Biology

1/28/2026 - Introducing Punnett Squares #HowDoesSciencePredictGenetics

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students participate in today's Nearpod activity and take the Nearpod quiz (goal is 80% or above on the quiz) ... Nearpod for those absent.

1/27/2026 - Unexpected Rock Trails #SolvingaMystery

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students complete these two Canvas assignments:

  • ESS: Playa Rock Movement

  • Gizmos: DNA Analysis

1/23-26/2026 - Genetics Assessment #ProvingMyAbility

• Students make a copy of today's starter, complete the prompts and add this starter to Term 3 Starters and Notes of your digital notebook.

• Students go to the Canvas and complete the "Stay Green Mutants 3D assessment" by watching the video and read the assessment information at their tables. The table then works to complete Prompt 1 together.

• Each student is to individually complete Prompt 2 on their own and then submit today's Canvas "Stay Green Mutants 3D assessment".

  • NOTE: ALL your answers need to come from the assessment material (either the video or text) - if it comes from another source, example: Google IT WILL BE MARKED WRONG!)

• After you finish and submit your assignment, you may quietly work on missing Biology assignments, math work, English assignments, or read a book. NO GAMES, NO Phones, and No Headphones!

1/22/2026 - Unexpected Rock Trails #SolvingaMystery

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students complete these two Canvas assignments:

  • ESS: Playa Rock Movement

  • Gizmos: DNA Analysis

1/21/2026 - Introducing Punnett Squares #HowDoesSciencePredictGenetics

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students participate in today's Nearpod activity and take the Nearpod quiz (goal is 80% or above on the quiz)

1/16-20/2026 - Extracting DNA #IWhichPlantMatterHasTheMostDNA

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on how to set up and complete today's Canvas lab "Get Out DNA".

1/14-15/2026 - Using DNA to solve a Puzzle #IFiguredItOut

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on how to complete the Canvas activity "DNA to Protein Challenge".

  • • The submission is a Google Doc with the answers written on it.

• Students then identify one or two partners they will work with next class period on the DNA extraction

  • • The group needs to identify ONE plant material they will attempt to extract DNA from.

    • The material might be green matter, fruit, or flowers.

    • The material MAY NOT be wood product.

    • One member of the group needs to bring the plant material with them next class period.

1/12-13/2026 - DNA to Protein Challenge #SolvingTheChallenge

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students participate in several blookets to review material previously learned.

1/8-9/2026 - Making Proteins #HowAreTheyBuilt

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students use Clever to connect to Explore Learning and access Gizmos

• Students complete the Gizmos activity "RNA and Protein Synthesis" - linked on their BIOLOGY-Westbroek-S2 class. The following will help you complete today's escape room!

  • Write down terms and their definition/purpose/use as you see them

  • When the Gizmos activity is complete, answer the questions at the bottom of the Gizmos page.

• Students then solve the Bioman Escape Room as instructed on their Canvas assignment ...

  • Enter your full first name

  • Use just the initial of your last name

  • Submit a screenshot of your 100% score to the assignment in Canvas.

1/6-7/2026 - Building DNA #HowIsDNABuilt

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 3 of their digital notebook.

• Students watch a PBS video relating to the discovery of DNA.

• Students use Clever to connect to Explore Learning and access Gizmos

• Students complete the Gizmos activity "Building DNA" - linked on their BIOLOGY-Westbroek-S2 class

  • When no more directions are given for completing the Gizmos activity, students are to answer the 5 questions at the bottom of the Gizmos page.

• Students are then to use the Bioman DNA Structure Model to ensure they understand the relationships of the different DNA nucleotide bases. They should get 100% before going on.

  • Use just the initial of your first name

  • Use just the initial of your last name

  • Submit a screenshot of your 100% score attached to an email to: gwestbroek@alpinedistrict.org

• Students are then to complete and submit the Canvas "DNA Replication Check"

12/19/2025 - Great White Shark Dissection Video Part 2 #HowBigIsIT

• There is NO STARTER today because it is the last day of school this semester.

