My first year teaching 8th grade science (12 years ago) I introduced this paper tower challenge to my classes. The idea is this: you get one piece of paper, 30 cm of masking tape, and an unlimited amount of attempts to see how tall you can build a tower that stands freely for at least a count of five. The W section went today. My grade was only on effort for this--for participation, really. It takes some outside the box thinking and an ability to work effectively with someone else. I choose lab partners for my students using a round robin method. Over the course of the year, each student will work with each other student in the lab approximately 3 times.
I used to allow students to pick their own partners, but this fails for a couple of reasons. One, it is important that students learn how to cooperate with a diverse population, not just their current friends. Second, the students are more focused when they work with a partner NOT of their own choosing. Third, for some students, it avoids a very awkward moment when they realize no one wants to work with them.
This lab gives me a chance to get to know my students better--I get to walk around and talk with them, get a sense of how they think and react to a challenge, and how well they work in a small group.
Sweet justice.
September 11, 2008
Unit 1--Day 10
Today was a day for review--we went over the review homework, using Scottie and Chipper's special seat picker, then got out the computer response pads and everyone answered questions about the unit from the smart board. The system is amazing. If you are a parent, I wish you could see what an amazing tool this is. I don't use it everyday--but for review it is great for both focusing and for everyone getting to participate equally. The question is posted on the board and then students answer by pushing the appropriate button. I run the review as a bit of a game--the top seven students in the room get an OWLSbuck each. Each question is worth 20 points and the first correct answer gets an extra 5 points.
The test for this unit will be taken in the library. This is a unique way to do it, and provides instant feedback to the students--no waiting to find out their score. They also immediately see their incorrect answers and, ideally, learn from their mistakes. Taking it this way makes the review online even more valuable. Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of this tool in Moodle.
Sweet justice.
The test for this unit will be taken in the library. This is a unique way to do it, and provides instant feedback to the students--no waiting to find out their score. They also immediately see their incorrect answers and, ideally, learn from their mistakes. Taking it this way makes the review online even more valuable. Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of this tool in Moodle.
Sweet justice.
September 10, 2008
Unit 1--Day 9
There are some things that students may say about my class that may not be true. They may claim that I let them watch a bunsen burner for a couple of minutes while we listened to a SpongeBob song. They may say I have a monkey collection, and a homie collection, and a paper hole collection. They may say that an electric burner caught on fire in science today when we were making popcorn for an educational learning experience about scientific inquiry. If they are in the O section, that last one is true.
We did learn a lot about scientific inquiry. We posed a question, created a hypothesis, then came to an understanding about our manipulated variable (independent), our responding variable (dependent), and our control variables (everything we did not allow to change during the trials). From there, I experimented and had students watch our for my wrongnesses. (Apparently that actually is a word--the spell checker is not catching it). I messed up a lot, which was my goal actually. One of my goals is to make class so enjoyable that it flys by, that you forget it is actually education. I don't always achieve that, but I often do. I think I did today.
Sweet justice (or today, salty justice).
We did learn a lot about scientific inquiry. We posed a question, created a hypothesis, then came to an understanding about our manipulated variable (independent), our responding variable (dependent), and our control variables (everything we did not allow to change during the trials). From there, I experimented and had students watch our for my wrongnesses. (Apparently that actually is a word--the spell checker is not catching it). I messed up a lot, which was my goal actually. One of my goals is to make class so enjoyable that it flys by, that you forget it is actually education. I don't always achieve that, but I often do. I think I did today.
Sweet justice (or today, salty justice).
Unit 1--Day 8 part 2
I missed writing about this day yesterday--we were in the library learning how to use some of the etools that we have for science this year. Along with my moodle page, we have an online version of our textbook and access, at least for a while, to a site called explorelearning.com It is awesome--it uses gizmos to teach basic concepts that we cover all year long. I really want us to use it this year as much as possible, and convince the district that we need to renew the license.
