Kahoot -- Best Quiz Generating Game

Especially if you have older students, it can be particularly dull when it comes time to review for the unit exam.  You pull up a PowerPoint, set up stations, or hand over a study guide and say, "Get to work." When it comes time for final exams, it feels even worse because you have them study day after day.  One of my big theories as a teacher: if I'm bored, they're definitely bored.

I found an awesome game that my students just loved, called Kahoot!
Proof that it holds the attention of 9th graders:

Spreading Holiday Cheer

I have really made a statement for the past two weeks by wearing ugly holiday sweaters each school day of December. It got to the point that the Deans of Students would come by my room to see the sweater of the day. I was happy to have inspired one of my students to join in the fun.  Most of my sweaters came from my grandmother, grandma, or mom! I also wore one for the Ugly Sweater Run.

     

The Biology of Thanksgiving

This was a great lesson that I shared with my students on Friday about all the biology that coincides with how well your Thanksgiving food will taste as well as how to make sure to don't die from it as well.  It was created by a friend of mine and I'm happy to share it with you, too!

Biology Blog

I was looking for more classroom ideas and stumbled upon this fun biology blog, Beatrice the Biologist. You can check out her website by clicking here.  I love the illustrations and hope to incorporate some into the classroom.  If you understand/remember anything from your biology days, here are a few for some laughs.  I found myself giggling at the screen.  These are all c/o beatricebiologist.com

Crash Course Videos

For science teachers:

Hank Green makes videos on youtube that are hilarious and still educational for high school science students (Note--he makes videos for other subjects as well, including Chemistry, Psychology, Literature, US History, World History, Civil War, etc.). Right now, my students are studying Ecology, and they will be watching this video after notes this week.  I try to save the Crash Course videos for after introducing material because Hank uses the high vocabulary of the topic, and speaks pretty quickly.

This is my second year using his videos.  I have had a high response from the students as well as them reporting to look up his videos to help them review for exams and quizzes.

Not as Bad as the Blizzard of '78

That's always the response when discussing the snow storm we received this past week.  I wasn't around for it--to be more accurate, I hadn't even been thought of at that point in time--but when the blizzard of '78 occurred, I've been told that my mom, my granddad, and my mom's childhood friend were in charge of getting the groceries to hold them off through the storm.  My grandmother was furious when they returned home with donuts, bags of chips, cookies, candy bars, and not a single healthy item to eat.  

As I mentioned in my previous post, we received a snow day following my return from the cruise.  Since that time, my school received the remainder of the week off as well. Actually, just the students received the rest of the week off.  We, teachers, had to report to school on Thursday and Friday since students would not be making up the first two snow days.  It was relaxing to make lessons without interruption and during school hours rather than before and after school for hours, as per usual (I'm now 5 weeks planned ahead! Go, me!). 

Dottie Grace, my dog (yes, animals should have middle names, too), has been stir crazy during this weather.  It was way too cold to go for a walk on Monday or Tuesday.  Here's a quick video of her trekking through the backyard trying to spend just a few extra minutes outside, but falling through the snow with every step.  She is a clever girl, which is how I know she was walking to her tree to spend time out rather than just not thinking it through. She kept looking at me and then continued her journey to the tree.

On Wednesday, we did manage to go for a walk.  I put her sweater on her--I do not dress her often, but it was still extremely cold out--and we took a lap around the neighborhood, and boy, was she happy to be out!

2-Hour Delays are the Best... And the Worst

Everyone LOVES a 2-hour delay. You don't have to make it up at the end of the year, classes are shortened, and the kids are more alert in the morning. At school yesterday, everyone was getting in the mindset that school would be cancelled the following day due to a huge snow storm heading our way. During all the chatter (of which I could hear the hopefulness in student voices....and some teacher voices, too), all I thought was Are you kidding? This is Indiana. We probably won't end up with any snow at all. And if we do, DON'T hope for a snow day, just a delay! Besides, that's what we'll get.

Working With a Pro

What a great opportunity I had today thanks to my department chair! We are always trying to find more/different methods and practices to improve our own classrooms.  In order to see what a professional in a different content area does to promote student learning, I went to visit a Latin class during first period (Thanks, Mr. B, for getting a sub to cover my Biology class!). But not only did I go to Latin class, it just so happens to be as former Indiana Teacher of the Year! It amazed me enough that the Teacher of the Year works in my building, but on top of it, I was able to see how he works his magic everyday and then share that with my colleagues in the Science Department. 

I love the set up of his room.  There are ribbons for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place that create a banner all along the wall as you enter the room. There are posters from movies such as 300, Passion of the Christ, or Julius Caesar framed and hanging on the walls (maybe I should put some up of Biology movies...?).  He has multiple book shelves FULL of books. REAL books, not just the class textbooks. There are figurines from the Greek/Roman stories everywhere.  He even has a Roman suit of armor on a mannequin in the corner.