During our New Teacher Orientation we were asked to start thinking about our Professional Growth Plans as we will be meeting with our individual principal's this week. As part of this, we were provided with forms to help us guide our goals (both personal and divisional).
As a new teacher, most of the times when I think of the school year my hopes are to simply survive through it! Student teaching is just a taste of what full-time teaching is like and I hope to just make it through the year while trying to balance lessons, differentiating instruction, keeping up-to-date with appropriate assessment of student understanding, being involved with extra-curricular, etc! With that being said, however, I have been able to identify some goals for my Professional Growth Plan.
Goals:
- The teacher will maintain a written weekly reflection regarding lessons,
classroom management, assessment, differentiation etc.
- The teacher will incorporate blogging into the Grade 8 Science class in a
manner that addresses curricular outcomes, digital citizenship, school
community, and student responsibility.
Divisional or School Goal(s):
- The teacher will plan one mentoring activity with another grade once per unit.
Strategies:
- I will maintain the weekly postings on my blog, "2 Stars & a Wish",
which reflects on things that went well in the classroom and addresses
an area of improvement.
- A blog has been set up for the Grade 8 Science class as well as a
routine and expectations that will be incorporated once students are in class.
- For each unit, I have listed another grade in the school that covers a
similar topic (ex. Grade 7 Science: ecosystems, Grade 6: diversity of living
things). Other teachers will be approached regarding class cross-over
activities.
I have yet to meet with my principal so I am not exactly sure if this is what she is looking for in regards to a Professional Growth Plan. I do, however, feel like this provides me with a good platform in order to explore further.
Do you have to complete a Professional Growth Plan? If so, what are some of your goals this year?
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Thursday, 29 August 2013
New Teacher Orientation
Yesterday was New Teacher Orientation in "T-Division"! My husband, myself, and four other new teachers met at our Division Office to get prepared for the new year and learn the ropes of the division. As you can probably tell from the fact that there are only 6 new employees, our division is quite small and our orientation was very laid back and welcoming.
In general, the information was a little bland but necessary. We discussed:
- Our provincial union, Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS)
- Salaries
- Life Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Divisional Calendar
- Divisional Policies
- Professional Development & Growth, etc
A wonderful surprise was that our Superintendent took us all out for lunch after orientation was completed! It gave me an opportunity to talk more with the 4 other new teachers (1 of which is at "S-School" with me). My husband and I are the only teachers that are fresh out of university and from the area. The remaining teachers vary in experience from 2 years to 19 years and are from all over Manitoba and Ontario. I am glad to have had the opportunity to meet more teachers as I only know the teachers in "S-School". We have a division-wide PD day on Tuesday so I am looking forward to meeting up with them again!
Here's to a great year!
In general, the information was a little bland but necessary. We discussed:
- Our provincial union, Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS)
- Salaries
- Life Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Divisional Calendar
- Divisional Policies
- Professional Development & Growth, etc
A wonderful surprise was that our Superintendent took us all out for lunch after orientation was completed! It gave me an opportunity to talk more with the 4 other new teachers (1 of which is at "S-School" with me). My husband and I are the only teachers that are fresh out of university and from the area. The remaining teachers vary in experience from 2 years to 19 years and are from all over Manitoba and Ontario. I am glad to have had the opportunity to meet more teachers as I only know the teachers in "S-School". We have a division-wide PD day on Tuesday so I am looking forward to meeting up with them again!
Here's to a great year!
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Scientific Method Bulletin Board
My classroom isn't ready for a full reveal quite yet, but I have finished up all of my bulletin boards (you know, the ones that were hiding behind the monster bookcase).
My favourite one, by far, is my Scientific Method bulletin board that is going to remain
permanent through the school year.
I modeled it after the amazing one that Emily created over at The Science Life!
 |
| *BEFORE* The bulletin board I'm showing is the one on the North wall beneath the black star. |
 |
| *AFTER* The Scientific Method! Starting from the red rectangle: "Ask a Question", "Form A Hypothesis", "Create and Conduct an Experiment", "Observe and Record Data", "Analyze and Conclude", and "Communicate the Findings". |
Beneath the bulletin board, I have a hanging folder with photocopies of our class's Scientific Method Lab Form that students can grab and fill out anytime we have lab activities in class. I also plan to sporadically put up QR codes linking to:
- Cool science experiments
- Mr. Parr's science songs
- Interesting science videos, etc
One of my favourite parts of the bulletin board is the 3D images that go with each step.
