7th & 8th grades Invention Convention

The 7^th and 8^th grade students have been working on projects that are part of the technology and inventions unit. Students were introduced to the world of inventions and how the  development of these inventions carry on to affect all parts of living—in both good and potentially , bad ways.

At the beginning of the unit students learned that inventions are created to solve problems or improve the way things are done. The revolutionary invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison was used as an example.

During the second part of the unit students focused on the process of inventing, particularly on what short, and long-term issues inventors have to consider before developing an invention. They examined a number of other revolutionary American and foreign inventions, then created posters about the inventors, their inventions and presented them to the class.

While students were taking part in this simple design project it gave them interesting opportunities to solve problems, use tools , measure things carefully, make practical estimations, calculate correctly, and communicate clearly. They were also given the opportunity to consider the effects that their inventions or projects might have (on?) others. They were asked to consider who their invention was intended for and who may benefit overall from their creation.

The students were all very excited for this project and many of them commented they enjoyed working on this project because it was their idea and they got to bring it to life. I am encouraged to see our students take control and show an interest in their learning. I noticed when given the right tools and guidelines they will not only reach their personal goals but exceed them. It was wonderful to watch their creations come to life and we are all looking forward to many more project-based learning opportunities in the future.

Finally after all the hard work the students will hold an “Invention Convention” to present their inventions to their class. During this convention half of the students will present one day and the other half the following day. The students will show case their work and read out loud their scientific report to a small group of peers. During this process the students who are listening to the presentations are evaluating the other groups’ work, everyone is fully engaged in the process and they will give and receive feedback not only from me but from their peers.

                                         The Invention Convention

 

Students Presenting and Listening

 

8th grade

Student Invention: The Gecko Glove

7th Grade

Student Invention: Tilt Chair

8th grade

Student Invention: Plus One

 

8th grade

Student Invention: Net Gear

 

8th grade

Student Invention : Window Washer

8th grade

Student Invention: Squishy Bumper

 

8th grade

Student Invention: Hero-SB (super bag)

 

7th grade

Student Invention: (inner) Boot Pocket

7th grade

Student Invention: Air Scooter

7th grade

Student Invention: Eye catcher

(jewelery holder)

 

 7th grade

Student Invention: Art Belt

 

8th grade

Student Invention: Oven 2000

(w/working sliding door)

 

 

 

Paper Pet Project

In this unit students learned about heredity and the ways that traits are passed from parents to offspring. We discovered ways scientist study heredity. We used information that we learned in previous chapters about cells and their functions to help us further understand meiosis, genetic probability, genotypes, and phenotypes.

The students worked hard on a project that tied all this information together. They created families (paper ones) and used probability to determine the traits that would be passed on to the offspring. They also created Punnet Squares to show scientific proof of the genetic possibilities.

My students were very creative and I believe they gained a solid understanding  of genetics and heredity through this project!


                                    Creating the Paper Pets

Writing the genotype and phenotype

Creating the Parent generation

A finished Parent

The Other Parent!

Some More

The family tree

The pets are hinged so one can

read the back to check

Phenotype and Genotype

Notice the

Punnet Squares

More Paper Pet families

Notice the Probability Chart

Punnet Squares

P-generation

f1- generation

 

Base Camp

We had the fabulous opportunity to go to the Base Camp at Fort Snelling! We got to rock climb, practice archery and did cooperative learning activities! The 7th and 8th graders had a blast, we were broke into 5 different groups and learned problem solving strategies and were fully engaged in learning the whole day! Here is the link to the Base Camp website http://www.explorebasecamp.org/.

                                     Here are some pictures of the activities we participated in!

Rock climbing (with the girls!)

Problem Solving (you had to figure out the path kind of like mine sweep)

Instructional Learning Climbing Vocab!

That's me in the middle (first time ever rock climbing

 I had the best cheering section)

Archery (I wasn't so great at this

 but my students were awesome!)

Problem Solving (the ship is sinking how to we get

everyone on an ever shrinking platform?)

"This is harder than it looks"

 (I heard my students say this a lot that day)

 

Jeffer's Journal Day: Activity Building a Nest

On this outing I decided we would focus on birds. We were talking about what birds we were seeing and the ones we no longer see in the late fall. We learned that birds are magnificent builders and their beaks are all unique for making different kinds of nest. Our objective for this activity was to build a nest out of natural materials we found in our school garden. We could only use the materials that were natural to the environment and  the nest must be able to hold 3 eggs (marbles) without falling through the nest. I have to say that my students were very creative and made some unique nest and most all of them were successful in the task. They all had a lot fun trying and testing new ideas. At the end of our activity we recorded information about our nest. We listed the materials we used, we recorded what we enjoyed most about the activity, was it hard to build a nest? and why? And we also discussed what we would do differently if we would try it again!
                                                  
                                              Here are some examples of their work!

nest in a bush

 

A use of multiple materials

 

Solid foundation

 

Great engineering

 

                                                                 with a roof :)

another in a bush

 

 

recording our data (along with a drawing of their nest)

Team Work!

 

 

 

Science standards 2.0

Science standards 2.0

Learning with Nature

http://www.jeffersfoundation.org/blog/?p=25

With the help of the generous donations made by the Jeffer's foundation I have transformed Fridays into a learning with mother nature day. The Jeffer's foundation donated journals, mechanical pencils, and "Lookits". With these materials we have been able to take learning to a whole new level with hands on learning my students enjoy. I teach 7th and 8th grade science and even though we are learning different parts of science throughout the week, on Fridays we head outside and let mother nature guide us on a lesson that is fun and interesting. We record our data in different forms each time we go outside. We will even write science poetry based on what we learned or what we want to learn more about that day. I will be posting pictures of the students working on projects outdoors through every season. We have had to stay in a few time due to the Minnesota cold winter but when we are able we go outside and the students love it. At first when I introduced the concept of going outside every Friday it was met with groans and rolling eyes, but after a few successfully fun trips outdoors they can't wait until Friday! The best thing I hear every day is our class is not long enough and they are not ready to leave science class...they truly love learning!

Warning: Flipping Your Classroom May Lead to Increased Student Understanding

Warning: Flipping Your Classroom May Lead to Increased Student Understanding