Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week 1 Reflection
After a long and eventful summer I was extremely excited to be returning to Grafton High once again. This year I will be working with Mr. Taylor, who teaches biology, and I couldn't be happier. The first couple of days at the school were spent arranging our room and preparing for the students. Mr. Taylor and I will be teaching two advanced biology and four conceptual biology courses this semester. Last year he had all advanced courses so the conceptual course will be new to both of us. One task we took on during these first couple of days was to create the curriculum map for the course. Being able to work on the map with him was a valuable experience for me. I learned how to go through the course text and organize it into a logical progression for a class.
On Tuesday we also had the faculty meeting. The meeting consisted of electing the faculty senate, the principals addressing the faculty, and discussion of new policies and important topics. We also had to meet with the staff in the special education department and collect all of the IEP's for students in our classes. I had never actually seen the IEP's or any of the forms used so I was happy to finally be introduced to the process.
Wednesday the students reported for their first day of school. Having been placed in a 9th grade classroom last year I quickly recognized many of my former students as they did me. It was great to see their reactions. Some came in and said, "Oh yea! Mr. Wasserman is back." while other sarcastically stated, "Oh no, not you again." Either way I was very happy to see them all again. The first day started and ended with homeroom where we gave all of the students the forms that they needed to have signed and discussed students policies with them. Our biology classes proceeded in much the same way. We talked with the students about the structure of the course and our expectations of them.
Thursday I was absent but I do know that Mr. Taylor passed out their books and had them read a chapter. Friday he began lecturing. I have learned that he mainly lectures the class. We have discussed this and I told him that I like to be more activity based. He seems to have no problem with it and is very open to anything that I want to do in the class.
Based on this first week I think that it is going to be a great semester and I can't wait to get more involved in the class.
On Tuesday we also had the faculty meeting. The meeting consisted of electing the faculty senate, the principals addressing the faculty, and discussion of new policies and important topics. We also had to meet with the staff in the special education department and collect all of the IEP's for students in our classes. I had never actually seen the IEP's or any of the forms used so I was happy to finally be introduced to the process.
Wednesday the students reported for their first day of school. Having been placed in a 9th grade classroom last year I quickly recognized many of my former students as they did me. It was great to see their reactions. Some came in and said, "Oh yea! Mr. Wasserman is back." while other sarcastically stated, "Oh no, not you again." Either way I was very happy to see them all again. The first day started and ended with homeroom where we gave all of the students the forms that they needed to have signed and discussed students policies with them. Our biology classes proceeded in much the same way. We talked with the students about the structure of the course and our expectations of them.
Thursday I was absent but I do know that Mr. Taylor passed out their books and had them read a chapter. Friday he began lecturing. I have learned that he mainly lectures the class. We have discussed this and I told him that I like to be more activity based. He seems to have no problem with it and is very open to anything that I want to do in the class.
Based on this first week I think that it is going to be a great semester and I can't wait to get more involved in the class.
Week 2 Reflection
This past week my role was still more of an observer but Mr. Taylor gave me opportunities to get more involved. Mr. Taylor spent much of the week lecturing the classes. While he did most of the talking, every once in a while I would add a comment to the conversation. Some teachers are not so willing to allow someone to comment but he encouraged me to do so. I appreciate his support because it helps me feel comfortable in the class and as if I have a role even when I am not leading the class. We have discussed trying more collaborative teaching this semester and I think that we are taking a step towards a more collaborative classroom.
This week also presented many challenges. The first challenge we were faced with resulted from interruptions from the previous week, such as the extended fire drill and assemblies. Due to these events our classes all ended up being at different points in the unit. It became difficult to remember which class was where and we determined that by looking at where the students were in their notes. Then Mr. Taylor had to try and catch up the classes that were behind so that we could give them the test at the same time.
