Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow we will have our Christmas party! Thanks to all who are bringing items for the party and to Mrs. McSpaddon for organizing it. It is also pajama day, so wear your warm jammies to school.

We do have some business to take care of before the party, as we will be having a science test over Chapter 6. This chapter contains a lot of information, so please remember to study. You will not have an opportunity to correct your test if you need to due to the holidays. You also have a science review that is due that contains all the information you need to know for your test.



Good luck and have a wonderful holiday and a very Merry Christmas!!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Yes, school is almost out! But before we check out for the holidays, we have a few things to take care of first. As far as homework is concerned, we have a math review from the book due as well as the science study guide for Chapter 6 and your protist drawing (which most of you have already turned in- YEAH!). So let's not forgot that! Remember, this Tuesday you do have a final math test for the semester. It will consist of the following:

1. calculating a percentage of an amount

2. adding fractions

3. subtracting fractions

4. multiplying fractions

5. dividing fractions

6. multiplying decimals

7. subtracting decimals

8. dividing decimals

9. finding percents (like what percent of 30 is 3?)

10. writing equivalent percents

11. writing equivalent decimals

12. comparing fractions (which is greater than/lesson than)

13. Roman numerals

14. comparing percents and fractions

15. comparing decimals

16. comparing measurements

As far as the 5th grade math test, be sure to study your conversions! It is full of them!!!

Also, you will need to know roman numerals, multiplication, addition, place value, averages, fractions, subtraction, and division. Good luck!!!

As for science, you will have a test on Thursday before early dismissal, so don't forget to study! I would suggest making flashcards of all the kingdoms and their characteristics. As promised, here are my science notes. Be sure to finish up your studyguide for Tuesday!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Sec. 1: Classifying Living Things

I. Classifying Organisms
A. Classification- process of grouping things based on their shared traits
B. Taxonomy- the scientific study of how living things are classified
1. Living things that are classified together have similar characteristics
2. after organisms are classified, scientists know a lot about its structures and relationships to other organisms
II. Linnaeus Classification System
A. Carolus Linnaeus developed system of groups based on observable features
B. Binomial nomenclature- Linnaeus’s system giving each organism a two-part name
1. genus- a classification grouping that contains similar, closely related organisms
2. species- a group of similar organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring
C. Classification Today
1. Biologists classify an organism based on its structure & the way it develops or changes during its life.
2. Biologists examine the organism’s DNA
3. 7 Levels of Classification
a. kingdom
b. phylum
c. class
d. order
e. family
f. genus
g. species
4. Six Kingdoms
a. Archaebacteria
i. prokaryotes
ii. autotrophic or heterotrophic
iii. unicellular
b. eubacteria
i. unicellular
ii. prokaryotes
iii. autotrophic or heterotrophic
iv. chemical make-up different from archaebacteria
v. e.coli & strep
c. protists
i. unicellular & multicellular
ii. heterotrophs & autotrophs
iii. eukaryotes
d. fungi
i. yeasts & mushrooms
ii. most multicellular
iii. heterotrophs- most feed on dead or decaying organisms
e. plants
i. multi-cellular
ii. eukaryotes
iii. autotrophs
f. animals
i. multicellular
ii. eukaryotes
iii. heterotrophs

Sec. 2: Bacteria
I. Bacteria are prokaryotes- lack nucleus
II. Genetic material in their cells is not contained in a nucleus
III. Lack many organelles such as mitochondria
IV. Cell Shape- determined by chemical makeup of rigid cell wall
A. spherical
B. rodlike
C. spiral
V. Cell Structures and Functions
A. cell wall
B. cell membrane
C. ribosomes
D. cytoplasm
E. flagella
1. extends form the cell membrane and passes out through the cell wall
2. long, whip-like structure helps the bacterium move
VI. Energy Needs
A. use their food to supply the energy they need
B. most bacteria use oxygen to break down food for energy
VII. Reproduction
A. binary fission- a process in which one cell divides to form two identical cells
B. conjugation- sexual reproduction in which one cell transfers some of its genetic material into another cell through a thread-like bridge between the cells
VIII. Survival Needs
A. endospore
1. a small, thick walled, resting cell that forms inside a bacterial cell
2. contains the cell’s genetic material & some cytoplasm
B. endospores survive for many years as they resist freezing, heating, and drying

