Quarter Four
The first quarter of this class is dedicated to the understanding of the origin and direction of one specific and important species.
Predictable Randomness and Basic Humanity: There is a difference between who we are as defined by our species Homo sapiens and who we are as Humans. We are part of a natural history that began long before us, but we've also developed into a species that is spending a great deal of effort trying to understand that natural history. John Adams said that "facts are a sticky things" and the fact that we have differences from the rest of Animalia is evident every time we question.
During the Fourth Quarter: The year is divided into four sections (4 sec. = 4 Qtr = Go Figure).
This quarter is a jumbled affair, with registration, AIMS and Spring Break taking a large chunk of class time out of the middle of the quarter. We'll be tying up loose ends from the third quarter Animalia Survey and moving into a biological history of Homo sapiens.
So, without further verbiage, you will find below your Basic Biology Classroom Schedule for the 2008/9 school year categorized by semester. Week Beginning dates reflect the time of presentation and there will be notice of the assignments due. Follow the links provided to print any additional needed material, though you'll usually be provided a hard copy in class.
--Time and Tide waits for no man -- John Skot's "Everyman"
Basic, Realy Basic, Human Biology -- THMS Semester 2, 2007/8, Quarter 4 Chordate! (A two-day -- one-session week -- Wahoo!!) Here we'll begin with The Rise of the Land-Lovers!! Here we'll see how a simple registration process changes everything. Extinction of the Dinosaurs and the Rise of Birds and then Mammals Here we'll see how the AIMS test changes everything. Basic, really basic, Mammalian Anatomy Spring Break!!...who needs Spring Break!!! Becoming Human What is the difference between being a Hominid and being a Homo sapiens? What is the difference between defining ourselves as a species and being Human? What does it take, biologically, to be Human? Inventing Inhumanity Here we'll begin with Yali's question from Gerad Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel to better understand the peopling of the Earth. Human Impact on the Earth Here we'll begin with The futures so bright, I've gotta wear shades! Here we'll begin with A comprehensive Review,...from Soup to Nuts! Here we'll begin with End of Year Comprehensive Individual Examination Opportunity Here we'll begin with End of the Fourth Quarter and the Year is in the Bag!! NOTE: This schedule is meant as a guide and is subject to change for reason or whim.
Biology: Concepts and Applications: Here's the web site for the THMS Biology book. That is, our class's main book. Here you will find help with studying, flashcards and sample tests. Books in an inquiry-based classroom are often used as a reference. THMS Biology in this class does not follow the text directly, but it does use it in class to back-up instruction. instruction is intended to back-up student learning. In the end the student learns and the infrastructure of the classroom is there to assist the student.
NOTE: In the never ending quest for informative teaching, there is a bit of Administrative "Flap-trap" (AFT) listed to let the "THMS Head-shed" in on my compliance with the Arizona State Standards for Science. So, you'll see a notation at the end of each week's listing that denotes the specific (or not so specific) part of the standards being covered in the classroom during the week. Also note that Strands 1 thru 3 are ongoing and continual.
Cross curricular standards dealing with non-sciencie-type subject matter, including mathematics, are not included.
Work Always in Progress
