step into my classroom: life science at ECA, quarter three

Third quarter with my seventh graders has brought a slew of fun, exciting activities relating to the human body. Typically I teach this unit through group projects, but my smaller-than-average class size meant I had to change things up a bit... so everything I did this year, I did for the very first time! Thankfully I had Pinterest and TeachersPayTeachers to inspire me and provide lots of resources along the way.

We went through the major body systems, identified and examined the organs, and investigated how they are all interrelated to keep us alive. I taught a lot of the major content and vocabulary through lecture and discussion, and then we explored various aspects of the human body through experiments, games, and YouTube videos that left a few of them feeling rather queasy! Eyeball dissection, anyone??

We started with the skeletal and muscular system to give us a framework for the rest of the body. The students voted on a name for our life-size "mascot" and each time we studied a new system, Steve earned a few new body parts. In the beginning we labeled each part, then removed the labels as we memorized all the names.

Skeleton Steve was a work in progress!

While studying the digestive system, we simulated the digestion process through a relay race that was adapted from an activity I'd found on Pinterest. The students thought it was both hilarious and disgusting at the same time...




To wrap it up the digestive system, we enjoyed brownies that tasted much better than they looked! ;)

Only the best for my students!

When it came time to learn about circulation, I really wanted them to see visually how the blood vessels were the transport system for substances within the body. I found this free game and they played in teams of two. The object of the game was to be the first team to move all the oxygen from the lungs to the body cells, the carbon dioxide from the body cells to the lungs, the sugar and proteins from the intestines to the body cells, and the waste from the body cells to the kidneys.

The circulation game!

It wasn't nearly as boring as their body language would suggest!

We also had a lot of fun learning about the brain, the nervous system, and our sense organs. We watched clips from the show Brain Games, made "thinking caps" (pattern here) to learn the areas of the brain, and conducted experiments related to taste, smell, sound, and light.

Middle school means wearing these awesome hats!

Wearing thinking caps while watching a BrainPop video on the brain - brainception!

Mapping the tongue and looking for a connection between taste and smell

Observing and describing the effect of light on the pupil (she had to look deep into my eyes!)

We also got our hands dirty with some actual specimens, as a student went to the butcher and acquired some "leftover"pig parts. It was pretty neat for them to see with their own eyes the actual body parts they'd been studying - the lungs, liver, and heart for example. They also got to see and feel the difference in texture, structure, etc. of the trachea compared to the esophagus and they got quite a nasty surprise when, after squeezing the esophagus, some undigested food oozed out!

Warning: my science class is not for the faint of heart!

To wrap up the unit and give the students an opportunity to extend their learning, we created cereal boxes "advertising" a particular body system. I wish I could take credit for this project but the original idea came from TPT - I just modified it a bit to meet my needs.

For the front, they had to come up with a creative cereal name and then draw and label their system.

On the back they had to describe a common disease or illness that affects their system. They did research on causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention of the condition and then had to summarize the information into a quality paragraph. Language arts connection!

For the other panels, they recreated typical cereal box features such as the ingredients list (naming the organs and their functions) and fun facts about their system - more independent research for them.

Overall, I was quite proud of their final product, and am excited to give them a chance to present their work to the rest of the school in our upcoming school-wide science gallery in April!

It's hard to believe we are now in fourth quarter! Our final areas of study will include zoology and ecology - characteristics of the animal kingdom and the relationships between all living and non-living things.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers over this last quarter!

don't blink

Lately I've been burdened by the brevity of life, and convicted by the ways I'm spending my time. As I watch the news scrolling through my internet browser, I read of death, despair, and evil permeating our planet. The truth is, that's the way it's going to be until Jesus returns. But in the meantime, what does that mean for me?

I want to live fearlessly.
I want to love unconditionally.
I want to pursue righteousness on a daily basis.
I want to say words that I've held back in fear of rejection, embarassment, or judgment.

