Creating a blog (using Blogger)

Test - Immune System Friday May 13th

Quiz on Innate Immune System

1.2. Name the 2 components in body openings that TRAP pathogens.

3. Name the chemical in the stomach that kills pathogens

4. What term is give to the 'healthy' bacteria in our guts

5. Where, in our digestive tract, do colonies of these bacteria congregate (gather in large numbers)?

6. How do 'healthy' bacteria help in the immune response?

7. Name the organ that is part of the FIRST line of defense in the immune response.

8. Name the white blood cell of the innate response

9. 10. Which component of innate immunity "adheres" (or sticks to)......and what does it stick to?

11. How does the WBC kill the pathogen? (use rich language)

Commenting on Another Person's Blog

Here's the way to do it right!

! Start by greeting the person ("Hi Mrs. Knapik")
! Highlight and copy something from the person's blog....put it into Quotation marks in the comment area ("Start by greeting")
! give constructive feedback on meeting the criteria

Science 8 Posting Criteria

Here are things to ask when you read yours or someone else's post: Are you...is s/he:
* on topic? (title)
* including scientific language?
* writing 'proper' (spelling, punctuation, grammar)?
* making your writing personalized, connected, related...?

How to Add a Picture to a Blog

1. Create or find a relevant picture (using google image search, screen capture or Doodle Buddy...)

2. Place the picture on your laptop's desktop. Give it a title that includes its title and your name. For example - "nucleusmrsknapik"

3. Using Word or another text program, compose your description. For example: " I've included the picture, to the right, of the nucleus, because it shows how the nucleus is a sphere with dimples that are actually pores. Material moves in and out of the nucleus through those pores."

4. Locate the "add image" icon on the menu bar below the title. Click it.

5. On the left-hand side, locate "choose file". Then select your desktop picture. Follow instructions, which includes an "upload now" (or something like that). Notice - you get to pick how your picture shows up (left, centre or right) and the size. The picture that I've put on this blog is on the right and is a medium size.

6. Don't forget to Publish Post! Then view and if you don't like it, make changes.

7. Finally, open your text file and open the edit post, and copy and paste the description into your post.

8. Publish Post again and read it over, to be sure that you are satisfied.

This one's for Jake!

Hi Jake,

Read my post about Monday and then print off (when you get home, probably), so you know about the two types of immune systems.

I'll need you to take the cells test when you return. Plus, you'll take the final exam. I'll just give you an "in progress" report so that you have some time when you return to catch up and study. Just be prepared to come back and get right back at it.

Meanwhile, what did we do today (Tuesday)? Each student picked their own body system and did some research about it and then posted on their blog. So, why don't you pick one body system and go to biology4kids.com and learn about it: nervous system, muscle system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, respiratory system... pick one according to your interest and learn a bit about the structures related to that system.

http://www.biology4kids.com

Immune system

On Monday, we took the cells test and then posted on the immune system. There are two parts to the immune system; our first line of defense (innate) and then our second line of defense (acquired).

Monday's blog post assignment was to post two paragraphs, one on the innate system and one on the acquired system. Following the power paragraph design, a paragraph should start with a topic sentence, have up to three facts and each fact should be supported by up to two details.

The images above are a student's set of notes on the innate and acquired immune systems.

Commenting on Another Student's Blog

Today is the last day to comment on Immune System. Your task first is to summarize both the Innate and Acquired Responses. Each should be a separate paragraph. You can choose to upload an image or video if it is applicable to your posting.

Remember to use the power paragraph structure for your post. Each paragraph...what is the topic? What are three facts? Can you provide up to two points of detail for each fact?

After you have finished your blog, I will give you another student's blog address. Your job is to read all of that student's posts and to provide your own comments. Remember, comments should be constructive (building on understanding). They can be critical (noticing and correcting errors), but remember that how you critique is important, so that feelings aren't hurt and the information is viewed as constructive. It is not appropriate to simply compliment a student on his/her blog.

Finally, after you have posted your blog and commented on another students...go back to your blog and view all of the comments made. Respond to those comments. This may mean finding more information or answering questions, so be prepared to think and look before you respond.

test post for video embed

Here is my blog.

This video is about antibodies preventing foreign antigens (also called pathogens) from connecting with cells in the body.

Notice the funnel-shaped green and purple antigens on the outside of the cells. These are used for recognition and attachment. The green Y-shaped antibody wants to prevent attachment of foreign antigens (large red blobs), so it joins with those antigens. Notice in the video that once the green Y-shaped antibody has joined to the antigen, the antigen can no longer bind to the cell.

What happens next is very exciting! A large phagocyte comes along and eats the antigen-antibody complex. The antigen is destroyed!

Immune System

Monday, Jan. 11 - we are going to be watching a series of videos related to the Immune System. You’ll watch them in the same order that they are listed below. There are SIX videos to view. You'll use your ear buds (ask Ms. Malloff if you don't have them). Please stay on-task - you've a lot to accomplish this class!

I haven't figured out how to embed the "how stuff works" videos, so you've got them written on the whiteboard in the lab. In addition, I've given each of you a handout for this lesson.

You'll learn all sorts of stuff about the Immune System by watching the videos. Your blogging goal for today is to learn to embed a video. Here are the instructions - please ask Ms. Malloff for help if you're confused!

