Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Make your Selection!

Hello Everyone,

The 2013 AP Biology Exam is behind us, and by next Monday, May 20th, you should have made your selection and obtained your book. Below is a list of books that I have recently read and I feel are a good read:

The Greatest Show on Earth - Richard Dawkins 

Unscientific America - Chris Mooney
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
What Evolution Is - Ernst Mayr
The Ominvore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan
The World Without Us - Alan Weisman
The Journey of Man or Deep Ancestry - Spencer Wells
The Ancestor's Tale - Richard Dawkins
The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin
The Hot Zone or The Demon in the Freezer - Richard Preston
Your Inner Fish - Neil Shubin
Genome - Matt Ridley
The Coming Plague - Laurie Garrett
Why Darwin Matters - Michael Shermer
Collapse - Jared Diamond
The New Killer Diseases - Elinor Levy and Mark Fischetti
Why Darwin Matters - Michael Shermer
The Blind Watchmaker - Richard Dawkins

Feel free to choose any other new titles on biology you like as well - just run it by me first. Also, if you and a few of your classmates want to read as a group (that is, all read the same book), go right ahead...  I have read all of the above and will be active in responding to your posts. Please ask me if you have any questions regarding the topic or difficulty of the book.  I have also invited past AP Bio students to enter the fray.

Once again, the goal is for you to think while you read. I do not want a book report or a summary of a chapter. But every once and a while, when you read something that makes you stop and have an original thought or idea, put the book down, reference (or quote) the passage that made you stop, and write your thoughts about it here. Your classmates and I will then (hopefully) continue the discussion with comments and other posts.  Take a look at some past posts (shown below) to get an idea on what we're looking for.

We will be reading in class and also posting every other day in the computer lab. To first be able to make your posts (and not just a comment--which anyone can do), you need to sign up (use your real name as your handle--no "Fireball", "S.O.T.C." or other nicknames). I will then add you as a 'Contributor'. You can then blog away! For more info, just ask!

Enjoy using your mind!

Rules of the Blog...

Okay Everyone,

Here are a few rules to follow as we carry out this project...

  1. Bring your books to class everyday. You will be reading and thinking and writing up in the computer lab/library - or on your phones/tablets.  Of course, you should also be posting and responding outside of class too!
  2. For your posts, title each new thread with the subject/topic you are talking about. 
  3. When you make an original post, explain where you are coming from. Reference the passage (by stating which book it is and the page number of what made you stop and think) and then make your point.
  4. For commenting, simply click on the "Comment" link on the bottom of the respective post. When commenting, do not just be in agreement or disagreement. Make a point or two and describe your thoughts. Both AP Biology teachers (and hopefully other faculty and former AP Biology students of ours) will be actively participating as well.
  5. Each student is required to have at least one substantial post per week as well as at least three significant comments per week. The instructors will let you know if you are lacking in this department.
  6. When posting or commenting, feel free to add images, videoclips, or other information you find on-line to support your thoughts. Using humor (appropriately used in context - Ben, you do not have carte blanche!) is encouraged. Random comments such as "Joe is dumb..." will be deleted at once and frankly is a waste of time...
Below are a few examples of posts and comments from past years...  Take a look, it is not as bad as you might think.  Besides, it is pretty interesting to see how everyone thinks about some cool biology topics.


I hope all enjoy this endeavor as I use this forum for discussion...
Mr. Goldberg