I can't believe I've gone the entire semester without posting to this blog! It doesn't seem like it's been 5 months, but I guess it has been. I do remember blogging, but now that I think about it, I posted to my OTHER blog rather than this one! Oh, well - better late than never!
It's been an okay school year. The students (for the most part) have been pretty good - no major problems - and not having to float after the first month was so much better than I could have expected at the beginning of the school year. Most everyone is doing either well or okay in class - only 1 or 2 that I'm really worried about passing. It's been a long year but we've all made it through.
I'm excited about getting ready for next year. Yes, it may be rough - larger classes, fewer teachers, less money, more stress over new testing - but it's a new year and a new start, a chance to improve the things I was less than successful at, to do a better job of inspiring my students, trying to excite them about biology. I'm excited to be moving to a bigger, better lab, much more appropriate for biology than this computer lab I've been in this year. I'm excited to be teaching the same courses in a new way, with a colleague I love teaching with, in a school I really love. It may be my last year at this school - who knows whether I'll still be here or will go to the new school that opens in 2012 - but I'm really looking forward to the new school year.
So to A&M Consolidated's class of 2015 biology students, welcome - I wish you a great and exciting freshman year. I hope you're ready to learn about LIFE!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday, December 17, 2010
Another semester down
As I sit here, supervising my last class taking their last final of the fall semester, I've just realized that I've gone the entire semester without blogging one single time! It's been a fast - and busy - semester, and I think we're all ready for a break!
I started the school year "floating" between 5 different classrooms. It certainly kept me hopping! It was complicated at times, especially on lab days, but it was going just fine and there were no major problems. However, it was definitely an inconvenience, not only for me and my students, but especially for those teachers into whose rooms I floated during their conference periods. In fact, I think I was coping with the situation better than some of them were! At the end of the fourth week of school, my department head came to me with an offer - "we'll let you move into the Science Department computer lab as your regular classroom." Let me tell you, that was an offer I could NOT refuse!
The students and I have enjoyed the new classroom. There are various mismatched tables, chairs, and desks, in addition to the built-in lab tables and computers. My 4th period class has especially enjoyed the access they've had to computers during advocate - in fact, I think they've really gotten spoiled! Some of them have even been coming in here before school during finals to use the computers, since they weren't going to be able to during their class time! We occasionally have to trade classrooms with someone for a couple of days so the computers and their equipment may be used by another class, but it hasn't been too bad so far. On the required-attendance finals, they have kept the non-testing students occupied while the others are testing, which is always a challenge! And it's REALLY nice having a classroom - I'm trying really hard not to take it for granted!
Of course, one of the problems of getting a classroom after the school year starts is getting it organized, and that's where I haven't done a very good job. Since I didn't start out with a room, I didn't have a chance to develop paper-handling routines with the students from the start - things were a little different from classroom to classroom, depending on the situation. The end of the semester found me with huge piles of papers on every horizontal surface - desk, computer table, demo table. I've spent the last couple of days while the students were testing and during my conference period cleaning up, throwing away, and organizing. It looks a LOT better - you can even see surfaces! I hope to start the spring semester with a better system in place and keep up with the piles before they get out of hand!
It hasn't been a bad semester - I think I have only one student who will end up with a failing grade, and that's because she moved here a month ago and transferred in with a failing average. I'm sure there will be some changes and shuffling of students' schedules before the spring semester begins in January - there always are. I know of a few changes to be made here and there, but I feel certain most of them will be back in the same classes with the same core group. At least now they know where to find me before and after school!
I started the school year "floating" between 5 different classrooms. It certainly kept me hopping! It was complicated at times, especially on lab days, but it was going just fine and there were no major problems. However, it was definitely an inconvenience, not only for me and my students, but especially for those teachers into whose rooms I floated during their conference periods. In fact, I think I was coping with the situation better than some of them were! At the end of the fourth week of school, my department head came to me with an offer - "we'll let you move into the Science Department computer lab as your regular classroom." Let me tell you, that was an offer I could NOT refuse!
