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Assignment

Parking Lot Report
          Moanalua Middle School is considering turning part of the kickball field into a parking lot to provide more parking for staff and parents.  The proposed parking lot would connect to the road that leads to the back entrance to the field.  However, the exact location has not been decided.  Before the school goes any further the administration needs to know the possible impacts a parking lot would have on the natural ecosystem of the field.  In addition, the administration is accepting proposals for the location of the parking lot that would minimize any negative effects to the ecosystem.

The Parking Lot Report will include these parts:
  1. Map of the Field
  2. Research of 3 birds, 2 insects/bugs, and 1 tree (habitat, what they eat/need to survive, how they reproduce
  3. Interactions - Using the organisms in the field give an example of competition, predation, and symbiosis (either mutualism, parasitism, or commensalism)
  4. Food Web and Energy Roles - Draw a food web of the biotic factors in the field.  Include at least 2 producers, 5 consumers, and 2 decomposers.  Label the organisms with their name and their energy role.  Make sure the arrows are drawn in the correct direction to show the flow of energy.
  5. Analysis of effects of a future parking lot and proposed location of parking lot - If the school builds a parking lot in the field, a lot of grass and trees might be removed.  Analyze how this will affect the natural ecosystem of the field.  (Specify which organism(s) will be affected and how.)

    Write a proposal explaining which area of the field to use for the parking lot that would minimize the effects on the ecosystem.
  6. Map of field with proposed location of parking lot (Extra Credit)
Each part will be assigned in class.  After each part is assigned the final report will be due.

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Test
SC.7.3.1 Explain how energy moves through food webs. Include the roles of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. 
  • Create diagram of a food web and include the roles of photosynthesis and respiration (for advanced compare the roles of photosynthesis and respiration).

SC.7.3.2 Explain the interaction and dependence of organisms on one another
  • List 3 types of symbiotic relationships
  • Compare and contrast 2 of the relationship you listed above
  • Identify and explain the niche of one organism within the food web you diagrammed and the positive and negative impacts it has on the ecosystem.
SC.7.3.3 Explain how biotic and abiotic factors affect the carrying capacity and sustainability of an ecosystem

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Carrying Capacity
Read pp. 18-20 in the Environmental Science textbook.  Answer the questions in the attachment.

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p. 10 #1-3

Read pp. 6-10 in the Environmental Science textbook and answer the section assessment questions on p. 10

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Test

Benchmark SC.7.5.3 Explain that small differences between parents and offspring could produce descendants that look very different from their ancestors

Benchmark SC.7.5.5  Explain how fossils provide evidence that life and environmental conditions have changed over time

Benchmark SC.7.5.6 Explain why variation(s) in a species' gene pool contributes to its survival in a constantly changing environment


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TEST REVIEW

1.      Explain why/how variations in a species help it to survive when the environment changes.

2.      Explain how small differences between parents and offspring might lead to a species that looks very different from its ancestors.

3.      Give examples of how a fossils provide evidence that life AND environmental conditions have changed over time.

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Evidence of Evolution
Read pp. 148-153
Answer #1-3 on p. 153

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Nature at Work
Complete the lab in class and answer questions #1-5 in the Analyze and Conclude section on p. 147.

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Extra Credit
In your opinion, does natural selection affect Homo Sapiens (humans)?  If so, give an example.  If not, why not?

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Evolution Word Search

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Darwin's Theory
Cells and Heredity textbook
Read pp. 138-145
Answer #1-3 on p. 145

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Design an Animal

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Owl Adaptations
The simulation and data collecting must be done in class.  If you are absent during the simulation, talk to Mr. Miyahira to receive the data to complete the analysis.

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Animals Test

Notes can be used during the test. It should written in your composition book or written on loose paper with your name on it. You are not allowed to use someone else's notes.

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Animals Reflection
  1. Explain one thing you learned about an animal.
  2. Comment on how it felt to teach the class.
  3. What would you do differently if you had to teach a different class?