IX. Bacteria and the Living World
A. most bacteria interact with you and other organisms in harmless or positive ways
B. archaebacteria produced methane gas for natural gas
C. eubacteria grow in milk and produce buttermilk, yogurt & cheeses
D. some are decomposers in soil and break down large moleculesin dead organisms
E. some help clean up oil spills on land and water

Sec. 3: Protists & Fungi
I. Protist Kingdom
A. Junk Drawer kingdom
B. Eukaryotic
C. Live in moist surroundings
D. Categories
1. animal-like protists
2. plant-like protists
3. fungi-like protists
II. Animal-like protists
A. have structures that enable them to move around
B. heterotrophs
C. protozoans
D. unicellular
E. move in response to a variety of external stimuli such as food or light
F. Protozoans with pseudopods
1. pseudopods- temporary bulges of the cell membrane
2. cytoplasm flows into the bulge and the rest of the organism follows
3. ameba
G. Protozoan with cilia
1. cilia are hair-like projections from cells that move with a wavelike pattern
2. movement of cilia sweeps food into organism
3. Paramecium
H. Protozoans with Flagella
1. live inside the bodies of other organisms
2. use flagella to move
I. Other protozoans
1. sporozoans- characterized more by the way they live than the way they move
2. parasites- organisms that live on or in another organism
3. host- organism harmed by parasite
4. feed on the cells and body fluids of their hosts
5. some use flagella to move, others depend on hosts for transport
6. plasmodium- causes the disease malaria
III. Plant-like Protists
A. algae- plant-like protist
B. autotrophic
C. most of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere is made by these algae
D. euglena
III. Fungus-like Protists
A. heterotrophs
B. cell walls
C. spore- a tiny cell that is able to grow into a new organism
D. use spores to reproduce
E. all mobile at some point in their lives
IV. The Fungi Kingdom
A. use spores to reproduce
B. mold on stale bread or fruit; mushrooms
C. Characteristics:
1. eukaryotes
2. use spores to reproduce
3. heterotrophs that feed in a similar way
4. need moist, warm places to grow
D. Cell structure of Fungi
1. unicellular or multicellular
2. hyphae- branching, thread-like tubes that make up the bodies of multicellular fungi
E. How Fungi find food
1. some feed on remains of dead organisms
2. some are parasites that break down the chemicals in living organisms (athlete’s foot)
3. absorb food through hyphae that grow into the food source
F. Reproduction in Fungi
1. asexual reproduction
a. occurs when there is adequate moisture and food
b. reproduce by growing spore-producing reproductive hyphae
c. budding- no spores are produced, a small yeast cell grows from the body of a
large-parent cell
sexual reproduction
2. sexual reproduction
a. occurs when growing conditions become unfavorable
b. the hyphae of two fungi grow together and a new spore producing structure
grows from the joined hyphae
c. spores develop into fungi that have the genetic material of both parents

