IPad Apps

One excellent application for science teachers is called Chem Pro? This is a tutorial program that runs the complete spectrum from Chem Tech to AP Chemistry. It features lessons on video with flash cards and equations. There are 80 lessons available with only the first 10 lessons offered free. The remaining 70 lessons can be purchased as needed for $1.99 per lesson. This app offers students help 24 hours a day tailored to meet I dividual needs. The second app is called Science 360 and consists of pictures in a circular format in all areas of science. You simply find an icon that interests you and information on the topic pops up in both video and written format. The choices on the menu appear to move in a circle like a theater in the round. The icons change regularly to zmaintain student interest. This is an app for writing and prompts rather than for research and reference.

G.L.O.B.E. has gradually become more and more important in my Earth and Environmental science classes. It offers a method to involve students in hands-on science where the data collected is recorded on the GLOBE website and is available to anyone who wants it. This QR code links to the GLOBE website where environmental observations from around the world are available for use by educators, scientists, and students.

Online Presentation

The presentation for GLOBE cloud protocols is very effective in introducing cloud analysis to students and teachers. Everyone looks at clouds and is aware that they indicate what weather may be coming, but few people know to what extent clouds affect our environment. This presentation gives a brief description of the types of clouds and explains more fully why scientists study clouds. This presentation is effective because it makes extensive use of photographs and does not offer Word documents in Power Point.



GLOBE Cloud Protocols

I use rubrics to grade the final products in project-based units. Nearly every unit I teach involves a project of some sort, so I use rubrics extensively. Rubistar is a good source for creating a rubric very quickly. Since it uses the Excel format it is easy to download. I do not use paper in grading by rubric, I complete the electronic rubric and e mail it to the students as an attachment. I have an e mail address for each class for students to submit their work. This gives me their e mail address to send their rubric. I also have links on the class website that allows students to have copies of all the rubrics used to assess their work.

Making A Poster : Poster Rubric
Teacher Name: Mr. Sharpe
Student Name:     ________________________________________
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Content - Accuracy	At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Title	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and is quite creative.	Title can be read from 6 ft. away and describes content well.	Title can be read from 4 ft. away and describes the content well.	The title is too small and/or does not describe the content of the poster well.
Required Elements	The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.	All required elements are included on the poster.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.	Several required elements were missing.
Date Created: Mar 31, 2012 01:04 pm (UTC)

Flipped Classroom

I am not in favor of the flipped classroom because of the technology involved. Students at home will not be any more likely to watch videos of a lecture at home than at school. Many of our students do not have access at home to the technology needed to flip the classroom. Students will communicate with each other, but not about school. Those students with resources will benefit, but most will not because 60% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunches. Students might benefit from the use of social media like Facebook or Twitter because of their popularity currently. Communication between members of student teams could be enhanced and absences would present less of a problem.

NASA Application

I use a NASA app to demonstrate the solar system. This shows great color photos and complete info on each body in the solar system.#ntti2012

DOK of Assessment I Have Used Recently

I use mostly PBL's in my Earth science classes and rarely give a test. This means my assessments are of a culminating event by rubric. The DOK of the final product of our last project was three and four because it involved investigation, analysis, proof, and comparison?