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Friday, May 18

As the semester is winding down, this will be our last Biology update for the year.  This past week in Biology we continued our unit on Ecology and Human Influence, learning about energy flow and cycles in the environment, as well as climate change and human impacts on the environment. 


This coming week, we will complete our last unit with community interactions and population dynamics. On Thursday, 5/30 we will  have a “super” quiz for our Ecology and Resources Assessment. Students will begin reviewing for the final Exam (EOC) after the quiz on Thursday. We will review and complete practice exams on 5/30, 5/31, 6/3, for period 2 on 6/4, and for period 3 on 6/5.  There will also be a review session on Saturday 6/8 during Saturday Academy. 


The EOC is a State mandated test and an 80 or above is considered proficient in the course. All EOC scores are recorded on student transcripts. Please encourage your student to study and review past assignments and materials provided throughout the semester. In Canvas there is an entire module dedicated to the EOC review.


Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions). 

Essential outcomes for this unit are: 

Important Dates:

School Updates: 

Final Exams begin on June 4th

Saturday Academy schedule for May-June:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!




Friday, May 18

This past week in Biology we completed our unit on Evolution and Animal Behaviors with a unit test on Thursday 5/16. Students made cladograms and created posters of animals that have “weird/odd” behaviors.  Our last NC Check In is today. 


This coming week, we will begin our last unit of the semester covering Ecology and Resources. Students will be learning about the energy flow and cycles in our environment, as well as the human impact on climate and ecosystems. 


Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions). 


Essential outcomes for this unit are: 

Important Dates:


School Updates: 

Final Exams begin on June 4th

Saturday Academy schedule for May-June:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!


day, May 10

This past week in Biology we continued our unit on Evolution and Animal Behaviors. Students made phylogenetic trees and learned how to read a dichotomous key.  Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 


This coming week, we will complete unit 6: Evolution and Animal Behaviors and Test on Wednesday 5/14. On Thursday we will review for our last NC Check In on Friday 5/17.

Essential outcomes for this unit are: 

Important Dates:


School Updates: 

Final Exams begin on June 4th

Saturday Academy schedule for May-June:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!



Friday, May 3

This past week in Biology we completed our unit on Genetics and Biotechnology with a test on Tuesday. We began our unit on Evolution and Animal Behaviors. Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 


This coming week, we will begin unit 6: Evolution

Essential outcomes for this unit are: 

Important Dates:


School Updates:

Saturday Academy schedule for May-June:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!



Friday, April 26

This past week in Biology we completed our unit on Genetics and Biotechnology. We are reviewing today for the unit test on Tuesday. Students will need their chromebooks charged or have a charging cord. The test must be taken on a chromebook. Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 


This coming week, we will begin unit 6: Evolution

Essential outcomes for this unit are: 


Essential outcomes from this past week were

Important Dates:


School Updates:

Saturday Academy schedule for May-June:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!



Friday, April 12

This past week in Biology we completed our unit on Cell Cycles and Protein Synthesis. We are completing NC Check Ins 1 and 4 today. Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 


This coming week, we will begin unit 5 on Genetics and Biotechnology.

Essential outcomes for this unit are: 


Essential outcomes from this past week were:

Important Dates:

School Updates:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!



Friday, March 15



Good Morning and happy Friday!


This week in Biology we completed Unit 3: Cell Transport and Energy. We had a lab on cellular respiration and also reviewed for today’s test. Next week we will begin Unit 4: Cell Cycle and Protein Synthesis. There will be a quiz on Thursday 3/21, which will be the last grade in PowerSchool for Quarter 3.  Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 


Outcomes for Unit 4 are:

Bio.1.2.2  Outline the cell cycle – Growth 1, Synthesis, Growth 2, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis.  Recognize mitosis as a part of asexual reproduction. (middle school review)  Organize diagrams of mitotic phases and describe what is occurring throughout the process. 

Bio.3.1 Explain how traits are determined by the structure and function of DNA. Bio.3.1.1 Explain the double-stranded, complementary nature of DNA as related to its function in the cell. 

Bio.3.1.2 Explain how DNA and RNA code for proteins and determine traits.

Bio.3.1.3 Explain how mutations in DNA that result from interactions with the environment (i.e. radiation and chemicals) or new combinations in existing genes lead to changes in function and phenotype.

Important Dates:



School Updates:

More information about school updates can be found on the school’s homepage. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!


Friday, March 8

Good Morning and happy Friday!


This week in Biology we have been learning about the cell membrane and the transport of materials through the cell.  We completed a diffusion lab. Today there will be a quiz and we will begin discussion on photosynthesis.

Monday 3/11 is a teacher work day and on Tuesday we will have a lab on cellular respiration which will complete this unit. There will be a unit test on Thursday 3/14.  Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. 

Outcomes for Unit 3 are:

Bio.4.2.1

 Analyze overall reactions including reactants and products for photosynthesis and cellular respiration and factors which affect their rates

(amounts of reactants, temperature, pH, light, etc.).

