Jasztalville Class Weblog

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Bonus Activities for When You Get Done with All Activities

Happy September 18th! I know, this is an incredibly random proclamation. In this post, I am offering out some links you can visit if you are done coming up with your design for next week's engineering challenge as well as Khan Academy. I will be adding to this post over time, making an extensive list of things you can try.

Math Bonuses:

- Sudoku:If you have never tried one of these puzzles before or if you have and really enjoy them, they require you to put on your mathematical "thinking caps". https://sudoku.com/

- Can You Solve the Temple Riddle? TED Ed: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/can-you-solve-the-temple-riddle-dennis-e-shasha

- Can You Solve the Time Travel Riddle? https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_finkel_can_you_solve_the_time_travel_riddle?language=en

- New Ordering Decimals Game: Lunch Line: Check off JUST decimals before you play the game: https://mrnussbaum.com/lunch-line-online-game

- Try these decimal place value riddles! https://www.bunscoilris.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Decimal-riddles.pdf

Science Bonuses:

- How to Build a Paper Tower: Actually, really cool site: https://www.scienceprojectideas.org/paper-tower.htm

- Learn about a whole other type of egg drop challenge from Science Bob! https://sciencebob.com/try-the-egg-drop-challenge/

- Small demonstration: Make a paperclip float: Home learners, you may have these items around your home to try this out: https://sciencebob.com/make-a-paperclip-float/

- Another neat demonstration: Make Plastic Milk: https://sciencebob.com/make-plastic-milk/

- Watch Sick Science demonstrations from Steve Spangler: https://www.youtube.com/user/SteveSpanglerScience

Check out these cool places today:

- Go on virtual hikes at the Grand Canyon out west: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm

- Virtual Museum of Molecules and Minerals: https://virtual-museum.soils.wisc.edu/

- Tour the 9/11 Museum with Google Street View: https://viewing.nyc/you-can-now-take-a-virtual-tour-inside-the-9-11-memorial-museum-in-google-street-view/

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Beyond the Walls of Jasztalville: March 2020

There has been quite a bit of discussion online about how educators are reaching out to their students during the school closures due to COVID-19. Although I can recommend Khan Academy in your direction, here are some other (hopefully) awesome suggestions on how to make your days at home educational as well as enriching.

(Note: Also read, find ways to make posters/brochures/booklets about your knowledge, etc.)

Of course, this is all optional, but it will help bring school to you while we are not at school. I also offered up more recommendations because it's kind of a "you choose" range of activities, videos, and tutorials.

Math Class:

Our next unit is customary and metric measurement, and I already recommended some modules on Khan Academy that flip our classroom appropriately. What I mean by "flip" is being exposed to content ahead of us covering it in class. Seeing the videos and completing the questions on Khan Academy will make you more comfortable in completing escape rooms, project-based learning (PBL) activities (like the aquatic center we did for volume and the Thanksgiving meal math activity we did several months ago), and regular assignments. I highly recommend using Khan Academy during this time to get you ahead of the game, though it is optional.

Here are some other resources you can use for math class:

Interactive Measurement Puzzle: https://www.mathnook.com/Flash/puzzlem.html
Volume: Cubes: https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Cubes/
Death to Decimals: Fraction and Decimal Equivalents: https://mrnussbaum.com/death-to-decimals-and-the-adventures-of-fraction-man-online-game

Do on Paper:

Nine-Digit Fraction Brain Teaser: https://illuminations.nctm.org/BrainTeasers.aspx?id=4714
Math Brain Teasers: https://www.mentalup.co/blog/brain-teasers-2
Measurement Tutorial (.pdf): https://calculate.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2014/02/Measurement-Length-Area-Volume.pdf

IXL:

IXL: Under a free trial, you can only complete so many modules. Below are the link to fifth grade math and then fifth grade science. Since we have Khan Academy, you may want to try fifth grade science.

https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-5

https://www.ixl.com/science/grade-5

Science Class:

Our next unit is the one and only human body unit! What do you need to know by the END of this unit?

- Know the differences between the circulatory and respiratory systems. Which organs are in both systems? How are the functions of these two systems DIFFERENT?

- Know the functions of these organs inside and out: Heart, Lungs, Brain, Pancreas, Liver, Kidneys, Gallbladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine

Here are some videos and websites you can preview:

Circulatory System: Circulation (of blood):

Mr. Parr's Heart Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-wilmN80XE
The Heart and Circulatory System: How They Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWFyxn0qDEU
How the Heart Actually Pumps Blood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruM4Xxhx32U
Learn about how we dissect a sheep heart in class: https://www.biologycorner.com/virtual/heart/index.html

Respiratory System: Breathing:

What Do the Lungs Do?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NUxvJS-_0k
Operation Ouch: Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6RIv9ZRY4
Oxygen's Surprisingly Complex Journey Through Your Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVU_zANtroE

Integumentary System: Skin:

The Science of Skin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPlCkTKhzY
Skin Model Anatomy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGoakiTAW5A

Digestive System:

How Your Digestive System Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og5xAdC8EUI
Digestive System Walk-Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr4onA2k_LY

Nervous System:

How do nerves work?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_4uA6-zcE
Operation Ouch: Nervous System Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkS2T4szbuE&list=PL86hLI-Po3nUK9auFGLH8iEGRvtppIOe3
How do the ears work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiVx5Lih_44

YouTube:

YouTube Channel: Operation Ouch:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJDFI9j8UeNoqra37p5OkA

I literally just found this channel while writing this post. It is a British YouTube channel that has some super-informative and unique videos about science!

