3 Weeks Before Winter Break!!

• Mon 11/27:  Video on Cell Respiration (Crash Course).  Notes on Cell Respiration up to the Krebs Cycle.  Read 8.2!
• Wed 11/29:  Check off 2.8 Questions and Go over.  Review Cell Respiration notes and include the Electron Transport Chain.  Introduce the Metabolic Rate Lab and do preliminary trials.
• Fri 12/1:  Take Metabolic Rate Lab data and enter into the class database.  Start processing data and working on lab write up.  Quick intro to Photosynthesis.  Read 2.9!!
• Tues 12/5:  Notes on Photosynthesis, including the basic processes and where they occur.  Read 8.3.
• Thurs 12/7:  Finish notes on Photosynthesis.  Coloring Sheet for Mitochondrion and Chloroplast.  Work time on Metabolic Rate Lab, which is due before Winter Break through turnitin.com
• Mon 12/11:  Overview of Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis.  Kahoot review.  Multiple Choice part of the test will be on Wednesday, 12/13.
• Wed 12/13:  Multiple Choice part of Cell Resp/Photosynthesis test.  
• Fri 12/15:  Short answer part of Cell Resp/Photosynthesis Test.  Metabolic Rate Lab due through turnitin.com

2.8 Questions. Do these after the Biochemistry Test on Monday 11/20

Please do these questions in your notebook after the Biochemistry Test.  Complete it as homework for Monday 11/27.

1. Define cell respiration.
2. What is ATP and what is its advantage for cells?  What is it used for in the cell?
3. Why do cells need a continual supply of ATP?
4. What is anaerobic respiration?  Where/when does it occur?
5. List the 2 summary equations for anaerobic respiration (animals, and yeast and plants).
6. Discuss bread making and bioethanol as examples of anaerobic respiration.
7. Do the data-based questions on p. 125.
8. Discuss anaerobic respiration in humans.
9. Write the equation for aerobic respiration and state its differences from anaerobic respiration (at least 3).

Late October/Early November

• Tues Oct 31:  More notes on water.  Finish Water Olympics Lab and turn in.  Begin Carbohydrates.  Read 2.3.
• Thurs 11/2:  Finish carbohydrates and go over lipids.  Introduce shape of amino acids and peptide bonds.  Build Clay Models in your groups.  DBQ's on p 81 and 2 on p. 86.  Read 2.4.
• Fri 11/3:  No School.  Teacher Work Day.
• Tues 11/7:  Link together clay models.  Check off DBQ's and go over.  Structure of nucleic acids.  Read 2.6.
• Wed 11/8-Fri 11/10:  No School!  Wed and Thursday off for conferences and Friday off for Veteran's Day.
• Tues 11/14:  Finish up nucleic acids.  Go over what you need to know for the test, to be taken next Monday 11/20.
• Thurs 11/16:  Review for Biochemistry Test.  Start a bit of Cellular Respiration.
• Mon 11/20:  Biochemistry Test.  Overview of Cellular Respiration.
• Wed 11/22-Fri 11/24:  Thanksgiving Break.

What to Expect on the Test on Wednesday 10/25

1. 16 multiple choice questions.  See Kahoot game to see similar questions.  To see the Kahoot game, you need to make a Kahoot account then go to mokenny and you can see all my public quizzes.  Yours is the Cell and Membrane one. (1 pt each)
2. Draw and measure something as seen in the microscope.  The white card will be available to get the actual size.  Then, calculate the magnification of your drawing, using a ruler and showing work.  (8 pts)
3. Draw and label either:  a prokaryotic cell or a plasma membrane.  You will NOT get to choose.  Your test will tell you which one to do.  (8 pts)
4. Identify parts of a eukaryotic cell.  (4 pts)
5. Short answer:  Pick 3 out of the 4 options provided.  No extra credit for writing extra questions.  I will stop reading after 3 questions!  ( 6 pts each)

