Videos for 12/18/14 Class

Sorry I'm gone, YET AGAIN, but Amber's stomach problems are getting worse so its back to the doctor and possibly the hospital. Good luck and I should see you all on Friday. NO QUIZ!!!


Link in case video doesn't work: http://youtu.be/2Jgb_DpaQhM





Link in case video doesn't work: http://youtu.be/NNASRkIU5Fw

Evolution Unit First Set of Preview Videos

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 Monday and the others should be completed by Wednesday. We will go over the test together on Thursday as well.

Video 1: Natural selection



Video 2: Examples of natural selection


Video 3: Evidence for Evolution


LINK TO RESPONSE FORM:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AzuUmLzCFFxptV7kTLMAnMej1nVencB7G0bOSPK5XUI/viewform?usp=send_form

Next 2 Response Videos

1. Ecosystems Preview Video (due 9-30-14):





2. Biogeochemical Cycles Preview Video (due before 10-1-14):



GOOGLE FORM FOR RESPONSES
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AzuUmLzCFFxptV7kTLMAnMej1nVencB7G0bOSPK5XUI/viewform

Ecology Preview Videos & Response Guides - Week 1

Here are the preview videos you should be watching prior to class. The first video should be viewed prior to Wednesday's class and the response guide filled out, while the other two should be done by Thursday.

Video One - Behavior:



Link to response guide

Video Two - Populations Video Preview:

Link to response guide

Video Three - Community Interactions Video Preview (I know the title says Populations :):


Link to response guide

Half way point in the summer!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer thus far. In case you're struggling with the summer assignments, here's a brief walk through:

Incoming AP Biology Students for 2014/15

Welcome incoming students for the 2014-2015 version of AP biology at Sparta High School. I'm excited to work with you guys and gals this upcoming school year and expect many great things from you. Having AP biology as a year round class, daily, will be a refreshing change and allow for me to help better prepare you for the AP Biology Exam in May 2015.

In order to get a jump start on things, I've assigned you all a summer assignment. You should have received one of these prior to leaving for the summer, but in case you didn't or you mislocated (not sure if this is a real word) yours, I've attached the assignment below. Please make sure you adhere to the due dates that are listed on the assignment. Additionally, the assignments are meant to be somewhat fun and/or pretty interesting, so it may be better to label them as summer explorations rather than assignments :)

Enjoy your summer.

2014 SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

The End Has Arrived Seniors: Final Assignments

All good things must come to an end. Its hard to believe that the semester is already over. I have enjoyed working with all of you and look forward to continuing hearing back from you as you move on to bigger and sometimes better things.

Please complete the following items today:

1. Complete the book quality inventory
2. End of Course Survey
3. Complete the contact information sheet so we can stay in contact; I really want to hear back from you and how college life and beyond is treating you.
4. Remember those blogs we used to do? Time to dust them off:
1. Blog Entry 1: What did I learn in AP biology and why was the class beneficial to me.
1. This is an open ended entry that can take whatever direction you wish as long as it addresses the question above.
2. Blog Entry 2: Your final blog entry is to write a letter of advice to students that will be taking this class next year. Please don't write "don't take the class" or anything else similar as they obviously have an interest in the topic, otherwise they would not have signed up for the class. Instead, give them constructive, first hand advice that may help them to be more successful in the class. You are welcome to share frustrations, but also share how you overcame or could have overcome those frustrations.

 Juniors: we will pour plates the next time we meet and will then start our bacteria studies.

If you have any questions, let me know.

End of Course Survey

Please take the time to provide constructive feedback on your class experiences. All responses are anonymous so let your feedback be heard with no fear of repercussions.

END OF COURSE SURVEY

New Review Things

I've added a document to your google folders as well as added a link to the left that has a collection of review songs in it. I've also included the "Things we won't get to before the exam" playlist below:

April 25, 2014 Lesson Plan

1. Watch the following video, which is a continuation of yesterday's video:



2. Use the remainder of the time to work on your review presentations.

Have a good day and weekend!

Playlist of Videos We Won't Get to Before the AP Biology Exam

TEST 3-18-14

Just a reminder that your test on cell structure/function, cell transport, and cell communication is Tuesday 3-18-14. You will only do the multiple choice portion of this test, as we used the FRQs for review purposes in class today.

I suggest you look back through all of your notes/materials to prepare for test day. I also recommend that you concentrate your efforts on the information listed in the "what to know" documents in your google drive folders.

I found this quiz resource that will help to test your knowledge and we will use part of this in class, but recommend that you use it for studying purposes as well: http://www.hbwbiology.net/

Finally, I will be putting together preview videos and response guides for the metabolism unit sometime this weekend. These should be completed prior to next Friday's class. Have a good weekend.

@BrendanReichs & @KathyReichs coming to @SpartaHS Monday 1:00pm and today @SchulerBooks on 28th St. @ 4:00 #exposure #virals #Incredible
— Matthew Landry (@mrlandryshs) March 9, 2014

Survey for Class

Please take the following survey when you get a chance. Thanks.

