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