Blog Archives

Day 69

11/30/2015

Hurray for Cyber Monday! I wonder how many teachers are showing movies today and shopping online? Hmmmm....... BTW, I had a great Thanksgiving in New York City. I now understand why people love that place. Super fun!
The AP Biology students counted flies today which is good cuz there was like a million of them. We will use this data to either support or refute our predictions of the inheritance patterns in fruit flies.
The Biology students reviewed protein synthesis, took a practice quiz on that stuff and talked about mutation. All in 53 minutes!
The Chemistry students looked at the results of their work on the Stoichiometry Lab from the 20th of November. Some groups are probably done while others will have to do some more filtering in order to get close to the 2.0 grams of the compound they were supposed to make. But no worries...we have plenty of time.

Day 68

11/20/2015

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Oh Boy! The last day before the big Thanksgiving Week Off. What are you gonna do? I'm going to New York to see Livi!!
The AP Biology students kinda chilled today because the dumb flies haven't decided to become flies yet. You watch. When we get back from break there will be like a billion flies to count.
The Biology students really got into Protein Synthesis. And I think most students understand the relationship between DNA, RNA, protein, phenotypes and themselves. Ah, the central dogma.
The Chemistry students put the final touches on the Stoichiometry Lab. When we get back most of the 2.0 grams of solid we are trying to make should be done.
Have a great Thanksgiving!

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Day 67

11/19/2015

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I had a good day today. Not that I have bad days. Who am I kidding? Of course I have bad days. Or do I?
The AP Biology students started a discussion of DNA technology. We talked about gel electrophoresis which is a great subject to bring up during Thanksgiving dinner. Believe me, Uncle Harry will never bother you again when you start in on restriction enzymes and DNA ligase.
The Biology students began a discussion on protein synthesis. Usually, it's pretty easy and today was no exception. I would say about 80% of the students got it down. That's street talk for proficiency.
The Chemistry students really got into the Stoichiometry Lab which is to say that most student groups were able to begin the creation, yes, creation of 2.0 grams of a solid. Uncle Harry would love that too.

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Day 66

11/18/2015

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I am sooooo excited for Advisory today................sarcasm is the refuge of the weak-minded.
The AP Biology students went over the pretty easy concept of protein synthesis. DNA makes RNA which makes proteins which makes phenotypes which makes you. This is the central dogma of biology. You understand this and you understand everything. Except electricity.
The Biology students took their make-up Genetics quiz today. I know for sure that some kids did much much better this time out.
The Chemistry students were introduced to the famous (or infamous) Stoichiometry Lab. It's alot of work and thinking but we got through it. Tomorrow we will, hopefully, begin the actual physical work of making 2.0 grams of an ionic compound.

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Day 65

11/17/2015

65 days seems like a lot to me. And Thanksgiving is almost here!!
The AP Biology students continued with their discussion of replication. We reviewed all the stuff from Chapter 16; DNA in all its glory. It's important to know stuff about DNA since it's the single most important molecule in the world. Well, water is up there too.
The Biology students reviewed simple genetic problems so everyone, and I mean everyone, knows how to do them. We got into groups and the expert students taught the not-expert students the intricacies of genetics. Tomorrow, we will have a make-up quiz for the students to do better on these problems.
The Chemistry students did a bunch of stoichiometry problems in an effort to make this intimidating subject somewhat more approachable. It takes a while for everyone to get it but we're getting there.

Day 64

11/16/2015

And we're back! I spent a couple of days last week re-charging the batteries. Literally. I left the lights of my car on.
The AP Biology students reviewed some DNA stuff. Like that kinda complicated process of replication. Leading and lagging strands. Okazaki fragments. Replication forks. Yes, it's complicated but we worked through it and we will continue to surge ahead.
The Biology students chilled today by checking out how dogs may have evolved with humans. It really is a fascinating story. In a relatively short amount of time (like 25,000 years) pugs evolved from wolves. Yes, wolves.
The Chemistry students re-visited Apollo 13 and discussed how stoichiometry solved the problem of too much carbon dioxide aboard a crowded capsule. Our adventure into the mathematical side of chemistry continues.

Day 63

11/13/2015

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Friday the 13th! Scary!
The AP Biology students continued their work on the Chapter 16 Reading Guide. I think a lot of students were surprised that it was due today. Oh well.
The Biology students took the DNA quiz today. They got to use any notes they had on the quiz. I hope everyone had all their stuff with them.
The Chemistry students reviewed molar mass calculations and converting moles to grams and vice versa. These are necessary skills for successful Stoichiometry problem-solving.

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Day 62

11/12/2015

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A different week because of the Veteran's Day holiday yesterday. I wasn't here today (and I won't be here tomorrow) so the students mainly did review type activities.
The AP Biology students began the Chapter 16 Reading Guide and will continue working on this tomorrow.
The Biology students worked on and turned in a review activity on DNA structure and replication. Tomorrow is the DNA quiz.
The Chemistry students tried to solve the Stoichiometry problem that was faced by the astronauts aboard Apollo 13. I'll see if any groups got the problem right on Monday.

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Day 61

11/10/2015

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Hey! Tomorrow is a day off! Have fun and think about a vet in your family. My Dad was a Marine and I'll be thinking about him.
The AP Biology students had the second Genetics Quiz of the year today. I'm pretty sure most students did good on it. Hopefully.
The Biology class was super weird today. There were 12 absences. Students were either at a special performance of the annual musical or they were "sick", which is weird because the DNA Project was due today. What a coincidence. Because of all the absences we re-scheduled the quiz for this Friday.
The Chemistry students did 2 things today. First, they had a short quiz on balancing equations. Then, we discussed Stoichiometry, the process by which you can predict how much of a product is formed during a chemical reaction.

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Day 60

11/9/2015

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Day 60? That means the school year is 1/3 of the way complete! Only 2/3 more to go!
The AP Biology reviewed several genetic problems today in preparation for the second Genetics Quiz which will take place tomorrow.
The Biology students continued their discussion about the nature of DNA. The Biology students will have a quiz tomorrow regarding the structure of DNA and how it makes a copy of itself. That's called replication! Duh.
The Chemistry students continued practicing balancing equations. We're gonna have a quiz on balancing equations tomorrow!

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