow.
4. Our class notes can be downloaded here and here. Please download both and be familiar with them when you return. You are responsible for all the material, even if sick, so make sure you come and see me as soon as you can to clarify anything with which you are having trouble.

Blessings to all and get better soon!

Coach B

Outstanding website on cells and cell processes

Although its can get a little complicated for 7th grade, this website has to be one of the most comprehensive resources available for cell biology that I've ever seen. Enjoy!

Science Fair Information

At this point, students have prepared their topic area, performed background research, formulated a hypothesis and should have begun writing their procedures.

Parents, please note that students should only be performing the following steps of the science fair project at home:

1. conducting additional background research
2. gathering materials
3. performing the procedures
4. recording and organizing data

This is quite a bit of work to be accomplished within the next two weeks. All of these steps must be completed by Feb 7. Please keep in mind that students will be analyzing data and forming conclusions in class from that point on as well as writing in Mr. Mitchell's class. Please take the time to go over your child's planning and approval sheet in the next few days to make sure they are on pace to begin.

Science Fair Notes

You may download the science fair notes from this link. These notes should help you in constructing your project.

Grades

Grades for this quarter are tricky. Since we are preparing both for science fair and Science Olympiad, our grades for the first two weeks have consisted of participation grades as well as a homework grade for the planning and approval sheet for science fair. That grade has NOT been recorded yet as many of the students are still fine-tuning their research questions. Please keep in mind that this is an ongoing project that will require considerable work at home before students begin putting their boards together on Feb 6. Both science fair and Science Olympiad participants will receive full lab grades based on their preparation steps.

After Monday, we will be returning to our regularly scheduled curriculum. However, Science Olympiad teams will be meeting after school on Mondays and Fridays up to the date of the competition. Also, we will be working in the computer lab on Fridays for the next two weeks in order to help science fair participants write their papers and prepare their image boards.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the next two weeks. Please contact me via email if you have further questions.