7th Grade Life Science Daily Blog

Tuesday 5/26 - Friday 5/29

Distance Learning Week 9

Weekly Summary: LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL! After you finish your ”Walk for the Answers” you’ll have a choice of the last two activities you’d like to complete before the end of the school year!

•Daily question response required

•Walk for the Answers due Tuesday 5/26

•Choice Board assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Tuesday and due Friday at 11:59 pm

•No Quiz this week! Any missing assignments from 5/18 through 5/29 due on 5/29 by 11:59 pm

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: No School

Tuesday: Daily Question; Finish the “Walk for the Answers”

Wednesday: Daily Question; Choice Board activity

Thursday: Daily Question; Choice Board activity

Friday: Daily Question; Finish any missing work that was due from 5/18 – 5/29

Monday 5/18 - Friday 5/22

Distance Learning Week 8

Weekly Summary: We are going to look at the biodiversity of birds, what to look for when identifying birds, and learn about 20 different MN bird species!

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm. Except for…

•The “Walk for the Answers” which will be available Thursday and due by Tuesday 5/26 at 11:59 pm.

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: Daily Question; Intro video; Bird Diversity – Wall of Birds

Tuesday: Daily Question; Who’s that Bird – Self-guided Lesson

Wednesday: Daily Question; MN Bird ID Practice Day 1

Thursday: Daily Question; MN Bird ID Practice Day 2

Friday: Daily Question; Start the “Walk for the Answers”

No School Monday! Enjoy Memorial Day!

Monday 5/11 - Friday 5/15

Distance Learning Week 7

Weekly Summary:

Continue chapter 21 – populations and communities of organisms in ecosystems and how they interact with each other

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Thursday and due by Friday at 11:59 pm

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: Daily Question; Intro video; 21.3 lesson outline

Tuesday: Daily Question; interactions among organisms video, notes, and follow-up questions

Wednesday: Daily Question; Symbiotic Relationships video and activity

Thursday: Daily Question; Invasive Species Video and follow-up questions

Friday: Daily Question; Chapter 21 Quiz 2 (quiz will be on last week’s and this week’s info)

Tuesday 5/5 - Friday 5/8

Distance Learning Week 6

Weekly Summary: Continue chapter 21 – populations and communities of organisms in ecosystems and how they interact with each other

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Tuesday and due by Thursday or Friday at 11:59 pm

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: No School!

Tuesday: Daily Question; Intro video; Chapter 21 Quiz 1

Wednesday: Daily Question; 21.2 lesson outline

Thursday: Daily Question; Populations Notes Video and Follow-up question

Friday: Daily Question; Fox and Hare Activity

Monday 4/27 - Thursday 4/30

Distance Learning Week 5

Weekly Summary: Start chapter 21 – populations and communities of organisms in ecosystems and how they interact with each other

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Thursday 4/30 and is due by Tuesday 5/5 at 11:59 pm

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: Daily Question, Intro Video and 21.1 lesson outline

Tuesday: Daily Question, Biosphere Notes Video and Follow-up Question

Wednesday: Daily Question, start Counting Populations Self-guided Lesson

Thursday: Daily Question, Finish Counting Populations Self-guided Lesson

Friday: No school!

Note: This week’s quiz will be the suggested assignment for Tuesday, May 5

Monday 4/20 - Friday 4/24

Distance Learning Week 4

Weekly Summary: Continue with chapter 20, section 3. We’ll look at food webs and energy pyramids

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Thursday and is due by Friday at 11:59 pm

All assignments will be “turned-in” through Google Classroom

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: Daily Question, Intro Video and 20.3 Content Practice worksheet

Tuesday: Daily Question, Pond Water Web worksheet

Wednesday: Daily Question, BrainPOP Energy Pyramid Video and Worksheet

Thursday: Interactive Energy Pyramid Assignment

Friday: Daily Question and 20.3 Quiz 2

Monday 4/13 - Friday 4/17

Distance Learning Week 3

Weekly Summary: Continue with chapter 20 – Section three is about energy in ecosystems

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Thursday and is due by Friday at 11:59 pm

All assignments will be “turned-in” through Google Classroom

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: Daily Question, 20.3 lesson outline

Tuesday: Daily Question, Energy in Ecosystems Video and Notes, Follow-up Question and Optional Games

Wednesday: Daily Question, Decomposition Article, Analysis Questions and clips

Thursday: Daily Question, Food Chain Video and Notes, Required Game and Follow-up Questions

Friday: Daily Question and Quiz

Monday 4/6 - Thursday 4/9

Distance Learning Week 2

Weekly Summary: Continue with chapter 20 – Section two is about cycles of matter

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Wednesday and is due by Friday at 11:59 pm

All assignments will be “turned-in” through Google Classroom

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: daily question, 20.2 lesson outline

Tuesday: daily question, Water Cycle video and Notes Worksheet

Wednesday: daily question, Carbon Cycle BrainPop video and worksheet

Thursday: daily question and quiz

Friday: This is a non-school day this week!

