Website for Monday October 28, 2013 Lesson

Here's a video explaining today's lesson and the delay in the "Who Can Grow the Best Corn Challenge". BTW..I'm low on planters so if you have something you'd like to use, please bring it with you on Tuesday.




This is a great website for learning the basics about evolution (the stuff you should have learned in general biology but didn't get to). In today's lesson, you will be using the vocabulary strategies you've learned in the past and record some of the basic vocabulary associated with evolution. The focus for this particular lesson will be evidence of evolution. Good luck:

Berkeley Evolution 101 site then click "Mechanisms"

If you get done early, I've printed off the first study guide for the evolution unit and you can work on that OR check out some of the other info on the Evolution 101 website. Good luck.

Video previews & responses for first part of evolution unit

Here's the first set of three video previews and response guides for our evolution unit. Please have your responses for video 1 recorded by no later than Wednesday and the others should be completed by Friday. We will go over the test together on Wednesday as well.

Video 1: Natural selection




Video 2: Examples of natural selection



Video 3: Evidence for Evolution

Behavior Labs Graded & Test Next Two Days

Your behavior labs are graded and recorded in PowerSchool. The grades are not "live" yet but will be on October 24. That gives you until then to make corrections and resubmit your labs for a better grade. If you submitted your lab electronically, then all of my comments are listed in the comments tool on your Google doc. You will get your grading rubrics returned in class today. When you resubmit your labs, please return your grading rubric to me so I can use this as a guide.

Today we will be taking part one of the ecology test - the multiple choice and grid in portion of the test. Monday we will complete the free response questions that go with the test. We will take the time today to discuss the layout of the AP biology exam and how it relates to the design of our in class tests. Good luck with this and remember there are plenty of resources on the learn site to help in preparing for both portions of the test.

I will be posting your next set of videos and response questions later today for part of our next unit on evolution. Additionally, I will populate the learn site with all of the materials for the evolution unit later today. In regards to readings, you should be starting to read the sections listed in your syllabus for the evolution unit (chapter 22 sections 2 & 3 and all of chapters 23-26).

Have a good day and weekend.

Here's your next blog entry topic due by October 14, 2013 (adapted from D. Knuffke & __. Memis)

A survey of human ecological stupidity:

1. Pick an example of human ecological stupidity that is different from the one you worked on for the prezi (aka things humans do that have a negative impact on the environment). Examples may include but are not limited to:

• Acid Precipitation
• Wetland Destruction
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Ozone Depletion
• Water Pollution
• Deforestation 
• Habitat Destruction/Fragmentation
• Climate Change
• Biological Magnification
• Introduction of Non-Native Invasive Species
• Overexploitation of Natural Resources

2. Explain the topic and how it affects life on Earth. Keep in mind that your entry is available to a worldwide audience so demonstrate your intelligence :)

3. Explain how we might solve the issue.

4. Include a picture that demonstrates some aspect of your topic.

5. Embed (or at the very least include a link to) a short video clip that demonstrates some aspect of your topic.

6. Include a list of references for the information. You may use the class prezi as a reference but need to find different pics and videos.

Updated Timeline for Next Few Class Meetings

Thu 10-10: Human impacts collaboration activity (Due 10-11)
Fri 10-11: Present project & review time
Tue 10-15: Present projects
Wed 10-16: Test review
Fri 10-18: Ecological interactions multiple choice/grid in portion of test
Mon 10-21: Free response questions portion of test / begin discussing evolution

Homecoming Week Blog Entry & Test 10-11-13

So, you guys setup a blog as a summer assignment but we haven't done anything with it. That's about to change. Here's the info for your next blog writing assignment, which should be completed by no later than October 7.

Blog entry this week is a more fun one :) Since this is homecoming week here at SHS and we do the best homecoming in the world, I'd like you to reflect on your homecoming experiences over the past several years (including this year). Remember you are writing to a worldwide audience so show your readers that SHS homecoming has no equal. I suggest you start by giving a brief summary of how homecoming works here at SHS, then share your experiences with it. This is an open reflection entry so you can take this in whatever direction you wish. Pictures and/or videos are always a plus in a blog entry. Have fun with it :)

Additionally, I request that you read at least three class member's entries and leave a constructive comment for them. You can find every body's blogs on the left side of the my blog.

Mr. Landry

+ next entry will center on human stupidity!

Additionally, here's the schedule for the next several class periods:

Mon 9-30: Ecosystem structures discussion
Wed 10-2: Continue with ecosystems discussion, with focus on energy transfers and matter cycles
Thu 10-3: Conservation discussion
Mon 10-7: Behavior Lab & study guide work day (Landry absent)
Tue 10-8: Human impacts collaboration activity (Due 10-11)
                 BEHAVIOR LAB DUE
Thu 10-10: Test review
Fri 10-11: Ecological interactions test

There will not be any other videos to preview for this unit. I will put together a list and document sometime next week in anticipation of the start of the evolution unit. You should by the end of this weekend completed your readings of chapters 50-55.