Journal Reflections

1. Describe when you've used student journals in the past.I have used journaling in my science classroom. My students do not actually have a science journal however they have a section in their binder entitled "Journal". This section is used following labs for students to write their thoughts and or comments regarding their lab results.
2. What were characteristics of good journal entries ? Topic, date, what they learned and what they are possibly having difficulty with. How and why this information is relevant in their life.
3. What were some characteristics of not-so-good entries? My issue with journal entries is that students often do not give enough in depth information. They struggle with what they are to write and are hung up on how much to write.
4. How might you be able to help students create good journal entries? The best way I have found to help students with journals is to give them specific questions that they are to use in helping them reflect on the work done. Also using good student work is an excellent way to model what a good journal looks like.
   

   
   

Critical Review of Envelope

I chose to read and review the envelope history done by Heather Fitzgerald. I observed the same information she did. I also was unable to read the state/country of origin due to resolution issues with the envelope. I would agree with all of the inferences and observations as well as the history of the envelope.

#1 Envelope Investigation Reflection

Envelope Observations- My envelope is blue. It was sent to an address in Dover, Delaware. The name of the person the envelope was intended for has been blacked out. There is a post mark over the stamp that says Happy Holidays and the envelope traveled to a post office in Royal Oak, Michigan and was stamped on December 30, 2006. There is a return address sticker in the upper left hand corner of the envelope, however the name of the sender has been blacked out and the senders city, state, country is not legible even when enlarged. On the back of the envelope there is black marker at the bottom.

Inferences- The envelope was mailed from another country. The envelope contained a Christmas card.


History- The envelope was mailed from a foreign country to someone who lives in Dover, DE. The envelope contained a Christmas card and did not arrive in time for Christmas.

Rock Investigation Reflection

1. Which were observations and which were inferences and how do you know? Observations- All of the information given in the answer to question #1 are observations I made from looking at the picture of the tourmaline. These answers were obtained by looking at the rock/mineral and stating what I saw.
   Inferences- All of the information given in the answer to question #2 and question #3 was an inference because I assume that since I know that Tourmaline is a gemstone, that it is a mineral. I am aware that minerals contain only the substance itself.
   

Examining the student experience

1. What observations can you make about your rock? The rock is transparent, mossy green, has a fracture mark, appears to have sharp edges.
2. How did this rock form? I assume that tourmaline is a naturally occuring substance, meaning that it is not man made.
3. What is it made from? Tourmaline is a mineral meaning that it does not include other substances like rocks do.
4. What don't you know about the rock yet? I don't know where Tourmaline is found (geographic location), I don't know if it comes in colors other than pink and green.
   

Initial Post

This is my initial blog post. I'm here!