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Classifying Animals

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Vocabulary Quiz
  • organism
  • unicellular
  • multicellular
  • stimulus
  • response
  • development
  • spontaneous generation
  • controlled experiment
  • autotroph
  • heterotroph
  • homeostasis
  • classification
  • taxonomy
  • binomial nomenclature
  • genus
  • species

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Ch. 1 Sec. 3
Read pp. 26-29 in the textbook From Bacteria to Plants.  Complete the notes that you start in class.

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halloween-crossword-puzzle-easy.jpg

Assignment

Vocabulary Crossword
Use the following vocabulary words and their definitions to create a crossword puzzle.  The definitions should be the clues and the words should be the answers.  Turn in your puzzle with an answer key.
  • organism
  • unicellular
  • multicellular
  • stimulus
  • response
  • development
  • spontaneous generation
  • controlled experiment
  • autotroph
  • heterotroph
  • homeostasis
  • classification
  • taxonomy
  • binomial nomenclature
  • genus
  • species

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Viruses
Read pages 40-46 in the textbook From Bacteria to Plants and answer the questions below.
  1. What is a virus?
  2. List the six characteristics all living things have in common.  Which of these do viruses meet?  Which of these do viruses not meet?
  3. Is a virus an organism?  Why or why not?
  4. Draw a flow map to show the sequence of how an active virus multiplies.
  5. Scientists hypothesize that viruses could not have existed on Earth before organisms appeared.  Use what you know about viruses to support this hypothesis.

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Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction Quiz

Benchmark SC.7.5.1 Differentiate between sexual and asexual reproduction

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Punnett Squares Quiz

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Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction Questions
Use the notes taken in class to answer the questions below.
  1. Compare and contrast sexual and asexual reproduction using a Thinking Map.
  2. What advantages are there to sexual reproduction? Disadvantages?
  3. What advantages are there to asexual reproduction? Disadvantages?

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Paper Pet Project

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SC.7.5.2 Benchmark Reflection
A reflection for the paper pet project.

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Paper Pet Offspring Punnett Squares

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Chromosomes Questions

Benchmark SC.7.5.2 Describe how an inherited trait can be determined by one or more genes which are found on chromosomes

Directions: Read pages 92-96 in the Cells & Heredity textbook and answer the questions below in your composition book or on folder paper.

  1. According to Sutton's observations, how does the number of chromosomes in a grasshopper's body cells compare to the number in its sex cells?

  2. How many chromosomes are there when two grasshopper sex cells join in fertilization. Explain why there are this many chromosomes.

  3. What is meiosis?

  4. Use the events of meiosis to explain why a sex cell normally does not receive both chromosomes from a pair.

  5. How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have? How many genes are in human body cells?

  6. How are genes arranged on a chromosome?

  7. How does the order of genes in one member of a chromosome pair compare to the order of genes on the other chromosome?

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Dominant and Recessive Alleles

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Heredity Questions

Benchmark SC.7.5.2 Describe how an inherited trait can be determined by one or more genes which are found on chromosomes

Directions: Read pages 76-81 in the Cells & Heredity textbook and answer the questions below in your composition book or on folder paper.

  1. What is the difference between the terms genetics and heredity?
  2. Gregor Mendel studied the traits in plants.  What do P, F1, and F2 mean?
  3. How are the terms genes and alleles related?
  4. What is the difference between dominant alleles and recessive alleles?
  5. What type of symbol is used to represent a dominant allele?  A recessive allele?  Give an example of each.

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Class Survey
Data must be collected in class to complete this assignment.

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Eggsperiment
The analysis and conclusion are due on the date above.  Extra credit for correctly using these terms in the conclusion: selectively permeable, osmosis, passive transport.

This lab will start in class on 11/9-11/10.  Each lab group will need one jar with a lid large enough for an egg to easily fit inside.  Mr. Miyahira will provide an egg and vinegar to start for free.  The lab will take two weeks to complete data collection. The analysis and conclusion is due on the date above.

Updated 11/28/10

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Cell Theory and Plant/Animal/Bacteria Cells Test
Study the Cell Theory assignment and the plant/animal cells and plant/animal/bacteria double-bubble maps.

