Biology Story Time

Ecology students — your first test is Thursday/Friday.  Topics are; prefixes and suffixes, scientific method (check PP notes), graphing and the microscope structure & functions.  Good Luck.

So what if  5 years ago you’ve moved out of the city to the beautiful mountain region of VA and it’s been peaceful as you’ve hoped.  You do all the environmentally good things you can; recycling your papers and plastic, conserve on water and you’ve put solar panels on the roof to help heat your home. Now your neighbor, who owns a majority of the mountain land, wants to lease his land (the very top of the mountain) to a company that will put up large, large windmills (turbines).  These windmills will supply the area with low cost, carbon-free energy.  What do you see as the pros and cons for having these windmills on the mountain top?  

I’m curious ;  Students, what does it mean to you ‘to study for a test?’  What exactly do you do?  What distracts you while studying?  Do you ever fall asleep?  Do you ever study with someone?Who? On an average, how many minutes can you stay focused on studying for a before losing concentration? 

I was amazed at the number of articles in last Sunday’s Pilot that had to do with a biology or ecology related topic. The section news 2 featured one on almost every page.  Did anyone else notice?  Front page - “wayward reptile,”  2nd page - exonerated inmates by genetic testing,  4th page - DNA testing on eight skeletons for ID, 5th page - loneliness linked to DNA, 6th page - transplants; the pressures to pronounce death!  AND on the front page, 2 of the 4 main articles were bio/eco. related:  commercial wind farms for energy and breast cancer decisions based on DNA testing.  What was even more noticeable to me was that almost all of these articles have a ethical component to them … tough decisions that must be made by consumers, producers and law makers!  Are we prepared to do this?  How do we, as a people, become prepared? 

The first test is coming up this Thursday/Friday.  Study prefixes and all the material in the Unit 1 packet.  Lots of vocabulary are in this first unit. 

This week are the last few days for accepting late work or make-up work for this unit.  Take a look at your grade sheet and check to see what assignments are missing.  By this time you should have a graph paper journal in which to complete your assignments.  3 BUCKS, 3 BUCKS, 3 BUCKS!  Buy a journal if you haven’t already.

Dear students;  My official afternoon for tutoring is Tuesday, from 2:30-3:30pm.  I am also usually available Mondays and Thursdays.  Activity buses are available all three of these afternoons, so I hope that  you will take advantage of getting extra help whenever you know that you are falling behind or don’t understand the material.   

Our first quote for reflection was:  “Science never solves one problem without creating ten more.” 

Tomorrow, Monday Sept. 10,  students in blocks 1,5, and 7 have your first news review due! Today’s Pilot had many stories that related to issues in both ecology and biology.  DNA issues were especially “hot”, being reported in several different parts.  I’m looking forward to hearing a summary of all the stories that you found.  Remember, the news must be ecology or biololgy related! 

“The saddest part of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.”

Hi Story Parents, 

It’s not uncommon for elementary schools to have very active parent associations, lots of involvement with parents helping with room parties and reading partners, etc.  But in high school … ??    

I’m relatively new to KFHS and so I’m still learning all the great places that parents are already serving and helping out.   Now, I’m hoping to add Rm B118 to that growing list.  There are so many ways that you, as parents, could contribute to help broaden the learning experiences for students in my biology and/or ecology classes.  You are a valuable resource and I’d like to offer a short list of possible opportunites for you to help me out.

1.  Your job … how is it related to any biology or  environmental issue?  Come into the classroom and sharing your personal knowledge of a select field of science or how your job intersects with a particular issue related to either of these fields.  Kids ask all the time how learning particular concepts ”will ever help them in life!” (Ever hear such a comment? 

2.  Your life experiences … how have these been influenced by biological or environmental issues? I welcome you to share a story.  If you’re a little shy about speaking in front of the class … how about submitting a post for the blog?

 3.  Would you have the time to volunteer as an assistant during a lab exercise?  (Going to the lab is akin to ‘taking a fieldtrip!’  :-)  The more adults per student, the more likely that all the students will stay on task, stay interested, remain focused and really learn some info through the lab experience.  

5.  Rm118 is registered at “Adopt-A-Classroom”.com.  There is a great need for laboratory supplies and equipment for our lab between Rm 117 and 118.  This might be a means for you personally or for your business to influence kids this year and for years to come by donating funds to fully equip this lab … all with the benefits of a tax deduction.  :-)  Right now, the drawers and cupboards are basically empty. That’s one of the reasons that the lab was barely used last year.  My goal is to see that changed! Students must have lab experience … biology and ecology are laboratory classes.   

 So … let me know if you are interested in connecting through any of these avenues of opportunity.  Ms. S.