Believe There Is Good

by | Apr 16, 2013 | Reflect

Our hearts go out to Boston. To the kids who will look to us and ask why and how, we may not know the answers, but there is one thing we know for sure… our students ARE the good in this world.

Taking Thinking To A Higher Level

by | Apr 8, 2013 | Reflect

Kids explored wool’s absorbency.

Our classes are in the midst of planning for the NASA Reduced Gravity Flight coming up this summer.  When I announced I was accepted to this, I was over the moon. (Space pun totally intended!)  But, I didn’t realize just what it was going to mean for students. Kids are involved in REAL NASA science experiment every step of the way. They’re collaborating with other classrooms around the country. They’re planning. They’re problem solving. They’re creating procedures. This is THEIR project.

Student designed syringe holder for ZeroG.

Authentic learning is one of my passions. I believe we have to make experiences real. To get out of the textbook and into the world.   Our experiment involves testing different fabrics and their absorbency on Earth and then in flight in Zero Gravity.  Kids got the chance to explore with syringes, water, and fabric scraps. Simple materials.  They played, they experimented, they hypothesized, they started creating procedures.  Then, we had to think about how we’d carry this same experiment out on the Zero G plane, in an experiment glove box.  The kids were filled with ideas, thoughts, and ready to solve problems.  Engaged because learning was real.

Built our own Glove Box for testing.

I feel like this experience is taking thinking and learning to a whole new level for the students. In more ways than one.  I know not every lesson can end with a flight on NASA’s Zero G plane, but I truly believe that the more real we make every lesson, the better.

Even though our students can’t fly with us, we’re inviting them on the journey, via our blog: learninginzerog.blogspot.com. Your class can join us, too. 🙂 

 

Testing the syringes..and having fun. Because science IS fun!

Let’s Go Places

by | Apr 6, 2013 | Reflect

At the close of every school year, I celebrate one final night with my 6th grade students.  I love to leave them with something to think about. Something to inspire.  One year, I shared the Apple commercial “Think Different.” This year? I think it will be this.  I know, it’s a car commercial. I’m not trying to sell kids on cars, I’m trying to get kids to buy into the idea that they can go anywhere, be anything, do anything.  Just listen to the words.  When people ask the question “What’s education really about?”  I think this just might be the answer.   Imagine the voice over of this video, read by a student, over photos from your classroom throughout the year.   The truth is, inspiration is everywhere. Even in a car commerical.  🙂

Let’s go places.

Not just the ones you can find on a map.

But the ones you can find in your heart.

Let’s go beyond everything we know

and embrace everything we don’t

and once we’ve reached our destination,

let’s keep going.

Because inspiration doesn’t favor those who sit still.

It’s dances with the daring

and rewards the courageous with ideas that

excite, challenge, even inspire.

Ideas that take you places you never imagined.

Ideas big enough, and powerful enough,

to make the heart skip a beat,

and in some cases, maybe two.

-Toyota