Updated 11/23/10

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  1. Copy in your notebook the double-bubble map (plant vs. animal cells) you completed in class.
  2. Read page 24 about bacteria cells in the Cells and Heredity textbook.  Compare and contrast a bacteria cell and plant/animal cells.
Updated 11/17/10

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Cell City
The Cell City introduction and drawings (2) due on the date above.

Turn in the following documents stapled in this order:
  1. Cell City Introduction
  2. Cell Parts worksheet
  3. Plant or Animal Cell drawing
  4. Cell City drawing
  5. Cell City peer review

Updated 11/14/10

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Cell Theory Quiz
A quiz on the Cell Theory will be on the date above. Review the Cell Theory assignment and the Cells and Heredity textbook chapter 1 section 1 pages 6-11.

Updated 11/7/10

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Cell Parts

Updated 11/5/10

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Each lab group needs 1 jar with a lid large enough to fit an egg inside with room left over.  Some examples of good jars: mayonnaise, peanut butter, larger salsa jars.  If you aren't sure if the jar is big enough, make sure someone in your lab group brings another one.

Updated 11/5/10

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Microscope Mania
Lab must be completed in class.

Updated: 10/31/10

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The Cell Theory
Will be assigned in class starting on Wed. 11/3/10.

Updated:10/31/10

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Microscope quiz on the date above.  Visit the sites below to practice/study.

Updated 11/5/10
http://nhscience.lonestar.edu/biol/dropdrag/microscope.htm http://nhscience.lonestar.edu/biol/dropdrag/microscope2.htm

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Balloon Powered Cars
  • Car must be powered by no more than 2 balloons (I'll provide balloons)
  • Car must have at least 3 wheels
  • Car must be made of simple materials that aren't meant to be part of a car (Ex. Wheels cannot be from a toy car)
  • Car must be able to travel at least 5 meters
For design ideas go to this website:

http://www.mrg-online.com/car.htm

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Famous Scientists
Research worksheet and PowerPoint due on the date above.  Class time will be given on 9/24, 9/27, 9/29, 9/30 to complete research and PowerPoint.

You will turn in:
  • Your Famous Scientist Project research worksheet
  • Your group's PowerPoint
  • Your Famous Scientist reflection

Updated 9/29/10.

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Test
Test on measuring length, mass, volume, and density.  Study your notes and labs.  You will need to know the definitions of length, mass, volume, and density and how to measure each.

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Density Lab
Data collection must be done in class.  Analysis and conclusion can be done for homework.

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Volume Lab
Show Mr. Miyahira that you successfully completed the volume lab in class.

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Graduated Cylinder Worksheet

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Bird Nest Reflection
Reflection for the Build-A-Nest competition in class.

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Triple-Beam Balance
Practice using the triple-beam balance in class and complete the analysis and conclusion.

Updated 8/26/10

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Busiest Birthdays
Data will be collected in class.  Analysis and conclusion will be completed for homework.

Updated 8/23/10

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Penny Lab Report
Follow the instructions on the Penny Lab handout.  Data collection should be completed in class by Wed. 8/18 and lab reports completed and turned in on the due date above.

Please add question #5 to your conclusion.
5. Write a question related to dropping water on a penny that could be used for a future investigation.

Notes:
  • Replicable trials are trials that can be repeated with similar results.
  • Trials that are replicable instill confidence that the results of the investigation are accurate.
Updated 8/17/10

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Units of Length worksheet
If you did not did not finish in class complete and turn in on due date above.

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Lab Safety Comic
Use the safety rules to answer the questions.

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Safety Rules Test
Safety rules test will be on the date above.

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Length Lab
  • You will need a metric ruler to complete this assignment.
  • Complete page 1 for homework and be ready to complete page 2 in class.

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Science safety rules contract signed by the student and a parent/guardian.

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Science Safety Poster
Create a poster for one science safety rule assigned to you in class.
  • Minimum 8 1/2" by 11" (printer paper is good)
  • Must have an easy to read title related to the rule (Do not use a generic title like "Science Safety")
  • Must include graphics/drawings that are colored
  • Words must be colored or outlined

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Science Notebook
Bring a composition book (preferably 9.75 in. by 7.5 in.) to class.  It will be used to take notes, collect data, and do assignments.  After you turn it in it may be stored in class if you do not need it.