Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Mystery Bag Mock Inquiry Lesson Plan



Mystery Bag Mock Lesson Plan

  • Does this bag invoke any thoughts? WHAT IS IN THE BAG??
  • 5 second feel activity: Is it a rubber ducky and a plastic egg? Does the egg have beads in it?-This is the preconceived guess about possible answers of what is in the bag. 
  • Categorizing guesses: Formulate a statement of what you think is in the bag. You have considered several hypotheses and selected ONE- most likely hypothesis
  • Devise a method to obtain information-what would you help to evaluate whether your hypothesis is supported
  • Each test will have two predictions of what to EXPECT- you think about your hypothesis that is correct and a hypothesis that is incorrect. (Hypothesis: If....Then....Because.)
  • Restate the hypothesis
  • A hypothesis is NOT just a guess, even NOT an educated guess, it is a tentative explanation for the problem/question based on some type of observation.
Purpose for this activity:
  • Scientific knowledge is fundamentally uncertain.
  • Science is uncertain because it is a human activity.
Neil deGrasse Tyson's Video on the Nature of Being a scientist


Click here to view the Inquiry Skills Power Point.

Misconceptions Presentation Pluses & Wishes



Misconceptions Presentation Pluses & Wishes

The following feedback was created by myself in response to the Misconceptions presentations completed in class for the Spring of 2018. In these presentations, the students were asked to come up with common misconceptions that students might have about subjects in science and they were to come up with ways to dodge these misconceptions and teach to them! My peers and my group did an excellent job in creating hands on learning experiences and learning objectives to aid in the student's misconceptions about science. Through this project we learned how to make proper learning objectives for our students through the many different types of science subjects! View below to see my positive feedback and wishes for my peers' presentations. 

Click here to view the Misconceptions in Science Class Presentation!


Group 2:
Kelly, Bailey, and Megan

3 Pluses:


  1. I liked that you used hands on opportunities for the students to learn about these misconceptions.
  2. I loved that your group was so open to criticism from Dr. Smirnova and the audience.
  3. I loved that you thought comprehensively about what you could fix about your objectives and finding your own mistakes that you made. This is how you learn! :)

1 Wish:


  1. I wish you had specified the conditions in each of your objective therefore it made it easier for your group to remember the purpose of the lesson that you were preparing because it would have made it easier for you to fix the objectives.


Group 3:
Cierra, Cassandra, and Ganny

3 Pluses:
  1. I liked that you had the opportunity to go back to your own objectives in order to fix them before presenting! You presented a strong front.
  2. I liked that you used different types of lessons for your objectives (e.g. direct instruction, inquiry, cooperative learning)
  3. I enjoyed your misconceptions, I believe these misconceptions are genuinely aligned with what students are thinking.
1 Wish:
  1. I wish you added links of different Venn diagrams that you might use for the tasks that you are giving the students to give us a visual of what you want the learning outcome to be.

Group 4:
James and Tara

3 Pluses:


  1. I liked the activities that you involved in your objectives, I think they were great hands on activities to keep the students involved in the learning process!
  2. I enjoyed that you were so flexible with fixing your objectives and that you worked together to solve the problems that you had.
  3. I enjoyed that you connected links in your objectives therefore we could click on them and view what your lesson is trying to capture with the learning goal.
1 Wish:
  1. I wish that you were revising your objectives during other people's lessons based off of the changes that they were making considering you were the very last group to go. 

Teaching Misconceptions in Science


Teaching Misconceptions in Science


The following information was all notes taken based upon the lesson plan that Dr. Smirnova taught us about teaching misconceptions in science. Each student was placed into a group and offered the opportunity to come up with different student misconceptions regarding their topic. If you read below, you will find my group's misconceptions listed on the topics of Space travel, Rocks & Minerals, and Life in the Desert!

Fish is Fish Video Notes:
  • Evolution of a fish 
  • "Frogs are frogs and fish are fish and that's that"
  • Children come to your class as fish with their own vision of things
  • When you use words they picture the things that they know and have had an experience with
  • Children comes with their misconceptions and in order to teach them well you need to help them to figure out and discover the real information

Back to Childhood with Misconceptions Group Topic:

Space travel
  • The sun disappears at night.
  • Black holes are like vacuums.
  • The moon can only be seen at night.
  • The earth is larger than the sun.
  • The Earth is round like a pancake.

