8th Grade QT1 Lesson Plans

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    Friday, October 3, 2014
    Today's Question: Why would an organism's characteristics change over several generations?
    Classwork:
    1. Continue working on Taking a Trip with Darwin webquest
    2. Complete Conclusion of the webquest
    • Divide page 47 of your science notebook in half (top and bottom)
    • The top half will represent Organism #1 with a FAVORABLE TRAIT in its environment
    • The bottom half will represent Organism #2  with an UNFAVORABLE TRAIT in its environment
    • Both should be drawn neatly to the best of your ability.
    • Both should be COLORED!!!!
    Thanks for being AWESOME!!!!

    Homework: None. Enjoy your Fall Break!

    Thursday, October 2, 2014
    Today's Question: Why would an organism's characteristics change over several generations?
    Classwork:

    1. Finish copying down the Natural Selection notes on notebook page 45.
    • 1st: OVERPRODUCTION - When an organism makes more offspring that can possibly survive.
    • 2nd: VARIATION - A slight change or mutation in the organism's traits; If the variation is passed on to the offspring, it is an inherited trait.
    • 3rd: ADAPTATION - Any inherited trait that gives an organism an advantage in its environment.
    • Last: SELECTION - If a trait helps an organism to survive, it will pass this helpful variation to its offspring; The trait becomes more common in future generations. 
    2. Take A Trip with Charles Darwin activity. Make sure that you READ through the Introduction and Task Instructions!!!

    Homework: None.

    Wednesday, October 1, 2014
    Today's Question: Why would an organism's characteristics change over several generation?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Changing Environment
    2. Darwin/Natural Selection notes
    3. Natural Selection in action video
    Homework: None

    Tuesday, September 30, 2014
    Today's Question: Why would an organism's characteristics change over several generations?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Read "Mystery Stripes" on page 4 of Science World magazine
    2. On index card --> Describe the investigation and the results
    3. Grade Science Notebook
    4. Introduce Charles Darwin and Natural Selection Notes
    Homework: Get stuff done. Last day to turn things in will be Wednesday!

    Monday, September 29, 2014
    Today's Question: Why would an organism's characteristics change over several generations?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Grade Check Monday
    2. Genetic Diseases Share Out
    3. Ecology Essential Questions (notebook pages 42-43)
    4. Who Wants to Live a Million Years?
    Homework: Get stuff done. Last day to turn things in will be Wednesday!
    Friday, September 26, 2014
    Today's Question:  What have I learned about heredity?
    Classwork: 
    1. Mindset - Study for Quiz #2, read a book, work on your science notebook
    2. Reteach group --> Take Heredity Quiz #2
    3. Enrichment group --> work on your genetic disease poster
    Homework: Get stuff done if you STILL need to! Sheesh! 

    Thursday, September 25, 2014
    Today's Question: What have I learned about heredity?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Entrance card --> How well do you think you did on the quiz? What was easy and/or difficult for you?
    2. Reteach group --> with Mrs. Ligon going over quiz #1 and completing Genetics Practice Problems worksheet
    3. Enrichment group --> work with a partner to research a genetic disease and make a poster display
    Homework: Make sure that your notebook is all caught up with all required assignments.

    Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - Early Release Day
    Today's Question: What have I learned about heredity?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - None
    2. Finish Inherited Traits & Genetic Engineering quiz
    3. Work on Ecology cover page or anything else that was due yesterday.
    Homework: Get stuff done!!!!

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014
    Today's Question: What have I learned about heredity?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please study your notes quietly.
    2. Inherited Traits & Genetic Engineering quiz
    3. Work on Ecology cover page or anything else that is due and not finished yet.
    Homework: 
    • Desert Scene on notebook pages: 36-37 - due TODAY
    • Genetic Engineering notes on notebook page 39 - due TODAY
    • Homework Option #2 - Heredity on notebook page 40 - due TODAY
    • Ecology Cover Page on notebook page 41 (due Friday)

    Monday, September 22, 2014
    Today's Question: What have I learned about heredity?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please complete this week's grade check
    2. Complete Heredity study guide
    3. Play review game
    Homework: Study for tomorrow's Heredity quiz & complete all work:
    • Desert Scene on notebook pages: 36-37
    • Genetic Engineering notes on notebook page 39
    • Homework Option #2 - Heredity on notebook page 40
    • Ecology Cover Page on notebook page 41 (due Friday)
    Friday, September 19, 2014
    Today's Question: How can a 12 inch tall structure be made to hold a tennis ball?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Read AR book
    2. Engineering Design Challenge - Straw Structure
    Homework: Get stuff done!!!

