Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Congratulations!
Your performance on the Bio Regents was so STRONG!As I wrote earlier, you demonstrated high QUALITY in your written responses and in the test-skills shown in the written AND multiple choice parts of the test.
The median Regents score for our classes was a 95. MOST of you got a 95. Wow! Note that getting 95% of the (85 available) credits gets you a scaled score of 95 so we didn't even need the curve at all. In fact, our "un-scaled" percent correct average was a super 92.1 %.
Thank you all for a great and pleasantly memorable and fun year! Have a great summer!
# posted by C @ 1:25 PM 
Friday, June 19, 2009
Live-blogging the Regents!
Taking a few minute break to let you know of your IMPRESSIVE work!
Bio 6th Pd. Multiple Choice average: 92%
Bio 8th Pd. Multiple Choice average: 91% (so close!)
More importantly, the DETAIL and attention to keywords in your written response answers is gaining full or almost full credit!
So far so good!
UPDATE: Good news!
So far, we have two PERFECT SCORES (100%)! We had ELEVEN perfect (41 out of 41) multiple choice scores so we may have even more later.
The QUALITY of your responses has been SOOOOO very good: clarity, detail, examples, drawings, use of keywords- very impressive and admirable!
UPDATE II: TWO MORE hundreds and a bunch of "one wrong" exams!
Again, most answers were so direct, so detailed, and on point!
Thank you so much for putting in such a solid effort!
Recap and analysis on Monday.
Bio 6th Pd. Multiple Choice average: 92%
Bio 8th Pd. Multiple Choice average: 91% (so close!)
More importantly, the DETAIL and attention to keywords in your written response answers is gaining full or almost full credit!
So far so good!
UPDATE: Good news!
So far, we have two PERFECT SCORES (100%)! We had ELEVEN perfect (41 out of 41) multiple choice scores so we may have even more later.
The QUALITY of your responses has been SOOOOO very good: clarity, detail, examples, drawings, use of keywords- very impressive and admirable!
UPDATE II: TWO MORE hundreds and a bunch of "one wrong" exams!
Again, most answers were so direct, so detailed, and on point!
Thank you so much for putting in such a solid effort!
Recap and analysis on Monday.
# posted by C @ 8:41 AM
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Bio Regents Day!
Congratulations to you for working so hard on the Bio Regents today: demonstrating care, applying test skills, giving examples, using illustrations and drawings in your answers. All of these factors guarantee a better score than you otherwise would have achieved. Continue to use these techniques on your future exams in your other subjects.
For those who came to the "last minute" Bio session this morning, ONCE AGAIN, some of the questions that we just did in review appeared EXACTLY or almost exactly as we covered them on the exam. I feel clairvoyant- but its really just due to "handicapping" the Regents.
Some of the questions (3 or 4) had "annoying"/less than typical or logical answers but the rest of the test was straightforward and "do-able".
I will truly miss this year's classes; we had many goodtimes and learned some of the most important explanations of Life/Biology throughout the year. Take that information to better yourself and to inform the uninformed whom you encounter.
Of course, if you get stuck on a chem problem next year, I'll help you, no worries.
Have a great summer and revel in your free time!
Mahalo,
Mr. C.
For those who came to the "last minute" Bio session this morning, ONCE AGAIN, some of the questions that we just did in review appeared EXACTLY or almost exactly as we covered them on the exam. I feel clairvoyant- but its really just due to "handicapping" the Regents.
Some of the questions (3 or 4) had "annoying"/less than typical or logical answers but the rest of the test was straightforward and "do-able".
I will truly miss this year's classes; we had many goodtimes and learned some of the most important explanations of Life/Biology throughout the year. Take that information to better yourself and to inform the uninformed whom you encounter.
Of course, if you get stuck on a chem problem next year, I'll help you, no worries.
Have a great summer and revel in your free time!
Mahalo,
Mr. C.