Point value:  about 54 points

Early October

• Tues 10/10:  Notes on Membrane Transport.  Turn in Bubble Lab and Paramecium Lab.  Finish DBQ on pp 28-30 and draw a labeled membrane.  Do DBQs on p 42, both the ones on the graph and the ones about the plant tissue inquiry.  Check off DBQ's.
• Thurs 10/12:  Notes on Active Transport.  Finish checking off DBQ's and go over.  Onion plasmolysis and egg osmosis demos.  In your table groups, plan an osmolarity inquiry lab that uses potatoes.  Tuesday we will carry out the inquiry and process the data.  Thursday you will present your findings to the class.
• Tues 10/17:  Get potato osmolarity lab started.  Work on your Powerpoint.  Hand out Cell and Membrane Test Review.
• Thurs 10/19:  Record and Process Potato Lab data.  Write a conclusion and evaluation.  2-3 Presentations done today.  How are electron microscopes different from light microscopes?
• Mon 10/23:  Finish Potato Lab Presentations.  Review for Cell Test.  Play Kahoot.  You can use my Kahoot games for review by making yourself a Kahoot account and then going to mokenny's quizzes.  I will make the Cell and Membrane quiz public after we finish playing it 4th period today.  
• Wed 10/25:  Cell Test/Start Biochemistry.  Read 2.1.
• Fri 10/27: Finish Potato Lab Presentations.  Go over what you need to know for both 2.1 and 2.2.   Read 2.2.

Weeks 5 and 6

• Tues 9/26:  Go over Cell Worksheet.  Draw and measure your cheek cells.  Work on magnification DBQ (pp 6-7).  I will check in with you about your Cell Model Project, which is due Monday 10/2.
• Thurs 9/28:  Observing and drawing Volvox, Hydra, Amoeba, and maybe more.  Do you have references for your Cell Model?  Do some work on your cell model project, due Monday 10/2.  
• Mon 10/2:  Set up Cell Model Projects and write-ups on the tables.  Walk around and assess student Cell Models.  Finish up the Microscope Lab.  Observe Paramecium, Scenedesmus, and bacteria.  Wrap up your drawings (did you calculate magnification for all, showing work?).  Answer questions on the lab hand-out.  The completed lab is due Wed 10/4.  Read 1.3 in the text if not already.
• Wed 10/4:  Turn in Microscope Lab.  Introduce plasma membrane structure.  Do Davson-Danielli DBQ on pp. 28-30.  
• Fri 10/6:  Finish and check off Davson-Danielli DBQ.   Bubble Lab.  Digestion of yeast in paramecium lab.  Read 1.4 in the text.

Cell Model Project

Cell Model Project

What:

Build something:  In a group of 2-3 students, you will build a 3-D model for a eukaryote cell (pick animal or plant).  Using common household materials, you will represent at least 7 (10 for groups of 3) of the organelles.  You must include the nucleus, mitochondrion, chloroplast (for plants), endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes.  The others are up to you.  Choose materials that you feel make a good analogy for the functions and/or characteristics of that organelle.  

Write something:  Number the organelles of your cell and then write an explanation for each part.  The explanations should include:  1)  why you chose that material  2)  how the material suits the characteristics and/or function of the organelle  3)  how the material falls short in representing the organelle.  Be as specific as possible.

When:  

Due on _Monday, October 2, 2017_____

Grading Criteria:

Model evaluated on:

1)  Creativity (5 pts) 2)  Presentation (5 pts)

3)  Accuracy (5 pts)   4)  Enough Organelles and labeled (5 pts)

5)  Writing:  completeness (5 pts) 6)  Writing:  specificity (5 pts)

7)  Writing:  spelling, grammar, clarity (5 pts)

8)  Citation of resources (at least 2 beyond the class materials) (5 pts)

Total = 40 pts

Turnitin.com information for SPARK Lectures

In this class, we use turnitin.com for submitting many of our assignments, including SPARK lectures.  For SPARK lectures, please write a reasonably detailed summary of what the speaker said and then give your personal response to the talk.  Good summaries and responses are typically about 1.5 pages double-spaced.  We always submit them to turnitin.com.  There is only 1 submission per quarter.  Turnitin.com information for this class is as follows:

Class ID:  16347480
Password:  microscope

4th Week of School (Already?)

• Mon 9/18:  Take Statistics Quiz.  Then work on the Cell Worksheet while everyone finishes the quiz.  When finished, we will review parts of the worksheet, as well as talk about microscopes.  Please finish the worksheet, and read pp 3-7 on microscopes for homework.  
• Wed 9/20:  Turn in the Cell Worksheet.  Using a light microscope.  Do the Date-Based Questions on pp 6-7.  Today we will look at cork, pond water, elodea, and onion cell.  Draw clear and well-labeled diagrams of each.  Read 1.2 for homework.
• Fri 9/22:  How to calculate magnification.  Do DBQ on pp. 6-7 in your notebook.  Continue with the microscope lab, making clear diagrams, and calculating magnification for every drawing.  Introduce Cell Model Project and go over the Cell Worksheet.

