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Friday, January 30th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, genetic drift simulation worksheet
Driving Question: What is genetic drift?
Rock pocket mouse & black-footed ferret worksheets due today!
Reminder to bring in cardboard from home (thin cardboard packaging like cereal boxes).
Do Now
Turn and Talk - Review the "five fingers of evolution" with your table partner. Which one connects to the black-footed ferret scenario? How about the Rock Pocket mouse scenario?
Next
P1 - Each person will need a copy of the Genetic Drift worksheet. Each table will need a dixie up of beads and a die. Complete the activity and worksheet with your table partner.
P2 - Discuss questions 5-7 of the Genetic Drift worksheet
Then
Three assignments were given so far this semester: Rock Pocket mouse activity and worksheet, Black-Footed ferret activity and worksheet, and the Genetic Drift Simulation. Have you completed all of these and submitted them for grading? If you have any outstanding assignments, or wish to make revisions you should use this time to do so.
P2 - If you are caught up then you will play a round of Remember Me.
Exit Ticket
I'd rather be at school than....
Thursday, January 29th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, black-footed ferret worksheet, set of scenario cards, calculator, genetic drift worksheet and simulation worksheet
Driving Question: What is genetic drift?
Rock pocket mouse worksheet due tomorrow!
Do Now
Watch this video about genetic drift.
Discussion question: How does this concept connect to the black-footed ferret scenario?
Next
Soon we will begin a group project that involves studying an animal that is endangered, threatened, or at risk for extinction. Your group will do research on that animal, create a poster presentation and a large cardboard movable representation (puppet) of that animal. Your animal options include: Pangolin, Loggerhead Turtle, Hammerhead shark, Hedgehog, Puffin, or Fennec Fox. No group in the same class period should be doing the same animal. Please take a minute to consider what animal you are interested in learning about. I will be passing around a piece of paper for you to sign up for your first and second choices.
Then
P1 - You and your table partner will each need a copy of the Black-Footed Ferret worksheet. Together you will also need a set of scenario cards and a handful of beads. A calculator would be helpful as well. Follow the directions on the worksheet.
P2 - Each person will need a copy of the Genetic Drift worksheet. Each table will need a dixie up of beads and a die. Complete the activity and worksheet with your table partner.
Exit Ticket
What is your favorite type of exercise?
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, black-footed ferret worksheet, set of scenario cards, calculator
Driving Question: How do environmental factors effect genetics over time?
Rock pocket mouse worksheet due Friday
Do Now
P1- be ready to share out the highlights from your reading.
P1 & P2 write down the following notes in your notebook...
There are three types of biological diversity
1. The diversity found within an individual
2. Diversity within a species or given population
3. Diversity within an ecosystem
Next
Watch the video Saving America's Wild Ferrets From the Plague
Follow up discussion questions:
1. What is the relationship between prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets?
2. What caused the black-footed ferret population decline?
3. What were some conservation efforts that were mentioned?
Then
You and your table partner will each need a worksheet. Together you will also need a set of scenario cards and a handful of beads. A calculator would be helpful as well. Follow the directions on the worksheet.
Exit Ticket
What are some challenges a small population might face when trying to reestablish?
Tuesday, January 27th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, computer
Driving Question: How do environmental factors effect genetics over time?
Rock pocket mouse worksheet due Friday
Do Now
Check the seating chart to see if any changes effect you.
Next
Discuss questions number 8 and 10 on the rock pocket mouse worksheet as a class.
Then
Use this website to read your assigned section (was written on the whiteboard yesterday). In your notebook write down three highlights/key points from your reading. Be ready to share.
Exit Ticket ⬆️
Monday, January 26th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, rock pocket mouse worksheet, computer
Driving Question: How do environmental factors effect genetics over time?
Do Now
Take out your Rock Pocket mouse activity worksheet and your computer. Make sure your computer is charged and ready to use. You wont need to use it until you have completed your worksheet but it should be ready to go when you are.
Next
Independently or with your table parter...
Complete question #6 using a blank, unlined piece of paper to create the graphs.
Answer questions 7-10.
Staple the graphs to the worksheet and submit for grading.
Then
See the whiteboard for your reading assignment and visit this website to read your assigned section. In your notebook write down three highlights/key points from your reading. Be ready to share.
Exit Ticket
Something you learned from your research about black-footed ferrets.
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
No School - "Snow" Day
Stay warm!
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, piece of blank paper, rock pocket mouse worksheet and set of image cards
Driving Question: How do environmental factors effect genetic selection over time?
Do Now
Turn and talk - what caused the change in the color of the substrate in the rock pocket mouse images?
Next
Rock pocket mouse populations lab activity (table partners). You will need a blank piece of paper to create the graphs. Make sure to staple the graphs to the worksheet when you submit.
