Today's Quote:
Recap:
Yesterday, I modeled a group discussion for the class as we reviewed the videos they had watched the night before for homework. We talked about the things they need to bring to our partnership, such as doing the assignments at home so they are prepared to participate, speaking up in class, and observing the rules of conversational etiquette. We learned that if they don't know a word, I use or they see in our readings, the only way they will know it is to let me know. That being said, many students learned what an undertaker is, from yesterday's quote.
Students had some interesting observations from the videos. For example, they picked up on the idea that the first video was geared more toward teachers and how they can help students learn. Many of my students from last year pointed out that I already do many things suggested in the video- dimmed lights, water noises in the classroom, soft, non-lyrical, music, and frequent breaks from lecturing which allows their brain to process information. Students said they were interested to find out that their brain produced about 25 watts of electricity and that their bodies run off of bioelectrical signals called neural pathways. Several other students pointed out that they had not realized that behavior is the first thing to suffer if your brain and body are not properly hydrated. I challenged the classes to come to school with a bottled water and to refill it at least 8 times in a day and see if their alertness and performance was any better than days when they drink less. That being said, I also reminded my classes that my class rules states they CAN have a bottled water out on their desk and they can use the sanitized sink next to my desk to refill it throughout class. Other drinks are prohibited.
Another point students enjoyed was the idea of practice and how the brain plays. I gave them the example of kicking a soccer ball, playing guitar, or working on a new math formula. As you practice a new skill for at least 20 minutes a day your brain starts to grow new neurons and those neurons form neural pathways. Then when you go to sleep at night, those same neural pathways continue to stimulate the neurons in the specific muscles being used to refine what you practiced while awake.
During our discussion, I sat at the student desk and modeled what a good listener and participant looks like. I had good body language- eyes focused on the speaker, nodding in agreement or asking a question of the speaker. I could be seen taking notes and when students asked why I wasn't writing, I showed them that I had already taken those notes when I watched the video. Overlall, students said they liked this activity because they felt like they leanred more, had more opportunity to clarify their thoughts, and it seemed I was talking with them, not at them.
Entry Task/ Brain Bender:
(This should be written in your agenda, every day!)
Bringing it all together- finishing the syllabus and class procedures
BEFORE THE FIRST BELL RINGS!
Agenda:
Who are you?- take the quiz. Write your learning style down in your syllabus. Email a copy to yourself AND to me Thomas.allison@marion.k12.fl.us
Write your Chromebook number down in your syllabus
Take the multiple intelligence quiz and write down your results in your syllabus
Homework: ALL GRADE LEVELS
Please write a brief paragraph explaining how you can use the things we spoke about this week to be a more successful student in, not only science but in other classes as well.
For example, if you know that your learning style is kinesthetic (tactile) and your learning style is "The Logician"and your main intelligence is "The Naturalist" how can you apply these things to your learning.
6th Grade Honor's Earth Space Science:
6th Grade Class Information and Syllabus
Unit Essential Question:
What are the basic ideas behind the process of science?
Key Learning Statement:
Science is a process based upon observational and experimental studies using scientific methods to develop or explore scientific theories or laws.
7th Grade Honors Life Science
7th Grade Class Information and Syllabus
Unit Essential Question: What methods do scientists use to answer questions and solve problems in the natural world?
Key Learning Statement: Scientific inquiry involves forming a testable hypothesis and developing a valid investigation using scientific skills and tools to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not supported. Data from scientific investigations helps scientists explain natural events through the use of scientific theories and scientific laws.
8th Grade Honors Physical Science
Unit Essential Question: What is required to carry out a valid scientific investigation?
Key Learning Statement: A valid scientific investigation uses prior knowledge, observations, and empirical evidence to test a hypothesis and draw conclusions that must be validated through repetition and replication.
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