What's on that Quiz on Monday, 9/18?

Be Able to:

• Count sig. figs. and compute and round appropriately
• List the requirements for a good IB graph and give a sketch of what one might look like
• Use TI-84 to calculate standard deviation, t-test, mean, and n (number of stats)
• Figure out degrees of freedom, find critical value (using chart), and interpret meaning
• State meaning of standard deviation and ranges for 1 and 2 standard deviations (68% and 95%)
• Calculate uncertainty (high-low)/2
• Propagate uncertainty for adding/subtracting and multiplying/dividing
• Calculate number of organisms in a grid using values from several quadrats

Brine Shrimp Data

Class Data for Brine Shrimp Lab: Percent Hatching

3% Salinity	5% Salinity
2.0	13
4.2	9.8
13	12
7.7	9.9
3.8	32
9.8	30.
7.3	4.2
13	0.24!!
9.1	23
14	58
14	36
14	17
19	23
1.4	25
7.0	9.1

Third Week of School

• Tues 9/12/17:  Go over how to show work using the standard deviation and t-test formula.  Calculate the standard deviation and t-test for the class brine shrimp data and determine whether the salinity (3 or 5% salt water) had a significant impact on the hatching rate.  Show work for this on the back of the statistics packet.  As a class we will learn how to do a histogram and then each student will make one using the vole data from the statistics packet.  The rest of the time will be for working on the statistics packet.  When you are done, turn it in.  Get the TI-84 and Brine Shrimp lab hand-out checked off.  Statistics Packet should be turned in before the end of class or at the beginning of class on Thursday 9/14.
• Thurs 9/14/17:  Review statistics material.  We will take a quiz on it on Mon 9/18.  Begin Cells Unit by starting Introduction to Cells Worksheet.  Homework:  prepare for the quiz and start reading 1.1 in the text.

Beginning of the the Year!

• Wed 8/30:  Take roll, fill out student information sheets.  Brainstorm in groups:  what is biology?  Class expectations and class website.  Demonstrate Early Work.  Introduce significant figures and how to count them.  Do problems 1-17 on the Uncertainty, Significant Figures, and Graph Practice worksheet.
• Fri 9/1:  Pick up textbooks from the book room.  Questions on classroom expectations or topics covered?  Discuss safety in the lab and academic honesty.  Hand out Safety Contract and Academic Honesty Contract.  Please sign both and get a parent/guardian to sign by next Friday 9/8.  Propagating uncertainty.  Finish first side of worksheet and work on the back.  But, don't do the graphing yet!  We will do that in class on Wednesday.  Start Brine Shrimp Lab.  Count cysts and estimate how many are in the grid.
• Wed 9/6:  Graphing data using LoggerPro.  Each of you needs to get a graph checked off, demonstrating that you can use the program.  Get the Uncertainty, Significant Figures, and Graph Practice worksheet checked off.     Count brine shrimp cysts, add salt water to them, and put on the counter to hatch. Do the TI-84 activity.   Remember that your Safety and Academic Honesty contracts are due signed by Friday 9/8.
• Fri 9/8:  Turn in signed contracts.  Count live brine shrimp and calculate percent hatched.  Show your work.   Explain the concept of t-test and what the results mean.   Complete TI-84 Activity.  Start Statistics Hand-Out.

Welcome to Higher Level IB Biology!!

Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year!  This will be the website for your IB Biology class for the next 2 years.  If you look through old entries you can see what classes before you have done.  This will be a good place to go to get class assignments, class resources, and just to keep yourself informed about the class.  When you miss class, come here first to see what we did in class and to find out if there is anything you can do from home.  After that, if you still have questions, you can e-mail me:  mkenny@pps.net

I look forward to meeting you and spending the next 2 years learning biology!  We will cover the following topics during the first year:

First Semester

Introduction to Course, Statistics, and Measuring

Cells and Membranes

Biochemistry:  Macromolecules

Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis

Cell Division:  Mitosis and Meiosis

Genetics

Second Semester

Replication, Transcription, Translation

Enzymes

Biotechnology

Plants

Ecology (maybe get it started)

