We did not switch today, however, we continued our exploration of interesting and fascinating Scientists in our homeroom classes. Today we learned about Maria Mitchell and John Muir.
Maria Mitchell was an Astronomer who won an award for being the first person to discover a comet, using a telescope. She wrote a nautical almanac that included information on the tides, the phases of the moon and on eclipses.
John Muir was a Conservationist who, due to an accident, was temporarily blind in the mid 1800's. During his recovery he decided to become a Naturalist and began a 1,000 mile walk to Florida. He studied the trees, flowers, never harmed animals, and appreciated nature for it's beauty. Along his walk he proved that Yosemite Park was formed by glaciers. He is often referred to as the Father of our National Parks, and pushed for the preservation of the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest in Arizona.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22nd, and Tuesday May 26th, 2009
These two days we wrapped up our Health Projects (pictures should be coming soon) and began learning about some really fascinating Scientists.
Today we learned about Benjamin Banneker and how he took his skills in Math and Science and used them to solve every day problems. He created a watch of his own, by observing and sketching another; and created his own Almanac that was so popular it was second only to the Bible in popularity. WOW!!!
We also learned about Annie Jump Cannon and how she classified stars based on their color. We created a color wheel, that we will "play" with on Friday and combine the colors of the spectrum to make "white light". It should be fun!!!
Today we learned about Benjamin Banneker and how he took his skills in Math and Science and used them to solve every day problems. He created a watch of his own, by observing and sketching another; and created his own Almanac that was so popular it was second only to the Bible in popularity. WOW!!!
We also learned about Annie Jump Cannon and how she classified stars based on their color. We created a color wheel, that we will "play" with on Friday and combine the colors of the spectrum to make "white light". It should be fun!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Today we went on our tour of Terry, so we did not rotate. The kids got to see performances from the Cheerleaders, Band, Orchestra, Choir, got to meet the Art teacher and Librarian. It was a really good day. We are back on track tomorrow and will wrap up our Health projects.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday May 19th and 20th
We did not rotate these two days, so we did not have Science/Health :(
We will be "back in business" on Friday, doing Three more presentations and the last on Tuesday, with a quiz of the notes they've taken during their classmates presentations.
We will be "back in business" on Friday, doing Three more presentations and the last on Tuesday, with a quiz of the notes they've taken during their classmates presentations.
Monday, May 18th, 2009
Today we began presenting our Health projects, so far we are off to an excellent start, I can really tell the awesome work that some of the groups put into it. On Friday, I will have notes from the presentations and hopefully, pictures of the wonderful creations :)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th
These two days groups will be wrapping up their projects, making sure their posters are finished, and they know their lines, etc. We will begin presenting projects next week Monday-Thursday. Just like in our last project, I will upload the notes that I get from each class, and publish them to the blog. On Friday, the students will have a quiz over what their classmates "taught" them. :)
I am really enjoying this project, and the students are too.
Those of you that filled out the picture information......... you can begin looking for those pictures next week as well. :)
I am really enjoying this project, and the students are too.
Those of you that filled out the picture information......... you can begin looking for those pictures next week as well. :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thursday, May 7th and Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
We are working on our Health projects. The students will have only Thursday and Friday this week to complete them in class. Next Monday, we will begin presenting.
Here are the rubrics for Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 10. These show the exact expectations for your students, and how they will get their grades.
Here are the rubrics for Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 10. These show the exact expectations for your students, and how they will get their grades.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
Today we began our exciting HEALTH unit.
Health has so much useful information for our students, however can sometimes become a bit monotonous. To fix this problem, we have decided to learn a bit differently, through project-based learning.
As the students entered the room yesterday, each was given a small slip of paper with a random number, 1-7 on it. Thus, our groups were formed. All of the ones together, twos together and so on. Each group was assigned one of the seven important chapters that we have left. These groups will now become "experts" on that topic. They will have Tuesday, Thursday of this week, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday of next week to work on their group projects.
In this assignment, each group was given a list of specific tasks that they need to make sure they include while "teaching" the class. The will be graded on a rubric that will be posted later this week, based on how well those tasks were completed.
Friday the 15th, Monday the 18th, and Tuesday the 19th the groups will do their presentations for the class. Each presentation should be at least 20 minutes long, and no more than 30 minutes long. On Friday, we will complete presenting if necessary, and take a quiz over what we've been taught.
I am, as are the students, very excited about our projects. Research shows that retention of knowledge is much higher, when it is "self-taught" or when a students becomes and "expert" on a subject. We've done something similar this year, with great success.
Keep looking for specifics on each groups requirements later this week.
Health has so much useful information for our students, however can sometimes become a bit monotonous. To fix this problem, we have decided to learn a bit differently, through project-based learning.
As the students entered the room yesterday, each was given a small slip of paper with a random number, 1-7 on it. Thus, our groups were formed. All of the ones together, twos together and so on. Each group was assigned one of the seven important chapters that we have left. These groups will now become "experts" on that topic. They will have Tuesday, Thursday of this week, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday of next week to work on their group projects.
In this assignment, each group was given a list of specific tasks that they need to make sure they include while "teaching" the class. The will be graded on a rubric that will be posted later this week, based on how well those tasks were completed.
Friday the 15th, Monday the 18th, and Tuesday the 19th the groups will do their presentations for the class. Each presentation should be at least 20 minutes long, and no more than 30 minutes long. On Friday, we will complete presenting if necessary, and take a quiz over what we've been taught.
I am, as are the students, very excited about our projects. Research shows that retention of knowledge is much higher, when it is "self-taught" or when a students becomes and "expert" on a subject. We've done something similar this year, with great success.
Keep looking for specifics on each groups requirements later this week.
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