week of 8 June

Hi there,

  Just to be clear about this week:

Tuesday & Wednesday = start getting ready for the final after you finish and hand in your food
   web/cycle of matter poster.  Please note the following:

1. I have shared the study guide for the final.  You can/should also use the unit guides you have for each unit.

2. Just like the midterm, you can make a foldable to bring to the final.  You can use it for all of the final (there is no "no notes" section).

3. If you owe me work, the last I will take it is the day of your final, unless you speak to me first or we already have another plan.

4. During finals, I am here every day by 8 AM even though exams don't start until 9.  I am happy to help you any of those days, though please be aware that I am unlikely to have time for you on Thursday as my honors biology students have their exam period 1 and I am prioritizing them during that 8-9 AM hour prior to their exam.

5. Please be on time to your final exam!  While I do allow people to run over if they need extra time, this depends on your being there on time to begin with.  If you show up 30 minutes late, I see no need for me to give you extra time!

AFT is happening on Wednesday and I'm there if you need me!  Thanks for a great year!! Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Food web/cycle of matter poster & paragraph -- Tuesday 9 June unless you email me
• Final exam
    -- Monday 15 June at 12:00 -- period 7
    -- Tuesday 16 June at 9:00 AM -- period 6

rest of year!

Hi all,
  I forgot to post last week.  Sorry about that!  I did the other two and thought I had done yours.  Anyway, here goes for the rest of the year.

Week of 1 June:

Tuesday and Thursday = work on food web, tiger lab rewrites etc..

Friday = enjoy a movie -- I'll be out

Week of 8 June:

Tuesday & Wednesday = prep for the final exam

Please come to AFT on Monday or Wednesday if you need help or owe me work!!!!!

Week of 15 June:

Monday 15 June = period 7 exam starting at noon

Tuesday 16 June = period 6 exam starting at 9 AM

It's been a good year and I want to thank each of you for bringing your energy and enthusiasm to class.  I've enjoyed myself!  Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• Predator/Prey brochure -- Tuesday 2 June
• Tiger Lab rewrites -- Thursday 4 June
• Food Web/Carbon Cycle poster -- Tuesday 9 June
• Final exam -- see dates above

week of 18 May

Hi everyone,
  This week, we are finishing population ecology and doing community ecology.  Time is getting very short -- if you owe me work PLEASE get it done!

Tuesday = discuss types of population growth curves, work on human population graphs

Thursday & Friday = community ecology notes + deer activity

As always, please come to AFT if you need help or owe me work (see above comment). I'm always happy to help you out!!! Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Human Population Growth graphs -- Thursday 21 May
• Evolution test corrections -- Friday 22 May

weeks of 4 May and 11 May

Hi everyone,

  I forgot to do the blog this week.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, I decided to write for this week to summarize and for next week so it gets done.

Week of 4 May:

Tuesday = Evolution test
Thursday = Notes on taxonomy & taxonomy practice
Friday = Arthropod activity

Week of 11 May:  short week b/c of half day on Wednesday

Tuesday = start the ecology unit
Wednesday = long AFT -- PLEASE come in if you are missing work!!! The end of the year will be here before you know it!
Friday = continue with ecology

As always, please come to AFT to get caught up/get help.  Have a great weekend!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Arthropod follow-up questions -- Friday 15 May

week of 27 April

Hi all,
  Nice to see you again!  While I certainly appreciate vacations, I do also always enjoy seeing my students again.  This week, we'll be finishing the evolution unit and getting ready for the evolution test next Monday.  After that, we start our last unit on ecology.

Tuesday -- work on "Inner Fish" activity

Thursday -- work period -- finish "Inner Fish" or work on Tiger Lab write up

Friday -- get note card ready for test

As ever, please come see me for AFT if you need help or just a place to work.  :)  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Tiger Lab -- results and discussion sections -- Friday 1 May
• "Inner Fish" activity -- Friday 1 May
• Evolution test -- Tuesday 5 May

week of 13 April

Hi everyone,
  Today you are doing the Tiger Lab, which will set us up for you to have time to work on the write-up on Friday.  This write up is due after vacation. Thursday we'll discuss the types of evolution and the types of natural selection.  You need these notes to finish the lab up.

  As ever, your homework for vacation is to relax and have fun!  I'll be taking a total vacation too and then we can meet again after break and get back to work.  :)

NOTE:  to clarify about work due this week -- by the end of the day on Friday is fine.  However, be aware that I am going to blast out of here ASAP at the end of the day!!!! I will NOT be hanging around on Friday so please don't tell me you "came by at 3 to hand it in, but you weren't here".  That work would be counted late!