The moodle page has so much--I post the unit study guide and have many a practice quiz and text there to use. My practice tests are VERY similar to my actual tests, and students that take the time to use them do very well for me.
And of course, I have my blog here. I hope that you find it useful.
Of note today was doing the cheer in the library. The S section did it with two fingers so we could be extra quiet. I also discovered that someone stole one of my monkeys--it was actually the monkey that Hunter brought it. It is being ransomed off for $1,000,000 OWLSbucks.
Sweet justice.
The moodle page has so much--I post the unit study guide and have many a practice quiz and text there to use. My practice tests are VERY similar to my actual tests, and students that take the time to use them do very well for me.
And of course, I have my blog here. I hope that you find it useful.
Of note today was doing the cheer in the library. The S section did it with two fingers so we could be extra quiet. I also discovered that someone stole one of my monkeys--it was actually the monkey that Hunter brought it. It is being ransomed off for $1,000,000 OWLSbucks.
Sweet justice.
September 8, 2008
Lab 1--Safety Lab
Lab 1 is not the most exciting lab of all time, but it is an important one nonetheless. We talked about rules and I showed how to use the fire extinguisher, the fire blanket, the eye wash station, and the protective eyewear. We also watched a video that was made in the 70's--Accident at Jefferson High. I love this movie, and can almost recite the entire thing from heart. Watching it 8 times a year (at a minimum) pays off.
Remember kids, be careful, and proceed with caution. A science lab can be a dangerous place.
And keep those science rules in your binder.
Sweet justice.
Remember kids, be careful, and proceed with caution. A science lab can be a dangerous place.
And keep those science rules in your binder.
Sweet justice.
Unit 1--Day 8
I am using a new convention for referring to the days in class. Because of our half-group schedule, it can be confusing to talk about days. A day for the S section in class might be completely different than for the O section, and so on . . .
So, on Day 8 for unit 1 I took the classes to the library. My goal was to show the students all of the resources I provide for them--there really is a lot. I showed them how to access the online textbook, how to get to my moodle page, how to take practice quizzes, how to get to this blog, and also how to get onto explorelearning.com. Each is an important part of a rapidly changing environment in the classroom, though none is essential to doing well in my class.
Check out your resources, use them often. They will pay off.
For now, sweet justice.
So, on Day 8 for unit 1 I took the classes to the library. My goal was to show the students all of the resources I provide for them--there really is a lot. I showed them how to access the online textbook, how to get to my moodle page, how to take practice quizzes, how to get to this blog, and also how to get onto explorelearning.com. Each is an important part of a rapidly changing environment in the classroom, though none is essential to doing well in my class.
Check out your resources, use them often. They will pay off.
For now, sweet justice.
September 7, 2008
The Second Week
Well, well, well, we are well on our way now, aren't we? The second week is done. For the most part, the tools charts are finished and most of the homework for the section has been completed. Has anything out of the ordinary happened yet? Of course.
In the L section, I accidentally sent a piece of blue paper up into the fume hood where it was ripped to shreds and apparently is still stuck to the fan. That is hush, hush, though. All of the sections got to see me try to teach the difference between an Erlenmeyer flask and a Florence flask. I created Earl and Flo, and almost universally, I would say my students now know. Once I get access to my school computer, I'll post a pic of Earl and Flo for you.
Unit one is almost done--I expect to start testing at the end of this week. Keep yourself ready with my moodle practice quizzes. Yee-hah!
Sweet justice.
In the L section, I accidentally sent a piece of blue paper up into the fume hood where it was ripped to shreds and apparently is still stuck to the fan. That is hush, hush, though. All of the sections got to see me try to teach the difference between an Erlenmeyer flask and a Florence flask. I created Earl and Flo, and almost universally, I would say my students now know. Once I get access to my school computer, I'll post a pic of Earl and Flo for you.
Unit one is almost done--I expect to start testing at the end of this week. Keep yourself ready with my moodle practice quizzes. Yee-hah!
Sweet justice.
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