Thursday, September 10, 2009

Plankton and Seaweed Observations

Today students watched some Blue Planet about krill and the whales that eat them as well as phytoplankton and the microzoooplankton that eat them and the megazooplankton that eat them... its a fish eat fish world.

Students then completed some observations of seaweeds. The seaweed had either been collected by Miss J in Virginia or North Carolina and dried, or it was fresh seaweed from the shores of Long Island mailed here by a friend named Josh.

Students also observed plankton in a sample from the pond behind the school using slides and microscopes. Students were amazed that there were tiny clear zooplankton zooming around in their samples.

These observations sparked questions and conversations and students gained a greater understanding of the material. I am pretty sure I even heard the word "cool" uttered a few times (and ignored all comments about stinking - everything in the ocean stinks when its out of the ocean!).

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Computer Lab Etiquette

You are in the computer lab to do work for this class. If you are not doing work, then we will have problems.

Do not pack up early. Work until the bell or until MsJ says.

SAVE OFTEN. And if you save to a key, also save it to your number. If you lose it, you will have to do it again.

If MsJ asks for your attention, stop what you are doing and listen to what she has to say.

You may watch videos about your organism through reliable websites.

You may listen to music through the computer if you have your own headphones. Rule1 MsJ cannot hear it. You get one warning. Rule2 Turn it on and listen – no million clicks and constant changing. Take both ear phones out when MsJ is talking.