Rocks and Minerals
  • Rocks must be heavy.
  • Rocks are the same color on the inside as they are on the outside.
  • Humans can make rocks and minerals.
  • Rocks and minerals are the same thing.
  • Minerals are always shiny and metallic. 

Life in the desert
  • Deserts are always in a drought, it is dry land with no water or vegetation.
  • The desert always has a warm/ hot climate, there are no changing weather patterns.-Antarctica is the biggest desert in the world.
  • Temperatures in the desert do not fall below freezing.
  • There is no rainfall in the desert.

What does this say about the misconceptions with which our students will come to our science classroom?

What will you do to help students change their mental models and deepen their understanding of the scientific concepts.


Unrevised Science Objectives



The following objectives were created after our understanding of how
to write objectives! Objectives should be written in the format: CBC.

Objective: Given a task to observe the planetarium at the Liberty
Science Center, the student create a Space Travel Information Guide
following the criteria of a rubric.


Objective: Given a Venn Diagram on several types of rocks/minerals
the student will insert at least three similarities and three differences
between the rocks and minerals.

Objective: Given a task to observe the Sahara Desert Virtual Field
Trip, the student will write a descriptive essay of the Sahara Desert
following the criteria of a rubric.

Objective: Given a learning page on the topic of Space Travel with
10 fill in the blank questions, the student will insert 8 out of 10
correctly.

Objective: Given the task to explore rocks and minerals in five
stations, the student will present on the different characteristics
following the criteria of a rubric.

Objective: Given a WebQuest and the task of watching the

Documentary: The Sahara YouTube Video, the student will answer
five out of six questions correctly about desert facts.

Objective: Given a hands on experience in the Planetarium at the
Liberty Science Center, the student will calculate the numerical
differences between the sun and the Earth by creating a
measurement T-Chart by following the criteria of a rubric.

Objective: Given a Graphic organizer, the student will make
measurements of rocks circumference, weight and density through
WebQuest research.

Objective: Given a task to write a paragraph the students will write
predictions about the amount of precipitation in the Sahara Desert
by following the criteria of a rubric.

Real Science is based on INQUIRY!



Real Science is Based on Inquiry!



*Socrates created Inquiry! Socrates was largely invested in his ability to ask his students questions in order for them to learn and discover new findings. There is always exploration and there is no final answer! There are always new answers and knew questions. Methods and strategies of answer searches are always available!

The 5 features of science inquiry (emphasis is mine)

  • Learner Engages in Scientifically Oriented Questions
  • Learner Gives Priority to Evidence in Responding to Questions
  • Learner Formulates Explanations from Evidence
  • Learner Connects Explanations to Scientific Knowledge
  • Learner Communicates and Justifies Explanations
Steps of Inquiry:
  1. Formulate a question/problem
  2. Make predictions (expected results assuming the hypothesis is correct and different predictions if the hypothesis is wrong).
  3. Design steps to investigate the problem to generate data that will allow you to evaluate the hypothesis.
  4. Test the hypothesis. 

Click here to view the link for the Inquiry Report Evaluation Rubric.



FIELDWORK Brainstorming Ideas



Group 2: Weather and Water

Brainstorming Ideas:

  • Weather costumes for the first day
  • Weather book read aloud at carpet to open up the topic
  • Scientist Voki (weatherman/woman voki)
  • Word Art of key terms of the lesson for the first day of class
  • CFU: Poster board post-it notes (attach key term post-its)
  • Experiments to open each lesson to apply previous knowledge
  • Reporting live photo booth
  • Tim & Moby Video about weather
  • Teacher Rules poster (associated with weather)
  • Weather Web (CFU)
  • Weather Yoga
  • Weather Cycle Shoe Box
  • Creation of a weather word wall (as full class)- to call on prior experience from direct instruction lesson-Guided practice for inquiry lesson

