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Kara Kitamura
Kapaa High School
HI

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Recent Posts by Kara

Sun, Nov 13, 2011 12:25 AM in Course Sequencing

Our school is in the middle of creating smaller learning communities. This process has led to us trying to create a course sequencing for all of the subjects. We are having a major debate within our department on what classes to offer. Currently we have all freshman take physical science, all sophomores take biology, juniors and seniors can choose between chemistry, physics, human physiology, A...

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Fri, Nov 11, 2011 5:50 AM in Characteristics of Life - Summative Assessment

I have had the same problem and the only thing I could find online was a rubric for writing assignment that asks " How do scientist tell if something is living?". It wasn't much but it kind of inspired me a little. I think that providing examples of living organisms doing specific activities that show a characteristic of life and having them explain how they know they are living would be a start...

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Sun, Oct 23, 2011 4:38 PM in Photosynthesis and Respiration Resources

Thanks Kayla.....love this!

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Reviews
Recent Reviews by Kara

Genetics

Fri, Nov 18, 2011 6:31 AM
Activities Galore!

As soon as you open the genetics SciGuide you can already see how it is up to date and relates to the current trends in genetics. You can either click on one of the three sections of interest or get an overview of everything that it has to offer by opening up the SciGuide Map. As you venture through each of the sections you will find activities and tutorials for almost everything from mitosis and meiosis to bioengineering and gene mapping. There are both online activities and lesson ideas that will enhance any curriculum. Even before you open up a section, you can simply view the icons to determine if it is something that you could use. I was truly impressed with the range of the activities. There is something here for everyone from simple explanations of subjects like the "DNA Testing for Nonscientist" link all the way up to things like the "Human Genetics Problem Sets" that could be used for AP classes. There are even career specific activities that could be used in classes other than science like the forensic unit. The only things that I found could be improved were the need for dihybrid Punnett square activities and maybe even something on pedigrees.

Cell Structure and Function: The Molecular Machinery of Life

Mon, Sep 05, 2011 9:36 PM
A must for every biology teacher

A comprehensive review of cells including some biochemistry. Every section provides great information and activities to make sure that you really understand the subject!

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