The students and I have enjoyed the new classroom. There are various mismatched tables, chairs, and desks, in addition to the built-in lab tables and computers. My 4th period class has especially enjoyed the access they've had to computers during advocate - in fact, I think they've really gotten spoiled! Some of them have even been coming in here before school during finals to use the computers, since they weren't going to be able to during their class time! We occasionally have to trade classrooms with someone for a couple of days so the computers and their equipment may be used by another class, but it hasn't been too bad so far. On the required-attendance finals, they have kept the non-testing students occupied while the others are testing, which is always a challenge! And it's REALLY nice having a classroom - I'm trying really hard not to take it for granted!
Of course, one of the problems of getting a classroom after the school year starts is getting it organized, and that's where I haven't done a very good job. Since I didn't start out with a room, I didn't have a chance to develop paper-handling routines with the students from the start - things were a little different from classroom to classroom, depending on the situation. The end of the semester found me with huge piles of papers on every horizontal surface - desk, computer table, demo table. I've spent the last couple of days while the students were testing and during my conference period cleaning up, throwing away, and organizing. It looks a LOT better - you can even see surfaces! I hope to start the spring semester with a better system in place and keep up with the piles before they get out of hand!
It hasn't been a bad semester - I think I have only one student who will end up with a failing grade, and that's because she moved here a month ago and transferred in with a failing average. I'm sure there will be some changes and shuffling of students' schedules before the spring semester begins in January - there always are. I know of a few changes to be made here and there, but I feel certain most of them will be back in the same classes with the same core group. At least now they know where to find me before and after school!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Beginning a new school year
Well, it's almost time for another school year to begin. I'm doing my best to be ready, and I think I will be by August 23, but then I start thinking about my schedule this year, and I'm not certain I will be after all! I'm going to be a "floater" this year - I'll be teaching in 5 different classrooms! I haven't floated in a LONG time - not since the school year of 1984-85 - so it's a little bit intimidating to think about doing it again so many years later. But I've known this was going to be my assignment since last spring, so I've had time to think and plan somewhat. My biggest concern right now is making it easy for my students to find me before and after school as they need questions answered, etc. I'm trying to figure out the best plan of action, but I really think it's one of those things that will just have to "evolve" as the school year progresses. I will have a sort of "office" area in the Pre-AP Chemistry lab upstairs, but I don't think I'll be there for students before and after school. I will most likely be in or around Doc Smith's room or Mrs. Weaver's room most of the time, depending on what needs to be done when. But I'll have to work out the best plan of action for being available.
I am looking forwad to another year, though - I've always loved school and enjoy getting to know all my new students and seeing the older ones as they go through their high school years. One reason I enjoy teaching freshmen and sophomores is that after I get to know them early in their high school career, I have 2 or 3 more years to know them and watch them grow up and continue our relationship. So good luck in the new year! Come by and see me often - that is, if you can find me!!
I am looking forwad to another year, though - I've always loved school and enjoy getting to know all my new students and seeing the older ones as they go through their high school years. One reason I enjoy teaching freshmen and sophomores is that after I get to know them early in their high school career, I have 2 or 3 more years to know them and watch them grow up and continue our relationship. So good luck in the new year! Come by and see me often - that is, if you can find me!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Y chromosome evolution?
A recent article in the local newspaper ("Study maps advances in Y chromosome" - Seth Borenstein AP http://www.theeagle.com/nation/Study-maps-advances-in-Y-chromosome) talks about a study comparing the Y chromosomes from humans and chimpanzees. As a result of this study, the authors came to the conclusion that the Y chromosome is evolving faster than the rest of the human genetic code. The study found that the human Y chromosome and that of chimps are about 30 percent different, as opposed to 2 percent for the rest of the genome. Since we were studying chromosomes and genes in biology class at the time, I found the article very interesting and had intended to bring it up in class. However, our fast-paced schedule didn't allow it that day and the article got buried under something else on my desk and I forgot about it for the next few weeks.
