October 25 -- October 28

Tuesday:

Starter: Analyze the CER rubric.  What things surprise you?  What things are unfamiliar to you?

Today we will discuss CERs, especially focusing on the Reasoning portion, because this is new to 8th graders.  Remember, in reasoning, we need to discuss "WHY what happened...happened.".  So - the reasoning must include the "sciencey" reason why.  You must include some science concepts.  We will be watching the Amoeba Sisters video on mutations and natural selection to help students with this portion.

The edited (if editing is necessary) CER is due tomorrow.

Wednesday:

We will start the class by doing an abbreviated whiteboard consensus meeting about the lesson question: Why do certain traits become more common in a population?

Students then will compare their new understanding to the accepted body of scientific knowledge by examining a PhET simulation using rabbits as the organism of interest, with environmental factors of wolves and/or limited food, with the option to change the climate (warm and dry vs. cold and snowy).

Thursday:

We will start by filling out the Unit Summary Table for Lesson 4.  After this, students will have time to work on the Unit Challenge Organizer for Lesson 4 and tie up and loose ends of Lesson 4.

Friday:

Lab Quiz