Group II. Weather and Water -- How much water does the soil in the garden hold and how much runs off? How much water is too much and how much is not enough for these plants? Are some of the plants drought tolerant---how often do they need to be watered? Do people have a tendency to overwater and inappropriately water---what times of day and season are best to water and how much water do plants need, where should it be applied? What is the effect of mulch on water need? What kinds of rain are most beneficial? What about snow? What is the effect of temperature? Too hot and too cold for different plants? What is the relationship between climate and weather as it relates to flood and drought? How much water does our region get in a year and how is it distributed? Do recent years fit the historic pattern?  
Students learn about the water cycle, air and atmosphere, phase change, and weather patterns. They also learn to pose questions, think about what they already know about a topic, use text features as they read, and to write process descriptions and scientific explanations. They learn and use scientific vocabulary such as humidity, precipitation, evidence, and data.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The 5 E's : ThingLink Challenge LP


The 5 E's

Engage
Explore
Explain
Elaborate
Evaluate


Growing a Sensory Garden Lesson Plan:
  • Thing Link
  • 360 picture of the BDMS Garden
  • Last lesson in the Unit Plan for Science Methods
* Click here to go to the UP Design eClass ThingLink Challenge page! *

 *Click here to view the ThingLink LP Rubric *

Brainstorming Ideas for my Sensory Garden LP
  • Create a script on the Google Docs of what your lesson plan will be
  • Use the explore explain template
https://www.thinglink.com/video/1042852269504069633


Earth Science Projects


Class Earth Science Projects

In this blog you will find the Class's Earth Science Project information notes! For this assignment, Dr. Smirnova asked us to report on different types of Earth Science such as violent weather, space, layers of the atmosphere, and soil formation. Throughout the presentation of this information, I was able to create a blog of scientific data and information pulled from my peer's knowledge! This was an amazing experience because I learned so much about earth science that I did not know before this class. These presentations really helped me to become a more well rounded student of science methods throughout this course. Read below to inform yourself on the many different aspects of Earth Science! I hope you enjoy :)

Violent Weather

  • Videos to educate the students
  • Reflected on what they learned through the video
  • Wonder aspect to it in order for the students to research what they wonder
  • View- Looking at the picture and listing the emotions and thoughts that they had regarding the picture
  • Extreme weather is unpredictable and scary! They are fast moving and unpredictable
  • Chose a photograph that interested you-cars on the road during an extreme blizzard because extreme snowfall is interesting
  • Digital Journey Poem- "Help the Avalanche is upon us!"-Michaela, "Hurricanes"- Tara
  • Exploration of Thing Link- videos, articles, and facts
  • *Click here to view Michaela, Tara & Cassandra's Earth Science Project*



Space
  • Creating a paper ma-shay to compare the sizes of the planets
  • Complete a forum explaining their experiences
  • Engage, explore, explain- Talking about their experiences and their partners and the differences that they had and why they were thinking the way that they were
  • They created PowerPoint on different planets- Listed different facts: origins, discovery, location, distance, who discovered it 
  • Task- Pick a planet and try to convince other people to come to your planet- this is an amazing project idea for your students and makes it a more fun way then just a research project
  • Ability to see the planets through different perspectives
  • James' PowerPoint on Space
  • Kelly's PowerPoint on Space
  • *Click here to view Kelly & James' Earth Science Project*



Layers of the Atmosphere

  • Interactive Videos to discuss the different layers of the atmosphere
  • A Journey through the Atmosphere video-a man goes through the atmosphere and survives! This sparks great curiosity in the students and is an exciting way to get the lesson started

  • *Click here to view Bailey & Olivia's Earth Science Project Video & Google Doc *


Soil Formation


  • Soil holds most of the usable water on earth
  • When soil is too wet it lets us know when a flood is coming and when it is too dry it prepares us for a drought
  • Use of Flip Grid- you can do a voice over and use a picture of yourself to convey information. You can share it on a group
  • Read an article and write a response on Linoit.com 
  • Asked the students to draw the formation of soil to describe and display the soil formation. This is a great way to visually view what happens to the soil and how it forms!
  • Soil formation writing about NYS- speaks about legends and how it connects to the location of soil into the ground and how soil is used to grow the earth's plants
  • Great to use with students for Inquiry lessons because they are provided with the research
  • They learned a lot about the importance of soil
  • NASA is SUCH an important part of growing the soil
  • *Click here to view Cierra & Megan's Earth Science Project*


"Education is not how much you know, it is the way that you share." - Dr. Smirnova

Monday, April 9, 2018

Weathering & Erosion HyperDoc Project



Weathering and Erosion HyperDoc Project Reflection



Science is everywhere and can be discovered in several ways! Considering it is the 21st century, it is very important that we allow our students to encounter their study and understanding of science through technology and discovery. A very interesting way to convey this to our students is through the technological task of a HyperDoc. 

