Hey, kids! Looking for something fun to do? Pick up an incredibly useful skill - computer coding!
Go to learn.code.org right now. If you have a lot of time, do the computer science course. If you have a little time, do the Hour of Code.
You'll thank me for it later.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Look! A Web Quest!
Welcome to class, children! Today you are doing this nifty web quest about algae that comes to us from the Monteray Bay Aquarium.
Just follow this link to get started!
Just follow this link to get started!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Week of 12/16-12/20
Can you feel it? The joy? The wonder? The excitement? That's right - FIVE MORE SCHOOL DAYS UNTIL BREAK!
Monday 12/16 - Quiz 14 followed by a review game for tomorrow's test! Due: Yeast lab report. Homework: none
Tuesday 12/17 - Test #7!
Wednesday 12/18 and Thursday 12/19: Golly. I really have no idea. We can't move on, but sitting here staring at each other for two days would be a waste of time. Let me poke around and see if there's a good educational movie I can show you. Maybe something to prepare us for our upcoming unit about plants.
Friday 12/20 - Activities day!!
Monday 12/16 - Quiz 14 followed by a review game for tomorrow's test! Due: Yeast lab report. Homework: none
Tuesday 12/17 - Test #7!
Wednesday 12/18 and Thursday 12/19: Golly. I really have no idea. We can't move on, but sitting here staring at each other for two days would be a waste of time. Let me poke around and see if there's a good educational movie I can show you. Maybe something to prepare us for our upcoming unit about plants.
Friday 12/20 - Activities day!!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Week of 12/9 - 12/13
I know, I know. It's after your bedtimes on Sunday before I'm actually updating this blog for the coming week. Forgive me. The weekend got away from me. Please accept this video of a talking cat as my apology.
Monday 12/9: Quiz #13 followed by a lovely discussion (including notes) on the wonderful kingdom of protists. Due: None. Homework: page 274 #1-6
Tuesday 12/10: We're doing a class work assignment on protists today. Due: page 274 #1-6. Homework: none.
Wednesday 12/11: Today you get to learn about fungus! Aren't you excited? We're taking notes. Due: none. Homework: page 285 #1-6
Thursday 12/12: Lab Day! Darned if I know what the lab will be, though. Something fun. Something fungal. Perhaps something with yeast! Due: page 285 #1-6, Lab report will be due Monday.
Friday 12/13: Review! I'm aiming to put our test on Monday, so this seems like a great day to review. Homework: study your posterior ends off, and don't forget to bring your lab report Monday!
Monday 12/9: Quiz #13 followed by a lovely discussion (including notes) on the wonderful kingdom of protists. Due: None. Homework: page 274 #1-6
Tuesday 12/10: We're doing a class work assignment on protists today. Due: page 274 #1-6. Homework: none.
Wednesday 12/11: Today you get to learn about fungus! Aren't you excited? We're taking notes. Due: none. Homework: page 285 #1-6
Thursday 12/12: Lab Day! Darned if I know what the lab will be, though. Something fun. Something fungal. Perhaps something with yeast! Due: page 285 #1-6, Lab report will be due Monday.
Friday 12/13: Review! I'm aiming to put our test on Monday, so this seems like a great day to review. Homework: study your posterior ends off, and don't forget to bring your lab report Monday!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Week of 12/2 - 12/6
Welcome back!
Monday 12/2 - I'm moving your quiz to Tuesday. Because I'm nice like that.
We're having a lesson on the roles of bacteria in nature. Due: Pg 236 #1-7 (if you didn't already turn it in), Homework: pg 244 #1-4
Tuesday 12/3 - Quiz #12 followed by a lesson on viruses (No, viruses are NOT BACTERIA). Due: pg 244 #1-4, homework: pg 253 #1-5
Wednesday 12/4 - Um…I'm not overwhelmingly certain what we are doing here. This is where I would usually pop in a lab, but, well, I'm not certain that we have what we need for a lab. I'll have to search. We might have a mini-project instead. Either way, whatever we do will involve some sort of work due on Friday.