I have always joked that the Y chromosome has only a few genes, the ones for hairy ears and channel-surfing being the most prominent. The hairy ears gene isn't a joke -it's really true - but the alleged channel-surfing gene has long been discussed with laughter at our house, as well as at many others. But reading the article made me think about the significance of that little Y chromosome. King Henry VIII notwithstanding, most of us now understand that it's the male who decides the gender of the offspring rather than the female. In genetics when we talk about sex-linked traits, we almost exclusively discuss genes on the X chromosome, since those characteristics (color blindness, hemophilia) are the ones most studied. When we discuss the Y chromosome in terms of those who have more than one of them (XYY), the discussion can become very negative, since those individuals have long been suspected of exhibiting extreme aggression and perhaps violence (FYI - I googled XYY and found an interesting website about the syndrome: http://www.pathguy.com/xyy.htm). Perhaps we need to start putting more positive emphasis on the Y chromosome genes. After all, they're sex-linked, too! Even though those traits can ONLY show up in males, I think the guys might appreciate it if we spent a little more time focusing on that lonely little neglected Y chromosome and its positive impact on those who possess it. Now I just have to find the time to research what they might be before the topic comes up again next year . . .
I have always joked that the Y chromosome has only a few genes, the ones for hairy ears and channel-surfing being the most prominent. The hairy ears gene isn't a joke -it's really true - but the alleged channel-surfing gene has long been discussed with laughter at our house, as well as at many others. But reading the article made me think about the significance of that little Y chromosome. King Henry VIII notwithstanding, most of us now understand that it's the male who decides the gender of the offspring rather than the female. In genetics when we talk about sex-linked traits, we almost exclusively discuss genes on the X chromosome, since those characteristics (color blindness, hemophilia) are the ones most studied. When we discuss the Y chromosome in terms of those who have more than one of them (XYY), the discussion can become very negative, since those individuals have long been suspected of exhibiting extreme aggression and perhaps violence (FYI - I googled XYY and found an interesting website about the syndrome: http://www.pathguy.com/xyy.htm). Perhaps we need to start putting more positive emphasis on the Y chromosome genes. After all, they're sex-linked, too! Even though those traits can ONLY show up in males, I think the guys might appreciate it if we spent a little more time focusing on that lonely little neglected Y chromosome and its positive impact on those who possess it. Now I just have to find the time to research what they might be before the topic comes up again next year . . .
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Life from Outer Space??
I recently read an article in the newspaper entitled, "Meteorite offers clues to life's origins." The article originally appeared in the Washington Post and was very interesting. It was discussing the tendency of amino acids found in living things to configure themselves in a "left-handed" configuration rather than randomly right- and left-handed as would occur in non-living systems. Very intriguing!
What do you think about the possibility that life began somewhere else in the universe and was "seeded" here on Earth by meteorites? Read the article and see what you think. If you're interested in some extra credit, come talk to me and we'll see what we can work out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100501573.html?sid=ST2008100600016&s_pos=I
What do you think about the possibility that life began somewhere else in the universe and was "seeded" here on Earth by meteorites? Read the article and see what you think. If you're interested in some extra credit, come talk to me and we'll see what we can work out.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100501573.html?sid=ST2008100600016&s_pos=I
Friday, August 1, 2008
Oh, Rats!!
My daughter Caroline has 3 pet rats. They are all females - Luca, Maia, and Shadow. We brought them to school a couple of times last year to visit, and most students enjoyed seeing them, holding them, and getting to know them. A few students did NOT enjoy the experience, but tolerated "the girls" within reason when they were there. We've enjoyed them as pets at home - they have definite personalities and are VERY smart. They've learned to respond to their names and can do a few "tricks" like stand, come when called, move to your shoulder, etc.
So many students enjoyed the rats last year that I decided to get some as classroom pets. After doing some research online, we decided to get male rats for the classroom - they're supposed to be more "laid back" than the females (ours are pretty hyper a lot of the time!). We've found that 3 is a good number to have - there's less fighting for supremacy because they're able to establish a definite "pecking order." We wanted to start with young rats in order to train them somewhat to be used to being handled and being around people before school started, so we bought them last week. Our 3 boys are Marco (the explorer), Beckett (very busy), and Sam (the shy one).
As I sit here typing this, "the boys" are eating, drinking, and playing around in the cage. They're getting more used to being together and being around us. We're hoping to litter-box train them (it worked pretty well with the girls) so they don't leave their droppings everywhere, especially when we let them out (supervised, of course). They sometimes fight, but it's usually play-fighting - they're not trying to hurt each other but are scuffling and wrestling.
