Gracie Anderson

TX

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 11:35 PM
Captivated by Living Model

I chose to add this article to my ‘Organisms and Environments’ collection because it proposes an idea that I perceive to be challenging, that is models. From my educational experience, models, especially ones that involved living creatures captivated me. After reading this article, I am now equipped to present my students with an ‘ecosystem in a jar’ learning experience. This article relays the lesson plan in a 5E form, including materials. This observational opportunity would allow students to see an example of interdependence among organisms in an ecosystem; noting changes, and abiotic and biotic relationships. This 5E lesson model could be used to effectively implement 3rd-grade science standards. The process TEKS that are put in place are 3.2(A), 3.2(B), 3.2(F), 3.3(A) and 3.3(B). It is particularly beneficial that this lesson covers a wide range of process TEKS. Additionally, the content TEKS addressed in this topic are 3.9(A) and 3.9(B). I would use this information to put this lesson into effect in my future classroom. The article addresses the importance of teacher responsibility; taking care of cleaning and preparing all the materials, and coming up with a plan to deal with the snails and guppies afterward. I agree with that emphasis. I might be more inclined to give them a permanent residence in a small aquarium in my classroom. I wonder if adding more microorganisms would disrupt the effectiveness of the ecosystem…

Crime Scene Soil Investigation

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 10:55 PM
Engaging for and appealing to students

I chose to add this article to my collection because the activity looked fun! I know that isn’t always a sign of effective teaching and learning, but I digress… I am always interested to learn about a lesson that seems to be highly engaging for the students. This crime scene soil investigation is an instructional approach to students learning about soil composition. The article includes tools and instruments used in the lesson, which are: ProScope, MicroAquariums and iPads with the AirScopePro app downloaded onto it. I learned exactly how to implement this lesson, as well as some helpful strategies to encourage students to use higher-level thinking. This lesson implements 4th-grade science processing and content standards. Specifically, the process standards are TEKS 4.2(A), 4.2(B), 4.2(F), 4.3(A) and 4.4. The content standard implemented is TEKS 4.7(A). I would use the information in this article to implement this lesson plan in my future science classroom. I might have to alter the type of technology used based on what is available to us, but thankfully this article also includes a variation of technology adaptations. Based on my field experience thus far, I predict that this lesson activity will be effective because of its appeal to students and the differentiated learning that it presents the opportunity for. I strongly agree that it would be vital to clearly review, explain and even model appropriate behavior and safety concerns during this lesson. I wonder, based on the students’ prior knowledge, would the instructor need to visually model their investigation and data documentation phase?

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 6:54 PM
Effective learning experience

I chose to include this article in my collection because it contains helpful resources, including a 5E lesson that I would be able to use as a future science teacher. This article also references other resources, such as videos in the NSTA database of astronauts experiencing weightlessness as they play with toys at the space station. Additionally, I love to learn of all the different areas I can cover teaching through trade books. From this article, I learned about two 5E lessons, one that can be implemented in K-2 instruction, and another that can be implemented in 3-5 instruction. This article informs its readers about the names of two trade books incorporated into the lesson presented, as well as materials, helpful instructional tips, and other resources. When implementing the information found in this article in my future classroom, I would use processing and content 3rd grade standards. The process TEKS that align with this 5E lesson are 3.2(F) and 3.3(A), while the content TEKS is 3.6(C). I would like to implement this lesson format, or something similar to it when teaching a unit on force, motion, and energy in my future as a teacher. I think that this lesson and activity will be conducive to an effective learning experience for students. They will enjoy manipulating the toys and will be engaged because of their familiarity. I wonder though if some effect would be lost if I chose to use different toys than shown in the Space Station videos…