I recently discovered Mrs. Wideen’s blog and have subsequently spent hours reading her many posts on technology, student-centered instruction, and collaborative learning. One of my favorites was a recent post on moving beyond the worksheet. Click on over to the blog to learn about the presentations her students designed. You will not only see some great examples of [read more…]
Models from maps
The Teaching Channel today to share a great active learning lesson on making three-dimensional models. This detailed lesson illustrates how to focus on vocabulary during an activity-based lesson and how to create an experience that focuses on problem solving, collaboration, design and more. This is a complex lesson but so many different types of learners could participate in [read more…]
Science and standards
Seeking ideas for teaching to the standards across the content areas? This Edutopia post has a very detailed description of how to create science lessons that integrate literacy skills and provide opportunities for critical thinking. It also includes ideas for providing supports for diverse learners such as [read more…]
Spooky science
It’s not too late to conduct Halloween-inspired science experiments at school or at home. Check out these ideas from Science Bob’s Blog and then [read more…]
Folding Mt. Fuju
On their website, Canon (the camera & printer company) provides directions for creating stunning paper models of many science-related items and ideas including dinosaurs, insects, globes, sundials, and even a hydroelectric power plant!
There are so many models here that you could allow students to make choices based on their strengths and abilities. You might also adapt by [read more…]
Interactive notebooks for the young scientist
Many teachers are using interactive blogs in the science classroom, but I have seen most of them in the upper elementary classrooms. This blog post from Not Just Child’s Play provides inspiration for using them with the youngest scientists in our schools. I like interactive notebooks because they are a perfect example of a differentiated product. They allow for [read more…]
Differentiating deliciously
One of the easiest ways to become a differentiating expert is to spend some time watching the short, free video clips on The Teaching Channel. This one on teaching the engineering design process provides an idea for a really unique lesson product- an edible car. Let students demonstrate [read more…]
Creating cell models
This month, I am focused on differentiated products. Every day of October, I will be sharing a product that students can create to show what they know. I will feature a range of ideas including games, posters, written materials, pieces of art and more.
To kick off the series I am blogging about Amy Alvis, a creative middle school teacher who blogs about several different subject areas on her site, Math, Science, Social Studies…Oh My. You will love her detailed descriptions of lessons and the many snapshots of student work.
I found many posts appropriate for [read more…]
Students as test authors
The featured post today is written with college students in mind, but you can use it with almost any grade level. At The BOK Blog, they are suggesting that educators “flip” test prep and have students write and discuss their own proposed test questions as a way to [Read more…]
Wearing your bones on your sleeve
You will love this idea from Homeschool Share if you have a lot of visual or tactile learners in the classroom. To teach or reinforce a lesson on the systems of the human body, work with students to create these colorful and visually-interesting wearables.
When I first saw these cleverly constructed paper bag outfits, I began thinking about the possibilities for learning as students created their paper bags. By assembling the bags, students will have opportunities to review the placement of organs and bones and possibly even the connections between systems. As I spent more time looking at the post, I also realized that students can also profit from wearing their creations and spending time exploring the creations of their classmates. That is, one student’s wearable becomes a visual support for other students in the classroom! This project would be really helpful for tactile learners and those with low vision. Because it is a “show” instead of “tell” project, it would also be helpful for students learning English.
