MacColl Blog

This is for 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th hours...today I discussed your alternative assignment; "A Survival Guide for Incoming Freshman." Your guide is due the day of your final.

This is for all hours...don't forget to bring your 8 tests and your textbook for extra points on the final the day of your final.

I really encourage all of you to review your notes, labs, and activities every night! This will help you understand phylogenic classification and prepare you for the Invertebrate and Vertebrate Lab Practicals. These tests will be in a few weeks.

Please do not forget to bring your lunches or money for our field trip to the IMAX Theater this Friday! :)

Biology I Honors...you must bring Silent Spring on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (4/8, 4/9) and for Monday 4/14 and Tuesday 4/15. Please do not forget!

3rd Hour...I am so sorry that I forgot to tell you one thing about your test at the end of class..."APRIL FOOL'S DAY!" :) You are entitled to 2 bonus points on your next test. :)

Bio I Honors...make sure your answers to the Silent Spring questions are THOROUGH!

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! You have the chance to earn 10, yes 10, bonus points over break. Here's how:

Visit the AZ Natural History Museum in Mesa and answer the following question. "During the last 12 years how has the view of dinosaurs radically changed?" Be sure to staple your admission ticket to your answer.

DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE YOUR STUDY GUIDE FOR TOMORROW! If you understand everything on your study guide you will do well on tomorrow's quiz. :)

Ok guys, we are on the home stretch! If you continue to buckle down your grade will reflect your hard work!

There are only two days left to bring in your permission slip! Friday is the deadline!

Remember to bring in your permission slip on Monday! You need to bring your $10 to the bookstore (Tell them it is for Mrs. MacColl's field trip.) and staple your receipt to your SIGNED permission slip. Then turn in both to me. :) I will only accept permission slips until Friday of next week.

To my Bio IH classes...WOW! I am very pleased with the results from the past two days. Not too shabby for your first attempt at formal debating. Just remember, you must always have evidence to support your argument! I am also impressed with your appearance. You all looked professional and knowledgeable.

To my Bio I classes...You are doing a great job presenting your genetic engineering presentations. We will finish up the remaining presentations on Tuesday. You will then take your quiz. Review your notes over the weekend!

Alrighty then...this is the last weekend for those of you in Bio IH to finish your videos and Parts I, II, III, and IV. For those of you in Bio I, this is your last opportunity to finish your PowerPoint presentations on genetic engineering. Don't procrastinate any longer! Remember to have a backup...your presentation on a CD and a flash, or on CD and emailed to me, or on a flash and emailed to me. :)

Remember, you have a big heredity test on Tuesday. Therefore, if you need extra help I will see you in my room early Monday morning! :)

CHECK YOUR GRADES ONLINE! If you did not do well on your genetics problem set quiz you must come in for HELP! Your heredity test is on Tuesday and it is FULL of problems!

Bio I - Remember to have your topic selected by Wednesday. Do some research to find out what topic interests you the most. :)

Bio IH - Remember my suggested timeline for your Stem Cell Research portfolio...complete Part I by Friday and Part II and Part III by Sunday. Part IV should be completed by next Wednesday.

I know many of you have been sick. :( I also know how difficult it is to get back on track, all of your assignments made up and turned in. :( This is just a reminder to check your grades on-line to see what you are missing. Remember, for as many days you are absent is how many days you have to turn in your missing work. Don't get further behind. You will get caught up! :)

The more thorough you are answering the questions on twin studies, the better off you will be for tomorrow! :)

Jess...this is for you! Ok, so I won't be able to remind you on Monday...since we will all be home enjoying our MLK day...so don't forget to FINISH your study guide...it is due on Tuesday! Have a super weekend! :)

Big hint on number 3 of your genetic problem set...remember, there are no dominant or recessive alleles in incomplete dominance! Fix the error and then answer the questions. :)

Enjoy your sleep tomorrow morning! :) Be sure to study tonight for tomorrow's genetics quiz. Trust me, you don't want to miss the quiz (hint, hint)!

