week of 8 June

Hey there,
  A few things to note for this week:

1. Please make sure that you share your handout with everyone else in class (including me) by tomorrow 9 June.

2. Remember when your exam period is!  Please be on time.

NOTE: Period 3 people, remember that you need to be prepared to stay after until the presentations are finished.  Please be mindful about the length of your presentation (10 minutes max.) so that we don't run way over!

3. Return your textbook please!  Remember, lost books cost $185 to replace.  If you have truly lost your book, please buy a used copy on Amazon and just give it to me.  Oddly, money paid for lost books does not go back to the department but goes to the central office so we just lose out.

Please ask for help if you need it!  Ms. L

week of 25 May

Hey all,
  So, seniors, last blog post for you and your last two days of anatomy.  It has been a great year working with all of you (obviously this includes juniors too!) and I'm sorry to see our time end. That's always a mixed bag for me at the end of the year as I am thrilled to be done and get a break from the endless grind of grading and stress while simultaneously sad to say goodbye to people who I like.

  As our time together winds down, I'll leave you with this quote.  It's up in our room, but perhaps you never noticed it.  For me, this pretty much sums it up:

“We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.”

                                       --  Dalai Lama XIV

 

We have two days this week.  You need to get done with the cat ID tests!!  Here's the plan:

Tuesday = dissection time in class
Thursday = dissection time in class + PLEASE PLAN TO STAY AFTER IF YOU ARE NOT DONE
    I figure as long as I've got the cats out and am already fumigated/losing brain cells, that is the easiest for me.  If you cannot stay after on Thursday then plan on Friday AFT to get done.

Thanks, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• Muscle project revisions -- Tuesday 26 May
• Textbooks (seniors only) -- Thursday 28 May -- please note if I don't get your book back, it is $185 and I won't give you your points for the cat.  If you have lost your book, please come talk to me.  It works out much better for the science department if you just buy a replacement from Amazon (usually about $25-35 for a used book).
• ALL CAT ID TESTS AND DEFINITIONS -- Thursday 28 May

week of 18 May

Hi everyone,

  A full week this week, yet not because of junior testing.  Oh well.  Be getting muscle ID tests done!  You should aim for having all muscle tests done by 20 May in order to give yourselves 3 full class periods for internal systems.

  Please be aware that you need basic definitions for all internal organs.  That document is in your folder (HAnatomy - dissection-heart,resp 2105), so you should be working on those definitions. Tests for internal systems involve ID of the structure and then giving me the brief definition (e.g., stomach = chemical and mechanical digestion of food).

  As I've said before, all ID tests should be done by 28 May, our last day with seniors.  I'll assess where things are and offer make up that Thursday and/or Friday during AFT.  Please be focused and efficient in class!

  *****Muscle Projects update:  I have graded all the projects that I've gotten and have entered the grade into the grade book and will give you a copy of the rubric with my comments.  I am also making comments on your project itself.

Once I give it back to you, I need your revisions by 26 May at the latest as I have almost no time to get senior grades done. Grades for revised projects will entirely replace the grade you currently see for your project. Please see me if you are confused!

PLEASE RESUBMIT MUSCLE PROJECTS ELECTRONICALLY TO SAVE PAPER!  If possible, retain my original comments.  I know this doesn't always work.

  Some of you owe me work.  There is very little time left!  Please get this done as I cannot really work around zeroes.  AFT is happening Weds and Friday of this week.

  Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Muscle Project revisions -- by 26 May
• All missing work by 26 May
• All ID tests -- muscles + internal systems by 28 May
• SENIORS ONLY = give me back your textbook by last day of school!!  I will enter your cat dissection grades as a zero until I get the textbook.

week of 11 May

Hi all,
  Only two classes this week.  Be getting muscle ID tests done!  You should aim for having all muscle tests done by 20 May in order to give yourselves 3 full class periods for internal systems.

  Please be aware that you need basic definitions for all internal organs.  That document is in your folder, so you should be working on those definitions.  Tests for internal systems involve ID of the structure and then giving me the brief definition (e.g., stomach = chemical and mechanical digestion of food).

  As I've said before, all ID tests should be done by 28 May, our last day with seniors.  I'll assess where things are and offer make up that Thursday and/or Friday during AFT.  Please be focused and efficient in class!

  Muscle projects -- don't worry about giving me a rubric. I had forgotten that I only gave you an electronic version.  My bad.

  *****Muscle Projects update:  I am grading seniors first as you have less time to make revisions if that is what you want to do.  I am entering the grade into the grade book and will give you a copy of the rubric with my comments.  I am also making comments on your project itself.  Once I give it back to you, I need your revisions by 26 May at the latest as I have almost no time to get senior grades done. Grades for revised projects will entirely replace the grade you currently see for your project. Please see me if you are confused!

