We have been trying to answer the driving questions Why Do I Look The Way I Do? as it relates to individuals within a species, an entire species, and the environment. Using what you have learned about genetics, inheritance patterns, Punnett squares, and pedigrees, how would you answer the driving question at this point? What questions do you still have?

Then, comment on at least TWO posts in this thread.  When you comment try to keep the conversation going by asking a question or saying something that makes others want to respond to you.

In the past week, you analyzed fruit fly data in order to determine how two different traits were passed on from one generation to the next generation.  Consider the analysis and writing you did and reflect upon the process of developing a scientific argument using claim, evidence, and reasoning using the following prompts:
1.   One way I collaborated and connected with others was…
2.   I was successful in …
3.   One of my challenges was…
4.   One example of a FAIL I/we had was…
5.   One thing I will work to improve next time is…

Then, comment on at least TWO posts in this thread.  When you comment try to keep the conversation going by asking a question or saying something that makes others want to respond to you.

Scientific argument is at the core of scientific inquiry.  Scientists pose questions, make claims, provide evidence, and share ideas with one another in an attempt to uncover patterns and understand our world.  Therefore, one of my roles as a science educator is to provide opportunities for students to question their thinking, make claims, support their claims with evidence, and defend their ideas using scientific principles.  This past week, using their knowledge of genetics principles, inheritance patterns, Punnett squares, and pedigrees, 8th graders analyzed fruit fly data in order to answer the following two scientific questions:  Which mode of inheritance does the curly wing trait follow?  Which mode of inheritance does the yellow body trait follow?  Students had to state a claim, provide evidence, and explain through scientific reasoning how the evidence supported their claim.  From this initial work, student wrote a narrative argument.  The collaboration, deep analysis, rich dialogue, and willingness to continually improve their writing was inspiring.

Seventh graders have been examining different properties of matter, including, color, hardness, solubility, and now melting points.  This week the 7th graders determined the melting points of soap and fat and analyzed whether the amount of a substance affects the properties of that substance.  Students are developing wonderful laboratory skills, patience, and the ability to use what they learn in an experiment to draw appropriate scientific conclusions.  Ask your child what they have learned!

We all know that middle schoolers love to express their opinions.  However, sometimes it’s difficult getting them to share their ideas about what’s happening in the world of science.  So, on Friday, students discussed an article from Science World magazine about a young boy fighting to slow the effects of climate change by planting trees.  Seventh graders read the article independently jotting down ideas with which they agreed, disagreed, connected to, wanted to talk more about, or questioned.  Everyone then had an opportunity to contribute their thinking to a small group and respond to others’ ideas developing their ability to engage in critical discourse.

Seventh graders, you have utilized the scientific process to design and carry out your solubility experiment. Think about the process of collaborating with your partner to ask a scientific question, identify variables, write an hypothesis, develop a procedure, analyze data, and draw a conclusion.  Then, reflect upon your learning using the following questions:

1.   One way I collaborated and connected with others was…
2.    I was successful in …
3.   One of my challenges was…
4.   One example of a FAIL I/we had was…
5.   One thing I will work to improve next time is…

Then, comment on at least two posts in this thread.  When you comment try to keep the conversation going by asking a question or saying something that makes others want to respond to you.