Update for the Spring Semester

Hello all!  I have been a little behind on my posts so far this semester, and I apologize for that!  Starting next week, I will do my best to post on a daily basis concerning daily classroom activities and test and quiz reminders.

This semester I am teaching three different classes:
3rd period- Anatomy and Physiology
4th period- Environmental Science
5th period- Biology II

When checking assignments and tests, make sure that you are looking under the correct class period for information.  

Today in class:
Anatomy will be taking a quiz over our Integumentary System notes from yesterday and continuing our discussion of the dermis and its accessory structures.

Environmental Science will be reviewing for our Chapter 4 Test that will take place on Monday.  Students should study their materials over the weekend. 


Biology II will be starting our new chapter on Plants.  This is a survey chapter so students will be learning about bryophytes, ferns and their relatives, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.  Today, we will be discussing and taking notes over the introductory materials and bryophytes.  If Chapter 22 Section 1 and 2 Review Guides are not finished in class, they will become homework for the weekend.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Mrs. Lawson

Finished with Invertebrates!

Today, we finished up our study of invertebrates with the Chapter 29 test!  We have learned a lot about the different ways that invertebrates feed, respire, circulate vital materials, excrete harmful materials, and reproduce.  It has been an interesting unit!

Now, we are going to study humans for the rest of the semester!  Students will get a little taste of human anatomy and physiology in our final unit!  I am very excited about the few weeks coming up...this is by far my favorite time of year!  

Don't forget to complete your homework tonight!  You need to fill in the Body Systems Packet and be prepared for a quiz over the information on Friday.  We will be discussing and drawing the different body systems tomorrow in class!

Have a great evening!  See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Lawson

Studying Arthropods and Echinoderms!

We are getting ready to wrap up our study of arthropods and echinoderms.  Yesterday, we discussed the different groups of arthropods (crustaceans, spiders and their relatives, and insects and their relatives).  Tomorrow, we will discuss echinoderms.  The rest of the week should involve reviewing for the Chapter 28 Test and taking the test on Friday.  

The homework that you completed for last night will be checked tomorrow!  It wasn't checked today due to the large amount of juniors absent for the Eastman Career Day field trip.  

Have a great day!

Mrs. Lawson

Fruit Lab

Today in class, we collaborated with Mrs. Hurlbert's Culinary Arts class to discuss all we have learned about fruits.  Mrs. Hurlbert's class has also been discussing the different types of fruits.  We joined her class and explained the different types of biological fruits.  We also got to sample some yummy fruits in the process!!!  Students were able to sample traditional fruits such as apples, bananas, pears, and strawberries as well as some exotic fruits such as starfruit, papaya, mango, and pepino melons!  As we discussed each fruit, students were asked what type of fruit it was that they were eating.  I think everyone really enjoyed this class collaboration project!!!

Little reminder...your flower models are due on Monday!  Make sure you label each of these parts:

• Carpel
• Stamen
• Petals
• Sepals
• Anther
• Filament
• Stigma
• Style 
• Ovary
• Ovule

Have a great weekend!  See you Monday!

Chapter 24 Test Tomorrow!

Students,

Don't forget that your Chapter 24 test is tomorrow!  Make sure you look over your notes/review guides from this chapter as well as study your flower diagrams and gymnosperm and angiosperms life cycle!  

After the test, we will begin discussing animals!  So congratulations...you made it through plants!  

Also...don't forget your flower model project due on Monday, October 24th!  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have!  I will be HAPPY to help!

Grades will be distributed next week.  But everyone should already know what you are making as I told you your grades on Friday.

Have a great day!

Mrs. Lawson

More Leaf Practice

After grading the leaf tests last night, I realized that students needed more practice identifying the important characteristics of leaves.  Since it was a shortened class period due to homecoming, it was the perfect day to provide more practice and an opportunity to correct tests.  Students completed their test corrections and extra practice in class and should have no homework.  

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

~Mrs. Lawson~

Leaf Identification Test Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, you will put your leaf identifying skills to the test.  There will be leaf samples in the lab for you to examine and answer questions about.  Your homework for tonight (and all the work we did in class today) should help prepare you for the test.  Make sure you know how to tell whether a leaf is:

• Simple or compound
• If compound, what type of compound it is (even pinnate, odd pinnate, or bi-pinnate)
• Petiolate or sessile
• Opposite or alternate arrangement on the stem
• Parallel, pinnate, or palmate venation
• Entire, lobed, parted, or serrated 

These are the major concepts that you will be tested on tomorrow!  Be ready!
Before we take our test, you will be turning in your homework...make sure it is ready and correct!!!

See you tomorrow!
~Mrs. Lawson~