First Lab of 2011-12

 

Here are some pictures for the first lab of the 2011-2012 school year for our junior high students. They designed their own experiments. The purpose was for the students to create a step by step procedure for their experiment. As they conducted the experiment the students were to identify missing steps. Today they will reflect on the process to see how they can improve writing the procedures for their next experiment.

Qualitative and Quantitative Observations

Today the students were given hands-on experience in observation. First they started by identifying all the differences they could find in beans. They used all their senses (except taste) to see if they could group the beans.

 

Next they were given an analog and a digital scale and they used them to identify the mass of the beans. They looked for reliability between the two types of scales.

Since measurement is an important part of research, this mini-lesson was a good way to reactivate their past learning experiences.

Google Apps for Education

Today my 8th grade students logged into their new Google Apps for Education account. They explored sending and receiving emails while a few brave souls checked out Google Calendars.

I spent about 20 minutes giving them an overview of the four major apps they had access to. It will be great for the students to have access to these powerful platforms and I can't wait to see what interesting ideas they come up with.

Tomorrow we begin setting up student blogs. We will be using Blogger as our platform of choice. I expect to see a lot of interesting (i.e. ugly) blogs being created over the next few days. My goal if for the student's first posts to go up on Friday. 

Internet Safety Stories

 

 Last Friday my 8th grade students wrote internet safety based stories. Today they read them to their peers and decided which story was best. Here is a clip of Glavin reading part of his story.

Activating Prior Knowledge in Science

Today Mr. Mayher (who is co-teaching seventh grade science with me) has been helping the students remember science concepts they have learned in the past. The students were asked to identify as many things as possible from a picture. From there the discussion leads to all the science concepts that were represented in the image.

I was amazed to hear how many connections students made between the image and science concepts. This is a great way to use anticipatory set to reactivate your students memories.

Yesterday I reviewed three different ways students can take notes. They are familiar with the traditional method where the notes are highly structured into an outline. (I like to call this type of note taking as Formal notes.)

I introduced them to Cornell note taking which is still structured, but it adds the use of a graphic organizer which can help many students as well as a place to reflect on the notes. As you know, I believe reflection is the most valuable step in the learning process.

The third note taking strategy is mind mapping (also called webbing). Mind mapping allows visual students to  see connections and relationships. It is also pretty useful for kids that like to draw and make things.

Finally I introduced them to the power of pictures. Marzano identifies drawing pictures as a "powerful way to generate nonlinguistic representations in the mind." Basically, pictures make powerful memories, especially when you draw them yourself.

It is important to point out that there is no reason why a student could not mash-up two or more of these strategies to create a note taking method that works best for them. I would love seeing my students using all of these tools based upon the needs they encounter as they continue to learn throughout the year. 

Welcome Back!

I am sure some of you have the same attitude about coming back to school as this llama. Days of staying up late and sleeping in, swimming and riding bikes, and lots of free time have come to an end. That doesn't mean you can't have fun here too.

I can't wait to learn with you this year, I hope you feel the same way. 

A Google a Day

A Google a Day is a daily puzzle that helps you to hone your search engine skills. Each day you are given a question that you have to answer using Google search. This is a fun way to work on finding better ways to search the net and become more skilled and successful finding things.

Library Survey

Library Media Survery

Please, only students from Noel Elementary should fill out this survey.

Missouri Connections

Missouri Connections- Check with Mrs. Kilby for your username/password.

Marvel Comic Creator Contest

Marvel comics has teamed up with Disney.com to create a contest that has an awesome prize. By creating a comic you are entered into a contest where your comic can be featured in an up coming comic book!

Click here to create your comic.

Your Reactions to the Death of Bin Laden

The big news story is President Obama announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden. Obviously there are a bunch of different news stories that can be read about what happened.  What I want you to do is read several, look especially at those that talk about what may change in the future because of the death. Then I want you to write a quick summary of the story and then tell me how you think the future of the United States may change because of the death. For example, do you think we will now begin to pull troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan? Do you think that airport security will be toned down? Or, do you think Bin Laden's death will not have any impact? Explain your reasons for your prediction.

As usual make sure you link to the stories you read in your summary.

Bridge Building Game

A couple students caught me playing X Construct on my phone during lunch today and wanted to play themselves. I told them I would find a PC equivalent so they could try it out on their own. Here is one I found called Bridge Building Game. The purpose of the game is to construct a bridge that will allow the lemming like pink dinosaurs to cross safely across a chasm.

 Here are links to similar games:

Cargo Bridge
Bridgecraft

President Obama's Weekly Address: Gas Prices & Energy Security

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/02/weekly-address-gas-prices-energy-security

How could what President Obama says in this address affect the drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico? How much oil was being pulled out of those wells and how does that compare to the amount of oil the President's plan says we will save? What other options does the President address instead of using fossil fuels? How many barrels of oil will we be importing in 10 years according to the President's plan?

Here is a link to the transcript of the address.

Should British Petroleum Be Allowed to Resume Oil Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico?

British Petroleum has petitioned the United States government to resume drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Read at least one story from each subheading on the linked page. You should see Blogs, United States, and Mississippi. You will link back to them on the post.

Link to the stories.

What is the general tone of the stories? Do they seem to be for or against resumed drilling? What is your opinion of BP resuming drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico? What alternatives could you suggest instead of drilling in the Gulf of Mexico?

Be Careful About Your Social Media Behaviors: Sexting

Today we will read and discuss this article on sexting. We need to be very careful about how we use our social media tools. We also need to consider the long term implications of a thoughtless act.

Comments4Kids: The Why's and How's of Commenting

http://comments4kids.blogspot.com/

Before we get started typing this morning, I want you to do a little research on blog commenting. You will need to go the my Comments4Kids blog and read the information there. Pay specific attention on the home page to the Rules for Comments4Kids as well as follow the links on the right of the blog. Tomorrow we will discuss it more.

When Do We Write?

Click this link to post.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

We will be spending this week examining the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last Friday. You will need to write a post each day over some aspect of the disaster and its impact on Japan and the world. We will be meeting daily to discuss what you have learned.

Wallwisher: Where Do We Write?

Today for our 5 Minute Think we will be answering the question: Where do we write? Double-click anywhere on the page, add your first name in the name box then type your answer. When finished click "Ok". The answers will be moderated.

Poptropica

"Poptropica is a massively multiplayer online game and virtual world, targeted at children ages 6 to 15, where players can travel, play games, compete in head-to-head competition, and communicate safely with each other. There is a role-playing component as players are encouraged to finish "island missions" and get medallions."
Wikipedia.com

It has been a couple weeks since I have given you a mental health day, enjoy!