Review environmental science:

Build a Fish from Shedd Aquarium (Reviews Animal Adaptations and is AWESOME): https://coolsciencelab.com/build_a_fish.htm
Habitat Maker: Interactive Biomes: https://mrnussbaum.com/search?q=Habitat+Maker
Online Lab: Classifying Arthropods: https://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs_2K8/labs/BL_10/index.html
All About Bird Anatomy: https://www.brainpop.com/games/allaboutbirdanatomy/?topic_id=
Butterfly Life Cycle Interactive Activity: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/scienceforkids/life_cycle/butterfly_lifecycle.htm
Sortify: Animals: https://www.brainpop.com/games/sortifyanimals/?topic_id=
What kind of an animal is this?: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/kidscorner_games.htm
Game Up: Food Webs: Food Fight: https://www.brainpop.com/games/foodfight/
Virtually "Dissect" a Frog: https://www.emindweb.com/demo/frog/
Learn about earthworm anatomy: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/worms/anatomy/index.html

Get a head start on blank book pages (will have to do on white paper folded in half for now, since books are at school):

Organs of the Human Body (Heart, Lungs, Brain, Pancreas, Liver, Kidneys, Gallbladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine): Draw, label, explain the functions.
The Rock Cycle: Draw and label the rock cycle.
How Minerals Are Classified: Describe color, luster, hardness, cleavage/fracture, and any other properties. Describe what the MOHS scale is as well.

More Unclassified:

A "field trip" for everyone: Go and visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and learn about the amazing exhibits there!! https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Google Maps: https://earth.google.com/web/

Spatuletta: Cooking for Kids: http://spatulatta.com/

This is just math and science for now.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Environmental Science Websites October 12, 2018

Use these websites to develop your understanding of animal adaptations, biomes, and environmental concerns.

Animals:

National Geographic (not kids)-- Animal Pictures and Facts (FASCINATING selection)
In Pieces (Another incredible website; you may very well love this one, too. Click "What's the threat?" to learn more.)
Scholastic Study Jams-- Animal-Related Videos and Slideshows
National Geographic Kids-- Reptiles
National Geographic Kids-- Amphibians
St. Louis Zoo-- About the Animals

Environment:

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Takeaways From ISTE 2018

ISTE 2018 in Chicago, Illinois was absolutely phenomenal. Although I had the opportunity to enjoy being a tourist by visiting the Willis Tower, John Hancock Building, and Museum of Science and Industry, I was also able to attend eight sessions, explore a few playgrounds, volunteer in the digital Storytelling playground, peruse the Exhibit Hall, and co-lead my very first poster session with Danielle Abernethy.

A few years ago when I attended ISTE 2016 in Denver, I wrote about my takeaways, so I have decided to do it again. I feel like this reflection will benefit me as I plan for my next group of 5th grade scientists and 6th-8th grade Technology Club members (and even my Brain Bowl team to an extent). I am extremely excited for a few new beginnings; I am ready to take some risks this coming year and am ecstatic to re-emerge in the online educators' realm.

#booksnaps from Tara Martin was one of my favorite sessions this year. When Tara explained the scientific relevance, the awesomeness of her hashtag struck me out of nowhere. As a person whose right side of the brain dominates, I was suddenly intrigued by how something so simple and fun to create unites the two hemispheres of the brain. Since her workshops, I have created six of these-- five of which I am about to debut with a bit of a different (original!) hashtag. Of course, I am going to attribute a great deal of credit to her awesomeness.
I was intrigued by how much I learned about AR and VR in 360. On Tuesday, I attended a workshop hosted by Andy Mann called "Learning in 360". The day before, I attended Jaime Donally and Rachelle Dene Poth's session called "Immerse Students in Learning: Bring AR and VR into the Classroom!" Although I already knew about CoSpaces, I did not realize its full potential.
I had the opportunity to attend the first-ever Questathon, hosted by Classcraft! I almost delved into Classcraft last year, which is a gamification platform where educators can add a storytelling element to their lessons and incorporate elements from games to increase student engagement. The Questathon event focused on adding to their narrative, which invigorated me beyond measure. Although I didn't accomplish much while there besides random sketches, I was still drawn in to their rationale and innovative approaches. I really hope to collaborate with them more.
I was so infatuated with attending the #booksnaps session that I was out there over an hour early. I wound up attending the session beforehand as well, which was led by Kasey Bell from Shake Up Learning. This is embarrassing, but I never realized the full power of Google prior to this year's ISTE. However, after listening to her speak about the flexibility of Google Sheets and how other Google tools can transform one's classroom, I feel empowered to delve more into the Google realm this coming year. It also helps for my students that last year's fourth grade ELA teacher delved quite a bit into Google Classroom!
I realized how my loyalty to my absolute favorite tech companies paid off! I was very specific when I visited the Expo Hall this year and learned something new when I visited many of their tables. Chibitronics debuted the ChibiClip (which was also at SparkFun's table), Sketchup is looking better than ever, the littleBits Code Kit is phenomenal, I officially decided I am going to purchase an Oculus, and there are many educational uses for an Ozobot.
Last, this is not ISTE-related, but I got to see the Science Behind Pixar Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was one of the very best exhibits I have ever seen at any museum. Plus, I got into the museum for FREE and had to pay for just this part!

If you were at ISTE this year, what were some of your biggest takeaways? Of course I had more experiences and takeaways, but these were the main ones!

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Sheep Brain Exploration

Today, you get to explore the website below while having my sheep skull (with brain) in your possession. By looking at the skull and using the website as a reference, how much of the actual skull and brain can you identify?

Visit the website below:
https://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/sheepbrain/sheep_dissection.html