week 5 - Feb 25 - 29, 2008 & week 6- Mar 3 - 7, week 7 - Mar 10 - 14

We are currently studying organ systems in humans and comparing them to earthworm systems. I use a combination of reading and "reading diagrams and photos" from the text and Brainpop videos from the web (www.brainpop.com). These are animated short videos that explain various human systems. We have studied circulatory and nervous systems and touched on the respiratory system, briefly.

This week, we will study: cells - basics, including osmosis/diffusion; cell theory; observation of cells under the microscope; a homework assignment of building a cell model; and a lab on diffusion across dialysis tubing as a model for diffusion in the cell. This unit will run until March 11, with March 6 & 7 off for lessons taught by the school counselor.