The next challenge we ran in to was with collecting homework. We had assigned all of the classes homework during the Thursday of the first week of classes and told them it was due Tuesday of this past week figuring that was plenty of time. The students in the advanced courses for the most part handed their assignments in on time. The conceptual classes were another story. We had some classes where less than half of the students turned it in. Mr. Taylor decided that since it was the first assignment we would give them more time but come Friday some of the students still had not completed it. I tried to sit down with some of those students at the beginning of class to help them finish but could not get to everyone. I'm not sure what we can do to get them to quit procrastinating but that is something I plan to discuss with Mr. Taylor this coming week.
Finally, we encountered some behavioral issues. The final two classes of the day are proving to be the hardest to maintain. There were a couple of incidents that really tested me. Twice this week I had students pull the emergency shower in the room. Both times I caught the students right away so the showers were not on very long. I was very upset with one of the students who had done this because for three straight days he touched the handle and I asked him not to and then finally he pulled the handle one day. I hope that this doesn't happen again but I think that these classes might really help my classroom management skills.
This week also presented many challenges. The first challenge we were faced with resulted from interruptions from the previous week, such as the extended fire drill and assemblies. Due to these events our classes all ended up being at different points in the unit. It became difficult to remember which class was where and we determined that by looking at where the students were in their notes. Then Mr. Taylor had to try and catch up the classes that were behind so that we could give them the test at the same time.
The next challenge we ran in to was with collecting homework. We had assigned all of the classes homework during the Thursday of the first week of classes and told them it was due Tuesday of this past week figuring that was plenty of time. The students in the advanced courses for the most part handed their assignments in on time. The conceptual classes were another story. We had some classes where less than half of the students turned it in. Mr. Taylor decided that since it was the first assignment we would give them more time but come Friday some of the students still had not completed it. I tried to sit down with some of those students at the beginning of class to help them finish but could not get to everyone. I'm not sure what we can do to get them to quit procrastinating but that is something I plan to discuss with Mr. Taylor this coming week.
Finally, we encountered some behavioral issues. The final two classes of the day are proving to be the hardest to maintain. There were a couple of incidents that really tested me. Twice this week I had students pull the emergency shower in the room. Both times I caught the students right away so the showers were not on very long. I was very upset with one of the students who had done this because for three straight days he touched the handle and I asked him not to and then finally he pulled the handle one day. I hope that this doesn't happen again but I think that these classes might really help my classroom management skills.
Week 3 Reflection
The third week of school was a very short week for me. Monday was a holiday, so there was no school and I had a doctors appointment on Friday so I had to be absent. However, this was the first week where I was responsible for some of the classes. I have taken over the conceptual biology courses and will now be teaching those four classes. Mr. Taylor will continue to teach the two advanced courses for the time being but I will eventually take those over as well.
The first day we had a review for their chapter test. This was a nice way to ease me in to teaching the class. The next day the students took their test so I just had to walk around and watch them. Once all of the students were done I ran downstairs and graded their scantrons so that I could let them know their grades before the period was over.
Thursday was my real first day of teaching. I taught the class some basic organic chemistry. I decided to try and use a power point for this lesson. I think that it went well because all of the students seemed very attentive and were taking good notes. I like the power points because my handwriting can be sloppy and so I believe the slides are easier to read.
Overall I think that this week went well and Mr. Taylor really helped to make the process of transitioning to me teaching very easy.
The first day we had a review for their chapter test. This was a nice way to ease me in to teaching the class. The next day the students took their test so I just had to walk around and watch them. Once all of the students were done I ran downstairs and graded their scantrons so that I could let them know their grades before the period was over.
Thursday was my real first day of teaching. I taught the class some basic organic chemistry. I decided to try and use a power point for this lesson. I think that it went well because all of the students seemed very attentive and were taking good notes. I like the power points because my handwriting can be sloppy and so I believe the slides are easier to read.
Overall I think that this week went well and Mr. Taylor really helped to make the process of transitioning to me teaching very easy.