I hope you enjoy getting to know "our boys" this year. At first, you'll probably think they all look alike, but it's pretty easy to tell them apart. Although it's a little hard to tell from the pictures below, they all have distinctive color patterns and distinctive personalities. Here's Marco:
This is Beckett, hiding in the playhouse:
So many students enjoyed the rats last year that I decided to get some as classroom pets. After doing some research online, we decided to get male rats for the classroom - they're supposed to be more "laid back" than the females (ours are pretty hyper a lot of the time!). We've found that 3 is a good number to have - there's less fighting for supremacy because they're able to establish a definite "pecking order." We wanted to start with young rats in order to train them somewhat to be used to being handled and being around people before school started, so we bought them last week. Our 3 boys are Marco (the explorer), Beckett (very busy), and Sam (the shy one).
As I sit here typing this, "the boys" are eating, drinking, and playing around in the cage. They're getting more used to being together and being around us. We're hoping to litter-box train them (it worked pretty well with the girls) so they don't leave their droppings everywhere, especially when we let them out (supervised, of course). They sometimes fight, but it's usually play-fighting - they're not trying to hurt each other but are scuffling and wrestling.
I hope you enjoy getting to know "our boys" this year. At first, you'll probably think they all look alike, but it's pretty easy to tell them apart. Although it's a little hard to tell from the pictures below, they all have distinctive color patterns and distinctive personalities. Here's Marco:
This is Beckett, hiding in the playhouse:
Sam, the shy boy, is hiding under the hammock:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Technology in Biology
I used to teach IPC - integrated physics and chemistry. In IPC, students need to use a lot of math, mostly in solving physics problems like speed, acceleration, force, momentum, energy, etc. Most IPC students are taking Algebra I at the same time and a lot of them have brand new graphing calculators that they LOVE to use - mostly for playing the games they all learn how to download almost as soon as they get the calculators! There were times that I had to forbid certain students from having their graphing calculators out in class because they had a tendency to spend their class time playing games on the calculator rather than paying attention to what we were doing in class.
When I started teaching biology, I was looking forward to not having to fight that battle anymore! There were still students who wanted to play their calculator games in class, but I was glad to be able to tell my biology students that they didn't need to use their graphing calculators in biology. Alas, those days are no more! I recently spent a week at Rice University learning new ways to incorporate technology in biology. We did several labs each day using lab probeware which interfaces with computers and graphing calculators, as well as some other computer-based labs using graphic manipulation software.
We will be doing a number of labs and activities this year using graphing calculators. Some of the labs will involve using various kinds of probeware to measure pH, temperature, and pressure; others will involve various kinds of calculations, data tables, and graphs to illustrate such topics as genetics (can you believe it? Genetics on a calculator!!). It's really cool! I must admit, I'm pretty impressed with myself for finally learning how to do data tables and graphs on the calculator (back in the dark ages when I went to school, we had to do it all by hand!). We will still do plenty of graphs and data tables by hand (sorry - the calculator ones are difficult to print out!), so those skills will still be important. But I like being able to keep up with the times and learn new ways of studying and learning about biology. So go ahead and bring that calculator to class - just don't waste your time and mine playing games!
When I started teaching biology, I was looking forward to not having to fight that battle anymore! There were still students who wanted to play their calculator games in class, but I was glad to be able to tell my biology students that they didn't need to use their graphing calculators in biology. Alas, those days are no more! I recently spent a week at Rice University learning new ways to incorporate technology in biology. We did several labs each day using lab probeware which interfaces with computers and graphing calculators, as well as some other computer-based labs using graphic manipulation software.
We will be doing a number of labs and activities this year using graphing calculators. Some of the labs will involve using various kinds of probeware to measure pH, temperature, and pressure; others will involve various kinds of calculations, data tables, and graphs to illustrate such topics as genetics (can you believe it? Genetics on a calculator!!). It's really cool! I must admit, I'm pretty impressed with myself for finally learning how to do data tables and graphs on the calculator (back in the dark ages when I went to school, we had to do it all by hand!). We will still do plenty of graphs and data tables by hand (sorry - the calculator ones are difficult to print out!), so those skills will still be important. But I like being able to keep up with the times and learn new ways of studying and learning about biology. So go ahead and bring that calculator to class - just don't waste your time and mine playing games!
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