To create them I laminated and cut out the images I wanted to use and then simply glue-gunned bulletin board tacks to the back! It works perfectly because the tacks stick out about 5cm so when you push them onto the board they create a neat 3D effect!
.JPG "Create 3D Bulletin Board Images!")
.JPG "Create 3D Bulletin Board Images!")
Thanks again to Emily for inspiring me to create this bulletin board for my classroom (don't you just love the edu-blogger world?!)
I hope to do a full reveal of my classroom next Monday to celebrate the long weekend!
Stay tuned until then...
Monday, 26 August 2013
Resources To Start Off Your Week 76
It is here; my first week "working" as a teacher! Now, I put "working" in quotations because the teachers in our division aren't actually back until next Tuesday, but any new teaching staff starts their orientation this week (including both me and my fiance!). While I have been in my classroom sporadically over the past two weeks, I will now be there full-time when I am not in meetings with our divisional staff. I am very excited to get the final touches complete so that I can do a big reveal and be ready for students. As of right now... there are 10 days until students are back with us!
In the mean time, here are three great ed resources that you can utilize in your classroom(s). As always, I will be adding these to my lists of resources under the Fav Websites heading.
1 ) New Old Stock: Vintage Photographs
- Curated by Cole Townsend, this website features vintage photographs
that are public domain and not licensed under any copyright restrictions.
- This is a great image option to share with your students when they are
looking for images to use for projects!
- The one thing I do not like is that there is no search options or categories
and users simply have to scroll through the pages of photographs to find
what they are looking for.
- http://nos.twnsnd.co/
2 ) How To Add Live Web Pages to PowerPoint Presentations
- This tutorial shows someone, step-by-step, how to add in a live web
page into a PowerPoint presentation. When giving presentations about
ed resources I find that I am jumping back and forth between the internet
browser and my presentation.
- This tutorial taught me how to embed a website directly into the presentation
so I don't have to flip back and forth anymore! This is really handy as I am
teaching my students how to use Blogger this year and would like to have
the web page inside of my presentation.
* Thanks to Tyler for sharing this resource with me!
- http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25946/how-to-add-live-web-pages-to-a-powerpoint-presentation/
3 ) ICT Magic's PLN Map
- This interactive map allows users to visualize the Twitter PLN. Educators
can add their work location and teaching category (primary, secondary,
resource, etc) to the map at any time!
- This is a neat project to show how information travels around the world
(this project started with a simple Tweet) and to show how big the Twitter
PLN actually is.
- Add yourself to this map by following the link :)
- http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/PLN+Map
In the mean time, here are three great ed resources that you can utilize in your classroom(s). As always, I will be adding these to my lists of resources under the Fav Websites heading.
1 ) New Old Stock: Vintage Photographs
- Curated by Cole Townsend, this website features vintage photographs
that are public domain and not licensed under any copyright restrictions.
- This is a great image option to share with your students when they are
looking for images to use for projects!
- The one thing I do not like is that there is no search options or categories
and users simply have to scroll through the pages of photographs to find
what they are looking for.
- http://nos.twnsnd.co/
2 ) How To Add Live Web Pages to PowerPoint Presentations
- This tutorial shows someone, step-by-step, how to add in a live web
page into a PowerPoint presentation. When giving presentations about
ed resources I find that I am jumping back and forth between the internet
browser and my presentation.
- This tutorial taught me how to embed a website directly into the presentation
so I don't have to flip back and forth anymore! This is really handy as I am
teaching my students how to use Blogger this year and would like to have
the web page inside of my presentation.
* Thanks to Tyler for sharing this resource with me!
- http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25946/how-to-add-live-web-pages-to-a-powerpoint-presentation/
3 ) ICT Magic's PLN Map
- This interactive map allows users to visualize the Twitter PLN. Educators
can add their work location and teaching category (primary, secondary,
resource, etc) to the map at any time!
- This is a neat project to show how information travels around the world
(this project started with a simple Tweet) and to show how big the Twitter
PLN actually is.
- Add yourself to this map by following the link :)
- http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/PLN+Map
Happy Monday everyone!
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Water Systems Resources
Here is the LAST resources post for my series of resources for the Grade 8 Science curriculum. With school starting right around the corner, I hope you can find these resources useful! If you missed my posts for the first three units of study, visit the following posts:
- Optics
- Fluids
Water Cycle Song. (2011). Uploaded to YouTube by Mr. Parr. Available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3BVa7PH_JE
I really enjoyed planning out this unit for two reasons: I have a Geography minor and our province has experienced drastic flooding over the past few years. I love teaching about subjects that have direct ties to our community and have planned a few neat field trips for this unit.
