Hello,
  As you know, Monday was the last day for in-class work on the hominin research.  Wednesday we will be watching the second episode of Your Inner Fish and I will be giving you an article to read for Friday 4 October.  Please read the article and be prepared to discuss it.  On Friday you will be working with two other people to prepare a short presentation on your article.  I'll give you about 30 minutes in class on Monday and then presentations will start.  The test on body orientation stuff, vertebrate evolution, and hominin evolution will be on Monday 20 October.  As always, find me in AFT or after school if confused!  Ms Leary

DUE DATES:

• hominin evolution research - Weds 1 Oct.
• have article read for Friday 3 Oct.
• be prepared to present article to class Monday 6 Oct.
• body orientation, vertebrate & human evolution test - Monday 20 Oct.

Howdy,
  This week we will finish the vertebrate evolution timeline and then start on the hominin evolution research.  You will get the remainder of this week to finish this research up + next Monday's class.  Mr. Wolotsky will be coming into class on Wednesday of this week to show you how to use a science database the library now has.  As ever, please come to AFT if you need help!  Ms. L

Due dates:

• Vital Signs #1 - by Wednesday 24 Sept. (sorry for confusion on last week's blog)
• Human Evolution research by next Weds 1 October.

Hi,
  This week we are going to watch an episode of "Your Inner Fish" and start our discussion of vertebrate evolution, leading us up to studying hominin evolution (human evolution).  On a side note, I have gotten an explanation of hominid vs. hominin:
Hominid = the group consisting of all modern and extinct Great Apes (that is, modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans plus all their immediate ancestors)
Hominin = the group consisting of modern humans, extinct human species, and all our immediate ancestors (including members of the genera Homo, Australopithecus, Paranthropus, and Ardipithecus)
Source: http://australianmuseum.net.au/hominid-and-hominin-whats-the-difference

So I will be making an effort to use the term hominin from now on, but will probably slip up and use hominid out of habit!

In addition, you will get your first Vital Signs assignment this week.  I will explain the protocol in class.  As always, please see me with questions. Ms. Leary

Due dates:
• Vital Signs #1 due Monday 22 Sept.

Hey everyone,
  This week we will be discussing the chordate reading and beginning to talk about vertebrate evolution.  We may finish the vertebrate evolution this week, in which case we will start human evolution next week.  As always, please come see me if you are confused.  Ms. L

Homework update:
• Alien critter due date changed!  Now due by Monday 15 Sept.  (you can obviously hand in early if you want to)

Hey there,
  Good to meet all of you today!  I look forward to an interesting year together.  I have fun teaching this class and hope you have a similar experience taking it! Ms. L

Here are your first due dates:

Body Orientation Sheet - Thursday 4 Sept (3)/ Friday 5 Sept (4)
Course Policy Sheet signed & Sign up for Blog - Monday 8 September
Random thoughts by Monday 8 September (not graded)
Chordate Reading read, be ready for discussion - Monday 8 September
Alien Critter - Friday 12 Sept.