Friday, February 19, 2010

Plankton and Seaweed Observations

Today students learned about seaweed and the different types. Seaweed is classified based on pigment type and can be green, brown, or red. Most people are only familiar with green which is very common in freshwater. In the ocean, red is the most abundant, but on our shores, brown is the most common.

A lot of seaweed has air bladders to help it float towards the surface. Other important adaptations include flexibility and gels to stay hydrated when the tide goes out. Students observed samples of dried seaweed and also one fresh sample of green algae that I collected from the pond yesterday.

Students also did plankton observations from the pond sample and were able to find some very large clear zooplankton. One looked like a large worm and others were zooming around. Who knew that zooplankton were so active in icy February?
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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.