Rare Earths!!

Did you ever wonder about those little discussed elements on the Periodic Table that are just hanging out on their own underneath the rest of their elemental brothers and sisters?  Well, here is an article for you!

Rare Earth Metals-National Geographic June 2011

We don't talk about them much, but in the article you will learn exactly how rare they are, some common uses of these metals, physical and chemical properties that make them useful, where they are found/mined and some of the social and political issues behind these elements!

Enjoy and feel free to comment with your thoughts or questions!

Lightning!!

In Physics, we are currently studying electricity and I came across this video. I find it endlessly fascinating! Hopefully you will, too!

100 Greatest Discoveries-Radioactivity

Thanks to The Science Channel for an awesome videos!

View Pure...solution to YouTube Yuck!

You know you have seen it! YouTube Yuck!  You know, the nasty comments or inappropriate video suggestions that have made it difficult to use YouTube in your classroom or home?  Well, thanks to R Byrne's suggestion at his fantastic site, there is a solution!  A site called ViewPure will strip a YouTube of all extras and just play the video!!  YIIIPPPPEEEE!!  I can't wait to try it out in my live sessions!

Without ViewPure                                                           Using ViewPure

video from Discovery Networks

                                        

Challenge 6: Adding more media!!

Sometimes as science teachers, we can get bogged down in all of the details, and forget that science is really fun, engaging, exciting and comes naturally to our students.  I am a very left brained person, so I thought it would be good to push myself using bitstrips!!  Here is the initial result:

This is TOO much fun and is actually a really simple site to use.  It does have a 30 day free trial, but then starts to charge a relatively nominal fee.  I will have to investigate the possibility of signing up!! 

What are some ideas you have for using comic strip creation in the classroom??


Ideas??... at AnswerGarden.ch.

Thanks to Edublogs for the awesome blog post about all sorts of fun and interactive media!!

Lessons from a horse: photo practice...keeping it legal (hopefully)!

Tee hee!!  Thanks to Steve Jurvetson for a great photo and a great laugh this morning!  Many of you know already that I have a slight horse addiction.  Ok, a major horse addiction.  Training horses and training people around horses has given me amazing insights into teaching and has made me a much better teacher!!  Below is a top 10 list of things I learned about teaching from horse-ing around!


10) Getting up early and being the first person at the barn (or at school) helps me ease into the day.
9) I enjoy the ground work more than I enjoy the result. 
8) Spending time on the ground work is not only enjoyable, but is the only way to get the result you want.
7) Racing to the finish line usually ends up in stitches (literally and figuratively).
6) Teamwork can never be underestimated and any two individuals can become a team with the right guidance.
5) Sometimes you have to get dirty to get clean.
4) Daily practice is the only way to earn success.
3) A good rider stays out of their horses' way and lets them shine.  A good teacher does the same with their students.
2) Sometimes you win the biggest when you aren't even in the show!
1) Discipline matters.  I love riding, my riding students have been waiting their whole lives to spend time with their horses.  However, sometimes no one wants to show up and do the work that it takes to ride.  But you do it anyway and it is awesome. Always.

What are some ways that a hobby has helped you be more successful??

Staying active while learning from home: physically and mentally

Student's learning is sometimes quantified or counted by a measure called "seat-time." While there are some learning activities that require seated, quiet and focused attention, there are others that can be incorporated into active activities!

Over the years, many researchers have investigate the connection between learning and being physically active. They have found that the more physically active you are, the better you can learn. You can read just a couple of articles about it here, here and here.

Schooling and working from home can sometimes put us in danger for feeling isolated, dull and not being as active as we should be. However, there are SO many ways for you to incorporate some active learning ideas and just plain physical activity in your day to keep you both mentally active and physically active!!

In this article from zentofitness.com, the author addresses the idea that we not only need to incorporate 30-60 minute periods of vigorous activity into our week, but also that we need to stand up more often. I have no idea if that is true, however, I plan to incorporate more standing into my day by purchasing a "standing desk" for my laptop!!

Get creative to add more standing time into your day. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Call a teacher rather than write a lengthy k-mail. Then, you are free to stand or walk as you talk on the phone.
2. Perhaps a friend or family member would help you review for a test as you go for a walk or hike.
3. Take breaks during the day to incorporate physical activity. Get outside, skateboard, hike, walk, run, play a sport, or even do some chores!
4. Use a smaller water bottle! I use a Nalgene bottle for my water. (BPA free, of course). However, I am thinking about getting a small water bottle that I need to refill often so that I need to walk to the sink several times per day. That would be a very simple way to incorporate more standing and walking into your day.
5. Find a high and stable place for your computer screen so that you can stand during ClassConnects, just be sure that you don't wander off!
6. After a stretch of sitting at your computer, get up and stretch, do some jumping jacks or push ups. Something to get your blood, and your mind, pumping again!
7. Have a mini dance party at your house between subjects. Turn on your favorite tunes and get moving!

As many high school student lose access to physical activity during their school day leaving them at higher risk for depression, obesity and type 2 diabetes, online students and teachers have the advantage of being able to incorporate LOTS more movement and exercise into their day! Increasing movement and exercise will help you lean better, help you focus and aid you in getting a good night's sleep.
Remember, your mind is an organ like all others in that it need oxygenated blood to function properly. Integrating more physical activities (both heart pumping and not) into your day could not only improve your physical health, but can help you learn better and have a more fulfilling day!
Please comment and let me know how YOU incorporated movement and exercise (or even standing) into your school day!