• Students finish watching a video of scientists dissecting a great white shark.

• If time allows, students play a review game related to the science of the holidays.

• NOTE: ALL LATE WORK WAS DUE BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL 2:45 on Dec. 18, 2025!

12/17 - 18/2025 - Great White Shark Dissection Video #HowBigIsIT

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students watch a video of scientists dissecting a great white shark.

• After all work is submitted, students are only allowed to do make-up work for any class ... NO GAMES!!!

• NOTE: ALL LATE WORK DUE BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL 2:45 on Dec. 18, 2025!

12/15 - 16/2025 - Elk Management #ManagingWildlife

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are reminded of appropriate lab behavior

• Students are given instruction on how work with their team to dissect a frog and to individually complete and submit today's Canvas lab report.

• After all work is submitted, students are only allowed to do make-up work for any class ... NO GAMES!!!

• NOTE: ALL LATE WORK DUE BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL 2:45 on Dec. 18, 2025!

11/11 - 12/2025 - Frog Dissection #AnotherDissection

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are reminded of appropriate lab behavior

• Students are given instruction on how work with their team to dissect a frog and to individually complete and submit today's Canvas lab report.

• After all work is submitted, students are only allowed to do make-up work for any class ... NO GAMES!!!

• NOTE: ALL LATE WORK DUE BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL 2:45 on Dec. 18, 2025!

11/1 - 12/2025 - Elk Management #ManagingWildlife

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students watch a video related to managing Elk

• Students are given instruction on how to individually complete today's Elk Management activity

• After all work is submitted, students are only allowed to do make-up work for any class ... NO GAMES!!!

• NOTE: ALL LATE WORK DUE BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL 2:45 on Dec. 18, 2025!

11/5 - 8/2025 - Alstroemeria Follow-up #DissectionTwo

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are given instruction about body systems found in plants.

• Students participate in a classroom review of plant systems.

11/3 - 4/2025 - Alstroemeria #DissectionTwo

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are take a short Canvas quiz on mitosis.

• Students complete and submit a Canvas lab report about their Alstroemeria dissection..

11/1 - 2/2025 - Mitosis #MakingCopies

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Starter

• Students are introduced to the concepts of mitosis.

• Students complete and submit a lab report, about microscopic evidence of mitosis, in Canvas.

11/24 - 25/2025 - Worm Dissection #AlmostADoctor

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are taught about safety expectations for dissections.

• Students complete their first dissection and submit the completed lab paper in Canvas.

11/20 - 21/2025 - Cell Membrane Details #ChallengeDay

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are taught about safety expectations for dissections.

• Students show knowledge learned from last year's health class.

11/18 - 19/2025 - Cell Membrane Details #ChallengeDay

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students compete to show their understanding by doing a Blooket.

  • Students are reminded to sign in with their First name and the initial of their Last name

  • Students are reminded that district policy is to not use personal Blooket accounts.

• Students are shown a YouTube video about how the cell membrane works.

• Students then participate in a competition to show their understanding of the past few week's learning on a Kahoot!

  • Students are reminded to sign in with their First name and the initial of their Last name

  • Students are reminded that district policy is to not use personal Kahoot! accounts.

11/14 - 17/2025 - Microscopes Day 2 #2ndMicroscopeDay

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Studnets watch this short video about how molecules can move through pastic bags.

• Students are reminded about appropriate safety for today's lab.

• Students work with their small groups to compare how different liquids influence potatoes. The Canvas "Potatoes! (and osmosis)" assignment is to be completed and submitted today.

  • Students are then shown this YouTube video about the three types of osmosis.

11/12 - 13/2025 - Microscopes Day 2 #2ndMicroscopeDay

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are reminded about appropriate safety while using a microscope.

• Students create individual drawings to illustrate what they observe of slides they prepare and look at using the microscope. These drawings are submitted along with the answers to three questions

11/10 - 11/2025 - Feedback Loops #GettingImportantInformation

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on appropriate safety while using a microscope.

