How did those Egyptians lift those giant blocks anyway?

Puzzling Pyramids Simulation

1. Subject Area: Science

2. Grade Level: Grade 4

3. Source: http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/kids/Problem_Board/problems/pulleys/sim1.swf

4. The MLO is a simulation of how the Egyptians could have used simple machines including inclined planes, levers, pulleys, wheels and axles to build the pyramids. Students have to use simple math (multiplication and division with the use of a calculator) to see how much force would be necessary to move 500lb blocks using the various machines. There are multiple levels that get increasingly more complicated.

5. Integration: This simulation would best be used as supplement during/after a simple machines unit. After learning how they work, I would start out the first level on a projector/smart board and work with the class towards reaching the correct answers. A discussion about what you might use it for as well as predictions for what they think the most effective machine will be will also be included. Once we were finished with the first level, I would go to a computer lab with the class so that everyone can work through the other levels on their own. In order to get through the levels, they have to get the questions right, so I will be able to assess if they are getting it by how far they get.

6. Planning and Prep: I would (and have) go through the entire simulation. I would make sure all of the computers in the lab (and the classroom Smartboard computer) were able to connect to the Internet and had Shockwave-flash installed. The computer lab work would be individual with a promise of some more hands-on group work on the horizon.

7. Specific Learning Outcomes:

   1. Construct devices that use wheels and axles, and demonstrate and describe their use in pulley systems and gear systems

   2. Demonstrate ways to use a lever that applies a small force to create a large force.

8. ICT Outcome: Pose and test solutions to problems by using computer applications such as computer-assisted design or simulation/modeling software
   

Webquests - a great adventure

I created a webquest about ancient Greeks to follow up on my concept map from the last assignment. I think I would have fun doing it, so hopefully students would too! Here is the address

http://teacherweb.com/WQ/ElementarySchool/Ancient_Greece3/

The incestuous relationships of ancient Greek concepts and how they apply to grade 6 Social Studies

To show how a concept map may be used in a classroom, I looked at the grade 6 social studies program of studies. I dealt with the “Greece: an ancient civilization” topic. I thought that a concept map would be a great fit for this topic in 2 situations. The first would involve group brainstorming for paper topics. We could all work together (on a Smartboard?) to add all the information we have studied over the unit to get a clear picture of what we know (the Pre-writing stage of the Writing Process). Similarly, if a paper was not on the agenda, we could work together to create a study sheet for an upcoming test. I added a note to the “Olympics” arm of my map to show how more information can be added (and then collapsed as necessary) to the standard concept map design. The concept map loans itself to studying ancient Greece especially because many of the ideas represented are connected (Philosophers were scientists, writers wrote about the myths and legends of the time, etc.). An extension of the use of the inspiration program while studying this unit could be to use the tree function to do a family tree of the Greek Pantheon (very confusing).

The ICT outcomes that are touched upon on this exercise are to “record group brainstorming, planning and sharing of ideas by using technology” and to “use selected presentation tools to demonstrate connections among various pieces of information”.

Concept mapping could alternatively be used in classrooms for personal journal entries (using words and pictures), individual planning for writing, summaries of texts and important information, and relational diagrams wherever relationships appear across the curriculum (which is virtually everywhere).

Die Tagesereignisse....or my eye opening effort at finding resources for high school German

Title of Activity: Die Tagesereignisse (Current Events)

Resources:
ZDF - Heute Nachrichten (2007, October 1). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFheute/inhalt/20/0,3672,20,00.html

Das Wetter Uebung (2007, February). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syiFvdwMLEs

German Newspapers (2007). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/germany.htm

European radio stations streaming live on the internet (2007). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from
http://www.listenlive.eu/germany.html

LEO German-English Dictionary (2006). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from
http://dict.leo.org/ende?lang=en&lp=ende&search=current%20events

Grade Level: German as a Second Language 30 (3 year program)

Activity: Throughout the term, students will listen to varied radio broadcasts, watch different newscasts and read multiple newspapers in German briefly at the beginning of each class. They will discuss with the class the meanings of the media items (identifying main ideas and specific details). This will require them to look up any words they may not know. They will also discuss consuming German news as a Canadian Audience (analyzing how our lives are changed by the fact that we can access news from Germany).

General Outcomes:
Language Competence: Students will understand and produce German effectively and competently in spoken and written forms

Specific Outcomes:
Aural Interpretation: understand the main points and specific details of oral texts on familiar topics
Written Interpretation: understand short written texts on a variety of topics, and understand the main points and specific details of written texts on familiar topics

ICT Outcomes:
Communication: Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning (General)/ use appropriate strategies to locate information to meet personal needs (Specific)
Foundational Knowledge: Students will understand the role of technology as it applies to self, work and society (General)/identify technologies used in everyday life (Specific)

Why use technology?: Basically, these exercises would not be possible without technology (specifically the Internet, streaming video, streaming sound, and audio-visual technology). Technology connects us worldwide by bringing the German media to our classrooms. In this case, it especially allows students to hear native speakers speaking German, it offers useful vocabulary (that is largely conveniently repetitive) and exposes them to new points of view and ways of doing things.

