smart-schools.com » Science

Quick Concise Video on the Blistering Speed of Convergence

Smarty — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:32:13 +0000

A great way to help energize your students on the need to be “learn savvy” in this rapid era of change.

Document Cameras & Projectors: Cool Use #9 “Jigsaw Notes”

Smarty — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:09:19 +0000

JIGSAW NOTES ———————————————————————————–

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Students can work together to write the complete notes for any given topic. Rather

than only giving a report verbally, a document camera allows students to

collaboratively produce valuable notes for the class.

For any Subject or Content Area

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Paper with subtopic headings listed and space to write notes in each section

- Index cards or paper cut to a similar size

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Decide which subtopic within a given topic to assign for review, i.e. causes, effects, characteristics, and possible preventions for erosion.

2. Prepare a template paper divided into sections with subheadings listed.

DURING

3. Assign small groups of students to each subtopic of the topic to be reviewed.

4. Direct students to consult their notes, textbooks, and other resources make concise notes for the subtopic assigned to them.

5. Collect each group’s notes, and assemble them together under the document camera.

6. Project the image of the completed notes, discuss as a class, and direct all students to copy completed notes.

AFTER

7. In addition to preparing written notes for the subtopic assigned to them, have students become subject matter experts by presenting the topic to the class.

ADAPTATIONS

- As a final review of important concepts, repeat the activity, assigning different groups to different subtopics.

Document Cameras & Projectors: Cool Use #5 Science “Categorizing Concepts”

Smarty — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:36:26 +0000

CATEGORIZING CONCEPTS #5—————————————–

CONTENT AREA: SCIENCE

GRADE LEVEL: MIDDLE SCHOOL

The following activity can be used to introduce or review examples of science concepts in categories, such as vertebrates and invertebrates. A document camera allows all students to actively participate.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- One paper with the category names listed in columns

- Papers cut in small pieces with the names of different animals to classify into vertebrates and invertebrates

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Label the piece of paper with the category names, i.e. vertebrate and invertebrate.

2. Write the names of different vertebrate and invertebrate animals on each of the small cards (works best if there are enough examples for every member of the class).

DURING

3. Project the image of the diagram using the document camera.

4. Pass out a small card with the name of an animal written on it to each student.

5. Direct students to decide whether the animal on each card is a vertebrate or invertebrate, and place the card in the appropriate category.

6. Discuss as a class, making corrections to student classifications as necessary.

AFTER

7. As a review activity on a separate occasion, mix the cards and pass out to different students, repeat activity as listed above.

8. Create a few new cards with animal names that have not been previously reviewed as a class. Project the image of the cards using a document camera. Assign students to categorize the animals for homework. To review homework the following day as a class, pass out the cards assigned as homework. Allow students to place each card in the appropriate category using the document camera.

ADAPTATIONS

- Instead of preparing the cards with items to categorize, have students create the cards by writing the name of an animal on each small card.

- This class activity can be easily adapted for other categorizing activities.

Clearly, document cameras rock!

Document Cameras & Projectors: Cool Use #4 Health “You Are What You Eat”

Smarty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:38 +0000

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT #4 ————————————-

CONTENT AREA: HEALTH EDUCATION

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE SCHOOL

Increase students’ awareness of food ingredients and percentages of nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sodium, and fiber by using a document camera to project the images of actual food wrappers.

This activity can be an eye-opening experience for everyone!

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Food wrappers that contain nutrition and ingredient information

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Assign students to bring in an item of food, or only the wrapper, that contains the nutrition and ingredient label.

DURING

2. Using the document camera, project the ingredients and nutritional label of the

food items or wrappers that students have brought in.

3. As a class, discuss the components of each food item displayed, calling attention to certain target concepts.

AFTER

4. Project several wrappers with nutritional information that have not already been discussed as a class. Have students discuss collaboratively which food is the healthiest based on the information given or have students write a paragraph critically analyzing the healthiness of the items displayed.

ADAPTATION

- Cut off the nutritional information of several food containers. Display using the document camera. Give students several choices of food names. Have students make educated guesses to match each product with its label based on the information given.