• Students create individual drawings to illustrate what they observe of prepared slides while using the microscope. These drawings are used to complete the Canvas "Microscope Exploration" assignment.

11/4 - 5/2025 - Feedback Loops #GettingImportantInformation

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students complete and submit the Canvas "Cell Organelle - Knowledge Check".

• Students do the ACT Biology Clownfish practice assessment

• Students may either work individually or with up to two other students to complete and submit the Canvas "Homeostasis Presentation".

10/31 - 11/1/2025 - Feedback Loops #GettingImportantInformation

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students complete and submit the Canvas "Cell Organelle - Knowledge Check".

• Students may either work individually or with up to two other students to complete and submit the Canvas "Homeostasis Presentation".

10/29 - 30/2025 - Bioman Cells #LearningFromGames

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students take the Photosynthesis Quiz (based on the lab two class periods ago) - those absent on that day should have completed the make-up assignment and thus should be ready for this quiz.

• Students work individually to complete and submit the Canvas "Bioman Cells" lab.

10/27 - 28/2025 - Enzymes Virtual Lab #SolvingAchallenge

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students individually are to  the Canvas "Gizmos Enzyme Activity".

10/23 - 24/2025 - Photosynthesis Lab #TooMany Bubbles

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students work in groups to complete and submit the Canvas "Proof of Photosynthesis" lab. During "breaks" in the lab.

• Students who are absent, need to to complete on a Gizmo called “Photosynthesis Lab”

  • • To get to the gizmo, students have to go to “Clever” → “Explore Learning” (bright orange square with cursive EL) → the enter the URL: https://apps.explorelearning.com/gizmos/launch-gizmo/395

10/21 - 22/2025 - Carbon Reservoirs #BioChemistry

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to Term 2 of their digital notebook.

• Students individually read and complete the Canvas "Carbon Reservoirs Reading Annotation" article. While reading students are to highlight the document as follows:

  • • Highlight the part(s) of the article in RED that describes how the Ocean is the largest carbon reservoir on Earth.

    • Highlight the part(s) of the article in GREEN that describe photosynthesis.

    • Highlight the part(s) of the article in YELLOW that explains how Carbon can be stored.

    • Highlight the part(s) of the article in BLUE that details how Carbon can move between different organisms.

    • Highlight the part(s) of the article in PURPLE that discuss how scientists measure the amount of Carbon on Earth.

• Students then use the WWF Carbon Footprint calculator to make a best estimate of how much carbon they use. Estimates will be made for many of the items and student results might not be totally accurate.

  • • Students need to:

      • Accept all cookies if prompted

      • Click on "Measure your Impact" - if it pops up.

    • Students are given the following information to make calculating the footprint easier:

      • 1 km = .6 mile

      • 1£ = $0.75

      • 14°C = 57°F; 17°C = 63°F; 21°C = 70°F

      • Detached = Single family home

      • Domestic UK = in states

      • Flat = Apartment

      • Green tariff=solar

      • Petrol = gas

      • Semi-detached = Duplex or FourplexTerrace = Condominium

10/10 - 13/2025 - Macromolecule Man #BioChemistry

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students review macromolecules using a Blooket. They are reminded that Alpine District policy is to NOT use personal accounts.

• They will watch a YouTube video about enzymes.

• Students watch a short demonstration of how enzymes work.

• Students individually complete and submit the Canvas "Everyday Enzyme" assignment.

10/10 - 13/2025 - Macromolecule Man #BioChemistry

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• I recommend you read this short article helpful before beginning today's activity.

• Students individually complete and submit the Canvas "Bioman Macromolecules" assignment.

10/8 - 9/2025 - Macromolecule Man #BioChemistry

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students are given direction on today's learning.

• Students then complete the macromolecules cut-outs, then combine and place these models in the classroom as instructed.

• Students watch a short YouTube video about Macromolecules.

