Monday, December 28, 2015

Start the New Year with Statistics, Probability, Line of Best Fit, & More.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/8th-Grade-Statistics-Probability-Lesson-Integrated-with-Class-Management-8SP-1964393

 

ALL IN ONE

Statistics, Probability, Classroom Management, Scatter Plots, Student Engagement, & Graphing!


The first year I taught scatter plots, statistics, and probability, I kept wondering how I could engage my students fully into the lesson and assist them in getting back into the routine of school after long holiday breaks.  After much thought, I came up with my 'Time to Get Ready' Lesson for all four of my classes.  I was nervous and unsure how the students would respond to the lesson, yet, at the end of that school year, this was one of my favorite project lessons the students accomplished that year.
 
This lesson brings together Cooperative Learning, Team Building, Statistics, Probability, Scatter Plots, Classroom Management, and Student Engagement! Although this lesson is geared towards middle school students, it may be used for upper elementary and high school students also. It's a perfect lesson to start any time of year, especially in December and through January or even during the months surrounding Spring Break.

This lesson incorporates students collecting data over 2 months every morning prior to our unit lessons. After the 2 month time frame, we spent 3 full class days completing this lesson. When we finished collecting data, we started our unit on Scatter Plots, Statistics and Probability.

All of my students were more engaged in this lesson since it directly related to them and the data we took as a class over several months. It not only became an effective classroom strategy, but also, a great lesson for my students!

Click to learn more about this wonderful 'Time to Get Ready' Statistics & Probability Lesson.



Best Wishes, Ms Moore

Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
TpT Store ~ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Moore-Resources 
Pinterest ~ https://www.pinterest.com/mooreeducresour/
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources.  All Rights Reserved. You may share, pin, like, repin & share, just not copy.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part III


The Scientific Method & It's  Applications Part III: Conclusion & Publish

In this 3 part series of weekly blogs I have been discussing how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects including life.  Today, I'm finishing the series in the Scientific Method - Conclusion & Publish.  You may wonder why I added 'Publish' since it's not on the typical 'Scientific Method' charts we've used for years, yet, it is a very important part of the whole process.  Science fair projects, written work, artwork, science journals, and more are published with the whole process outlined.  It is very important to publish the work that you did and executed.  Below read why I state Conclusion & Publish are the final steps in the Scientific Method and how it relates to all subjects.

5. Conclusion
Fifth, students reflect and analyze their research, data, and experimenting of their hypothesis to draw their own conclusion.  This is when students reflect on steps 1-4 of the Scientific Method and review any research, notes, or data.  Below are possible conclusions from the various subjects I've discussed in the last two weeks posts.
Science:  I do believe a potato can power a clock.  During my 3 experiments the potato demonstrated current but was not enough to power the clock.  Through research, I determined this is possible for a potato to power a clock, however, I would like to investigate this further and complete a few more experiments.
Reading:  The Author's Purpose in the book I read, is to encourage me and others to read more.  I determined this by taking a poll of my class reading the book, investigating several passages, and investigating the author.
Writing:  I conclude my lunch menu is better than the one in the cafeteria.  I've listed what should be on our lunch menu, along with the data from my polls and from my taste tests which support my conclusion.
Math:  I conclude 1/4 of a whole may be represented as a ratio, a fraction, a decimal, a percent, and with visuals. 
Art:  I can complete a painting similar to the Impressionism style of Monet.  My painting is similar but bolder than Monet's style with larger brush strokes and not the exactly the same.  I will continue to try to paint more paintings similar to Monet as I refine my skills.
Social Studies/History:  My conclusion is that Abraham Lincoln made a huge impact on culture and history which is supported by all the data I found and polls I conducted.
Life:  My conclusion is that I can be an EMT, Firefighter, and Computer Technician.
6. Publish - Share.
Finally, students publish their project, research, questions, hypothesis, data, and conclusions.  Below are possible ways students may publish their projects from the various subjects I've discussed in the last two weeks posts.
Science:  The experiment may be displayed like the typical science fair projects on a tri-fold board with the following posted on the board: Question/Purpose stated, the Equipment & Materials posted, photos of the experiment, notes & data from the experiment, and the Hypothesis and Conclusions stated.  The experiment also may be displayed electronically with a slide show and online journal of data.
Reading:  The student publishes/submits a written response to the question in a 'research paper' form.  The student may also post the information on a tri-fold board displaying enlarged passages from the text supporting the data and their investigation into the Author's purpose.  The student may also execute a Power Point noting all questions, research, hypothesis, supporting data, and their conclusion.
Writing:  This may be published as a written project and shared with the class, or school.  It may also be published on the school's site featuring written projects that allows voting, like in science fairs, but voting to determine the favorite writing project.
Math:  Execute your drawings and findings by publishing on poster paper, copy paper, or notebook paper (this is much of what we ask students to do during assessments many times especially with fractions). With technology today, any of these projects may be published, shared, and displayed as slide shows or in various other technological ways.