Intro to Water Systems
Enduring Understanding: The
global water system is essential for all life on Earth; from plant and animal
life to geography and human relations.
8-4-01 Use appropriate vocabulary related to their
investigations of water
systems.
Include:
heat capacity, fresh water, salt water, convection, Coriolis effect,
global water
cycle, drainage system, watershed, continental divide,
erosion,
deposition, flow rate, tides, terms related to water treatment.
8-4-02 Demonstrate that water, as compared to other
substances, has a high heat
capacity and
is able to dissolve a wide variety of solutes.
8-4-03 Compare and contrast characteristics and properties of
fresh water and salt
water.
8-4-04 Identify factors that work individuals or in
combination to affect ocean
currents.
Include:
convection, Coriolis effect, prevailing winds, position of
continents.
8-4-05 Describe how the heat capacity of large bodies of water
and the movement
of ocean
currents influence regional climates.
8-4-06 Describe the components of the global water cycle and
explain how it
works.
Drainage Systems, Erosion &
Deposition
Enduring Understanding: The movement of water
across the face of the Earth affects the respective geography.
8-4-07 Describe features of the North American drainage
system.
Include:
local and regional watersheds, direction of water flow,
continental
divide.
8-4-08 Describe how erosion and deposition are influenced by
the flow rate of a
stream or
river, and contrast the related characteristics of young and
mature
streams.
8-4-09 Describe how wave action and ice movement in large
bodies of water
cause
erosion and deposition.
8-4-10 Explain how tides are caused and describe their effects
on shorelines.
8-4-11 Describe examples of human interventions to prevent
riverbank or coastal
erosion.
8-4-12 Identify factors that can cause flooding either
individually or in
combination.
8-4-13 Provide examples of the way in which technology is used
to contain or
prevent
damage due to flooding, and discuss related positive and negative
impacts.
Water Treatment
Enduring Understanding: Knowledge
and understanding of the global water system has improved water treatment, lessened pollution, and affected human standard of life.
8-4-14 Identify sources of drinking water and describe methods
for obtaining
water in areas
where supply is limited.
8-4-15 Explain how and why water may need to be treated for
use by humans.
Include:
filtration, settling, chlorination, fluoridation.
8-4-16 Compare the
waste-water disposal system within their communities to one
used
elsewhere.
Include:
process involved, environmental impact, cost.
8-4-17 Identify substances that may pollute water, related
environmental and
societal
impacts of pollution, and ways to reduce or eliminate effects of
pollution.
8-4-18 Identify environmental, social, and economic factors
that should be
considered
in the management of water resources.
8-4-19 Use the design process to develop a system to solve a
water-related
problem.
______________________________________________________________
In addition to hard-copy resources I have available in the school and from colleagues, I also started to organize some online resources to supplement our classroom activities. Here are the resources I found, organized by the themes I stated above. For each one I've included the title, a very brief point about what it includes, and the link.
Intro
to Water Systems
Water Cycle Song
- Musical Review Option
- Sang to Give Me Everything Tonight:
Pitbull
Imagine All The Water
- Good interactive showing how much water
is used in different everyday items
Tides Song
- Musical Review Option
- Sang to The Other Side: Jason Derulo
Tides & Sea Levels
- Interactive, wave levels, water changes,
etc
Ocean Currents Song
- Musical Review Option
- Sang to Kiss You: One Direction
Groundwater Interactive
- Good for large group SMART Board activity
- Compares groundwater in wet and dry
periods
- Good before moving into Floods discussion
Water Cycle Interactive
- Good questions and images
- Good for large group SMART Board activity
- Don’t like the voice over
Drainage Systems, Erosion &
Deposition
Floods Song
- Musical Review Option
- Sang to So Good: B.o.B
Physical Geography - Running Water: How it
Erodes & Deposits
- Documentary piece, discusses different
types of flow
- 3 mins
Rain and Weathering Interactive
- Good for a large-group SMART Board
activity
- Breaching the Portage
- 5 mins
- Good video and commentary
- Some inappropriate language, use
discretion
- 9 mins
Flooding Interactive
- Good for a large-group SMART Board
activity
Sheppard Software Canadian Games
- Games about Canada
- Good for if students are done early
- Fact sheet and bar graph of average vs.
flood levels
Water
Treatment
Water Changes Everything
- Video on the effects clean water has on
communities and standard of living
- 3 mins
Drinking From The Sea: Desalination
- 2 min video explain desalination
World Water Day Image
Gallery
- Images from around
the world
- Good to get students
thinking or to add into PowerPoint presentations
Downloadable Information Sheets
- Features information on various countries
in need of clean water resources
- Features information on various water
related issues like sanitation, poverty, advocacy
Simple Solution for Clean Water
- Water Treatment technology from University of Alberta
- 3 mins
Safe Drinking Water
Atlas
- See water issues
around the world
- Flash interactive
______________________________________________________________
I hope you find these resources as awesome as I do!
