We are only 1 day behind and that is okay. The marshmallow atom builing activity took a bit more time for some students than initally thought. Amazing some of my lower level learners did better at this activity than some of my honor students. Partly because I gave my lower level learner smaller atoms (with under 10 electrons) while my honors kids had larger atoms with 15 to 20 electrons.
The ceiling with all the atoms hanging from it looks really cool. The look actually has me deciding that for their element card (for our giant periodic table - next week's project) I am going to have the kids print a second copy so I can hang them from the ceiling in the classroom too.Now that the kids have all their atoms built and I have taken photos of each of them with their atom and their atom seperately, they can being creating invidivual digital stories about their atoms. To help combat our shortage of digital cameras, I have taken a series of stock photos (each color marshmellow and other supplies used along with close ups of orbital rings and nucleus). This way they don't have to try to fight for camera time. It took a little brain storming with my team mates to decided how to battle the shortage of cameras.
I am also still short audio recording equipment as I wasn't able to secure 18 headsets. Though I have found an option for the same headsets for only $8 (instead of the orginal $18 each) it is too late to order. I am hoping with my observation being tomorrow too, that my Vice Principal will see the need and push my principal to buy them.
I am nervous about trying the first digital story telling while being observed for my annual evalution but I think I can handle it. My original observation was suppose to be 2 weeks ago but due to schedule conflicts it has been rescheduled. I won't change my "lesson plan" just to be observed. I feel fake doing that. The positive is that LH is coming to observe me during my best behaved class and my class is willing to let me "practice" on them for activities. It will go well. I think he will be pleased to see the kids engaged.
Excellent job. Your kids seems genuinely interested. I find also at my school that the lower level students do a better job at activities than the honors students. Students really excel at different levels and that is why I have my drawbacks to standardized tests. Good luck with your activities. The most important thing is that we keep our students interested and motivated and engaged. This looks like a fun activity that I would want to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicky - I know what you mean. I was just speaking with a fellow teacher about how much more dedicated the ELL and IEP students can be sometimes. It is as if they want it more. I remember when I lived in Hong Kong how serious the kids took there educations especially as they got older. In HS kids were fighting for the privledge of going to school on Saturday for 3 to 4 hours. It was not a punishment but a reward for working hard.
ReplyDeleteI also find my honors kids like to be given a challenge. Sometimes what I think is a challenge is not something they think is a challenge. I read a great book "Doing School" and it was about how honor kids simply go through the motions rather than learn. It really makes you think.