Students went online to watch a stream table simulate the Colorado River surging through the Grand Canyon. One student had a hard time with defining Delta. He knew the definition was a fan-shaped deposit of sediments at the mouth of a river. He just did not know what a mouth of a river, is.
Your kiddo can go online at home and show you what we did.
Have a good night.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Landform Vocabulary
Yesterday, I had the cherubs use their textbooks to locate and define words pertaining to landforms of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. This is part of our rock and sediment study unit. Anyway, they got finished far too early yesterday. Despite the fact that the directions in yesterday's lesson threatened a test will be given. Well, today, I gave that test. However, I let them use their notes from yesterday. Believe it or not, not everyone got a 100%. Oh well.
6a.m. Rolls Around Mighty Early
For about the last month or so, I have been getting to school around 6 a.m. I am using FOSS modules for the first time and find although it is geared for 6 through 8th grades, it is written more for 8th graders. Therefore, I have been spending a lot of time rewriting the Earth History unit to accommodate my munchkins. Unfortunately, I have to come in the morning to grade papers, write plans and set-up the room for experiments and investigations. Today, I did not get here until 6:50 a.m. and I feel guilty.
Coloring Contest
Mrs. Rogers, our 7th grade life science teacher, is sponsoring a coloring contest as a fundraiser. Each entry fee is $0.50. Great idea Kristina. I'm jealous the sixth grade team did not come up with that idea first. Parents; have your kiddoes enter the contest. We sent home flyers on the contest yesterday and today.
Have a great night.
6a.m. Rolls Around Mighty Early
For about the last month or so, I have been getting to school around 6 a.m. I am using FOSS modules for the first time and find although it is geared for 6 through 8th grades, it is written more for 8th graders. Therefore, I have been spending a lot of time rewriting the Earth History unit to accommodate my munchkins. Unfortunately, I have to come in the morning to grade papers, write plans and set-up the room for experiments and investigations. Today, I did not get here until 6:50 a.m. and I feel guilty.
Coloring Contest
Mrs. Rogers, our 7th grade life science teacher, is sponsoring a coloring contest as a fundraiser. Each entry fee is $0.50. Great idea Kristina. I'm jealous the sixth grade team did not come up with that idea first. Parents; have your kiddoes enter the contest. We sent home flyers on the contest yesterday and today.
Have a great night.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Learnin' Landform Vocabulary
Students, today, started their Stream Table Lab Notebook. They did pages 2 and 3, which contains a landform map and asks for students to use page 36 in their textbook to find the location of the vocabulary words and write brief definitions of each word. Kids got done in no time, flat. Despite the threat that I planned on giving them a surprise test on the vocabulary. It could be tomorrow, it could be Friday, it could be next week. They did not care. Since I now know Leah and Nick read my blog, I will give you the heads-up -- it's tomorrow. You will have to match definition to vocab word and then mark the location of that vocab word on a blank map.
Mr. Fausnaught Can Shoot Hoops
The boss was outside my room, this afternoon, as classes were passing. He waited for a clear moment in the hallway and banked a plastic soda bottle off the wall and into the trash can. Nice shot! Now you know why I wrestled in high school and not played b-ball.
Gave Back Tests, today.
That short five-question multiple-choice test was returned to students, today, as was the graded "Rocks and Minerals Lab Notebook." Parents, take a look at 'em. Your kiddoes are starting to shut-down for Christmas and its not even Halloween, yet.
Mr. Fausnaught Can Shoot Hoops
The boss was outside my room, this afternoon, as classes were passing. He waited for a clear moment in the hallway and banked a plastic soda bottle off the wall and into the trash can. Nice shot! Now you know why I wrestled in high school and not played b-ball.
Gave Back Tests, today.
That short five-question multiple-choice test was returned to students, today, as was the graded "Rocks and Minerals Lab Notebook." Parents, take a look at 'em. Your kiddoes are starting to shut-down for Christmas and its not even Halloween, yet.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I Hate Giving Tests
As the title implies, I hate it. Should I go multiple-choice, essay, fill-in the blank, matching, etc. They are all kinda dumb. We all suffer from test-anxiety and usually do poorly. Is that a measure of what we learned? Naw. However, I assess my students many ways; including projects, homework, observations, group discussions, lectures, classroom performance and participation, etc. Giving a paper and pencil test is an archaic method, but, it does aid in assessing a student's memory retention. Because I suffered that feared test-anxiety, I make my tests fast and simple. Still, we panic. Just like death and taxes, it is a necessary evil of our lives.
Weathering/Erosion Video
I liked the video I presented, today, on weathering and erosion. The 13-questions that went with the video were thought-provoking. The kids worked in their groups to answer those questions and the ones not done in class? HOMEWORK!!!
It Was A Nice Day
Leah surprised me, today, she found today's science test on my website, printed it off and shared it with Anisha. She left the test in my room during BASE. I'll bet she thought I was furious, but, hey, the kid takes responsibility and peruses my website. What she finds posted there is fair game. I am very proud of her for taking the initiative to cruise my website. Ya never know what you can learn. Learning comes in many forms, gathering and utilizing information is the best form of learning. By the way, Leah and Anisha got 100% on today's test. Imagine that.