A HyperDoc project is an opportunity for the students to complete the following tasks:

  1.  ENGAGE
  2.  EXPLORE
  3.  EXPLAIN
  4.  ELABORATE
  5.  EVALUATE

Through these five steps the students are able to discover and learn through a type of WebQuest and multi-sensory opportunity for learning! Through videos, graphic organizers, teacher notes, blogs, experiments/labs and visuals, the students are granted the opportunity to not be given the answer, but to lead themselves to the scientific answers and studies that are desired from the teacher. In my experience through this HyperDoc, I learned so much about my ability to search and observe through technology and I have come out of this experience with brighter outlooks and greater lessons regarding the difference between the science of Weathering and Erosion. 

My favorite part of this entire HyperDoc Project was my ability to take notes, prior understandings, misconceptions, and new findings through the KWL Graphic Organizer. By writing down what I know, what I want to know, how I will learn, and what I have learned, I was responsible for my own learning and understanding through this entire process. This was an amazing way to take notes and reflect on my knowledge and understanding of what I am learning. 

Check this OUT! This is my KWL chart that collected my knowledge, new findings, and understandings of Weathering and Erosion:

K-W-H-L
Title: Weathering/Erosion HyperDoc Project

After the Crash Course Video: Write what you already know into the K box. Write questions about what you would like to know in the W box.
During Reading: Make notes that will help you answer your questions.
After Reading: Write the answers to your questions in the L box. Reread the text as needed

K
What I know
W
What I want to know
H
How will I learn?
  • Weathering causes a change in the earth’s structure
  • Weather and water affect the earth.





















  • How does the hydrosphere affect the geosphere?
  • What does weathering have to do with how the earth changes?
  • Why does water have such a large effect on earth’s surface?
  • I will learn by watching the video and listening intently.
  • I will learn by understanding what the videos are telling me, and researching terms that I might not understand.

L
What I have learned

  • Zooming in on earth, it is always changing
  • Earth’s water shapes the landforms
  • Our planet will look a lot different one day
  • Weathering: The process that takes place as rocks, and other parts of the geosphere are broken down into smaller pieces.
  • Weathering  can be caused by water, air, chemicals, plants and animals
  • 2 Types of weathering: Mechanical weather & chemical weathering.
  • Mechanical weathering: The process of breaking big rocks into little ones (frost, ice, plant roots, running water, and sunheat)
  • Chemical weathering: Involves changes that some substances can cause in the surface of the rock that make it change shape or color (carbon dioxide, oxygen, & acids)
  • Erosion: The movement of weathered rocks by natural forces (wind, water or ice)
  • Weathering breaks down the rocks, erosion carries the rocks away
  • Weathering helps make a mess, and erosion helps clean it up!
  • Moving water is a major cause of erosion and there’s a lot of moving water in the Atlantic ocean.
  • Natural forces like major storms and rising sea levels move, or erode these smaller pieces.
  • Coast lights can change
  • Conclusion- Water can weather and erode changing landforms
  • Hydrosphere shapes & sometimes moves the geosphere.
  • Weathering is the process where rock is dissolved, worn away or broken down into smaller and smaller pieces.
  • When ice melts or wind and water slow down, they can’t carry as much sediment. The sediment is dropped, or deposited in landforms.
  • Natural forces have the power to change our landscape by weathering, erosion and deposition
  • Geologists use the word sediment when they talk about fragments of rock. Gravel, sand and mud are all sediments.
  • Geologists=earth detectives.

Click the following links to view the findings and knowledge that I have come to!





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