All of the 7th grade science classes (Mrs. Hoffek's, Mrs. Gotterbarm's and Mr. Kerr's) at Pine Ridge are working together with the Fishery Commission of the Great Lakes and the Sea Grant Institute to try and solve an important problem. For years fish in the Great Lakes have been attacked by an invasive species called a sea lamprey. Naturally, these fish live in the ocean but have gotten into the Great Lakes and have affected the ecosystem there. The Fishery Commission and the Sea Grant Institute work with school students around the country to see how students would solve this problem. Some of the student ideas are used to help solve this problem that affects the economy in the states near the Grate Lakes.

1st Period was able to complete the Birds and Beak activity. They also completed the 2nd page of the lab. If students were unable to finish it in class, they were expected to finish it on their own. The Birds and Beaks homework was also due today. These students also have 4 vocabulary words in their InterActive Journals. Be sure to study with them every night for at least 10 minutes.

Parents, please work with your students on writing in complete sentences. We are really struggling with this as a group. Mrs. Lavenia is working on this in Language Arts, but we ask that you talk with your child about effective communication.

Next week we will explore food chains, food webs. These ideas were taught in 3rd and 5th grade. We will review the topics so we can learn about energy pyramids.

2nd Period defined the words species, populations, communities, ecosystems/environment. These words and definitions should be studied every day - even if it's only for 10 minutes.

This class was able to conduct the Birds and Beaks lab and collect their data. Different students had different shaped beaks. There was at least 1 environment that that each student was able to feed. If this doesn't make any sense, ask your child and they should be able to explain everything we did. The completed lab is due on Monday

Parents, please work with your students on writing in complete sentences. We are really struggling with this as a group. Mrs. Lavenia is working on this in Language Arts, but we ask that you talk with your child about effective communication.

Next week we will explore food chains, food webs. These ideas were taught in 3rd and 5th grade. We will review the topics so we can learn about energy pyramids.

5th Period has the notes for the vocabulary words species, populations, communities, ecosystems/environment, and niche. Students should be studying these words every day. They should also look in the world around them for examples of these ideas. 

Because it took so long to discuss these topics and because we were locked out of the lab, this group did not get the do the Birds and Beaks activity. They will do it on Monday.

We will also explore food chains, food webs. These ideas were taught in 3rd and 5th grade. We will review the topics so we can learn about energy pyramids.

6th Period took notes on species, populations, communities, ecosystems/environment, habitat and niche. These are words they need to know for the PASS at the end of the year and for 10th grade. These words are also important because they help describe the world around us. These words help us to make better decisions about what we do to our own environment.

This group did not get to conduct the Birds and Beaks activity. If the lab is available on Monday, they will conduct it then.

We will also explore food chains, food webs. These ideas were taught in 3rd and 5th grade. We will review the topics so we can learn about energy pyramids.