Monday 3/30 - Friday 4/3

Welcome to Life Science – Distance Learning Style

Summary: Start chapter 20 – Matter and Energy in the Environment

•Daily question response required

•Assignments are available on Google classroom beginning Monday and due by Thursday at 11:59 pm

•Quiz available Thursday and is due by Friday at 11:59 pm

All assignments will be “turned-in” through Google Classroom

This Week’s Plan – suggested completion schedule

Monday: daily question, 20.1 lesson outline & vocabulary worksheet

Tuesday: daily question, 20.1 Video and Follow-up question.

Wednesday: daily question, Biotic/Abiotic Factors Virtual Lab Data Collection – Do the lab and fill out the data table!

Thursday: daily question, Biotic/Abiotic Factors Virtual Lab – do analysis questions

Friday: daily question and quiz

Friday 3/6/20

HW due today: none

Mrs. Tiede is gone today. Students continued watching an episode of Nova called Hunting the Elements.

HW: 1.3 and 1.4 notes due on Monday 3/16

Thursday 3/5/20

HW due today: Lab analysis and conclusion

Students watched an episode of Nova called Hunting the Elements.

HW: 1.3 and 1.4 notes due on Monday 3/16

Wednesday 3/4/20

HW due today: none

After determining what the compounds from yesterday's lab were, students worked together to answer several analysis questions and write a conclusion. If they finished they could start on the notes. The last 10 minutes of class we discussed the questions. The analysis worksheet and compound names and formulas are included below. Compounds A and C are covalent and compounds B and D are ionic.

HW: Finish analysis and Conclusion if not finished in class; 1.3 and 1.4 notes due on Monday 3/16

Tuesday 3/3/20

HW due today: 1.2 notes

After talking about properties of ionic and covalent compounds, students tested the properties of 4 mystery compounds to try to determine if they are ionic or covalent. They'll analyze the data tomorrow.

HW: none

Monday 3/2/20

HW due today: Covalent Bonds 1-9, p. 15-16

Students got their ch. 11 tests back. Then we reviewed ionic and covalent bonds before doing an activity called bond with a classmate.

HW: 1.2 notes (read p.12-20 in textbook; in your notebook, write down the bolded words in the section and their definitions, and any bolded sentences)

Friday 2/28/20

HW due today: Ionic Bonds 1-10, p. 13-14

After checking the ionic bonds , students labeled 3 special groups of elements on their periodic tables. Those 3 groups have predictable bonding patterns! Then they learned how to make covalent bonds in which atoms share electrons.

HW: Covalent Bonds 1-9, p. 15-16

Thursday 2/27/20

HW due today: Valence dot structures p. 11 and 12

After checking the valence electrons/Lewis dot structures and sharing the patterns that were found between the valence electrons and the periodic table, students added group and period numbers to their tables. The group numbers will help them determine valence electrons! Then they learned how valence electrons play a part in ionic bonds and learned how to draw ionic bonds using lewis dot structures.

HW: Ionic Bonds 1-10, p. 13-14

Wednesday 2/26/20

HW due today: Bohr Models (p.8 & 9)

After looking at some patterns of the periodic table and how the periodic table was developed, students learned about valence electrons and Lewis dot structures, which will lead them to another pattern of the periodic table.

HW: Finish valence dot structures p. 11 and 12 of chem packet

Tuesday 2/25/20

HW due today: P. 6 of packet; book covered, book condition form signed

Students found the protons, electrons, and neutrons for 4 more elements as their do now activity, then took a pop quiz on the process. They watched a clip on the size of an atom (they're really, really small), then practiced drawing Bohr models of atoms for 10 different elements.

HW: Finish Bohr models on p. 8 and 9 of packet

Monday 2/24/20

HW due today: Matter Webquest

After taking a few notes about elements, students learned how to find the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom of an element from its symbol on the periodic table. They used their knowledge on page 6 of the chem packet to fomd the missing values for a list of elements.