Sec. 4: The Plant Kingdom
I. What is a Plant?
A. multicellular
B. eukaryotes
C. produce their food through photosynthesis
D. vascular tissue
1. an internal system of tube-like structures that carry water, minerals, and food
2. supports the bodies of plants, enabling them to grow large
E. non-vascular plants
1. only pass material from one cell to the next
2. lack the support and cannot grow wide or tall
3. mosses
F. Leaves
1. organs that carry out photosynthesis in vascular plants
2. vascular tissue carries the water needed for photosynthesis to the leaf
3. stomata- tiny pores that control the movement of gases into and out of the leaf
G. Roots and Stems
1. roots are organs that anchor plants in the ground and absorb water and nutrients form
soil
2. stems carry substances back and forth between the roots and leaves
II. Reproduction
A. Two stages
1. 1st stage plant produces spores, the tiny cells that can grow into new organisms
2. 2nd stage plant spores undergo sexual reproduction that involves fertilization
a. fertilization- occurs when a sperm cell unites with an egg cell
b. zygote- a fertilized egg
c. embryo- a young organism that develops from a zygote
B. Seeds
1. definition- a structure that contains a young plant inside a protective covering
2. parts
a. embryo- beginnings of roots, stems, & leaves
b. stored food- used until it can make its own food
c. seed coat
3. cotyledons- one or two seed leaves where food is stored
4. Dispersion
a. wind
b. animals eat seeds & deposit them in waste
c. may stick to animal’s fur
C. Cones
1. Cones are reproductive structures of gymnosperms
2. Cone types
a. male cones produce tiny grains of pollen (sperm cells)
b. female cones produce ovules (structure containing egg cells)
3. Pollen fertilizes ovule and zygote develops into embryo part of seed
D. Flowers
1. Flowers are the reproductive organs of angiosperm seed plants
2. Reproductive organs
a. Stamen- male reproductive part that produces pollen
b. Pistil- female reproductive part with a hollow organ called an ovary (contains
ovules that contain egg cells)
3. Pollination
a. flower is pollinated when a grain of pollen falls on the top of a pistil,
or stigma
b. pollen adheres to sticky stigma
c. Sperm fertilizes the egg cell in ovule
d. zygote develops into embryo part of the seed
e. as the seed develops, the ovary changes into a fruit
f. fruit is a ripened ovary and other structures that enclose one or more seeds
III. Plant Responses and Growth
A. Plants grow either toward or away from a stimulus
B. Tropisms- a plant’s growth response toward or away from a stimulus
1. positive tropism- plant grows toward stimulus
2. negative tropism- plant grows away from stimulus
3. Important external stimuli
a. touch
b. light
c. gravity
C. Hormones
1. def.- a chemical produced inside an organism that affects the organism’s body
processes, such as growth and development
2. act as internal stimuli that cause an organism’s cells, tissues, and organs to respond
3. control the formation of flowers, stems, and leaves, the shedding of leaves, and
development and ripening of fruit
D. Life Spans of Flowering Plants
1. annuals- flowering plants that live for only one year
2. biennials- flowering plants that live for two years
3. perennials- flowering plants that live more than two years

Math & more!

Tomorrow's homework includes creating a pictograph and assessing the range, mean, and median of your information. Please use a ruler and be neat!!! Be sure to include a title and labels.

In science, we started our new study of classification & taxonomy. Don't forget to finish up Section 1 review questions if you haven't finished them yet. I have also passed out the studyguide, so be sure to keep up! We have completed section 1 and Thursday we will cover section 2 about bacteria.

Please be sure to return progress reports tomorrow and to study for your math test on Tuesday!

Have a great week!

This weeks happenings!

Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day! This week we are completing our study of percentages and starting our graph unit. On Tuesday we will study probability and pictographs. On Thursday we will look at bar graphs. There was no math homework over the holidays.

As far as science goes, if you have not taken your science test yet due to an abscence, you will need to make that up tomorrow. We will also be starting Chapter 6 about classification, and the 6 kingdoms of protista, plants, eubacteria, archebacteria, fungi, and animals. We will complete sections 1 & 2 this week. Be sure to keep up with your study guide as well. Science tests from Chapter 5 have been graded and will be returned tomorrow.

We have finished 3 weeks of this six weeks, so it is time again for progress reports. I will send these home tomorrow. Please sign and return them by Thursday.

Have a great week!

Math Test & Science Review

We have a math test tomorrow! Please be sure to finish up your Comparison Review, p. 127 from class and your homework, pp 129-130. I will take it up and grade it tomorrow. We will be having a test on Thursday containing the following materials:

1. calculating sales tax

2. reducing fractions

3. changing percents to decimals

4. changing fractions to decimals

5. rounding decimals

6. changing fractional percents to decimals

7. using percents larger than 100%

8. finding percentages of a number

And reviewing topics of:

9. changing an improper fraction to a mixed number

10. reducing a fraction to lowest terms

11. converting percents to fractions

12. converting percents to decimals

13. completing a proportion

14. converting weight & volume

15. multiplying fractions

16. adding mixed numbers

17. long division

18. dividing mixed numbers

19. subtracting mixed numbers

20. long division with decimal divisors

21. adding decimals

22. multiplying decimals

As for science, the study guide packet is due tomorrow. We will review for our science test tomorrow which will be on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I am posting the notes here:

