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Science Teachers Chatboard

Using Cell Phones in the Science Classroom

by Quentin

Jun 6, 2012

I've seen some questions on here about technology in the classroom so I just wanted to share some of my current efforts in trying to utilize the kids' cell phones in our science labs. Why? Well - it's essentially free technology in the classroom. And yeah, not every kids has a phone, but you really just need one phone per group. I think most of us ...See More

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what should I order for bio and chem dept?

by Melanie Evans

Jun 7, 2012

I am teaching Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at a small rural high school. There is a beautiful lab but not a lot of reagents. What should I start ordering first?

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Praxis Middle school Science

by D'Andre Blouin

Jun 11, 2012

I am a social studies teacher and i am preparing to take the Science for Middle School Praxis exam. What study guides or tools have proved useful. I have obtained textbooks in Life Science, Physical science and earth science from my school. Besides reading each book, what can help me prepare for the exam? Thanks for the help.

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Praxis Middle school Science

by D'Andre Blouin

Jun 11, 2012

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Anybody use Common Core?

by sci-saxet

Jun 13, 2012

Is anyone in a state that uses the Common Core standards? I have looked at these standards, but it seems like it mainly relates to LA and Math. So are you basically teaching reading and math in your science class?

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thanks CC literacy, that was the best explanation that I have received. Thank you. No one else seems to know what is going on with common core.

On 6/15/12, CC Literacy Standards wrote: > 45 states are using the Common Core, or will be in 2 more > years. > > No, science and social studies teachers aren't basically > teaching readin...See More

Jul 17, 2012

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Cynthia Clark I believe the equivalent to Common Core for science will be NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). They are still being finalized but should be out soon. Over 35 states have been a partner in the devlopment, here is the link: [link removed]

Cynthi

Aug 5, 2012

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Science Notebook

by lori

Jun 20, 2012

lease share some of your science notebooking ideas. Do you have a hard time keeping the table of content up? Do you have a main table of content page and then a table of content page for each unit?

I used the notebook last year, but I want to up the student involvement for next year. Last year, we abandoned the left page/ rignt side idea....See More

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Bill T 6 nc On 6/30/12, AW wrote: > Thanks for coming up with the post. A couple questions first: > > Bill -- do you have any trouble with the papers falling out of > the journal using glue sticks?

****************************************************************** that is a problem occasionally, but not that much. The glue sticks seem to d...See MoreOn 6/30/12, AW wrote: > Thanks for coming up with the post. A couple questions first: > > Bill -- do you have any trouble with the papers falling out of > the journal using glue sticks?

****************************************************************** that is a problem occasionally, but not that much. The glue sticks seem to do a fairly good job at keeping papers in the notebooks

> > -- how do you help the absent student keep their journal > in chronological order? (Say for instance they have been out > three days. They come to class. Do you have them skip a > certain amount of pages or do they just continue where they > left off and then add the missing work on the day that they > come in to make-up the work? **************************************************************** I have students pick up where they left off. All assignments and activities are written on the wall chart I mentioned. Also, I tried to note whenever a student is out in their notebook. This is the one occasion when I am not concerned about chronological order. > > -- I do gradesheets too, but I don't have them glue it in > their journal. I am assuming since you do this that you have > not had a lot of lost gradesheets? (Maybe I will try this.) ****************************************************************> the problem isn't that common

> -- you mentioned that you check over their journal once a > week...How many students do you have? I think that I would be > going crazy with 150 journals to collect and then return the > next day. Do your students take their journals with them or > leave them in your room? *************************************************************** Last year I had 80 students. I don't grade all notebooks the same day, but look to stagger them over a few days. Students have the option of taking their notebooks with them, but most do not, choosing instead to leave them in the class box to be given out the next day > > Also....you provide your students with a progress report. Do > parents not have access to see the students grades on-line? If > they do, you still do this? > *************************************************************** The grading program we use does not, as of yet, permit parents to view student grades on line. That is supposed to happen in the future. >

My notebook system is a work in progress. LOL! Nothing works 100%, all of the time, particularly with 6th graders.

Jul 3, 2012

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5th grade science notebook ideas You asked, You mentioned about a messy student that may need to start a new journal mid-year. How many journals do you go through in a year?

In fifth grade, we generally use one 80 page wide ruled spiral per year. As I mentioned, there are a few (very few) students who need to start a new journal mid year. Those are the kids that are so me...See MoreYou asked, You mentioned about a messy student that may need to start a new journal mid-year. How many journals do you go through in a year?

In fifth grade, we generally use one 80 page wide ruled spiral per year. As I mentioned, there are a few (very few) students who need to start a new journal mid year. Those are the kids that are so messy, by mid year the cover is missing, the journal is falling apart....I give them the option of a fresh start. I don't see the harm in offering that option because their previous notebook was not an example of organization. It is usually not more than one or two per class that might exercise this option, and if they want to just start a new notebook, I often hand them a new spiral out of my closet. These are the few kids that need a teacher's helping hand to lift them up a bit! In fifth grade, some kids mature a lot over the course of the year! Anyway, I maintain strict guidelines, but there are always a few kids that need more support as they are struggling to mature in study skills. The whole point of the notebook in the first place is to offer the student the chance to develop and grow in the area of organization!

n 6/30/12, AW wrote: > Thanks for coming up with the post. A couple questions first: > > Bill -- do you have any trouble with the papers falling out of > the journal using glue sticks? > > -- how do you help the absent student keep their journal > in chronological order? (Say for instance they have been out > three days. They come to class. Do you have them skip a > certain amount of pages or do they just continue where they > left off and then add the missing work on the day that they > come in to make-up the work? > > -- I do gradesheets too, but I don't have them glue it in > their journal. I am assuming since you do this that you have > not had a lot of lost gradesheets? (Maybe I will try this.) > > -- you mentioned that you check over their journal once a > week...How many students do you have? I think that I would be > going crazy with 150 journals to collect and then return the > next day. Do your students take their journals with them or > leave them in your room? > > Also....you provide your students with a progress report. Do > parents not have access to see the students grades on-line? If > they do, you still do this? > > To 5th grade class > > -- I started the year by printing up a table of contents for > each student, then about mid-year started keeping a list on my > board so that it became a student responsibility. So this way > students had to complete the table of contents to get credit on > their gradesheet. I use a gradesheet to take grades from > papers, writing, sketches, etc. in the journal about every two > weeks. Some of the work is graded as a class; student > completion stamped work (which means that it is their > responsibility to make corrections when we go over it, but it > gets a stamp for completion); stamped sketches, returned graded > sheets that are put in the journal, etc. The student completes > the gradesheet (signed by parent) and turns it into me. This > way the parent is looking at the child's journal as well. > > -- The journal is also used to study for tests and can on > occasion be used to answer bonus questions for a test. (They > turn in the test and then use the journal to answer a bonus > question.) > > -- You mentioned about a messy student that may need to start > a new journal mid-year. How many journals do you go through in > a year? My students go through at least 2, some years 3. We > are all on the same page (using front and backs) I agree about > not spending hours grading journals. > > I keep my own journal so that if a student is absent they can > look at mine (on their own time).

Jul 25, 2012

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