# posted by C @ 12:56 PM
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bio Review Session- Regents Week
I have been posting the review session room number just to the right of the teachers' workroom door. The remaining sessions are posted on Blackboard:
06/16 Tuesday: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
06/17 Wednesday: 9AM - 10:30 AM
06/18 Thursday: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, then take the LE Regents, then get a great score, and then have a great summer!
I'm still updating the gradebook and I should have the rest of the grades in by Wednesday.
If there is an error, just bring in the test/hw that was misprinted and I will gladly make the correction.
See you at review.
Thanks.
06/16 Tuesday: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
06/17 Wednesday: 9AM - 10:30 AM
06/18 Thursday: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, then take the LE Regents, then get a great score, and then have a great summer!
I'm still updating the gradebook and I should have the rest of the grades in by Wednesday.
If there is an error, just bring in the test/hw that was misprinted and I will gladly make the correction.
See you at review.
Thanks.
# posted by C @ 8:08 AM
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Bio Regents Review Sessions
I don't have the room schedule yet but I will hold the first post-school Bio Regents review session on Friday (tomorrow).
If the schedule is not posted by later today (3PM), then we'll meet tomorrow outside the teachers' workroom at 10 AM and then find a location from there (I'll put a sign of our location on the teachers' workroom door also).
So, Friday's review will start @ 10 AM and end around noon; we'll initially meet just outside of the teachers' workroom.
If the schedule is not posted by later today (3PM), then we'll meet tomorrow outside the teachers' workroom at 10 AM and then find a location from there (I'll put a sign of our location on the teachers' workroom door also).
So, Friday's review will start @ 10 AM and end around noon; we'll initially meet just outside of the teachers' workroom.
# posted by C @ 10:15 AM
Wednes-Day 2
All Classes- thank you all for a year of good times, laughter, interesting questions, and learning.
When I have time to gather my thoughts, I'll post them too.
When I have time to gather my thoughts, I'll post them too.
# posted by C @ 10:12 AM
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tues-Day 1
AP Chem- still grading and drinking Diet Coke; should have your final exam grades entered by about 10PM. Other grades will be updated later because I have the bio tests from today to grade also.
...10:30 PM...must...go...home.... post more grades tomorrow....
Bio- took the rest of the practice Regents exam today. To generalize, 6th period is applying test-taking skills and answering more accurately and precisely (that means, "in greater detail"), thus that class is scoring higher.
The FOUR practice Regents sessions given thus far have been lightly attended. Those of you who NEED to be and SHOULD BE at the review sessions have not yet attended and are not even reading this (spread the word, oh diligent students). By Thursday, I will post the remaining review session dates, times, and room numbers on Blackboard- I will look for and expect attendance by everyone- you can positively influence your understanding of Bio and your course grade up to June 17th, but there is nothing you can do thereafter.
...10:30 PM...must...go...home.... post more grades tomorrow....
Bio- took the rest of the practice Regents exam today. To generalize, 6th period is applying test-taking skills and answering more accurately and precisely (that means, "in greater detail"), thus that class is scoring higher.
The FOUR practice Regents sessions given thus far have been lightly attended. Those of you who NEED to be and SHOULD BE at the review sessions have not yet attended and are not even reading this (spread the word, oh diligent students). By Thursday, I will post the remaining review session dates, times, and room numbers on Blackboard- I will look for and expect attendance by everyone- you can positively influence your understanding of Bio and your course grade up to June 17th, but there is nothing you can do thereafter.
# posted by C @ 4:14 PM
Monday, June 8, 2009
Mon-Day 2
Bio 6- took Parts A and B1 of your in-class Regents exam.
On tomorrow's test and on the Regents, WORK ON THE TEST FOR THE ENTIRE ALLOTTED TIME! You can ALWAYS IMPROVE YOUR ANSWERS WITH DRAWINGS, DIAGRAMS, and SPECIFIC EXAMPLES! Do SO!
Why would you not want to even try that? Do not use the false and lame excuse that you are afraid of changing a right answer into a wrong answer. The opposite situation occurs a hundred times more frequently, especially when your answer does NOT answer what was asked for/ does not address the KEYWORDS in the question. Does your answer actually CONTAIN those key words??? If not, you probably do not have a correct answer!