Chapter 5 Notes
Cell Processes and Energy

Sec.1: The cell in Its Environment

I. Cell Membrane as Gatekeeper
A. selectively permeable- some substances can pass through it while others cannot
1. enables cell membrane to regulate the materials that enter and leave the cell
2. gatekeeper
B. Methods of movement across membrane
1. diffusion
a. main method by which small molecules move into and out of cells
b. process by which molecules tend to move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
c. caused by moving molecules colliding
2. osmosis- diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane
3. Active transport
a. passive transport- the movement o materials through a cell membrane without using energy
i. diffusion
ii. osmosis
b. active transport- the movement of materials through a cell membrane using energy
i. transport proteins- pick up molecules outside the cell and carry them in using energy
ii. transport by engulfing- cell membrane surrounds a particle, pinches off and forms a vacuole within the cell using energy
C. Cell size
1. larger cell increases amount of cytoplasm
2. more cytoplasm increases time to move a molecule through the cell
3. more cytoplasm increases time to move waste out of cell

Sec. 2: The Cell and Energy
I. Photosynthesis
A. definition- the process by which a cell of an autotroph captures the energy in sunlight and uses it to make food
B. chloroplasts contain chemicals that absorb light
C. chlorophyll- chemicals contained in chloroplasts that absorb light and give chloroplasts their green color
D. Events of Photosynthesis
1. cells capture energy from sunlight and use it to change carbon dioxide gas and water into oxygen and sugars, such as glucose
2. 6 CO2 + 6 H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
3. Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
II. Storing and Releasing the Energy in Food
A. plant cells use some of the glucose for food
B. oxygen is released
III. Respiration
A. a process in which cells breakdown simple food molecules such as glucose and release the energy they contain
B. Cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria
C. C6H12O6 + 6 O2 -> 6 CO2 + 6 H2O
D. Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + energy
IV. Comparing Photosynthesis and Respiration- opposite processes
V. Fermentation- an energy releasing process that does not require oxygen
A. Alcoholic fermentation
1. occurs in yeast- important for bakers & brewers
2. releases carbon dioxide and small amount of energy
B. Lactic-Acid Fermentation
1. takes place at times in your body
2. muscle cells use up oxygen faster than it can be replaced
3. cells used fermentation to produce energy and caused olactic acid to build-up

Sec. 3: Cell Division
I. Cell Cycle- the regular sequence of growth and division that cells undergo
A. Stage 1: Interphase- the period before cell division occurs
1. Growth- cell doubles in size and produces all the structures needed to carry out its functions
2. DNA Replication- cell makes a copy of its DNA in its nucleus
3. Preparation for Division- cell produces structures that it will use to divide during the rest of the cell cycle
B. Stage 2: Mitosis- the stage during which the cell’s nucleus divides into two new nuclei
1. one copy of the DNA is distributed into each of the two daughter cells
2. Phases of Mitosis
i. Prophase- threadlike chromatin in the cell’s nucleus begins to condense and coil (each identical rod of the chromosome is called a chromatid)
ii. Metaphase
iii. Anaphase
iv. telophase
C. Stage 3: Cytokinesis
1. final stage of the cell cycle, completes cell division
2. the cytoplasm divides, distributing the organelles into each of the two new cells
3. animal cells- cell membrane squeezes together around the middle of the cell
4. plant cells- cell plate forms across the middle of the cell
D. DNA Replication
1. ensures that each daughter cell will have all of the genetic info it needs to carry out its activities
2. Structure of DNA- double helix structure; twisted ladder
a. adenine (pairs with thymine)
b. guanine (pairs with cytosine)
c. thymine (pairs with adenine)
d. cytosine (pairs with guanine)
3. replication process-
a. begins when the two sides of the DNA molecule unwind and separate, like a zipper
b. nitrogen bases floating in the nucleus pair up with the bases on each half of the DNA molecule
c. once the new bases are attached, two new DNA molecules are formed

Have a great week and study hard!

Happenings for Next Week !

Today we continued to work on percents less than 1%, changing fractions to decimals and percents, and more. In science we discussed cellular photosynthesis, cellular respiration, fermentation, and the relationship between plants and other organisms. We also had a very successful quiz.

For Tuesday, the homework due is to have finished up sections 1 & 2 of the science packet for Chapter 5. We will finish Chapter 5 up on Tuesday and review next week. We will also be having a math test covering percents.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesdays Homework

Today we continued working on percentages as we changed percents with fractions to fractions and decimals. We also calculated percentages greater than 100. The only homework was to write 4 different word problems involving percents, solve them, and explain how and why you solved them using the same steps you use for your math journal. This will be due on Thursday.