• Students are allowed to complete Make-up work after the assessment is completed and submitted.

• The last 8 minutes of class, students watch a YouTube video on how early life compounds might have formed.

10/6/2025 & 7/2025 - Acids and Bases #Chemistry

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students watch a YouTube video about Acids and Bases.

• Students then take part in a Blooket about Acids and Bases.

  • Students are reminded that Alpine School District Policy does NOT allow them to use personal accounts on Blooket.

• Students then work on the Canvas "Formative Acids/Bases Assessment."

  • Direct instructions will be given on how to work on this assessment.

• Students are allowed to complete Make-up work after the assessment is completed and submitted.

10/2/2025 & 3/2025 - Lab 3 of 3 #TurnItIn

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on how to complete the Canvas "Aqua Dragons Lab."

  • This three day lab should be completed and submitted during class today.

  • Students who are absent may use this data to complete their lab report.

• After all student groups have finished counting and recording their data, the class will complete a paper & pencil assignment while watching a video. The video is at this HHMI webpage - you may need to click the Introduction tab to view the video.

9/30/2025 & 10/1/2025 - Lab 2 of 3 #TheseAreTiny

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on how to continue working on the Canvas "Aqua Dragons Lab."

  • This three day lab will be completed and submitted on October 2, 2023 (A-day) or October 3, 2025 (B-day).

• After all student groups have finished counting and recording their data, the class will participate in a MissionIO activity. Each class period link only works for that class. NOTE: the mission will not let you begin until your teacher has started the mission.

  • • A3

    • A4

    • B6

    • B8

9/25/2025 & 9/26/2025 - Lab 1 of 3 #AquaDragons1

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students are given directions on how to do the Canvas "Aqua Dragons Lab."

  • This three day lab will be completed and submitted on October 2, 2023 (A-day) or October 3, 2025 (B-day).

9/19/2025 & 9/24/2025 - Ecosystems #LearningTheParts

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students watch a YouTube video Yellowstone's Hot Water Ecosystem.

• Students are given direct instruction regarding today's Canvas "Ecosystem Activity."

  • This assignment should be individually completed and submitted today.

9/17/2025 & 9/18/2025 - Black Footed Ferrets #CutestAssassin

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video about animal rescue efforts  related to today's assignment.

• Students are given direct instruction regarding today's Canvas "Black Footed Ferret" assignment.

  • This assignment should be completed and resubmitted today.

9/15/2025 & 9/16/2025 - Black Footed Ferrets #CutestAssassin

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video related to today's assignment.

• Students are given direct instruction regarding today's Canvas "Black Footed Ferret" assignment.

  • This assignment should be completed and submitted today.

9/11/2025 & 9/12/2025 - Bear Survival #IWillSurvive

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to the prompts. and add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video about bears.

• Students participate in an activity modeling black bear survival.

• Students complete a short bear habitat quiz in Canvas to show understanding of today's learning. The quiz may be retaken to show improved understanding.

9/9/2025 & 9/10/2025 - Biodiversity Lab #ModelingBiodiversity

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video about dinosaur species identification.

• Students participate in an in-class lab modeling biodiversity and submit a Canvas assignment.

9/4/2025 & 9/8/2025 - Mining Challenge #IWillBeRich

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video about mining.

• Students participate in an in-class activity modeling the processes of mining.

9/3/2025 & 9/4/2025 - My Favorite Wild Animal - Day 3 #ShowingInteractions

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students watch a short YouTube video related to the "My Wild Animal" assignment.

• Students continue working on their "My Wild Animal" assignment.  (Additional instructions are now on the Canvas assignment page.

  • Students edit the collage made from their "My Wild Animal" list last class period.

    • Instructions on how to edit this collage will be given during class.

    • The "My Wild Animal" assignment is due at the end of class today.

8/29/2025 & 9/2/2025 - My Favorite Wild Animal - Day 2 #WildAnimal#2

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students continue their "My Wild Animal" assignment. Today, each student selects ONE image of their wild animal and one image of each of the 20-25 things their wild animal eats. They also select one image for each of the 10-15 animals that eat their wild animal. 

