Website: Building Big
Grade: Seven
Subject: Science
Unit: Structures and Design
Within the Structures and Design unit in Grade 7 Science I would like to have my students examine different structures around the world. In this way, students can see the ways that science and technology relate to real life. The website Building Big provides basic information about different types of structures such as bridges, dams, skyscrapers, domes, and tunnels, and why/how each structure is built and used. In addition, the site provides tons of links so students can explore different structures around the world. Each link has a photo of the structure as well as information such as where it is, how it was built, why it is important, etc. I think it would be neat for students to explore some of these structures on their own.
Specifically, I would use this website as a sort of "peer-teaching" activity. Students will be divided into pairs and will each be assigned a particular structure (bridge, skyscraper, etc.). Each pair will research their particular structure on the website, finding out what it is, what it is used for, how it works, how it is built, etc. They will become the "experts". Next, each group will choose a SPECIFIC example of this type of structure (for example, the bridge known as "galloping gertie"). They will research this example on the Building Big website, but can also use outside sources such as other websites, books, or videos. Finally, students will complete the interactive activity that tests their knowledge on what they have researched. Activities include: The Bridge Challenge, The Skyscraper Challenge, The Dome Challenge, The Dam Challenge, and The Tunnel Challenge. These activities allow the students to become "engineers" responsible for building strong and safe structures for their city, giving them the opportunity to apply what they have learned.
Once this research phase is completed, students will get the opportunity to create a real-life model of a structure. Students could choose to replicate the specific structure they researched (such as the "galloping gertie") using materials available in class, or they could also choose to make a replica of a local structure. Finally, students could also choose to create their own structure from scratch, describing what it would be used for, how it would be built, etc. Students will then become the teachers as they present their structures from the class, along with a poster that describes the basic features of their structures (from the research phase). This can be turned into a mini engineer fair!
I think this website would be beneficial for students because it has a lot of visual images for students to look at. It also has real life examples of structures which makes student learning more relevant. In addition, the website has activities which require application of knowledge, rather than just regurgitation. Students actually get to build their own structures online, relating to the principles of effective structures. By having students become the experts, they will be more focused on learning and engaging with the website, so they are not just focused on "playing the games". They will need to know what they are talking about if they are going to teach others! If used effectively, this website has the potential to be an awesome resource!
If you're interested in some other ideas or resources for this unit on Structure and Design, check out my Hotlist.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
I just found this really neat website for Math. It has interactive applets for K-12 students in 5 different areas of mathematics: Numbers & Operations, Geometry, Algebra, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability. This website allows students to see visual representations of mathematical problems which I feel would really benefit students who are visual learners. Mathematics is often very abstract and the activities on this website would be really beneficial for students because they can visually see what is happening as they work through math problems. The website offers a very diverse range of activities and a person could spend days exploring all of the options! I feel that the activities on this website would be a great supplement to any mathematics classroom. However, sometimes the instructions are not that clear so it would be important to go over the activities with students and make sure they are making the connections to what they are working on in math class, rather than just clicking around, trying to find the answer that fits. If used as a supplemental tool with instruction, rather than just free time to mess around on the computer, I think this website could really benefit students. It also makes it easier for teachers because they do not need to find all the manipulatives themselves - they are right there on the website for easy access and use!
More specifically, I would use this website for teaching Fractions in a Grade 6 classroom. As I taught Fractions during my internship, I have found that it really helps students to have a visual representation of fractions. In particular, some students struggled with the concept of equivalent fractions. By using the activity entitle Fractions - Equivalent, students can work with a visual representation of equivalent fractions, hopefully increasing their understanding. In this activity, student are given a picture of a fraction, and then must find an equivalent fraction by either increasing or decreasing the number of parts the the whole is divided into. In this way, the teacher does not have to spend time drawing out example after example on the board, and can spend more time with individual students. As well, you can increase or decrease the difficulty of the problem to allow students to work at their own individual level and pace.
Assuming that I am teaching in a classroom with limited computer access (about 4 computers per classroom), I would have students rotate through this particular activity. Some students could be working with actual fraction blocks, while others could be doing practice questions on paper, and others could be completing the virtual activity on the computer. I would obviously start the lessson with instruction about equivalent fractions, and then give students time to work independently as I circulated to provide individual assistance.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 6: Numbers and Operations
More specifically, I would use this website for teaching Fractions in a Grade 6 classroom. As I taught Fractions during my internship, I have found that it really helps students to have a visual representation of fractions. In particular, some students struggled with the concept of equivalent fractions. By using the activity entitle Fractions - Equivalent, students can work with a visual representation of equivalent fractions, hopefully increasing their understanding. In this activity, student are given a picture of a fraction, and then must find an equivalent fraction by either increasing or decreasing the number of parts the the whole is divided into. In this way, the teacher does not have to spend time drawing out example after example on the board, and can spend more time with individual students. As well, you can increase or decrease the difficulty of the problem to allow students to work at their own individual level and pace.