As for science, we read Chapter 5 section 1 and discussed how cells transport molecules in and out of the selectively permeable membrane through diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. The Chapter 5 packet was passed out, and is not due until the end of the chapter. I would suggest doing section 1 soon though.

Have a happy Veterans Day!

Homework for Tuesday

We finished up our cell structure with our test on Thursday. I have graded those and will be passing them back on Tuesday. If you are curious about your grade before then, please e-mail me and I will be happy to share it with you. Because the 6 weeks is over, we will not be able to correct the math or science tests from Thursday.

We are continuing this week with percents as we use percents ending in fractions, percents over 100%, determine more or less in percents, fractions and percents, and use percents less than 1. Therefore, we will be covering lessons 63-67. We will have a quiz on Thursday as well.




As far as science goes, we will begin Chapter 5 Cell Processes and Energy. I will pass out the study guide packet on Tuesday for you to begin working on at your leisure. It will not be due until the end of the chapter.




Homework this weekend was simple- write 3 word problems involving percents and solve them.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Test Day!

Tomorrow is the last day of the 6 weeks for math & science! To finish it out, we will be having a math & science test. Be sure to do the reviews that were sent home. If you can do/know all that is on them, you should ace the exams. They are also due tomorrow. If you feel inclined to finish your science packet, you may also do that. If not, you should have time after your exam to finish up section 4 (you should already have finished sections 1-3 last weekend). Best wishes on your tests!

Math hints:

You should understand-

1. proportions

2. multiplying by decimals

3. adding fractions

4. subtracting fractions

5. multiplying fractions

6. dividing fractions

7. dividing decimals

8. subtracting decimals

9. adding decimals

10. writing equivalent fractions from decimals

11. subtracting from 100%

12. conversions

13. reduing fractions

14. exponents

15. convert percent to a decimal and decimal to percent

16. rounding decimals

For science, you need to know:

1. all vocabulary words from the book

2. the functions of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, lysosomes, nucleus, chromatin, cell membrane, cytoplasm, Golgi body, ribosome, chloroplast, & cell wall

3. characteristics that all living things share

4. things that all living things need

5. Levels of organization

6. selective breeding

7. inherited traits from parents

Study hard!

And don't forget to turn in any make-up work tomorrow!

The Finish Line is near!

Because the 6 weeks is nearly over (hard to believe), we are finishing up with a busy week! On Tuesday we will take another math quiz. Last week's quiz was fabulous! We did phenomenal! I was so proud! We will finish strong this week with percentages, fractions, and ratios. In math, you will have a math review this Tuesday to help you with your test on Thursday.

This week's quiz will include the following concepts:

proportions

division with decimals

addition, subtraction, and multiplication of fractions

addition, subtraction, and multiplication of decimals

Test 6 for Thursday will include the following concepts:

proportions

multiplication of decimals

addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals

converting decimals to fractions

subtracting percents from 100%

conversions

reducing fractions to lowest terms

exponents

converting percentages to decimals and decimals to percentages

converting fractions to percentages

rounding off decimals

Good luck!

This week in science we will finish up Chapter 4 with Genetics and review for our test on Thursday. See the previous entry for my notes on Ch. 4. Homework for this week will include a science review for the test.

Homework this weekend is:

1. Finish your cell drawing

2. Complete sec. 1-3 in your science packet

3. Find out the blood types of your parents, grandparents, and yourself

Have a great Halloween and bring me some candy Tuesday!

Science Notes

In preparation for next Thursday's tentatively scheduled science test, here are my notes:

Sec. 4-1: What is life?

