Continue Unit 2 Task 1 work; background research on elephants in captivity

Happy Friday before Winter Break! Almost there...😄
Share a rose & thorn from this week with your table!

Today is the shortest day of the year! Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice video, Nat Geo video

All work from Unit 1 (Tasks 1-8) are due today! Please come to tutorial at 2:30 today for help if needed.

So far in Unit 2 (Biomolecules) you should have completed the following:
-Compare/contrast biomolecules activity (Task 1)
-Guided Reading CER on Rhino Diets (Task 1)
-Group Contract with roles (hard copy turned in to me)
-Vocabulary terms (due on 1/7)

Last class you decided on roles within your groups that you will assume throughout our Elephant Project

(Ms. Ferro's role is Institute for Conservation Research Principal Investigator in Reproductive Endocrinology)

We can keep track of the questions we're answering with each activity/lab by following the Elephant Project Progress Tracking document

TO DO today with your table group:

1) Read the following information for background research on elephant reproduction in captivity:
-Smithsonian Article: Great Expectations
-AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) has standards of care and management for animals in captivity. HERE are the AZA standards for elephants - read through it and look specifically for information about diet, taking notes.

2) With your table group, create a hypothesis about what role diet might play in the difference in reproduction that we observe between wild and captive elephants

3) Create a KWL chart of your understanding of the issue thus far. What did you already know, what do you want to know, and what have you ultimately learned about elephant reproduction in captivity?

Turn in your notes, hypothesis, and KWL chart when finished.

If extra time, work on other Biology work!

End class with a 5 minute Elephant 101 video

Have a wonderful Winter Break! ❆⛄🙌🎄😴🍪

Elephant Project Information; Group Roles & Contract; Rhino Articles & C/E/R

WARM UP: What are the four types of biomolecules?

The following are missing work in Synergy (check to see what exactly you're missing - due Friday 12/20!)

Period 5 - Ronan, Jack, Isaac, Taviaun, Lilly, Fatin, Helen,                      Emma S.

Period 7 - Reid, James, John, Norton, Yahira, Lena T., Tyson,

                Dylan

Period 8 - Erich, Denise, Kaitlyn, Khattar

Tutorial tomorrow & Friday (special schedule)

Last class we had an introduction to biomolecules, their structure, and their functions.

Here's a good recap of the Amoeba Sisters biomolecules video HERE

1)Go to Classroom: Unit 2 Introduction & Group Contract 

Look at 'Introduction to Elephant Challenge' slides 

(review slide 1 together)

With your team, review slides with roles and decide who will assume each of the four roles.

Each group will receive a Group Contract to review and sign together; turn in to Ms. Ferro 

2)Go to Unit 2 Task 1 and complete the Guided Reading document about Rhino Diets. Submit when finished with both the guided reading and the compare/contrast activity we did last class.

3) If extra time, work on Biomolecules vocabulary terms

Begin Unit 2: Biomolecules; Introduction to Elephant Project

Happy 'Last Week of School Before Winter Break!!!' ❅

This week:
-A Day tutorial on Thursday
-Friday 12/20 is Assembly AND Tutorial (see schedule HERE)
-Friday 12/20 is the last day to turn in Tasks 1 - 8!!! 
 (you can still turn in revisions past this date)
 Please see me for help & get your work done!!!
 See list on board for those with incomplete work...

Unit 2: Biomolecules (Outline HERE)

biomolecule - a chemical compound produced by and found in living organisms; the building blocks of life that perform important functions in living organisms.

Demo: How do egg whites, sugar, oil, starch and water react to indicator solutions?
What is the predominant type of biomolecule present in each type of food?

(if absent, watch this student demo video)

Go to Google Classroom to work on Unit 2 Task 1 with your table group (Do Step 2: Compare/Contrast Activity)

Introduction to Elephant Project & Group Roles w/Contract
(Google Classroom Unit 2 Introduction)

HOMEWORK:
-Vocabulary Terms HERE (20 terms) Due after break! 1/7/20
-Watch Biomolecules Video HERE (8 mins) 

Unit 1 Test on Google Classroom

-Test taking expectations:

*Clear desks of everything except your computer
*Try your best, take your time, & stay focused
*Please refrain from talking while tests are being taken
*No breaks out of room once you have started your test unless it's a personal emergency
*Personal electronic devices must be away
*When finished, submit your test and stay in your assigned seat. Please, no talking when you're done

*You may work on biology or other work on your computer when you are finished

Ecosystem Stability and Change Final Assessment

Ecosystem Presentations

Ecosystem Food Web; create ecosystem presentation

You should have your article summary completed

Watch this VIDEO about food webs for understanding (4 min)

Now, go into Task 7 in Classroom for instructions on how to build a model of a food web in your location using iNaturalist. 
(Demo how to find species in iNaturalist; use the most recent observations for accuracy)
Spend no more than 30 mins on this.

Lastly, create a short summary of your topic to present to your classmates using the template on Classroom in Task 7.

This Friday you will showcase your learning 

Begin 'Ecosystem Stability & Change' Final Project

Roses & Thorns with your elbow partner(s)!
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving break :)

Check in on the calendar:
-This week: Tutorial Thursday & Friday
-Q2 Progress Reports are due on December 10th (next Tues)
-Synergy has been updated and is current
-Hard deadline for all fall work is the last day of class before winter break: December 20th

OK...science!

Essential Questions we've asked this year in biology:
How has the land in Portland Metro area changed over time?
How do certain factors affect arthropod biodiversity at Tabor?
How can we conserve urban biodiversity as the Portland Metro Area’s human population continues to grow?

In biology textbooks, ecosystems and biomes are generally described in 'ideal' terms, without including humans as a participant in ecosystem function and processes. As we have learned throughout our studies this fall, humans in Portland and around the world are influencing ecosystem function and stability. (I'm looking at you, climate change.)

As the final assessment for our ecosystem unit, you will complete an 'Ecosystem Stability & Change' project.Through this project, each person (or pair of people) will be responsible for exploring and explaining the specific ways in which humans are impacting particular global ecosystems, moving them away from the textbook model. (we will spend the next 4 class periods on this)

In Google Classroom:
First, browse through the list of articles that highlight ecological issues caused by humans in different areas of the world. Claim a topic by signing up on the document shared with your class period (work independently or in pairs).
Then, complete the article summary document.

You will also analyze the trophic levels and food webs associated with your ecosystem (Wednesday) and present a brief description of your ecosystem/issue (Friday).
The final unit assessment will be on Tuesday, Dec. 10th