Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Comments

I commented on Stephanie's, Jessica's and Cassy's videos.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Response to Technology with Science (Week 8)

This week taught me a lot about the many different options there are in using technology with Science. I not only learned how to use the various tools, such as the Digital Microscope, Digital probes, Kidsperation, and Stellarium but also how to use the tools in adjusting lesson plans for different grade levels. While I was creating the voice thread, I thought it really useful for students to be able to display what they have learned. In creating a voicethread students are more responsible for their own learning and have a motivation to do a well done project because parents and other students will see their work. Also, voicethreads are useful because as a teacher, I could create a voicethread for a back to school night or something to show parents what we are doing in science. Voicethreads allow for teachers to be specific in what they are teaching and bring a motivation and excitement to the subject they are teaching. The technology is not hard to use, but just takes time at first to know all the extra gadgets they possess, which could be used in aiding in the learning of students.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Science Challenge Plan

Rebecca Peek
Ali Balls
Meagan Miller

Content
Standard 1
Students will understand that the appearance of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.
Objective 1
Explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.
Identifier
a. Describe changes in the appearance of the moon during a month.

Pedagogy
Observing: given a blank calendar students will track the phases of the moon for one month
Predicting: students will make predictions of what the moon will look like on various days of the month
Acquiring and processing data: students will fill out calendar by sketching the phases of the moon as they observe it
Analyzing data: students will create a complete visual representation of the phases of the moon

Observing, predicting, acquiring and processing data, and analyzing data will be a good fit with the content because they will aid the students in learning the phases of the moon. As students make predictions about the phases of the moon, students will be more accountable for their observations and how it relates to their hypothesis. As they acquire, process and analyze data they will better understand how the moon changes in appearance throughout the month.

Technology
• Kidsperation: This allows students to create concept maps, which will be useful in analyzing the phases of the moon.
• Stellarium: This allows students to look at the night sky from anywhere on the earth at any time. This will be perfect for analyzing the phases of the moon and making accurate representations of what each phase looks like.

Science Activity:
We will be having the students use Stellarium to observe the moon each night. They will be given a blank calendar and will be assigned to sketch the appearance/observation of the moon each night for one complete month. Throughout this month they will also be creating concept maps through the use of Kidsperation on which they will make predictions concerning the phases of the moon. At the end of the month they will analyze the concept maps and compare and contrast them with their own sketches from the calendar. They will also create a complete visual representation of the phases of the moon.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Response on Tour in Classrooms

After creating my own Google earth tour I think that there are many benefits of using the tour in the classroom. One of the benefits are the many options for the layers on Google earth. From just reading text or looking at pictures, students could not use the ruler tool, or the 3D building or street view applications. Students are able to explore the sites and really visually see what it looks like or interact with the location through Google earth. Google Earth also lets the teacher put links to additional websites for students to view etc. Students can read what the teacher put for the information, but also view additional resources the teacher posted. Some of the downsides of Google earth is how time consuming creating a Google earth tour can be to make. If a teacher is spending so much time creating a tour, using other resources might have been more time efficient. If the students were to view tour individually, students would have the responsibility of understanding the information of the tour more independently then if they were having whole class instruction.

Views of Tours

Vuctoria's http://victoriamae83.blogspot.com
Ali's http://alliatbyu.blogspot.com
Cassy's http://ipt287cassy.blogspot.com/

Google Earth Tour

Ali Balls and I did the tour together. Here is the link.


Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Google Earth Tour

5th Grade Social Studies
Standard 2: Students will understand the chronology and significance of key events leading to self government
Objective 1: Describe how the movement toward revolution culminated in a Declaration of Independence
Indicator a: Explain the role of events that led to declaring independence (e.g. French and Indian War, Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party)


Location Activity DescriptionGoogle Earth Content
1. Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPlease click on the link and read about the first Continental Congress.
We all have "grievances" about something. Make a list of grievances you have about the set up of our classroom. (i.e. I demand longer recess.)
Read information on First Continental Congress on link
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimline.htm





Location Activity DescriptionGoogle Earth Content
2. Lexington, MassachusettsLook at and measure the distance of Paul Revere's ride.Read information on Paul Revere's ride on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
3. Valley Forge, PennsylvaniaView photo of Valley Forge.Read information on George Washington's encampment at Valley forge on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
4. Boston, Massachusetts
Write your own account as if you were a participant of Boston Tea Party on class blog.Read "Account of a Boston Tea Party Participant" on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm


Location Activity DescriptionGoogle Earth Content
1. Bunker Hill, MassachusettsView photos of Bunker Hill. Write a letter to your parents as if you were a soldier fighting at Bunker Hill. View example on link.Read information on Battle of Bunker Hill on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
2. York, PennsylvaniaHow many Articles are there in the Articles of Confederation? What does the word "united" mean to you?Read first three Articles of Confederation on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
3. Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaHow many signatures are on the Declaration of Independence? Practice your own signature as if you were a signer of the Declaration of Independence.View Declaration of Independence on link http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
4. Third Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you were a writer during the Revolutionary War, what do you think would be the most important things to write?Read about and view Common Sense by Thomas Paine on link http://ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm

Ali and I decided to do our tour on the Revolutionary War because it was such an altering event in the United States History. Students need to better understand the history of our country, and the events that lead up to one another. Google earth lets students have a more hands on experience in seeing the location of each event and the pictures that relate to each event. By letting the students click on each event, they are able to read about the event, see where it occurred in relation to other events, and participate in activities while viewing google earth.