I. Characteristics of living things
A. organisms- living thing
1. all living things are made of cells
2. all living things contain similar chemicals
3. all living things use energy
4. all living things grow and develop
5. all living things respond to their surroundings
6. all living things can reproduce
B. Cellular organization
1. cell- basic unit of structure and function in an organism
2. structure- the way it is made
3. function- job it performs
C. chemicals of life
1. water
2. proteins
3. lipids
4. carbohydrates
5. nucleic acids
D. Energy Use
1. grow
2. repair
E. Growth & Development
1. create new cells
2. more complex over time
F. Response to surrounding
1. stimulus- a change in an organism’s surroundings that causes the organism to react
2. external stimuli- comes from the outside
3. internal stimuli- come from within the organism
4. response- an action or change in behavior
G. Reproduction- produce offspring that are similar to the parents
II. Life Comes from Life
A. spontaneous generation- mistaken idea that living things arise from nonliving sources
III. The Needs of Living things
A. Energy
1. Autotrophs- organisms that make their own food
2. heterotrophs- organisms that can not make their own food
B. Water
C. Living space
1. competition- organisms may compete for living space
2. Share living space
D. Stable internal conditions
1. homeostasis- the maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in the surroundings

Sec. 2 Discovering Cells
I. First Cell Sightings
A. Microscope made it possible for people to discover and learn about cells
1. microscope- instrument that makes small objects look larger
2. compound microscope- a light microscope that has more than one lens
B. Robert Hooke- one of the first people to observe cells
C. Anton van Leeuwenhoek- observed tiny objects with microscope, such as bacteria
D. Matthias Schleiden - concluded plants are made of cells
E. Theodor Schwann- concluded animals are made of cells
II. Cell Theory
A. All living things are composed of cells
B. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things
C. All cells are produced from other cells
IV. How a Light Microscope Works
A. Magnification- ability to make things look larger than they are
1.lens or lenses in a light microscope magnify an object by bending the light that passes through them
2.compound microscope uses 2 or more lenses
B. Resolution
1. the ability to clearly distinguish the individual parts of an object
2. sharpness of an image
V. Electron Microscopes
A. Use a beam of electrons instead of light to examine a specimen
B. Much higher resolution than light microscopes

Sec. 3 Looking Inside Cells
I. Organelles- tiny cell structures
II. Cell Wall- a rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and some other organisms
A. Made of cellulose
B. Plants & other organisms have cell walls
C. Animal cells lack cell walls
D. Protects & supports the cell
III. Cell Membrane
A. located just inside the cell wall
B. forms the outside bounder that separates the cell from its environment in animals
C. controls what substances come into and out of a cell
IV. Nucleus
A. Nucleus- cell’s control center, or “brain”, directing all of the cell’s activities
B. Nuclear Membrane- protects the nucleus
C. Chromosomes
1. Chromatin-thin strands in the nucleus containing genetic material
2. chromosomes- structures formed when chromatin strands coil and condense
C. Nucleolus
1. located in the nucleus
2. where ribosomes, organelles where proteins are produced, are made
V. Organelles in the Cytoplasm
A. Cytoplasm- the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus
B. Produce energy, build and transport needed materials, and store and recycle wastes
C. Mitochondria
1. power houses
2. produce most of the energy the cell needs
D. Endoplasmic reticulum- maze of passageways that carry proteins and other materials from one part of the cell to another
E. Ribosomes- grainlike bodies that produce proteins
F. Golgi Bodies-
1. flattened collection of sacs and tubes that receive proteins and other newly formed materials from the endoplasmic reticulum, package them, and distribute them to other parts of the cell.
2. mail center of the cell
3. Also release materials outside the cell
G. Chloroplasts
1. large green structures floating in the cytoplasm
2. capture energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell
3. give plants their green color
H. Vacuoles
1. large, round, water-filled sac floating in the cytoplasm
2. storage area of the cellstores food and other materials needed by the cell
3. Can also store waste products
I. Lysosomes
1. small round structures that contain chemicals that breakdown large food particles into smaller ones
2. break down old cell parts and release the substances so they can be used again
3. cell’s cleanup crew
VI. Bacterial Cells
A. No nucleus
B. Prokaryotes- organisms that do not contain a nucleus
C. Eurkaryotes- organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and many of the organelles
VII. Structure and Function in Cells
A. Cells in many complex organisms are specialized
1. muscle cell
2. nerve cell
3. blood cell
VIII. Levels of organization
A. Bodies of many multi-cellular organisms have four levels of organization
1. cells
2. tissues- a group of cells that performs a specialized function
3. organs- a group of tissues that perform a specific function
4. organ systems- a group of organs that perform a complex function
5. population- all the members
B. Cells – tissues- organs- organ systems- organisms- populations