HW: Finish page 6 of packet; book condition form and book covered by Tuesday 2/25

Friday 2/21/20

HW due today: 1.1 notes

After taking a very few notes about matter, students worked on a webquest about matter. The webquest is attached below.

HW: Finish matter webquest - due monday; book condition form and book covered by Tuesday 2/25

Thursday 2/20/20

HW due today: none

We started the chemistry unit today! Students got their chemistry packets and new textbooks. They watched 2 clips about matter, filled out the book condition forms and read chapter 1 section 1.

HW: 1.1 notes (outline found on page 2 and 3 of packet) - due tomorrow; book condition form and book covered by Tuesday 2/25

Wednesday 2/19/20

HW due today: none

Students took the chapter 11/taxonomy/dissections test today.

HW: none

Tuesday 2/18/20

HW due today: review assignment

After correcting the review assignment, students played Jeopardy to help them prepare for tomorrow's test.

HW: study for tomorrow's test

Friday 2/14/20

HW due today: none

Students played a flashcard review game, then worked on a review assignment for Wednesday's test. The assignment is attached below.

HW: finish review assignment

Thursday 2/13/20

HW due today: frog virtual lab and analysis

After discussing the frog analysis questions, students created a summary table of the four dissection animals and their body systems using cards Mrs. Tiede had prepared. They copied the table, then color-coded the body systems of the 4 dissection animals. The worksheet is below for those who were absent.

HW: none

Wednesday 2/12/20

HW due today: none

Students continued to work on the frog virtual dissection and analysis questions. Those who finished created a summary table of the four dissection animals and their body systems using cards Mrs. Tiede had prepared.

HW: finish frog virtual lab and analysis

Tuesday 2/11/20

HW due today: 11.3 packet

After correcting the 11.3 packet, students worked on the virtual frog dissection. They will continue to work on it in class tomorrow.

HW: none

Monday 2/10/20

HW due today: Crayfish Analysis

After discussing the crayfish analysis, students reviewed the domains, kingdoms and phyla we had talked about before dissections. To transition into vertebrates, they had worktime for the 11.3 packet interspersed with lab clean up duties.

HW: Finish 11.3 packet

Friday 2/7/20

HW due today: none

Crayfish dissection day. See dissection resources tab if you were absent and check out the crayfish powerpoint. There's a dissection video link in the powerpoint.

HW: Crayfish Analysis - Use TTQA

Thursday 2/6/20

HW due today: starfish analysis questions

Students learned about the anatomy and structures of crayfish in preparation for tomorrow's dissection.

HW: read the crayfish dissection directions

Wednesday 2/5/20

HW due today: none

Starfish dissection day! A little more stinky than the earthworm, but still really cool!

HW: Finish the starfish analysis questions

Tuesday 2/4/20

HW due today: earthworm analysis

Today was the starfish pre-lab in which students learned about the structures and systems of starfish.

HW: study starfish dissection directions

Monday 2/3/20

HW due today: none

Students examined the internal structures of the earthworm today! If you were absent, check out the Dissection Resources tab of the 7th grade life science blog and view the powerpoint and the link to a dissection video which is included in the powerpoint.

HW: Complete the earthworm analysis questions - use TTQA

Friday 1/31/20

HW due today: none

Students examined the external features of the earthworm today, and identified and sketched the features in their lab packets. They did a great job and were very calm and professional!

HW: Study the Earthworm Internal Dissection instructions in your packet

Thursday 1/30/20

HW due today: Species Missing Posters

Students were introduced to the dissection unit and learned about the internal and external features of earthworms, our first dissection animal. Tomorrow will be the external "dissection" of the earthworm. The slides for today's notes and the dissection are attached below and on the Dissection Resources tab for your reference. A link for an earthworm dissection video is included in the slides as well.

HW: none

Wednesday 1/29/20

HW due today: none

Students had the whole class to work on their species missing posters.

HW: Species Missing Poster due Tomorrow

Tuesday 1/28/20

HW due today: none

Some periods needed a little more time to finish filling in their tables about the vertebrate classes before stating a two day project in which they will be creating a "missing species" poster. They each get to pick an organism they are interested in learning more about and create a poster that gives specific information about the organism. The details are attached below. Students can create a google doc or use an 11X17 piece of paper. They will have time in class to work on this tomorrow as well.

HW: Species Missing Poster due Thursday

Monday 1/27/20

HW due today: 11.2 packet and Oobleckian written key

After going through a few of the portions of the 11.2 packet, students took notes on the 3 domains, 6 kingdoms, 8 invertebrate phyla, and 1 vertebrate phylum.

