Monday CER, Listening Brings Moments of Joy (294)

Today in class we discussed CER. Claim, Evidence, Reasoning in science. How to make a claim based on a question. For instance How do plants make food? Claim - Plants make food by the process of Photosynthesis. Then we discussed how to collect data, evidence and analyze it. How to collect valid data. Unbiased data. For our example, we would conduct experiments, read science articles about the subject etc. Finally, reasoning- the most challenging of the steps.

In this case the reasoning section would be organized around the fact that plants make food by the process of photosynthesis and how we know. A restating of the claim and connecting it with the evidence. So it would be something like, in experiments with elodea, water and a test tube we see bubbles rising if we place the test tube and submerged plant close to light. 

We also know that through observation that stomata open allowing gas exchange to occur, and we can also see through laboratory experiments that plants convert this inbound gas, oxygen into glucose. A complicated yet measurable and observable process. Sounds complicated doesn't it. I knew there had to be a more concise, easier way to demonstrate the process of writing CER's in science.

So I used three television commercials (all shorter than 30 seconds) and had students watch them two times each. Once to write their claim- based on their observations and the second to collect their evidence from the commercial, how they can support their claim.

The first commercial was a Dorito's commercial where a Great Dane is caught in the middle of a crime. He is seen burying a cat collar, the witness compares the collar to a missing cat poster nearby, in a split second, only to be then confronted by the dog. Who is holding a bag of Dorito's with a sticky note that say - "you didn't see nuttn'". Needless to say the cat owner denies knowing where the cat is.

The second commercial is of a little girl, around five years of age, presenting evidence (yes she says evidence) to convince us her dad is a space alien. He speaks a weird language (gargling after brushing his teeth), he drinks green drinks (kale smoothies), dresses weird (a futuristic bike outfit), says he comes from Albuquerque (a nonsensical place) and that he drives a space ship (An Audi). 

This was a fun one- I had them write a CER based on what she would write. Actually, legitimate evidence but of course misunderstood. Then I had them write a CER that they could use to convince her of the truth. There were a lot of funny ones. They got really creative.

The last commercial was a famous one- most had seen it. What happened to Sheryl's She Shed? A husband and wife are talking to their State Farm insurance broker asking if their She Shed was covered. The student's debated a long time on this one- did he burn it down? Did she burn it down? Was it actually struck by lightning as her husband claims. They both acted a little suspicious and no one actually agreed.

But in the end CER's are now understood. They discovered that opinion matters, that we interpret things differently. That evidence can be biased. That eye witness testimony might not always be correct. We see what we want to see. Most importantly they understand that a lack of evidence does not mean evidence. It is important to collect viable data- supported data and keep an open mind.

A Brief Bounce, A Prolonged Ricochet (292)

Chiseling leaves grooves. Yet with enough gouging, edging and sculpting- a masterpiece forms. Smooth and shaped like marble- it shimmers and shines from every angle. Before the first dig, a drawing. A sketch of further artistry. A teachers tools activate and the progression of modeling, molding and abstraction- are simple the means to the structural integrity- the sturdy, statue of both design and spontaneity.

They stand amidst the gallery, displaying the components of many. The representation of self, mirrored in the faces of onlookers. A crowd gathers, hushes, stills. Awaiting the red curtain to drop and the hidden effigy of themselves to awaken. It is a moment beautiful whether virtual or physical- the realm is identical because the energy is universal.

You feel it. Their understanding. Their acceptance of you. Their appreciation of you. It often goes unnoticed within the unveiling- their attention focused not on expression but on absorption. The view is quite enticing- this is their moment of concentration, expected and awaited. Only after, once they achieve the carve, the edge, the sculpt- that we witness not the shape of our doing- but the grooves and carves of theirs.

The museum is full. Each statue individual- personal. They create them painstakingly, determined, prideful. Us becoming the spectators in their story. They the docent in ours. This exchange is timeless. This intersection of artistry- why we do what we do. It is the meaning of education. The long lasting pattern and tapestry of knowledge.

I can see the lights flickering on and the flair of individualism, the fine workmanship they utilize. The artfulness of their accomplishments. And all of this -their gift to me- not intentional, not deliberate- and that is why it is priceless. 

A Simple Smile, A Quiet Reflection (291)

 This week was a whirlwind- leaving in its wake some successes and a few mishaps. I still sting from the concrete laden scratches of exhaustion. I just didn't prepare enough. I prepared almost enough and that little bit of wiggle room- well that opens the flood gates for anxious, mentally engaged, physically unengaged students. A few hiccups, nothing major. 

Just as reflection sets in, we all have these moments of dread where you know unequivocally that you didn't teach something thoroughly enough. The test is in two days and after checking warm-ups and sci-starters, who almost cry because they just don't get it. Yet. So the only thing you can do is a study session, a review day- which does nothing more than cram details into their already over strained brains.

Then you find out another subject area has a test the same day- a harder one apparently and thus- they study for that instead. Oh, and did I say they also had a writing project due in another class. Three whammy's because it is the end of the grading period? That was my week. Now, almost every student passed my test, a few need to be tutored and retested- but it still does not feel anything near successful. It feels passable.

But then, students smile. They explain. They tell stories of how they did learn- even though I felt my teaching was subpar. It comes in waves of reflection on their progress. Discussions of their accomplishments and new goals. Their simple smiles, quiet reflection- unfolded into honest feedback, less negative than I thought. 

This is why we ask. This is why we listen. Because they will light the way to our next unit- illuminated we will see the changes and the streamline. This is why a willingness to be vulnerable is so important not only to gain insight- but foresight. This is immeasurable.

