Possible Captains to Consider

• Morgan
• Evan
• Alana
• Michael
• Jordan P.
• Lena
• Andy
• Leah
• Alex
• Zane

Photosynthesis Animation Links

A Great Web Tutorial that is Interactive

Light Dependent Reactions

Calvin Cycle

Homework:Day 2 (Tuesday, August 31)

• Study for Photosynthesis Quiz
• Finish Photosynthesis Vocabulary Sheet
• Finish Photosynthesis Worksheet
• Prep. a slide show of your 10 favorite aquarium photos
• Write a personal reflection on which two captains you will vote for

Day 2 (Tuesday, August 31)

• Check and Collect Homework
• Light Dependent Reactions (Tell the story)
• Light Dependent Reactions (re-tell the story as groups)
• Calvin Cycle
• Share Captain Election Results
• Time to Draw and Practice LDR and CC for Photosynthesis Quiz Tomorrow

Inspiring Planted Aquariums

Homework: Day 1 (Monday, August 30)

• Read Syllabus and prepare questions for me for class tomorrow
• Read "Things to Know" on blog and prepare questions for me for class tomorrow
• Finish first side of photosynthesis worksheet
• Complete "what I want out of biology"
• Read and sign Lab safety sheet
• Bring back signed parent welcome sheet
• ALSO, please make a vocab. list from terms we covered in class today

Good job today,

Mr. DeWitt

Day 1 (Monday, August 30)

1. Names
2. Vision for Class
3. Purpose for Unit
4. Photosynthesis
5. Books Out
6. Emails Gathered
7. Primary Election for Captains
8. Blog Shared
9. Homework Given

Why Biology Class?

It can be a teacher's worst nightmare . . . A student asks "why are we even doing this?" Or better yet, "why do we even have to take this class . . . " I think the students are right in asking. There should be a reason. There should be a purpose. We are going to work really hard this term. Why? Why should we work so hard? Here are my answers:

Purpose: Biology class exists to prepare students for the OGT, ACT End of Course Exam, and Biology 113 and 114 at OSU, while developing their ability to do design and engage in the inquiry process.

Mission: Daily, we seek to engage, challenge, and develop high-achieving students.

Vision: Our vision for biology class is for students to be the initiators in the learning process as they tackle authentic and meaningful problems by asking questions and designing solutions.

Values: We place particular value on the following:

§ Family: We are committed to each other as a class.

§ Team: Together we improve.

§ Purpose: What we do is meaningful.

§ Everyone Plays: We all actively do our part to make class sweet.

§ Leadership: We lead by example (including Mr. DeWitt).

§ Design: We can create solutions to a project’s needs within set parameters.

§ Scientific Confidence: We can do science well with our own hands.

§ Inquiry: We can make observations that lead to understanding.

§ Scientific Literacy: We can read and write in the language of science.

§ Presentation: We present and share our meaningful work.

I am looking forward to a great class. What we do matters and it will be great.

-Mr. DeWitt

Last Year's Aquarium Design Projects

Here are a few photos from last year's aquariums:

Things to Know about Biology Class

Captains: During the first week of class, students will select their two class captains. Class captains should be selected for their history of positive peer leadership. There will be a primary and secondary election. Captains are sweet.

Portfolios: Biology students will keep class portfolios that are organized by unit and by project. Each unit will have a reflection uploaded to Task Stream as the final portfolio product for that unit.

Reflections: Unit reflections can be videos, a set of work, a final written paper, a blog post, a podcast, or a piece of art.

Project Reports: Project Reports will be uploaded to Task Stream for each project.

End of Term Open House: On November 18^th, from 6-8pm, Biology students will host parents and corporate partners for a portfolio open house. Students will share their portfolios and aquarium design projects – which will be judged by Aquarium Adventure that evening.

Student Roles: Each student will be in the class as a whole, have a captain, be part of a team, have class jobs, and play specific roles in each project.

Project Roles: For each project, every student will have a specific job – fulfilling a certain role.

Teams: For the duration of the term, the class will consist of two captain-led teams.

Class Role: Each Biology student will work to define areas of need in our biology class and meet that need with their talent.

Aquarium Design Project: Two teams will compete to design, implement, and care for the “most beautiful” aquarium.

Fundraising for ADP: Each team will be allowed one week of active fundraising after approval of fundraising plan.

Class Meetings: The biology class will have class meetings each Tuesday (brainstorm) and Thursday (reflect).

Projects: CO₂ injection solution, Project Sustainable Tank (a.k.a Project Don’t Kill the Fish), Food Re-Design, Brine Shrimp Breeding, History of Evolutionary Thought EXPO, Aquarium Design Project.

Design Process: The simple, 7-step design process will be used.

Office Hours: Where tutoring, make-up work, and extra aquarium work take place (M, T, W, and R from 2:30 -3:30)

Lecture Requests: When working on a project, teams may submit lecture requests to Mr. DeWitt to inform their work.

Blog: See pictures from class, trips, labs, etc. (www.biologyatmetrohighschool.blogspot.com)