Friday, October 30th

Happy Halloween!  Since it has been a while, we did a quick review of what we have learnt in biology and then began writing notes (see notes here) on the type of cell division that produces gametes and why meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction.  We will continue this discussion on Monday.

I assigned a homework sheet (link to it here) to begin differentiating between the 5 types of asexual reproduction.  Please first predict what you think is happening based on the picture provided, then use your textbook write the actual description of the process and give example(s) of organisms that undergo this type of reproduction.

Thursday, October 29th

The sun was shining for our beautiful farm time again today!  Mr. Bill Dancer quickly figured out that we have a budding ornithologists among us and asked Leo to lead half of the birding group.  It was just AWESOME!  Leo was able to display his expertise in pointing out many different bird species and identifying their calls.  My favourite comments from today:

"I wish I knew a lot about something" (in reference to Leo's knowledge about birds)

"I have never even heard that word before" (in reference to a junco)

"I didn't even know that chickadees were a real thing"

"Hey Everyone!  Look at that potat....oh, it is only a rock"

Thank you Leo!!!

Elmarie also took a group around the farm to teach them some of the basics. 

We also had a UVic teacher candidate, Mr. Cox, join us today to get a sense of what this is all about.  Needless to say, he was in awe of what a special opportunity this is and doesn't think that one day is enough.   

(e)co-valuation update: If you are having trouble with your password on the folioz, you could try re-setting your password with this link http://folioz.ca/forgotpass.php.  Please email me directly (mpaas@sd63.bc.ca) if you are still having trouble logging in after you try to reset your password.  

Science tomorrow.  Please bring your workbook and textbook.

Wednesday, Oct 28th

We were privileged today to have a Claremont cohort of teacher candidates work with our students on a 2-to-1 ratio (when does that happen in public education!) to begin their (e)co-valuation projects. Once we figured out the glitches in the system, students created a profile page and began uploading their presentations they had previously completed in SS.  I wasn't necessarily amazed that students picked this up quickly (and will soon be our teachers I am sure) but I was LOVED that I saw students become teachers to their peers and teachers to the UVic teacher candidates!!  For those of you who were away with PEP, you will have to get your (e)co-valuation set up on your own ... I bet your classmates could help you if you are stuck :)

A huge thank you to Dr. Tim Hopper, Dr. Kathy Sanford and all the TrUVic teacher candidate for leading us today!  They will be meeting with us again on November 18th so that we can show off our individual projects.

Do NOT forget that tomorrow is farm time. Bring your boots and hope for sun!!

Tuesday, Oct 27th

Mr. Neufeld will upload his presentation shortly ....

Homework tonight please....
We are continuing our learning for our (e)co-valuation.  Please watch these 2 videos.

And the next....

Monday, October 26th

Mr. Neufeld continued on the with video and conversation you all started last Wednesday (please refer to that blog).

Your homework tonight to prepare for creating your (e)co-valuation project, please watch the two videos below (registration information below also)

If you are keen to get started, you will need to first register: http://folioz.ca/register.php

and select Claremont Institute as the institution (see picture below)

Thursday, Oct 22nd

We have completely lucked out with the weather on every farm day so far ... and yes I just knocked on wood!  The beautiful skies provided perfect conditions for Mr. Bill Dancer to lend us his ornithology expertise while the other half of us were split between farming with Elmarie and finishing our amphibian pitfall with Jemma.  We are thankful to Kiara W for taking photos today and we will share them when ready.  We did get a picture of the frog that blessed our pitfall (a good omen).  Have a great weekend!

WEEEEEdnesday, Oct 21st

While the "Weapons of Mass Instruction" are away at WE Day, our Weapons of Mass Substitution (heehee), Mr. Sacht-Lund and Ms. McAvoy, will be in class to guide you. You will be watching the documentary below.   This film/documentary looks at one of the most cherished and miss-told stories in American history: Thanksgiving and Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. This sets the record straight.  Before you watch:
1.   Write (in three sentences or less) what you know of this story.

The Myth Unraveled.  While you watch ...

2.   As the film walks you through this moment in history, keep a running point form documentation of the story as it unfolds. No fewer than 10 points is possible.

Tuesday, October 20th

Mr. Neufeld told us some great stories to help us remember some voyage and settlement history.  Students wrote "cool notes" during his presentation.  Click here to find his presentation material.  

Monday, October 19th

We began today by reviewing reproductive and therapeutic cloning as well as stem cells (a follow up from Friday). Here is some food for thought ...

And then we mostly had a discussion about the election and what kind of Canada we wanted.  These students have such great questions and comments and it gives me such hope that we have youth who are so very interested in current politics.

Friday, October 16th

We came to the consensus that a clone is an exact genetic copy of "something" and we also seemed to agree that if cloning an organism was used to help, then it was ok.  What if we were cloning to help a couple have a child? What if we were using reproductive cloning to ensure that children are not born with diseases or disorders?
We had just started talking about stem cells when our fabulous time together ended.  Thanks for the thought-provoking discussion today.

Click here to see the notes from today on cloning.

Here is some video for thought ...

Rocktober 15th

 What a day at Haliburton! Team 1a helped the farmers build up a trail while team 1b went "appling" helping the farmers get apples to market. Elmarie gave us a quick lesson on the importance of soil and of community.

Apple twins?

 Team 2 headed to work with conservation biologists Jemma and Purnima to construct a fence line and trap so that these scientists can get an accurate count of amphibian movement in the reclaimed urban area.

So proud of everyone's hard work today. 

Wednesday, Oct 14th

Reminder: Farm tomorrow - bring you boots and rain gear, if needed!
Thank you to Victoria for providing us with the video about dopplegangers and Abby for providing us with her research on the genetic linkage (or lack thereof) of left-handedness.  In class today we discussed checkpoints in the cell cycle and what happens if cells ignore those checkpoints (see notes). Homework: Question to ponder for Friday: Are you for or against cloning?

Tuesday, Oct 13th

Mitosis!  Today we reviewed the cell cycle and the stages of mitosis before completing an online lab (Investigating Mitosis) in the Learning Commons.  Homework (due tomorrow) is to complete the lab and answer the 5 questions at the bottom of your notes booklet on mitosis.

Friday, Roctober 9th

So magical to have Minnow Dae Win Wah Se Moen (James Taylor) in class today. Thanks for being so welcoming and so respectful everyone. I am thankful for you all.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015

The cell cycle & mitosis with Ms. McAvoy and Mr. McKenzie!

Please complete WB pages 59, 60 and 61 for Friday.  Here is a good review video (I love Hank):

Wednesday, October 9th

We had finished up a few presenters that we didn't get finished over the last two days.  You can review the DNA content that we have discussed by completing workbook pages 58, 59 and 61.  Please complete this for Friday's class. 

PS No farm time tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 6th

Switch day!  Those who presented yesterday, did the DNA extraction lab and vise versa.

Monday, Oct 8th

Today half the class did their presentations with Mr Neufeld while the other half of us extracted DNA and finished some notes about how DNA is linked to proteins (notes here).