Miss Ya, Mrs. Fry
I miss you terribly, Nettie. I hope you are feeling better and on your way to recovery. The more I talk with your sub, Trish, the more impressed I am with this young lady. You would be proud of her, she is doing a bang-up job in your 'stead. I hope my bosses take notice of her and offer her a full-time position when one opens -- but, not mine. Parents, you've gotta meet this girl. For someone so young and inexperienced at teaching, she has taken well to teaching reading -- but, not sixth grade science.
Are You Reading My Blogs?
Is anyone reading my blogs? I would love to hear from you. Suggestions, ideas, criticisms - (ah, no), etc. Seems the only one that responds to my blog with any frequency is Mr. Fausnaught -- he's a good man, friend, co-worker, principal, idea man, and overall spiritual leader. Hey, Tim, do I get the $20 you promised me for saying this stuff?
Have a great night, everyone.
Weathering/Erosion Video
I liked the video I presented, today, on weathering and erosion. The 13-questions that went with the video were thought-provoking. The kids worked in their groups to answer those questions and the ones not done in class? HOMEWORK!!!
It Was A Nice Day
Leah surprised me, today, she found today's science test on my website, printed it off and shared it with Anisha. She left the test in my room during BASE. I'll bet she thought I was furious, but, hey, the kid takes responsibility and peruses my website. What she finds posted there is fair game. I am very proud of her for taking the initiative to cruise my website. Ya never know what you can learn. Learning comes in many forms, gathering and utilizing information is the best form of learning. By the way, Leah and Anisha got 100% on today's test. Imagine that.
Miss Ya, Mrs. Fry
I miss you terribly, Nettie. I hope you are feeling better and on your way to recovery. The more I talk with your sub, Trish, the more impressed I am with this young lady. You would be proud of her, she is doing a bang-up job in your 'stead. I hope my bosses take notice of her and offer her a full-time position when one opens -- but, not mine. Parents, you've gotta meet this girl. For someone so young and inexperienced at teaching, she has taken well to teaching reading -- but, not sixth grade science.
Are You Reading My Blogs?
Is anyone reading my blogs? I would love to hear from you. Suggestions, ideas, criticisms - (ah, no), etc. Seems the only one that responds to my blog with any frequency is Mr. Fausnaught -- he's a good man, friend, co-worker, principal, idea man, and overall spiritual leader. Hey, Tim, do I get the $20 you promised me for saying this stuff?
Have a great night, everyone.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Mystery Solved!
The mystery sand was mountain sand!
Test Tomorrow
Five-question multiple choice test on rocks and minerals lab notebook, tomorrow. Relax, it' easy.
Bad 'Puters
I have one bad computer in my classroom - I was told it "ain't gonna get fixed." There are no spares. Now, two other computers keep "freezing-up". Arrrgghhh. I can only get into a few FOSS files, therefore, the computers I have in my room specifically for FOSS cannot be used. Trying to get computer lab time is like having teeth pulled, with pliers, and no painkillers. We learn, evolve and keep on running. Thank goodness for Mrs. Davis. She schedules computer lab time and helped me find open days where I can get all my classes in there to do FOSS research.
Weathering/Erosion
New lab notebook, tomorrow. Weathering and Erosion. It is basically a 20-minute video but with poignant questions to go with the video.
Still Love It
I hope I did not leave a sour taste in your mouth. I love this place; the people, the kids and Dr. Mextorf, Mrs. Griggs and Mr. Fausnaught have been fantastic and supportive as I switch from teaching ecology to Earth and Space Science. A few technical problems with equipment is simply enough to make me vent, but not condemn.
Students!!!! Ecology -- the study of the environment; Geology - the study of the Earth. Get it? "logy" - the study of.
Have a great night, everyone.
Test Tomorrow
Five-question multiple choice test on rocks and minerals lab notebook, tomorrow. Relax, it' easy.
Bad 'Puters
I have one bad computer in my classroom - I was told it "ain't gonna get fixed." There are no spares. Now, two other computers keep "freezing-up". Arrrgghhh. I can only get into a few FOSS files, therefore, the computers I have in my room specifically for FOSS cannot be used. Trying to get computer lab time is like having teeth pulled, with pliers, and no painkillers. We learn, evolve and keep on running. Thank goodness for Mrs. Davis. She schedules computer lab time and helped me find open days where I can get all my classes in there to do FOSS research.
Weathering/Erosion
New lab notebook, tomorrow. Weathering and Erosion. It is basically a 20-minute video but with poignant questions to go with the video.
Still Love It
I hope I did not leave a sour taste in your mouth. I love this place; the people, the kids and Dr. Mextorf, Mrs. Griggs and Mr. Fausnaught have been fantastic and supportive as I switch from teaching ecology to Earth and Space Science. A few technical problems with equipment is simply enough to make me vent, but not condemn.
Students!!!! Ecology -- the study of the environment; Geology - the study of the Earth. Get it? "logy" - the study of.
Have a great night, everyone.
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