If there is something you think I should add to my list let me know, I'd love to hear about the awesome things you are using with your class :)
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Interactive "Connect With Us" Display
I am now spending almost every day in my classroom getting organized and prepared for the upcoming school year. As you know, I've created quite a strong online presence for my classroom and I want to make sure that my students utilize these resources and have easy access to them. To address this, I've created an interactive Connect With Us display at the entrance of my classroom!
This display includes 3 laptops featuring the information for our:
In addition to the written URL for each site, I also created specific QR codes that can be scanned to reach these resources quickly!
Along the left-hand side I also included the sign-up information for my Remind 101 accounts. Similar to the laptops, I put each unique sign-up code on the screen of an iPhone to highlight the text service!
- Both the laptop and iPhone clip art is available through www.openclipart.org
- QR codes were created through www.qrstuff.com
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Revisited
At the beginning of the summer (oh geez, was that already 2 months ago!?) I shared my Summer #EdTech To-Do List inspired by a blog post by Anthony Vonbank. For the last five summers I have always worked two jobs to pay for the upcoming year's school tuition, so I always considered myself very busy. This is my first summer since Grade 8 that I haven't worked at all during the summer! I thought that this would mean that I wouldn't be busy and was actually worried that I might be bored! HAHA! With the wedding, honeymoon, and planning for my first classroom, I've been more busy this summer.
As school starts up again, I wanted to revisit my original post to see how I did in regards to accomplishing the items on my #EdTech To-Do List. How did you make out with your list?
ONLINE PRESENCE
- Create/update an About.Me page
* I updated mine after the wedding to include my new name :)
- Create/update your online portfolio. I suggest Weebly; it is free, easy
to use, and aesthetically-pleasing.
* I updated mine this summer to include my new name & new job
- Create/update your Twitter profile & develop/organize a PLN
* I updated mine after the wedding to include my new name
- Sync your online networks to form a cohesive online presence
(Same updated info, same profile picture, etc)
* I still need to make sure all my profile pictures are the same, but the
info is all the same and updated
- Develop an online presence for your classroom. It can be a classroom
Twitter account, a webpage, a wiki, a Facebook page/group, a blog, etc.
Think about what best suits your students & run with it!
* I've created both a classroom website & a classroom blog for my class!
* Read my post about digital identity to learn more about online presence.
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Online Presence Grade: 4/5
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Participate in a MOOC (massive open online course). Check out
the MOOC List to see what is coming up.
* Unfortunately I never found the time to participate in any type of
MOOC this summer
- Tune into a Twitter chat. Some of my favourites are:
- #ntchat,
- #edchat,
- #cdnedchat
* This was something I completed multiple times over the summer, I
would be lost without Twitter chats!
- Check out the resources available from some great ed tech curators.
The following are a must-see if you haven't checked them out before:
- Larry Ferlazzo's "Best Lists"
- ICT Magic
- Cybrary Man
* I spent a lot of time curating resources for my classes & these websites
were always my starting base, thank you!
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Professional Development Grade: 2/3
PLANNING
- Check out the backwards-by-design & new MB report card frameworks
available through the mRLC (Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium). Everything
a Manitoba teacher could ask for!
* This website was a lifesaver as I made my way through my Math & Science
planning this summer
- Familiarize yourself with the Bloom's Taxonomy chart of iPad apps.
* Not only have I used it, but I printed it off and placed it on our school's
iPad cart!
- Check out the ever-growing supply of Ted ED lessons that feature videos,
articles, comprehension questions & online discussions.
* The available lessons is still growing & I've found some really neat ones
to include in my Math, Science AND Art classes
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Planning Grade: 3/3
 |
| Technology is a given. (2013). Uploaded by Scott McLeod to Flickr. Available online at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcleod/8399337241/ |
ONLINE PRESENCE
- Create/update an About.Me page
* I updated mine after the wedding to include my new name :)
- Create/update your online portfolio. I suggest Weebly; it is free, easy
to use, and aesthetically-pleasing.
