Blog Posts

STEM INTERACTIVE: Dichotomous Key

8/23/2015

Watch Dichotomous Key video here.

In pairs complete online game.

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Download lesson here if you were absent.

Dichotomous Key Activity
Grades 5/6

Students will understand that a dichotomous key is chart that includes a series of absolute yes or no questions. The purpose of a dichotomous key is to categorize specimens using logical choices.

1. Class will view the eduCannon video and discuss how birds are categorized.

2. In pairs students will play online Fish Identification game.

3. In small groups students will create a dichotomous key to present in class on Friday 8/28/15.

STEM INTERACTIVE: Archimedes' Principle for Kids

3/21/2015

Watch the video.

Take the Jeopardy Challenge

buoyancy_lab_2.doc
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Design your boat and test your theory.

Physics
Fun with Buoyancy
Grades K - 8
What is a force that pushes against gravity?
Critical Thinking / Decisions
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Essential Questions:
If the ocean is flooded with fresh water from glacier run-off does the buoyancy of ocean water change? What layer of the ocean would be most affected?
The density of a fluid is affected by several variables, including temperature and salinity. As a fluids temperature increase, so does its density. Therefore, colder salt water will sink below warmer, freshwater.

Watch the video and write down 3 new pieces of information you found to be interesting.
In small groups or as a whole class take the Jeopardy Challenge. Identify the category you scored the best and the category you scored the worst in.
Print out Buoyancy Lab Doc.
In pairs discuss and design 2 different types of boats from your supplies that you will be used in the penny challenge.
Test your designs and record your observations.
Repeat the experiment a second time by adding 1/2 cup of salt to your water tub. How did the results differ?
Exit Ticket: Explain how Archimedes theory of buoyancy and boats are related. Did salt influence the boats performance?

Helpful Tips and Tools for Middle and High School English Class

2/22/2015

Tina Tow - Shades Mountain Christian School

This post is written for a very gifted and inspired English teacher. Tina Tow you rock! Thank you for shining your light, your faith, and your compassionate friendship in my direction. Thank you for always reminding me to live in the moment :)

Interactive Challenges to Improve: Grammar, Vocabulary and Writing Skills

Quill provides free writing, grammar, and vocabulary activities to middle and high school students.

Vocabulary.com, the quickest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary.

Grammar Instruction with Attitude. Includes detailed terms, interactive exercises, handouts, PowerPoints, videos, and more!

Bright Hub! Making review games fun and interactive.

PIXTON Comic Creator lets students unleash their creativity and design storyboards that encourage critical analysis, collaboration and real world connections.

5 Useful Tips and Helpful Apps
for GREAT Writing

G - Grab their attention with original word choices.
World Wide Words

Careful word choice can transform a mediocre writer into a better one or make a dull subject seem engaging. Word choice is an important part of any type of writing–especially content writing. Selecting precise words will help you increase the impact you create on your audience

R - Resources need to be vetted and peer reviewed.
Purdue Owl Lab

Mrs. Tow has a favorite! These OWL resources will help you understand and complete specific types of writing assignments, such as annotated bibliographies, book reports, and research papers. Resources also include help on writing academic proposals for presentation, journal articles and books.

E - Engage a global audience through publishing.
Enter to Win

Publishing your writing fosters and promotes global connections, encourages collaboration, strengthens self-confidence, rewards interest, and promotes a use of personalized voice and choice in writing.

A - A+ writers understand the need for clarity.
Hemingway Can Help

Editing is one of the most important parts of writing, but it's hard to know where to start sometimes. Hemingway is a web app that highlights hard to read sentences, adverbs, complicated phrases, and passive voice so you can make your writing more clear

T -Technology is the stage to showcase success.
Tech Tools for Interactive Presentations

Web 2.0 tools are a great way to record and share your research, main idea, reflection and final presentation. Move beyond powerpoint to actively engage your audience.

Pray For Those Who Defend Our Freedom

11/11/2014

Veterans Day Tribute

Blessed to have him home again.

Lance Cpl Arredondo

Pfc Skinner

In loving memory of:
Lance Cpl Arredondo
Pfc Skinner

Giving thanks for our Veterans...

Lord once again I say thank you for returning
my first born child from war.
Thank you for for watching over all of
our military and their families.
Please God, give me wisdom and endurance
to fight for justice on the home front
for our veterans.
I pray that our nation never forgets
the families that sacrificed all ...
and the men and women who carry
the war silently within
as they return to the home front.
~ Alicia

STEM Interactives: Why doesn't NASA dig a hole to the center of the earth?

11/9/2014

Watch the video and try to construct an explanation of what is the cause and effect of the sinkhole.

Could you dig a hole to the center of the earth? Check this out...

Earth Systems
Processes That Shape the Earth
Grades K-8
What is the deepest hole on planet earth and how was it made?
Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools gather, evaluate, and use information.

Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

Essential Question:
What causes sinkholes? Are they more common underwater or on land?
Essential Science and Engineering Practices
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

1. Watch the video and look for clues of what is causing the sinkhole.
2. Position Statement Handout
3. Sinkhole Assessment Sheet
4.

STEM INTERACTIVE: How heavy is air?

10/30/2014

Watch this video as a class :)

Explore this website with a friend.

Investigate air resistance with various objects, angles, initial speed, mass, diameter, and initial height.

Earth & Space Science
Weather and Climate
Grades K-8
Why doesn't air crush us?
Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

Essential Question:
What would happen to an unprotected person at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space when air pressure changes?

Watch the video and look for examples of air pressure. Can you identify another example of air pressure you have experienced or observed? Write down yours answers to share with the class.
In pairs explore the site STUDY JAMS. Illustrate 3 ways air pressure impacts climate and weather.
Using Phet interactive work side by side with your partner and investigate air resistance. What is the variable that causes the biggest change in the speed and distance your objects travel?
EXIT TICKET: How much does the entire atmosphere weigh? How many pounds of pressure is pressings on each square inch of your body?
Extra Credit Activity: Test the weight of the atmosphere for yourself. Grab a barometer and take a measurement at the bottom and top of the mountain and record the difference.

STEM INTERACTIVE: Global Climate Change

10/30/2014

Watch Chasing Ice

Take the quiz: Carbon and the climate

Play the game NASA Climate Kids in pairs and identify ways in which a carbon footprint can impact places we have never visited.

Earth & Space Science
Weather and Climate
Grades k-12
Why do glaciers matter?
Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovate products and process using technology

Create original works as a means of personal or group expression

Essential Question:
What would happen if the human race decided to change our planets use of a carbon powered lifestyle?
Climate change: We still have a lot to learn about climate change, about why it's happening and what that means. But one thing is clear: It's real, alright.

Watch the video and write down 3 new facts about glacier activity that you found to be interesting.
In a small group review Making a Difference : Carbon and the climate. Identify and discuss the most likely and least likely action you would take to reduce your carbon footprint.
In pairs play Climate Kids.
EXIT TICKET: Explain how far and how wide the carbon footprints we make impact places we may never visit.

STEM INTERACTIVE: Disappearing Polar Bears - A Threatened Species

10/22/2014

Watch this video as a class :)

Explore this website with a friend.

Create an infographic with this app.

Life Science
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Grades K-8
What happens to the polar ecosystems when sea ice begins to disappear?
Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

Essential Question:
How is losing sea ice similar to losing soil in the garden? What kind of gardens do polar bears, penguins and narwals need?
Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

Watch the video and look for examples of a changing ecosystem. What variables in the video would you want to go back in time and try to change?
In pairs explore the site Why They Matter. Write down 3 reasons polar bears matter to planet earth.
Using Graffio create a infograph representing a cause and effect relationship you have discovered about polar bears and sea ice.
Share pair your original work. Describe how it might express your personal point of view .
EXIT TICKET: What is the relationship between global warming - sea ice - polar bears and extinction?

What Would You Give To Change the World?

7/7/2014

The Story of
Generous Giving...

Why do people choose generosity? Find out here...

Have you ever watched a video and realized the message was written for you...about you...sketching out where your passion might lead you if you listen to God's whisper?
The Story of Generous Giving was shared with me today by my beautiful friend Sharon. Coincident? I don't think so.
In November 2014 I will launch the very best of all I am - a new endeavor called IGNITE Think Tank 2014 with a close group of friends who believe giving back is the right choice.

I hope your heart resonates with a clear purpose as
God surely whispers your name in this story.
~ Alicia

The Best Fish Tale Ever Told :<>{

7/5/2014

How I Fell In Love With A Fish

The challenge is to manage a river catchment so that after 100 years you have a healthy economy and a healthy environment.

How I Fell In Love With A Fish
Dan Barber - TedTalks

Essential Question:
Want to feed the world? Let's start by asking: How are we going to feed ourselves? Or better: How can we create conditions that enable every community to feed itself?

Watch the video How I Fell In Love With A Fish
Reflect on these points before you answer the essential question...

The agribusiness model for the future is really old, and it's tired. It's high on capital, chemistry and machines, and it's never produced anything really good to eat.
The ecological model - the one that relies on two billion years of on-the-job experience is complete as a renewable and sustainable food resource for the entire food chai - not specific to one species.
Farmers like Miguel. Farms that aren't worlds unto themselves; farms that restore instead of deplete; farms that farm extensively instead of just intensively; farmers that are not just producers, but experts in relationships produce the most sought after products.

Play the game Catchment Detox and challenge yourself to manage a river for that supports a healthy economy and environment the length of 100 years.

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Written by:
Alicia Roberts

I am blessed to be a mom of four amazing children, and an owner of a beautiful rescue puppy. I have taught for 20 years and am passionate about my calling as Principal at Bella Vista College Preparatory. I speak nationally about STEM as a Today's Learn Specialist for Grand Canyon University. Please feel free to contact me to inquire about STEM+ Workshops or Curriculum Design.
[email protected]