Tomorrow, you will take parts B2, C, and D over the course of 2 periods including the between period time.
Bio 7/8- took Parts B2, C, and D of your in-class Regents exam.
Be sure to underline the question keywords and use them to predict your answer BEFORE you select an answer choice on tomorrow's exam.
Tomorrow, you will take parts A and B1 in one period.
On tomorrow's test and on the Regents, WORK ON THE TEST FOR THE ENTIRE ALLOTTED TIME! You can ALWAYS IMPROVE YOUR ANSWERS WITH DRAWINGS, DIAGRAMS, and SPECIFIC EXAMPLES! Do SO!
Why would you not want to even try that? Do not use the false and lame excuse that you are afraid of changing a right answer into a wrong answer. The opposite situation occurs a hundred times more frequently, especially when your answer does NOT answer what was asked for/ does not address the KEYWORDS in the question. Does your answer actually CONTAIN those key words??? If not, you probably do not have a correct answer!
Tomorrow, you will take parts B2, C, and D over the course of 2 periods including the between period time.
Bio 7/8- took Parts B2, C, and D of your in-class Regents exam.
Be sure to underline the question keywords and use them to predict your answer BEFORE you select an answer choice on tomorrow's exam.
Tomorrow, you will take parts A and B1 in one period.
# posted by C @ 5:26 PM
Friday, June 5, 2009
Fri-Day 1
Bio - prepared for the LE Regents exam by doing sections B2 and C of the 2007 June Regents in the Review Book.
Check Blackboard after 6PM on Friday for review book answers to each of the assigned sections and also for the remaining sections (5 and 8) that are now NOT assigned for hw.
Also, to review for MONDAY'S in-class Regents exam, do the practice exams available on Blackboard in the Regents Review Unit and check your answers with the annotated answer keys.
Check Blackboard after 6PM on Friday for review book answers to each of the assigned sections and also for the remaining sections (5 and 8) that are now NOT assigned for hw.
Also, to review for MONDAY'S in-class Regents exam, do the practice exams available on Blackboard in the Regents Review Unit and check your answers with the annotated answer keys.
# posted by C @ 1:39 PM
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thurs-Day 2
Bio - took the State Lab Unit exam today.
We will continue Regents review tomorrow; the whole last unit was Regents Review for Part D of the Regents as well as a review of Evolution, Ecology, and the Scientific Method.
In the interest of time and so that you can study for Monday and Tuesday's in-class Regents test, I will NOT assign for hw the final TWO sections from your review book (sections 5 and 8) on Monday and Tuesday i.e. you can cancel those two sections from the hw calendar. Just do section 7 for tomorrow and we'll end the review book hw.
I WILL post the answers to ALL of the review book questions tomorrow so that you can check your work and also prepare for the Regents.
We will continue Regents review tomorrow; the whole last unit was Regents Review for Part D of the Regents as well as a review of Evolution, Ecology, and the Scientific Method.
In the interest of time and so that you can study for Monday and Tuesday's in-class Regents test, I will NOT assign for hw the final TWO sections from your review book (sections 5 and 8) on Monday and Tuesday i.e. you can cancel those two sections from the hw calendar. Just do section 7 for tomorrow and we'll end the review book hw.
I WILL post the answers to ALL of the review book questions tomorrow so that you can check your work and also prepare for the Regents.
# posted by C @ 2:43 PM
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednes-Day 1
AP Chem- continued work on the electrochemical cells; we have to figure out the voltage problem with these cells. I'm going to hook up voltage meters tomorrow.
Bio 6/7- reviewed the Beaks of Finches and Biodiversity labs to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
We worked on the Biodiversity lab writeup.
There is extra help in Room 308 tomorrow morning @ 8:15 AM.
Bio 8- reviewed the Beaks of Finches and Biodiversity labs to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
There is extra help in Room 308 tomorrow morning @ 8:15 AM.
Bio 6/7- reviewed the Beaks of Finches and Biodiversity labs to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
We worked on the Biodiversity lab writeup.
