Tuesday Class

Today in science class we wrap up the last three days into a final discussion. We did a larger CPS quick start to gauge student learning. We finished the power point station as a class with a teacher lead discussion. We talked about predator prey relationships. Students also had some time to finish any loose ends on their part. Tomorrow a number of items will be handed in:
1. Owl Pellet Reconstruction
2. Food Web Diagram
3. Predator/Prey Graph
4. Owl Pellet Questions

Friday Class

Same as yesterday with the exception that today is day 2 of the 3 day setup. We also spent some time talking about our science collections. The due date is fast approaching! October 20!!!!

Thursday Class

Both science classes were mixed together for the first day of a three day set of stations. Each day students will participate in 2 stations. Currently there is no homework due with the exception of the science collection.
Station #1: Finish Owl Pellet
Station #2: Hoo eats Hoo food web activity Part 1. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #3: Predator/Prey graphing activity. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #4: Owl Pellet analysis and questions. (This IS available on the ecology page.)
Station #5: Hoo eats Hoo food web activity part 2. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #6: Power Point on Food Webs with notes. (This IS available on the ecology page!)

Wednesday Class

Very Simply, today was the day for students to finish their owl pellet reconstruction. Tomorrow we will decide when this project will be handed in for a grade.

Tuesday Class

The theme of today's science class was Skeleton Reconstruction. After students handed in their bottle biology data sheets we proceeded to explain how to go about reconstructing a skeleton. By the end of the class period, most students had organized the bones they were going to use and were set to start their displays.
There currently is no homework with the exception of their science collections. Remember, there is a science collection page on our resource section!

Monday Class

Today a variety of things were accomplished.
1. Students were graded on their bottle eco-columns. After they were graded, each group cleaned their projects.
2. Students began the reconstruction of their owl pellets.
3. Students observed for the last time their eco-columns. Tomorrow the data sheets with questions will be handed in.

Thursday Class

Class today began with bottle biology observations for 5 minutes. Then both classes met together to discuss the quality of work that we hand in. Various examples were presented using a document camera. Hopefully this discussion helps establish some guidelines and expectations. Students then made an inventory of bones they found in their pellet so we can submit our results to a national database on owl research.

Tomorrow Mr. Malefyt's team will be headed to Bear Lake for the day!

Wednesday Class

Today Mr. Wandels class had a CPS quiz to start. Both classes watched a short podcast from the Dirtiest Jobs television series when they documented the work of a owl pellet collector. Today's class consisted mostly of owl pellet dissection. Most groups finished today and even identified the skulls of the animals they found using classification keys. Each class also spent 5 minutes making observations of their bottle eco-columns.

Tuesday Class

Today Mr. Malefyt's class started with a CPS quiz. Mr. Wandel's class will do theirs tomorrow. Both classes handed in their inventory worksheets for their bottle biology. Owl pellets were started today. We started the project with a lecture on owls and owl pellets. After some lab procedures the students started to dissect their pellets.

Monday Class

Today a number of things were accomplished.
1. We finished the introduction to ecology power point. We looked at symbiosis and food webs.
2. We handed out a "Pondering Change" observation sheet for Bottle Biology. This will be used throughout the week to observe change.
3. Students finished their projects by completing their inventory sheets as well as the question portion on their pondering change sheet handed out in class today.

Tomorrow we begin our owl pellet study!

Friday Class

Today will be our last day of putting together our eco-columns. If any group still needs to supply their system with more "stuff" they can do so in the first 5 minutes of class next Monday. Students should also be mostly done with their inventory packet that they received yesterday. Have a super weekend!

Gold Fish Lab Sheet

Here is the Lab sheet from Mr. Wandel's Goldfish Lab.
Click Here for it.