Look in the Mirror and Really Squint at it (287)

The more we learn, the more messy the picture becomes. Frequently fractious. Unremitting revolution. A dot in the continuum. We are presented with unique circumstances. Unique is terribly overrated. What happens with uniqueness is it has evolved to extract the best scenario. Evolved being the operative word in that sentence.

We all are in a constant state of evolution. Changing our direction with choices- some unbeknownst to us. We make a decision and a cavalcade of new choices appear. Almost like an explosion of options, sparkling and distracting. This glitter storm is often what slows us down- we are afraid of too many choices.

5 moves or less. That tends to be the attention span most of us live by these days. With rapid fire news, Google searches, and fast food- we are not prepared to wait for too long for our next desire. So it is so important these days to pause and look in the mirror, really squint at it. Recognize yourself. Understand your vulnerability and strength. 

Whether your day requires origami, chapter or verse- we must read the pamphlets our psyches are presenting us with. We must read between the lines and sense our need for self-care. We must be willing to walk away from expectations and allow ourselves to rest. We must see the shape of things, reflected.

For when we do- we not only see our worth, our value, our beauty- we also recognize every angle of ourselves. The pimples, freckles and tangled hair. The sharpness of our eye color, the beautiful wrinkles of wisdom. The smile lines we create every day. We are amazing creatures- us humans.

We are amazing educators. For we rise to the challenge, crawl to the tops of mountainsides, dirt permanently under our nails. We have such smile lines and gray hairs (only some of us) but we have the marks of time. We have the memories within our exterior. We have conquered and surrendered. We have ventured to the depth of the oceans, and flown into the vastness of space.

We have traveled further than we knew we could, because we believe.

We believe in our world, our little corner of the professional globe.

We trust in the process- ever adapting it to our venue.

If we look in the mirror and really squint- we can see it, like an aura of colorful energy surrounding us. Always there. Always inspiring us. Even on the darkest of days. It illuminates. We just need to squint on occasion- for it reminds us- luminosity needs nurturing. Fires need stoked. Tea needs steeped. It reminds us, we have the ability to stir things up- sometimes we just need to stay persistent and patient.

We Journey Through Creeps and Jerks, It's a Rarely Smooth Dispatch (286)

We journey through creeps and jerks. Slow realizations and sudden epiphanies. Moment by moment, moving ahead- peripheral, hind and foresight. Distant prediction steering us along. We are in endless looping, steeping, peristalsis ridden existences. Automatic descent and ambitious ascent. With a few flat terrain in our path.

We orbit one another. Now even more than ever, we are witnessing the eclipses, labyrinths, and revolutions of those near us. They are rotating, spinning all around us. All of us in our individual galaxies. We pulsate amongst many and we nova- we shine and dim -shifting in our aura.

We are visible to others, as they are to us, and it is important- it is our responsibility to shine, not to absorb. It is our purpose to illuminate not to converge upon the world. Our voices are plentiful, our energy positive, our gait sturdy as we message the universe with our knowledge.

There are explosions upon which many anchor. The blast carrying them into view. Others shine brightly, unimpeded, unrecognized. Others yet, quietly bring about waves of change, at the depths of space and it might take a millennia in space time to reach the masses. The important thing- is to emanate out positive energy. Create positive ripples.

Space is dark, vast, and void of life. Only an atmosphere allows for the hustle and bustle of nature to occur. These atmospheres generate a level of guard, a level of protection, a level of strength. And from them change is generated. Growth is germinated. Civilizations are born.

It is not steady, this continuum. It is bumpy, harsh, and brutal. It has moments of such beauty that everything stops to ponder. But it is designed around creeps and jerks- sudden stops and detours, some successful other failures. It is this jolt and rattle that keeps the loop intact.

Complacency is believing the terrain will always remain flat and traversable. Optimism is believing the terrain is changing, but we will be able to adjust to its incline and sudden twists. Gratitude is knowing, no matter the pitfall, scrapes and setbacks- that there is beauty abound, that we will find our destination among the stars.

Trepidation leads to a Teachable Moment (282)

 Today we finally conducted our skin sensitivity activity. It was notecards with several tooth picks on each side at different measurement intervals. It was designed to determine the level of sensitivity on the finger tips, back of the neck, and back of the hand. We are discussing the thickness of skin- thickest bottom of feet and the palms of the hand and the thinnest is our eyelids.

I had trepidations because it was our first interactive lab, where students were working together. So I kept putting it off. But, I jumped in and trusted. A few boys thought about getting silly and poking/stabbing their partners with the tooth picks. Before hand we discussed protocol and etiquette.

I walked around a lot, checking in at tables. Having conversations. My 3 in person classes did great. No problems. It allowed me to get to know them better as well. I am relieved I allowed them to do the lab- it showed I trusted them and respect them. AND, it set the tone for future, frequent activities this semester and beyond.

A Wilderness of Overgrowth, Leads to a Necessary Pruning (281)

There are moments I sit back, let students get off task a little. I let them be kids. This is unprecedented times. These children are physically here because they need social interaction. They need to be able to feel a connection, that outside of school may be lacking.

Sometimes pruning is necessary, making topiaries and beautiful hedges. But, mostly I let the overgrowth happen. I seek the vines climbing, the foliage tighten, the insects and birds taking refuge in the wilderness. It is these days- everything seems to make sense.

It is important to let things go- to nudge and let students fly free every now and again- if you have guidelines, routines, structure, then the overgrowth is nothing other than progress.