Week 15, Day 2: So much for planning

ODD BLOCK schedule: Reviewed the Solar Flare/Solar Facts H.W. and Started the solar system notes and the LIGHTYEARS AND AU'S homework.

Here is a photo of a student's foldable notes that they took home and re-did. looks nice

Today's Best Practice: Make your quizes have 2 versons and make them on ONE sheet of paper, that way you have only one sheet to run off and not two.

This was not a real fun day.  I went for the ellipse kit lab only to find it gone.  I gave the string to a colleague and either did not get it back OR I did not put it away so I could not start the lab.  Also I spent so much time going over the homework that we would not have time for the lab anyway.

I have spent a lot of time at lunchs and after school being there for the Science Olympiad team members.  A few kids and ALL of my time.  I feel rushed and behind in planning, grading, and creating new stuff.

I did make a new solar system vocab quiz that I am proud of...ahhh...got AM duty this week CCCOOOOOLLLD so I gotta get their early to run off the quiz.

Hope this helps,

Love to Teach and Teach with Passion

Remember...It's not Magic, It's Science
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney
richardkinney@cusd.com

Week 14, Day 4: Foldable Flip Chart Notes

EVEN BLOCK: We crafted astronomy foldable notes, went over the force and motion benchmark test, and i checked off the Solar System Vocabulary Logo graph flip cards on to my seating chart.

Today's Best Practice: Foldable notes take less space, increase note density, are more organized and are FUN.

The picture below shows 3 things. On the bottom left is my class notebook showing the foldable notes real size. The top right is a large version of the notes from last year, i have added one more piece of paper this year resulting in 4 more section for notes. On the right are the labels to go in the notes. We still have to fill in the brackets with Inner/Outer planet facts.

We made these by stacking 4 sheets of lined paper (looks really cool with colored paper or highlighting tabs). We slid the top sheet up 1 or 2 lines, repeated for the rest. Folded the the top of the stack to the bottom. Stapled top of each side, folded in half vertically then cut up from the bottom to 1 inch from the top to separate inner from outer solar system.

Foldable notes have become fashionable in the past few years. I don't usually follow trends but this is a good one.

Hope this helps,

Love to Teach and Teach with Passion

Remember...It's not Magic, It's Science

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

richardkinney@cusd.com

Week 14, Day 3: Solar System Survey and a laugh

ODD BLOCK SCHEDULE: We created the foldable notes for the planets, reviewed the Force and Motion Benchmark test, and did a fun formative assessment stand by your favorite planet survey.

TODAY'S BEST PRACTICE: Do class surveys where all have to participate. Use thumbs up/Thumbs down. Use all stand up, now sit if ______, Or make signs in the room and go stand by your choice.

The photo shows the survey white board for Neptune, One of the posters for my word wall, and me 2 week assignments calendar

I really like the Astronomy unit. Kids like it too. The best part is when talking about the planets to mention that Saturn is so light compared to its mass that if you could put it in a giant bathtub it would FLOAT....but it will leave a BIG ring in the tub. Ha Ha Ha Ha.

I wont even mention the Uranus jokes...like what does toilet paper and STAR TREK have in common? They both circle Uranus looking for KLINGONS! L.O.L.

Week 14, Day 2: Be Flexible...and have a back up plan.

Even Block: Today was a catch-up day for my even classes. This due to the goof up with the wrong test answer sheet and jumping ahead a day giving them the benchmark test.

Sometimes things don't go as you plan and you have a class looking at you for direction. You may need a few minutes to work out the problem. When this happens I have students work on the next homework assignment or project. ALWAYS HAVE THIS TO FALL BACK ON. Always have them DO SOMETHING...but do not waste their time.

It is real easy to let your frustration be thrown at your students by being grumpy or snapping at them. It's not their fault you misplanned. Be cool, and flexible.

As I had students get a head start on their homework (Solar System Vocabulary Logograph[picture] flash cards) I set up a quick FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT SURVEY. I had them read some facts about the planets. On white boards I wrote the name of each planet, except Earth. Then I had students go stand by their favorite planet, talk to the others in their group and list 1 reason why they like that planet. It was fun and I gave an interesting fact about each planet as they shared their reason.

Hope this helps,

Love to Teach and Teach with Passion

Remember...It's not Magic, It's Science

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

richardkinney@cusd.com