Reflection 18: Responses (5/8/11)

Quote of the Week:  "the light that we see from distant galaxies left them millions of years ago, and in the case of the most distant object that we have seen, the light left some eight billion years ago.  Thus, when we look at the universe, we are seeing it as it was in the past"  - Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time

I would like to open by welcoming all of my students.  Read through the information below, and then leave a comment at the end.  Some things to consider:  Do you agree with my analysis of the week's lessons?  What did you like about classes this week?  What could have been done differently in class to improve learning.

Earth Science:  I put together a field trip lab in which we went outside to examine the erosional and depositional features around Corcoran's campus.  We sketched the unsorted/unstratified sediment of a glacial moraine, and observed a possible glacial erratic (transported boulder).  We also observed several stream meanders, and sketched a delta (where Furnace Brook enters the pond, slows down, and deposits sediment).  The class also saw several examples of mechanical and physical weathering, including some underlying shale that is crumbling back into clay-sized particles.  Finally, we discovered a mini mud boil in the back parking lot.  Where silt saturated with water (quick sand) had become pressurized during the recent rain event, and forced itself up through the pavement.

We also used class time to takes notes on glacial erosion, and students successfully completed a quiz on glaciers.  Students used ice cubes (with embedded sand grains) to create models of glacial striations by pushing their "glaciers" across a flattened clay surface.  In review for the upcoming exam (weathering, erosion, deposition), stations were set up for students:  1)  practice regents questions;     2) jeopardy (facilitated by me with the smartboard);   3) interactive vocab crossword puzzle (on the computers).  The practice regents questions (depending on how many were answered correctly) will determine how many bonus points each student will receive on the exam.

Students were assigned a castlelearning assignment (25 questions) for homework.  Sadly, as has been the case all year, only 20-25% of my students completed the assignment.  I welcome any recommendations for how I can encourage more students to complete these homework assignments.  I remind them that homework is 15% of their grade, and I give them a full week to complete the assignment, with frequent reminders.  What should I do differently?   This is your chance to give me some input, so please, help become a better teacher and help me improve my students' results (including yours).  Homework is necessary.  It's not enough, just to sit through class.  You also have to think about and work with the concepts on your own time.  That is the only way to really learn something.

ESF Global Environment:  Tuesday was kind of a wash because of the IB English exam (only had 3 students in class).  On Thursday, we started a lab on phosphorous loading.  Students were assigned roles (recorder, researcher, cartographer) in groups of threes.  They were given a large print-out map of the Lake Greenville Watershed, and provided with background information about the region's phosphorous problems (including Phase I - Phase 3 summaries).  Then, their task was to develop a detailed plan to address the "non-point" sources of phosphorous inputs.  The cartographer had to become an expert on the map as well as all local conditions described in the background information.  The researchers and recorders had to work together on the classroom computers.  The researcher determined ways that phosphorous enters the environment and why it is a problem.  The recorder compiled a list of organizations and agencies that regulate phosphorous and may provide funding for mitigation.  We have a guest speaker next Monday (how to construct rain gardens), so students will present their phosphorous mitigation proposals on Wednesday.  Did you like the way this lab was formatted?  Were the three role appropriate for distributing the necessary group tasks?  How could this assignment be improved?

Thank you for reading.  Now it is time for you to share.  I am depending on your input to help improve my instruction.  Please be thoughtful in your response.  Provide at least three sentences that reflect on what you learned this week.  What could have been done differently to improve your learning?

After you have posted your comment, feel free to scroll through some of my older posts from past weeks to view my personal take on the how the school year has progressed.