Week 8 - Science Challenge

Kate - Phases of the Moon
Lizzy - Community Culture & Relationships
Kaylee - Weather

I think this is a great resource to get ideas from other teachers and what they are doing in their classroom. I also really like the idea of posting that on a class blog or wiki so the parents can see in more depth what we are doing in the classroom. I can't believe how many resources there are out there that I just had no idea about!!

Science Challenge

Week 7

My Standard and objective is 3rd Grade Science 1.1 Describe the appearance of Earth and the moon - c. List the differences in the physical appearance of Earth and the moon as viewed from space. I will use Google Earth and Sky for them to explore the appearance of the earth and moon and Kidsperation to have them chart the things they learn.

TPACK -
Content: Describing the differences in physical appearance between the Earth and the Moon
Pedagogy: Observing, describing, and classifying. Because the children cannot do hands on activities with the differences between the earth and the moon obviously they can't touch and feel the moon, but this way they can observe what the moon looks like and make and list distinctions between what they see and start inquiring as to why it is different.
Technology: Like I mentioned before since they cannot have a hands on activity with the appearance of the earth and moon, Google Earth and Sky will give them the best look at the subject matter.

PLE #6

Caroline - Cultures Around the World
Kaylee - Natural Disasters
Lizzy - Nature

I thought it was a really interesting idea, and one that I had never been exposed to. Like many of the other assignments it was a lot of work, but I'm sure the second time around wouldn't be nearly as bad. I really think it could be an extremely beneficial tool for the classroom!

My Virtual Tour

Here is my Virtual Tour on Clocks.

Google Earth Virtual Tour

Using the 2nd Grade Math Core 3:2e I will teach the children different types of clocks and how historically time was kept and allow them to tell time to the quarter hour and practice sequencing their day by time.

Location	Activity Description	Google Earth Content
1. Kanazawa, Japan (Digital Fountain Clock)	Based on the time the clock tells them the child must decide whether it is time for breakfast, lunch or dinner.	Picture of Kanazawa Station Fountain Clock
2. London, England (Big Ben Analog Clock)	Tell time by quarterly increments and at 15, 30, and 45 the children will do different physical activities.	Pictures of Big Ben at different times
3. Lexington, Kentucky (Foucault Ceiling Clock)	Draw a diagram of what they see in the picture and what time it is	Pictures and videos of how it works
4. Greece & Rome (ancient sundials)	Make your own sundial clock	Pictures and a how to video on making your own sundial

The google earth virtual tour is a really neat idea. I like the idea of rather than talking about an area and just showing them on a map where it is with pictures while talking about it. They can go from place to place, seeing where it is relatively to where they live. It also makes learning real because they are not only learning a concept, but they are also acting on it in an interesting way. My only concern is that it might be a little abstract for young children.