Genetics and Probability

Students are learning about genetics, and that means understanding some basic ideas about the mathematics of probability.  Here are photos of a lab activity meant to demonstrate the probabilities involved in hybrid crosses:

Meiosis Modeling

Students modeled the process of meiosis (the formation of gametes) using lengths of ribbon.  Them moved, themselves, through the various stages, on a pleasant sunny day in the old gym.

Understanding Genetics: Human Health and the Genome

Read this discussion of dominant and recessive genes and then answer the questions that follow. Your written work should be neatly done, using good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Understanding Genetics: Human Health and the Genome Questions -- 1. Describe how dominant and recessive alleles work to create the trait for red hair. 2. What is a dominant negative allele? 3. Click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the article for a list of some dominant and recessive alleles. Make a table and list 5 traits that are influenced by dominant/recessive alleles.

Ancient Africa Murals

Students have spent a few days learning about and discussing the ancient African civilizations of Ghana and the Nok cultures that gave rise to the Bantu language.  Working in groups, they created "murals" based on what they learned.  Today, we hung their art work in the school cafeteria.  They are unique, beautiful, full of meaning and symbolism.  Take a look.

Guayquil, Ecuador

As we welcome the delegation from Jefferson School in Guyaquil, Ecuador, I thought it would be fun for students to see a video of the city of Guyaquil. It is a very pretty place...

Phases of Mitosis

Several students were absent last week when we watched the youtube video on the Phases of Mitosis.  I have excused the work, but I encourage you to watch the video as it contains a very good and detailed explanation of Mitosis.  The best way to watch this is to try and duplicate his diagrams/illustrations as he talks...

Hands On Equations

As we move into solving more complex algebraic equations, one of the tools students will use is a product called "Hands on Equations."  If you are curious about how this might work, here's a quick Youtube video of a young student (age 8) solving an equation using the method