    Thursday, September 18, 2014
    Today's Question: What is genetic engineering and what are the risks & benefits?
    Classwork:
    1. No Mindset
    2. Finish Spongebob worksheet #2 --> turn in
    3. Finish Genetic Engineering flippy flap --> get stamped
    4. Finish Desert Scene --> get stamped
    5. Begin working on Homework Option #2 on page 40. (May not be the same H.O. as #1. Must be colored!)
    6. Begin working on Ecology Cover Page (p. 41)
    Homework: Get stuff done!!!!

    Wednesday, September 17, 2014
    Today's Question: What is genetic engineering and what are the risks and benefits?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please work on Spongebob worksheet #2 (back side only)
    2. Genetic Engineering Foldable

    Homework: Continue to work on your Genetic Animal Desert Scene

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork: 
    1. Mindset - Please work on Spongebob worksheet #2 (front side only)
    2. Notes on Blood Types
    3. Genetic Pets activity
    Homework: Work on Genetic Pets Desert Scene in notebook (pages 36-37)

    Monday, September 15, 2014
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Complete grade check form
    2. What are Phenotypes? video
    3. Continue with Genetic Pets activity
    Homework: Work on Genetic Pets Desert scene in notebook (pages 36-37)
    Friday, September 12, 2014
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Video: Where Do Your Genes Come From? video
    2. Review Spongebob worksheet
    3. Begin Genetic Pets activity
    Homework: None

    Thursday, September 11, 2014
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - What are Genes? video 
    2. 1st hour only - Finish Punnett Squares
    3. Gregor Mendel flippy flap
    4. SpongeBob worksheet
    Homework: Finish SpongeBob worksheet

    Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - Early Release Schedule
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - 4.1 Section Quiz (not really a quiz)
    2. 1st  & 3rd Hours - Finish Punnett Square notes
    3. 2nd Hour - Punnett Square game and here's another Punnett Square activity
    Homework: None

    Tuesday, September 9, 2014 - 1st & 3rd Hours
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Who Gave You Most of Your Genes?
    2. Heredity vocabulary notes
    3. Punnett Squares
    Homework: None

    2nd Hour
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    1. Mindset - Please read your AR book
    2. Punnett Squares
    3. Genes & Heredity video
    Homework: None

    Monday, September 8, 2014 - 1st & 3rd Hours
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please complete this week's grade check.
    2. Video - Genes & Heredity
    Homework: None 

    2nd Hour
    Today's Question: How can an index card structure be designed to support the mass of another object?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please complete this week's grade check.
    2. Engineering Design Challenge - Index Card structures
    3. Complete Engineering Design Form
    Homework: None
    Friday, September 5, 2014 - 2nd Hour
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Who Gave You Most of Your Genes?
    2. Heredity Vocabulary/Reading Text
    3. Video - Where do your genes come from?
    Homework: None 

    1st & 3rd hours
    Today's Question: How can an index card structure be designed to support the mass of another object?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Read AR book
    2. Engineering Design Challenge - Index Card structures
    3. Complete Engineering Design Form
    Homework: None

    Thursday, September 4, 2014
    Today's Question: How do children inherit traits from their parents?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please finish the Inheriting Traits Graph Questions on page 28.
    2. Read textbook pages 102-103 & 106-107
    3. Heredity Vocabulary
    Homework: Get graph done and questions done too.

    Wednesday, September 3, 2014
    Today's Question: What are some of the most common inherited traits in this class?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please work on your inherited traits graph
    2. CLICK HERE and copy down the questions and then answer them on page 28.
    3. Grade science notebooks
    4. Family Traits Posters
    Homework: Finish graph and answer questions.

    Tuesday, September 2, 2014
    Today's Question: What are some of the most common inherited traits in this class?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please complete this week's grade check
    2. Inherited Traits Inventory - PERIOD 1     PERIOD 2      PERIOD 3
    3. Begin graphing Data
    Homework: Genetic Family Posters/Finish graphing data

    Monday, September 1, 2014

    No School - Labor Day

    Friday, August 29, 2014
    Today's Question:  What have you learned about cell division?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Read article in Science World magazine: "Unraveling Your DNA"
    2. Make Cell Division Test Corrections
    3. School Pictures!
    Homework: None

    Thursday, August 28, 2014
    Today's Question: What have you learned about cell division?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please study your notes on cell division
    2. Cell Division Quiz
    3. Cell Division Homework Assignment - due TOMORROW!
    Homework: Cell Division Homework Assignment.

