Chapter 2 retake

We are going to attempt to retake the quiz on Canvas.  Log on, and then go to the left side and click on quizzes.  The chapter 2 retake should be there.

Organic Molecules

We are going to spend the next couple of days working on molecular models.

Click here for directions on what you need to build.  Please take a picture of each model (with a label of what it is as well as your names visible) when they are completed.  We should have enough models to work in groups of two.

Friday & block day (chapt 2 study guide and marking the text)

So, I decided to give you a little more guidance for this chapter instead of just the normal test corrections.  You need to complete the study guide for the chapter as your test corrections. 

Also, another really great resource is from Mader's Biology. The previous link takes you to the "e-learning" section of the chapter, but there are also quizzes, flashcards and other things that you can use to learn the material.  The chapters align fairly closely with our book.

Please have the study guide completed before Friday's quiz.  If you need extra help, come in for advisory.

The other part of your work, is to Mark the Text for the the "Creature Power" article.  Both of these assignments should be done by the end of the block day next week.

Work Day

Please take today to work on your write up for the water lab as well as the basic chem lab :)

To help further cement your understanding of the unique properties of water and why they are important in Biology, check out the Khan Academy crash course in Biology "Water - Liquid Awesome"

Late Start Day

Objective:
Gain a better understanding of the unique properties of water

Found the "water balloons in space" video!! 
Can we simulate a lack of gravity or friction for water in the classroom?

Supplies

• index paper with wax paper covering
• pipettes
• water (with optional food coloring)

Using the above supplies, drop water onto the wax paper.  What do you observe?  How is it different from dropping water onto a table or an index card with no wax paper?  Can you "cut" the drop of water in half?  What property of water is being demonstrated with this activity?

(Use this as additional evidence for the unique properties of water in the water lab)

Block day -- basic chemistry

Today we are going to focus on basic Chemistry.
We are going to go through the PowerPoint for Chapter 2 very quickly (look at the tab labeled "Chapt Obj, Vocab & PP for the information)

Then, you are going to have some time to use basic household items to observe Chemistry.  For this assignment, you need to have 

• evidence that you have experimented with each set of substances, 
• explain what is chemical concept is being demonstrated with the reactions you see 
• why this chemical concept is important to understand in a biological context

If time allows, you will have the opportunity to finish up the Water Lab that is due on Aug 29th.  Other than the block day, you won't have time to work on this lab in class before it is due.

Test correction directions

Please click here, or on the tab at the top of the page labeled test correction directions to find out what needs to be done for test corrections

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Rebuttal (CERR) Guide for Science Writing

This should help you put together the pieces of the water lab, and any other lab we do in this class.  It is also now a tab on the top (Science writing CERR) for easier access throughout the year.

CERR Model for Science Writing

C	The claim is a testable statement or conclusion that answers the original question.  This is what the scientist is making an argument for.
E	The evidence is the scientific evidence that supports the claim. Evidence must be both appropriate and sufficient to support the claim. Ø  Appropriate evidence – evidence must directly connect to the claim. Ø  Sufficient evidence – there must be enough evidence to draw a valid conclusion about whether the claim is supported or not supported. (Does the evidence – the data—you present support the claim you are making?)
R	Reasoning is a justification that shows why the data counts as evidence to support the claim and includes appropriate scientific principles.  You explain exactly how and why your evidence supports your claim.
R	When explaining phenomena, there can be more than one possible claim or explanation. Often the same data can be used to more than one claim. You should learn to recognize alternative explanations. A good answer takes different possible explanations into consideration and offers a rebuttal to why a different explanation is not appropriate. In other words, the rebuttal explains why a different claim is not appropriate. It also gives you another chance to explain your reasoning and lets the reader know that you know what you’re talking about!

As you develop as a scientist, your ability to make claims, cite evidence, use reasoning and offer rebuttals will get much stronger and more sophisticated.

Water Lab

We are going to do a lab investigating the unique properties of water.

Click here for directions & here for the rubric, or go to Canvas and look for the water lab assignment.

Please set up Part 4 (the celery one) first, it needs at least a half an hour (preferably longer) to sit.

For this assignment, you need to create a document, presentation, video, . . . . something that demonstrates you understand the unique properties of water discovered and tested in the lab.

First Quiz

We are going to use clickers for this quiz.  You have 30 minutes to complete it.

Chapter 1 review for quiz on TUESDAY

Look at the Chapter 1 obj & vocab

Per 2 (you have 15 minutes to put together your whiteboard)

• get into 4 groups, each group will be responsible for whiteboarding their answers to certain objectives
• Group 1 -- Obj 1 & 2
• Group 2 -- Obj 3
• Group 3 -- Obj 4 & 5
• Group 4 -- Obj 6 & 7

Per 3 & 4 (you have 15 minutes to put together your whiteboard)

• get into 7 groups, each group will be responsible for one objective

Happy Friday!!!!

To do list for today

• make sure your Big Idea reflection is done and turned in on Canvas
• Study for the Chapter 1 quiz on Tuesday, but only after you have
• completed the registration process below for the on-line resources with the text book
• use your newly gained on-line access to not only study Chapter 1, but to also read Chapter 2 as next week we are diving into Chemistry of Life :)

Go to 

http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/index.html

Click on "register your product" in the upper right corner of the screen.

Enter your access code and click register

As you are entering your information, it also asks for your school, the zipcode is 85015 and Metro Tech is listed as "Metro Tech VIP"

Follow the instructions from there. The book is titled "Biology: The unity and diversity of life" by Starr, Taggert et. al

Once in the cengage site, open Course Mate, and enter the following Course Key

Per 2 course key

CM-9781111941321-0000087

Per 3 course key

CM-9781111941321-0000088

Per 4 course key

CM-9781111941321-0000089

Syllabus & Reflection on Big Ideas

Click here for an extra copy, please take home, discuss with your parents and bring back pg 7 signed on Friday.  

Don't forget your first assignment in Canvas is due on Friday, let me know if there are issues!

Chapter 1 PowerPoint links

I have split the very large PowerPoint for Chapter 1 into smaller parts.  Please go through them as needed to aide in your understanding of the concepts for Chapter 1.  We will go over a BRIEF overview on Monday Aug 11th and have a quiz on all content from Chapter 1 on Tuesday Aug 12th. 

• 1.1 & 1.2 Intro and Levels of Organization
• 1.3 Characteristics of Life
• 1.4 Domains and Kingdoms
• 1.5 Taxonomy & Naming
• 1.6 & 1.7 Scientific Method & Examples of Experiments
• 1.8 Analyzing Experimental Results
• 1.9 Nature of Science

Pre-test

Today we will be taking the pre-test.  Please only answer the questions you are sure of (or at least 70% sure of your answer).  This is to see what you know so that we can plan better for the upcoming semester!

Request for your e-mail

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome to AP Biology for the 2014-2015 school year!  This site will become a plethora of helpful resources for your success in AP.  It will also be a place to look for what we've done and what is planned I am looking forward to an awesome year! :)

Today we are going to complete the paper tower exercise.  In your group, you will receive 1 piece of paper, approx 1 m of masking tape, and scissors.  (If at first you don't succeed . . . )

The goal is to use our resources to create the tallest paper tower possible (the goal is over 1 m).  

The Rules

• Score is based on height
• Must be free standing (no holding or taping down)
• Tape does not count towards height (no antennas)
• Best measurement before time is up is the one that counts