AP BIOLOGY SURVEY LINK

Kathy Reich's Visiting Sparta High School

Sparta High School and Schuler Books are excited to announce that Kathy Reichs, forensic anthropologist, best-selling author of the Temperance Brennan series, and producer of the FOX television show “Bones”, will be speaking at Sparta High School on March 10, 2014. Her son Brendan, co-author of the Virals series, will be joining her.  The presentation will take place in the auditorium beginning at 1:00 pm, and all current forensic science, creative writing, anatomy/physiology, and AP biology students are invited to attend. In order for your student to be able to attend, a pre-arranged absence form must be completed to excuse your child from the last 20 minutes of their 4^th block class as well as their 5^th block class. Students who attend the event are expected to make up any class material that they miss on their own time and to communicate with the teachers whose classes they will miss about make-up materials. If the attached form is not completed, then the student will be expected to attend their normal 4^th & 5^th block classes on March 10.

Kathy and Brendan are currently on a book tour for their 4^th release in the young adult book series Virals, titled Exposure (a summary of this book is included below). Therefore, this is a publicity tour for this book and copies of it will be available for purchase the day of the presentation (priced at $17.99 for the hardcover book through Schuler Books). In addition to talking about their book, Kathy will discuss her experiences as a forensic anthropologist, author and creator of the character Temperance Brennan, and producer of the FOX TV show “Bones”. Upon the conclusion of their presentation, the Reichs will be available to sign copies of their books and address any questions that audience members may have.

There is limited seating available for the public on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in attending please sign in at the office before making your way to the auditorium. The Reichs will also be presenting at Schuler Books at their 28^th Street location on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 4:00pm. More information is available on the Schuler’s Books website. More information about Kathy & Brendan Reichs can be found at www.kathyreichs.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the high school office or Mr. Landry (matt.landry@spartaschools.org).

Book jacket excerpt from “Exposure”:

When twin classmates are abducted from Bolton Prep, Tory and the Virals decide there's no one better than them to investigate. The gang, however, has other problems to face. Their powers are growing more wild and are becoming harder to control. Chance Claybourne is investigating the disastrous medical experiment that twisted their DNA. The bonds that unite them are weakening, threatening the future of the pack itself.

The Virals must decipher the clues and track down a ruthless criminal before he strikes again, all while protecting their secret from prying eyes. EVERYONE seems to be watching! 

Videos for Today's Class

Video One: Passive & Active Transport Wrapup:

Video Two: Water Potential:

Cell Blog Entry Due 2-15-14

So far, 0 have been done :) I hope this changes by the due date.

Remember that Blog Thing We Did a Long Time Ago - It's Back!

Its time to "dust off" those blogs you guys created and put it to use. Here's what I'd like you to write about, and it is due by February 15, 2014.

If you were to take on the roll of any of the following cell organelles (ribosome, smooth ER, rough ER, Golgi complex, mitochondrion, lysosome, vacuole, choloroplast, or cytoskeleton), which one would you prefer and why?

Here's what you should include in your entry to help back up your decision:
1. Explain how the structure and function of the subcellular component and its interactions provide essential cellular processes. So, what is the role of the organelle, tell us about its structure and function, and how does it help the cell do its job.

2. What diseases are associated with your particular organelle? Why are those diseases associated with your choice of organelle?

3. What are some "fun facts" about your organelle and its importance (maybe include this with part 1 above)?

4. Why this particular organelle instead of any other? What intrigues you about this particular organelle and its function? How does its function relate to your interests?

5. Any other relevant information that you want to include.

You should also include graphic(s) that demonstrate your entry.

Remember, others will be reading and commenting on your blogs so make sure you are clear, concise, and professional in your writing. Good luck my little cells!

Just for fun, do you agree with this answer?

FYI - I would mark this as incorrect :)

Careers in Science Scholarship Opportunity

The GVSU Regional Math & Science Center administers the Mary Jane Dockeray Scholarship to high school seniors interested in pursuing a science career. The scholarship is in the amount of $1500 and the application deadline is March 3, 2014. If interested in learning more or applying for this, then go to http://www.gvsu.edu/rmsc/mary-jane-dockeray-scholarship-10.htm

File Sharing for AP Biology & Homework Reminder

I found a file sharing method that I think will work great for us for class, thanks to Mr. Knuffke in NY for sharing this one with me called gclassfolders. This method will give you easier access to all of the class files and will make it easier for me to access your assignments that you turn in. I'll show you more details in class.

Assuming the email address that you sent me is connected to a google account, you should now have several folders in your Google Drive.  Use the pics below to access the files. All of the cell unit materials are in these folders and I'll get the metabolism materials in there soon. You should be able to click on the pictures to get a bigger, easier to read pic.

Also a reminder that you have assignments due prior to next class. See the blog entry below this one.

Homework for the next week - preparing for the cell unit

Welcome to the next semester. Its time to start preparing for the cell structure, function, and communication unit. Below you will find your first assignments with their due dates.

1. Preview Tour of the Cell Video (Due Wednesday 1/22/14)




LINK TO VIDEO RESPONSE GUIDE




2. Cell reading and written response assignment (click here to access) (Due Friday 1/24/14)

3. Preview the Cell Membrane Video (Due Monday 1/27/14)



LINK TO VIDEO RESPONSE GUIDE




4. Preview the Cell Transport Video (Due Tuesday 1/28/14)



LINK TO VIDEO RESPONSE GUIDE




In addition to the previews, you should be completing the readings for chapters 6, 7, & 11.

End of Semester Survey

Please take the time to complete the following survey by the end of the week: