Biology Story Time

I’m so excited about this new IB program beginning in Suffolk and I’m really looking forward to the IB Pre-diploma students.  I think it’s going to be a great year in biology for each of them and you will see them grow and mature in so many different ways through the experiences that this program has to offer. 

I want to encourage you to stay engaged with your student’s learning process as they go through this first year of Pre-IB.  The transition from middle school to high school is a challenge and this step forward and upward will be especially challenging for some. 

I hope that biology will be an exciting adventure for them! As part of their journey into the study of biology, I hope they will engage in conversations with you, conversations that will reflect some of the discussions we will have in class.

I desire open communication between us; you and I and our ‘biologists in the making!”  I will continue to post items in this ‘parent niche’ category and try to keep you well informed of important events related to the biology class.  You are certainly welcome to blog here with questions or comments.

Please feel free to email me as well.  I will always try to respond in a promptly manner. 

Warmly,

Ms Story

If you have an elderly grandparent (or relative), or pastor, or neighbor who loves to talk and share their life story, then this option is for you! 

FIRST and foremost, please be very respectful of your time with your guest storyteller.  They are offering you valuable information and deserve to be treated kindly.  “Please and thank you’s” are in order! 

SECOND:  Time allowances.  Remember that they might get tired before you think you are through … allow them to stop if need be.  On the other hand, make sure you have reserved plenty of time for them to tell their story.  You should not be in a rush to get done!  Enjoy this time together and respect them with the gift of your time.

The assignment is to ask them to share about life before all our “bio-discoveries” of our recent 20 year past.  Areas of interest could include such things as; life before the discovery of penicillin (especially if they served in a war,) living with the realities of polio and TB, comparing medical care then to today’s ER and hospitals, purchasing foods before “chain stores”, crop diseases before mass spreading of insecticides, the conditions surrounding having a baby (were they born in a hospital?), what medicines were available then compared to now, etc.  You can probably come up with some other great topics to cover. 

Another part of their story might be asking them their perceptions of 21st century breakthroughs; like advances in bio-technology (using DNA in law enforcement, etc.) in medicine (organ transplants,) and cloning? 

If you choose this option, you will be a storyteller, retelling their story.  Your written report should reflect your question/answer format.  You might want to record your conversation with your elder and then make your written report later from the recording … like a reporter.   

I suggested that some visuals be included in your final project, visuals that would reflect the historical time frame of your storyteller.  Pictures from the internet are fine (autos, store fronts, dress styles, popular music groups of the time, etc.).  If you are interviewing family, they might allow you to copy some pictures from their personal, family collection.  The decade or so that you choose will probably be reflective of the time frame that they mostly choose to talk about.  

I hope you enjoy the conversation with your honored guest.  The stories past down from generation to generation are priceless!   If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. 

By the time you begin this project, there may be only 2 candidates.  If that is the case, then you only need to cover those two people.  :-)  There are multiple web sites where you might find the position each candidate takes regarding issues related to biology or ecology.

I’ve suggested researching biology related issues, such as; HIV/AIDS (research and control,) and stem cell research.  You may add any other topics that have a connection to the living sciences, e.g. biomedical research, abortion, biotechnology, cloning, etc. 

I’ve also suggested researching the candidates positions on environmental issues, such as energy resource.  You may add other topics that have a connection to the environment, e.g. global warming,  species preservation, genetically modified foods, air/water/land pollution, recycling, etc.

Perhaps a large VENN diagram, poster size, could serve as the main focus of your visual presentation.  Venn diagrams (2 or 3 overlapping circles) have the ability to visually present a way of comparing and contrasting items related to a main theme.  You may find that the candidates agree on some areas and then disagree on others. 

Any visual for a presentation should be colorful, creative, and whatever worded explanations that you choose to include should be typed.    If you choose this option, I hope you enjoy checking out our candidates’ views and then presenting your project to the class.    

Please email me if you have further questions.  Enjoy the Political Check-Up!