• These images are all to be added to ONE blank Google Slide looking like a collage.

• HINT: It would be great to label each picture with the name of the organism - this may help you next class period

  • More work will be done on this assignment next class period

8/27/2025 & 8/28/2025 - My Favorite Wild Animal - Day 1 #WildAnimal

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students make observations of their Snail Biosphere and record them on the Google Sheet as follows:

  • A photo of what the Biosphere looks like today.

  • Recording the soil temperature, in degrees Celsius, today.

  • Writing the observations of how it looks similar or different from last class period.

  • NOTE: This assignment is due today!

• Students begin their "My Wild Animal" assignment. Today, each student selects ONE wild animal and lists 20-25 things this animal eats. They also list 10-15 animals that eat their wild animal. If they are unable to create these two lists, they need to select a different wild animal.

  • More work will be done on this assignment next class period

8/25/2025 & 8/26/2025 - Snail Biosphere Day 2 #CompletingMyMissingWork

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students make observations of their Snail Biosphere and record them on the Google Sheet as follows:

  • A photo of what the Biosphere looks like today.

  • Recording the soil temperature, in degrees Celsius, today.

  • Writing the observations of how it looks similar or different from last class period.

  • NOTE: This assignment is due next class period.

• Students who have successfully completed all required work will use Tinkercad to design their favorite wild animal in its habitat. The design size needs to be less than 100mm wide by 100 mm deep by 100 mm tall.

  • NOTE: All of the design needs to be student created - not student online sourced

  • Click your class link below and join by nickname. Your nickname is your first name and last name as a single word in lowercase letters!

    • NOTE: I only added names of those who have successfully completed ALL their Biology work.

  • A3 Class link

  • A4 Class link

  • B6 Class link

  • B8 Class link

• Students who have not successfully completed all required work will stay in the classroom to be guided by Mr. W.

8/21/2025 & 8/22/2025 - Snail Biosphere Day 1 #WhatIsABiosphere

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students make observations of their Snail Biosphere and record them on the Google Sheet as follows:

  • A photo of what the Biosphere looks like today.

  • Recording the soil temperature, in degrees Celsius, today.

  • Writing the observations of how it looks similar or different from last class period.

• Students read an "Ecology Biodiversity" article in Canvas. They are to highlight different parts of the article in Kami and submit the Kami document in Canvas.

• Students are to go to their Term 1 Evidence of their digital notebook and add the Kami as their first evidence.

• Students are to complete the Canvas "Biodiversity Check."

8/15/2025 & 8/18/2025 - Snail Biosphere Day 0 #WhatIsABiosphere

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts and add this copy to Term 1 Starters and Notes of their Digital Notebook.

• Students watch a short video about biodiversity.

• Students are instructed on how to create their Snail Biosphere.

  • Students make their Day 0 observations during class today.

  • They will continue to make observations during the next three class periods (at which point this assignment is due.)

  • Students add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students are to complete the Canvas Biodiversity Check. 

• If there is time during class, students watch a YouTube video about Biosphere 2.

8/15/2025 & 8/18/2025 - Class Introduction #StartingHighSchool

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts.

• Students are instructed on how to create their Digital Science Notebook. This includes:

  • Students use Google Slides to create their Digital Science Notebook. Instructions on organization are provided in class.

  • Students add the copy of today's starter to their digital notebook.

• Students take a Canvas pretest about data

• Students are allowed to modify their Digital Notebook to make it more personalized.

8/13/2025 & 8/14/2025 - Class Introduction #StartingHighSchool

• Students make a copy of today's starter, respond to both prompts.

• Students were introduced to the concept of a Biosphere. They were challenged to prepare a Snail Biosphere which should be brought to class on 8/18 or 8/19 based on your class schedule.

  • • Observations will be made on this Snail Biosphere for several class periods.