Life and the Basic Processes of Life

Tuesday 10/07/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Unit 1 Assessment

Bell Question

1. Place your Notebooks with completed Module 1, Lesson 1 outline notes; Module 7,  Lesson 1 outline notes and Module 19, Lesson 2 outline notes on the podium.

2. Get into test-taking seats

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1. Students will complete the Unit 1 assessment.

Assignment(s):

• 1. No Homework

Supportive Media

Friday 10/03/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Elements of Experimental Design

2. Atoms & Elements

   1. 1. Understanding the structure of the Periodic Table

      2. Explain what valence electrons are and how to determine an atoms number of valence electrons by using a Periodic Table.

Bell Question

1. In the Brine Shrimp Egg Hatching Investigation we used salt water concentrations. With your group members:

   • • Discuss what you know about the physical attributes of salt.

     • Discuss what you know about the physical attributes of water

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1. We will start class by discussing the last quiz.

  2. We will then discuss the results of the Brine Shrimp Egg Hatching Investigation

  3. We will then review the concepts covered in the Module 19, Lesson 2 Featured Concepts and Vocabulary handout

  4. The remainder of the block will be used examining atoms.

Assignment(s):

• 1. Prep for your first unit assessment, to be given in our next class - Tuesday, 10/7

     1. • The Study Guide is complete.

  2. If you have any missing/incomplete assignments, they must be completed and submitted before Tuesday's class.

Supportive Media

1.  Gizmos Login

Wednesday 10/01/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Elements of Experimental Design

Bell Question

1. No Bell Question, we are going to go straight into lab prep

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1. Student will gather data for the Brine Shrimp Egg Hatching Investigation

  2. Once we collect all data, students will complete the  Brine Shrimp Hatching Investigation handout, given in Google Classroom

  3. With time remaining, students will begin enroll in my Gizmo Class and begin the Growing Plants Gizmo assignment, given in Google Classroom.

     1. • Gizmos Login

        • Class Enrollment Code:

          1. • Honors White Block 1: EL3FCKY1

Assignment(s):

• 1. Complete the following two assignments:

     1. •  Brine Shrimp Hatching Investigation handout, given in Google Classroom

        • Growing Plants Gizmo assignment, given in Google Classroom

  2. Using the Module 19, Lesson 2 Featured Concepts and Vocabulary handout, read and take outline notes for Module 19, Lesson 2.

Supportive Media

1.  Gizmos Login

Monday 9/29/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Elements of Experimental Design:

   1. • Given a a scenario, generate a researchable question

      • Generate ideas for experimental procedures

      • Distinguish between independent and dependent variables

      • Perform the steps of an experiment, minimizing variables that might impact data.

2. Atoms & Elements

   1. • State the differences between different atoms

      • Explain what causes an atom to be ionized.

Bell Question

1. Pictured in Image 1 is a population of birds at Mono Lake, in California.

   • • Based on our Mono Lake discussion, what is the connection between the birds of Mono Lake and Brine Shrimp?

       1. • How does rain impact the salt concentration of Mono Lake?

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1. We will discuss the Bell Question and the purpose of the Brine Shrimp Investigation.

     1. • Student groups will respond to questions on the Brine Shrimp Investigation Introduction handout.

        • We will then follow the Brine Shrimp Hatching Procedures

  2. When students are finished following the steps on the Brine Shrimp Hatching Procedures, students will go to the Phet Atom Builder and complete the Atom Builder assignment, given in Google Classroom.

Assignment(s):

• 1. Begin prepping for your first unit assessment.

     1. • The Study Guide is complete.

        • Come to class on Wednesday with any questions

Supportive Media

1.  Brine Shrimp Investigation Introduction handout

Thursday 9/25/2024

Today's Focus: 

1. Evidence for the Endosymbiotic Theory

2. Cell specialization

3. Jobs of different specialized cells/tissue of a leaf

Bell Question

1. Review your evidence and reasoning for  the Endosymbiotic Theory assignment

   • • Be prepared to discuss with the class

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1. We will discuss the evidence and reasoning for  the Endosymbiotic Theory 

  2. Students will watch the Amoeba Sisters Specialized Cells video (below) and complete the front of the Cell Specialization video worksheet while watching the video.

  3. We will then discuss specific jobs the specialized cells/tissue that form a leaf

     1. • Afterwards students will do a quick check for understanding by answering the questions on the Plant Organization Worksheet

  4. We will then discuss the targeted concepts in the Module 19, Lesson 2 Featured Concepts and Vocabulary handout

  5. With any time left, students will be introduced to Mono Lake and begin work on the Brine Shrimp Investigation Introduction handout.