Thursday 12/5 - I would like to show you guys a film today (if I can get access to it). It will come with a class work assignment.
Friday 12/6 - TEST #6. I know, I know, we're not due for a test yet. There sure is a lot of new vocabulary and I would rather put a test here than have a test next week that is way too heavy for you.
Monday 12/2 - I'm moving your quiz to Tuesday. Because I'm nice like that.
We're having a lesson on the roles of bacteria in nature. Due: Pg 236 #1-7 (if you didn't already turn it in), Homework: pg 244 #1-4
Tuesday 12/3 - Quiz #12 followed by a lesson on viruses (No, viruses are NOT BACTERIA). Due: pg 244 #1-4, homework: pg 253 #1-5
Wednesday 12/4 - Um…I'm not overwhelmingly certain what we are doing here. This is where I would usually pop in a lab, but, well, I'm not certain that we have what we need for a lab. I'll have to search. We might have a mini-project instead. Either way, whatever we do will involve some sort of work due on Friday.
Thursday 12/5 - I would like to show you guys a film today (if I can get access to it). It will come with a class work assignment.
Friday 12/6 - TEST #6. I know, I know, we're not due for a test yet. There sure is a lot of new vocabulary and I would rather put a test here than have a test next week that is way too heavy for you.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Week of 11/18 - 11/22
Hello! Are you ready for a fun-filled week? Why, yes. Yes you are.
Monday 11/18: Quiz 11, followed by a discussion of some non-fossil evidence for evolution - like anatomy, biochemistry, and embryology! There's lots of awesome new words, so be prepared. Your flash cards from Friday will help. Homework: pg 215 #1-4, Due: none
Tuesday 11/19: It's a class work day! I'm not sure exactly what we're doing, but it will help you guys master your new vocabulary. Homework: none. Due: Pg 215 #1-4
Wednesday 11/20: Lab Day! Homework: Lab report (due Friday). Due: none.
Thursday 11/21: TEST #5! We're wrapping up with evolution and moving on to new things tomorrow!
Friday 11/22: Bacteria! We are taking notes about the wonderful world of prokaryotes! Homework: Page 236 #1-7. Due: Lab Report!
Parents: if you would like to discuss your child's first quarter grade with me, feel free to email me at alamena@johnstownschools.org.
Monday 11/18: Quiz 11, followed by a discussion of some non-fossil evidence for evolution - like anatomy, biochemistry, and embryology! There's lots of awesome new words, so be prepared. Your flash cards from Friday will help. Homework: pg 215 #1-4, Due: none
Tuesday 11/19: It's a class work day! I'm not sure exactly what we're doing, but it will help you guys master your new vocabulary. Homework: none. Due: Pg 215 #1-4
Wednesday 11/20: Lab Day! Homework: Lab report (due Friday). Due: none.
Thursday 11/21: TEST #5! We're wrapping up with evolution and moving on to new things tomorrow!
Friday 11/22: Bacteria! We are taking notes about the wonderful world of prokaryotes! Homework: Page 236 #1-7. Due: Lab Report!
Parents: if you would like to discuss your child's first quarter grade with me, feel free to email me at alamena@johnstownschools.org.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Week of 11/11 - 11/15
Congratulations! You have made it to the second quarter!
Here's your weekly science forecast:
Monday 11/11 - Veterans Day - No School. (You should have stayed in bed. Seriously. Sleep while you're young because once you have kids of your own they will wake you at 6:00 a.m. just for sport.)
Tuesday 11/12 - Quiz 10 followed by the start of our Evolution Unit! (Are you excited? I'm excited). Due: Baby Lab, Homework: Page 196 #1-6
Wednesday 11/13 - How do species change? We will be talking about Darwin's Theory of Evolution (by means of Natural Selection). Due: Page 196 #1-6, Homework: Page 206 #1-4
Thursday 11/14 - Lab Day! You will be designing your very own species! Due: Page 206 #1-4, Homework: Species Lab (due Monday)
Friday 11/15 - Vocabulary review day! (I'm not sure the exact activity we're doing, but it will count as a class work assignment) Due: None; Homework: Species Lab (Due Monday)
A quick note: did you notice that I learned how to make separate paragraphs in html? Apparently it's < br > (without the spaces).
