Kimberly Grossman
UMBC
MD

Earth, Sun, and Moon: Earth's Seasons

Wed, Oct 19, 2011 9:30 PM
Learning About Seasons Through Visuals

I like the way this tells us in the beginning what we will be able to learn by the end. I really like the use of diagrams to show earth’s orbit around the sun. The terminology is a bit confusing so the visuals really help me make sense of this material. I feel like I really learned a lot from this. There is so much information. This is a great tool if a teacher feels like he or she does not know enough about a certain topic. I did notice that I was not picking up on some of the terminology quick enough and had to pause it so that I could reread. I like how it explains why it is hotter in the summer. The sun is lower in the sky during winter which causes winter. This is something I did not realize. I really appreciate the hands-on activity links. This helps teachers create an activity based on what they learned. This is very neat!

Earth and Space Science

Wed, Oct 19, 2011 9:06 PM
Active Activities in Science

This is a great chapter! I really enjoy the way it not only informs us what earth materials are, but it also shows us how to teach earth materials to students. The format of the chapter is very organized. I love the way there are "get ready," "get set," and "go" sections. The author truly believes in the benefits of learning in an active, hands-on environment. I agree with this way of learning. The example of Mr. Murphy's class gave me great ideas that I can use in my own classroom. I like how he wanted students to go beyond observations and start making inferences. This gives students the opportunity to practice higher-level thinking skills. While I love the idea of students watching the moon each night, I don't know if this is feasible for younger students. The moon may appear later at night depending on the current phase it is in. Students may not be up that late. I do understand the way this assignment connects to students' lives though. We see the moon every night. This opportunity to study the moon may help students look at the world around them in a more observant way. I truly feel like I could take this chapter and apply it in my classroom. This was very useful.