Enjoy a weekend with no Biology homework! As Homer Simpson would say, "Woo Who!" :)

Welcome back everyone! I hope you are all rested and ready for a super second semester! We talked about "Bonus Questions" today. I cannot express how important it is to complete any "Bonus Question" opportunities! Your first one is due tomorrow.

Have a super break everyone! Be safe, relax, and enjoy your families! See you in 2008! :)

I had a wonderful time today visiting TGen with you guys today! I hope you guys had a great time too! I think today was filled with insight, discovery, learning, and fun! For those of you interested in writing the essay, here are the specifics: in essay form please tell me how this field trip impacted you as a student and/or person. I will collect these essays on Monday. I know it is crunch time with finals right around the corner, but this is a GREAT opportunity for you! Have a super weekend!

For my classes reading Genome...I know it is a "tough read." My advice to you is read the questions before you read the chapter. Keep the questions next to you as you read the chapter. Take notes, that relate to the question, in your book as you read the chapter. Answer the questions after you read the chapter. This is not a book that you can read while thinking about what you are going to eat for dinner, what you are going to wear to school tomorrow, what movie you are going to see over the weekend, what lovely present you are going to buy for your loving mothers for the holidays, what "she said, he said" drama that occurred during lunch, etc. You have to stay focused on the questions as you read! Have a super weekend! :)

OK, this goes out to all of you...especially 7th hour...challenge yourself, enjoy the challenge, appreciate the fact that you have the ability to challenge your brain to think in new ways, and don't assume you know everything. Think, apply, synthesize, and evaluate rather than regurgitate!

I know many of you are animal lovers...just like me. :) The Arizona Animal Welfare League is in need of the following items. If you would like to help out the many, many, may abandoned and abused dogs and cats in our community please consider donating any of the following items.

Used blankets and towels
Working computers (both desktops and laptops)
Baby food (any brand meat or meat mixture without onions)
Aspen bedding for small animals
Canned dog food - any kind
Revolution brand flea & tick treatment for cats
Emergency Generator
Antibacterial waterless hand sanitizer
Automatic envelope opener
Bleach
Cat & dog toys - new
Cat litter
Copy paper (color or white)
Distilled water
Feliway - spray & plug-ins
Frequent flyer miles
Gauze
Gift cards to grocery stores and pet supply retailers
Glade plug-ins & refills
KMR (kitten formula)
Laminating pouches 8x11
Litter pans
Paper towels
Rubbing alcohol
Postage stamps (41 cents)
Premier Martingale collars - small, medium, and large
Providone iodine
Pulse Oxymeter (Nonin)
Trifectant disinfectant

After careful review of the many essays I received, I have chosen only 22 to go on our trip to TGen. For those I did not choose, I am sorry; I will speak to you in private about why you are not able to go. Congratulations to the following students:

Adam G., Spencer W., Christina P., Ashley A., Taylor B., Emma Z.S., Nitya R., Alexa S., Merin S., Harry G., Nikki S., Mitchell B., Marci S., Taylor T., Alex Z., Lawrence N., Jeff A., Jeff A., Jacky B., Morgan B., Andrew D., and Erick P.

Study hard this weekend! If you can solve this question place your answer in the right hand corner on the first page of your test.

"The inherited disease, sickle cell anemia, results from a single incorrect amino acid. What is the incorrect amino acid?"

Just a reminder...tomorrow is the last day to bring in food for our Thanksgiving drive. Monday is the last day to bring in toys for our Holiday drive. Thanks to all of you who have already given. :)

Today I announced that I will be able to take 30 of you to TGEN on 12/14. If you would like to go on this amazing field trip to see what scientists are doing right now to identify, treat, and prevent genetic disorders you must tell me in essay format why I should pick you. Your essays are due the Monday we return from the Thanksgiving break. I will choose the 30 most convincing essays. Good luck! :)

We are in full swing of our Thanksgiving drive and Holiday drive. I hope all of you take this opportunity to do something good in our community!

Thanksgiving drive needs: tin pan for turkey, boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned gravy, cranberries, green beans or other canned veggies, canned fruit, mushroom soup, chicken broth, and baby food.

