Burke's Blogging Dialogue

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FROG Dissection...A HUGE SUCCESS!

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Dissection Preparation

Now that we have had a chance to discuss and debate the pros/cons of dissection, we are ready!

Virtual Frog Dissection Quiz - Click on the link below to see how well you really know your frog anatomy! You can take this quiz over again until you feel ready to dissect. Click on "start now" to begin.

http://www.quia.com/quiz/372421.html

Virtual Dissection Site- Click on the orange words, "demo" in the upper right hand corner and then "begin" for your virtual frog dissection. You may want to click on "view full screen." Be patient and read all of the information before using tools at the bottom.

http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html

The "Green" Letter from Mrs. Burke

It is hard to believe that this year is almost over! We will be wrapping up the school year in Target with fabulous and “un-frog getable” culminating activities. This information was sent home with your child to prepare for the final weeks. I appreciate your support and have working with you this year.

Thank you so much for sharing your children with me. Watching my students grow and learn is most rewarding. Good luck to the 5th graders as they move on to middle school. I am confident that they will continue to work hard and achieve their dreams!

Fondly, Mrs. Burke

Anuran Anatomy Post Test:

· Monday, May 4^th

· Tuesday, May 5^th

· Thursday, May 7^th

· Friday, May 8^th

Students have all necessary materials to prepare for this in their Target binder. This content can be challenging, but if students will spend time each evening studying all frog materials, they will do well. Only HIGHLY QUALIFIED HERPETOLOGISTS will participate in our frog dissection. A HIGHLY QUALIFIED HERPETOLOGIST is defined as a student with an 80% or higher on the Anuran Anatomy Post Test. To encourage students to do their very best, we will have special incentives for those that exceed expectations! J

Fifth Grade Frog Dissection:

· Monday, May 11^th

· Tuesday, May 12^th

Please note that fifth grade classes will be dissecting an actual frog specimen. We will provide gloves. Each child will need to bring in an extra shirt to wear over their clothes. Please send this shirt in with your child in a plastic bag labeled with your child’s name. You will want to wash this shirt the evening of dissection!

We plan to dissect outside, weather permitting, and measures will be taken to make this a pleasant and meaningful educational experience! If you choose for your child not to participate, you may send in a note before dissection day and an alternate activity will be provided.

Fourth Grade Virtual Dissection:

· Thursday, May 14^th

· Friday, May 8^th (Field Day is planned for May 15^th)

Last Day of Target Class:

· Monday, May 18^th

· Tuesday, May 12^th (5^th grade school wide activity is planned for May 19^th)

· Thursday, May 21^st

· Friday, May 22^nd

NOTES FROM MRS. BURKE

Please note that during CRCT, we will not be meeting for Target classes. We will be assisting in the testing process with small groups.

Before next class, PLEASE STUDY YOUR FROG SANDWICH ANATOMY BOOK, as we will be having a big quiz! All students should have a completed FROG SANDWICH ANATOMY BOOK and have been given a glossary of vocabulary terms. These are both helpful to guide and prepare for the FROG ANATOMY POST TEST WHICH WILL BE THE WEEK OF MAY 4TH. REMEMBER, YOU MUST MAKE AN 80% OR HIGHER TO PARTICIPATE IN DISSECTION. I will have incentives for those that do an outstanding job!

Frog Sandwich - Putting It TOGETHER!

Students are beginning to make wonderful connections! It is interesting to see the similarities between frog and human anatomy. Frogs have special anatomical features that have allowed them to adapt and survive in diverse habitats. Humans learn a lot from frogs, as they are environmental bioindicators. We must help these "ANURANS ON THE RUN!" We can do this by learning as much as possible about them!

Our "FROG SANDWICHES" are a wonderful visual for us to see frog anatomy and organ systems. We will need to learn all of this information for our upcoming "Frog Unit Post Test." We will review in class and have discussions, games, and simulations! However, students will need to study and prepare at home. They can use the frog anatomy vocabulary/information to go "Above and Beyond."

Our "Frog Unit Post Test" will cover all of the "FROG SANDWICH" content, and will be on your child's Target day during the week of May 4th.

"FROG DISSECTION" dates are scheduled for the week of May 11th. Fifth graders will have the option of dissecting a frog specimen, while fourth grade will do a virtual dissection. This is contingent upon successfully mastering frog content. Students must score an "80" or higher to be eligible for dissection.

More information will be coming soon! Let's make this an UNFROG-GETTABLE unit!