Week 4 Reflection
This weeks post will be very different from my other posts. I am not going to talk about the successes and/or failures of my lessons.I am not going to reflect on practices or theories that I have learned in lectures. None of these things seem to matter this week. Nothing I have learned in a seminar or from my professors, advisers, and mentors could have prepared me for the events that have passed.
Monday morning I drove by myself to Grafton because I had plans after school. I left early because I was not completely prepared for the day and wanted some extra time to get ready. The whole ride all I can think about is that I am not going to be ready for my classes. I'm stressed to the point where I can't even hear the radio. But then, right as I am driving in to Grafton, I heard it. "An accident in Taylor County last night has killed two people and severely injured several others." I say in my head,"I hope it isn't someone from the school."
I parked and walked up to the door where there was a sign posted, "Mandatory Staff Meeting, 7:45" and I knew. I walked up to the lounge and got my computer out in an attempt to get my work finished. I sat alone for a while but got very little done because of the thoughts racing through my head. Slowly more teachers trickle in and the search for answers begins. "What happened?""Who is it?" The first few teachers knew very little, only that it was students. Finally, a teacher came in with the names of students she heard were involved. Everyone in the room was silent as she spoke. She starts with the students she heard were dead on the scene and then those that are in the hospital. The last name she mentions is of a boy that I have in my class. Someone asks here to repeat and as she does I catch something. A name that sounds familiar. The teacher was saying the last name wrong and I realize that one of the girls that had died on the scene was in my class.
We all walked down to the meeting and waited to hear what we already knew but wished wasn't true. I looked around the room and could feel the pain. Whether they were crying or not you could see the sorrow in the faces around the room. We left only to be greeted by the sobs of students who have lost their classmates. Their friends. Their Family.
I got back to my room where I met up with Mr. Taylor and we began to discuss the plan. He told me we must go on as normal. But how? Nothing about that day was normal. Then our first class began and I did what he said. I went on with my lesson as I had planned. The first class went by silently.
The start of my second class was when it really hit me. I watched the students came in and my eye caught a girl who was visibly distraught. She walked up to me and said, "Is it ok if I cry?" My heart hit the floor. I told her to do whatever she needed to. Afterward, I asked Mr. Taylor what to do and he decided to send her to the counselor.
The week went by and we tried our best to keep a sense of normalcy. We try to joke with the students. Play games with them. Play sports. Anything to keep them going and keep their spirits high.
Just as things seemed to be getting better the week ended with one of the hardest days. The school held a memorial assembly that made the toughest of tough break down. Later that day was the viewings for our fallen students.
These events, though terrible and tragic, have taught me more lessons than all of my years of study. I have seen what it truly means to be a teacher. We are a rock. We are that solid foundation that supports our students and community. We care for our students as if they were our family and that is why these events hurt us so much. We work so hard so that we can watch them succeed and it pains us when they fail. It hurts even more so when we see bright futures ended so suddenly as they did this week.
Now I know what I want to be. I know what I am. I am a teacher. I never felt it fully until this week but now I know that this is what I am meant to do. I want to be there for my students through the good and the bad. I want to see my students succeed and safely travel through life. I am a teacher.
Monday morning I drove by myself to Grafton because I had plans after school. I left early because I was not completely prepared for the day and wanted some extra time to get ready. The whole ride all I can think about is that I am not going to be ready for my classes. I'm stressed to the point where I can't even hear the radio. But then, right as I am driving in to Grafton, I heard it. "An accident in Taylor County last night has killed two people and severely injured several others." I say in my head,"I hope it isn't someone from the school."
I parked and walked up to the door where there was a sign posted, "Mandatory Staff Meeting, 7:45" and I knew. I walked up to the lounge and got my computer out in an attempt to get my work finished. I sat alone for a while but got very little done because of the thoughts racing through my head. Slowly more teachers trickle in and the search for answers begins. "What happened?""Who is it?" The first few teachers knew very little, only that it was students. Finally, a teacher came in with the names of students she heard were involved. Everyone in the room was silent as she spoke. She starts with the students she heard were dead on the scene and then those that are in the hospital. The last name she mentions is of a boy that I have in my class. Someone asks here to repeat and as she does I catch something. A name that sounds familiar. The teacher was saying the last name wrong and I realize that one of the girls that had died on the scene was in my class.
