Barb,
Great to hear about the Pringles camera obscura experience.
I did the "Bums to Gums" demonstration for the grade 5 class. I made lots of poo, just before lunch. There was lots of excitement and many of them are still talking about it, unfortunately I think a few of the students were a little squeamish and weren't able to enjoy the experience (or their lunch) as much as I wanted them to. Also, thanks to Brita, I demonstrated the length of our digestive system with her yellow fibreglass rope, with labels for the various sections. Very effective, and not at all gross (except for the "rectum" - no one wanted to hold that part).
I'm now working on a Harry Potter novel study, using a peer assessment rubric, trying to teach decimals and fractions and starting some lessons on heart health. I'll be using the homeostasis materials next week, if it's nice, to see how exercise affects heart rates. Today we used stethoscopes to determine our resting heart rates and completed an anticipation guide to raise some interest and awareness. Did you know that your heart will beat about 2.5 billion times by the time you're 80? That all your blood vessels laid end to end would extend 4 times around the world? Great cocktail party trivia.
I'm still thinking of a visit to the Model Forest. Any biology geeks who want to join me, send an email.
David

Adventures in Middle School

My practicum is absolutely great! I have been using a history of science approach to teaching Optics to my grade 8's. Their first activity was to make title pages of scenes from solar folk myths using the pointillism painting style. I got this idea from a series of lesson plans that Don Metz gave to me on the day of our Literacy exam. Also, thanks to Dave for the instructions to make a "camera obscura" from a Pringles chip can. We made these on Friday and the kids were thrilled that they got to eat Pringles chips before 9 am.

I am also teaching grade 7 science - the Forces and Structures unit.
Here's a photo of a geodesic domes that my students built the first week back from Spring Break. A great activity to investigate different types of structures and also teach the students effective team work. Generally, we've been having lots of fun building towers and domes and breaking spaghetti. We are also teaching the grade 7 Exploratory students how to knit. The boys are so intent on learning and it's be fun watching students that usually catch on to ideas and skills quickly have to struggle with an activity that requires a high level of fine motor control. I'll post photos of our knitting sessions as soon as I get those photos.

I don't know about the rest of you, but it has seemed to me that this block has gone by quickly. I can't believe that we are starting the final two weeks! With Spring Break and Easter, the time has just slipped away. Good luck with the last two weeks!

-Barb

posting

Something I learned from a friend:

If you already have a google account, or a blog on this site, you can post as yourself. If you log in as Dan using the information he sent out, and go to the settings, there is a tab called "permissions." There, you can invite yourself to be able to post. For example, this message should say that it is posted by me, not the general blog name.

First Post

Hey everyone. How is your practicum? This is our classroom blog. Hope you like it.

Please feel free to contribute any stories, comments, or suggestions to the blog.

Dan and Ed.