Long Answer Questions for Final Exam to be taken next Wednesday, May 24

Longer Answer Questions:  On Test Day, We Will Draw 7 of These Out of a “Hat” and You Will Answer 4 of them.  6 pts each

1. Outline the differences between 3 distinct types of cells and explain how their differences suit their different functions.
2. Outline the process of DNA replication, including the functions of all of the enzymes, and using important details like leading and lagging strands, direction of replication, etc.
3. Outline the process of meiosis (the steps) and include the function of meiosis.
4. Outline the process of genetic modification, give 3 examples of its use, and give 2 pros and 2 cons of use of this technology.
5. List 3 Greenhouse Gases, outline how they cause warming, and discuss the evidence for anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change.
6. Outline the principles of natural selection using a specific example.
7. Outline the process of a specific immune response, including how the body is able to respond faster to the next exposure.
8. Outline the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
9. Outline the process of fertilization and early development through implantation in humans.
10. Explain how sound is received, transmitted, and processed in humans.
11. Outline the process of transpiration in plants, including what happens at the roots, the stems, and the leaves.
12. Explain the relationship between structure and function for arteries, capillaries, and veins.

Guidelines for the Final Exam to be Taken on Wednesday 5/24 (more specifics to come later)

• 20 multiple choice from everything!  (there will even be a few from paper 3 stuff):  (20 pts)
• 1 DBQ with 3 questions (6 pts)
• 3 Short Answer Questions from Paper 3 (9 pts)
• 3 Short Answer Questions from Paper 2 (9 pts)
• 4 Long Answer Questions (I will give you a list of about 10-12 questions and we will draw 6-7 of them on test day)  (24 pts)

Total Points:  68 pts

Welcome Back From Spring Break!

We are going to be very busy for the next 4 weeks!

• Mon 4/3:  6.5 Material.  Structure of neurons, myelinated nerve fibers, resting and action potentials, transmission of a nerve impulse, synapses.  Read A1 and A2 for Wednesday!
• Wed 4/5:  Neurodevelopment and the human brain.  Read A3 for Friday!
• Fri 4/7:  (Full 8 Day, so short classes)  Perception of stimuli, olfactory, visual, auditory.  Read A4 for Monday!
• Mon 4/10:  Dissection of Cow's Eyes.  Review structure of the eye and ear.  Innate and Learned Behavior.  Read A5 for Wednesday!
• Wed 4/12:  Reflex arcs. Learning.  Psychoactive Drugs.  Read A6 for Friday!
• Fri 4/14:  Ethology (animal behaviors).  Kahoot Review on Neurobiology Option.  Paper 3 Test on Tuesday 4/18.
• Tues 4/18:  Paper 3 Test.  Review past material.
• Thurs 4/20:  Giant Kahoot Review for the whole 2 years.  Papers 1 and 2 taken next Monday and Wednesday.
• Mon 4/24:  Paper 1 (multiple choice).  Review data-based questions.
• Wed 4/26:  Paper 2.  
• Fri 4/28:  Go over the Practice Tests.
• Mon 5/1:  Afternoon:  IB Biology Tests:  Paper 1 and Paper 2
• Tues 5/2:  Morning:  IB Biology Test:  Paper 3.

What's going to be on that big test on Thursday, 3/23??

The topics are Muscles (11.2), the Kidney (11.3), Hormones (6.6) and Reproduction (6.6 and 11.4).

1. There will be about 15-20 multiple choice.  Check out the Kahoot quizzes (2 of them) for ideas.
2. You will have to draw and label either the human kidney or a sarcomere.
3. You will have to label either the female reproductive system or the male reproductive system.
4. You will have to label a sperm or an egg or an elbow joint.
5. You will have to answer 4-5 out of 6-7 short answer questions.  Possibilities include:  outline the steps of a muscle contraction starting with nerve impulse, describe what happens at different parts of the nephron/glomerulus, compare and contrast type I and type diabetes, outline the steps of fertilization, compare and contrast spermatogenesis and oogenesis, outline the process of in vitro fertilization, outline the structure and function of the placenta.

