Thursday, December 18, 2008

HW for over winter break... Due on Jan 5

Basic Chemistry:

Read and take notes on the lessons 5 and 6, the final lessons from Chapter 2.

Answer the review questions at the end of each lesson. Study all of chapter 2 and be ready for a quiz on chapter 2.

Key terms:
Atoms
Molecules
Elements
Compounds
Periodic Table
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Energy Shells
Covalent Bonding
Polarity
Ionic Bonding
Special Properties of Water
Acids and Bases

Monday, November 24, 2008

Lorenzo's Oil

We are watching this film for two main reasons.

First, the movie is a great example of how science works. It shows how people use science to create solutions by identifying a problem, testing hypotheses, reviewing scientific literature, doing experiments, analyzing data and drawing conclusions.

The other reason we are watching is to learn a bit about the nervouse system and the biology of how enzymes and organic molecules such fatty acids are crucial to our health.

As you watch Lorenzo's Oil answer the following questions, and come up with some questions of your own.


1. Lorenzo begins to experience problems at school and at home. What symptoms of the disease first appear?

2. What medical tests are done to try to diagnose Lorenzo’s condition?

3. When the doctor finally diagnoses Lorenzo’s disease, how does he describe Lorenzo’s prognosis to Michaela and Augusto?

4. From which parent did Lorenzo inherit his disease?

5. Explain what kinds of molecules are causing Lorenzo’s disease:

6. What is myelin?

7. Explain how damaged myelin could cause Lorenzo’s symptoms.

8. When the Odones enroll Lorenzo in the first study, what kinds of foods is Lorenzo NOT allowed to eat?

9. When Lorenzo does not get good results from the diet in this study, what do Lorenzo’s parents believe might be happening? Describe what Augusto means when he uses the analogy of a sink with two faucets.

10. How does taking “Lorenzo’s Oil” stop Lorenzo’s symptoms from getting worse?

11. Once Lorenzo in on “Lorenzo’s Oil” why doesn’t he regain many of the abilities he had before he got the disease?

12. Describe at least three things that Lorenzo’s parents did to try to find a cure for adenoleukodystrophy even though the doctors said there is no cure for it?

13. This movie is based on a true story. The real Lorenzo lived much longer than the doctors predicted. In fact, he died in 2008 the day after his 30th birthday. What do you think about what Michaela and Augusto Odone did for their son and the other boys who suffer from ALD?

14. Michaela and Augusto were not doctors or professional scientists. What skills and attitudes did they have which enabled them to help their son?

15. Write a short movie review: Explain why and how much you liked or disliked the movie. Would you recommend the movie to a friend? Do you think the movie was appropriate for a high school biology class?

For more information about ALD and Myelin go to the Myelin Project at http://www.myelin.org/

Friday, November 21, 2008

Sci Fair Presentation Board or PowerPoint due 11/25 - 11/26

The last day I will accept overdue science fair papers is 11/26/08. This is more than a week after the actual deadline and over a month after the paper was assigned.

As assigned back in October, your science fair presentation board or PowerPoint presentation is due on 11/25 or 11/26 depending on which day you have biology.

Use the Science Fair Board Layout guide you received at the beginning of this project and use all the work you did on your paper to create your board or powerpoint. If you typed your paper as required you can create your board or PowerPoint easily by cutting and pasting the appropriate parts of your paper. If you hand-wrote your paper, use your rough draft or copy of your paper to create your board or PowerPoint.

Remember, if you worked on your experiment with a partner, unless you made arrangements ahead of time, each person must turn in a paper and do a board, a PowerPoint and present your project to the class.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Science Fair Paper Due week of Nov. 17th

Use the Science Fair Guide and Rubric to make sure your science fair paper is ready to go. Proof-read it, read it aloud, have a friend proof read it. Check your sentences for capitalization and punctuation. Check for sentence fragments and run-ons. Spell-check your document and look up any words you aren't sure of. Make sure each sentence actually makes sense and gets your ideas through.

Make sure you get as many points as possible on each section. You can still e-mail me if you have any questions, or want me to make comments on your rough draft.

Remember, the paper must by typed and you can turn it in on paper or e-mail it to me as a Word document (.doc or .docx) or plain text file (txt) . If you e-mail me, be sure to include your FULL name, class period, and "sci fair paper" in the SUBJECT line of your e-mail. Be sure to sign your e-mail with your full name and class period.

Also, SAVE A COPY of your paper so you can start to work on your science fair presentation board or PowerPoint presentation which is due the week of November 25th.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Science Fair Paper Partial Rough Draft due Fri. Oct. 31 (b) Mon. Nov. 3 (a)

Turn in your TYPED rough draft of the PURPOSE, HYPOTHESIS and MATERIALS & PROCEDURES sections of your science fair paper.

Use the SCIENCE FAIR GUIDE & RUBRIC to be sure you understand what to write in each section.

Save a version on your computer, on a thumb drive, or e-mail yourself an attachment of your rough draft so you can continue working on it and use it for your final draft. You may e-mail it to me if you like. Be sure to put your full name, period number and "rough draft assignment" in the SUBJECT line of your e-mail.

If you can't type it you need to write two copies of it so you have a backup.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Science Fair Project Proposal Sheet Due Mon. Oct. 27 (b), Tue. Oct. 28 (a)

This assignment is to fill out the whole Project Proposal Sheet.

The full research paper is due the week of Nov. 17th and the poster and presentation are due the week of Nov. 25th. This proposal is just the first step in the process of starting your project.

