Classroom Rainforest

Capybara

This mural was created by several credential cohorts.  Each student had to research an animal from the rainforest and create a painting.  This mural idea could be used for other biomes such as the desert, deciduous forests, or ocean biomes.

Crime Scene

Chemical Reaction

Science Fair

Finding Lung Capacity

Today we participated in a science fair activity at Richman Elementary in Fullerton School District.  Our group taught students how to measure their lung capacity and how being healthy is important for our lungs.  We first taught students about the organs in the respiratory system and how air gets to the lungs.  Next, we did an experiment in which students could measure their lung capacity.  Students blew a bubble on a trash bag and then let it pop.  Then they measured the diameter of the popped bubble.  When put into a conversion chart, this measurement tells students their lung capacity.  Finally, students learned how being healthy benefits their lungs.  Students saw the difference between a healthy lung and a smoker's lung.  They learned that exercising can increase their lung capacity.

Our Amazing Body

Flower Dissection

Today we integrated an art project into a science lesson on flower structure.  Each student brought a flower into class for this project.  We used water colors and pastels to reproduce our flowers onto paper.  After the art project, we cut open our flowers to see what they looked like on the inside.

Racing Cars

Today we continued to study the scientific method.  Our race car designs were a perfect example of unguided inquiry.  Our problem was to create a race car that would roll down a small hill.  We we extremely engaged during the process as we tried out new designs for our car.  We used research from our books to help us.  We tested our cars by rolling them down a hill.  We noticed which cars made it the further and studied their designs.

What I Learned Today

I learned that students often have a biased opinion about scientists.  They see them as males, with white hair, and lab coats.  Albert Einstein comes to mind when they hear scientist.  It is important to show studnets other examples of scientists, women, geologists, zoologists, to name a few.  I also learned that it is important to have a hook when teaching a science lesson.  Something hands on is a great way to engage students and get them interested in the lesson.

Plants and Animals

The fieldtrip to the arboretum was a real treat on Thursday.  For looking so small on the outside, it is hard to believe you are still at Cal State Fullerton once inside the grounds.  I felt like we had taken a trip to three differnt areas in one hour.  My favorite part was the desert becuase I love the cactus plants.  The texture of the leaves, colors, and shapes of these plants are truely unique.  My rainforest animal is a Capybara.  I chose this animal becuase I saw it on the discovery channel once in a show about stange pets.  The Capybara is so stange looking, it actually becomes adorable in its own wierd way.  The Capybara actually spends most of its time in the water.  It hides in the tall grasses of marshes, swamps and rivers.  Capybara feeds on aquatic plants and sometimes on fruit if it's available.  Sadly, one of their predators is humans, along with jaguars, snakes and large birds of prey.  My Capybara will happily be at home in the understory of our rainforest wall.

One Thing I Learned Today About Science

One thing I learned today is to create concrete experiences for students.  When Cynthia gave us guidelines about taking the tree pictures, we actually paid attention to the details of the tree and discovered it had tiny leaves and seed pods.  As a teacher, I want to give my students hands on experiencs to get them interested in science topics and start asking questions about the world around them.