Art:  Publish your artwork on canvas or heavy painting paper.  Display your art in a show with a paper detailing all of your research and project.
Social Studies/History:  Again, with this subject it may be displayed like the reading and writing projects.  Another option is to have a visual representation with minimum text on a poster paper or to publish a virtual slide show demonstrating why he has been such a large influence in the past and even in today's culture.
Life:  Publishing this is to execute it, do it, and share your talents with the world.  Also, you may display your research, thoughts, and more with others via online, on poster paper, as a written paper, or on a tri-fold board if it is a project for school.  Share - share your talents....you may also try working as a firefighter and EMT while getting certified to be a Computer Technician (hint: some high schools have programs where you can gain certification as an EMT and Firefighter by 11th grade).  Experiment to find what your career interests are & enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the 3 part blog on "Using The Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life!" and it is useful to you and your learners.  I firmly believe all subjects intertwine in education and in life - they all relate to one another.  Thank you for coming by to read and learn about the Scientific Method. With so many schools STEMing and STEAMing, I hope this is useful to you in all subjects.

If you missed the first two articles you may use the links below to read all about them.
Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part I
Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part II



Best Wishes, Ms Moore
Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources.  All rights reserved. You may share, pin, like, share, & repin, just not copy and/or resell it.  This article series is for non-commercial use and my not be resold or reprinted without the author's express written consent.

For numerous educational resources feel free to visit my TpT Store,  I am continuously adding products, so visit often.  I do not have any science products on TpT at this time, but check back over the summer and next year as I post more products.  Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
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Monday, December 14, 2015

Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part II

The Scientific Method & It's Applications Part II: Hypothesis & Experiment

In this 3 part series, I have been discussing how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects including life.  Last week I discussed the Question and Research, today, I'm discussing the next two processes in the Scientific Method - the Hypothesis and ExperimentBe sure to check back next Monday as I discuss the final steps how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects. 

3. Hypothesis
Third, students develop their hypothesis with the research they conducted.  This is their educated guess of what may happen or what the outcome will be to their question or purpose.  Here are some example hypotheses on the subjects and questions listed above.
Science: Yes, a potato can power a clock.
Reading: The Author's Purpose is to persuade me to read more.
Writing: The lunch menu should have more vegetables and fruit on the menu, so that all students have 2 servings of each every day.
Math: The fraction, 1/4, may be represented as a ratio, fraction, percent, decimal, or with a visual drawing.

Art: I can paint an Impressionism painting like Monet with only a few colors and a light airy stroke.
Social Studies/History: Abraham Lincoln had a large impact on history and culture for various reasons.

Life: I can be an EMT, Firefighter, and Computer Technician. It is possible to enjoy and be certified in all three fields.

4. Conduct Experiment
Fourth, students determine the procedure and/or methods they will use to test their hypothesis. Detailed procedural steps and methods may be provided by the teacher, by an experiment guide, research guide, or determined by the student. It's important for students to detail all steps, procedures, data, and methods during the 'Experiment' or 'Testing Hypothesis' stage. Depending on the subject, various ways to test the hypothesis may be executed during this stage. Below are ways this is possible with all subjects.
Science: Outline a list of steps to create a power clock to test the hypothesis that a potato can power a clock. List all of the equipment, materials, and steps to test your theory. Complete the experiment to see if you can power a clock with a potato.
Reading: During this phase you are testing/proving your hypothesis. List the steps to determine the Author's purpose and take notes. An outline may be provided by the teacher on what to look for or the student lists the procedures/methods to determine the Author's purpose. Will you use the close reading method? Other methods? Experiment and test your hypothesis, does it fit with your data and research? Read the text, note any pages, and facts that support or negate your hypothesis of the Author's Purpose.
Writing: List the method and procedure of what you would put on the lunch menu and why. Investigate your menu and experiment by take a poll of fellow classmates by letting them vote on your menu (this could even be incorporated with technology and people vote online), collect nutritional data to support your hypothesis, fix your menu and have people taste test the menu, and more. These are a few ideas of many on how you may conduct the experiment of proving your lunch menu is better and that more fruits and vegetables should be on the menu

Math: Demonstrate by experimenting on the various ways to express 1/4. Write it as a ratio, a fraction, a decimal, and draw visuals. List the steps, processes, thoughts, and any information to prove how you know this is accurate. List the methods that you demonstrated 1/4 of a whole.
Art: Determine the procedures, methods, and equipment you will need to complete a painting like Monet's paintings. List all of the equipment and supplies, like is typically done in a science experiment. Experiment by creating your own painting to complete your artwork.
Studies/History: List the procedures and methods you'll use to determine Lincoln's impact on history and culture. Will you take a poll online, at your educational institution, or both? Collect all data and determine how you will display the data. List the procedure and steps you used to determine Lincoln's impact.
Life: List all the steps, and procedures on how you determine you can be an EMT, Firefighter, and a Computer Technician. You may also execute experiments on this by listing your skill set, meeting with your local EMT, Firefighters, and a local Computer Technician to work in the field for a day with them. If you do work with them, collect data, take notes, list detailed information on your day, and/or have a sheet for the person you work with fill out for your experiment listing the skills you need in this field. Also, conducting a poll online or in person to learn about people in the working field and their various careers. All of this should be detailed to prove you can be certified in all three fields and do all three careers.