    Wednesday, August 27, 2014
    Today's Question: How is the cell division process for reproductive cells different compared to other cells?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Answer as many Essential Questions (p. 12-13) as you can.
    2. Meiosis chart (in notebook)
    3. Comparing mitosis v. meiosis interactive thingy with class
    4. Cell Division Homework Assignment - due FRIDAY
    Homework: Quiz tomorrow over Cell Division

    Tuesday, August 26, 2014
    Today's Question: How is the cell division process for reproductive cells different compared to other cells?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Onion Root Tip Activity Questions - Please complete this in your notebook on page 23.
    2. Meiosis video
    3. Comparing mitosis with meiosis
    Homework: Get Onion Root Tip Activity Questions done!!!

    Monday, August 25, 2014
    Today's Question: What are the processes of cell division?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Complete grade check form
    2. Continue with Cell Division notes
    3. Begin Onion Root Tip Activity???
    Homework: Get grade check form signed. School Pictures are on Friday. Review your notes.
    Friday, August 22, 2014
    Today's Question: How can a Pringle's potato chip be packaged so that it won't get damaged going through the mail?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Rising Stars name tags
    2. Engineering Design Challenge - Perfect Pringle's Package - Part 1
    Homework: None

    Thursday, August 21, 2014
    Today's Question: What do I already know about this year's science topics?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please read your AR book
    2. Take Science Benchmark Part 2
    Homework: None

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014
    Today's Question: What do I already know about this year's science topics?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please read your AR book
    2. Take Science Benchmark Part 1
    Homework: None

    Tuesday, August 19, 2014
    Today's Question: Why do cells divide? What are the processes?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please glue the Cell Cycle diagram on to page 20. Review notes on page 19.
    2. Finish "Why Cells Divide" notes
    3. Intro Cell Cycle notes
    4. Begin "How Cells Divide" notes
    Homework: None

    Monday, August 18, 2014
    Today's Question: Why do cells divide? What are the processes?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Check grades and complete grade check form
    2. Why Cells Divide notes
    3. Introduce the Cell Cycle
    Homework: Get grade check signed and bring back for a PRIDE Paw!
    Friday, August 15, 2014
    Today's Question:  What is DNA?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - The Twisting Tale of DNA (TEDEd video)
    2. DNA Extraction Demonstration
    3. Notes on DNA
    Homework: None

    Thursday, August 14, 2014
    Today's Question: How did scientists figure out what DNA looks like?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - DNA, Genes, & Chromosomes
    2. Finish Cell diagrams
    3. Puzzle activity
    Homework: Cells & Heredity Cover page --> due tomorrow. 

    Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - Early Release
    Today's Question: What's inside a cell?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please put the cell worksheets on pages 15-16.
    2. Complete cell worksheets
    Homework: Cells & Heredity Cover page --> due Friday.

    Tuesday, August 12, 2014
    Today's Question: How has our knowledge of cells changed? 
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please work on your Cells & Heredity Cover page
    2. Continue working on Cell Theory Flippy Flap (use the links from yesterday)
    3. Inside a cell structure & functions
    Homework: Cells & Heredity Cover page --> due Friday.

    Monday, August 11, 2014
    Today's Question: How has our knowledge of cells changed?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Please complete grade check form
    2. Cells & Heredity Cover page (p. 11)
    3. Essential Questions page (p. 12)
    4. Wacky History of Cell Theory --> Foldable
    Homework: Cells & Heredity Cover page. Minimum Requirements -->
    • Must have the title "Cells & Heredity"
    • Must have 3 drawn images
    • Must be colored corner to corner, edge to edge
    Friday, August 8, 2014
    Today's Question: What do we want to know about cells coming from other cells?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Make sure that your "All About Me" page is completed & colored. This will be checked on Monday.
    2. Developing questions to learn more about for Cells & Heredity Unit
    Homework: Science notebook pages.


    Thursday, August 7, 2014
    Today's Question: What is an interactive notebook?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - "All About Me" page
    2. Science Notebook set up - there are lots of handouts to be put into your notebook. Make sure that you review this slideshow to know what the expectations are. You'll get the handouts when you return to class.
    Homework: Number pages 1-50 and color "All About Me" page. Minimum of 3 colors and colored corner to corner, edge to edge.

    Wednesday, August 6, 2014
    Today's Question: What are the classroom expectations/procedures?
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - Getting to Know You
    2. Ligon's Laws
    Homework: Get a composition notebook for science (preferably 100 page/college rule)

    Tuesday, August 5, 2013
    Today's Question: What is 8th grade science all about???
    Classwork:
    1. Mindset - How well do you know Mrs. Ligon? (worksheet)
    2. 4 Corners Conversation
    3. Science Curriculum Strips activity
    4. Student needs
    Homework: Get a composition notebook (preferably 100 page/college rule)