How do you know that you know it??

Today we reflected on how students typically study for a test. We uncovered the fact that Dictionary.com is often used, and what students typically do is write the definition and simply memorize. While this may work for the short term, it doesn't work for the long term!

Now that 7th graders have final exams, the goal is to keep that information stored in their brains for the long haul. So, how do we do it? We talked about the fact that if you can clearly explain or teach the concept or term to a second grader or to someone else, then you know it! Other ideas that came up were pairing that definition with an image or another word. The ecosystem illustration that students drew for homework is a perfect example! The point is... you have to DO something with the material.... like sing a song, act it out, link the idea to a picture etc.

Memorizing is a great skill... but if you don't understand what you are memorizing, you will have a much harder time recalling information or making connections with new material! Your foundation of knowledge will be built out of paper rather than out of brick!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Check out Surfari.editme.com

HW: Make sure you know the difference between Observation and Inference. Go back and take a look at the Ecology Concepts and see if you can study to "understand" rather than just memorizing a dictionary.com definition.

SMART NOTES: Go through the smart notes which we downloaded in class. There is an additional SMART notes on Observation and Inference that was posted on First Class. I believe Science B and D did not get a chance to download it! Check it out.

Surfari.Editme.Com

Today we took care of some housekeeping stuff. We finished up the lab report on the Blackworm and dropped it onto server 4. We went over the review sheet in terms of what students are responsible for knowing and we talked about some possible strategies that students can use in preparation for the quiz on Monday. The Surfari.editme.com site has great memorization strategies (the link is shown on the right - above Science7 wiki link). We have been asked to try one of the strategies out. Using the Smartnotebook software is a great way to set up study materials because you can incorporate visual images and link words to definitions on different pages.

All of the smartnotes that we have done in class are posted on First class and can be downloaded to the virtual binder. Please check them out!

HW: Using the Smartnotes and Classwork assignments - complete the Ecology Concepts section of the review sheet using one or more of the strategies from Surfari.editme.com. Both the review sheet and the memorization strategies were handed out in class.

Activity 74: Observing the Blackworm

In class on Friday and today, we observed reactions and behaviors of the blackworm, Lumbriculus variegatus.
We observed the worms response to touch, their behavior in water versus on moist filter paper, and we even got to see the blood traveling through the worms body under the microscope!
The purpose of the lab was to understand how to gather facts and make clear observations and then make inferences based on those facts. Often times, we make inferences and describe behaviors based on the "Human Point of View." For example, if we observed that the worms were tangled together and squirming, we may fall into the trap of describing this behavior as "wrestling or fighthing" because that is how humans may behave.

Observations are facts that are made using one or more of the five senses. Scientific observations must be specific!

Inferences are explanations or interpretations based on the observed facts.




FOR MORE INFORMATION: Go to SmartNotes titled "Activity 74 Blackworms"

HW: Read "How to Write a Formal Lab Report" - handout was provided in class and can be found on First Class.

Living or Non-Living? That is the Question!

We need to catch up on a few blog entries from last week! The homework assignment for last Monday was to choose an ecosystem near or around your home and to draw the components of that ecosystem (abiotic and biotic factors). However, in order to accomplish this, one must have an understanding of what makes a living thing, well......... living! We learned that every living thing is made up of cells, and cells help to carry out 7 main life processes which are listed below. To help us remember the 7 life processes - we used a mnemonic device "Mrs. Gern" who you see in the picture below!

Movement
Reproduction
Sensitivity
Growth
Excretion
Respiration
Nutrition

We also looked at a frog, car, and fire to see if they carried out all 7 life processes. There was much debate over whether fire was considered a living thing - but in the end, we realized that fire is not made up of cells, nor does it meet every one of the 7 life processes.


Once we had a better understanding of what makes a living thing living.... it was much easier to draw and label the abiotic factors and biotic factors of an ecosystem!

Note: This activity was completed last Monday, prior to the Ecology Concept Map and Cats in Borneo!

Ecology Concept Map

Today we went over how to do a concept map based on a reading about Ecology. We highlighted main ideas from each paragraph and then put those main ideas into an web with Ecology as the center of the web (the main overarching concept of the entire reading). The goal was to become familiar with the meaning of ecology and the vocabulary words that surround it. The following words were found in the concept map:
Ecology
Ecosystem
Living Things
Non-Living things
Habitat
Population
Community
Food Chain
Food Web
Sun
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Resources (water, shelter, food, gases etc.)

FOR MORE INFO: See Planet Earth Reading and Concept Map SmartNotes for more detailed information.

HW: Read Act. 74: Observing Organisms pages E16-E18

Importance of Ecology & Cats in Borneo

Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and the physical environment (abiotic factors). We learned by reading the story of the cats which were parachuted into Borneo that one change in an ecosystem can have significant impacts to the ecosystem itself. Understanding how living things and non living things are connected is the key to making decisions that will keep the earth balanced.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To view the story check out the SMART notes titled cats in borneo.

HW: Complete the Concept Map of the reading "Planet Earth"

Up to Date on Technology!

To start off the year, students have completed the following;

1. Logged onto First Class to check homework posted on MS teachers
2. Learned how to "download" assignments/worksheets
3. Set up virtual binders on the desktop
4. Accessed Server 4 to learn how to back up school work
5. Downloaded SMART board software