⬆️ Exit Ticket
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, rock pocket mouse worksheet and set of image cards
Driving Question: How do environmental factors effect genetic selection over time?
Do Now
Turn and talk - what are some reasons that might cause certain genetic traits to become more or less common over time?
Next
Watch this video and in your notebook document the "five fingers" of evolutionary processes
Then
Rock pocket mouse populations lab activity (table partners)
Exit Ticket What's a big dream that you have?
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, post-it notes, permanent marker
Driving Question: How does biodiversity affect ecosystems? Why is biodiversity being lost?
Do Now
With your table partner, discuss the driving questions "How does biodiversity affect ecosystems?" and "Why is biodiversity being lost?" and then generate ideas on post-it notes. Then we will sort and connect those ideas as a class.
Next
Watch this video (to 4:30) on the importance of biodiversity. Take notes. Then discuss with your partner any new ideas to add to the driving question board.
Then
Discuss: How does biodiversity develop? What causes change in character traits to occur?
Last
Watch this video and in your notebook document the "five fingers" of processes
Exit Ticket
What is something you are ready to let go of so you can move forward?
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook
Learning objective: Introduction to biodiversity and species extinction
Do Now
Turn and talk - what is biodiversity?
Next
If you haven't submitted the want ad poster work on that now. Watch an episode of Bill Nye on biodiversity and species extinction.
Then
Groups of four will be assigned to play a memory card game called "Remember Me" about extinct animal species.
Exit Ticket
What was one animal that you matched/collected and what is one fact you learned about it?
Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, paper and art supplies
Learning objective: symbiotic relationships
Next
Studio time to work on the symbiosis mini project. Today is the last class period that will be provided to work on the project. It is DUE TODAY.
If you are finished with project then you may use this time as GWT
Monday, January 12th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, paper and art supplies
Learning objective: symbiotic relationships
Do Now
On a scale of 1- 5 (one being "I have barely started" and five being "I am totally finished") where do you fall in terms of how close you are to being finished with your want ad?
Next
Studio time to work on the symbiosis mini project. Due Tuesday, January 13th.
Exit Ticket
When you hear the words 'outer space" what the first thing that comes to mind?
Friday, January 9th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, paper and art supplies
Learning objective: symbiotic relationships
Do Now
Raise your hand if you have decided on a symbiotic relationship to create your want ad about.
Quick go around - share out.
Next
Studio time to work on the symbiosis mini project. Due Tuesday January 13th
Exit Ticket
What has been a challenging part of the past week?
Thursday, January 8th, 2026
No classes due to EoL schedule
Wednesday, January 7th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, symbiosis worksheet
Learning objective: symbiotic relationships
Do Now
Research symbiotic relationships between organisms and pick one that you would like to create your want ad project about.
Next
Studio time to work on the symbiosis mini project. Due Tuesday January 13th
Exit Ticket
What is your favorite thing about being in nature?
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026
Today you will need: notebook, supplies for crafting want ad
Learning objective: symbiotic relationships
Do Now
Turn & talk - what is symbiosis?
Next
Create a t-chart in your notebook. On the left hand side write the following questions:
1. What is symbiosis?
2. What is mutualism?
3. What is commensalism?
4. What is parasitism?
Then
Watch this video and answer the questions you wrote in your notebook
Then, think/pair/share to answer the questions at the end of the video
Last
1. You may work either independently or with your table partner to complete the symbiosis worksheet
2. Introduce the symbiosis mini project
Exit Ticket
Symbiotic relationship question at the door. You may use your notebook to help you respond.
Monday, January 5th, 2026
Welcome back! 🤗
Today you will need: your notebook, tables and graphs
Learning objective: interpret graphs, hypothesize relationships, and describe the importance of interdependence on ecosystem function
Do Now
1. Find your new seat.
2. Turn to the person next to you. Ask them what their top three favorite things were that they enjoyed over winter break. Remember one of these for your exit ticket out.
Next
Look at graph A
Think/pair/share the following questions:
1.What do you notice about the ground squirrel population in April-June?
2. What do you notice about the ground squirrel population in July?
3. What do you think caused this change? What might have happened to the squirrels?
4. What do you notice about the falcon population in April and May?
5. What do you notice happening to the falcon population in July?
6. What might have caused this change?
7. How do these populations seem to be related?
Then
Look at graphs B, C, D, and E and discuss with your table partner...
Does the data from any of these graphs support or negate your ideas or hypotheses? How so?
Last
In your notebook, write down the term and definition provided for you on the whiteboard.
Exit Ticket
What was one thing your partner told you about thier winter break?
With your table partner view the four location cards provided by your teacher. Discuss your thoughts and answer questions 1-3 on the Rock Pocket mouse worksheet.
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