On Wednesday 5 December from 7-9pm, the high school science and art clubs will be hosting a screening of Sigur Ros's new documentary, "Heima", in room 302. This film highlights the band's unique sound as they travel around their native Iceland performing free shows. This will be open to students and families in grades 6-12. The trailer can be viewed here. Also, check out 3/4 of the way down on this site! I've been featuring this band's music in class from time to time.

Today some great cell projects trickled in. Is that a pumpkin cell model to the right??? That may have to receive the 1st 100 for being compostable! Remember, all projects were due today and lose 5 pts each day they are late.

Today I mentioned a great contest you guys could enter if you like to take pictures and/or write short essays. There is a lot of talent in this 7th grade and it'd be nice to see someone walk away, a winner. All of the information is above and feel free to bother me if you need help or ideas.

Today was the last of our guest speakers. Groton graduate - Tiffany Bernhardt, a Cornell Animal Sciences major came in to talk about White-tailed deer. She did a nice job explaining their anatomy, behavior and interactions with nature. You guys have been great during these presentations and a few of the speakers told me they were very impressed with your knowledge. Keep it up.

Wow! What a cool presentation today by Cornell juniors Tori Ulrich and Erica Secor. They brought in a huge array of animal skulls and other assorted bones. Below are a couple photos from today's presentation. Check out more about these presenters and Cornell's amazing program here.

Every year the meaning of Thanksgiving takes on more and more importance to me. This year, I was hoping to have a class discussion on this topic but, of course, we had too much stuff going on. What has come to bother me over the past several years are individuals that take too many things for granted...people that complain of being bored when there is so much beauty in the world, accomplishments to be made, and knowledge to attain. I applaud this year's 7th grade class. Not once have I heard "I hate this school" or "Groton is poor". This is a sign that the students appreciate our school and respect their surroundings. The students are polite and I would love to see more of these positive aspects. I have compiled a short list of 20 things that I try not to take for granted...all things that I feel truly lucky for.

My health
Working with the best teachers in the area
Supportive parents
Birds
Books
Candlelight
Diversity in human beings
A warm night and a sky full of stars
Groton and the surrounding area
Nature and all that lives as a part of it
Music
A supportive principal
People that care
People that are interesting
Mountains
My five senses
Running water
My optimism
Heat/Electricity
Time

If you find time, please comment to give your list. If you're too embarrassed, just post as anonymous. Have a great Thanksgiving.

-Mr. DeVoe

Today we had an awesome presentation on snakes from Stephanie Barrett, a Cornell senior who eventually wants to become a doctor. Above are some photos from when she passed out her pet Ball Python.

Beginning Monday during rec. students can sign up to birdwatch as part of the project feederwatch program. You will get 3 points extra credit each time you sign up. Please take advantage of this.

Today we continued our discussion on the various cell organelles and their functions. If you'd like to view today's powerpoint click here to download. This will come in handy when you do your cell project.

Today was Tri-Sci day. After we ate lunch we constructed a color-coded DNA double helix. If you're still interested in the field trip, make sure you get a permission slip from Mrs. Hume or myself.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Friday we went over the details of our Cell Model Project. The handout can be downloaded in the side bar to the right. Please remember that you need to hand in your model ALONG WITH a key that explains what each organelle does. This is due Wednesday 28 November. DO NOT wait until the last minute.

LIST

Nucleus
Nucleolus
Cell Membrane
Ribosomes
Cell Wall (plant only)
Golgi Complex
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Lysosomes (animal only)
Chloroplast (plant only)
Vacuole
Mitochondria



Here are links for plant cell and animal cell diagrams. To find more run a Google image search for "plant cell" and "animal cell"

Here is another good resource - This page has an organelle list with functions.


Also...final grades are available on the MyGradeBook parent component. Login to see where you ended up for the 1st quarter.

Today we talked about the controversy surrounding drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Here are a couple resources in case you would like to write a letter to our new representative.

For Drilling:
HERE
HERE

Against Drilling:
HERE
HERE
HERE

Neutral:
HERE

Learn more about the Gwich 'in tribe.

If you want to write you letter to our new representative, start it out like this:
Dear Mr. Arcuri,

...and sign it with just your name. Do not include your address or phone number as I will make it clear that it is being sent from the school.

Remember, you guys have a lot of power that you don't even realize you have but it is important to include both sides of this issue. The more educated you sound on this issue, the more seriously he will take you. Please hand these in by the end of next week so I can send them to him. If you would, instead, like to send it to a newspaper, by yourself, check out the side bar of my high school science club blog.

Mr. Rhoads helps CHEYENNE and CHRISSY focus in on the tiny Rotifers of today's lab. To the left you can see a micrograph of the little protists.

This winter, students in 7th grade will have the opportunity to sign up for rec. bird watching club. The middle school bird feeder has already attracted many popular species including several black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, American goldfinches, and downy woodpeckers. The students’ job will be to record which species frequent the feeders.

If anyone is willing to donate seed to the school we would be very grateful. We are seeking premium mixes of sunflower, millet, safflower, and crushed corn along with suet blocks for the woodpeckers and chickadees. Please direct any donations to Chad DeVoe – 7th grade science teacher.

Thank You,

Mr. DeVoe