Assignment(s):

• 1. Take OUTLINE style notes on Module 7, Lesson 1 and the targeted concepts in the Module 19, Lesson 2 Featured Concepts and Vocabulary handout

     1. • Notes should be taken in your spiral-bound notebook

        • I will not check notes until the unit assessment

Supportive Media

1.  Cell Specialization video worksheet 

Tuesday 9/23/2024

Today's Focus: 

1. Lesson 1 Quiz

2. Cell Comparison Lab completion

3. Origins of Cells

Bell Question

1. No Bell Question. Students will get into test-taking seats

Today's In-class Tasks

1. Once we finish the quiz, read this article on Zooxanthellae, afterwards, and with your table partners, discuss the following:

   • • 1. • What is the relationship that exists with coral polyps, which are animals, and zooxanthellae, which are algae?

          • How does each benefit?

          • What happens when coral is environmentally stressed?

2. We will then watch the TedEd video on Endosymbiosis and discuss the homework

3. Students will watch the Amoeba Sisters Specialized Cells video (below) and complete the front of the Cell Specialization video worksheet while watching the video.

4. We will discuss then specific jobs the specialized cells/tissue that form a leaf

   • • Afterwards students will do a quick check for understanding by answering the questions on the Plant Organization Worksheet

5. We will then discuss the targeted concepts in the Module 19, Lesson 2 Featured Concepts and Vocabulary handout

Assignment(s):

1. Take OUTLINE style notes on Module 7, Lesson 1

   1. • Notes should be taken in your spiral-bound notebook

      • I will not check notes until the unit assessment

Supportive Media

1. article on Zooxanthellae

Friday 9/19/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Cell Comparison Lab completion

2. Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells

3. Animal Cells vs Plant Cells

Bell Question

1. Using Image 1, below, discuss with your partners the physical differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells

Today's In-class Tasks

1.  We will watch a short video on the differences and similarities of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

   • • 1. • You should add information to your Venn Diagram while watching the video

            • • As a class we will review the attributes of this Venn Diagram

2. We will then discuss differences between animal cells and plant cells.

3. Finally, students will complete the Cell Comparison Lab.

   • • 1. • Get all of your pictures, you can do labeling afterwards.

Assignment(s):

1. If you have not completed labeling microscope diagrams on the Cell Comparison Lab, do so.

2. Prepare for a quiz on Tuesday, 9/23

   1. • Quiz will cover numbers 1 - 8 of the Study Guide (top of this page)

3. Complete the Endosymbiotic Theory Assignment, given in Google Classroom

Supportive Media

Wednesday 9/17/2024

Today's Focus: 

1. Introduction to the Microscope Lab  completion

2. Cell Comparison Lab

Bell Question

1. Open your Introduction to the Microscope Lab sheet and complete any labeling or picture insertion needed to complete the lab.

   1. • Submit the lab sheet when finished.

Today's In-class Tasks

1.  We will discuss all aspects of the Bell Question 

2. We will then discuss The Cell Theory.

3. The remainder of the block will be spent introducing and working on the Cell Comparison Lab.

Assignment(s):

1. Prepare for a quiz on Tuesday, 9/23

   1. • Quiz will cover numbers 1 - 8 of the Study Guide (top of this page)

Supportive Media

Monday 9/15/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Academic Honesty

2. Outline style notes

3. Introduction to the Microscope Lab  completion

4. Cell Comparison Lab

Bell Question

1. Make sure your name is on your notebook, open your notebook to  your Module 1, Lesson 1 Notes and place your notebook on the podium.

2. Open the Academic Honesty Policy form, given in Google Classroom.

   1. • Read through it, answer all questions and submit the form

3. Open your Introduction to the Microscope Lab sheet.

Today's In-class Tasks

1. We will discuss all aspects of the Bell Question, including a discussion about the homework

2. Students will then complete the Introduction to the Microscope Lab

3. Any time remaining in the block will be spent introducing and working on the Cell Comparison Lab.

Assignment(s):

1. Prepare for a quiz on Friday, 9/19

   1. • Quiz will cover numbers 1 - 7 of the Study Guide (top of this page)

Supportive Media

Thursday 9/11/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Outline style notes

2. Introduction to the Microscope Lab  completion

Bell Question

1. Read the experiment that is explained in Image 1 below

2. With your partners identify the 3 components of CER that Redi most likely made:

   1. 1. • Claim

         • Evidence

         • Reasoning

Today's In-class Tasks

1. 1. 1. We will discuss the Bell Question 

      2. We will review how  to write  OUTLINE Notes.

         1. • • We will start with this video on writing outline notes. It is by a history teacher but simple and applicable to science.

