Good afternoon everyone - I hope everyone had a relaxing break :)

Here is what is going on in class:

FORENSICS

In forensics we are finishing up with our unit on DNA this week.  We have discussed the basic structure of DNA, implications in solving crimes, and how to process the DNA with different techniques.  We have looked at a variety of cases studies and applications for DNA use and have discussed why it is so useful and significance to forensics.  Yesterday in class we watched  a video clip about how parents are cataloguing their childs' DNA for protection purposes and how they are able to obtain a sample.  After the video clip students worked together on a review worksheet about DNA for the upcoming quiz on Friday in this section.  Students will receive more study/quiz info later this week.  Today in class we too notes and considered the advantages and disadvantages of certain DNA processing techniques.  After taking notes students used the laptops to access and complete an online tutorial about gel electrophoresis, one of the most common and simple DNA processing methods.  We will finish this activity tomorrow and start reviewing vocabulary as well.

Homework

NONE


INTEGRATED SCIENCE

In integrated science we are continuing on with our section about water and its properties.  studying water is an effective transition between our units on chemistry and biology as we need to consider water at a molecular level to understand its implications and significance to life in biology.  Yesterday in class students watched several video clips about water to reinforce concepts and were presented with a mini project about a property of water.  In this assignment students (due Wed.) will choose a property of water and illustrate the property on a standard sheet of paper, making sure to give it a caption and a thorough explanation.  the students received a rubric about the assignment and should utilize it to make sure they are covering all the information required.  Students also completed a worksheet on water in class to reiterate the important properties.  Today in class students observed several demonstrations a out water properties and used classtime to complete a review worksheet on water as we will be having a quiz on this section on Friday.  Tomorrow we wills start reviewing vocabulary more and will review for the rest of the week.

Homework

Water image assignment due tomorrow

Reminders
Late Buses = Tuesdays & Thursdays
Homework Club = Tuesdays in room 219 for homework help from experienced students

Have a great day !

Good afternoon,

Here is what is going on in class so far this week:

FORENSICS

This week in forensics we have started our next unit on DNA after finishing up our unit on fingerprinting last week. So far we have taken notes about how DNA can be used in forensics, the  general structure of DNA, and the significance of DNA to biometrics. We watched a quick video clip about a cold case in which DNA may have helped solve had the technology been developed yet.  Today we will continue with this unit by taking a look at famous cases in which DNA was a critical factor in solving and will read an article about the OJ Simpson case and how DNA evidence can be compromised.  Throughout the week we will take a look at a variety of case studies and continue getting into detail about DNA in our notes.

Homework

Finish OJ Simpson articles response

INTEGRATED SCIENCE

This week most classes are finishing up with our section on chemical reactions.  For the last week we have defined different chemical reactions and identified equations as different types.  We have looked at a variety of video clips that show examples of chemical reactions/changes taking place and have seen a few demos preformed in class.  Classes have also done a lot of practice with balancing equations and we will conclude this section with a quiz on all of this content today. After this section on chemical reactions we will delve into information about water and link our units about chemistry and biology together focusing on this important molecule.

Homework

C,D, & E - Read article about Water and answer questions to discuss tomorrow
G - Worksheet about balancing equations

Reminders
Homework Club - Tuesdays in room 218 !
Late Buses - Tuesdays & Thursdays

Have a great day & be kind to others !

Here is what went on today in class:

FORENSICS

In forensics we are finishing up our unit on Fingerprinting.  Today we finished a documentary that delves into how reliable fingerprint evidence is and certain errors that can be made in this field.  the documentary also gave several case studies as examples.  You should have finished the question packet that goes with the documentary and handed that in for class credit.  We then went over the study guide for tomorrows test.  The test covers fingerprint basics, developing prints, and lip prints.  I suggest you read through your notes, review worksheets, and look over the study guide in order to study all the material effectively.  As a class we went over a review worksheet at the end of class that summarized every section. The test format will be multiple choice questions, fill-ins, and short answer questions.  On Monday we Will start the DNA unit

Homework

Study for Fingerprint Test

INTEGRATED SCIENCE

WE have started our new unit on chemical reactions.  Everything we have learned thus far about atoms and bonds will come into play as we discuss reactions in which new substances are created but mass is always conserved.  We have taken notes and watched several video clips about chemical reactions and continue to practice balancing equations.  This can be a difficult concept to grasp so we will spend a few days practicing this.  Today everyone traveled to different stations and answers questions at each station with a group.  Tomorrow we will finish this activity and do some more practice in classwork/group work.  All students received a print out of their assignment grades and their averages yesterday and were reminded that  all late work and make up work (including making up tests) is due by tomorrow 4/5 as Term 3 ends tomorrow.

Homework

Chemical Reactions with Balancing Equations Worksheet

REMINDERS
Homework Club = Tuesdays for help with homework or a quiet place to get work done
Late Buses = Tuesdays & Thursdays

Here is what went on today:

FORENSICS

This week we have been learning about how to develop fingerprints and also discussed the different types and applications of lip prints.  We will have a test on this unit on Friday April 5th.  Today we watched a clip from MythBusters about how easy it is to copy someones fingerprint and gain access to secure areas.  We also worked on a crossword puzzle as vocabulary review in preparation of the test Friday.  Tomorrow we will watch a documentary on fingerprinting and on Thursday we will go over review worksheets and go over the study guide for the test. 

Homework

NONE

INTEGRATED SCIENCE

This week we have started our new unit on Chemical Reactions.  Today we watched a quick video clip on chemical reactions and then started notes on this section.  Tomorrow we will continue with notes and practice how to balance chemical equations.  I will also hand back the ionic & covalent bonding tests and we will go over this as a class and students will also receive their essays on this subject matter.  The rest of the week will focus on chemical reactions and we will do several activities and watch several video clips to reinforce concepts.

*** If you have not handed in an essay you have until Friday to do so.  You DO NOT want a 0 on a 55 point assessment assignment !

*** You have until Thursday 4/4 to hand in any late or make-up work

G - Test on Ionic & Covalent tomorrow, Wed 4/3