Science Fun with Solar Cookers!

     Yes I have been lacking in my blogger duties, so sorry. After finally finishing up my Master's in Literacy Education I got caught up in the craziness that is 3rd grade!
     This year I decided to loop up with my 2nd graders from last year. What an amazing group of kids! I couldn't resist looping with them. However, the perils of 3rd grade just crept up on me. State testing woes. I have never had to deal with the pressure involved in this high-stakes nonsense! 20 years into my career I am finally face to face with the "T E S T" !
     I decided I needed to make sure these kids got the BEST of me! So here is the beginning of our year ...hands-on and fun times in Science!

     We asked ourselves how can we use what we know about radiant energy to make a solar cooker that can actually make a snack?  I divided the class into engineering teams of three or four. Then introduced them to the material that they were allowed to use;shoe boxes or cardboard boxes; aluminum foil; wax paper; colored construction paper; plastic wrap; masking tape; clear tape; string (only those materials were permitted). Each child had a role to play too, that made it more manageable! Together they had 15 minutes to create and label drawings of their solar cookers. Then they estimated how much of the materials they would need to do the job. Once I signed off on their blueprint, then they could create.

We then used our "21st century skills" and collaborated, took initiative, used our curiosity and imagination.

The class had to problem solve together and really be flexible with one another so everyone's opinions could be heard.

Making sure they used effective oral and written communication with each other was so important!

 It took us two days from blueprints to  actual cookers. We waited for a super sunny day (4 days later) and went outside to make a snack.

This group had an awesome design, but will it work?

Another good design, complete with a flap to check what is cooking!

The open oven design is what we called this invention.

This oven has a large door to cook open or closed.

Another open design.

Finally we got cooking!

We didn't have to wait long, the slowest cooker took 22 minutes, but in hind sight I would not have put the chocolate with the marshmallow and cookie, 

As you can see "Solar Cookers" were a big hit,  

Next time on "Being the Queen Bee isn't Easy" expect to see what goes on in Math....I promise it won't take three months to get that post out!

The LAST of my Reflective Teaching Posts-Becoming a Reflective Teacher -Part 6

Do you really WANT to be a good teacher, or a GREAT teacher?
     The best advice I have for you is to watch a great teacher. Watch them as they model for you the secrets of their success. Don't try to copy them, you can't. That is their style, but I know you like the way they transition from one activity to another seamlessly. Watch them , take notes and reflect on how that will look like in your classroom.
     Another strategy for you to try is "Coaching Colleagues". This is when two or three teachers get together and agree to  give each other HONEST feedback regarding their use of instructional strategies. Some call this peer coaching, Marzano quotes another researcher Robbins on page 77 which means "a confidential process through which two or more professionals work together to reflect on current practices; expand, refine, and build new skills; share ideas; teach one another; conduct classroom research; or solve problems in the workplace"  I know this sounds like it could get sticky, but you have to trust your peers, especially the ones you really look up to, the ones you want to be like when you 'grow up'.
      A great way to really see and reflect is the strategy of instructional rounds. This is not for the faint of heart. In this strategy your peer coaching team examines videos of other teachers and each other  and discusses the best practice strategies in each video. During instructional rounds you can also visit each other's classrooms to see your peers in action. After the visit, you then engage the group in a discussion, reflection and draw conclusions about your own best practices.Make sure the instructional rounds are not about evaluation, but rather focused practice on good teaching skills.

My hopes for this series were to help you focus on what you do best for yourself, your children and your school.

• Are you being the best teacher you can be? If not, it's time to get uncomfortable and s t r e t c h
• Do you have a model of effective teaching? Who is your mentor? 
• Do you have good growth goals for your kids and yourself?  What kind of goals are you setting?
• Do you engage in focus practice? What do you do better than anyone else?
• Are you receiving and giving focused feedback? Do you ever see yourself?
• Who is the last 'best' teacher you observed teaching? Time to look around you and get some ideas!

Reference:Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.

Focused Feedback...Becoming a Reflective Teacher Part 5

    We need Feedback to focus our practice, we need REAL feedback!

    How do we get good, real feedback?

    You can video yourself, take a student survey, and use your students' achievement data.

Reflection is the key here...use a log and write down what you see in your video, ask a trusted friend to watch it too. Watching it with someone who can give you honest feedback will give you specific elements of your performance that you will need to focus on.

When you ask the kids to help expect some REAL answers. I use Exit Slips (Exit Tickets). I found a great one for math, but I tweak it to fit anything really.

Using achievement data can give you some insightful feedback too. It can show you where you need to re-teach. Ask yourself questions as you are digging through the data; What concept was most missed on the test? Am I tracking their data? If so, what are you tracking? Grades? Growth? Did my teaching help them achieve?

Receiving Focused Feedback is the key to great teaching...are you getting the right feedback? Or are you listening to what you WANT to hear? Remember anyone giving you feedback, good or bad can only make you stronger!

Reference:

Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a reflective teacher. Bloomington, IN: Marzano Research Laboratory.