              • We will discuss the basic structure of outline notes by reviewing this Basic Outlining Format handout.

              • We will then discuss tips on how to take outline notes by reviewing this How to Take Outline Notes handout

              • Here are two examples of outline skeletons for Lesson 1: Matter, from your book, this is not the Module you will be taking notes for the assignment.

      3. Students will then open the Microscope Introduction Lab sheet in Google Classroom and then spend the remainder of the class working on the lab.

Assignment(s):

1. 1. 1. Complete outline notes IN A PHYSICAL NOTEBOOK for Module 1, Lesson 1, Due Monday, 9/15

Supportive Media

1. video on writing outline notes

2. Basic Outlining Format handout

3. How to Take Outline Notes handout

4. two examples of outline skeletons for Lesson 1: Matter

Tuesday 9/9/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Characteristic of Life

2. Viruses

3. CER

Bell Question

1. Review your table at the bottom of the Are Viruses Alive? Guided Reading assignment with your table mates.

   1. 1. • Do you think viruses should be considered living or non-living.

Today's In-class Tasks

1. We will discuss the Virus-CER Common Assessment, given in Google Classroom, and work through the CER practice portions of the assessment directions/worksheet.

2. Students will be then write the responses to the Should viruses be considered living? CER

3. With any time remaining in the block, students will begin the Introduction to the Microscope Lab

Assignment(s):

1. If not finished with the Virus-CER Common Assessment, complete it. - Due Date: Thursday 9/11

2. Complet the first part of the  Introduction to the Microscope Lab, identifying the parts of a microscope.

Supportive Media

1. Textbook Login:  https://my.mheducation.com/login

Friday 9/5/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Characteristics of Life

2. The differences between single-cell organisms, multicellular organisms and viruses

3. Pros & Cons of classifying viruses as non-living

Bell Question

• 1. With your table mates, discuss your response to the homework assignment.

  2. We will begin class by establishing our first seating chart

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1.  We will discuss student thoughts regarding the assignment (shared characteristics) with your table partners. 

  2. We will then discuss the Characteristics of Life, as explained in Module 1, Lesson 1 of our textbook

• • • • • Students will need to login to the textbook https://my.mheducation.com/login and go to Module 1 - Lesson 1, p. 10

• 3. The discussion will then move to different types of living things and viruses, what they are and are they alive.

  4. If time permits we will begin the Are Viruses Alive? Guided Reading assignment

Assignment(s):

• 1. Complete the Are Viruses Alive? Guided Reading assignment- Due Date:  Tuesday 9/9

Supportive Media

1. Digital Platform/Textbook Login: https://my.mheducation.com/login

2. Guide to the 6 Kingdoms

3. Classification of Living Things

Wednesday 9/3/2025

Today's Focus: 

1. Course information, including Google Classroom Class Code and Digital Book Enrollment

2. Daily Academic Agendas

3. Introduction to Biology/6 Kingdoms Team Challenge

Bell Question

• 1. While I am taking attendance, please write the following information on the index card given to you.

     • 1. Your name and the name by which you want to be called, if the two differ

       2. The pronouns you prefer

       3. WHY you are taking an Honors class. (Not biology but Honors biology.)

       4. Do you need or want a physical copy of the textbook.

       5. Who your last year's science teacher was. No name needed if you transferred into the district

       6. Anything you would like me to know about you as a learner or as a person.

Today's In-class Tasks

• 1.  We will discuss some aspects and expectations of Honors Biology

  2. Students will enroll in the Digital Text Platform

     1. • Digital Platform/Textbook Login: https://my.mheducation.com/login

        • Digital Textbook Classroom Code:

          1. • Honors Biology White Day 2025-26: oD5R0d3z (lowercase o and then a zero)

  3. Students will then enroll in the correct Honors Biology Google Classroom

     1. • Honors Biology White Day 2025-26:  hmgpobz

  4. Student groups will complete the 6 Kingdom Classification Challenge

     1. • At the end of the challenge, we will go over the answers and a winning group will be awarded

  5. If time permits students will begin the homework assignment

Assignment(s):

• 1. Complete the Common Characteristics of Living Things assignment, given in Google Classroom - Due Date:  Friday 9/5

Supportive Media

1. Digital Platform/Textbook Login: https://my.mheducation.com/login

2. Guide to the 6 Kingdoms

3. Classification of Living Things