Here's your weekly science forecast:
Monday 11/11 - Veterans Day - No School. (You should have stayed in bed. Seriously. Sleep while you're young because once you have kids of your own they will wake you at 6:00 a.m. just for sport.)
Tuesday 11/12 - Quiz 10 followed by the start of our Evolution Unit! (Are you excited? I'm excited). Due: Baby Lab, Homework: Page 196 #1-6
Wednesday 11/13 - How do species change? We will be talking about Darwin's Theory of Evolution (by means of Natural Selection). Due: Page 196 #1-6, Homework: Page 206 #1-4
Thursday 11/14 - Lab Day! You will be designing your very own species! Due: Page 206 #1-4, Homework: Species Lab (due Monday)
Friday 11/15 - Vocabulary review day! (I'm not sure the exact activity we're doing, but it will count as a class work assignment) Due: None; Homework: Species Lab (Due Monday)
A quick note: did you notice that I learned how to make separate paragraphs in html? Apparently it's < br > (without the spaces).
Monday, November 4, 2013
Week of 11/4 - 11/8
Good morning, and welcome to another awesome week of science!
Monday 11/4 - Quiz 9 followed by: What is DNA? We'll be chatting and taking a few notes about the massive molecules that make you...you. Due: Pg 167 #1-4, Homework: Page 177 #1-4
Tuesday 11/5 - Conference Day. Enjoy your relaxing day off, while we grownups confer with each other.
Wednesday 11/6 - Lab Day! We are doing a lab about genetics! You'll love it.
Due: Page 177 #1-4, Homework: Lab Report (DUE MONDAY! This will be your first lab grade of the SECOND quarter)
Thursday: 11/7 - Movie day? Review day? I'm not certain, but we will do something fun to help reinforce your new-found knowledge of genetics. Due: None. Homework: STUDY FOR YOUR TEST.
Friday: 11/8 - TEST DAY! This is test 4, so I will be able to drop your lowest test from quarter 1.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Week of 10/21
Well, hello there! Here we are at the dawn of yet another exciting week. It starts with a quiz, ends with a test, and contains a lab, a class work, two homework assignments, and some note taking. It'll be epic.
Here's what's on your science-y horizon:
Monday 10/21: Quiz 7, followed by a lesson on meiosis and sexual reproduction. Homework: pg 126 #1-3 and 7
Tuesday 10/22: We will have a class work assignment to help you navigate some of our new vocabulary, and help you differentiate between mitosis and meiosis. I think. I'm still working on this and will let you know. Due: page 126. HW: none.
Wednesday 10/23: We will be discussing methods of asexual reproduction, along with its advantages and disadvantages. Homework: Page 137 #1-5. Due: none
Thursday 10/24: Lab day! Hooray! Due: page 137. Homework: LAB REPORT! (due Monday 10/28), oh and STUDY FOR YOUR TEST.
Friday 10/25: Test Day!
Here's what's on your science-y horizon:
Monday 10/21: Quiz 7, followed by a lesson on meiosis and sexual reproduction. Homework: pg 126 #1-3 and 7
Tuesday 10/22: We will have a class work assignment to help you navigate some of our new vocabulary, and help you differentiate between mitosis and meiosis. I think. I'm still working on this and will let you know. Due: page 126. HW: none.
Wednesday 10/23: We will be discussing methods of asexual reproduction, along with its advantages and disadvantages. Homework: Page 137 #1-5. Due: none
Thursday 10/24: Lab day! Hooray! Due: page 137. Homework: LAB REPORT! (due Monday 10/28), oh and STUDY FOR YOUR TEST.