Safely blogging your way to Deutsche Fähigkeit

I think that using a blog in an educational setting is something that facilitates deeper learning associated with the subject involved, as well as more student involvement in that particular subject. I would like to teach second languages in high school (I will focus on German in this entry). I think that blogs have an excellent place in these subject areas.

One idea for things to include on a second language blog would be resources. Through my studies, I have found many resources that would be beneficial for someone using a second language. Things like dictionaries, thesauri, and grammar websites can help a student with their reading comprehension, writing and definitely their speech. Second languages lend themselves especially to this kind of online resource library because they have information that most students are unlikely to be familiar with or have immediate access to at home.

Cultural aspects of the language could be introduced as well in the form of quick cultural facts, history website links, pictures from my (and others') travels. I found an excellent blog online that exemplifies this kind of cultural approach to language learning. It is a Spanish learner/teacher website, but the same concepts apply:
http://www.spanish-teaching.com/blog

There are other websites out there that have interesting ways to practice the language. For example, the link below is to Brothers Grimm fairytales that are presented with the German text alongside English translations.
http://www.fln.vcu.edu/grimm/

There are also German newspapers and online magazines that could be provided as links.

To take this deep learning to another step, I think an amazing thing to do would be to make contact with a class in a German-speaking country and exchange blog addresses. In Clarence Fisher's “Remote Access” blog, here:
http://remoteaccess.typepad.com/remote_access/2006/05/blogs_invitatio.html
he talks about using Blogs as a tool to connect to other cultures and other “lives”. This is a great way to show the practicality and the amazing potential of learning another language by getting to know people that speak it.

On a more personal note, blogs can be used for a teacher to connect with their students and vice versa. What comes to mind for me is keeping a journal of German literature/media that the teacher and students personally consume. This can model life-long learning on the teacher's side and help the relationships between teachers and students by creating a positive interaction.

There are also many practical uses for blogs to help the mechanical aspects of classes – such as assignment dates, chapter reviews, handouts and schedules. The link below leads to a site where the writer summarizes these practical uses nicely:
http://crookedtimber.org/2003/09/15/the-street-finds-its-own-use-for-things

Now, blogs do not come without dangers. Luckily, when one is dealing with students of the high school age, they can usually grasp what these dangers entail. Many of the dangers inherent in student and teacher blogging revolve around privacy issues and respect issues (one has to be sure that both teachers and students are being respectful of each other at all times to maintain the positive blog experience) The link below not only details many of the dangers, but offers tips for creating safe blogs:
http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/Blogging.pdf
Some of these tips are about abstaining from including any personal information that would help someone dangerous find you. Others revolve around avoiding slander and gossip about fellow students.

Though there are inherent dangers in using online technology such as blogs (especially if it is kept open for something like blog sharing with another class) if proper steps are taken to protect student and teacher safety, privacy and mutual respect, it can be a wonderful tool to deepen student's learning and facilitate necessary classroom mechanics.

My name is Meaghan. I live with my boyfriend and my little one Hermes (he's a cat – I'm not so cruel that I would give that name to a child – he would never make it through elementary school). I have a bachelor's degree in German from the University of Calgary and have moved on to the University of Lethbridge to get my Education degree. I want to teach Junior/Senior High School languages (German, French and English) and would love the opportunity to tackle an art class. I'm most passionate about the German language/cannon (I like French but I am IN LOVE with German), coming in tied for close seconds though are travel, drawing, dance, interior design and costume design. My best qualities are my intelligence and my ability to find joy in small things. My worst qualities are a lack of self control and being too demanding of others and myself. At present, I am a little nervous but also excited about my impending future as an educator!

Now...about this blogging business. There are negatives associated with Weblogs (as with any new technology), but many of the negatives can be countered by proper instruction of the dangers and conventions involved, which can help students be more critical when encountering such technology in their own lives. There is however, some great potential for teaching. One of the best aspects that I see is the ability to connect students, teachers and parents in a very real way outside of the classroom. It can be an easy way for parents to know what their children are studying in school, what homework and assignments they have, upcoming important dates and to find out if there is any way that they can help their child or their classroom. Basically, it could help parents get more involved with their child's schooling. For students, it can be a way for them to express opinions and ideas in a low-pressure environment to both their teacher and fellow students, creating more close-knit relationships in the class. It can be a way for students to keep up to date on assignments and to ask questions that may arise while out of the classroom. Teachers could post study guides, additional reading, helpful links and any other tidbits that may be useful to their students. It could also be a great forum for teachers to get to know their students outside of school and vice-versa.