Go Red Raiders!
I received the job of short-term 6th grade science teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School from September until December 15th, 2016, and it was an amazing experience! The staff is superb and the students are extremely intellectual and respectful. Below you will find a synopsis and pictures highlighting my time in this wonderful school district! As of January 3, 2017, I will continue to work at OCIS as a special education one-on-one aide.
|
Plickers
Flower Power!
I just finished up writing lesson plans, creating materials, and developing activities for Unit 1: Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms, which is in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards. For the beginning of the unit, the students will be focusing on plants. I have constructed a WebQuest that the students will complete over the course of 6 days. All of the WebQuest information and links that the students will need can be found here. I also reached out to a local flower shop, and they are donating 40 flowers to my classroom for the students to dissect. This will provide them with the opportunity to get a first hand look at the different parts and reproductive structures found within flowers. How cool! Thanks Spinning Wheel Florist! Look to the right to view pictures that I posted from the flower and lima bean seed dissection!
|
|
The World's Best Fictitious Flower |
|
Upon completion of the first part of NGSS Unit 1: Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms, my 6th grade students completed a cooperative learning activity in which they were given the challenge of inventing a flower that can survive in a specified habitat, design pollen of the appropriate size and surface texture to be produced by the flower, and create a pollinator that can successfully transport the pollen from the male to the female reproductive structure of their newly developed plant species. The students were divided into teams of three and chose the roles of Flower Specialist, Pollen Expert, or Pollinator Authority. Dependent on the student's role, his/her task was to create a structurally relevant 3-D model of either a flower, pollen grain, or pollinator. I provided every student with craft materials, such as modeling clay, pipe cleaners, sequins, beads, wooden dowels, tissue paper, etc. The students got to display their work in the school's display case for all of the other students and teachers to see. They were so proud!
|
Pumpkin Chunkin STEM Challenge! |
I worked closely with the computer science teacher to receive a PTA grant in order to bring the Franklin Institute Traveling Show to Ocean City Intermediate School! We booked the show titled Motion and Machines that would be performed for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students on December 5th, 2016. In order to prepare the students for the show, the computer science teacher and I decided to engage the students in a pre-lesson related to STEM. The students tested their knowledge of force and motion by participating in the Pumpkin Chunkin challenge, where they created catapults with popsicle sticks, dixie cups, plastic spoons, straws, rubber bands, and tape. Their goal was to create a device with the given materials that would launch their candy pumpkin as far as possible. Needless to say, they had a great time watching candy fly across the room (and hit Ms. Caplan in the head... numerous times). The farthest pumpkin was launched 22 feet!
|
Franklin Institute Traveling Show
The Franklin Institute Traveling Show performed for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students on December 5th. Everyone had a blast, teachers and students alike! GO SCIENCE.
|
|
|
Squishy Circuits! |
|
On my last day in the 6th grade science classroom, I surprised my students with a fun activity. They created Squishy Circuits using 9 volt batteries, red/black wires, play-doh (conductive), modeling clay (insulating), and LED diodes. I told them to let their imaginations run wild, and they created some extremely creative structures! They absolutely loved this activity. Click here to view a YouTube video that explains what Squishy Circuits are/how they work or click here to view a YouTube video showing different creations that students can emulate using the materials listed above!
|
OCIS is the BEST
|
While at OCIS, I helped out with many different activities, including the 7th and 8th grade halloween dance, A Christmas Carol (the school's winter musical), and the school's first Family Coding Night! I am so thankful for my time at this wonderful school. I learned so much from both the staff and students, and it was an experience I will never forget! I am so lucky to be able to continue my journey as a member of the OCIS staff. |