Holiday drive needs: toys between $5-$10, please do not buy gun/weapon toys or stuffed animals, please do not wrap toys, if batteries are needed please supply, various $1 items for the moms such as candles, picture frames, kitchen supplies, house supplies, art supplies, etc.

A big thank you for those who have already given to our families. You should be very proud of yourselves for thinking of others during the holiday seasons.

Since many of you want one-on-one time to prepare for the tests I have designed a new link on my webpage for office hours. Please note that one-on-one time may be one-on-two, three, four, five...ten-time depending on the need. Remember, it is your responsibility to come in and receive the help you are needing. I encourage all of you who are having difficulties to take me up on this opportunity!

I hope you know how much I care about each and every one of you. I want you all to feel proud of your successes and accomplishments. For some of you it may take more time and effort to see success, but you are all capable of it. If you want to work hard I am here to help you every step of the way. If you are not willing to work hard, then we need to talk.

DUE TO MY MISTAKE, THE REVIEW SESSION WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY AT 7:30...NOT TUESDAY! SORRY IF THIS CAUSES ANY INCONVENIENCES FOR YOU!

OK, I know photosynthesis and cellular respiration are tough concepts to get a hold of. Be patient...the light bulb will turn on. Review your inputs and outputs. Be an active listener in class. ASK QUESTIONS!

I hope you all have a restful, fun, exciting, and safe October break! See you in a week! Don't forget...you will have your first "Benchmark Test" the Monday you return. I expect 100% attendance. :)

I am sooooooo excited for the next few days! This is going to be so much fun! :)

Good luck on your test tomorrow! I know it is a lot of information, but you are prepared. As you review/study one last time tonight ask "WHY?" and "HOW?" for every question on your study guide. It is crucial that you UNDERSTAND how the structure dictates function! For example, how does the structure of the cristae allow the mitochondria to create so much energy? Why do plant cells have larger vacuoles?

1st hour - There was a tie between the girls and boys. Therefore, everyone earned three points!

3rd hour - The girls destroyed the boys! Therefore, the girls earned three points!

4th hour - The boys destroyed the girls! Therefore, the boys earned three points!

6th hour - The girls beat the boys, but only by one. Therefore, the girls earned three points.

7th hour - There was a tie between the girls and the boys. Therefore, everyone earned three points!

I can't express how happy I have been with your attendance so far this quarter. It seems like you really understand how important being in school is every day. Attendance makes a difference! Thank you! :)

Ok, so I have made an executive decision that many of you have not realized...I have been saving up your time for two weeks now. I am surprised nobody has noticed. Anywho, on Monday you will be in for a surprise! We are going to have three days of creative, hands-on fun! Just you wait and see...

Round two tomorrow! Remember, all I want to see is IMPROVEMENT! You guys did well today during "20 Questions." You earned anywhere from 1 to 3 points. :) I am still curious as to who is using my website. For those of you reading this right now, I ask you to write the name "Hector" in the lower left hand corner on page one of your test. PLEASE DO NOT TELL ANYONE TO DO THIS! See you tomorrow.

Good luck on tomorrow's test! I hope everyone is studying tonight! Don't forget to finish your study guide...I will collect it tomorrow. The following lists the results per hour during "Biology Baseball" today. Congratulations! :)

So, tomorrow is "Science Friday." Be sure to check the AZ Republic in the morning to be prepared for Mr. Potato Head's question. If you are using the AZ Republic online go to: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/. The science articles will most likely be on the last page online because they are usually on the last two pages of the newspaper. Good luck!

OK, this is my first test to see how many of you are visiting my website. Tomorrow morning be sure to read the "Science" section of the AZ Republic. I have a feeling Mr. Potato head will ask you a question since it is "Science Friday!" If you don't receive the paper you can access the AZ Republic online at http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/. Good luck!

I am super excited to see you all on Monday! To all of my past students, I am eager to hear how you spent your summer vacation. To all of my future students, I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

Mrs. MacColl's Biology Page