  Please come to AFT if you need help!  Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Gattaca questions -- WERE DUE -- please note if you are missing this and hand in ASAP!! I forgot to write a due date on the blog, so I will take this with no late penalty
• Evolution Stations revisit assignment -- Thursday 16 April (or before you leave for vacation)
• Tiger Lab write up (results and discussion) -- Friday 1 May

week of 6 April

Hi everyone,
  So this week is more evolution work.  Today we finished the evidence for evolution and you are getting time to work on the Build-A-Beast and the Evolution by Natural Selection worksheet.  Both are due by Friday.  Thursday you'll be working on a follow-up assignment for the evolution stations work.  Friday, we'll be talking about the types of evolution and the types of natural selection.

  As ever, please come to AFT if you need help on anything or time to get caught up.  I'm here!  Thanks, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• Build-A-Beast by Friday 10 April
• Evolution by Natural Selection worksheet by Friday 10 April

week of 30 March

Hi everyone,
  Sorry about being out again yesterday.  I am really in a pattern of migraines and it is just making it very tough for me to function lately.  As a result, I am also behind on grading which I apologize for. Things are just taking me longer to do.

  Anyway, yesterday you got more time to finish up the evolution stations assignment.  Tomorrow we'll discuss what Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection really is and what it means. Then Friday you'll get a chance to play with making a "beast" based on different selective pressures.

  As ever, please come to AFT if you are confused, need help in any way.  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Evolution Stations - Thursday 2 April (can give me on Friday if you need another AFT)
• "Build-a- Beast" due Tuesday 7 April

week of 23 March

Hey all,

  So I'm still sick and am staying home again Tuesday.  I am sorry to not be available for anyone who is needing help with the genetics paper.  In light of that, I am pushing the due date back for EVERYONE to this Friday, so you get a freebie courtesy of the cold that got me!  This gives you the AFT time on Weds to get help as needed.  Even if you have your paper done, please don't give it to the sub OK?

  Here's the plan for this short week:

TUESDAY = watch the video "Dogs that Changed the World" and answer the questions.  These are due by the end of the period

WEDNESDAY = AFT all morning...come in if you need help!

FRIDAY = Bx day -- we will start the evolution stations assignment that we were going to do on Tuesday in class.

See you soon, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• Genetics Ethics paper -- FRIDAY 27 March -- NOTE CHANGE TO DUE DATE!!!!

week of 16 March

Hi everyone,
  So this week we are finishing up the genetics unit and then moving into the unit on evolution.  Here's how the week will go:

Tuesday = time to work on test corrections (due by Friday 20 March) + start the movie Gattaca

Thursday = finish Gattaca and work on questions about the movie

Friday = talk about course selection for next year and start evolution

If you haven't finished your test corrections in class, you need to come to AFT or a study hall to finish them!  Please see me if you need help!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Genetics test corrections - due Friday 20 March
• Genetics ethics papaer - due Tuesday 24 March

week of 9 March -- please note updated due date!!!!

Hi everyone,
  Here's how the week will go.  Remember I will be here Monday PM if you need help for the test. Also, I will enter the grades for your problem sets as soon as I get them done, so if you see a grade, feel free to come get your problem set. I think I'll get them done by Monday PM.

Tuesday = genetics test -- note card allowed for notes part of test
Thursday/Friday = work on genetics ethics paper -- you don't have this yet, don't even think about it
   till we see each other Thursday OK?

As always, you know where to find me in AFT!

See you next week and have a good weekend,  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Genetics test - Tuesday 10 March
• Genetics ethics paper - Tuesday 24 March
• Resubmitting genetics problems???  By Tuesday 17 March

week of 2 March

Hey everyone,
  Oops I forgot to write until today.  I'm sure you'll all have survived!  ;)  Anyway, here's what the rest of the week looks like:

Thursday & Friday - work on the genetics packet and/or prep for the genetics test next Tuesday.
If you are done with both of these and want to get a  head start on a genetics issue paper you'll be writing, you could start that in class.  You'll be getting class time for this paper next week on Thursday and Friday, so that isn't urgent

Test -- has a notes and no-notes component.  You can have one notecard for the test.

As always, please come to AFT if you need help!  Friday I am going to try to go the conference room in the main office for a Safe Passage trip for at least part of the time.  If I'm not here, ask Mrs. Harder (tall blonde woman), she can help you!

Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Genetics packet (graded, required) - Friday 6 March by the end of class
• Genetics test - Tuesday 10 March
• Genetics ethics paper - Tuesday 24 March (so you have two AFTs for help after we work on it in class)

week of 23 February

Hi there everyone,
  It was so good to see all of you today!  While I was not missing the massive workload of teaching while I was away, I did my my wonderful students.  It's nice to be back with you.  :)

  As we discussed in class today, this week will be finishing learning/practicing the various types of genetics problems (monohybrid cross, sex-linked cross, incomplete dominance, and codominance) as well as pedigrees.  If anyone wants to learn how to do dihybrid crosses I am happy to show you.

