I am a huge NASA fan. I have been for as long as I can remember. Perhaps it’s a byproduct of growing up in Florida, or the fact that my first visit to Kennedy Space Center was when I was 20 months old. Regardless of why, I am a huge NASA fan. NASA Tweetups Even… Continue reading How NASA Helps Teachers
Class Jobs for Middle Schoolers?
It’s summer, so of course I am spending my time thinking about how I can do things differently next year. I have lots of huge plans including web based portfolios and totally revamping my grading system. Not to mention lots of new lessons to write with all the fantastic strategies I learned during my gifted… Continue reading Class Jobs for Middle Schoolers?
Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors: A Reading for Meaning Lesson
Two days before spring break, and the next lesson style in my solar system unit was a reading for meaning lesson on comets, asteroids, and meteors. If you are not familiar with the the reading for meaning strategy, students are given an organizer with statements on it. Students decide whether they agree or or disagree… Continue reading Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors: A Reading for Meaning Lesson
The sun is like a factory: A new metaphorical lesson
After we finished our jigsaw assessment, the next concept up was to learn about the sun. In my state curriculum (GA) learning about the sun, it’s parts, and how it works is an extension. Personally, I think knowing about the sun is important. One of the lesson styles I had to use for my gifted… Continue reading The sun is like a factory: A new metaphorical lesson
After the Jigsaw
I spent five days on my jigsaw lesson doing the following activities on each day: Explain concept and work in expert groups Work in expert groups Work in jigsaw groups Work in jigsaw groups and class discussion Assessment (test) In most of my classes, the expert groups and jigsaw groups worked well together. However, there… Continue reading After the Jigsaw
Teaching the sun/Earth/moon relationships with a jigsaw lesson
Today is our third day working on the major concepts of the sun/Earth/moon relationships using a jigsaw lesson strategy. We are focusing on five main topics: The causes of day/night and years Seasons Moon phases Solar eclipses Lunar eclipses On the first two days of our lesson, we broke into our expert groups and learned… Continue reading Teaching the sun/Earth/moon relationships with a jigsaw lesson
Reflections on my first New American Lecture lesson
As I think I’ve mentioned before, I am currently working on my gifted endorsement. I am also teaching three sixth grade gifted science classes this year. It is my first time teaching gifted science. As part of my endorsement class, we are writing a unit using several different lesson styles. The lessons are based around… Continue reading Reflections on my first New American Lecture lesson