I already wish every elementary teacher could experience this! I feel so lucky and fortunate to have been chosen for the opportunity. I'm meeting great teachers from all over the country, getting super ideas, listening and learning from the best speakers and teachers who present to us, and just plain GETTING EXCITED to come back to Aplington to teach some great science and math!
Here's how my day started out. I got up at about 6:00am and headed out of the hotel by about 6:35am. I had all of my materials I was so generously given yesterday including a notebook, goggles, key drive, poncho, and binder. We had to follow the line of MEMTA (Mickelson ExxonMobile Teacher Academy) staff to the light rail train and learn how to get on. The train runs on tracks on the streets with electrical wires hanging above the entire track. We had to put our tickets through a machine that stamped them with the date and time. We rode this train about 5 minutes or so and had help figuring out where to walk the extra block to the Liberty Science Center.
Here's how my day started out. I got up at about 6:00am and headed out of the hotel by about 6:35am. I had all of my materials I was so generously given yesterday including a notebook, goggles, key drive, poncho, and binder. We had to follow the line of MEMTA (Mickelson ExxonMobile Teacher Academy) staff to the light rail train and learn how to get on. The train runs on tracks on the streets with electrical wires hanging above the entire track. We had to put our tickets through a machine that stamped them with the date and time. We rode this train about 5 minutes or so and had help figuring out where to walk the extra block to the Liberty Science Center.
We rode this train about 5 minutes or so and had help figuring out where to walk the extra block to the Liberty Science Center. It is a STUNNING building. One of the premier (look that word up!) science centers in the entire United States!
The first thing we did was eat breakfast! Did I mention Mr. Sammons loves his food?
Next, we had some speakers explaining to us why we were chosen for this academy and what they hope we do with the information we learn. Our speaker was from the ExxonMobil corporation which partially sponsors this academy. Did you know they chose third through fifth grade teachers to attend because that is the time kids get most interested in learning about math and science?
My favorite quote for morning was, "Our hope is to inspire you, so you can be a catalyst (way to make) change!" - Jeff Morrison
After we met for the talk, we broke up into 10 different color groups. Mine is the purple group. I'll work with them during our classes. I'm also known as "table 4," which means I'll eat dinners and suppers with those folks. During our first color group, we not only DID an experiment, but we learned how to make kids think hard about why and how the experiment happens. We learned how to make them wonder more about it.
The experiment was called "Egg Drop." I'm not going to tell you too much more, except that we did two other activities that built up to this:
My favorite quote for morning was, "Our hope is to inspire you, so you can be a catalyst (way to make) change!" - Jeff Morrison
After we met for the talk, we broke up into 10 different color groups. Mine is the purple group. I'll work with them during our classes. I'm also known as "table 4," which means I'll eat dinners and suppers with those folks. During our first color group, we not only DID an experiment, but we learned how to make kids think hard about why and how the experiment happens. We learned how to make them wonder more about it.
The experiment was called "Egg Drop." I'm not going to tell you too much more, except that we did two other activities that built up to this:
Here's something fun you can do at home. Stack 5 nickels on the table. Using only a notecard, how can you remove the bottom nickel and leave the others standing stacked without touching any of the nickels with your hand?
We took a break and were treated to pop and snacks including fruit, yogurt, granola, and desserts.
After our break, we did an activity called "What's Typical?" It was about how we use results from tests (and other numbers) and how to show them to others so they make sense and are correct. My new friend and I created a pictograph. Do you remember those? I learned so much more about different types of graphs and how to use them.
After our break, we did an activity called "What's Typical?" It was about how we use results from tests (and other numbers) and how to show them to others so they make sense and are correct. My new friend and I created a pictograph. Do you remember those? I learned so much more about different types of graphs and how to use them.
Lunch was next and it was amazing. Small sandwiches, fruit, desserts, water, pop… you name it! Since we had a little extra time, we headed into some exhibits in the science center. We began a fun treasure hunt! Check out this pit viper. YIKES!
After lunch, we went to listen to Cathy Seeley, who has written books about math and used to teach at the University of Texas. She was so inspiring. One of the most important things I left her talk with was when she expressed how important it was to keep high expectations for all students. She was great!
Next, was our final group session called "Four Points." It was all kinds of serious learning, IN A GAME! I can't wait to play it with you all when we learn about ordered pairs!
We took the light rail train back to the hotel and I rested for a few minutes!
Next, was our final group session called "Four Points." It was all kinds of serious learning, IN A GAME! I can't wait to play it with you all when we learn about ordered pairs!
We took the light rail train back to the hotel and I rested for a few minutes!
I helped guide 7 of my new friends over to Manhattan to go to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. They were as touched as I was when I first saw it!
After returning to Jersey City through the PATH train (subway that goes under the Hudson River) we spent some time walking around. I got back to the room at about 10:00pm and have been working since (including some homework)!
We have 5 group learning activities tomorrow. I can't wait! See you all tomorrow!
We have 5 group learning activities tomorrow. I can't wait! See you all tomorrow!