There is extra help in Room 308 tomorrow morning @ 8:15 AM.
Bio 8- reviewed the Beaks of Finches and Biodiversity labs to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
There is extra help in Room 308 tomorrow morning @ 8:15 AM.
# posted by C @ 4:02 PM
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tues-Day 2
AP Chem- reviewed CAUSES of acid strength and proper drawing of molecules.
Bio 6-This WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY and also next MONDAY AND TUESDAY from 3:35PM to 5:30PM each day, we will have Regents Practice/Review Sessions in Room 302.
Each afternoon, we will complete and thoroughly analyze, with test-taking skills review, one full LE Regents exam. We will cover one "key idea" from the core curriculum each day, also.
We applied knowledge of osmosis/diffusion to a problem in which potato chunks/cells gained or lost water mass depending on the solution in which they were placed.
The state lab review exam is on Thursday and covers material from the four state labs, which is neatly summarized in the note packets/notes from this past week.
Bio 7/8- This WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY and also next MONDAY AND TUESDAY from 3:35PM to 5:30PM each day, we will have Regents Practice/Review Sessions in Room 302.
Each afternoon, we will complete and thoroughly analyze, with test-taking skills review, one full LE Regents exam. We will cover one "key idea" from the core curriculum each day, also.
We discussed the beaks of finches lab and then did a Part D Regents section involving various state lab questions.
The state lab review exam is on Thursday and covers material from the four state labs, which is neatly summarized in the note packets/notes from this past week.
Bio 6-This WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY and also next MONDAY AND TUESDAY from 3:35PM to 5:30PM each day, we will have Regents Practice/Review Sessions in Room 302.
Each afternoon, we will complete and thoroughly analyze, with test-taking skills review, one full LE Regents exam. We will cover one "key idea" from the core curriculum each day, also.
We applied knowledge of osmosis/diffusion to a problem in which potato chunks/cells gained or lost water mass depending on the solution in which they were placed.
The state lab review exam is on Thursday and covers material from the four state labs, which is neatly summarized in the note packets/notes from this past week.
Bio 7/8- This WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY and also next MONDAY AND TUESDAY from 3:35PM to 5:30PM each day, we will have Regents Practice/Review Sessions in Room 302.
Each afternoon, we will complete and thoroughly analyze, with test-taking skills review, one full LE Regents exam. We will cover one "key idea" from the core curriculum each day, also.
We discussed the beaks of finches lab and then did a Part D Regents section involving various state lab questions.
The state lab review exam is on Thursday and covers material from the four state labs, which is neatly summarized in the note packets/notes from this past week.
# posted by C @ 1:28 PM
Monday, June 1, 2009
Mon-Day 1
AP Chem- began the construction of electrochemical cells in order to power various motors that will be part of a larger construction.
Bio 6/7- did some questions on the scientific method/making connections lab, and generalized answers from these specific questions. Finished up work on the Biodiversity lab, which we will discuss on Wednesday as part of our review for Thursday's State Lab Unit Review Exam. On Tuesday, Section 5 in the Review Book is due.
Bio 8- did a reinforcement problem on diffusion/osmosis in potato plant cells in which the change in mass of the potato chunks leads to inferences about the concentrations (hypo, hyper, isotonic) of solutes in the solutions into which the potato chunks were placed.
We began some of the making connections/sci. method questions. On Tuesday, Section 5 in the Review Book is due.
Bio 6/7- did some questions on the scientific method/making connections lab, and generalized answers from these specific questions. Finished up work on the Biodiversity lab, which we will discuss on Wednesday as part of our review for Thursday's State Lab Unit Review Exam. On Tuesday, Section 5 in the Review Book is due.
Bio 8- did a reinforcement problem on diffusion/osmosis in potato plant cells in which the change in mass of the potato chunks leads to inferences about the concentrations (hypo, hyper, isotonic) of solutes in the solutions into which the potato chunks were placed.
We began some of the making connections/sci. method questions. On Tuesday, Section 5 in the Review Book is due.
# posted by C @ 1:44 PM
