Before focusing on the main course of study for this year, life science, during the first few weeks we will explore some key issues and topics basic to science in general.

     Using the first chapter in our life science text as a guide, we'll use other sources and materials as well as we delve into such topics as what makes science science (how it differs from other disciplines and areas of study); how scientific thinking produced the distinct scientific method; important concepts and vocabulary related to the latter two topics; how modern laboratory procedures and experimentation evolved out of the scientific method; scientific measurement, metrics, and SI units; and some other topics as well.

     We will use a variety of reading enhancement tecniques and strategies this year, and for this opening unit we'll start with a reading anticipation guide that students will use both prior to and after we have tackled the lesson.

     Key vocabulary and concepts will be posted on our wall for each unit, and students will copy these into their science notebooks, leaving room to fill in meanings, give examples, personal hints and clues, and so forth. Students will be taught a number of note-taking techniques and will be expected to use any of these that they prefer throughout the year's work.