Classroom Activities
Interactive Notebooks
To make science meaningful I use a variety of instructional strategies to complement different learning styles and different ability levels. In addition to lecture, notes, and powerpoints, I utilize different cooperative learning activities, movies, graphic organizers, discussion groups, and manipulatives. In middle school, I found a very effective instructional strategy was to use interactive notebooks. Each student had a notebook that was divided into sections for labs and notes. The students would keep all of their papers glued into the notebook along with their notes so it was easy to identify materials to study for each topic. Having an interactive notebook also made it easy to grade assignments because all lab reports and small projects were kept in the notebook. This instructional strategy helped keep the students organized as well.
Cooperative Learning
I enjoy using cooperative learning in my teaching because it gives my students great learning opportunities to learn from one another.
Throughout laboratory experience I had my students work with different groups of students to enhance their social development as well as for instructional purposes. I incorporate a variety of different types of cooperative learning activities into my classroom instruction. In addition to laboratory activities where students work with one another, I encourage students to work on actively solving problems together. I incorporate discussion prompts to encourage critical thinking and active discussion. I also utilize jigsaw activities to provide structured opportunities for students to educate
each other and learn from their classmates. Click on the link below to see a student response sheet to a jigsaw activity about scientists involved in the discovery of the double helix.
Throughout laboratory experience I had my students work with different groups of students to enhance their social development as well as for instructional purposes. I incorporate a variety of different types of cooperative learning activities into my classroom instruction. In addition to laboratory activities where students work with one another, I encourage students to work on actively solving problems together. I incorporate discussion prompts to encourage critical thinking and active discussion. I also utilize jigsaw activities to provide structured opportunities for students to educate
each other and learn from their classmates. Click on the link below to see a student response sheet to a jigsaw activity about scientists involved in the discovery of the double helix.
scientist_jigsaw_sw.pdf | |
File Size: | 550 kb |
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DNA Models
To facilitate learning and provide multiple means of representation I try to incorporate as many hands-on opportunities as possible. While teaching DNA replication and protein synthesis I used a DNA manipulative model kit that allowed students to create a strand of DNA, replicate it, create mRNA, and develop a protein from the strand. This activity provided the students with a concrete example of a fairly abstract concept.
Cell Models
Organelle Structure and Function
To help understand the structure and function of organelles, I have the students create WANTED posters for one organelle. Students create a poster that describes the organelle, its role in the cell, and a possible "offense" the organelle may have made. Students really enjoy this project as they have creative way to explore organelle structure and function.
Use a Dichotomous Key
In our ecology unit we investigate how to use a dichotomous key. This prepares students to use a field guide to identify plants and animals. Since this is often a difficult concept to grasp, I use my Rubber Duck Classification lab to help students understand how navigate through a dichotomous key. Over the years I have collected a variety of rubber ducks (a small obsession of mine) each wearing a different outfit or holding a different accessory. Each student is given a duck and they use the key to determine it's scientific and common names.
Creative Periodic Table
As the students were learning about Mendeleev's periodic table, I challenged them to develop their own periodic tables. Each student was given a set of cards with chemical and physical properties of the elements written on them. They had to create a periodic table from these cards and write a paragraph to justify how they arranged their periods and groups.
Periodic Family Project
While studying the Periodic Table of the Elements we learn that families of elements on the periodic table share similar chemical and physical properties. Students are assigned a group on the periodic table and instructed to create a "family tree" describing the traits of the elements in their family and what properties elements have in common. Some students get really creative with the project and create very detailed stories about their family. Below are slides from a student's powerpoint on the Noble Gases.
Inquiry
Inquiry is an important component of a science class. Students are encouraged to ask their own questions and develop ways to test this question. Inquiry projects allow students to explore their interest and use the skills of the scientific discipline in a unique way. I encourage my students who express interest in a topic to explore the topic further on their own. I provided my students with a guide to experimentation to help guide their inquiry in a
meaningful way. To help facilitate inquire I provide students with a guide to help them design their own experiments.
meaningful way. To help facilitate inquire I provide students with a guide to help them design their own experiments.
designing_an_experiment.pdf | |
File Size: | 38 kb |
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While studying macromolecules and enzymes students design an inquiry lab to test the effect of temperature, pH, or concentration on enzyme activity. Students design their own experiments and consult with me to go over their procedure and get needed materials. Student enjoy the opportunity to work out their own questions and perform their designed experiments. To see an example of a student lab please click on the link below.
student_inquiry_lab_report.pdf | |
File Size: | 240 kb |
File Type: |
Labs
Seismographs
While studying earthquakes students were given materials (rulers, yarn, boxes, textbooks) and asked to build a seismograph able to pick up "seismic waves" from a simulated earthquake. The students did a good job building their structures.
Elements Lab
In our Elements Lab students investigate the reactivity of certain elements. Students investigate if elements are malleable, brittle, conduct electricity, and are reactive with acid. After learning about periodic trends students enjoy seeing if elements follow these trends.
Rocks and Minerals
After learning about rocks and minerals we use rock kits to study the properties of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. To test the hardness of minerals we use the classic Mohs scale. Students scratch their element on fingernails, pennies, nails, glass, and porcelain. Students use this information to determine hardness of different minerals.
Microscopes
Throughout our cell unit students use the microscope regularly to view different types of cells. Students enjoy getting to see different cells and relate material we discussed in class to the lab.