Friday 10/25: Test Day!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Week of 10/14
Hello! We have a decently exciting week planned! Sort of!
Here's the breakdown:
Monday 10/14: Columbus Day! We are off of school, but you should be studying for tomorrow's quiz.
Tuesday 10/15: Quiz #6, followed by a class work activity on mitosis. Nothing is due and you have no homework.
Wednesday 10/16: Lab Day! We are doing another lab involving microscopes. LAB REPORT IS DUE FRIDAY. There will be 10th period for anyone wishing to have help on their lab reports (or to finish back work, or to retake tests and quizzes...).
Thursday 10/17: Levels of Organization! We will be taking notes and discussing how cells are organized to make whole organisms. Homework: Page 105, #1,2,3, and 5
Friday 10/18: Vocabulary Day! We have had a lot of new vocabulary since our last test. We will be doing a class work assignment to reinforce it all before we move on. Due: Lab report, and page 105. Homework: TBD Have fun!
Parents: as always, you can feel free to contact me at alamena@johnstownschools.org
Edited for formatting issues at 9:43 pm Monday.
Here's the breakdown:
Monday 10/14: Columbus Day! We are off of school, but you should be studying for tomorrow's quiz.
Tuesday 10/15: Quiz #6, followed by a class work activity on mitosis. Nothing is due and you have no homework.
Wednesday 10/16: Lab Day! We are doing another lab involving microscopes. LAB REPORT IS DUE FRIDAY. There will be 10th period for anyone wishing to have help on their lab reports (or to finish back work, or to retake tests and quizzes...).
Thursday 10/17: Levels of Organization! We will be taking notes and discussing how cells are organized to make whole organisms. Homework: Page 105, #1,2,3, and 5
Friday 10/18: Vocabulary Day! We have had a lot of new vocabulary since our last test. We will be doing a class work assignment to reinforce it all before we move on. Due: Lab report, and page 105. Homework: TBD Have fun!
Parents: as always, you can feel free to contact me at alamena@johnstownschools.org
Edited for formatting issues at 9:43 pm Monday.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Welcome 2013 7th Graders!
Hello! Welcome to the LaMenaScience blog! I will be posting weekly updates on what is going on in class (just in case you miss a day), along with cool supplemental material.
Parents: As always, you can feel free to email me at alamena@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
Kids: Same goes for you. :)
See you in class!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sponges RECOMBINE?!
Apparently if a sponge is broken apart into its separate cells, those cells will then get back together to form a new sponge. Watch it happening here.
Seriously?! Sponges have to win some sort of coolness award for this.
Seriously?! Sponges have to win some sort of coolness award for this.
You're Not the Only One
I just came across this very beautiful video. It deals with the effect of bullying. Give it a look (but you might need some tissues).
http://www.upworthy.com/bullies-called-him-pork-chop-he-took-that-pain-with-him-and-then-cooked-it-into
http://www.upworthy.com/bullies-called-him-pork-chop-he-took-that-pain-with-him-and-then-cooked-it-into
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Skin!
Remember the other day when we talked about skin? Remember when we said that the top layer of the epidermis is actually dead skin cells that fall off all the time as a way of protecting you? Well, that leads us to this wonderfully gross fact:
80% of dust is actually human skin cells.
Sort of makes you want to clean stuff, huh? Bust out those vacuums.
Your parents will thank you.
And hopefully that case of the heebiejeebies you just got will subside.
80% of dust is actually human skin cells.
Sort of makes you want to clean stuff, huh? Bust out those vacuums.
Your parents will thank you.
And hopefully that case of the heebiejeebies you just got will subside.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Skeletal System
Want to get smarter about your skeletal system? I found THIS VERY COOL SITE RIGHT HERE that gives you more info, and even links to some pretty challenging quizzes.
Give it a try!
Give it a try!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Blobfish
Behold, the Blobfish!
