Fall+Practicum+2011

During the fall semester of 2011, I had a practicum placement. I was placed at Lake City Elementary School in 4th grade. I had a wonderful time, and I truly learned many things. On the page below you will find lessons that I created, videos, and a section that I team taught. 4th grade was very fun and challenging at the same time. The students are very eager to learn. I found that technology integration really works well with students. I hope that you can enjoy reading through my lessons, and find that I had a wonderful experience at Lake City Elementary School.

I have been blessed to be at Lake City Elementary. The school is located off the main road, but the town is very small. The staff is very friendly and helpful. My mentor teacher is Mrs. Givens. I have been blessed to be with her because she is a christian. She is teaching me how to show the love of God without ever mentioning His name. Our class has 8 boys and 19 girls, 27 students total. There are 8 special ed students in this class. I am excited to see how inclusion works. This school has a low economic status. The majority of the students live in poverty. It is such a joy to know that you can help the students. I am excited about this opportunity, and I am going to do the very best that I can.

Lake City Elementary media type="custom" key="11378030"

Math 



Equivalent Fraction Worksheet Simplifying Fractions Worksheet

Social Studies



media type="custom" key="11325474"

Science http://scienceinaboxcells.wikispaces.com/



> **Activity:** __The Wonderful Microscope!__ Observe Fabric Swatches using hand lens and microscope > Objective: To understand use and benefits of technology-the hand lens and microscope. > **Source:** Use the magazine //Science and Children,// Feb. 2008 Volume 45 approved by NSTA. The article //Close, Closer, Closest// by Donna Farland has an activity that helps students with processing skills of technology by using a microscope. They will develop observation skills and make sentences to describe what they see as each step progresses. Practice with the following activity: > *Choose a piece of coarse fabric swatch (ask local furniture store for donations if possible). The first observation is just with the eyes. Observe what you see and write the details down. The second time have students use a hand lens. Observe what they see and write the details using a complete sentence. The final observation is done using a microscope and slide. They will write down all the details. The students should be seeing more details with each progressive step. They may also draw pictures of what they have observed. Student observations will be shared with other classmates.Emphasis is on the usefulness of technology. > Connect the observations to the study of cells. They will discover how technology helps to solve problems. If something is wrong with your body, scientists can examine cells using powerful microscopes to see what is not functioning well. This is like a traffic jam that takes a helicopter above to see where the malfunction is. After the problem is found, measures can be taken to correct the problem. This is how scientists find ways to repair cells to their proper functions and help us feel better. > **FA # 17, (Keely p 93) : FIST TO FIVE**—After giving instructions on the progressive steps and explaining how to use the microscope, ask for a fist to five to do a quick check on whether students understand the directions before proceeding with the activity. This is used for feedback and monitoring of processing skills and directional understanding. Students hold up a closed fist if they do not understand, 1 finger if they understand a part of it, and 5 fingers if they completely understand. This can be done throughout the activity and helps to partner children with someone that can be of assistance. > **Materials needed: **
 * **Parts of the Microscope**
 * __Arm__: Use the **arm** of the microscope to move it in place while placing one hand under the **base**for extra support.
 * __Base__: The **base**is the bottom portion of the microscope that it rests on.
 * __Light source__: The microscope has a built in **light source**called an illuminator.
 * __Diaphragm__: A condenser lens and the iris **diaphragm**(located below the stage) focus the light on the specimen so it is evenly illuminated. The lever located under the lens controls how much light enters the diaphragm.
 * __Stage__: The **stage**holds the glass slide with specimen in place with the help of stage clips.
 * __Focus knob:__ The **focus knob** located on the side of the microscope is used to zoom in close to see the details of the specimen. Most microscopes will have a **coarse focus adjustment knob**, controlled by the outer ring, and a **fine focus adjustment knob**, controlled with the inner ring.
 * __Objective lense:__ The **objective lenses**have varying magnifying abilities to view the specimen. The larger the number is on the objective lens, the greater the power to magnify the specimen.
 * __Eyepiece:__ The **eyepiece**at the top of the microscope, also called an ocular, is what you look into to view your specimen.
 * **Using the microscope**
 * Plug the microscope in. Turn on the light switch; this is usually located on the bottom side of the microscope.
 * Make sure the stage is in its lowest position and gently place the prepared slide on it and secure with stage clips.
 * Begin with the lowest numbered objective lens and look through the eyepiece for the specimen.
 * Raise the stage as needed to locate the specimen. Try to center the item. Once it is in view and centered looking through the eyepiece you can raise the stage to get a closer view. Be careful not to touch the glass slide to the objective lens. You can try viewing through the higher numbered lenses for a closer look by turning the objective lens slowly towards the slide.
 * When you are finished viewing be careful when leaving not to trip on any cords and leave room for the next viewer to safely use the microscope.
 * Copy of //Science and Children// article //Close, Closer, Closest//
 * Fabric swatches
 * Hand lenses
 * Microscope
 * Slides
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Paper to write observation sentences and draw pictures on
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Ilustration of parts of the microscope
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Fill in the blanks worksheet for microscope
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Word scramble puzzle

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 300%;">Language Arts Super Awesome Spectacular Similes

Simile Worksheet