We all walked down to the meeting and waited to hear what we already knew but wished wasn't true. I looked around the room and could feel the pain. Whether they were crying or not you could see the sorrow in the faces around the room. We left only to be greeted by the sobs of students who have lost their classmates. Their friends. Their Family.
I got back to my room where I met up with Mr. Taylor and we began to discuss the plan. He told me we must go on as normal. But how? Nothing about that day was normal. Then our first class began and I did what he said. I went on with my lesson as I had planned. The first class went by silently.
The start of my second class was when it really hit me. I watched the students came in and my eye caught a girl who was visibly distraught. She walked up to me and said, "Is it ok if I cry?" My heart hit the floor. I told her to do whatever she needed to. Afterward, I asked Mr. Taylor what to do and he decided to send her to the counselor.
The week went by and we tried our best to keep a sense of normalcy. We try to joke with the students. Play games with them. Play sports. Anything to keep them going and keep their spirits high.
Just as things seemed to be getting better the week ended with one of the hardest days. The school held a memorial assembly that made the toughest of tough break down. Later that day was the viewings for our fallen students.
These events, though terrible and tragic, have taught me more lessons than all of my years of study. I have seen what it truly means to be a teacher. We are a rock. We are that solid foundation that supports our students and community. We care for our students as if they were our family and that is why these events hurt us so much. We work so hard so that we can watch them succeed and it pains us when they fail. It hurts even more so when we see bright futures ended so suddenly as they did this week.
Now I know what I want to be. I know what I am. I am a teacher. I never felt it fully until this week but now I know that this is what I am meant to do. I want to be there for my students through the good and the bad. I want to see my students succeed and safely travel through life. I am a teacher.
Week 5 Reflection
What I would like to reflect on from this past week is the working relationship that Mr. Taylor and myself have developed. We have all heard a lot lately about planning collaborative lessons with our mentor teachers. Mr. Taylor and I seem to natural incorporate a collaborative model in to our classes.
It starts from the time when we plan our lessons. Every Thursday we sit down together and plan the lessons for the next week. Right now I am teaching four of the classes and he is teaching the other two. This does not mean that I am solely responsible for my four classes or he for his two. We work together to decide what to do in each class.
This also applies to the way that we teach the classes. Most of the time I lead my classes and he leads his. However, we regularly ask one another to teach a part of the class. I may have a demonstration that he likes or he might have another way of explaining something. For example, one day I made a powerpoint for my classes and Mr. Taylor really liked the visuals so he had me go through them with his two classes.
I think that this type of collaborative model works really well. It allows the students to use both of us as resources. I think that this also benefits the students because the two of us may approach the same topic differently and different students may respond better to one of our styles. I remember hearing that planning collaborative lessons was hard, and while our model may not be perfect, it seems to come easily.
It starts from the time when we plan our lessons. Every Thursday we sit down together and plan the lessons for the next week. Right now I am teaching four of the classes and he is teaching the other two. This does not mean that I am solely responsible for my four classes or he for his two. We work together to decide what to do in each class.
This also applies to the way that we teach the classes. Most of the time I lead my classes and he leads his. However, we regularly ask one another to teach a part of the class. I may have a demonstration that he likes or he might have another way of explaining something. For example, one day I made a powerpoint for my classes and Mr. Taylor really liked the visuals so he had me go through them with his two classes.
I think that this type of collaborative model works really well. It allows the students to use both of us as resources. I think that this also benefits the students because the two of us may approach the same topic differently and different students may respond better to one of our styles. I remember hearing that planning collaborative lessons was hard, and while our model may not be perfect, it seems to come easily.