This odd-looking fish (also called a fathead...for obvious reasons) lives deep in the waters around Australia. It has no swim bladder, and no muscles! Instead, it has this gelatinous body that allows it to float just above the sea level, eating whatever floats in front of it.
Also, when I feel really sick (like I do today), it is my patronus.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Bullying
Today you guys saw a presentation by Mrs. Yetto about DASA (the Dignity for All Students Act).
Remember when she asked you to raise your hand if you had a grown-up in the building that you could trust and report bullying to? Well, I noticed that some of you didn't have your hands up.
I am so sorry.
If you do not feel that you can come to me, then I am not doing my job correctly.
Here's the secret: my job isn't to teach science, it's to teach KIDS. This means that you as a person (and your safety, your happiness, your confidence) are a larger part of my job than evolution, or taxonomy, or genetics, or chemistry ever could be.
I am going to make you this promise: I will listen to you.
If you feel bullied, if you feel threatened, or shamed by someone who is trying to hurt you, please tell me. I care about you (whether you like it or not).
If you try to tell me and you don't feel like I have heard you, then TELL ME LOUDER. I am human, which means that sometimes I am an idiot. Tell me again and again until I hear you.
You deserve to be heard. You deserve that, when you reach out your hand for help, someone is there to hold it.
Remember when she asked you to raise your hand if you had a grown-up in the building that you could trust and report bullying to? Well, I noticed that some of you didn't have your hands up.
I am so sorry.
If you do not feel that you can come to me, then I am not doing my job correctly.
Here's the secret: my job isn't to teach science, it's to teach KIDS. This means that you as a person (and your safety, your happiness, your confidence) are a larger part of my job than evolution, or taxonomy, or genetics, or chemistry ever could be.
I am going to make you this promise: I will listen to you.
If you feel bullied, if you feel threatened, or shamed by someone who is trying to hurt you, please tell me. I care about you (whether you like it or not).
If you try to tell me and you don't feel like I have heard you, then TELL ME LOUDER. I am human, which means that sometimes I am an idiot. Tell me again and again until I hear you.
You deserve to be heard. You deserve that, when you reach out your hand for help, someone is there to hold it.
Hagfish Slime
Check out this video of predators getting slimed by hagfish. Fascinating and disgusting. It's a win-win.
(Thanks, Emily!)
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Cool Evolution Video
Hey, Guys! This video is an animated explanation of evolution. Give it a look!
(You won't be able to see it from school, since YouTube is blocked on our server. Sorry!)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Invertebrate Project Grading Rubric
I hope that you are all enjoying your invertebrate projects! Here's how you will be graded:
Common and scientific names: 3 points
Where it lives: 3 points
Symmetry type: 3 points
Taxonomy: (KPCOFGS): 3 points
Adaptations to get food: 3 points
Adaptations to avoid predators: 3 points
Adaptations to help it in its environment: 3 points
Pictures: 3 points
General awesomeness of your presentation: 6 points
Total: 30 points
Think of how wonderful this could be for your lab grade!
Common and scientific names: 3 points
Where it lives: 3 points
Symmetry type: 3 points
Taxonomy: (KPCOFGS): 3 points
Adaptations to get food: 3 points
Adaptations to avoid predators: 3 points
Adaptations to help it in its environment: 3 points
Pictures: 3 points
General awesomeness of your presentation: 6 points
Total: 30 points
Think of how wonderful this could be for your lab grade!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Largest Arthropod in the WORLD
This picture (supposedly of a giant coconut crab) came across my news feed this morning:
This leads me to two questions:
1) What did I do to the person who sent this to me? (C'mon. You wouldn't send this to someone unless you WANTED to creep them out).
2) What is the biggest arthropod out there?
In an attempt to answer the second one, I started hunting on the internet for the largest existing arthropod.
It turns out that, as near as we can tell, is the Japanese spider crab, which can grow to 12 ft across, and weigh over 40 lbs.
Well. That's....wow.
...Why did I look this up? I need better hobbies.