* I updated mine this summer to include my new name & new job
- Create/update your Twitter profile & develop/organize a PLN
* I updated mine after the wedding to include my new name
- Sync your online networks to form a cohesive online presence
(Same updated info, same profile picture, etc)
* I still need to make sure all my profile pictures are the same, but the
info is all the same and updated
- Develop an online presence for your classroom. It can be a classroom
Twitter account, a webpage, a wiki, a Facebook page/group, a blog, etc.
Think about what best suits your students & run with it!
* I've created both a classroom website & a classroom blog for my class!
* Read my post about digital identity to learn more about online presence.
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Online Presence Grade: 4/5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Participate in a MOOC (massive open online course). Check out
the MOOC List to see what is coming up.
* Unfortunately I never found the time to participate in any type of
MOOC this summer
- Tune into a Twitter chat. Some of my favourites are:
- #ntchat,
- #edchat,
- #cdnedchat
* This was something I completed multiple times over the summer, I
would be lost without Twitter chats!
- Check out the resources available from some great ed tech curators.
The following are a must-see if you haven't checked them out before:
- Larry Ferlazzo's "Best Lists"
- ICT Magic
- Cybrary Man
* I spent a lot of time curating resources for my classes & these websites
were always my starting base, thank you!
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Professional Development Grade: 2/3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANNING
- Check out the backwards-by-design & new MB report card frameworks
available through the mRLC (Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium). Everything
a Manitoba teacher could ask for!
* This website was a lifesaver as I made my way through my Math & Science
planning this summer
- Familiarize yourself with the Bloom's Taxonomy chart of iPad apps.
* Not only have I used it, but I printed it off and placed it on our school's
iPad cart!
- Check out the ever-growing supply of Ted ED lessons that feature videos,
articles, comprehension questions & online discussions.
* The available lessons is still growing & I've found some really neat ones
to include in my Math, Science AND Art classes
Summer #EdTech To-Do List Planning Grade: 3/3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall I am very pleased with how I made out with my Summer #EdTech To-Do List. If you know me, however, I will be continuing to maintain and complete this list throughout the school year as well.
How did you make out with your own Summer #EdTech To-Do List? Share your thoughts!
- Did you try anything new and exciting?
- Did you accomplish a big project?
- Did you have challenges completing something?
Monday, 19 August 2013
Resources To Start Off Your Week 75
I am both excited and nervous as I write this post as it is my LAST Resources To Start Off Your Week post before I am back at school. Next week I begin my new teacher orientation although students will not return to classes until September 5th. When I first started these posts in January of 2011 I never thought that I'd still be doing them when I was preparing my first classroom! As always, I will be adding these to my ever-growing list of resources under the Fav Websites heading.
1 ) Math is Fun
- This website is a one-stop-shop for your math class. It features
online lessons, practice questions, games and more!
- I've linked to this website in quite a few of my math units
because their online lessons are a great resource for students to
review at home for extra practice or if they missed the in-class
lesson.
- http://www.mathsisfun.com/
2 ) Wonderground
- This "modern day treasure hunt" allows users to explore various
American cities to discover the vast connections between history,
technology, and innovation.
- Through interactive maps, articles, 360 degree images, and videos,
users can explore some of the most amazing features of these cities
and make connections to their lives.
- This website could be a really neat addition to a social studies
classroom or provide a good basis for students who are wanting
to learn more about these communities!
- http://gewonderground.com/
3 ) ASAP Science YouTube Channel
- This YouTube Channel posts weekly Science videos that
are perfect for engaging students in the subject. Featuring over
50 videos, this channel posts everything from The Science of
Aging and Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind to The Science
of Super Heroes and Which Came First: The Chicken or The
Egg?
- These videos could be really good for activating students interest
and/or engaging students who may not like Science class.
- http://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE?feature=watch
1 ) Math is Fun
- This website is a one-stop-shop for your math class. It features
online lessons, practice questions, games and more!
- I've linked to this website in quite a few of my math units
because their online lessons are a great resource for students to
review at home for extra practice or if they missed the in-class
lesson.
- http://www.mathsisfun.com/
- This "modern day treasure hunt" allows users to explore various
American cities to discover the vast connections between history,
technology, and innovation.
- Through interactive maps, articles, 360 degree images, and videos,
users can explore some of the most amazing features of these cities
and make connections to their lives.
- This website could be a really neat addition to a social studies
classroom or provide a good basis for students who are wanting
to learn more about these communities!