Thursday Class

Today we had two things on the agenda:
1. CPS Quick Start: We completed our first cps quick start of the year. These are quick "tests" that average around 5 questions. Questions cover topics that the students had from 6th grade and 7th grade up to the point of the test. We usually do around 2 per week. The scores combined make up 10% of the final grade. To administer the test, each student receives an electronic remote that submits their answers to our computers.
2. We continued working on our bottle biology. Today we handed out the inventory packet that needs to be completed as things are put in the eco-column. It looks like tomorrow will be the last day that construction will take place.

Collection Due Date

The Science Collection will be due on:
Monday, October 20, 2008

Wed. Class

Today, two things were done in class.
1. We covered another section of the power point presentation introducing ecology. Today we covered section IV (Food Web Terms). The power point can be viewed by clicking here or by linking to it on our ecology page.
2. We started our bottle biology building today. Most structures will be built by tomorrow's class. Therefore, students should bring their non-living components tomorrow.

*Don't forget that Friday the lab packet from earlier this week is due.
Goldfish Lab Report
1. Goldfish Drawing (With 4 Labels)
2. Goldfish Observation Lab (1-5)
3. Goldfish Behavior Lab Sheet
4. Goldfish Behavior Graph

Tuesday Class

Today we accomplished two things.
1. We started the introductory ecology power point presentation with notes. Both of these are on the ecology help page. The power point can be viewed by clicking here. Today, we only viewed the first three points on the note sheet.
2. We started bottle biology. Students formed groups and started brainstorming what their ecocolumn's will look like. Each group needs (4) 2 litter bottles for class tomorrow. No living things should be brought in until at least Thursday.

Monday Class

Today, we finished working on the stations for our 7th grade science introduction. After the last station, both classes met together to discuss ways to improve your performance in a lab setting. We also discussed what is due this Friday (information on the previous posting). Finally, we talked about graphing and what their graphs should look like. Tomorrow we begin our ecology unit.

Grades on Powerschool!!!

Grades will start coming up on Powerschool soon. If you do not have a login for your child, please stop by the office and get one. This will really help you guide your son or daughter to success. Also....The Goldfish Lab Report is Due Friday!!!!

Goldfish Lab Report
1. Goldfish Drawing (With 4 Labels)
2. Goldfish Observation Lab (1-5)
3. Goldfish Behavior Lab Sheet
4. Goldfish Behavior Graph

2-Liter Bottles Wanted!!!

We are looking for 2 Liter bottles for our bottle biology collection. Each student needs three. Please don't buy pop just to get the bottles. But....If you have extras, we would appreciate the donation. Check back next week for pictures of your son or daughter engaged in the learning process!

Friday Class

Today we continued working on our introductory stations that we started yesterday. View yesterday's blog entry to read about the 6 stations. This introduction will conclude on Monday. Remember, the homework that is due on Monday is the web page printout.

Thursday Class

Today we divided into groups to go through 6 different stations. Each group made it through 2 stations today. The only homework that is assigned is the web page printout which is due on Monday. The following is a list of stations that were used today.
1. Gold Fish Observation Lab
2. Gold Fish Drawing and label station
3. Science Collection Introduction
4. Gold Fish Scientific Process Lab
5. Graphing and Lab Reporting Station
6. "Getting to Know You"

Mr. Wandel's First iMovie Ever!!!

The video quality isn't the best. This was the only way I could get it to load.

Mr. Wandel's Video

Hey Guys! It was great to see you today. I'm trying to upload my video so you can re-watch it but it is taking FOREVER!!!!! Can't wait to see you tomorrow for a cool lab on goldfish behavior that will help us recall the steps scientists take in experimentation....(Scientific Method). Music for tomorrow.....Classic Rock...See you in the hall!

Coach Wandel

1st Day of School

It was a successful first day of school today. Each of the students received the first homework of the year. If you are reading this...then I am sure the homework will be complete.
The following link is for the power point presentation that was done today on our year in preview!
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/tmalefyt-85562-year-preview-education-ppt-powerpoint/

Meet Mr. Malefyt

Welcome! Attached is a short video about myself. I look forward to getting to know each student from both 7th grade teams.