Eric Freeman
This is my boy and me!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Melting Ice Experiment
I was pretty excited to have a simple experiment to do with my students that would give them a hands-on environmental experience with a very hot topic. The experiment was fairly time-consuming, but the results were interesting. I anticipated more overflow than there was. This would help students understand that coastal regions are at risk, but where we live at 5,800 feet, we will be fine. I anticipate this being a great seed activity to discuss the living natural environments in these coastal areas. It would also be a great discussion boost to enter research and learning about the ice caps and the environments there. Students are obviously concerned about the polar bears, so we could discuss all predator and prey in they area.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
STEM LESSON PLAN:
The lesson that I planned asks students to go to five locations of a creek that flows from our mountain on one side of town to the river that flows on the other side of town. The students are asked to measure dissolved oxygen in the water at the different points, discover, count and classify the different invertebrates in the area, and to do an observation map of the area. The students are asked to draw, journal, and categorize all of their data in their journals. At the end of the project the students will be asked to create a presentation with their small group about their hypothesis, data, and conclusion. When the experiment is complete, the students will then determine other areas of study for the area.
While using the template I found that I had to analyze many points of my lesson that I am not use to prior to the beginning of the lesson. The five E’s were helpful to me in this process because I had to be more analytical about the entire process prior to the beginning. I usually will allow experiments to be a little more student directed, so I don’t have the full process completely planned. I usually will just have an idea, bring that to the class, and guide the inquiry. I liked the extend and elaborate idea because it is easy with today’s guidelines to move on to the next concept without following up on the previous projects. I could have students maintain stream quality projects throughout the year making it a phenology project. We could also study other streams and rivers throughout the watershed. It will be important for the students to be allowed to share results through the Wyoming Stream Team website.
I do plan to implement this lesson one day, but I will have to be sure to address the issue of the students being in dangerous areas. It will be very important to set strict guidelines about stream and hiking safety. I will also have to address transportation issues. It would be best to get parent drivers, which would also answer the supervision issues.
The lesson that I planned asks students to go to five locations of a creek that flows from our mountain on one side of town to the river that flows on the other side of town. The students are asked to measure dissolved oxygen in the water at the different points, discover, count and classify the different invertebrates in the area, and to do an observation map of the area. The students are asked to draw, journal, and categorize all of their data in their journals. At the end of the project the students will be asked to create a presentation with their small group about their hypothesis, data, and conclusion. When the experiment is complete, the students will then determine other areas of study for the area.
While using the template I found that I had to analyze many points of my lesson that I am not use to prior to the beginning of the lesson. The five E’s were helpful to me in this process because I had to be more analytical about the entire process prior to the beginning. I usually will allow experiments to be a little more student directed, so I don’t have the full process completely planned. I usually will just have an idea, bring that to the class, and guide the inquiry. I liked the extend and elaborate idea because it is easy with today’s guidelines to move on to the next concept without following up on the previous projects. I could have students maintain stream quality projects throughout the year making it a phenology project. We could also study other streams and rivers throughout the watershed. It will be important for the students to be allowed to share results through the Wyoming Stream Team website.
I do plan to implement this lesson one day, but I will have to be sure to address the issue of the students being in dangerous areas. It will be very important to set strict guidelines about stream and hiking safety. I will also have to address transportation issues. It would be best to get parent drivers, which would also answer the supervision issues.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Hello!
Welcome to my blog! I will be posting to this blog for school and am looking forward to chatting with you all soon! Thanks for visiting!
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