Are there lessons you've taught or learned that were effective? Engaging? Total Failures? Are there certain teaching strategies that work for you as a teacher and/or a learner? Share them here so we can all learn the do's and don'ts of teaching.
I actually just finished a lesson dealing with student directed inquiry in the science setting. We (my 7th grade life science class) were talking about natural selection and what adaptations can help prey escape from their predators. After showing a short slide show on different adaptations such as coloration, size, speed, shape, etc. I allowed them to ask their own questions about natural selection.
Materials I provided: White and colored sheets of paper White and colored mini marshmallows White and colored sprinkles (medium size) White and colored sprinkles (small size) Flat sprinkles and 3-D sprinkles
Most of the students produced some type of experiment that dealt with coloration and blending in with their environemtn, some students did a size variation while blending in or not blending in with their environment, and one pair of girls came up with a very interesting experiment, size of prey when it is moving but still blending in with the environment. I was so excited to see them thinking outside the box. They tested their hypothesis by throwing a small sprinkle, a medium sprinkle and a mini marshmallow at the same time and recording which one the other students went for first.
Overall I felt this was a very valuable and fun hands-on project the students were able to have control over. I found that even my troubling, and sometimes difficult students were excited about having some say in what they were doing that day.
Are there any other suggestions you have for student guided inquiry lessons?
Relating science to what kids already know and like helps engage students. For example, in my last placement, teaching invertebrates, I wanted the kids to understand that invertebrates can positively or negatively affect people in variety of ways. So as an opener on round worms and later arthropods, I showed a quick video news release from YouTube (a popular site for video clips, the kids know it and can relate to it). The roundworm clip was on the guinea worm issues in Africa. It showed them pulling the worm out of a man's leg (not very pretty). Of course this was an example of a negative impact on humans. The video clip I used for arthropods was the medical use of maggots for therapy. The maggots eat the dead tissues from wounds and they showed it. Of course, it was also very disgusting but the kids thought it was great (high school kids eat that kind of stuff up!) and really got the kids talking about invertebrates and in this case, the positive uses for invertebrates. I used this strategy to captivate the kids and they were able to focus on the lesson for the day!
So something that I found was effective in my class was using scare tactics in my tobacco unit. I showed a nasty youtube video that showed gross pictures of the effects of smoking. Students reactions were amazing (jaw dropping, wincing, closing eyes, ect). I know that we have been told by some that we should stay away from scare tactics, but hey it worked in this situation.
I actually just finished a lesson dealing with student directed inquiry in the science setting. We (my 7th grade life science class) were talking about natural selection and what adaptations can help prey escape from their predators. After showing a short slide show on different adaptations such as coloration, size, speed, shape, etc. I allowed them to ask their own questions about natural selection.
ReplyDeleteMaterials I provided:
White and colored sheets of paper
White and colored mini marshmallows
White and colored sprinkles (medium size)
White and colored sprinkles (small size)
Flat sprinkles and 3-D sprinkles
Most of the students produced some type of experiment that dealt with coloration and blending in with their environemtn, some students did a size variation while blending in or not blending in with their environment, and one pair of girls came up with a very interesting experiment, size of prey when it is moving but still blending in with the environment. I was so excited to see them thinking outside the box. They tested their hypothesis by throwing a small sprinkle, a medium sprinkle and a mini marshmallow at the same time and recording which one the other students went for first.
Overall I felt this was a very valuable and fun hands-on project the students were able to have control over. I found that even my troubling, and sometimes difficult students were excited about having some say in what they were doing that day.
Are there any other suggestions you have for student guided inquiry lessons?
Relating science to what kids already know and like helps engage students. For example, in my last placement, teaching invertebrates, I wanted the kids to understand that invertebrates can positively or negatively affect people in variety of ways. So as an opener on round worms and later arthropods, I showed a quick video news release from YouTube (a popular site for video clips, the kids know it and can relate to it). The roundworm clip was on the guinea worm issues in Africa. It showed them pulling the worm out of a man's leg (not very pretty). Of course this was an example of a negative impact on humans. The video clip I used for arthropods was the medical use of maggots for therapy. The maggots eat the dead tissues from wounds and they showed it. Of course, it was also very disgusting but the kids thought it was great (high school kids eat that kind of stuff up!) and really got the kids talking about invertebrates and in this case, the positive uses for invertebrates. I used this strategy to captivate the kids and they were able to focus on the lesson for the day!
ReplyDeleteSo something that I found was effective in my class was using scare tactics in my tobacco unit. I showed a nasty youtube video that showed gross pictures of the effects of smoking. Students reactions were amazing (jaw dropping, wincing, closing eyes, ect). I know that we have been told by some that we should stay away from scare tactics, but hey it worked in this situation.
ReplyDelete