Reflection of Light       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wrQchqecjA

We are learning about waves this week. Here are a couple of cool websites to check out. Have fun working with the wave simulator.

Wave on a String      http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/wave-on-a-string

GR Art Prize Entry   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p3je4WGcM0

Our 7th grade science students are beginning a unit created by the Battle Creek Math and Science Center called Energy Effects. This unit includes the study of Solar Energy and sound, light, fluid and seismic waves. It was designed to promote inquiry – based science. Our participation is the last piece of the SLPS plan to implement this inquiry – based curriculum K-7. You child’s science teachers have all been trained to teach this new curriculum. We have been preparing for this day all year and are excited to begin this new phase of science teaching here at Spring Lake Middle School.

In an effort to save paper (and protect a vital natural resource) I am inserting a copy of the parent letter that explains this unit and offers ideas for parent/child activities that will aid in reinforcement. Please read this letter and try to do at least a few of the activities with your child in the next seven weeks. Much of credit for the success of our students here in Spring Lake is due to the outstanding work that you do in preparing your children to learn. Please know that we do not take that for granted and are grateful for all you do.

Mr. Sluiter

BC Sci. Energy Effects Parent Letter

The test on Chapter 5-3 has been moved to Monday. Take a look at the study guide below.

STUDY GUIDE Ch. 5-3

1.  Homozygous Recessive Disorders  – Identify Healthy Individuals,  those With the Disorder and Carriers  when given the genotype.

2. Human Genetic Makeup – List the individual and pair numbers of Chromosomes, Autosomes and Sex chromosomes.

3. Identify Male and Female Genotypes.

4. X Linked Disorders – Identify the Healthy,  Carrier and Affected individuals.  Explain why females need two recessive alleles and males only need one recessive allele to be affected.

Google Science Fair Returns

 In January 2012, Google will launch the second annual Google Science Fair. The Google Science Fair is an international competition which encourages students between the ages of 13 to 18 to be curious, ask questions, and perform science experiments to answer those questions. In partnership with CERN, National Geographic, LEGO and Scientific American, Google invites these students to post their science projects online so that they may compete for prizes, scholarships and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Interested students and teachers should visit:

http://www.google.com/sciencefair

to register to be notified when the competition opens.

We had a nice review today over Chapter 3-2. Make sure you look over the study guide one more time and work on your “what I don”t know” list tonight in preparation for your Ch. 5-2 quiz tomorrow.

STUDY GUIDE Ch. 5-2

1. Identify: Incomplete Dominance, Multiple Alleles and Polygenic Inheritance.

2. Determine a child’s blood type when given it’s parents alleles.

3. Predict a child’s possible blood types when given it’s parents blood types.

4. Identify Co-Dominant and Recessive blood type alleles.

STUDY SMART AND GOOD LUCK!

We have a Punnett Square Test tomorrow. See me tomorrow morning if you have any questions. I will be in at 7:30.

We are now entering into Exam Preparation. You can find the Exam Study Guide by clicking on the Exam Study Guide link above. Class notes can be found by clicking on BIO A Notes and down loading the power points. In the next four class sessions students will be working through a series of exam prep review sheets. Tests from each unit will be handed back the week of Nov. 28. Now is the time to start preparing for your exam. Study Smart and Good Luck.

Students and Parents,

-Remember that your extra credit osmosis lab is due Monday. Late papers will not be accepted.

-We have  cell division test on Tuesday. See Study Guide below..

- The Exam Study Guide can be seen by clicking on BIO A Exam Study Guide

Cell Division Study Guide

1. Identify, by description and photograph Interphase and Mitosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase).

2. Describe the results of Mitosis and Meiosis. (Number of Cells, Type of Cells, Haploid or Diploid)

3. List four types of asexual reproduction.

4. Compare and Contrast asexual and Sexual Reproduction.

We will have a Test on Chapter 3-3 (Cell Energy) on Friday. Students should review their Research Journal, Process Organization Chart and Plant Food Storage Diagram. It would also be wise to take a look at the class notes in the Bio A Notes link on this website.

Cell Energy Study Guide

1. Identify the Energy Source, Product, Waste, Location and Organism Type of Photosynthesis, Respiration and Fermentation.

2. List and/or describe the storage location of food in plants.

3. Identify the types of food compounds stored in plants.