Sec. 4: Intro to Genetics
I. Parents to Offspring
A. Heredity- the process by which traits pass from parents to offspring
B. Organisms resemble their parents because they inherit genetic material from their parents
C. Genetic material is contained in cells
D. Genetics- scientific study of heredity
II. Role of Genes in Inheritance
A. DNA- the genetic material that carries information about an organism that is passed from parents to offspring
B. Genes- a section of DNA that controls a trait that an organism inherits
III. Asexual and Sexual reproduction
A. Asexual reproduction-
1. productive process that involves only one parent
2. offspring have genes identical to those of the parent
B. Sexual reproduction
1. new organisms result from the combination of genetic material from two parent organisms
2. sperm- male sex cell
3. egg- female sex cell
4. traits of the new organism are determined by genetic material from both the male and the female parents
IV. Sexual Reproduction and Change- organisms change from generation to generation as genetic material is re-sorted, over and over, each time reproduction occurs
V. Changing Traits by selective breeding
A. selective breeding- technique used to improve the quality of organisms by selecting, or choosing, certain organisms for reproduction
B. organisms w/ certain traits are mated to produce offspring with the desired traits of both parents
C. desired traits are produced by the combination of genetic material that the offspring inherit from both of their parents
VI. Changing Traits in Nature
A. Traits of organisms can change over generations naturally
B. Changes help can help organisms survive better in their environments

Math Test Thursday!

This week we are finishing up our introduction to decimals and moving into proportions, ratios, and percents. There will be NO math homework this week, other than to study and prepare for our math test on Thursday. The math test covers the following topics:
dividing fractions
adding fractions
subtracting fractions
multiplying fractions
adding decimals
subtracting decimals
dividing decimals
multiplying decimals
writing decimal equivalents (like 1/4= .25)
rounding off decimals to the nearest tenth, hundreth, and thousandth
comparing decimals (greater than, less than)
changing fractions to decimals (like 87/100 = .87)
multiplying and dividing by multiples of 10
writing a fraction in lowest terms
changing a mixed number to an improper fraction
roman numerals
conversions

HINT: Be sure to remember the decimal equivalents from your book! Like 1/2=.5, 1/4=.25, etc.

As for science, we have begun discussing cell structures and functions. We discussed the cell wall, cell membrance, and organelles such as the nucleus, ribosomes, chromosomes, chromatin, nucleolus, and more. The homework for the week is to construct a scientific drawing of either a plant or animal cell. It should be neatly done, colored, and labeled.

We are also sad to see Spencer leave this week. We wish him the best in Galveston and hope he will come back soon!

Have a super week!

Goings on at Cornerstone...

This has been a great week at Cornerstone. We had fantastic grades on our science test. Now that we finished the chemistry unit of our book, we will begin the biology unit. We started looking into organisms, their structure and functions, and cellular biology this week. We completed both section 1 and 2, and will begin section 3 next week. In this section we will be looking into the different organelles that compose the cell and their functions.

In math, our quiz was postponed today and will be given on Tuesday. We started investigating ratios and proportions today as well. We will have another math test that is scheduled for Thursday over decimals. Next week will begin looking into percents.

As far as homework is concerned, math homework for the weekend is the Decimal Review, pages 93 & 94.

Have a blessed weekend!

Homework Update!

Yesterday progress reports were sent home. Please sign and return them tomorrow. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am happy to help.

We have begun working on decimals lately, and will have a quiz tomorrow. All quizes are open note, open test. It will contain deciphering which decimal is greater than/less than, addition, subtraction, and multiplication of decimals, and division of fractions. Best of luck!

Homework, due tomorrow, is Division with a Decimal Divisor, pp 87-88.

We have also started discussing organisms and cells in science.

Have a great week!

Math Test Tuesday!

On Tuesday we will have our second math test of the 6 weeks. It will cover the following concepts:
1. changing mixed numbers to improper fractions
2. filling in the missing numerator (1/2=?/4)
3. changing improper fractions to mixed numbers
4. reducing fractions to lowest terms
5. multiplying fractions
6. dividing fractions

and it will review old concepts of:
writing roman numerals
conversions
factoring
exponents
addition
multiplication
division
subtraction

Homework for today, due Tuesday, were math pages 82 & 84. (except the Egyptian hieroglyphics problem).

