Discussion: Introduction to the course. The microscope is described

Lab: Observations. Students make observations from living specimens or from slides. Students will use both types of microscopes to make their observations. Illustrations of their observations must be made and turned in.

Classwork: "Microscope Parts" - students label a picture of a microscope.

Discussion: The Metric System. How biologists make measurements is described and demonstrated.

Lab: Measurements. Students take measurements on live hermit crabs (Pagurus longiceps). Mass and volume are recorded for each of 14 crabs and graphed.

Discussion: The Wet Mount. The microscope's parts are reviewed and the steps necessary to make a wet mount are demonstrated.

Lab: Making a 'Wet Mount'. Students make a wet mount of the a small piece of newsprint and answer questions

Assignments: "Measurements Used in Biology"

Discussion: The Scientific Method. The basic methodology of scientist is discussed, as well as the new frontiers of forensic science.

Lab: Graduated Cylinder Skills. Students take readings on 12 different graduated cylinders, answers are placed on the board, compared to mine and discussed.

Assignments: "Incredible Measurements" "Parts of the Microscope"

Discussion: Review the chapter on the white board. Each section is reviewed.

LAB: Seed Germination. Students conduct experiments using radish and bean seeds. Student's choose the variable they are interested in (light, amount of water, temperature, etc.) and design an experiment to test it's effects on seed germination.

Classwork: "Chapter 1 Crossword Puzzle"

Lab: Seed Germination cont. Students collect data from their seed experiments.

Classwork: "Chapter 1 Review." go over in class.

Review the information from chapter 1

Test: Chapter 1 

Lecture: Chapter 30 Populations. The dynamics of populations are described, as well as methods biologists use to estimate populations.

Lab: The Quadrat Method. The population estimation technique known as the 'quadrat method' is used to estimate a population of about 500 macaroni pieces that have been spread on the floor. Students use math to come up with their own estimates.

Lecture: Populations. Today we take notes from the text (chap 30:1). We'll read together as a group and pick out the important points of the chapter.

Assignment: "Deer and Wolf Graph." Students read about two interacting populations. They graph the two population curves on one graph.

Video: "Pole to Pole," the first of a series of documentaries covering plants and animals with very low populations. The interdependance of the animals is also highlighted.

Assignment:

15

(only 4th period)

Test: Chapter 30.

Assignment: "Biome Map"