Our school has an iPad cart that teachers can book to use with their students for a variety of purposes. While our elementary wing (K-4) has a laptop cart that can be brought into the classroom, Grades 5 and up only have certain periods where they have access to the traditional computer lab. As such, the iPads are a good mobile tech option for us. During my student teaching placement I used our iPads for:– QR scavenger hunts– Interactive options during centers– Research stations– Virtual labs– Taking photos– Recording audio reflections, etc One problem that I… Read More
Fluids Resources
This post is the third in my series of resources that align with the Grade 8 Science curriculum. (Previously in the summer, I posted a similar series for the Grade 7 Science curriculum.) Each post shares the resources I compiled for a particular unit that I will be covering throughout the year. If you missed my first two posts in the Grade 8 Science series, you can find them at:– Cells & Systems Resources– Optics Resources Easy Hydraulic Machines Screenshot. (2012). Uploaded to Instructables by Lance from Workshop for Young Engineers. Available online at: http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Hydraulic-Machines/ My… Read More
The Homework Debate
On the weekend I read a post by Justin Tarte called The Truth About Homework in Schools in which he lists his thoughts on the “homework debate”. Being a new teacher I began thinking about where I fall in this often controversial discussion and what my thoughts are about having my students complete homework. I follow many education blogs from around the world and have seen teachers discuss all different types of homework ideologies, from those who are completely against it to those who have assigned homework every single night. I don’t really remember having homework… Read More
Classroom Pictures *Update*
In July I shared with you the first official pictures of my classroom. Since then I haven’t done too much in regards to decorating, as I’ve been more focused on my curriculum planning, but I did spend an entire day their today! While I did begin to rearrange some furniture (I’m still playing with layouts) my primary focus was the GIGANTIC bookcase that was previously blocking the rooms bulletin boards. *Before*This bookcase was screwed into the wall, the floor, and covered all of the bulletin boards in my room! *After*The bookcase is now dismantled & my bulletin boards havebeen freed! ———————————————————————————-… Read More
Resources To Start Off Your Week 74
This week I am really excited to have found some really practical resources that I know I can use right away in the classroom. I found one for math, one for art, and one for the general classroom! With there only being a few weeks left before school begins I am really happy to have found such applicable resources. As always, I will be adding these to my lists of resources under the Fav Websites heading. 1 ) Graphing Stories– This project by Dan Meyer & BuzzMath is a neat, engaging way to practice graphing with your students. This… Read More
Proud Canadian Blog Award
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been awarded a new blog award! Not only is it awesome to be recognized by other bloggers but this award is Canadian-based as well! Almost 80% of the education blogs I follow are American and I always have a hard time finding other Canadian bloggers, so it is really cool to be linked up with some other Canadians 🙂 I want to send out a BIG thank you to the lovely Patti from Madly Learning for awarding me with the new Proud Canadian Blog Award and working towards getting other Canadian… Read More
Optics Resources
Last week I shared with you the resources that I had compiled for my Grade 8 Science Unit: Cells & Systems. In similar fashion to my Grade 7 Science class, Grade 8 Science is composed for four units that are covered throughout the school year. The second of these units is Optics. The video below is one of my favourite videos I found to use in this unit, it is created by Mr. Parr who has some amazing science songs. Electromagnetic Spectrum Song. (2011). Uploaded to YouTube by Mr.Parr. Available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_PVz8HrrCI I specifically planned out… Read More
Classroom Website Feedback
Last month I asked whether I should create a separate classroom blog and website or if I should create one comprehensive site that housed both. Here are some of the responses that I received: After playing around with a few different options, I decided to take the advice and create a separate Classroom Blog and Classroom Website. While the classroom blog will, obviously, be empty until school is underway I have been working a lot on my classroom website. There is still a few blank places without any information, as I am still working… Read More
Resources To Start Off Your Week 73: August Long Weekend Edition
Hope everyone had a relaxing and memorable August long weekend. To all of my American teachers, good luck with your students this week! To all of my Canadian teachers, we only have ONE month left to prep; lets get our butts in gear! To celebrate the long weekend I am featuring four awesome resources that can be used in the classroom. As always, I will be adding these to my lists of resources under the Fav Websites heading. 1 ) Science 360– This website is an awesome resource if you are looking for good quality science videos for… Read More
Cells & Systems Resources
My last two posts were both “blog-hop” types of posts that, while fun and good networking options, don’t actually provide a lot of content. As I sit down today and stare at my calendar in front of me the reality of August is actually hitting me; I will be back in my classroom in 24 days so I really need to focus in on my planning and get organized. I have previously shared the resources that I have found through my planning for my Grade 7 Science class but have not yet shared any of my… Read More