This leads me to two questions:
1) What did I do to the person who sent this to me? (C'mon. You wouldn't send this to someone unless you WANTED to creep them out).
2) What is the biggest arthropod out there?
In an attempt to answer the second one, I started hunting on the internet for the largest existing arthropod.
It turns out that, as near as we can tell, is the Japanese spider crab, which can grow to 12 ft across, and weigh over 40 lbs.
Well. That's....wow.
...Why did I look this up? I need better hobbies.
Flounder!
I saw this video on NatGeo about flounder, and I'm hoping to embed it here. Wish me luck!
If it works, please enjoy this video of one seriously weird looking fish.
If it works, please enjoy this video of one seriously weird looking fish.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Snow!
I just read this article right here and thought you guys might be interested. Apparently there is a type of camera that can take pictures of snowflakes in the air. This kind of photography might help predict weather more accurately some day. (Wouldn't you love to know a snow day was coming a week in advance?)
Read the article, then look at the pictures in the links at the left. They are really beautiful.
Enjoy!
Read the article, then look at the pictures in the links at the left. They are really beautiful.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Whoops!
I'm so sorry, guys. Apparently you couldn't comment on this blog without creating an account. I figured out what setting I needed to change, and now the comments are open to everyone.
Why not write a comment below and let me know you're reading? I look forward to hearing from you!
Why not write a comment below and let me know you're reading? I look forward to hearing from you!
Glowing Scorpion
I was perusing through videos over at National Geographic, when I came across this video about glow-in-the-dark scorpions.
I'm torn between being utterly fascinated, and never sleeping again. What do you guys think?
I'm torn between being utterly fascinated, and never sleeping again. What do you guys think?
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Animal Diversity Web
Folks, let me introduce you to Animal Diversity Web!
This is seriously one of my favorite sites, and it's going to be amazingly helpful when we reach our big project (coming soon to a classroom near you). It is a site from the University of Michigan and is FILLED with clear, accurate taxonomic information about any species you want to explore.
I recommend starting with the page on Phylum Cnidaria or even Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms). For personal reasons, I'm not looking up the roundworm page for you. You're on your own there.
-Mrs.L.
This is seriously one of my favorite sites, and it's going to be amazingly helpful when we reach our big project (coming soon to a classroom near you). It is a site from the University of Michigan and is FILLED with clear, accurate taxonomic information about any species you want to explore.
I recommend starting with the page on Phylum Cnidaria or even Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms). For personal reasons, I'm not looking up the roundworm page for you. You're on your own there.
-Mrs.L.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
10th Period Wednesdays!
Did you know that Lab 303 (the Lab of Awesome) is the coolest place to be on Wednesday afternoons? From the end of school until 3:00 pm, we're having 10th Period!
What's 10th Period? I'm so glad I pretended that you asked!
In 10th Period you can...
What's 10th Period? I'm so glad I pretended that you asked!
In 10th Period you can...
- Hang out
- Chat
- Catch up on work
- Retake tests and quizzes
- Look ahead at what we'll be doing next week
- Help me brainstorm lessons and activities
- Possibly eat popcorn, if I can ever find the popper
- Help me write this blog
- Make super intelligent posters for display in our Lab of Awesome
- Do science-y activities beyond what we're doing in class
We had our first one today, and I'm looking forward to more! Please come join us!
Welcome!
Hey kids! (And parents, friends, former students, colleagues, and anyone else who should be working but are playing on the internet instead)!
I have started this blog as a way of keeping you up to date on all the cool science happening in and out of class. This is a blog for EVERYONE, so if you comment, please choose to keep it positive and friendly.
I love hearing from all of you, so don't be shy! Dive on in, and comment, suggest, and share!
-Mrs.L.
I have started this blog as a way of keeping you up to date on all the cool science happening in and out of class. This is a blog for EVERYONE, so if you comment, please choose to keep it positive and friendly.
I love hearing from all of you, so don't be shy! Dive on in, and comment, suggest, and share!
-Mrs.L.
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