HW: none

Friday 1/24/20

HW due today: none

Students continued to work on their Oobleckian keys, by finishing the picture "tree" key, and using it to create a written key.

HW: 11.2 packet due Monday (and Oobleckian written key if not done in class) - If you forgot your 11.2 packet at school, you can print it out from yesterday's post (scroll down).

Thursday 1/23/20

HW due today: Pamishan ID and 11.1 lesson outline

After checking the Pamishans, students started classifying another group of aliens called Oobleckians. They'll be making their own dichotomous key for this group, so they started by organizing the creatures by their characteristics into a "tree" style key.

HW: 11.2 packet due Monday

Wednesday 1/22/20

HW due today: none

To continue learning about classification, students had a quick review of dichotomous keys and how they can be used to identify organisms. They watched an Amoeba Sisters episode on classification, then used a key to identify alien creatures called Pamishans. Most finished this in class and worked on the 11.1 lesson outline. Both the ID and the outline are due tomorrow.

HW: finish Pamishan ID and 11.1 lesson outline

Tuesday 1/21/20

HW due today: none

Students got new seats, then got their origami bird lab reports and chapter 6 tests back. They took a few notes on Taxonomy and learned the terms of classification of life. Class ended with an attempt to classify our shoes.

HW: none

Thursday 1/16/20

HW due today: none

Students took the chapter 6 test, then had study hall time.

HW: none

Wednesday 1/15/20

HW due today: review assignment

Students played jeopardy to review for tomorrow's test.

HW: study for tomorrow's test

Tuesday 1/14/20

HW due today: 6.3 lesson outline

Students reviewed for Thursday's test by completing a review assignment from the textbook. Most finished in class! We played a few survival of the fittest games at the end of the class period.

HW: finish review assignment

Monday 1/13/20

HW due today: origami bird lab report

Students took notes on evidence for evolution and unanswered questions about evolution. They also got some practice identifying homologous, analogous and vestigial structures. They received a study guide for Thursday's test on chapter 6.

HW: 6.3 lesson outline

Friday 1/10/20

HW due today: none

Day 3 of the origami bird lab. Students continued to build and rebuild birds with variations to see if they would fly farther. They should have gotten through at least 6 generations. The lab report should include the following:

Methods – tell me how you built and tested your birds, how you know which one “won”, and what you did with the one that won.

Data: write “see attached data” in your lab report

Analysis: answer the questions from your lab sheet. Use TTQA

Conclusion: TEE paragraph (at least 3 sentences) that answers the introduction question using evidence from the lab.

HW: Lab report due Monday ( Lab report instructions are attached below)

Thursday 1/9/20

HW due today: none

Day 2 of the origami bird lab. Students built and rebuilt birds with variations to see if they would fly farther.

HW: Lab report due Monday - start working on the methods!

Wednesday 1/8/20

HW due today: opossum sentences

Today was day one of the origami bird lab. Students started their lab reports and learned how to build the birds.

HW: none

Tuesday 1/7/20

HW due today: alien planet analysis

Students took a short vocab quiz, then read an article about Awesome Opossums. They wrote sentences to describe 5 adaptations the Opossum has that help it to be successful. Then we corrected the quiz and picked partners for the lab we are starting tomorrow. The last few minutes of class, students could finish up their opossum sentences and watch a clip about natural selection of rock pocket mice.

HW: finish opossum sentences

Monday 1/6/20

HW due today: 6.1 and 6.2 lesson outlines

After reviewing many of the terms from last week, students took notes on a few more terms and the concept of survival of the fittest. Then they participated in an activity in which they pretended to be fisher-people, hunters, or farmers who were transported to an alien planet and may or may not survive depending on their ability to adapt to the climate conditions. Quiz tomorrow on chapter 6 sections 1 and 2 vocabulary.

HW: Finish alien planet analysis; study for vocab quiz

Friday 1/3/20

HW due today: none

Students learned about Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution by natural selection, then participated in a natural selection activity in which they pretended to be birds with plastic cutlery for beaks.

HW: 6.1 and 6.2 lesson outlines due Monday

Thursday 1/2/20

HW due today: none

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We jumped right in to chapter 6 and started talking about the fossil record and what we can learn from the fossil record about how organisms have changed over time. Then students tried to put the fossil record in order using index cards with events written on them.

HW: 6.1 and 6.2 lesson outlines due Monday

The pictures below are clues to some of the exciting topics we will be studying this year!