Podcast in the Classroom

I am a 8th grade science teacher and really enjoyed this podcast.

Science Update Podcast Weekly Edition

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Flickr Possibilities

Garske, L. (2008, June 26). Bicentennial Tower on the Erie Bayfront. L. Garske’s Photostream. Retrieved June 26, 2011, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lori_g/2617504008/.

Using Flickr in my classroom will be a bit difficult since most science processes are not photographable. But, I could have the students use Flickr to find examples of volcanoes, earthquake locations before and after, and animals found in the different biomes. A project that I have done in the past using pictures could easily be adapted with the use of Flickr. I could have students search of geologic outcrops. They could then place that image on the wiki or blog page they are using. The student could then comment on how the outcrop had developed, using the rule of geologic history. Other students would be able to comment on the order given and the student’s response.

Part of my science class is also environmental science. Having the students see how society and nature can work together is very important. Showing local areas is also important to me, since my students live in a small town less than 30 miles form a state park and many of them have never been there. That is why I have chosen to include a local landmark.

Wikis in my classroom

There was not one classroom wiki that inspired me but I do use one with my 8th grade team to share the material for a joint class. That way we do not have to find the material in emails, and can share reading questions.

The most challenging thing I found while working on the group wiki is how it is hard to get answers to questions when you need them. I post a comment or a question and it takes 24 or more hours to get an answer. By that point I have either figured out my question, or forgot what I asked. I am learning patience with this project, which I do not have a lot of. This is one of the reasons I do not participate in wikis in my everyday life.

I use Wikipedia all the time for myself. But I use it as a starting point. If I don’t know anything about a topic, I learn the basics of this topic, so I can better search for reliable sources. I still do not like Wikipedia as a main source. With my luck, I would look at it the moment that some incorrect information is posted. Teachers in my school district do not allow students to use Wikipedia for projects at all. Now I know they look at it, just like I do, to find some information to search for online, but they are not to use it at all in reports. I think they are right. Wiki’s are great for sharing information, but not for real data.

I do not plan on changing my ideals about Wikipedia. I think that it is only a place to start but should not be main reference source.

Social Bookmarking Plan

Option A:
In order to use social bookmarking in my classroom, many things would need to be done.
1. Have all students sign into delicious.com
2. Have all students add me to their network
3. Have all students click on my name in their network
4. Have all students click on the tag minerals, rocks, or identification.
5. Using the sites, the students will identify rocks and minerals.
6. If a student finds an interesting site that is useful they can book mark it so that I can add it to my collection. (they will tag it with my name so I know which sites they think I should know about)
7. By doing this, I can help students to narrow their searches .

Pageflakes

Here is my Pageflakes.

I have made it so that my students could use it to help them complete their current event project in environmental science.

RSS Feed

RSS is a great way to stay caught up on current events in science. I hope to use the feeds that I have from the current event sites to help my student to complete their ‘In the News’ project. In this project they have to go to different science current event sites, read and print off articles that interest them, and summarize the articles. These are then made into a book for a grade. This activity encourages reading and science. By having the RSS for the sites, the students can just go directly to Google Reader to see what articles are new. This way not time is wasted.

To be held back... or not to be held back? That is the question!

As many of us wind down the school year and prepare for summer school, a question comes up. Should this student be retained? Dr. Laura does not believe this is a useful option for most students. According to “The Great Debate Surrounding Grade Retention”, holding a student back does not have a huge benefit with academics or adjustment problems. A student is more likely to drop out of they are retained a year compared to their peers. (Brooks, 2002)

Unfortunately, do to this idea, many student are being socially promoted. This means students are being promoted to the next grade even though they have not met the grade level expectations. According to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, research has shown that social promotion does not reduce drop-out rates, does not increase student achievement, and produces graduates who lack the skills needed to be employed. (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 2001)

In high schools, students can be required to repeat only the course that was not passed but in elementary school and some middle schools, a student would need to repeat the entire year. Dr. Brooks went to a conference where a speaker said, “It makes no sense to promote students who have failed to learn. It will only lead to more failure down the road. Why promote someone who hasn’t met requirements for promotion?” (Brooks, 2002)

Personally, I agree with this statement. If the student is not prepared for the next grade, then why should they go? I am not saying that all students who do poorly in school should be retained but if all accommodations were made, all options tried, and the student is still not ready for the next grade, then he or she should stay behind.

What do you think? Are there any other options that could be used to help these students to be successful? At what point is retention the best option


Brooks, R. (2002, November). School retention: a common practice but is it effective?. Retrieved from http://www.drrobertbrooks.com/writings/articles/0211.html

North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. (2001). Critical issue: beyond social promotion and retention—five strategies to help students succeed. Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at800.htm

Student Blog

Here is Marta's blog

Blog Project Inspiration

I found a blog written by Marta and it has a science base. She started her blog in 2007. The blogs are about science topics along with observations of politics and life. Marta had read a book called; “365 Ways to Save the World”. She has been inspired to change things about her life to help the world. There are some science entries and even some discussions based upon what the teacher posted on his blog.

I found this really interesting since this student put a lot of work in her posts and she seems to be learning a lot about herself and the world. She has not posted anything since 2008 but I believe that it is due to the fact that she is no longer in the course.

I really like the idea that the students were able to include nonscience related topics on their blog. Letting the students express their thoughts is a great way to help them to practice writing and critical thinking.

Read/Write Web

I learn from the Read/Write Web. I find lesson plans and activities from the web and use the comments and feedback to judge their effectiveness.

In my classroom, my students depend on the Read/Write Web to obtain information normally by going to sites where they can type in the info and someone else answers their work like the one here. They use Facebook, YouTube, and other social networks regularly.

I would love to use this skill to make a paperless class. I may use Edmodo or Blackboard. Making the class more interactive may keep the students interested more in the topics.