Week 6 Reflection
This week I tried to implement some different techniques in the classroom. Recently I have gotten used to teaching the class as more of a lecture but this week I decided to incorporate some more activity based lessons. I was very happy with how the students responded to the activities. Over the course of the week I ran a demonstration of osmosis using an egg. The students interacted very well with me and it seemed liked the visual and hands on demonstration got through to them. I also tried to empower the students by having them teach each other. One day I placed them in groups and assigned each group an organelle. They had to then research their assigned organelle and create a poster. They presented their posters to each other thereby teaching everyone about all of the parts of the cell. I liked this because rather than me standing up front and telling them about the organelles they all worked together to learn about them. Again I think the activity and interaction in the class worked well with my students.
Week 7 Reflection
This week was very busy at it was homecoming week. Monday we had an ISE day. This was the first ISE day that I have attended and so it was a new experience to me. This week was also very special for me because I was able to bring in a special piece of equipment. I borrowed the starlab, a portable planetarium, from the NASA facility in Fairmont. I tried to make this available to other classes so this week I worked outside of my class for two days. Wednesday, I worked Mr. Skidmore's classes, Thursday with Mrs. Robinson's classes, and on Friday my classes came down to view the starlab. I think that all of the students enjoyed the experience. Hopefully they appreciated the opportunity to get out of the classroom and have a unique school experience.
Week 8 Reflection
This week I want to reflect on an interesting situation I ran in to when trying to develop a lesson. The topic this week was cellular respiration and fermentation so I went online to come up with some ideas for lessons. As I went through the lesson plans on the internet I came upon a couple in which the teacher had students make their own root beer using the fermentation of yeast. I thought this was a great idea and I quickly ran out to pick up the materials needed. The next day I ran the idea past Mr. Taylor. At first we decided it would be fun to do but once we thought about it for a while we remembered that there would be alcohol produced. Now, the amount of alcohol that would have been produced would have been insignificant. You would have to drink a few gallons of the stuff before you would feel anything at all. Eventually we decided not to go through with the lesson. Not because the alcohol would have had an effect on the students but rather because of behavior of the students. All that we would have needed to happen was have a students tell the rest of the school or their parents that their teachers gave them alcohol. Again, there would have been an insignificant amount in the drink but that didn't matter. Looking back now I think that we made the right decision and avoided a lot of possible problems by doing so.
Week 9 Reflection
This was an exciting week for me because I was able to implement some of the projects that I have been working on for some time now. The first was my action research project. I brought in two hydroponics systems and had the students begin setting up their experiment. The students seemed excited and all worked very hard. Although there were only two systems, all of the students found something to work on, and worked together extremely well.
I was also able to use the SPARK interactive probeware systems. I worked with Dr. Carver over the summer to develop and give a workshop on these systems but had never used them in a classroom situation. I was anxious to see how well they worked and how the students responded. It appeared to be successful in that the students all seemed to be very engaged. The problem was that I was only able to get my hands on four systems, so there were 5 or 6 student per unit. Each unit is small and the students all had trouble viewing the screen at the same time. Considering these limitations I still think that the lesson was a success.
I was also able to use the SPARK interactive probeware systems. I worked with Dr. Carver over the summer to develop and give a workshop on these systems but had never used them in a classroom situation. I was anxious to see how well they worked and how the students responded. It appeared to be successful in that the students all seemed to be very engaged. The problem was that I was only able to get my hands on four systems, so there were 5 or 6 student per unit. Each unit is small and the students all had trouble viewing the screen at the same time. Considering these limitations I still think that the lesson was a success.
Week 10 Reflection
This past week was a lot of fun. Due to the success that we had in the advanced class with the probeware the previous week, Mr. Taylor and I decided to use them with the conceptual classes. I think that the conceptual classes may have even done better with it than the advanced class had. They seem to do well when they are given hands on tasks to complete. I was nervous because I wasn't sure that I could trust them with such expensive equipment, especially with some of the recent behavior we had, but they were all very responsible. I was very pleased with how it went and I think the students enjoyed it.