Make sure you check back next Monday to read the final portion of Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects Including Life!
 
If you missed the first article you may use the link here to read all about itUsing the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part I


Best Wishes, Ms Moore
Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources.  All rights reserved. You may share, pin, like, share, & repin, just not copy and/or resell it.  This article series is for non-commercial use and my not be resold or reprinted without the author's express written consent.

For numerous educational resources feel free to visit my TpT Store,  I am continuously adding products, so visit often.  Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Using the Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life! - Part I



The Scientific Method is Fantastic for

All Subjects and for Life! 


The Scientific Method is a great method to use for teaching students how to solve problems and investigate questions in all educational subjects along with solving life situations. It is a wonderful way to teach students a thought process and method to solving all kinds of questions and situations. It's fluid approach to which step in the method receives the most emphasis is extremely useful. With some situations more emphasis and time may be placed on research and with others more emphasis may be placed on experiment and data. Even with the fluidity of where the main emphasis may be placed, it is a great method to use for all subjects. Read about the steps in the Scientific Method and how it may be applied to numerous educational subjects.

The Scientific Method & It's Applications Part I: Question & Research

In this 3 part series, I will be discussing how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects including life.  Today, I'm starting with the first two processes in the Scientific Method - the Question and Research.  Be sure to check back each Monday through December as I discuss how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects. 

1. Question
First, students should know and understand the question or purpose of what they wish to accomplish.  Whether you provide the question in the subject you are teaching or students develop their own question, it is important to outline what is being solved or studied.  What is the goal of the assignment?  What am I trying to solve?  What do you want to learn about?  What are you trying to answer?  These are a few of the 'main' questions that students may begin with.  Below are examples of questions for various subjects.
Science: What is your experiment on? Can a potato be a power source for a clock?
Reading: What is the goal of the reading assignment? What is the Author's Purpose?
Writing: What am I writing about? What should be on our lunch menu at school?
Math: What am I trying to solve? How many ways may I demonstrate 1/4 of a whole?
Art: What am I trying to accomplish? Complete a painting like Monet.
Social Studies/History: What is the goal of the assignment? What was Abraham Lincoln's impact on history and culture?
Life: State the Question or Purpose. What career path do I wish to follow in life?

2. Research
Second, students research their question or purpose.  Research may be executed in several ways, such as reading informational books, asking questions by interviewing others, searching the internet, and more.  With any form of research it is always important to cite the sources and take notes on the information.  Following are examples of how research may be conducted for the subjects listed.
Science:  Research a clock being powered by a radio by reading informational texts and websites.  What in the potato powers a clock?
Reading: Why do Author's write textual information?  Look for a paragraph about the Author in the text or story.  If it is a book, what does the cover page, back page, index page, or other pages say about the Author and the book?  Research why Author's write via interviews, reading texts, and searching online.  Research the Author of the text you are reading.
Writing:  Ask questions to research the lunch menu.  Interview cafeteria staff and administration - note all sources.  Some research questions may be, 'What is on the current menu?', 'Who chooses the menu and Why do they choose what they do for lunch?' 'What nutrition do students need?'  Research nutrition, lunch facts for schools, and more.
Math:  Research fractions.  Informational texts and technology may be searched for information on fractions and how they may be written.
Art: Research Impressionism & Monet.  Research may be conducted again by utilizing texts and the internet.  Some research items may also include types of paint or the art styles of Monet.
Social Studies/History: Research Abraham Lincoln, his contributions, cultural influences, and his impact on the United States and the World via the previous discussed ways to research.
Life: Research career path options by researching online in occupational texts, and interviewing people.

Be sure to check back each Monday through December as I discuss how the Scientific Method may be used in all subjects in this 3 part series or follow my blog to stay updated.   

Look for Part II - Dec. 14th.
and Part III - Dec. 21st.



I hope you enjoyed the first part of this 3 part blog on "Using The Scientific Method in All Subjects, Including Life!"  I firmly believe all subjects intertwine in education and in life - they all relate to one another.  Finally, I'm able to share my thoughts on how the Scientific Method relates to all subjects and hope this is useful to you and your learners.  Thank you for coming by to read and learn about the Scientific Method. 

Best Wishes, Ms Moore
Certified K-6, 6-9 math, and 6-9 science
©2015 M Moore, M Moore Educational Resources.  All rights reserved. You may share, pin, like, share, & repin, just not copy and/or resell it.  This article series is for non-commercial use and my not be resold or reprinted without the author's express written consent.

For numerous educational resources feel free to visit my TpT Store,  I am continuously adding products, so visit often.  I do not have any science products on TpT at this time, but check back soon on TpT as I post more products or follow me there to get notices when I post new products.  Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
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