  Some of you owe me work.  There is an extended AFT Wednesday AM...you should come in if you owe me work.  Please plan to be here!

  Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• All ID tests -- muscles + internal systems by 28 May

week of 4 May

Hi all,
  Forgot to do the blog till today, sorry!  Anyway, the drill for class for the remainder of May is the same:  come in, get organized, dissect, learn what you need to learn and then test!  AP folks and juniors know that your class time is EXTREMELY limited -- a total bummer that none of us can control.

   Please be aware that for seniors, you need to be done by 28 May.  Depending on how things are going, I will offer make up that week during AFT.  Please be mindful that every time I have to do make up time, I have to re-expose myself to the cat smell and that I am inevitably doing twice as much as you are.  I'm trying to limit my time b/c it causes me physiological distress!

  Regarding the muscle projects, they are due this Friday unless you email me for an extension by tomorrow.  Please take care of business on this.  Feel free to ask me questions as needed.

  Thanks and see you soon I hope!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• muscle project -- Friday 8 May
• all cat ID tests -- muscles and internal systems done by 28 May

week of 27 April

Hey everyone,
  Welcome back!  Seniors, the final push has started!!  Here's the deal for this week:

Monday -- start the cat dissection

Wednesday -- test on muscles -- multiple choice and short answer type questions only -- essays are take-home and are due on Monday 4 May

Friday -- cats continue

From here on, until the seniors are done, class time is devoted to the cat dissection and ID tests.  I know that many of you will be out for various tests.  Regardless, you are responsible for getting the tests done!

PLEASE NOTE:  BUY AND BRING GLOVES!!!!!!!!! Today I provided them, but we can't afford to buy all those gloves.  It is your responsibility to provide gloves each day.

Please come to AFT if you need help for the test!  Thanks, Ms.L

DUE DATES:
• Wednesday 29 April -- muscle test in-class
• Monday 4 May -- take home essay part of test due
• Friday 8 May -- muscle project due
• Thursday 28 May -- all muscle and internal systems ID tests done!!!

week of 13 April

Hi all,
  So this week we will finish the notes on the muscular system.  Please note that I am not going into as much detail as your book does -- this is intentional!  If you want to read in greater detail, feel free. I am only testing on what we've gone over together in class.  I am lecturing on Wednesday despite the fact that many juniors won't be here...sorry.  There will hopefully be a work period in there too (for your muscle project).

   Please remember that the test is on 29 April, multiple choice and short answer only.  The essay portion of the test will be a take home exam part.  As ever, come to AFT for help as needed!  Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• Muscle test Weds 29 April
• Muscle project due Friday 8 May (for both p 3 & 4)


******Please see this note from Mrs. Jordan for seniors vis a vis the college wait list concept:

There are two sides to the college wait list:

If you have been wait listed at a college in which you're interested, email the college expressing your strong interest.  This will increase your chances of getting called if they go to their wait list.  Most kids do not accept a space from the wait list, so colleges try to choose those who are most likely to come.

If you have been accepted at a college that you do not plan to attend, email the college and tell them you're not coming.  Do this as sooner rather than later; as you are sure you are not interested in that school.  This will release your seat and enable them to go to their wait list sooner and offer a spot to someone else.  

Questions?  Come to Guidance and see Debbie Jordan.

week of 6 April

Hi everyone,
  This week we will finish the events at the neuromuscular junction and then talk about the sliding filament theory.  You'll have time on Monday to work on the muscle project in class.  Be thinking about a reasonable due date for this. Seniors:  I need to get your project early enough to be able to grade it before you are done.

  Next week, we'll go over those muscle twitch questions and then have more project work time I think.  The muscle test will be the week we get back.  I am thinking of you taking the multiple choice part of the test in class on the 29th and then doing the essay(s) as a take-home exam.  I think that is good practice for college!

  As always, come to AFT if you need help.  Have included a link below to an article I found on the evolution of light skin in Europeans that I found interesting.  Thanks, Ms. L

Also here's  a link to an article on synaptic vesicle recycling, courtesy of Cayman.  I will say this is very dense!  It may not make any sense to you, in which case, ignore it!!!  This material is NOT going to appear on the test, just think it is interesting:  synaptic vesicle recycling


http://news.sciencemag.org/archaeology/2015/04/how-europeans-evolved-white-skin

DUE DATES:

• Muscle project -- TBD
• Muscle test -- in-class, multiple choice probably 29 April

week of 31 March

Hi all,
  Short post this week.  I'm really having trouble with migraines lately so it's slowing down my grading process.  Sorry about that...I really can't control it though!
  Anyway, here's the week in a quick nutshell.  Monday we talked about the neuromuscular junction anatomy and reviewed the anatomy of the myofibril.  Wednesday is a work period for the muscle project.  Please note that I have completed the rubric for this project.  Notice that I have added a requirement that you write review questions as part of your handout.  Thursday/Friday is more notes.