- http://gewonderground.com/
3 ) ASAP Science YouTube Channel
- This YouTube Channel posts weekly Science videos that
are perfect for engaging students in the subject. Featuring over
50 videos, this channel posts everything from The Science of
Aging and Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind to The Science
of Super Heroes and Which Came First: The Chicken or The
Egg?
- These videos could be really good for activating students interest
and/or engaging students who may not like Science class.
- http://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE?feature=watch
Happy Monday everyone!
Friday, 16 August 2013
Using Flash Websites on iPads
Our school has an iPad cart that teachers can book to use with their students for a variety of purposes. While our elementary wing (K-4) has a laptop cart that can be brought into the classroom, Grades 5 and up only have certain periods where they have access to the traditional computer lab. As such, the iPads are a good mobile tech option for us. During my student teaching placement I used our iPads for:
- QR scavenger hunts
- Interactive options during centers
- Research stations
- Virtual labs
- Taking photos
- Recording audio reflections, etc
One problem that I did run into, however, is that Safari doesn't run Flash websites. Through my online curation I have found so many amazing resources for students to explore and I wasn't able to use a lot of them on the iPads!
Well the issue has now been resolved as I've learnt how to run Flash websites on the iPad. I'm not sure if this is well known, but I didn't know about it so I thought I would share it with all of you! I present to you: Puffin Free!!
Here is what you need to know:
- Internet browser alternative to Safari
- FREE download from the app store!
- Flash compatible!
- Can run on iPhone, iPad, and iPod (if students want to download it to their
own devices too)
I am so excited to have solved this problem and have already put in my request to have it downloaded onto our iPads before school begins :)
- QR scavenger hunts
- Interactive options during centers
- Research stations
- Virtual labs
- Taking photos
- Recording audio reflections, etc
One problem that I did run into, however, is that Safari doesn't run Flash websites. Through my online curation I have found so many amazing resources for students to explore and I wasn't able to use a lot of them on the iPads!
Well the issue has now been resolved as I've learnt how to run Flash websites on the iPad. I'm not sure if this is well known, but I didn't know about it so I thought I would share it with all of you! I present to you: Puffin Free!!
- Internet browser alternative to Safari
- FREE download from the app store!
- Flash compatible!
- Can run on iPhone, iPad, and iPod (if students want to download it to their
own devices too)
I am so excited to have solved this problem and have already put in my request to have it downloaded onto our iPads before school begins :)
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Fluids Resources
This post is the third in my series of resources that align with the Grade 8 Science curriculum. (Previously in the summer, I posted a similar series for the Grade 7 Science curriculum.) Each post shares the resources I compiled for a particular unit that I will be covering throughout the year. If you missed my first two posts in the Grade 8 Science series, you can find them at:
- Cells & Systems Resources
- Optics Resources
My unit on Fluids spans the course of 7 weeks and will take place in late winter (approximately January-February). I specifically planned for this unit to take place during the winter months to allow for us to be outside in the spring during our following unit of Water Systems, which discusses flooding. I've built in quite a few lab activities and am most excited about students creating their own hydraulic machines!
Density Tower
- Cells & Systems Resources
- Optics Resources
 |
| Easy Hydraulic Machines Screenshot. (2012). Uploaded to Instructables by Lance from Workshop for Young Engineers. Available online at: http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Hydraulic-Machines/ |
Properties of Fluids
Enduring Understanding: Fluids
exist in both liquid and gas states and are governed by very specific
properties, including viscosity, density, buoyancy and pressure.
8-3-01 Use appropriate vocabulary related to their
investigations of fluids.
Include:
fluid, viscosity, flow, density, particle theory of matter, buoyant
force,
pressure, compressibility, hydraulic, pneumatic.
8-3-02 Distinguish between fluids and non-fluids.
8-3-03 Explore and compare the viscosity of various liquids.
8-3-04 Identify products in which viscosity is an important
property, and evaluate
different
brands of the same product, using the design process.
8-3-05 Plan and conduct experiment to determining factors that
affect flow within
a given
system.
8-3-06 Measure, calculate, and compare densities of solids,
liquids, and gases.
Include:
different amounts of the same substance, regularly and irregularly
shaped
objects.
8-3-07 Illustrate, using the particle theory of matter, the
effects of temperature
change on
the density of solids, liquids, and gases.
8-3-08 Compare fluids of different densities to determine how
they alter the
buoyant
force of an object.
8-3-09 Recognize that pressure is the relationship between
force and area, and
describe
situations in which pressure can be increased or decreased by
altering
surface area.
8-3-10 Explain, using the particle theory of matter, the
relationships among
pressure,
volume, and temperature of liquid and gaseous fluids.
