1) It feels like much time has elapsed since I last contributed. If you check my website, you will see that I added a link in the sidebar to a few examples of xtranormal videos that my students made (inspired by Jim Ciciarelli). Here is an exemplar: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11374652/
It was set up as one 15 minute station in a review activity for the upcoming exam on rocks and minerals. Xtranormal is a cool site, but you can only make one video for free. I still need to figure out if you can delete a movie, and then make another for free, I'm not sure that you can. I really want to use this site again in a more substantial assignment. You can really get going with a Socratic dialogue in these videos.
The ESF students have been progressing with their research projects and worked on creating charts and graphs this week (they will analyze and evaluate next week). My goal is to have everyone participate in the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair (GSSSF). As a teacher, I have had some difficulty with these projects. There is a delicate balance between giving students too much guidance and ensuring they claim authentic ownership of their research projects. The students should be using their own ideas - not mine, and that should make these projects exciting. I am currently participating in an on-line training seminar that discusses this same conflict with regards to student projects. In the future, I plan to give students mini-projects with more guidance at the beginning of the year, and gradually wean them. Then, by mid-year, when it is time to begin the research project, they will be able to approach the problem/question more independently and with more ownership.
2. Students were really into the xtranormal videos. Even though it was just one station, it promoted engagement throughout the entire lesson as students were anticipating their opportunity to make a video. The rock identification labs were also a success. I think that students are really going to do well on the rocks/minerals exam next week, despite the homework disappointment...
3. Students were assigned 30 multiple choice questions on www.castlelearning.com, and were given 8 days to complete the assignment. Only 20 out of 70 students completed the assignment, despite daily reminders from me, and having the assignment posted on the blackboard. What can I do to increase my homework completion rate?
4. Monday is my 30th birthday. Looking forward to a night out at Dino BBQ with the family.
5. A student walked into my room yesterday and said "Mr. Williams, a girl in my class said that your 40th birthday is coming up! I thought you were only in, like, your early 30's". Perhaps I will shave off my beard in celebration of the upcoming spring (vernal) equinox.
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