Friday, December 13, 2013

Biology Semester 1 Final Review Day!!

Hi all,

Next time we meet it will be to complete our semester final.  Today we are going to do some things to get your prepared.  Please understand that you should study on your own after this class period in order to prepare.  Remember, all work must be completed and turned in by 11:30 am on Friday, 12/20 in order to count for this semester's grade in biology.

1. Warm up - Review the flashcards for the vocabulary on the final here.

2. Review your performance on the unit 2 test.  You will get your paper copy back with a grade, and you can check your answers here.  Here is a link to the instructions and a template for completing test corrections.  You can also complete unit 1 corrections by checking your answers here.

3. Paper-based review.  Choose at least 3 options from the categories and bullet points below.

Draw

  • Draw a diagram of respiration and photosynthesis.  Label all of the reactants (ingredients) and products (things that are made).
  • Draw a diagram of how blood sugar is regulated.  Include the liver, pancreas, insulin, glucagon, glucose, and glycogen.
  • Draw a diagram of how water molecules move into and out of cells when placed in different solutions.
Define - use the quizlet cards online as your information source.
  • Make flashcards for the important vocabulary for the final.
  • Make frayer models for the words that confuse you the most. (see an example below)
  • Make a vocab poster for a word that is visual.

Explain (3 sentences)

  • Explain how the body maintains homeostasis by regulating body temperature.  How can it increase?  How can it decrease?
  • Explain how blood sugar is regulated by the pancreas and liver.
  • Explain how water can be pushed into or sucked out of a cell by the solutions around it.
  • Explain how matter can be cycled between organisms and their environment.


4. Do these.  Here are some simulations that allow you to interact with big ideas from this semester in biology.

Cell membranes - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/membrane-channels
Nutrition - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/eating-and-exercise
Solutions - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/sugar-and-salt-solutions

5. See.  Here are some animations to review big ideas from this semester.  You will probably need to watch these at home or at the library since they are blocked by DPS.

Glucose regulation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlHez8gwMgw
The cell membrane - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moPJkCbKjBs
Respiration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00jbG_cfGuQ
Photosynthesis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQK3Yr4Sc_k
Science Inquiry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsU6Q4XBwhc

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Presentation tips

Hi scientists!  I borrowed the following presentation tips from this AccuConference site.  Good luck with your presentations tomorrow.

Public Speaking Tips
  • Avoid slang and jargon.
  • Use anecdotes and practical examples to make complicated concepts more comprehensible.
  • Speak in varying tones and pitches to give emphasis to certain words and ideas.
  • Deliver your speech slowly and clearly.
  • Make sure that the people sitting at the back of the hall can hear you clearly, but do not speak so loud that it appears as if you are shouting.
  • Maintain an upright but relaxed posture while you are speaking, and do not lean forward or backward.
  • Leave your arms on the podium or by your sides when you are not using them to make gestures.
  • When gesturing, make sure that it is natural and spontaneous.
  • Maintain eye contact with the audience.
  • Wear clothes with simple cuts and neutral tones, and make sure that they are comfortable.
Presentation Design
  • Do not overload slides with a lot of text.
  • Use the PowerPoint Notes to remind yourself what to say when a certain slide is being shown.
  • Prepare a Table of Contents slide with the “Summary Slide” feature.
  • Include a slide that shows your company logo.
  • Arrange slides according to topics.
  • Try to make the length of text lines similar throughout the slide.
  • Recommended font for slide title is San Serif, and font size should be 44.
  • Font size for subtitles should be 28 to 34, with bold font.
  • Use dark font over light background and light font over dark background to enhance clarity.
  • Use graphics only when appropriate.
  • You can press “W” or “B” to clear the screen temporarily during your presentation, and resume the presentation by pressing “Enter”.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Today's benchmark for presentation project

Hi students!  Yesterday you learned what a biogeochemical cycle is.  You chose one of the cycles (water, sulfur, carbon, phosphorus, calcium, or nitrogen) and you started your presentation file and emailed it to me.

Today you need to read about your cycle and add to your presentation.  By the end of today you need to email me your nearly finished presentation.  Remember that your job is to teach the class about your cycle and show how your material changes as it goes through at least 6 changes in the cycle.  Refer to this requirements sheet to make sure you are doing your job properly.

Please email your presentation to james_trainer@dpsk12.org by the end of class today!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Unit 1 Test on Homeostasis

Hi students,

Tomorrow is the big test!  Click here to find some documents that will help you study tonight.  These are mostly documents that you have seen before in class - old review sheets, vocabulary definitions, and all five quizzes from the unit.

Need some flashcards?  Here is a set of 80 words on quizlet you need to know on the test tomorrow!

Remember to join us at McDonald's on GVR Blvd from 6 - 8 pm on Sunday evening if you need extra help!

Good luck studying and on the big test!

-Mr. Trainer

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Additional Examples of Relationships

For each video, consider whether the organisms involved benefit (+), are harmed (-), or neither (0).  Use your notes (or even better, your memory) to decide what type of relationship is shown.

A lion attacks and kills cheetahs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-wvA7fmUJ4

Pine beetles in the Rockies destroy trees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo69NtUMXBY

A barracuda gets his mouth cleaned: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOC2Qc2Qedw

Bees pollinate almond trees in California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpdS4S4CQWs