We "did" science....again! #Entomology

Yesterday I blogged about our impromptu lunch and science experience. Today we had another. As a part of larger units and studies in life sciences, we explore the world of insects! We're junior entomologists and we delve into life cycles of insects, types of metamorphosis of insects and a whole lot more! We research, present findings, share insect "testimonials" (One kid, "my grandpop got bugs and 'mices' at his house!), and become the scientists we really are!

The homework that wasn't completed, had to be. One article was on infestations of the emerald ash borer. So as is our practice, we did "go over the answers", but then went to the internet and began to look up information on it. The kids know that we don't just go "anywhere", but to look carefully for some ".edu"s, ".org"s and perhaps some ".us"s.

Our search led us to Purdue University for at least a second time in as many weeks. We perused their website a bit. As we searched, a student asked if the emerald ash borer was harmful to humans. We didn't know, but we saw a phone number. Another kid, "CALL IT!!" Me, "hmmmm, good idea".

We called. I believe Megan or Diane answered. I introduced myself, my profession and my city. I asked if I could put her on speaker to answer the kids' question. She did and gave some supplemental information about the emerald ash borer. She was glad to do it and it was great!! We "did" science.

I explained to the children that they were becoming scientists indeed!! That this is what scientists do all the time and love to do!

It wasn't in my SWBAT but it was real!!

Gradual Release Block? Huh?

I need someone to help me out. Real talk. Where did the term that I heard recently come from? Where did this latest fad come from? Or is it a fad? Maybe it's just a local thing. This "Gradual Release Block", as in a math block, ELA block, etc. I REALLY need to know who took the "gradual release of responsibility" approach (which teachers have been doing and now a 'name' for it....ok, sure) and now made it a "period" or "block"???

What next? "Graphic Organizer" periods? How about "Manipulatives" blocks? 5th period maybe? Maybe 3rd period is better, just before the "Read Aloud" block begins!!

"I did science Mr. Flemming!!"

I mix some traditional teaching methods with some new teaching methods. With that, I give homework. Yes I do. And get this, I expect it to be done. Yup! Six students completed the assignments as expected. Six? Happened to be all boys. OK, pizza, wings, soda. Today. At lunch. For those who did it. I'll come for you when it comes. We enjoyed. That's the background...

What made me smile on my insides is their unscripted application of the scientific terms and processes which we've discussed and experienced in 207.

"I wonder what will happen if I mix the Pepsi and the orange," says one boy. "Ooooo! Mr. Flemming, I did science!!" This, as he showed me his Pepsi/Orange concoction.

"You made an observation. You used your senses," says another boy. "You used...{and he named the senses used..."

"Did you make a prediction ahead of time," interjects the teacher.

"Yes, I predicted....{I forget}...and it happened," says the original boy.

Unscripted. Real. And no SWBAT/IOT. No gradual release obsessions. No segmented, regimented, time constraints for a "Gradual Release Block." (Don't ask) Just learning at lunch, experientially, and unintentionally.

Take Pride in Your Work!

As a teacher, I take a great deal of pride in my work! I love teaching and I love learning! Working with with youth of all ages is what I do, from former students to current students and even kids and youth I've not had the privilege of teaching directly. I like showing them off to their parents, the community, twitter, etc! They're intelligent and possess a potential that WILL be realized!!!

I wish similar passion translated to those who maintain the cleanliness of some of our buildings! My parents raised us to do our work and with pride (and to do it right the first time). Mom always said, "haste makes waste". Meaning, we'd have to redo it if we thought rushing would get it done and correctly. Ooops! Now we really couldn't play outside because we had to mop that floor again, clean the base of that toilet again (hands and knees), get that grime out of the bathtub/shower...

Every students, parent, teacher, and guest deserves to come into clean and well maintained buildings. I understand the reasons (or excuses) for the filth are as abundant as the species of insects and creatures we see in our buildings! Some are political, some speak to the layoffs and lack of resources. I get it. But politics has nothing to do with piles of dust and trash in the hallway. Steps not swept? Trash not taken out? The same dirty spots on the floor that a mop can get up? I've gotten on hands and knees to clean my floor and am not above doing it if it means that my kids come into a clean classroom. But, someone is getting paid. Someone has been charged with the responsibility.

All have pitched in and helped out for the sake of our work space and for the kids.
But if we don't do it, it doesn't get done? Nah!

Take pride in your work!

(I know this might rub some the wrong way, but it's the truth. In the words of someone I know, build a bridge and get over it. Take pride!)

A closed mouth doesn't get fed! We must speak up!
I could talk bed bugs...but I'll chill....for now!

Reading is Social

Yesterday.
Kids reading book, magazine, article, comic, etc. of choice.
Daily pleasure reading routine.
Purposeful.
They like.
They draw or write a summary afterward.
They talk about it daily after about 20 minutes.
Routine.
Yesterday.
Teacher (me) hands out Scholastic catalogues.
Kids begin chattering.
Teacher wants to bring the class back on track.
Nope.
Sit.
Observe.
Kid chatter: books, prices, excitement, circling what they want, comparing prices, comparing desires, comparing books with movie versions.
Teacher really really wants to bring the class back.
Nope.
Sit.
Observe.
Listen.
Watch.
But they're supposed to be reading.
THEY ARE.
CALM DOWN TEACHER.
Not only reading, but discussing, comparing prices (math), reasoning (I only have $5 though).
Good stuff.
Let it happen.
You know that you give them times to move, run, dance, talk, sing, paint, draw, etc. during ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science.
You know that you're tough as nails.
This isn't a sign of weakness.
It's OK.
Reading can be social. (Book clubs, talks in barbershop about news/articles, tweeting is reading/writing and is def social).
15 minutes.
Brought them back.
Discussed what you observed.
Kids excited about getting books and reading.
Mission accomplished.
Go Flem!
Go 207!
Go 3rd grade!

NBC 10 and Homeless Youth

They're sharp!!! A Junior Entomologist scenario in 207!

After checking for bed bugs, setting up for an art project we're going to do and removing a mouse caught on a trap for a college, I got to thinking about one of "those" great teacher/student moments yesterday.

In science my kids and I really engage in an in-depth unit on entomology as a part of a larger unit on biology/life science. Yesterday's research dealt with bed bugs, which is really a disgusting life experience right now for us here....but I digress.

We visited and analyzed Perdue University's website and diagram of a bed bug's life cycle. I asked a "deep" question about the life cycle that Perdue put up and asked them to analyze it based on what we knew (so far) about complete/incomplete metamorphosis. When I tell you that a kid was SPOT ON about our questioning of what we saw before us, he was SPOT ON!!!!!!

We may not be right, but that's science. It's about questioning, researching and doing more questioning. I was so proud!!!! We call ourselves Junior Entomologists, and I think we are doing a fine job, if I do say so myself!!

Now, go data that! Go analyze that! Go aggregate that!