  As always please come to see me during AFT if you need help.  Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• Muscle twitch questions - Weds 1 April
• we need to decide on a due date for the muscle project!  I have written 29 April.  Am open to other suggestions...please remind me to talk about this OK?


FYI - the sea slug (Elysia chlorotica) I mentioned in class today is a gastropod not an echinoderm.

week of 23 March

Hey everyone,

  I won't be in class tomorrow.  Got sick Friday afternoon and am still down for the count. See you on Wednesday if you want to come to AFT, otherwise, see you Thursday for the Ax day.  Please read the plans for Monday's class!  Remember, we have AFT 3 times this week, Weds for a whole morning, so you've got lots of time to get help if you need it.

  Here's how the week will go:

MONDAY = time to work on any of the following:

1. Vital Signs "Emergency Room Terror" case study -- due Thursday 26 March

2. proposal for muscle project -- due Thursday 26 March
       *** please note this assignment is in your folder -- called "HAnatomy Muscle project 14-15 -
              w/out rubric"

3. additional questions for the muscular system that are not covered on the packet we started the other day -- fine to work together on these -- due Wednesday 1 April
      *** please note this assignment also in folder -- called "HAnatomy- Muscle twitch,ATP etc 14
             15"

WEDNESDAY =  1/2 day AFT -- come in if you need help or are missing work!

THURSDAY = continue working with the muscle packet of notes

See you all Thursday if not before, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Vital Signs "Emergency Room Terror" case study -- Thursday 26 March
• Muscle project proposal -- Thursday 26 March
• Muscle questions -- Wednesday 1 April

week of 16 March

Hi there,
 
   This week we are finishing the skeletal system and starting on the last unit of the year, the muscular system!  That seems to have come up very quickly (not fast enough for some seniors, I know)!  You'll also be doing your demo of your joint movement in class Thursday (p.3) or Friday (p.4).

  As ever, please come to AFT if you need help on anything.  Thanks, Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Joint model and write -up - Weds 18 March
• Joint movement demonstration - Thursday 19 March for p. 3 or Friday 20 March for p. 4
• Vital Signs "Emergency Room Terror" due Thursday 26 March (Ax day)

week of 9 March

Hey all,

  Sorry I forgot to post yesterday.  It turned out to be a very hectic day and posting just slipped my mind!  This week, we are finishing up on reviewing the joint notes.  Please be aware the skeletal questions and the joint notes are on the test on Monday 16 March.  You may use the images in your folder on the test.  If you wish to do this, please print them out.  Feel free to only print the ones you want too.  It would be lovely if you double-sided them of course.  If you want me to print a double-sided version for you, let me know.

 As you know the test is next Monday 16 March.  After that we will do the muscular system and then start the cat dissection after April vacation.  Seniors, you are truly in the home stretch!

As always, please come to AFT if you need help.  I don't care if you get an extension on the joint model, you just need to let me know.  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Brain research notes -- PLEASE MAKE SURE I HAVE YOURS!!!!!
• Skeletal system test -- Monday 16 March
• Joint model - Monday 16 March

week of 2 March

Hi all,
  Am posting early for next week as I realized I need to be out Monday to help out with a family matter (nothing dire, don't worry). So I thought I'd do this now so you are clear about Monday's class.

  Here's the plan:

Monday -- work on joint questions and/or joint model
  • the joint questions can be a group effort and are due on Friday of this week
  • the joint model is a solo effort and is due Monday 16 March

Weds/Thurs/Fri -- continue with skeletal notes and brain presentations, start joint notes

As always, come to AFT if you need help!  Ms. L

Hi -- a few additional comments regarding work.  Please come to AFT if confused in any way.  Thanks, Ms. L

    1. I have graded your "Fatal Strikes" summaries.  If you look in the gradebook and don't see a grade (or a check mark) I don't have it!

    2. Emily Alexander pointed out that #11 on the joint questions is ambiguous.  I will talk about this next class, but basically there is no question to answer.  You should know (and be able to demonstrate) all of these movements.  At some point, (with fair warning) I will have you demonstrate two of these to me.  I choose which two!

