Tag: Science

Gamifying My Classes

I’m taking the leap and am going to try it out. I finished reading The Multiplayer Classroom by Lee Sheldon and I was able to start mapping out how I can gamify my classes. After two and half years of teaching completely gradeless I have found that I still haven’t managed to engage all my …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/07/16/gamifying-my-classes/

When is Extrinsic Motivation Okay?

I’ve been looking into gamification and how it can help motivate students to have fun and learn Science. I would love to make certain lessons, projects, or activities look like a game to motivate students to learn boring things like vocabulary. I’d like to do that without points, badges or too many rewards. I’ve abolished …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/06/18/when-is-extrinsic-motivation-okay/

The End of a Great Streak

I wrote two grant proposals this year and did NOT get either of them. With that came an end to an incredible 13 year streak of getting at least one grant per year. I have been very fortunate. But with failing and broken equipment and the threat of losing the 1:1 environment that I have …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/04/01/the-end-of-a-great-streak/

Grades and Feedback

Just a couple of years ago this is what my progress reports looked like. This is what I would give students every three to four weeks for the whole school year. This was what I thought would motivate my students. A majority of them were never motivated by this. And those who got “good” grades? …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/03/27/grades-and-feedback/

Learning About Cells

This year my Science PLC is focusing on using learning progressions. We’ve worked for years on eliciting evidence so we moved on to a new focus, namely sharing learning expectations. [Disclaimer: I’ve read some bloggers who raise some great points about sharing learning expectations and using rubrics with our students so I’d like to note …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/01/02/learning-about-cells/

Reading Strategies in Science

Should I take time to teach my students in Science reading strategies to help them with our Science readings or should Language Arts teachers use Science readings as they teach kids to read? I’m all for integration. My national board certification is in early adolescent generalist (which, btw, doesn’t even exist anymore!) so integration was …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2011/10/31/reading-strategies-in-science/

iPad Friendly Sites

When my Science students blog using an iPad, ClassBlogMeister accommodates them by offering two choices for typing. One choice allows the author to format their text with word processing menus like the image below. The problem is that iPads, mobile devices, cannot type in those graphical text boxes. It sucks! But all is not lost …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2011/10/05/ipad-friendly-sites/

I’m bored. So what?

I think about things like keeping students engaged. I wonder about helping students stay on task and having in class socializing focused on the content we are learning. I wonder about asking 28 individuals to conform so that we can get along and learn in a small space. I try to be open to new …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2011/10/03/im-bored-so-what/

How Much Socializing Can You Put Up With?

I’m just curious and want to see where different educators are at. Please make a choice whether you are a classroom teacher, a principal, superintendent, specialist, librarian or any support role. (As of 10/2/2011 I have stopped accepting votes to this survey. Scroll down to see the results of the survey.) As of 8/6/11 at …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2011/08/03/how-much-socializing-can-you-put-up-with/

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2011/03/09/giving-feedback/

Load more