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An 8th Grade Journey
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    • Severe Weather Project Resources
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      • Earthquake-Proof Structures
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      • Bridges Engineering WebQuest
    • Geologic Time
    • Oceans
    • Plate Tectonics
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    • Space >
      • Moon Phases Webquest 2019
      • If the Moon was only a Pixel
      • Eclipses, Seasons, and Phases of the Moon >
        • Moon Phases
        • The Universe: Phases of the Moon
        • More Phases of the Moon
        • Moon Phases Explained
        • Lunar Eclipses for Beginners
        • What is a Lunar Eclipse?
        • Solar Eclipses for Beginners
        • What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
        • What Causes the Seasons? - NOAA
        • What do you think causes the seasons?
        • Earth's Tilt is the Reason for the Seasons...
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      • Drought >
        • Living with Drought
        • Climate Change and Drought - WWF
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      • Weather Instruments >
        • Hygrometer
        • Anemometer
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        • Make Your Own Weather Station
        • How to make a weather satellite
    • Weathering and Erosion >
      • Water Erosion and Deposition Project Resources
    • More Science Resources >
      • Nature of Science WebQuest
      • Live Stream Video from ISS
  • LIterature
    • Google Classroom
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  • School Resources
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    • Quizlet
  • Math Resources
    • Virtual Nerd
    • Khan Academy
    • Day 1 - Fractions >
      • The Importance of Mathematics Progressions
      • Learning Fractions Song
      • Equal Amounts of Gold - Equivalent Fractions
      • Multiply Fractions - Learn Zillion
      • Model Fraction Divided by Fraction
    • Day 2 - Decimals >
      • 25 divided by 5 = 14
      • 7 x 14 = 28

That's what I'm talking about...

Happy Thanksgiving Day

11/28/2013

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Wow...over a month with no entries.  Blogging is harder than I thought.  I often think about what I want to say, but I never seem to sit down and do it.


I'm very thankful today for all my blessings!  I am going to do better about blogging...at least that's my plan...
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Sometimes I get so sad...

10/18/2013

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I had to take my bearded dragon out of my classroom today.  It breaks my heart.  Spike is such a great dragon.  I have moved him to the classroom next door where he might be safer.  I will get a lock for his cage.

I went to Challenge Day this week.  What an emotionally draining yet great experience.  There were tears and laughter and fun and seriousness.  I plan to keep the ideas going in my classroom by taking one homeroom period a week and having "Challenge Day" time.  While I was gone, my students must have decided it was OK to behave in a terrible way with a sub.  They were loud, unruly, and messing with Spike.  Now I don't think it was every class, and it probably was only a handful of students, but the fact that it happened at all really bothers me.  The sub is partially responsible as well since he should have had the classes under control, but MY students should have known how to behave.  I have lost trust in them, and that just kills me.

So, Spike is no longer in my room because I can't take the chance that he could get badly hurt.  He was dropped and someone ruined one of his heaters.  All that in just one day while I was attending a program at school, with kids. 
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Teaching is the best job ever...

9/28/2013

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Daily teachers get to experience small joys and incredible people (some big and some small).  It makes the job the hardest job I will ever love.  As my husband, children, and friends can tell you, I am a lover of all the "junk" that goes with teaching and get excited if I get a flashdrive at a conference, or (one of my previous favorites) get to dissect a pig and then bring it home.  Nothing is ever too small or insignificant for me to think it is wonderful.  Well, last night I received the BEST teacher gift I have ever gotten (not counting the handwritten notes from parents and students).  All the teachers who attended the opening ceremony for the Battle of the Brains competition received a new iPad Mini and a LEAP Motion.  Burns and McDonnell sponsor the Battle of the Brains and are so invested in the future of our students; it was inspiring to hear the speeches and "feel" their love of teachers and commitment to helping us help our students.  

Thank you Burns and McDonnell for letting me know that you appreciate me
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Why should students be "taught" to think?

9/24/2013

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Every day students ask questions for which they only want "the" answer.  I struggle with time management a lot because I just can't give answers...I usually answer with a question to make my students think.  It certainly takes more time, but I believe the results in the long run will lead to better students (maybe not for a few years...hahaha) and definitely better citizens.  


Apparently it is not a natural ability to "think" and reason.   Or, my own theory, is that we have "taught" thinking out of students by stressing "knowing" for our all-important tests and students believe there is no need to think because there is only one right answer, "so just give it to me."  


So, part of my mission as a teacher is to "teach" students to think again by NOT giving answers to questions they can answer for themselves.  I prefer to ask them questions that help lead them to THEM finding the answer for themselves.  My expectations are HIGH, but my students can achieve them...especially if they "learn" to THINK. 
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Monday, Monday...

9/23/2013

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Sometimes Monday just comes too soon.  It seems there is never enough time to do everything I want.  The quarter is coming to a close...so hard to believe that the school year is already almost one quarter done.  

I'm always hopeful that my students will be as excited about learning new things as I am, but it doesn't happen as frequently as I would like.  It won't stop me from praying for it and working for it.

I'm super excited about our Battle of the Brains team.  I think we have a great group that wants to do well.  What more can  teacher ask?  And the real dream is...wouldn't it be wonderful to win $50,000 for our school?
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Finally getting started...

9/22/2013

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I have finally settled on some decisions and have started building the site.  So far I like it a lot.  I have a long way to go, but I have already posted the address and canceled my subscription to my previous website, so I am committed.  

Weekends are never quite long enough...still have grading to finish, grades to post, and things to get packed and ready for the week.  I am inspired by a pep talk from The Kid President.  Here is the link so you can check it out, too.  A Pep Talk for Teachers and Students.
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And so my new journey begins...

9/21/2013

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So, today I am trying to build a new website.  Since I've never blogged before, this part of the website will be a bit new for me.  What does one say on a blog?  I read many and they are so eloquent, informative or just plain fun.  I hope mine fits somewhere in the midst of all of them.

I'm really struggling with putting the website together.  I keep changing my mind and wondering if it looks right or sounds right.  I can totally understand why, even though the technology is available to do it for yourself, someone would pay to have a website built and maintained.  Oh the agony of decision making....

More later... 
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    Author

    I'm Mrs. Daniels, an Earth Science and Literature teacher at Lansing Middle School in Lansing, KS.  My students are 8th graders.  I love teaching AND learning.  I'm glad you stopped by to check out this small part of my journey.

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