The weeks of 3/13-3/24

• Mon 3/13:  Review kidney.  Blood glucose control and diabetes.  3 more hormones (thyroxin, leptin, and melatonin).  You take notes on them.  Male and female reproductive anatomy.  Male and female hormones.  Reproductive System coloring sheet.   Read 11.4 in text.
• Wed 3/15:  Hormones of the menstrual cycle.  Human Reproduction worksheet.  Work independently or in groups.  Go over spermatogenesis vs oogenesis and structure of ova and sperm.  Go over fertilization.  Start reviewing cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
• Fri 3/17: Final IA's need to be turned in by today if you want me to have time to do a good job on grading it.   The placenta, pregnancy, and birth.  In vitro fertilization.  Review for Muscle, Kidney, Hormone, and Reproduction Test to be taken on Thursday 3/23.
• Tues 3/21:  Review for Big Ole' Test!  Kahoot, what will be on the test, etc.  
• Thurs 3/13:  Take Muscle, Kidney, Hormone, and Reproduction test.  Start structure of neurons.  Read 6.5 and Option A over Spring Break!  If you haven't turned in your IA, it needs to be turned in by today!

Muscle Bookwork: To be done after quiz on Wed 3/1 and for homework if you don't have time in class.

Starting on p. 480 of 11.2:

1. Describe what is unique about muscle fiber cells.
2. Draw a labeled diagram of a muscle fiber.  
3. Describe the structure of myofibrils.
4. Draw a labeled diagram of a sarcomere.
5. Describe the mechanism of skeletal muscle contraction.
6. Outline the control of skeletal muscle contraction, including the role of ATP.
7. How did scientists use fluorescent dyes to demonstrate the role of ATP in the actin-myosin interaction?

Survey code: goo.gl/forms/2Rye9V4Jx4aiVycv1

Instructions for submission of your IA

You will turn in the final draft of your IA through turnitin.com.  The official due date is Tues 3/7, and while it can be somewhat later, keep in mind that I need to have time to grade it and I will not spend my Spring Break grading IA's, so if you turn yours in really late, I honestly will not have time to give it a thoughtful consideration before the scores need to be submitted to IB.

1. Please remove all identifying information before you turn it in, so no names, yours or anyone else's.
2. Make sure that your question is truly focused.  Some were too vague.
3. Make sure you cite sources that you used.
4. Make sure that you specifically address safety, ethics, and environmental concerns, especially if you were using humans or other animals in your investigation.  
5. Make sure that your data tables and graphs have labels, units, uncertainty.
6. Make sure that you use lots of data in discussing your results.
7. Make sure that you refer to the scientific context (in some cases, this might not be possible, but in most, it is).
8. Make sure that you include STRENGTHS of your investigation!
9. Check your evaluation.  Some of you had bare minimum, somewhat uninspired lists of 3 sources of uncertainty.  Those will get lower scores, and doing a more thorough job on this section is not that difficult!
10. Proofread!!  There were some typos when I read these and I didn't correct them because I didn't feel it was my job.  Please re-read it yourself and have somebody else read it for spelling and clarity.  Communication is a whole 4 points and it is a shame to lose points on this that could be easily prevented.  There is also a 12 page limit and you will be penalized a point if you go over this.
11. If you have some questions on these, ask me before you submit your IA.  

Updated version of what we are doing (Early March)

• Mon 2/27:  Group IV Project
• Wed 3/1:  Immune System Quiz/Test.  Check off Sustainability Worksheet (everybody, not just Group IV people).  Muscle Bookwork from 11.2 (see above post).  Reminders about IA submission (see above).  Read 11.2.
• Fri 3/3:  Muscles and Joints.  Dissect chicken wings.  Labeled drawing, observations, and 3 structures and functions described turned in in pairs.  Watch Video on muscle action.
• Tues 3/7:  Official due date of final IA through turnitin.com, although somewhat flexible.   Finish up dissecting muscles and movement and start on structure of the kidney, including the functional unit of the nephron.  Read 11.3.
• Thurs 3/9:  Describe what happens at each point in the kidney, including the function of the Loop of Henle and ADH.  Treatment of kidney failure and urinalysis.

Respiration Quiz on Tues 2/14

• Distinguish between ventilation, cell respiration, and gas exchange
• Identify parts of the respiratory system on a diagram:  trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, diaphragm, intercostal muscles
• Outline structure and function of the alveoli.
• Be able to state the shape and function of type I and type II pneumocytes
• Be able to outline the process of breathing in terms of muscle action, pressure, and volume
• Be able to explain why muscles come in antagonistic pairs and identify the antagonistic pairs in breathing
• Be able to describe how you would go about doing a ventilation experiment
• Be able to outline the causes and consequences of both lung cancer and emphysema

General Outline That Gets Us Through the IB Exam

This is the plan I have come up with after all the snow days.  You will note that we will be moving very fast!  But hopefully knowing what we are doing will help you plan things out.  If there is interest, we will also likely incorporate some review from last year into FLEX so that we can gradually go over the concepts from last year, instead of cramming it all in at the end.

