Water, Water Everywhere!

In the past week, students started an exciting unit on Biochemistry. We reviewed the basics of an atom, during which time students recalled a surprising amount of information from their middle school science classes. Give a big shout-out to the awesome 6-8th grade science teachers out there who are preparing their students for success in high school!

We also the discussed three important properties of water that allow life to exist on earth. Without a high specific heat, cohesion, and adhesion, no cell on earth could survive! At the end of the week, students culminated their experience with a lab designed to test these three properties of water. During the lab, students used their cooperative learning skills and their predictions to test the properties of specific heat, adhesion, cohesion, and pH in comparison to soapy water and rubbing alcohol.

Another exciting week awaits as we begin to delve into organic macromolecules and chemical reactions, a discussion which will lead us right into the real science of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The next week will be making preparations for our enzyme lab.

Thanks to all the parents who attended back to school night! Thanks also for donating. We are close to getting enough funding for our frog dissection later in the year.

Best to everyone!

-Ms Kuhn

PS I still have a digital camera and an aquarium on my wish list. I want to document my student's amazing work and get some fishy classroom pets:)

Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year!

Fall is approaching on Skyline's campus; the sound of lockers slamming shut, bells ringing, and the rustle of homework papers indicates that students and teachers are back in business.

Ms. Kuhn's biology class had an exciting week last week. Students proved to be pro's at procedures as they effortlessly mastered classroom routines like getting materials, completing Do Now's and Exit Slips, and working with their classmates.

The focus this week has been developing inquiry skills. On the third day of class, students were given three different types of paper towels and some simple tools. Working with their shoulder partner, my students (burgeoning scientists!) designed a procedure to test their hypothesis about optimum paper towel performance. Once they finished their lab testing, they had to compile a data chart and a bar graph to organize their data. Over the weekend, students should be perfecting their visuals to prepare for the class presentations as each team shares out their information on Tuesday and Wednesday.

All biology students so far should have a Biology-only binder and returned a signed parent form to me. Any parent interested in volunteering their time or resources in my classroom please indicate so on the parent interest form. Check in with your student to make sure they have these items.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and the beautiful weather!