I ended the week by chaparoning a field trip to WVU. Mr. Skidmore took a group of students to Morgantown to participate in the annual pumpkin drop competition and asked me to tag along. I had fun but ran in to some challenges. The students get very excited about going to a college and want to know about college life. I had to deflect a lot of questions about my personal life and had to keep a close eye on their behavior. Overall, we didn't have any problems, other than the fact that none of the pumpkins survived the fall.
I ended the week by chaparoning a field trip to WVU. Mr. Skidmore took a group of students to Morgantown to participate in the annual pumpkin drop competition and asked me to tag along. I had fun but ran in to some challenges. The students get very excited about going to a college and want to know about college life. I had to deflect a lot of questions about my personal life and had to keep a close eye on their behavior. Overall, we didn't have any problems, other than the fact that none of the pumpkins survived the fall.
Week 11 Reflection
This week I had a tough situation to deal with. Wednsesday Mr. Taylor and I prepared a microscope lab for the students. The lab consisted of students looking at onion cells and identifying the different stages of mitosis. I was very excited and I thought the students would be too. It got even better when Mr. Taylor showed me that he had a video microscope so we could project the image on to a television.
The first couple of classes went really well but 7th period was when things got a little rough. Mr. Taylor was called down for an IEP meeting which neither of us knew about until just before the class. That meant that Mrs. Mitchell and he would both be out of the class and I would have two subs. This class is already a handful, even when the two of them are there and without them its worse. It would be one thing if I was just giving them notes or seat work but that day was a lab and they were using expensive equipment.
Students kept asking me to come and look at their microscopes and help them find what they needed. Due to the fact that I was the only one in the room with the content knowledge I had to be the one to help. While my eyes were on the microscope I could not watch the class. I figured the subs would try to keep things under control but that did not happen. At the end of the class I walked back to find that someone had turned on the video microscope and at first I thought it was broken. Luckily, when Mr. Taylor returned he was able to fix the problem.
I really tried my best with that class but I think it is just one of those classes that needs a couple of people watching so it was hard for me to do alone.
The first couple of classes went really well but 7th period was when things got a little rough. Mr. Taylor was called down for an IEP meeting which neither of us knew about until just before the class. That meant that Mrs. Mitchell and he would both be out of the class and I would have two subs. This class is already a handful, even when the two of them are there and without them its worse. It would be one thing if I was just giving them notes or seat work but that day was a lab and they were using expensive equipment.
Students kept asking me to come and look at their microscopes and help them find what they needed. Due to the fact that I was the only one in the room with the content knowledge I had to be the one to help. While my eyes were on the microscope I could not watch the class. I figured the subs would try to keep things under control but that did not happen. At the end of the class I walked back to find that someone had turned on the video microscope and at first I thought it was broken. Luckily, when Mr. Taylor returned he was able to fix the problem.
I really tried my best with that class but I think it is just one of those classes that needs a couple of people watching so it was hard for me to do alone.
Week 12 Reflection
This week I attempted to change up my normal practices when it comes to preparing the students for their upcoming test. I gave them a review sheet, as I normally do, but instead of spending a class period going over the correct answers to the review I decided to play a review game. In the past I have used review games on power point, usually jeopardy, and this time I decided to try a new one, the "Password" game.
I thought my students would have fun with it, and some did. My first class of the day did really well with it so I thought that it was going to be a smooth day. The rest of the classes however did not respond so well. It was difficult to get them involved and it was hard to keep their attention. It seemed to me that they were not as comfortable with the material as they needed to be in order to participate in the game and give useful clues. It may have also been that some of the students do not like change. This was really one of the first lessons where I sat back and was disappointed with the outcome but I guess that happens sometimes. I just have to use this as a learning experience and adjust for the future.