Have a great weekend and leave me a comment if you have a question.

Science Test Thursday!

We have a science test over chapter 3 on Thursday. It covers forces, motion, speed, velocity, and forces of water.

Be sure to complete chapter 3 packet and chapter 3 review, both due Thursday.

There is no math homework.

The chapter notes are as follows:

Chapter 3 Notes

Sec. 3-1 Describing, Measuring, and Graphing Motion
I. Changing Position- Recognizing Motion
A. Motion-
1. definition- object is in motion when its distance from another object is changing
2. reference point- a place or object used for comparison to determine if something is in motion; an object is in motion if it changes position relative to a reference point
B. Describing Distance: SI- Basic SI unit of length is the meter (m).
C. Calculating Speed
1. speed- the distance an object travels in one unit of time (speed= distance/time)
2. Constant speed- an object whose speed does not change
3. Average speed- total distance / total time traveled
D. Describing Velocity
1. def.- speed in a given direction
2. the speed and direction of an object’s motion
E. Graphing Motion

Sec 3-2 Force & Acceleration
II. Forces and Motion
A. Force- a push or a pull on an object
1. Force can cause an object to start or stop moving or change the way that an object is moving
2. Net force- overall force acting on an object
3. unbalanced force- a force that changes an object’s motion
a. unbalanced force results when multiple forces are exerted on an object in the same direction
b. unbalanced force may also result when two forces act in different direction on the object
4. Balanced force- equal forces acting on one object in opposite directions
a. Forces cancel each other out
b. Balanced forces do not change object’s motion
B. Types of Forces
1. Contact forces- force exerted by two objects in contact with each other that push away
2. Friction- the force that one substance exerts on another when the two rub against each other
3. Gravitational Force- the force that pulls you and everything near Earth’s surface towards Earth’s center
4. Magnetic Force- attraction of a magnet to metal
5. Electrical Force- attraction between charged parts of atoms (static electricity)
C. Acceleration
1. def.- the rate at which velocity changes
2. Increasing speed- any time an unbalanced force causes the speed of an object to increase causing acceleration
3. Decreasing speed- motion in which speed decreases or slows down
4. Changing direction
5. Calculating Acceleration
a. change in velocity during each unit of time
b. Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity)/ time
6. Graphing acceleration
a. linear relationship- the graphed line rises the same amount on each axis
b. nonlinear relationship- the graphed line varies the amount of each axis

Sec. 3-3
III. Water in Motion
A. Rivers Shape the Land
1. Erosion- the process by which fragments of soil and rock are broken off from the ground surface and carried away
2. Deposition- process by which soil and rock are dropped in a new location
3. Force of moving water shapes many features of Earth’s surface
4. Sediment- particles of rock andsoil picked up andmoved by erosion and deposition
5. River Flow
a. Faster water moves, more energy
b. Speed affected by:
i. steepness of slope
ii. volume of water in the river
iii. slope of the channel
B. Profile of a River
1. Headwaters- small streams that come together at the source of the river
2. Downriver
3. Flood Plain- broad, flat valley through which the river flows
4. Meanders- looping curves in the river formed by erosion
5. Obow lake- crescent-shaped, cutoff body of water remaining from a river breaking through the ends of a meander
6. Mouth- the point where a river flows into another body of water
7. Delta- deposits at the river’s mouth
C. Rivers and Floods
1. Flood- occurs when the volume of water in a river increases so much that the river overflows its channel
2. Flooding river can erode and deposit huge amounts of soil, sand, and gravel
3. Floods can uproot trees and pluck boulders from the ground
4. Levees- sediment deposits that build up over time into long ridges that parallel the river


BEST OF LUCK!!!

Homework Assignments for Oct. 9th

This week our homework assignments will include both math & science due to our impending science test next week. They are both due on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and are :

Dividing Fractions Review (both sides)
Chapter 3 sections 1 & 2 handout (this was passed out a couple of weeks ago to begin working on as we finished each section)

We also had a quiz today, and grades looked good. Remember to be sure you have common denominators and what you do to the denominator must also be done to the numerator! Good job guys!

Have a wonderful weekend! We will see you on Tuesday!
Mrs. Marchbanks