Technical Difficulties...AAARRRGHGHGH!!!

Sorry about the short class yesterday, and the lesson in frustration.  Oh, you didn't mind the short class??? then sorry about the long homework and  the lesson in perseverance. [insert maniacal laughter here.]   Homework will be posted as soon as I can figure out this mess...  My brain hurts.

Muscle Memory

This week finishes off our first section of A&P which covered a lot of vocabulary as well as the skeletal and muscular systems, from the microscopic view through the tissues, organs and organ systems.  For homework, we will complete our study of the motor unit/sarcomere, complete our posters of the muscle system and put some sense into all those words naming the muscles.  And we will review the vocabulary and diagrams that we have covered up till now.  I have added two more pages, besides the homework assignment, for ongoing review: Nomenclature review (which is vocabulary- think of naming things "nomen"  and "clad" in groups) --lots of Quizlets, actually.  Reviewing with Pictures is a compilation of the diagrams and illustrations that encapsulate our first 6 weeks.

And to start off, a lesson on learning.

Make Your Sarcomere Model At Home!

OK, so we will do for homework what I could not manage in class: our goal is to make a model of the sarcomere, that smallest of structural units that make up our muscles.  I will give you a list of videos you can watch and you can also find your own resources (just google it) and using what you can find around your house, make a model to bring into class, and be prepared to explain how it works--also known as "THE SLIDING FILAMENT THEORY"

just to get you going:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Z7IijeTDg&feature=related

There may be a few extra videos too.  But the main thing is...Model a Sarcomere!  (see homework page on side)

Dem Bones

I love this picture, but it needs a caption.  What should it be?  Please leave a comment.






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Homework page is NOW COMPLETED.  Great class, I thought.  You guys are a delight to teach.

Just a note: it would be good to look over your notes shortly before class.  If you, like me, enthusiastically do all the homework on Tuesday, or even Friday, it is likely that you will have forgotten a lot by Monday.  Long-term learning requires that you go back over the materials several times over a period of days and weeks.  It really takes very little extra time when you get into the habit.

Tissues Lab

Some thoughts on class...  good job.  I never know what to expect... or how the lab will go... and so I sometimes have difficulty explaining what it is I hope to accomplish,   but you did good yesterday, I think, and I think we had a valuable time of learning.  That was the "Exploring" phase.
The homework reviews the information, and the first reading online gives you names and categories to put with your drawn  tissues and with the picture printout.  Take notes on this resource as if it were a lecture (and so you can review) and there will be a quiz for points at the beginning of next class.

The next unit is on the skeletal system.  Be ready for a lab by doing the skeletal section of the homework.

Anatomical Words

Thank you for today's class. I enjoyed each of your contributions and think that we will gain momentum as we go from week to week.  This week's homework is on the right. Click the "Week 2: Tissues and Systems" .  Call me if you have questions - 892-8540 or 827-4928 (that's our WOW! business phone.)

Psalm 139

Parents & Students,

Starting Monday, we will be studying anatomy & physiology for science, from 1:45-3:45.  This is a change from the schedule previously given.  There will be only one class per week, so that is different from last year.  But not to worry, there will still be homework.  And, I have ordered the Brains.  Literally.

I am very excited about teaching this year and learning along with you.  I have a new blog: http://wonderfullymade12.blogspot.com/ which will be your homework guide.  The textbook is online.

KEEP READING. I would like the moms to join us for the first day of class so they can understand the new homework system, which will be like a video game where you earn levels (and hopefully rewards!).  And it will be like an all-you-can-eat buffet, where you can choose from a lot of options, but you don't have to "eat" it all.

If you know other HS students not part of JB, they are welcome to join our group.  The once-a-week class-time might be convenient for them.

Art will be on Thursdays from 10:45-12:00. We will be working this semester on ceramics.

I would like to collect a materials fee of $35 per student for art, and $35 for science.  (no book needed, but expect to print out quite a few pages.)

I have been and will be working very hard to make this class interesting & memorable.  It is an important subject; I find it strange that the study of our bodies and our health would take such a small  and optional place in our state educational requirements. Those of you who are mainly looking to fulfill graduation requirements (and therefore are enrolled in NOVA or North Bay)  may wish to take the class without the homework portion; I think you would still get a lot out of it.  (This is a one semester class, tentatively.)

Feel free to call with any questions.  Also let me know if you will be there Monday.  In fact, hit "reply" just so I know you read the email. 
Thanks, Veronique