New biology unit

            Last week we only had science class on Wednesday (I wasn't feeling good on Monday). We spent our time finishing the geology unit and checking on our seedlings for the restoration project. The kids had to finish a geology worksheet, finish their geological timeline, and start extra seeds on germination towels. We are going to McLaughlin on Friday, November 2nd, to plant seedlings at the restoration site.
          On Monday we started an unit about life, and cells. This unit will lead us to genetics. I started the class by asking students to discuss, in groups, what it means to be alive. I asked them to create a list of characteristics that can be used to classify things as living or nonliving. Both groups had common characteristics in their lists, including: movement, cells, evolution and energy. I showed them a few pictures and asked them whether they were looking at living or nonliving things. The class wasn't sure about the classification of seeds, fire and coral reef. We then discussed a few more characteristics of living things (respond to stimuli and have metabolism).
          After this discussion, we had our first "lab". I had a small microscope connected to my computer, and we used it to examine our skins, our clothes, sand, leaves, an ant, Vaca's hair and nose etc. We had fun! Chris took some pictures that I will be adding to this post (bottom).
          Today, Wednesday, we concluded our discussion about characteristics of living things and had a brief discussion about genes and evolution. It was a very interesting discussion - the kids were really involved and actively discussing their thoughts. One of the students asked me why some plants have thorns and I asked them why thorns would be an advantage for the plant. Katrin and Rodrigo talked about protection (of genes), and Garnet was really interested in knowing why/how new traits establish. I told them that mutations are random events, Luke pointed out survival of the fittest and we talked about adaptation.
          On Monday, a few students weren't convinced that seeds are living things so we dissected a bean today. I showed them the embryonic leaves and root. During the last few minutes of class, students looked, under a microscope, at single celled organisms that live in Putah creek.We saw algae and rotifers. Next week we will take a look at cheek cells, plant cells, and some more protists.