If you have trouble, contact me or get help from your AVID teacher, another science teacher, a librarian or a friend or family member.

Tips for choosing a project:

When you do your proposal, be sure to first think about what interests YOU. If you like sports, think about a project that has to do with sports. If you love music, try to think about something that has to do with music or sound. Once you have some of your own ideas, then do some research about other projects that might help you figure out how to design your own experiment. BE ORIGINAL!! BE QUANTITATIVE!!


Here are some science fair links to help you research project ideas. You can use the NGHS library during lunch or after school and I encourage you to use your Chicago Public Library as well. Not only can you use the computers there, but the librarians may be able to suggest good books, magazines and other resources.

http://www.chipublib.org/

http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/humboldt/
http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/bucktown-wicker-park/
http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/logan-square/
http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/north-austin/
http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/portage-cragin/

This link is to my science fair web page. It has instructions, ideas and links to other sites. This is the best link for you to get started. Remember you can always e-mail me with questions at mr.cantor@gmail.com.

http://mr.cantor.googlepages.com/sciencefairlinks


Here are a few other links that may be useful.

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/


http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html

http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/senior.html

http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/biology.html

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/elmers/250projectideas.html

As you do your research be sure to WRITE DOWN ALL SOURCES YOU USE. This included the FULL URL (web address) of any site you use.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Reading Assignment - Chapter 2, Lesson 1 Due Mon. Oct. 18 (b) and Tue. Oct. 19 (a)

Read about the basic chemistry that makes life possible P. 32-35. Answer questions 1-5 on P. 35 and bring them to class.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Biology Test Thurs. Oct. 16 (b) and Oct. 17 (a)

This test will cover material from the whole year up to this point. Study your notes by sumarizing them for each day and quizzing yourself on each term. The test will also cover Chapter 1 from the AGS Biology Book.

Make up any late homework assignments before the test as a way to get your work done and to study at the same time.

The test will be multiple choice and have a written portion as well.

If you already have a free Google account, you can click on this link view the presentation about Properties of Life. If you don't have a Google account you can click the link and just follow the directions to start your Google account. It is free and easy and very useful.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Chapter 1 Review Assignment Due 10/14 (B-day) and 10/15 (A-day)


Review chapter 1 in the AGS Biology book (Pp. 1-21)
Complete the whole chapter review questions 1 - 25 (Pp. 27-29)

Work hard, and don't forget to enjoy learning.

Reading assignment - Chapter 1, Lesson 3- due 10-8 (B-day), 10-9 (A-day)

Read pages 10 -13 in the AGS Biology book.
p. 14 Questions 1-10

Monday, September 29, 2008

2nd Reading Assignment Due Wed. Oct. 1 (b) and Thurs. Oct. 2 (a)

Read pages 1-8 of the AGS biology book. Answer the following questions to turn in on a separate sheet with your full heading :
P. 4 - Questions 1-6, 9, 10
P. 9 - Questions 1-6, 9, 10

Thursday, September 25, 2008

First Reading Assignment - Due Mon. Sept. 29 (B), Tue. Sept. 30 (A)

AGS Biology Book: P. 17-21 on the methods of science.
Answer all the questions on P. 22 according to the directions on the page.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

"What is Science" Essay - Assignment #1

Your first assignment is to write a 5 paragraph essay that explains YOUR VIEWS about science. Read all these directions carefully before starting to write, then refer back to them several times as you write.

Due: Mon. Sept. 8 (A day) or Tues. Sept. 9 (B day) at the beginning of your class period.

The essay should be typed if possible. If typing is not possible you may hand write it very neatly in blue or black pen. Typed essays should use 12 point TIMES font. You may turn in the essay on paper, or e-mail it to me as a WORD doc (non-Vista). If you e-mail it please put your full name, biology class period and "Science Essay" in the SUBJECT LINE of your e-mail. My e-mail address is mr.cantor@gmail.com

Please include your full heading in the upper right corner of each page of your paper. The heading should include, your FULL name, Biology Period #, and the date you turn in the assignment.

Essay title:
"What I think about Science"

The first paragraph is an introduction. Include a topic sentence describing your ideas about what science is, then explain why people do science, how people do science, and your opinion about whether science is mostly good or bad.

The second paragraph
should start with a topic sentence about what science is and why people do it and then give about three DETAILS and/or EXAMPLES of what science is and why people do it.

The third paragraph
should start with a topic sentence and then give about three details and/or examples of how people do it. One or more of the examples could be about how YOU have done science in the past.

The fourth paragraph should start with a topic sentence and then explain in more detail why you think science is either mostly good or mostly bad. Give at least two examples that back up your opinion.

The fifth paragraph
is a conclusion. It should start with a topic sentence that explains what you think science is (in different words from the one in your introduction.) Then restate (in different words) the two or three most important points you made in your essay in a convincing way.


How will this be graded?

You will get up to 20 points for this assignment.
Addressing ALL parts of the essay as described in the assignment = 10 points
Describing your ideas in clear, interesting and creative ways = 5 points
Neatness, grammar, spelling, correct heading = 5 points.

Papers turned in after the deadline will have 5 points deducted for each class period they are late. Academic dishonesty is very serious. Any papers which are copied from other students or websites will receive a zero and your parents will be contacted.

Please keep in mind that since this essay is about what YOU THINK, there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. The purpose of this assignment is to let me get to know what you think about science and to give me an idea about the strengths and weaknesses of your writing and thinking skills.

If you have any questions please e-mail me or see me after school in room 125 or 121.