Fri 2/10:  Check off DBQ's on p 312 and 318 and go over.  Review Respiration Topics for Quiz on Tuesday 2/14.  Start antibiotic lab and read about antibiotics in 6.3.
Tues 2/14:  Respiration Quiz.  Measure Zones of Inhibition on Bacteria Plates and start processing.
Thurs 2/16:  Full Draft of IA due through turnitin.com (with some flexibility).  Notes on barriers to infection, blood components, blood clotting, and antibody production.  Work on Antibiotic Lab, due Thurs 2/23 in pairs through turnitin.com  Read 11.1.
Tues 2/21:    HIV/AIDS history and science.  Vaccines and vaccination.  Monoclonal Antibodies. Immune Quiz on Wed 3/1.
Thurs 2/23: Antibiotic Lab due through turnitin.com. Review for Immune Quiz.  Dissect Chicken Wings.  Types of bones and joints. Read 11.2.
Mon 2/27:  Group IV Project.  All IB science testers who have not done this yet MUST participate!
Wed 3/1:  Immunology Quiz.  More on the elbow joint and start muscle fibers.
Fri 3/3: Actin and Myosin.  Structure and function of muscles!
Tues 3/7:  Final Draft of IA due through turnitin.com.  Structure of the kidney and the active unit of the nephron.  Read 11.3.
Thurs 3/9:  Ultrafiltration in the kidney!
Mon 3/13:  Hormones and start reproductive system anatomy.  Read 6.6.
Wed 3/15 and Fri 3/17:  More reproductive system!  Read 11.4.
Tues 3/21:  Big ole' review for muscle, kidney, hormone, reproduction test to be taken on Thursday 3/23.
Thurs 3/23:  Big ole Test!  (This is the last unit test we will take).  Please Read Option A in the book on Neurobiology and Behavior over Spring Break.
SPRING BREAK!!
4/3,4/5, 4/10,4/12, 4/14:  Option A Material!!
4/18:  Practice Paper 3
4/20:  Practice Paper 1
4/24:  Practice Paper 2
4/26 and 4/28:  Go over Practice Tests and Last Minute Review.
May 1 and May 2:  IB Biology Exam!!

IA Guidelines

I recommend that you look at your book in pages 708-712 for more on what IB says about science Internal Assessments.  Here are the basic categories and some guidelines:

Personal Engagement (2 points):  Assesses the extent to which you engage with the investigation and make it your own.  Can be seen through thinking independently, creativity, addressing personal interests, and/or presenting scientific ideas in your own way.  Even though I saw what you did in your lab, you need to make sure that your write-up explicitly demonstrates your engagement.  I am not looking for a specific section of your lab that is labeled "personal engagement", but hopefully your interest and perseverance are clear throughout.

Exploration (6 points):  Assesses the extent to which you establish the scientific context for you work, state a clear and focused research question, and use concepts and techniques appropriate to the course you are studying.  You should also address how you considered safety, environmental, and ethical issues.  In this section, I am looking for good background, focused question, defined variables, and a well thought-out methodology that explains why and how you did things, being specific!  Make sure that you clearly state how you controlled your variables.

Analysis (6 points):  Assesses the extent to which your report provides evidence that you have selected, processed, analysed, and interpreted the data in ways that are relevant to the research question and can support a conclusion.  This section includes your raw data presentation, including labels, units, and uncertainty.  You need to have qualitative data (observations) as well as quantitative data.  It also includes any data processing, including equations, a sample calculation of each, well-presented graphs, etc.  Finally, you need to have written interpretation of your data, referencing it specifically to back yourself up.

Evaluation (6 points):  Assesses the extent to which your report provides evidence of evaluation of the investigation and results with regard to the research question and wider world.  State a detailed conclusion that is described and justified and relevant to the research question.  Make a comparison to the accepted scientific context if relevant.  Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the investigation.  The weaknesses can be listed in a table as source of uncertainty or limitation, implication to the results, and realistic suggestion for improvement.