DUE DATES:

• Joint questions - Thursday (p 3) 5 March or Friday (p 4) 6 March
• Joint model - Monday 16 March
• Skeletal test - probably Monday 16 March

week of 23 February

Hi everyone,
  I am looking forward to seeing all of you today.  As I said to another class, I didn't miss the intense workload of my job, but I did miss my students!  You are what makes my job meaningful.

  This week we are finishing the brain presentations today and then starting on the skeletal questions.  I will be checking them as a homework grade first.  Then we will continue talking about them on Wednesday and Thurs/Fri as well as starting the joint project and questions.

   Please be patient with me vis a vis grading.  The Guatemala trip was INTENSE and I am still processing it.  I think grading will go slowly.  Thanks for understanding this.

  As always, if you need help, come to AFT!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:
• Skeletal questions - Monday 23 Feb
• Skeletal coloring packet - Weds 25 Feb

weeks of 2 Feb and 9 Feb

Hi everyone,
 
  Just realized I forgot to post this week.  Sorry about that!  Anyway, this week you've presented your brain research.  I've really enjoyed our conversations, so thank you.

   Next week, you already have the papers you need and we've talked about all due dates, so this should be a review.  All class time is available to you as work time.  Mrs. Segal should be the sub the whole week.  I expect you to be in class, stay in class except for reasonable breaks, and stay until the end of class.  Please remember that I am legally responsible for your well-being during the day and that it causes me (and Mrs. Segal) problems if you just disappear.  It is also disrespectful.  I have prepped Mrs. Segal that you are responsible for your own time and work, so if it works better for you to use class time for other homework, I don't mind.

   Due dates are listed below.  Have a good week and enjoy your vacations!  See you on the 23rd.  Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:

• "Fatal Strikes" summary, reaction, questions (solo effort) - due by 13 Feb, Friday
• Skeletal System questions (working together fine, checked for homework grade) - due Monday 23
            Feb
• Skeletal System coloring packet (solo effort) - due Weds 25 Feb

week of 26 January

Hi all,

  Depending on the snowstorm, we'll meet either one or two days this week.  However much class time we have, it is your time to keep working on your answering your brain question.  Please remember that this research is due next Monday 2 February.

  I know I've been vague about what I'm looking for.  I was hoping to just let you have fun with finding some information and not bog you down with many requirements and a giant rubric.  Just come in with your research, prepared to talk about what you found.  Don't feel like you have to have the perfect answer, just do your best.  I will collect your notes and grade you based on those and how you present.  We can decide on a point value when we see each other.

  See you when I see you!  Ms. L

DUE DATES:

• Brain question research - Monday 2 Feb

week of 12 January

Hi everyone,
  This week is a quick one!  Monday you'll work on your brain research and I'll show you another TED talk.  Thursday is time to get ready for next week's midterm.  Please remember that we have AFT both Thursday and Friday this week if you need help.

  Also --  MISSING WORK????? If you have any missing work, I need it by Tuesday 20 Jan or I will not grade it.  Please check the gradebook to figure this out and speak to me if you are confused.

  Please note for the midterm:

1. It is entirely open note EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING:
     • body orientation sheets
     • alien critter
     • first page of the first test

2. If you want to schedule your exam for another time, please CHECK with me first AND send me an e-mail!

   Thanks, Ms. Leary

Links to TED talks:

Jill Bolte Taylor's talk

VS Ramachandran's talk on mirror neurons

VS Ramachandran's talk on what brain damage reveals

DUE DATES:
Midterm exam:
     • Period 3 = Tuesday 20 January at 12:00
     • Period 4 = Wednesday 21 January at 12:00
   

week of 5 January

Hello and welcome back!

  This week we will finish the integumentary system unit with the video on skin from National Geographic.  Then we will start the brain unit.  I want to discuss what that'll look like today in class. The brain material will not be on the midterm.  The midterm is cumulative for the first semester, with an emphasis on the integumentary system as you have not been tested on that yet.

  If you have another really hard midterm the day of our midterm and wish to reschedule, that may be possible but you need to speak with me first.  Please do not just show up at another time and assume that will work out!  You know the drill on midterm week...I am here every day by 8AM and available after the PM midterm at 1:30 until 2:50.

   Here's a link to an article that Blair shared with me (from Ms. Schouveiller) about study tips. I think it's really interesting!  Enjoy.

Study tip article

  As always come to AFT if you need help!  Thanks, Ms. Leary

DUE DATES:
• Skin Disorder project by Friday 9 Jan
• "Does Race Exist?" summary, reaction, questions - Friday 9 Jan
• Midterm exam:
    - period 3 Tuesday 20 Jan 1200
    - period 4 Wednesday 21 Jan 1200