EVOLUTION??

Does Evolution really make animals change shape?  Can I see it happen?
As exciting as that may sound, the answer is NO.  Evolution is not like a science fiction movie with really cool special effects showing a creature growing a new head with fangs.  With enough time, evolution causes a SPECIES to change shape, but not an individual organism.  Every plant, animal and person remains the same thoughout its whole life.  You'll never be ale to see a fish grow legs and walk.  It just doesn't work that way.  What evolution does control is what percentage of a species possesses a certain trait or feature. 

Don't fossils provide all the answers?
While many fossils provide missing links, at least 99.9% of all the fossils in the world have yet to be discovered.  Only in the rarest of circumstances do animal fossils actually become fossilized.  Missing links do help scientists provide answers for some questions.  For example, all modern birds are descendents of prehistoric dinosaurs.  These are transitional fossils.  In the case of the birds and dinosaurs, the transitional piece is the Archaeopteryx.  This creature looked like a flying lizard with feathers. 

LESSONS FOR MARCH 5 - 9

MONDAY MARCH 5
Finish Whale Evolution Timeline/ Discussion Questions
Fossil Activity
Evidence of Evolution Video Clips
HW: GIZMO: Bird Beaks Exploration Guide

TUESDAY MARCH 6Evidence of Evolution Video Clips
Introduction to Darwin and his Studies
The finches of the Galapagos
HW: GIZMO: Bird Beaks Exploration Guide

WEDNESDAY MARCH 7Evidence of Evolution Video Clips
Introduction to Darwin and his Studies
The finches of the Galapagos
HW: GIZMO: Bird Beaks Exploration Guide

THURSDAY MARCH 8
Introduction to Darwin and his Studies
The finches of the Galapagos
HW: GIZMO: Bird Beaks Exploration Guide

FRIDAY MARCH 9
Darwin and his Studies
The finches of the Galapagos
HW: GIZMO: Bird Beaks Exploration Guide

GIZMO's are due by Friday at 6pm. No late assignments will be accepted!
Extra Credit due Friday March 9, 2012!

PINK DOLPHINS OF THE AMAZON

The video provides examples of Habitat, Ecosystem, Adaptation, Communication Techniques, Feeding Techniques, and Body Type & Color. Can you find examples of each category from the video clip? 

LESSONS FOR FEB. 27 - MARCH 2

MONDAY FEBRUARY 27
Whale Evolution Video Clips
What evidence supports the hypothesis that whales were once land dwelling organisms?
HW: CCL: Whale Evolution [short response]

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28
Whale Evolution Video Clip
What evidence supports the hypothesis that whales were once land dwelling organisms?
HW: CCL: Whale Evolution [short response]

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 29
Whale Evolution Timeline Activity
HW: CCL: Whale Evolution [short response]

THURSDAY MARCH 1
Whale Evolution Timeline Activity
HW: CCL: Whale Evolution [short response]

FRIDAY MARCH 2
Complete Whale Evolution Timeline Activity
Fossil Activity...
HW: CCL: Whale Evolution [short response]

CCL assignments are due by Friday at 6pm. No late assignments will be accepted!

LESSONS FOR FEB. 21 - 25

MONDAY FEBRUARY 21
No School | President's Day

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22
Checkpoint #1 | DNA (50 points)
What evidence shows that organisms have evolved?
Adaptations | Pink Dolphins of the Amazon
Concept Mapping
HW: No HW

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23
Checkpoint #1 | DNA (50 points)
What evidence shows that organisms have evolved?Adaptations | Pink Dolphins of the Amazon
Concept Mapping
HW: NO HW

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24
Mixed-Up Species Article
Evolution Notes
How have fossil record shown that changes in the kinds of organisms in the environment have been
occurring over time?
HW: NO HW

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25
Mixed-Up Species Article
Evolution Notes
How have fossil record shown that changes in the kinds of organisms in the environment have been
occurring over time?
HW: NO HW
Students who miss 2+ questions on the DNA checkpoint will be required to complete a "DNA packet".  The packet will be due on Feb. 27 +28.  On this date, students will have an opportunity to retake the checkpoint for a better score. 

DNA NOTES

WHAT IS DNA?

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is special because it holds the code for every cell in your body. DNA is just a long spiral chain of nucleotides. All of those nucleotides in two long chains that twist around each other. That twisting shape is called a double-helix. The spiral ladder has the ability to wind and unwind so that the nucleic acid chain can duplicate itself. That duplication process happens every time a cell divides (remember meiosis and mitosis?). When it is time for the cell to reproduce, they condense and wrap up very tightly. The tightly wound DNA is called a chromosome. They are also found in pairs (23 pairs).

DNA = INSTRUCTION BOOKJust remember that DNA is the instruction manual for an organism. Even though all organisms use the same five base pairs to build DNA, it is the order that makes us who we are. Every organism on Earth has a different number and order of base pairs.

FIVE EASY PIECESThere are five easy parts of nucleic acids. All nucleic acids are made up of the same building blocks.  Chemists call these nucleotides.
These ncleotides are made of three parts.

1. A five carbon sugar

2. A base that has a nitrogen (N) atom
(Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine, and Guanine)

3. An ion of phosphoric acid