 Compare these processes with regard to efficiency of ATP formation, the types of organisms using these processes, and the organelles

involved. (Anaerobic respiration should include lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation.)

Bio 4.2.2

Conclude that energy production by organisms is vital for maintaining homeostasis and that maintenance of homeostasis is necessary for life.

Examples: Active transport of needed molecules or to rid the cell of toxins; movement to avoid danger or to find food, water, and or mates;

synthesizing needed molecules.


Important Dates:


School Updates:


Have a wonderful weekend and as always if you have questions or concerns please contact me.



, March 1

Good Morning and happy Friday!


This week in Biology we completed our microscope lab, worked on the Cell Pageant (which is being presented today), and completed the Unit 2 Test over Cell Structures and Functions. 


On Monday we will have the pre-cfa and begin our 3rd unit on Cellular Energy and Cellular Transport. This unit will include a lab on diffusion, a lab on cellular respiration and several in class activities.  Please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments (dates may vary by a day or 2 depending on need for extra instruction and interruptions. I will be sending home Interim reports today for any student that is failing for quarter 3.


Outcomes for Unit 3 are:

Bio.4.2.1

 Analyze overall reactions including reactants and products for photosynthesis and cellular respiration and factors which affect their rates

(amounts of reactants, temperature, pH, light, etc.).

 Compare these processes with regard to efficiency of ATP formation, the types of organisms using these processes, and the organelles

involved. (Anaerobic respiration should include lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation.)

Bio 4.2.2

Conclude that energy production by organisms is vital for maintaining homeostasis and that maintenance of homeostasis is necessary for life.

Examples: Active transport of needed molecules or to rid the cell of toxins; movement to avoid danger or to find food, water, and or mates;

synthesizing needed molecules.


Important Dates:


School Updates:


Have a wonderful weekend and always if you have questions or concerns please contact me.

Friday, February 23

Good Morning,

I hope you have had a good week.


This week in Biology we have been learning about single celled organisms, specialized cells and stem cells. Students are working on a cell choice board activity where they choose what activities they would like to do to strengthen their understanding of this topic which is due today.


On Monday we will have a microscope lab and on Wednesday there will be a unit test. Students will present their “Specialized Cell Pageant” projects on Thursday. Friday we will begin our next unit covering Cell energy and transport please see my Google Site Here for the class agenda/assignments.


The outcomes for Unit 2 were:

Bio.1.1 Understand the relationship between the structures and functions of cells and their organelles.

Bio.1.1.1 Summarize the structure and function of organelles in eukaryotic cells (including the nucleus, plasma membrane, cell wall,

mitochondria, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and ribosomes) and ways that these organelles interact with each other to perform the

function of the cell.

Bio.1.1.2 Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of their general structures (plasma membrane and genetic material) and

degree of complexity.

Bio.1.1.3 Explain how instructions in DNA lead to cell differentiation and result in cells specialized to perform specific functions in

multicellular organisms.

Outcomes for Unit 3 are:

Bio.4.2.1

 Analyze overall reactions including reactants and products for photosynthesis and cellular respiration and factors which affect their rates

(amounts of reactants, temperature, pH, light, etc.).

 Compare these processes with regard to efficiency of ATP formation, the types of organisms using these processes, and the organelles

involved. (Anaerobic respiration should include lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation.)

Bio 4.2.2

Conclude that energy production by organisms is vital for maintaining homeostasis and that maintenance of homeostasis is necessary for life.

Examples: Active transport of needed molecules or to rid the cell of toxins; movement to avoid danger or to find food, water, and or mates;

synthesizing needed molecules.


School Updates:



Have a wonderful weekend and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Friday, February 16

Good Morning,


I hope you have had a good week.


This week in Biology we have been learning about cell structures and functions,  single celled organisms, and the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic and unicellular and multicellular organisms. Students are working on a cell choice board activity where they choose what activities they would like to do to strengthen their understanding of this topic.


Next Wednesday there will be a mid unit quiz, followed by discussion and microscope lab. Thursday we will have a lesson on specialized cells and stem cells, with an activity called “Specialized Cell Pageant” which we will work on through Friday. If you would like to see what we are doing for assignments please see my Google Site Here.


The outcomes for Unit 2 are:

Bio.1.1 Understand the relationship between the structures and functions of cells and their organelles.

Bio.1.1.1 Summarize the structure and function of organelles in eukaryotic cells (including the nucleus, plasma membrane, cell wall,

mitochondria, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and ribosomes) and ways that these organelles interact with each other to perform the

function of the cell.

Bio.1.1.2 Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of their general structures (plasma membrane and genetic material) and

degree of complexity.

Bio.1.1.3 Explain how instructions in DNA lead to cell differentiation and result in cells specialized to perform specific functions in

multicellular organisms.


School Updates:


Have a wonderful weekend (4 days!) and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Friday, February 9

Happy Friday! This week in Biology we learned about Biomolecules and Enzymes. We completed an indicator lab for Biomolecules on Monday.  We are having our unit test today covering the Characteristics of Life, Biomolecules, Buffers and Enzymes. Next week we will begin Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function.