I thought my students would have fun with it, and some did. My first class of the day did really well with it so I thought that it was going to be a smooth day. The rest of the classes however did not respond so well. It was difficult to get them involved and it was hard to keep their attention. It seemed to me that they were not as comfortable with the material as they needed to be in order to participate in the game and give useful clues. It may have also been that some of the students do not like change. This was really one of the first lessons where I sat back and was disappointed with the outcome but I guess that happens sometimes. I just have to use this as a learning experience and adjust for the future.
Week 13 Reflection
This week was very stressful for me because I had a lot on my plate. First, is that I have taken over all of the classes so I have to do more planning and teaching. I really enjoy teaching the advanced classes but this is my first experience planning for two different courses. It can just be confusing trying to keep everything in line.
I also had a lot to grade this week. The most important thing I had to grade was student lab reports. It was the first time that I had to grade substantial papers from students and it was interesting to see their writing. I think that they struggled because it was their first time writing a scientific paper but I believe it was a good introduction for them and I hope it prepares them for future work.
Finally, I had to prepare for a presentation that I was giving at the WVSTA conference. I had been asked to present my work with hydroponics in the classroom and so I was busy trying to put the final touches on my presentation. It was an honor to present and it was a great experience. I learned a lot and it was nice to interact with in-service teachers. It was the first time I really saw how there is a community of educators including teachers and professionals from all over.
I also had a lot to grade this week. The most important thing I had to grade was student lab reports. It was the first time that I had to grade substantial papers from students and it was interesting to see their writing. I think that they struggled because it was their first time writing a scientific paper but I believe it was a good introduction for them and I hope it prepares them for future work.
Finally, I had to prepare for a presentation that I was giving at the WVSTA conference. I had been asked to present my work with hydroponics in the classroom and so I was busy trying to put the final touches on my presentation. It was an honor to present and it was a great experience. I learned a lot and it was nice to interact with in-service teachers. It was the first time I really saw how there is a community of educators including teachers and professionals from all over.
Week 14 Reflection
This being my second to last week at school I was trying to wrap things up while still maintaining continuity in the class. Over the thanksgiving break I attended a conference and I was fortunate to come away from that with some classroom materials. In a play money auction I won three classroom lab kits and amazingly they fit right in with the unit that I was moving in to this past week. The topic of this new unit was DNA and so I started with a kit of DNA models. I would normally have the students build DNA models out of some random materials or food but it was really nice to have this kit because it was organized and much easier for the students to work with. I was very happy with how the lesson from the kit went and I think that the students really enjoyed having a hands on experience once again. I hope to next week use another one of the kits that I obtained.
Week 15 Reflection
Even though this was the last week I still continued to teach. I want to reflect on one day this week though. I wanted to try out another kit this week and this time it was a DNA extraction lab. I read over the instructions and went through the materials to try and prepare myself during the days leading up. Unfortunately, there was only enough materials to do this lab one day and so I could not test it out before hand. That meant that I had to go in to this day without knowing for sure if the lab would be successful.
That morning was very hectic, trying to get everything prepared. I had to prepare an onion extract before all of my classes and scrambled to do so because some things did not go as planned. For example, the hotplate I had would not get as hot as I needed it so I had to run around to find another one.
Eventually, I got everything prepared and ran through the lab with my first period class. Ultimately, it did not work very well but we kept trying. The next class we tried again and once again it did not work. Based on previous experiences this year and lessons that I have learned I prepared for this and had a back up plan. I had some practice worksheets for the students to complete so while we weren't able to complete the experiment, the day was not a complete waste.
That morning was very hectic, trying to get everything prepared. I had to prepare an onion extract before all of my classes and scrambled to do so because some things did not go as planned. For example, the hotplate I had would not get as hot as I needed it so I had to run around to find another one.
Eventually, I got everything prepared and ran through the lab with my first period class. Ultimately, it did not work very well but we kept trying. The next class we tried again and once again it did not work. Based on previous experiences this year and lessons that I have learned I prepared for this and had a back up plan. I had some practice worksheets for the students to complete so while we weren't able to complete the experiment, the day was not a complete waste.
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