Assignment: Cell Biology Newspaper Article

Upcoming Assignment:
From the list of topics provided, choose ONE to research and write a newspaper article, reporting the latest research and development AND impacts the technology has on society/economy/politics/ethics.
Approximate length: 700 words

Outline available here: Outline

Due date: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

What to submit: (1) article - typed and printed; (2) bibliography; (3) rubric (pink sheet)

Structure of News Reports

News reports aim to provide readers (viewers and listeners) with information in an interesting way. Editors of newspapers choose to publish news reports which are ‘news-worthy’. Newsworthy means having a particular type of appeal, for example, human interest, location, the unusual, a disaster, timing, prominent people, conflict, suspense, progress or wide impact. In a news report the most important facts are given first so that the audience can quickly understand what happened, who was involved, where it happened, when and why.


Structure of Articles

A headline should be an eye-catching summary of the report. It often sensationalises the event. The introductory paragraph is called the lead. It contains the most important information of the article. The least important details come last. This structure is known as the ‘inverted pyramid’ (or ‘inverted triangle’) structure.

News reports are written this way so that by reading the headline and the lead, readers can get the main information quickly without having to read the entire report. It also means that, if necessary, information can be edited from the end of the article without taking away the important parts.

{taken from http://mediareading.blogspot.ca/2007/03/test.html}

Weekly Update

All science classes this week and the next week will be used as work periods so students can prepare/design/construct their Metaphor Project.

Presentations will begin next Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Coming Up: CELLS UNIT PROJECT

Unit Project: Organ System Metaphor

This is a group project. Students will be able to to choose their own groups, however it must NOT exceed 3 people/group. 

Science classes starting next Monday (Nov. 18) will be used for preparation of this project; students are expected to work on their own time as well. 

What is expected: a 3D model/visual representation of the metaphor AND an oral presentation. 

For details, please refer to the outline: CELLS project outline

Alternative project: CELL AS A CITY/AMUSEMENT PARK; outline available here Cell Model project outline

**Presentation begins Wednesday, November 27, and continues until finished.** Specific dates for each group to be determined in class. 

Update on Unit Test

By Friday, Nov. 8:
Sec. 3.1 and 3.2 completed

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that students begin reviewing this weekend to prepare for the upcoming unit test.

Next week, in-class unit review and extra help session available after school on Monday (3:05-4:00 p.m.)

*Microscope will NOT be on this test**

Recommended review questions:
Ch. 3 Review (p. 80) #1, 2, 4, 5, 9

Unit Review (p. 84-87)
#1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38

Additional Review Sheet available here: Cells Review Sheet

*Important update*

- Finishing Chapter 2 this week

- Sec. 3.1 and 3.2 next week (11/4) and unit review

***Cells Unit Test is tentatively scheduled to be on Wednesday, Nov. 13***

Test coverage: Ch. 1 (Sec. 1.1-1.3), Ch. 2 (Sec. 2.1-2.3), Ch. 3 (3.1 and 3.2) 

*Extra help sessions will be held upon request starting 11/6. Stay tuned. 

Weekly Update

Week of 10/28:

Sec. 2.2 - Cell Specialization
Sec. 2.3 - Cellular Processes
Chapter 2 Review

Deadline extended: "Cells & Solutions" lab

Just a reminder that if you have NOT submitted the "Cells and Solutions" lab write-up, you have until 3:05 p.m. on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, to drop if off at the Science Office or the Main Office.

Don't forget to write your NAME and CLASS so that I know who it belongs to. Unnamed reports will NOT be marked.

"Cells and Solutions" assessment rubric

Criterion D: Inquiry

Achievement level	Level descriptor
0	The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.
1–2	The student attempts to state a focused problem or research question. The method suggested is incomplete. The student attempts to evaluate the method and respond to the focused problem or research question.
3–4	The student states a focused problem or research question and makes a hypothesis but does not explain it using scientific reasoning. The student selects appropriate materials and equipment and writes a mostly complete method, mentioning some of the variables involved and how to manipulate them. The student partially evaluates the method. The student comments on the validity of the hypothesis based on the outcome of the investigation. The student suggests some improvements to the method or makes suggestions for further inquiry when relevant.

Achievement level	Level descript
5–6	The student states a clear focused problem or research question, formulates a testable hypothesis and explains the hypothesis using scientific reasoning.

Weekly update: 10/21-25

Week of Oct. 21-25:

Sec. 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2
Key concepts: Unicellular organisms; Multicellular organisms; Cells Specilization

Reminder that the "Cells and Solutions" lab write-up is due on Wednesday.

Design a Lab: Cells and Solution

Purpose of assignment: To design your own investigation.
Assessment Criterion D: Inquiry
Textbook reference: p. 48
Due date: Wednesday, Oct. 23

The following elements must appear in your lab writeup [typed & printed please]:

Student name; class; teacher's name
Title of lab
Question (given in the textbook)
Hypothesis
Materials and Equipment (in list form)
Variables - control, independent, and dependent
Procedure (Must be numbered steps; usually each step begins with a verb. Make it is a FAIR TEST. Include safety tips.)
Observation (You're only asked to CREATE a suitable chart that can be used to record observation; there is NO DATA to be recorded because you wouldn't have done the lab yet.)

Update: Microscope test returned

All microscope tests have been returned as of today.
(Dear parents/guardians, please check your child's test result and sign.)

Online Dropbox

You may be required to submit certain assignments and projects online. When you're directed to, please go to the website below to upload your file:

Drop it to me

The password for upload is: handitin

*IMPORTANT!! Make sure you save your file in a name-&-assignment-specific way. For example, if the assignment is about opinion on automation, and the student's name is John Smith, a possible Word file name is:

JohnS automation.doc

OR...include your class number, such as:

JohnS 81 automation.doc

Update: 10/15-18

Week of October 15-18:
Lab: "Food for Thought"
Chapter 1 Review
Lab: Onion cells - Inquiry

Upcoming Test

Microscope test dates:

81 and 82 = Monday, October 7
87 = Tuesday, October 8

Contents:
- history of microscope (who, what, when, where, how)
- parts and functions of a compound light microscope
- use and care of a microscope
- total magnification

Please start reviewing/studying this week.

Gr 8 Update

Week of Sept. 16:
Cell Theory; Parts/Functions, Use/Care of a Microscope

Week of Sept. 23:
Microscope (continues); Plant and Animal Cells

Week of Sept. 30:
Microscope labs: prepared slides of plant and animal cells; wet and dry mount

*Safety Quiz returned. Please file it in your Science binder. Review concepts if necessary.*

Coming soon: Microscope Test (date TBA - likely end of next week or around Oct. 7/8)

87 & 81 Lab Safety Video assignment

Assignment info.:
Purpose: to educate viewers on proper conduct and safety rules in a science laboratory
What to do: create a 3-5 min. video (possible forms - music video, dramatic skit, commercial, etc.)
What & when to submit: USB; 87 Wednesday, Sept. 11; 81 Thursday, Sept. 12

Welcome to Gr. 8 Science!

Welcome to Gr. 8 Science! For students (and parents) in 81, 82 and 87, please check regularly for information regarding assignments, projects, upcoming tests, and any other important messages.

The 2013-14 Course Outline is available for view/download, as well as the Notebook & Safety Information Package.