Ecology 207

Call it by whatever name you want, but here are my positive ramblings of what we're doing in science, in Ecology 207. I'm calling it learning design, although this term may not be 100% true to the known pedagogical concept, but it fits perfectly here. Plus, since when do I ever operate in a fixed pedagogical box? Ha! Whatever is best for my students!

For the first conscious time in my teaching career, the students, with guidance, designed how they would learn and present content on ecosystems. I introduced some basic ecological terms including "ecosystems". Together we looked for a list of ecosystems. From there the question was, "how are we going to learn about these ecosystems?"

I took notes (see below) as they shared lots of ideas for how they would learn about these ecosystems. I displayed the notes in a word document as I typed them. I used an LCD projector and screen.  We also discussed how they would show what they learned. I typed these up as well. Together we came up with the "directions" for the project, learning some new vocabulary along the way.
We eventually made our way to Powerpoint to display the project information.

Our technology is EXTREMELY limited in the classroom, but we've been rotating on the computer. A colleague was kind enough to donate her classroom computer to our classroom. That makes two desktops.

Throughout the school year I've been showing them how to do Internet research, showing them how to determine if we could rely on the websites or not. I've also instructed them to check a few sites to verify the information they are reading is accurate, if there was any doubt.

In addition to Internet research, there were science text books that I borrowed from a vacant classroom. Wow! Actual books!! Together we navigated through tables of contents and indexes.

It doesn't end there. The learning experience continued with me showing them how to do Powerpoint presentations. Each day or so I'd show them little things and let them go play around with it and learn some more on their own. A few kids have become the teachers when pairs of students would go on and try to navigate through the application.

There are NO words that can really capture how I feel about this whole learning experience!! It's been great! They are learning quite a bit! They are reading, researching, using digital tools, learning ecology content, navigating  what it means to work collaboratively (for those who chose to work with a teammate, this was also a choice), etc. etc. etc.

They will present their research however they desire. Some are choosing Powerpoint. Others are choosing posters, written summaries, poster board displays, mini-lectures, whatever they desire!

They set a due date for March 9th. We shall see!! Stay tuned.
By the way, ALL of it has been and will be done in class! This is purposeful.

Notes from class:

Roaches?!?

As I sit and reflect, I'm glad I went beyond your typical science lessons and ventured into entomology a bit. Even though I did indeed move on to other topics in science, we found ourselves constantly returning to bugs.

Our first Madagascar Hissing Cockroach died. We purchased him from the Insectarium here in Philly. 207's own Visiting Entomologist, Ms. Megan (Ph.D Candidate) came to the school to present other insects to us and left behind 4 additional Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. Our other Visiting Entomologist, Mr. Ian, Google "Hung Out" with us earlier in the year.

Google Hanging Out with our own Visiting Entomologist, Mr. Ian (Ph.D candidate)

Learning from our very own Visiting Entomologist, Ms. Megan (Ph.D candidate)

Recently, I purchased a newer, more transparent container and that breathed fresher life into the kids (and me) at the end of the school year! We're excited to view our insects differently! We're excited about picking dandelions (a food the cockroaches love and a fact we learned on our own via Instagram videos and pictures)! We're excited to just watch the insects go about their business.

THEY SHOWED OFF at Grumblethorpe!!!!!

Yesterday, my students and I hiked ourselves over to Grumblethorpe here in Germantown, a 10-15 minute walk from our school. I had never been, but for years other classes at John B. Kelly School have and continue to make their way over there and engage in hands-on lessons and experiences of historical, geographical, and horticultural significance.

THEY SHOWED OFF!!!
(in a good way)

Just as they did in our "classroom without borders" at City Hall, they demonstrated the power of the effects of real teaching and learning!

The first few minutes of the experience at Grumblethorpe served to build or establish schema, with a discussion on history and geography. When asked to identify the seven continents of the world, they did it without missing a beat!!

What's the big deal Mr. Flemming?

The reply from the staff at Grumblethorpe, "WOW!!! I really wasn't expecting that!! This is the first public school group, and we've had many, that was able to do that!! I actually think I need to take a second and just stand in awe! I expected to be here for several minutes!"

No, I was not offended in the least bit! I was proud! Proud of my students for showing off as I secretly patted myself on the back for holding my ground as a teacher and belief that test prepping is not teaching and that in my homeroom, English/Language Arts, Math, SCIENCE and SOCIAL STUDIES are all important (and the media by which I sometimes employ to teach them---music, art, kinesthetics, and more).

Their response to the intelligence of my students was matched with a statement from one of my notorious "outburst-ers".  His comment, "THAT'S A SHAME!!!" (That of all of the public school groups they've hosted and for sometime, that we were the first group who could do that with no trouble, in concert, and without skipping a beat.)

My students continued to show off as they continued to demonstrate what they knew during a Q&A about various historical events!

As the morning progressed, the groups were split in two and they got an opportunity to plant pumpkins in the yard and basil in cups. As they dug spaces to plant the sprouting pumpkin plants, they found grubs and worms and their excitement couldn't be contained (not that any attempts were made either).

Meanwhile the other group continued to impress our hosts as they recalled facts about what plants need to grow, including air? No!! (sort of lol) but "carbon dioxide".  Love it!!

After about an hour and a half, we made our way back to school, they had lunch, and afterwards I praised the mess out of them for being so intelligent and encouraged them, as I often do, to never stop loving to learn! With one student in particular, I told him that people may call him names, that it had happened to me, but to let it roll off like water on a duck's back. Being interested in and loving history and science is NOTHING for which to be ashamed.

No, no SWBAT discussions. I think I've made my positions clear in other posts!

Finding my way through science...

So, I'm a new science teacher. This is the first year that I've taught the subject and am finding my way. Today I formed a hypothesis about a particular activity that would reinforce food chain concepts and would engage all students, especially those who have Howard Gardner's bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Then I experimented.

I know I'm tardy to the science teaching party, but today I married a few different ideas I saw online.  On 3x5 cards I glued prepared organism cards that I found. Each student received a card and was charged with the task of forming a food chain. The locked-arms chain was to include a producer, primary consumer (herbivore), and a secondary consumer (carnivore).

I demonstrated their task, along with two students, before sending them on their own. Oh wait!! I think I was supposed to insert here the phrase, "gradual release of responsibility" (a term I had no issue with until the school district got a hold of it and made it THE term of the year....a-no-ther term. a-no-ther year.)

We had fun today and even introduced the concept of food webs while fully engaged in this activity.

It was fun. Remember that? Fun!

Insectarium visit

A visit to Philadelphia's Insectarium will enahnce any elementary life science unit!! I've known about it for years. When running summer camps for the YMCA years ago, I've sent groups there for field trips. But today is the first day, I actually took the time to visit.

I enjoyed the experience. A fine compilation of living and dead species of insects, I observed quite a bit.

To make the experience a meaningful one for my students and not just a quick run-through of "OMG it's ALIVE and moving," I would prepare a list of questions for them to answer as they tour the relatively small museum on Frankford Avenue.
There's  a gift shop and, ironically enough, an exterminating company on the same premises. How about that for an "LOL"!

Enjoy!

http://www.myinsectarium.com/index.php