Assuming that I am teaching in a classroom with limited computer access (about 4 computers per classroom), I would have students rotate through this particular activity. Some students could be working with actual fraction blocks, while others could be doing practice questions on paper, and others could be completing the virtual activity on the computer. I would obviously start the lessson with instruction about equivalent fractions, and then give students time to work independently as I circulated to provide individual assistance.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 6: Numbers and Operations
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Science World
Science World is a really neat website that is based out of British Columbia. There are several different games that students can play on this website, dealing with different sorts of things.
The game that I thought was really neat is called "Nutrient Round-Up" in which students look at different food choices and determine what they get from these kinds of foods. For example, if you choose a menu of spaghetti and meatballs and ice cream for dessert, you are required to "catch" enough fats, proteins, etc. It shows how some foods are high in fats but lack real nutritional value and it also breaks down how these food choices affect your body! For example, when I played the game, I chose chips, ice cream, and cake for lunch, but I did not get any protein to grow or maintain my body and I lacked the energy needed to run in Phys. Ed. The website helps to show IMMEDIATE effects of the foods that we eat. Students (and people in general) often think that as long as they are not overweight, they are healthy, but this is definitely not the case for all people.
I would use the interactive activity described above in a Grade 5 Health class, within the unit "A Healthy Body". After learning about the 4 food groups, and the recommended daily servings for each food group, students would play "Nutrient Round-Up" as a way to simulate the importance of getting the nutrients your body needs from healthy foods. This activity would help students to see the importance of making healthy food choices. Those desserts might taste good, but they are really not helping your body to stay healthy! The activity allows students to see exactly what they are getting out of certain foods.
This activity could be followed up by having students create their own "meals for a day" in which they choose healthy foods to eat and stick to this plan for at least one day!
As mentioned above, students will benefit from this website because it is interactive and provides an effective simulation of how the body takes nutrients from the foods that we eat. It shows the consequences of making unhealthy food choices and also shows the effects that our choices have on our bodies. I think it will make students more aware of the importance of healthy eating and taking care of their bodies.
Evergreen Health Curriculum.
Grade 5: A Healthy Body
The game that I thought was really neat is called "Nutrient Round-Up" in which students look at different food choices and determine what they get from these kinds of foods. For example, if you choose a menu of spaghetti and meatballs and ice cream for dessert, you are required to "catch" enough fats, proteins, etc. It shows how some foods are high in fats but lack real nutritional value and it also breaks down how these food choices affect your body! For example, when I played the game, I chose chips, ice cream, and cake for lunch, but I did not get any protein to grow or maintain my body and I lacked the energy needed to run in Phys. Ed. The website helps to show IMMEDIATE effects of the foods that we eat. Students (and people in general) often think that as long as they are not overweight, they are healthy, but this is definitely not the case for all people.
I would use the interactive activity described above in a Grade 5 Health class, within the unit "A Healthy Body". After learning about the 4 food groups, and the recommended daily servings for each food group, students would play "Nutrient Round-Up" as a way to simulate the importance of getting the nutrients your body needs from healthy foods. This activity would help students to see the importance of making healthy food choices. Those desserts might taste good, but they are really not helping your body to stay healthy! The activity allows students to see exactly what they are getting out of certain foods.
This activity could be followed up by having students create their own "meals for a day" in which they choose healthy foods to eat and stick to this plan for at least one day!
As mentioned above, students will benefit from this website because it is interactive and provides an effective simulation of how the body takes nutrients from the foods that we eat. It shows the consequences of making unhealthy food choices and also shows the effects that our choices have on our bodies. I think it will make students more aware of the importance of healthy eating and taking care of their bodies.
Evergreen Health Curriculum.
Grade 5: A Healthy Body
Thursday, January 10, 2008
New Blog!
Yea! I figured out how to set up my first blog! Wow, I am so technologically advanced. I am going to be using this blog to post cool educational links and websites to use with students in the classroom (particularly in the Middle Years).
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