This picure was intended to make the students laugh but the motto of our school in the background is an important reminder.  How can we use what we learn at school to serve our community? 

I attended a webinar today.  The speaker encouraged the teachers in our group to take students beyond the curriculum.  She said that we should help the students to apply what they are learning in a way that makes a difference in the real world.  Wow.  I’m not sure how to do that! 

Right now we are studying alternative energy resources.  How could we apply what we are learning and really make a difference?  Let’s brainstorm some ideas…

View our Heat Technology Projects

The heat technology presentations were very impressive.  While the students were given some choices, they designed projects that were original and innovative.  Students made their own computer graphics or used their artistic skill to draw intricate diagrams.  They made podcasts, movies, Power Points, and cartoons.  We were able to share projects across the class periods and we were able to appreciate the unique differences between our projects. 

What types of projects do you prefer making?  What types of projects do you prefer watching?  I would like us to try to make our projects more interactive.  Any ideas how to make a project that the viewer interacts with?  Share your ideas!

Some interesting appliances are the toaster (how does it know when to pop the toast out?), the thermostat (why does the heater turn on and off throughout the day?), the refrigerator (will leaving the door open cool the room down?) and the coffee maker (my favorite!) 

I thought it would be fun to research these together and then share what we learn using some kind of online tool.  Our options are as follows.  Share by making blog comments, add to a mind map on Thinkature, or create a new Pageflakes page.  I can’t wait to work together on this.  Check out the links and leave me a comment. 

 Here is how we felt before leaving for Christmas break. 

 Here is how we feel now that we have returned from our refreshing break!

(Actually, these are pictures from Sydney’s science fair experiment.  The water in the container represents cerebrospinal fluid and the first egg sustained damage because it lacked enough protective fluid.)

One of the things I like about teaching is that every few months we have a fresh start with a new marking period.  I like to look at the blank grade sheet and realize that every student has another chance to be successful.  Everyone has the opportunity to get on the 100% homework list, go for the honor roll, or strive for the goals they set for themselves. 

I set goals for myself at this time as well.  My goal for this marking periods is to have students take advantage of the podcast kit, cameras, and microphone to create projects that help other people learn about and appreciate science. 

We watched a fun video from Jefferson Labs today that I think can serve as an example.  In the video, two people demonstrate a simple science concept, insulation, using liquid nitrogen to get our attention.  The video was interesting to watch and also helped us appreciate that our observations can be explained by applying science concepts.  What sort of videos can we produce that would make people say, “Wow, now that’s interesting!”  I wonder what ideas the eighth graders on our team can contribute to a video project.

A student is making a podcast while her group performs a lab experiment.

Our podcasts are up an running!  Here are some things I have learned.  Windows media files need to be converted before they can be uploaded to the server but there are free online tools to solve that problem.  Movies have to be small in order to upload them – which is good in a way since long movies can get boring. 

I’m so proud of all the students who created movies, uploaded pictures, and made Power Point presentations for their online science fair projects!  One student even made a Voice Thread!  Cool!  Look for these projects to be featured on our wiki in the near future!  In the mean time, enjoy some of our podcasts from this year and last.  http://podcast.qcsd.org/users/mrslaguna/

Here is one example that was really amazing.  During my prep period I was working on getting the students grades on my computer when Greg came into the classroom.  He wanted to collect some more data for his last experiment so that he could revise his lab report (completely optional by the way.)  I said, “sure!” and Greg got to work.  I didn’t really talk to him again until he left. 

In that time he started the Data Studio software, assembled and connected a pressure sensor to the computer,  conducted an experiment, organized the results in a data table, reformatted the graph for printing, and made a color printout of the volume and pressure graph…without any help.  Wow.  My students rock! 

Sometimes we are told what to do and how to do it so often that we forget to take the initiative and take charge of our own learning.  I think learning is really only fun when it is self-directed.  What do you think?  Can you share an example of a time when you learned something on your own?  Was that a good experience?  Or do you prefer being guided by a teacher when you learn something new?

I read a lecture today that had these words at the end. 

“Attention IS our scarcest and most valuable resource. What we do with our attention defines us.”

The speaker said that our attention is valuable.  Every day we make decisions about who and what we will spend our attention on.   But are we paying attention to the important things like connecting with people, improving our world, and enriching our lives?  Paying attention is a choice we make, a gift we give, a way of life. 

As a teacher, I really appreciate the students who choose to give their attention to their educations and I try to make the things we do in class worthy of their attention.   Like group 5 in period 1 Science today.  Their full attention was on their lab experiment and as a result they came up with very creative ideas.  It made me realize how much more we get out of an experience when we focus our attention on what we are doing. 

Do you agree with the statement that what we do with our attention defines us, or makes us who we are? 

When kids are really learning they are talking about the subject they are studying.  They are asking really interesting questions that I don’t know the answers to but I can’t wait to research!  Students who are learning are thinking of ways to use the information they collect in class and are creating interesting projects.  They are finding ways to apply their new understanding to their own lives and making connections to their interests outside of school.  Students who are really learning aren’t bored, they’re curious and creative!  But that’s not on the test.   And it’s not always happening in class either. 

How do we encourage real learning in our classrooms?   I don’t know the whole answer but I can’t wait to research the subject!  I have to be accountable for my learning along with the rest of the class!  Are we all doing what it takes to be really learning?  Maybe we need to improve the test!

What are your suggestions for ways to get our class talking about the topics?  Can you think of more ways to grow as a community of learners?  I’m up for anything that helps us takes our learning to a deeper level.