pipe cleaner babies

My biology kids have an engaging lab today where we did a genetics lab.  They got to play the role of parents and had four pipe cleaner babies.  I think it really got the idea across of genetics for independent assortment, alleles, chromosomes, and more.  I had several comments from kids saying they liked it because they were so involved and hands on.  It was such a simple lab with simple materials, but they were asking questions, talking about it, doing calculations from it, collablorating, etc.  They were funny to listen to as they talked about their "kids."  I hope they dont get their parents upset when they tell them about what they did in school : )  I will deifinitely use this lab again.

FINALLY!

I have been struggling with my 8th grade classes all year because I have to run over there from the High school.  I am always several minutes late.  They have had no supervision, so some have been out in the halls, etc when I walk down the hall.  They are up and not doing what I have left on the board for them to do.  Progress reports came out yesterday and I have had two conferences with parents about why their students are doing so badly in my classes.  Well, if I have spend a third of my class trying to get them calmed back down and on track, I cant cover as much material.  They must have complained to the principal because he told me today he would get someone to watch my classes until I got there.  YES!!  I had asked and the teacher across the hall from me had asked for someone to do that and we were told there was no one to watch them.  I guess someone is available now.  Those moms seemed no nonsense to me and can help keep their darlings in line so that I hope the class will go smoother since they know how their students are doing.  It has been a good day!

"Mark of the Lion"

One of my favorite reading genres is historical fiction.  I have read a powerful trilogy of books called The Mark of the Lion.  It's set in first century AD in Rome dealing with the persecution of Christians.  It follows one slave girl in the first book and then other lives that she touched in the rest of the series.  It is full of suspense and tension.  The author, Francine Rivers, does not shy away from sensitive topics.  She has written other good books such as Atonement Child dealing with abortion and The Scarlet Thread dealing with prostitution.

a tale of two classes

I have had two observations done so far.  One was by my mentor in my high school science class.  He said I was doing a really good job teaching a new topic to the kids, establishing a good rapport with them, etc.  I was on cloud nine.  Today I had another observation by the middle school principal in my 8th grade class....it was a total opposite.  The kids were on their worst behavior.  He told me based on that observation he should recommend me for classroom management training.  I was upset but then I looked at it from a different perspective.  I know I'm not the only teacher who has a tough class to deal with.  I have several special needs kids in this class--behavior and learning problems.  I will have to come down a little tougher on these kids and do more to keep them engaged.  He may come observe my other 8th grade class which is better behaved.