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Enduring Understanding: Fluids transmit force in a predictable manner that can be utilized by
humans, including hydraulic (liquid) systems and
pneumatic (gas) systems.
8-3-11 Compare the relative compressibility of water and air,
and relate this
property to
their ability to transmit force in hydraulic and pneumatic
systems.
8-3-12 Identify a variety of natural and constructed hydraulic
and pneumatic
systems and
describe how they function.
8-3-13 Compare hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and identify
advantages and
disadvantages
of each.
8-3-14 Use the design process to construct a prototype that uses
a pneumatic or
hydraulic
system to perform a given task.
______________________________________________________________
In addition to hard-copy resources I have available in the school and from colleagues, I also started to organize some online resources to supplement our classroom activities. Here are the resources I found, organized by the themes I stated above. For each one I've included the title, a very brief point about what it includes, and the link.
Properties
of Fluids
The Density Song
- Musical review option
- Broadway style song
Can I Pour Air Demonstration - Discrepant
Event
- U of M Lesson
- Shows that fluids are liquids and gases
Fundamentals of Fluids
- Articles, quizzes, interactives, videos
Buoyancy Demonstration
- U of M Lesson
- Would need to be a large-group activity
lesson
Buoyancy Virtual Lab
- Great lab that can be used on iPads or as
a large-group activity
- Includes procedural questions
Viscosity of Liquids Video
- Might be good for center activity, have
students list items from
least to most viscous
Viscosity Explorer
- Virtual lab
- Chose from water, olive oil, ethanol,
corn syrup, honey &
factors in temperature http://www.planetseed.com/flash/science/lab/liquids/visco_exp/en/viscosity.htm?width=620&height=500&popup=true%20
Wonderville Pipeline Inquiry Project
- 5 Point experiment, good for group
activity
- Would be great for when there is a sub
Pressure on Gas Virtual Lab
- Great lab that can be used on iPads or as
a large-group activity
- Includes procedural questions
- Density Tower
Hydraulics
& Pneumatics
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Part 1
- Good video explaining both systems
- 6 minutes
Forces & Fluids
- Textbook chapter section
- Good teacher resource
Mega Machines
- Game with hydraulic machines
- Enrichment activity if students are done
early
Pneumatic Air Nailer Lab
- Article about nail guns to help with the
lab
- Lab will take place in the wood shop
Teacher Hydraulic Notes
- PDF Notes for teachers
Build Your Own Hydraulic Machine
- Instructions, videos, and images
Teaching Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Teacher resource with links to buy lab
kits
______________________________________________________________
I hope you find these resources as awesome as I do!
If there is something you think I should add to my list let me know, I'd love to hear about the awesome things you are using with your class :)
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
The Homework Debate
On the weekend I read a post by Justin Tarte called The Truth About Homework in Schools in which he lists his thoughts on the "homework debate". Being a new teacher I began thinking about where I fall in this often controversial discussion and what my thoughts are about having my students complete homework. I follow many education blogs from around the world and have seen teachers discuss all different types of homework ideologies, from those who are completely against it to those who have assigned homework every single night.
I don't really remember having homework in Elementary or Middle School and while that doesn't mean that we didn't have homework... it means that I certainly wasn't traumatized by it or spending hours each night working on it (which I'm sure I would remember). Even in High School I can't think of one class where we had nightly assigned homework, with the exception of keeping up with our reading of "Lord of the Flies" in my Literary English class.
I'm not sure if this is a Canadian-American difference in education styles (many of the blogs I follow are American-based) or if I was simply lucky enough to avoid the homework load that is causing so much stress for students. Either way, I think it definitely influences my teaching style because I never grew up thinking that homework was a mandatory and/or necessary piece of the learning process. With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on homework:
- Students should never be receiving a mark for completing homework (or simply for
completing anything). Students are assessed on their understanding of curriculum
standards and I have yet to see any curriculum that states, "The student will be able
to complete assigned work outside of school hours."
- Homework completion is greatly affected by a student's home life, not just their
ability to understand the material...
- Nightly assigned homework should NOT be mandatory at any grade level...
- Teachers that feel like they need to assign homework in order to cover curriculum
need to reevaluate how they are using their time in the classroom...
- Students who are struggling with a concept are not going to benefit from simply
completing worksheet after worksheet at home ("remediation homework").
Teachers should work on differentiating their instruction and meeting the student's
learning needs in the classroom rather than isolating them by making them complete
more work at home...
