Blog Archives - BOYD7SCIENCE

Community Club

12/29/2013

These are the Community club members of the month from October, November and December. They were voted on by members of the community club that meets in my room every Wednesday. Some criteria that they noticed were students who care about the campus. Whether it is picking up trash/recycling at lunch or any where on campus, people are noticing. Recycling. Students who are passionate about making sure that the correct materials end up in the recycling bins.
The students worked very hard on coming up with this award.
We want to be proud of our campus. We need students who are proud and who care enough to take care of it. Students who are willing to do what it takes to ensure we have a campus worth being proud of.

Thoughts about this Christmas season....

12/28/2013

After hanging out with my adorable niece and nephew over the holidays and hearing, "she got more than me", "I didn't get very many", and at times thinking, "I need that" I began reflecting on what I have and the amount of stress I have been under the last month.
I began my yearly purge of my closet and my storage shed.... I found clothes that I had forgotten about and realized I really don't need any new clothes. I have plenty. I found brand new clothes that had been forgotten and buried. Point being, I have plenty. Clothes, house decorations what ever there was plenty in storage. Can you say GARAGE SALE??
Last month my car broke down. It's still broken down. It has been very frustrating being without my own vehicle. I have been without my vehicle for a month. Thankfully I have had great co-workers that were willing to haul me to work or take me home. They would ask me before I asked them. Then a co-worker volunteered her vehicle without me asking. That was a serious answer to prayer! (small town with no public transportation) Now, funny thing about the borrowed vehicle... I somehow carried a mouse home in my bag from my classroom. Well, sadly it crawled out of my bag and died in the dash of the vehicle. For a week I drove a borrowed car with the smell of death in it. Gross!! But because of the generosity of my coworker I was able to visit my family over Christmas-death smell and all. I have been able to drive to the grocery store and go run errands.
I am organizing my pantry and cleaning out my fridge. Ugh. I hate to waste stuff. It bothers me to see unused cans of food that are out of date because I was too busy or missed them being in there. Guess what? My pantry and fridge are still full. I won't go hungry any time soon.
Today, I returned the borrowed vehicle and decided to ride my bike home after dropping it off. Well, the chain popped off and I couldn't fix it! Darn it! So, me and my bike walked 2 miles home. Now, I have no issue with walking home, I needed the exercise. But the entire time I was walking I could not help but to think about how frustrating this situation should be but, I could only smile.
I was listening to the song, "Beautiful Day" by, Jamie Grace. I just had to smile realizing how beautiful each day is because of the provisions I have been given.
I won't go hungry, my pantry is full. I have plenty of clothes to wear-and share! I am healthy enough to walk anywhere I need to. I come home to a roof over my head and heater that works. I am BLESSED! Thanks to all of my students, friends, family and co workers for being in my life. May you live each day realizing what you have and see how every day is a Beautiful Day!

Finishing the Semester

12/18/2013

The students are finishing strong and doing well on their vocabulary for science. Friday will be a half day and it is also our free nutrition day. I am allowing the students to bring Oreo cookies and a drink. We will be using the Oreos to have a brief lesson on moon phases.... it will be fun! So, send them to school with their Oreos and a drink!

POPCORN!!!!

12/17/2013

Ready for Finals!!!

12/17/2013

Today we will be wrapping up our final review, lots and lots of vocabulary. The kids don't realize they know these words... :)
We are ready for the break!
1st, 3rd and 5th have their final on Wednesday.
2nd, 4th and 7th have their final on Thursday.
Lunch will be at 1 on both days.
Friday will be a half day.

Final Review

12/16/2013

We are doing the final exam review for Monday and Tuesday. It's about 80 words and it is words that we have studied, in depth.
We are still working towards getting our final science fair subjects picked out so that we can begin our research on them. The kids are very interested and confused! We will have check points along the way so that the due dates don't get lost.

December's Smore

12/13/2013

Science Fair Choice Sheet

12/13/2013

Friday the students will be submitting their top 3 selections for their science fair. We have put it on the calendar for Thursday May 22nd. This will be our 2nd one and it was a HUGE hit last year! Please mark your calendars and plan to come.
The students need to fill out a google form (Science Fair Choice Sheet) stating what their top selections will be. If there are any that choose the same project we will have to draw to see who gets it. The kids seem to be excited and are asking tons of questions. We start on this so early because there are so many parts that need to be done and it is primarily done outside of class and all parts are supplied by the students.
The students also finished up their North American Prairie Notes and shared all of the information with their groups.

Still in the North American Prairie!

12/12/2013

Today in class they worked hard on their group contracts. The students are really working hard on being responsible and holding each other in the group accountable in a respectful way. That is the key. Each class has come up with a process that takes them through steps to keep each other on task before a meeting with me happens. Hopefully that won't happen...
On Thursday, we will be finishing up our North American Notes Organizer. We read the article with our group members and then we split up the organizer parts for research. The students then go back to the article and take out the important parts and put it into our notes on the organizers. This will transfer into our biome research. They are researching as if they are collecting items for a museum exhibit on biomes. It should be fun!

North American Prairie Notes

12/11/2013

Today the students are reading an article on the North American Prairie. They will be filling out an organizer learning about the key components and will be working in their groups. We are emphasizing collaboration and what that means. Not just doing "your part". Yes, take care of your business but be willing to direct traffic or help someone out in a bind.
The organizer discusses geography, climate, biodiversity, adaptations and interactions among biotic and abiotic parts of the ecosystem. They will learn how to find information observe it and record in their organizer. This will be leading up to our biomes of the world research.