To embed a youTube video:
1. Open your blog and select new post.
2. Look to the right of the Title spot for "Edit Html" click that.
3. Then, open a second Explorer window (keep your blog posting open) and go to the YouTube video that you want... look to the right side. See the grey box with "Embed". You'll copy that code. It's a long code, so get it all!
4. Go back to your blog and paste that code into the main area (where you normally post).
5. Look back up to that right corner of your blog and select "Compose"
6. Do the rest of your blog posting, where you comment on the video that you selected:

Consider your learning about the following:
a. what an antigen is; relate an antigen to sickness
b. how the body recognizes and responds to antigens
c. how different blood cells participate in the immune response
d. Origins of antibodies - what an antibody is, what it does.
e. how the body responds to the flu



2. You need to view the first How Stuff Works video "Disease Defense: The Immune System "







6. There is a final How Stuff Works Video to watch. "Investigating Human Biology: How the Body Fights Flu "

Listen to this and respond

http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/510221/120634721/npr_120634721.mp3?_kip_ipx=1970889975-1259816949

First Test Thursday

Today we marked the homework and then clarified any student questions related to measuring density or using density information to identify materials and predict sinking/floating. The small test on Thurs. will be very similar to the homework and the lab that they did in class with the five cylinders.

Can you? 1. use both the graduated cylinder and electronic scale properly 2. understand the concepts of mass vs. volume vs. density (we imagined what density would look like at the molecular level) 3. use the density formula to calculate density if you know an object's mass and volume 4. use displacement to determine volume of things that don't pour into graduated cylinders 5. analyze densities of different items and determine whether or not items are the same material - or - analyze densities to determine whether an object will float/sink in water - or - analyze densities to determine how different liquids might layer (float/sink) if they were carefully put together. 6. need to memorize density formula and pure water's density.

New info studied today - we got our textbooks out and read a short section (368-71) that compared fresh and ocean water. We used the Smartboard to show what we thought were most important ideas in each paragraph.

No homework - but everyone should study for the test and make sure they finished the notes on 368-71.

Homework from Today (Tuesday)

I gave you a 'Homestudy' sheet. Parts A & B are review now and part C is what we'll be linking to today's lab the next time I see you. Get the whole sheet finished for Thurs. class.

You all did a good job with today's lab. We'll graph the data next class and look for that new information. Don't forget to come to school tomorrow all ready to run for Cody :-)

Homework 2009...Sept. 14 update

Hello to this year's grade 8's. For now, I'll use this to communicate homework and points of interest. However, eventually, we'll use this blog for some interactive learning :-)

You've had two homework assignments to date and both involve your parents. Remember, homework is always due the next class, right at the beginning of class.

*First, remember that last week you were supposed to get your course outline signed. I got roughly 1/3 of them handed in today. Get yours in ASAP!
**Today's homework...get your parent to look at & discuss those three graduated cylinder readings...they aren't always easy to read, are they?!? Try to explain to your parent how you interpreted the reading to be a specific number. If your parent is able, s/he could explain to you how she'd interpret it. It isn't simply about writing an answer down on paper, but trying to understand the process of taking a reading. You need a parent signature as your 'proof' that you talked about it.

We have landed, Houston!

Terrific! A handful of you presented today. Remember, the rest of you will present on Monday. Make sure that you have your portfolio, the big criteria sheet (all filled out), and every bit of your research - plus your actual presentation, of course.

Who's doing web pages, podcasts or even songs? Why don't you create a link on your blog.

Everybody - after you present you are required to do one final posting. Remember, too, that if you haven't done any comments for others that you could get one done this weekend. I've noticed that some people haven't had anyone else (other than me) writing comments. Please visit their blogs...good stuff to see.

The final posting - What are your three 'big successes' of this project (the whole thing including the research, the blogging, the bibiography, the presentation...) ? What are you celebrating?
Also, what is one 'hindsight' comment (if I could do it again...)? Finally, how did your presentation actually go? Was there good discussion, certain comments you liked or didn't like?

On the Home Stretch

Well...we're getting the idea about this bloggin, eh!

In today's class you got that big sheet on the criteria - really important that you fill it all out with comments/evidence on how you are fulfilling the requirements. This sheet should be in your portfolio.

Tomorrow's class is when we are going to do the bibiliography so make sure the information is on your research sheets in the correct format!

Next blog - will be Tuesday's class. This blog should include reflection on your self evaluation, comments about your presentation to come and any more science you want to share. Remember, we finish this week!

Blog Responsibilities

It looks like we're all getting the hang of this blogging! Remember, your comments should be responsible...meaning that you're giving positive feedback, useful information or suggestions. It isn't simply a way to bug each other :-)

For Monday's class, make sure that your citations for your research are all here and ready. We'll be making bibliographies in class.

Research should all be done by Monday, too. Please check my comments in your blog for suggestions on what should be part of your research.

Finally, come prepared to work on your presentation. This is the last week! It's great that we have so many different things planned - some are making web pages, some magazines, some CD's and music, some podcasts, some video, some newspapers... I am really looking forward to the day(s) that you all present to each other! See you Monday. Mrs. K.

Houston...we've got a problem

Hmmm...I'm not sure what's going on? Only 2 or 3 of the class of 31 have posts that I've been able to find. First post was due last week - Tuesday.

At this point, you're supposed to be wrapping up your research and actually working on your presentation. I require that you post each class, in addition to working on your presentation and finishing your research.

Requirement 1 - your first post

As you can see by the title, it's time for you to post. Deadline is end of class (Thurs.). Your post should include comments about what you are learning specific to your body system and your topic of controversy. Remember, your post can be conversational, but must be written in English, not 'text talk.' In addition, you can link a relevant pic or website.

Expect me to respond to your posting. Also, encourage your parents to respond to your posting.