With that being said, here is a brief look at what "homework" might look like in my classroom:
- Students will be given adequate time to complete all assignments in class. Those
who do not use their time wisely, however, may need to take assignments home
with them in order to complete them on time. Taking the assignment home is not
mandatory but the assignment due date does not change simply because a student
did not use the time they were provided with...
- Many of our projects will be real-life scenario projects with direct ties to my
student's lives. At times, I may ask students to look at home for certain supplies
and bring them back to class (ex. a paystub, cell phone bill, empty beverage
container, etc). Again, this is not mandatory, it simply allows the lesson to be
more personal as they have a direct link to how this is applicable in their lives...
- Students will be provided with a review class before formal assessments-of-learning.
It will be suggested that they also review/study on their own time so that they may
be as successful as possible, but it is by no means mandatory that they study for
x-amount of minutes at home.
Being a new teacher, I'm sure that I will end up adding different things to this list or modifying them as I see necessary. As I stand right now, however, these are my thoughts on homework... what are yours?
I don't really remember having homework in Elementary or Middle School and while that doesn't mean that we didn't have homework... it means that I certainly wasn't traumatized by it or spending hours each night working on it (which I'm sure I would remember). Even in High School I can't think of one class where we had nightly assigned homework, with the exception of keeping up with our reading of "Lord of the Flies" in my Literary English class.
I'm not sure if this is a Canadian-American difference in education styles (many of the blogs I follow are American-based) or if I was simply lucky enough to avoid the homework load that is causing so much stress for students. Either way, I think it definitely influences my teaching style because I never grew up thinking that homework was a mandatory and/or necessary piece of the learning process. With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on homework:
- Students should never be receiving a mark for completing homework (or simply for
completing anything). Students are assessed on their understanding of curriculum
standards and I have yet to see any curriculum that states, "The student will be able
to complete assigned work outside of school hours."
- Homework completion is greatly affected by a student's home life, not just their
ability to understand the material...
- Nightly assigned homework should NOT be mandatory at any grade level...
- Teachers that feel like they need to assign homework in order to cover curriculum
need to reevaluate how they are using their time in the classroom...
- Students who are struggling with a concept are not going to benefit from simply
completing worksheet after worksheet at home ("remediation homework").
Teachers should work on differentiating their instruction and meeting the student's
learning needs in the classroom rather than isolating them by making them complete
more work at home...
With that being said, here is a brief look at what "homework" might look like in my classroom:
- Students will be given adequate time to complete all assignments in class. Those
who do not use their time wisely, however, may need to take assignments home
with them in order to complete them on time. Taking the assignment home is not
mandatory but the assignment due date does not change simply because a student
did not use the time they were provided with...
- Many of our projects will be real-life scenario projects with direct ties to my
student's lives. At times, I may ask students to look at home for certain supplies
and bring them back to class (ex. a paystub, cell phone bill, empty beverage
container, etc). Again, this is not mandatory, it simply allows the lesson to be
more personal as they have a direct link to how this is applicable in their lives...
- Students will be provided with a review class before formal assessments-of-learning.
It will be suggested that they also review/study on their own time so that they may
be as successful as possible, but it is by no means mandatory that they study for
x-amount of minutes at home.
Being a new teacher, I'm sure that I will end up adding different things to this list or modifying them as I see necessary. As I stand right now, however, these are my thoughts on homework... what are yours?
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
Classroom Pictures *Update*
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| *Before* This bookcase was screwed into the wall, the floor, and covered all of the bulletin boards in my room! |
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| *After* The bookcase is now dismantled & my bulletin boards have been freed! |
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Thanks to our school's wonderful custodians, my bookcase is officially dismantled and moved into the hallway to await beautification! Unfortunately, the bookcases on the far left (with the cupboard doors) didn't make the move and had it be trashed but I still have all of the shelving. Today I sanded them down and began painting.
The main frame of the bookcase is now black and I plan to paint the backing a bright blue to match our school colours. Tomorrow I will be putting on a second coat and they will be reassembled in my classroom! I am so happy to have this project underway, these cupboards were in serious need of some TLC!
.JPG "Mrs. T's (Miss L's) 1st Official Classroom!") |
| *Before* Beige, vandalized, and stained. |
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| *After* Still needing a second coat & the backing painted blue, but they are looking better! |
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| * Before* Exterior Wall, no desks! |
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| *After* Exterior Wall: I've pushed my desk up against the wall to make more room but I still need to add curtains to the windows. (The bookcase will go against the South wall on the left of the picture) |
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| *After* View from the door |