Our school year is in full swing. The students have completed a couple of projects already and we are all set for a successful year. All classes begin the day with six critical thinking challenges. They are presented with two brainteasers, two mysteries to solve, and two mystery grams. They enjoy and look forward to a new set of puzzles and challenges to solve each week.
Our "book club" is another important part of our instruction. Each class is reading a mystery novel this school year. We read at least 1 chapter together each week with time embedded for discussions and journal reflections.
We've also come to the conclusion that our world is a pretty awesome place. The students are learning about some of history's most interesting mysteries. We have already covered and learned about Cahokia, Amelia Earhart, and The Lost Colony of Roanoke. Using a source from National Geographic as well as educational videos online, we discuss, debate, and try to solve these historical mysteries. We build background, learn about the details and clues, and read different theories from researchers and archaeologists.
Our theme this year is CSI and mystery so forensics will play a huge role in our classroom. We started with Forensics 101! The students are learning the basics as far as crime scene is concerned. We have covered topics such as: types of evidence, how evidence can be used, crime scene protocol, crime scene personnel, witness factors, crime scene & suspect factors, and facial composites. The students have also completed two digital labs. The first lab was a forensic biology lab. They learned about DNA. What does the abbreviation represent? How forensic scientist use DNA in a crime? What is a DNA profile? How do you process DNA? What does a Genetic Analyzer do? The second lab was a toxicology lab. Here they went through a simulation that helped them better understand what forensic toxicologist do and what a GC/MS instrument does? My younger students completed two different labs. They completed a hands-on microscopic fiber analysis lab and a powerful powders lab. They analyzed fibers for evidence by using a microscope and investigated characteristics of powders to identify a powder from a "crime scene".
One introductory art lesson included a quick study of Post-Impressionism and Van Gogh and his Sunflowers. This was followed by the students creating an "impression" of a sunflower on cardboard and foil, then adding color. The sunflowers are currently on display and receiving many compliments in the hall! All middle school students were given the task to complete a "Me from A to Z" assignment. It led to a class in which the students felt like they were reading a dictionary/thesaurus. The student had to come up with a list of words or phrases to describe themselves and/or their personality. The challenge was that 5 of the 26 entries had to be new words. It was quite the task and its much harder than its sounds! After creating the A to Z list on paper they had to come up with a creative format to display their results. I am proud of the effort they put into this simple project that meant to serve as a way for each class to get acquainted with each other again this year. Now that our introductory art projects are finalized we are ready to begin our artist studies. We will begin with Gustav Klimt. Check back at the end of October for details about that artist and our interpretation of his art.
In addition to all of this the students are allowed time we call "Genius Hour". Some students work on art projects, others engineering projects, critical thinking challenges, robotics projects, coding software, and so much more. After each genius hour session students are required to document what they worked on and what they plan to do with any genius hour time they are given during a future TAG class.
Finally, we end our day with mystery picture trivia. We are learning very cool and interesting information about a wide variety of topics. Do you know what product was the first ever scanned with a bar code at a supermarket? How many degrees is the tilt of the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Which country has no aircraft carriers? How did the Adidas brand get its name? Which type of candy did President Ronald Reagan like the most? Ask a TAG student! They know the answers!
Our "book club" is another important part of our instruction. Each class is reading a mystery novel this school year. We read at least 1 chapter together each week with time embedded for discussions and journal reflections.
We've also come to the conclusion that our world is a pretty awesome place. The students are learning about some of history's most interesting mysteries. We have already covered and learned about Cahokia, Amelia Earhart, and The Lost Colony of Roanoke. Using a source from National Geographic as well as educational videos online, we discuss, debate, and try to solve these historical mysteries. We build background, learn about the details and clues, and read different theories from researchers and archaeologists.
Our theme this year is CSI and mystery so forensics will play a huge role in our classroom. We started with Forensics 101! The students are learning the basics as far as crime scene is concerned. We have covered topics such as: types of evidence, how evidence can be used, crime scene protocol, crime scene personnel, witness factors, crime scene & suspect factors, and facial composites. The students have also completed two digital labs. The first lab was a forensic biology lab. They learned about DNA. What does the abbreviation represent? How forensic scientist use DNA in a crime? What is a DNA profile? How do you process DNA? What does a Genetic Analyzer do? The second lab was a toxicology lab. Here they went through a simulation that helped them better understand what forensic toxicologist do and what a GC/MS instrument does? My younger students completed two different labs. They completed a hands-on microscopic fiber analysis lab and a powerful powders lab. They analyzed fibers for evidence by using a microscope and investigated characteristics of powders to identify a powder from a "crime scene".
One introductory art lesson included a quick study of Post-Impressionism and Van Gogh and his Sunflowers. This was followed by the students creating an "impression" of a sunflower on cardboard and foil, then adding color. The sunflowers are currently on display and receiving many compliments in the hall! All middle school students were given the task to complete a "Me from A to Z" assignment. It led to a class in which the students felt like they were reading a dictionary/thesaurus. The student had to come up with a list of words or phrases to describe themselves and/or their personality. The challenge was that 5 of the 26 entries had to be new words. It was quite the task and its much harder than its sounds! After creating the A to Z list on paper they had to come up with a creative format to display their results. I am proud of the effort they put into this simple project that meant to serve as a way for each class to get acquainted with each other again this year. Now that our introductory art projects are finalized we are ready to begin our artist studies. We will begin with Gustav Klimt. Check back at the end of October for details about that artist and our interpretation of his art.
In addition to all of this the students are allowed time we call "Genius Hour". Some students work on art projects, others engineering projects, critical thinking challenges, robotics projects, coding software, and so much more. After each genius hour session students are required to document what they worked on and what they plan to do with any genius hour time they are given during a future TAG class.
Finally, we end our day with mystery picture trivia. We are learning very cool and interesting information about a wide variety of topics. Do you know what product was the first ever scanned with a bar code at a supermarket? How many degrees is the tilt of the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Which country has no aircraft carriers? How did the Adidas brand get its name? Which type of candy did President Ronald Reagan like the most? Ask a TAG student! They know the answers!