  Thursday we'll go over any Oompah Loompah questions you want me to and learn pedigrees. I'll give you more practice problems and then Friday you can start on the graded problem set, which is due next Thursday 5 March.

  The test/quiz on this is on Friday 6 March.

  As always, come to AFT if you need help!!  All these ungraded practice problem sets are meant to help you figure out where you are confused.  That is your responsibility!  Then my helping you is mine.  See you, Ms. L



DUE DATES:
• Oompah Loompah practice problems - Weds 25 Feb (optional)
• Genetics problem set - Thursday 5 March (NOT optional!)
• Genetics test - Tuesday 10 March -- NOTE CHANGE IN DATE

week of 9 Feb

Hi everyone,

  As you know, I am not here this week.  Mrs. Segal should be the sub the whole week and she has copies of any papers you might need.  Here's the plan for the week:

Tuesday 10 Feb = do the tutorials and try practice problems for monohybrid crosses and sex-linked traits
    here's a link to the assignment: Monohybrid Cross + Sex-linkage tutorials

    here are two links to more practice problems:
            Monohybrid cross practice problems
            Sex-linked traits practice problems

Mrs. Segal has keys to all practice problems!


Thursday 12 Feb & Friday 13 Feb = watch the movie "Extraordinary Measures" and answer the questions that go with them.  Mrs. Segal has the questions.

DUE DATES:
• hand in the "Extraordinary Measures" questions Friday 13 Feb

week of 26 Jan

Hi all,
  Weird week this week!  Today you are working on the mitosis/meiosis comparison chart.  I realize that focus levels are low due to the snow/early release concept.  In light of that, this chart is now due next Thursday 5 February.  Regardless, this is the only class time I am giving you!  You are welcome to work together and help each other out with this assignment.  Remember to use the glossary of terms to help yourself understand this material.

  We will be going over all of this in class, so don't panic if you are confused!!!  See me during AFT next week if you need help OK?  Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• Mitosis/Meiosis Comparison assignment - Thursday 5 February

week of 12 January

Hi all,
  Short week this week, just finishing up the cell cycle stuff and getting ready for the midterm.  Please note that the midterm review packet is not required, but is HIGHLY suggested!  You are welcome to work with other people on this and each section is worth 5 points if you do it.

  You can use your foldable on the midterm (there is no "no notes" part of the midterm).  Remember the midterm is worth 10% of the semester one grade.  The BEST way to create your foldable is to write everything you want on it from scratch (do not type).  While you can put old note cards in there, I HIGHLY suggest that you add to it if you do this.  Rewriting information is a great way to study and most students who have done this tell me they found it helpful.

  MISSING WORK???  Please check the gradebook!  If you see zeroes, I don't have the work from you.  You must hand this in by Tuesday 20 January at the latest.  Please see me if you are confused.

 AFT tomorrow: please come to either A or B session rather than C as I will be busy C with Honors Biology students.  If C is your only time open, then come in anyway.  Please also remember that we have AFT on Thursday and Friday too, so there is plenty of time to get help!

 Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• cell cycle lab - submit electronically Tuesday 12 Jan
• cell cycle worksheet - hand in Tuesday 12 Jan
• test corrections - OPTIONAL - by Tuesday 12 Jan
• Midterm review packet - OPTIONAL -- HIGHLY SUGGESTED!!!! - show me by Tuesday 20 Jan
• Midterm exam:
      - per. 6 = Friday 23 Jan at 9:15 AM
      - per. 7 = Thursday 22 Jan at 1200

week of 5 January

Hello and welcome back!

  This week, we will be working on a mini-unit on how cell's reproduce. Today we are doing the notes on this and then you had time to do test corrections.  Next class you will do a mini-lab on the cell cycle. This will be the last new work before the midterm.  Next week will just be getting ready for the midterm exam.

  Please note that midterms are the week of 19 January.  I will be here each morning by 8 AM and also available for help after 1:30 each day.  Please come to AFT if you need help!  The midterm is cumulative for the first semester and you will have access to a note guide for the entire exam.  The midterm is worth 10% of the semester one grade.

  Some of you are missing work.  Next week on Wednesday you have a half day and the morning is devoted to 3 different AFT sections.  If you are missing work, please plan on scheduling yourself into one of those sessions!

  Thanks, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• Test corrections due Tuesday 13 January
• Midterm Exam
    - period 7 on Thursday 22 Jan at 12:00
    - period 6 on Friday 23 Jan at 9:15