Blog Post 1: Your learning Style

Hello! Welcome to the Honors Biology Blog!
Your first blog assignment is to go to the following website:

http://www.bgfl.org/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/what.cfm

Please read about the different learning styles then click "take a test." The test will ask you about your learning preferences. When the test is done, I would like you to print your results from the computer or draw the visual representation. You should bring this to class with you on Thurs 9/13.

After you get the image, I'd like you to discuss the following in a blog post:

-What is your strongest learning style according to the test?
-What is your weakest learning style according to the test?
-What does this mean for you as a learner in Biology and how can we both use this information to ensure your success this year in biology?

***If you are unsure what it means to be a certain learning style, look it up. For example, if you don't know what it means to be a kinesthetic learner, look it up and figure it out. ***

Blog Post 8--Reflecting on 3rd MP goals

Please answer ALL the questions below :) Answer honestly and completely!

1. Review your goal from 3rd marking period. Based on your grade sheet, did you meet your goal? If you met your goal, how are you going to reward yourself? If you did not meet your goal, why do you think that happened? What are you going to do to make sure you reach your new goal?
2. Review your grade report from 3rd quarter. What areas are you excelling at? Why are you excelling in those areas? What areas are you struggling with? Why are you struggling in those areas?
3. What is your goal for 4th marking period? (MAKE SURE THIS GOAL IS MEASURABLE AND ATTAINABLE!) "Increase my grade" is not enough. You must say HOW you will attain your goal :)
4. How can your classmates and Ms. Sosnoski help you meet your goal?
5. How will you reward yourself if you meet your goal?

Blog Post #8- Goal Reflections

It's been 5 weeks since you wrote your goals for 3rd quarter. In this post, I'd like you to do the following:

• State your goal for 3rd quarter
• Answer the following questions regarding your goal
• So far, based on your 5 week grades and your graded papers, how do you think you are doing with your goal?
• If you are not meeting your goal, why do you think that is?
• If you are not meeting your goal, what steps are you going to take in order to reach your goal by the end of 3rd quarter?
• If you are meeting your goal, what do you think is making you successful?
• If you are meeting your goal, do you have another goal you'd like to accomplish?
• How can your classmates and Ms. Sosnoski help you to achieve your goal?

Blog Post #7-Viruses and Bacteria

This week, we will be learning about viruses and bacteria. Please go to the following website and choose a disease to research: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/DiseasesIndex/DiseasesIndex the disease must be caused by a bacteria or virus

Answer the following questions in your post:

• Is this disease caused by a bacteria or virus?
• What are the symptoms of the disease?
• What is the cause of the disease?
• If this disease is a virus, is there a vaccination for it?
• If this disease is a bacterial disease, what antibiotics are effective for treating it?

By MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27th respond to at least one classmate by doing one of the following:

• Adding information you learned in class about that disease
• Asking a question about the disease
• Discussing an experience you had with that disease (either yourself or someone you know)

Blog Post #6- GOALS

Please answer the following questions by Wednesday:

1. What is your goal for this quarter?
2. What are 2 obstacles that could prevent you from meeting your goal?
3. How are you going to overcome those obstacles?
4. What reward will you give yourself if you reach your goal?

By friday, REPLY to at least one of your classmates. In your reply you may do one or more of the following:

• Offer encouragement to a classmate
• Give an idea for overcoming an obstacle a classmate stated in their post
• Discuss a similarity between your goal and a classmate's goal
• Attempt to set up a study group with classmates who have similar goals
• Any other discussion of a classmate's goal

Blog Post #5- DNA Databases

In class, we discussed that it would be much easier to solve crimes if EVERYONE's DNA was required to be on file. However, many people have objections to this--some think it is a violation of civil rights, some think it is a privacy issue, and others are afraid of being discriminated against by insurance companies. Please think about all of those opinions and decide what you think by answering the following questions:

• Do you think that everyone should be required to provide DNA samples at birth? 
• If so, what are the advantages of doing this?
• If not, what is your biggest reason for being against it?

• Do you think that all people convicted of a crime should have to provide DNA?
• If yes, what is your biggest reason for this?
• If not, what kinds of criminals do you think should be included in the databases (misdemeanors? violent crimes? felons? all people in prison?)

• If a crime was comitted in your neighborhood and a police officer asked for a DNA sample from you--how would you react? Explain.

Blog Post #4- Cloning

Please read the article handed out in class called "Pros and Cons of Cloning." Then, write a comment that answers the following questions:

• How do you feel about cloning in general?
•  How do you feel about cloning of plants and animals?
•  What do you think is the greatest benefit OR greatest problem with cloning plants and/or animals?
•  How do you feel about human cloning? What do you think is the greatest benefit OR greatest problem with cloning humans?