Thursday, May 28, 2026

 Science 8:  After a short review of the digestive system we marked page 63 # 1-10 together.  We watched this clip on the Digestive System, then we wrote brief notes on Digestion.  Page 76 # 1-4 (in fine sentences) was completed once pages 70 - 74 were read.  In the second half we looked at Williamson's Lake Pond water using the compound microscopes.  We viewed and sketched two phytoplankton, two zoo plankton, and two invertebrates.

Science 9:  

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Science 8:  We reviewed systems first, then we used the human model to talk about the parts of the Digestive System.  This course is mostly about the immune system, but recall from system theory that systems are connected to other systems; we should know a little about our digestive system.   We labelled an anatomy diagram and completed page 63 # 1-10 in point form; both are due on Thursday.

Science 9:  We reviewed key concepts in Meiosis, then we watched this clip.  We also completed page 78 from a hand-out (# 1-17, half in sentences and half in good point form). 


Monday, May 25, 2026

Science 8:  We spoke about the calendar and how only 3 weeks of classes remain.  We prepared a placemat about Human Body Systems, then we read pages 54-57.  As we read, we listed the name of each system, the main function, and two organ names.  We then spent time finishing our Organelle Slide Deck on the laptops.  Be sure to learn key commands that allow you to work quickly [Command C = copy, Command V = Paste, Command Z = Undo, Command A =  select all, Shift-Command-4 to take a screenshot.]

Science 9:  We spoke about the calendar and how only 3 weeks of classes remain.  After reveiwing Sexual Reproduction, we read pages 49 - 51 and drew out the stages of meiosis.  We added a few brief notes, then we used laptop computers and finished making our Sexual Reproduction slide deck, which is not yet due.  See Friday's post for the organism you have been assigned, and the details of the assignment.  

Friday, May 22, 2026

Science 9:  We began by going through the Asexual Reproduction Mini Lab WS from last class, then we wrote brief notes on Sexual Repoduction.  After reading pages 46-48, we made a short slide deck on Power Point to explain how sexual reproduction happens for an assigned species.   If you were away, you can work on this at home.  Research the species beside your initials below.  I also checked 

page 35 # 1-4,6,8 - please complete this for Monday if it is not finished yet.

Salamander [WB, LG]                                                     Fir  [RB, EM, KM]

Bean [CR ]                                                                  Platypus [RM] 

Hydra   [MB, CM, TR, AJ]                                             Earthworm [TJ]

Kangaroo [KP,]


Science 8:  We completed a short quiz on Cell Anatomy, then we performed a short inquiry:  Does diffusion happen faster in hot or cold conditions?.  We designed a simple experiment, completed it, and recorded data.


Thursday, May 21, 2026

 Science 8:  We reviewed "dilute" and "concentrated" first, by mixing blue food coloring with water.  Mr. Gale smashed some glassware for comedic effect.  We took brief notes on The Movement of Materials In/Out of the Cells, the we read pages 40-43. Due next class is page 49 # 1-5, 8,9,11 in sentences.  In the second half we created a slide deck on Power Point that shows the function and images of each organelle.

Science 9:  We wrote brief notes on Budding, Spore Formation, and Vegetative Reproduction as we read pages 29-33, then we completed page 35 # 1-4,6,8.  In the second half we completed the Asexual Reproduction mini lab, where we looked at prepared slides of hydra budding and paramecium undergoing binary fission.  We also found some moss sporangia in the forest, and made a squash slide to see the spores. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Science 9:  We wrote brief notes on Budding, Spore Formation, and Vegetative Reproduction as we read pages 29-33, then we completed page 35 # 1-4,6,8.  In the second half we completed the Asexual Reproduction mini lab, where we looked at prepared slides of hydra budding and paramecium undergoing binary fission.  We also found some moss sporangia in the forest, and made a squash slide to see the spores. 

Tuesday, May 19th

Science 9:  We went over a few Page 52 (Hand-out) problems together, then we learned about Asexual Reproduction.  After preparing a placemat, we read page 22 and 23 and sketched Figure 1.7A on our papers.  Time was provided to finish Page 52, which is due next class.  We completed a Flower Anatomy Sheet next, and finished off with a practice Quiz on page 52.   We marked this together before class was over.

Friday, May 15, 2026

 Science 9:   We began by adding a few notes to our Mitosis Cut and Paste (Interphase is about 90% of the cell's life[cell fx is performed, DNA copied, organelles copied], spindle fibers, centrioles, sister chromatids, ).  We watched this clip about Mitosis, then we completed page 52 # 1,3-12,14,15,17 (half in point form) from a hand-out.  Lab 1-E was completed next.  We finished off the class by spending 40 min completing Activity 1-B from page 16/17, which is due Tuesday.

Science 8:  First we spoke about mixtures and learned the words concentrated, dilute, and diffusion.  We marked page 39 from an answer key hand-out, then we completed a table on nutrients.  We focussed on proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and a non-nutrient: water.  These chemicals are important becuase they are the chemicals that make up our cells.