Communication (4 points):  Assesses whether the investigation is presented and reported in a way that supports effective communication of the focus, process and outcomes of the investigation.  Writing should be clear and checked for spelling, grammar, etc.  Tables should be well-organized and paper should flow clearly.  Use appropriate biological vocabulary.  Paper should be between 6-12 pages long.  There is a 1 pt penalty for going over 12 pages.

The Beginning of Your Last Semester of High School!

• Mon 2/6:  Look at Final Exams.  Some notes on the Respiratory System.  Data-based questions on the respiratory system done in your notes (p. 312 and 318).  Read 6.4.  Work on internal assessments?  Clean up the lab.
• Wed 2/8:  More notes on the Respiratory System.  Finish reading 6.4.  We will have a respiratory system quiz on Tuesday 2/14.   Guidelines for completed Internal Assessment write-up, due Thursday 2/16 through turnitin.com (with some flexibility for students who are still trying to get data).
• Fri 2/10:  Review the respiratory system.  Start Immunology by plating bacteria and testing antibiotics.
• Tues 2/14:  Respiratory system quiz.  Measure "zones of inhibition" on bacteria plates.
• Thurs 2/16:  First full draft of IA due through turnitin.com.  Notes on Immunology.  Read 6.3.

Semester Final Grades for 5th and 6th Periods

Hello Students!

I just entered Final Exam scores for 5th and 6th Periods.  Please note that I have not read Extra Credit book reviews yet and I am not likely to until tomorrow at the earliest.  All extra credit will be added on to the final percentage that you see.  Also, I will go back to the Internal Assessments and enter points for those.  If you have not yet submitted yours, I would do that now!  

Enjoy your week-end and stay safe out there!

Ms. Kenny

End of the Semester

• Tues 1/24:  More work on IA's.  Review Ecology and Evolution Concepts.  Please submit the Front End of your IA write-up (Focused Question, Solid Background w/ citations, Variables, and Methodology) through turnitin.com by Monday 1/30.  I will give points for completing this before the end of the semester, although it will not be formally graded. 
• Thurs 1/26:  More work on IA's.  Review Biodiversity Concepts.  Look on the website for powerpoints for these topics.  Last day for book groups, either FLEX or during lunch.
• Mon 1/30:  Last day of the semester.  Book Group reviews due through turnitin.com by 6:00 pm.  Front end of IA write-up also due through turnitin.com by 6:00 pm today.  Play Kahoot to review.  You can access the Kahoot game if you get a Kahoot account and look for mokenny's quizzes.  I will make it available to the public after 7th period today.

Snowpocalypse Update!

Hello Students!  I hope you are enjoying your extended snow break!  While it is inconvenient academically and for getting around, we'll all remember this event for quite some time.  Enjoy the slower pace and the shear beauty.  We'll be back to the rain and your heavy workload in no time.

Some of you may be concerned about your Internal Assessments.  Don't worry about it too much.  As many of you saw on Tuesday, the plants grew like gangbusters and it is likely that many of you with plants will have to start over.  The good news is that we now know that the plants grow really well on that cart and you may have a few ideas about doing it differently next time.  Also, remember that starting over gives you more to talk about and more personal engagement!!   Hopefully you can all get your investigations done in the remaining class days before finals, but if people need more time, that is okay.  Basically, the labs need to be completely done and graded before Spring Break.  I'll have you turn in a rough draft the 3rd week of February, give you some feedback, and collect the final draft the first week of March.

Also, we have lost 5 B-days so far and while some may be made up at the end of the school year, the date of the IB Biology exam will not change, so we will need to move pretty quickly during the 2nd semester.  Be prepared for that.  I will give you the topics and readings in advance.  The remaining topics include:   Gas Exchange (6.4), Immunology (6.3 and 11.1), Muscles and Movement (11.2), the Kidney (11.3), Hormones and Human Reproduction (6.6 and 11.4), and Neurons, Neurobiology, and Behavior (6.5 and Option A).  As you can see, it is a lot!  In addition, last year we had review sessions during FLEX for different topics from first year.  I think that really helped some people and if enough of you are interested, we will do that again this year.

Finally, I have put a review sheet for the first semester on your website.  Book groups need to be discussed by Friday, January 27th (2 weeks from now) and turned in through turnitin.com by Monday, January 30th.  Any questions??  Let me know.

Stay warm and safe out there!
Ms. Kenny