As I think about the rapidly dwindling days left in our school year, I can't help but be reminded of this. Our days are numbered quite literally, and there is so much to accomplish, so many places to go, so many memories to make before we can say we've reached the end. The moment I allow myself to check out and begin counting down the days is the moment I stop thriving and start surviving. I can't blink or the time will be gone. I want to savor my remaining days with the eighth graders like a good cup of coffee, not charge through them like a bottle of water after a hard run.

Yesterday began with my discovery of a brand new Relient K song, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It expresses so perfectly what I've been feeling that I shared it with my eighth graders this morning during our devotions, and now I'm sharing it with you. Let it be a reminder to live and love fully each day!

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. [Psalm 39:4-5]

bus duty

I took this video today while I was on bus duty. It's always fun saying goodbye to all the students as they board the bus!

welcome back!

It's after midnight here in Germany so technically ... it's the first day of school! Why am I still awake? Because for me the first day of school is kind of like Christmas and the excitement keeps me up.

Welcome back to all the returning students, and WELCOME to all the newbies! I'm so pumped for the start of another school year!!

Welcome (back) 2012 from Black Forest Academy Videos on Vimeo.

five things friday

I'm so excited to be in Greencastle, Indiana this weekend visiting good friends and sharing about my year at BFA with the Lifebuilder Community Church!! Here are five things that are on my mind right now.

{1}

This week my mom and I attempted to make the short version of this dress. The tutorial makes it look super simple, and for the most part it was. We just couldn't get the elastic thread to cooperate, so we improvised. Now that we've figured out our own tricks, we hope to bust out a few more of these in different colors before I head back to Germany!

{2}

Sesame Street has spoofed Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe with the Cookie Monster. I can't stop singing this song. (Email subscribers may need to click on the title of this post to view the video)

{3}

Speaking of cookies, Happy Birthday, Oreo. If you like birthday cake and Oreos, you will love these special edition Oreos celebrating the cookie's 100th birthday! They are super yummy, and my pack was gone within two days. Don't worry, I shared!!

source

{4}

The game Zug um Zug (Ticket to Ride in English) is one of my new (within the last few years) favorite games. Alot of people think board games are boring, and I will agree - most American board games are boring because all you do is roll the dice and go in circles around the board. Europe sort of has us beat in that area. When playing Zug um Zug, no two games are ever the same, and there are expansion packs available to add even more variety! It's a strategy game with only a litle bit of the "luck of the draw" tossed in. My family now has the Europe, USA, Asia, India, and Switzerland maps and we have been playing a LOT this summer. If you're a local reader, you should come over and play with us sometime. :)

the Swiss map

 

{5}

Support raising continues to be a slow process. I know God is working and moving in people's hearts to generate generosity, and I know He is reminding me to trust in HIM rather than myself. Resting in peace is a daily choice, as I have always struggled with anxiety and the uncertainty of the next few weeks isn't helping. Just two days ago my mom commented on how much hair I'd lost in the shower - a physical indicator of just how stressed I truly am. I do not believe that God would call me to this ministry and then frustrate me by withholding the resources necessary for me to serve. Please continue to pray for me to find the people who will partner with me financially this year!

five things on friday the fifteenth

{1}

Black Forest Academy: At A Glance from Black Forest Academy Videos on Vimeo.

You should watch this video produced by our communications experts at BFA. It's a great overview of the school; I just wish it included middle schoolers as well. If you are thinking about joining my support team this year, this video should seal the deal. ;) Or maybe this video will make you want to join me in Germany this fall...

{2}

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Last week I discovered a new flavor of coffee creamer. Being in Germany means no creamer, just milk and sugar. I am suddenly finding all kinds of excuses to drink coffee because of this stuff. It is WAY better than my go-to Peppermint Mocha!

{3}

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I started running again, though at this point I can only refer to it as "wogging" - that's my word for combination walking/jogging. For some reason I have this sick desire to run a half marathon with my friend Katrina in Switzerland in September. So, I am combining my couch to 10K schedule with a couch to half-marathon schedule that I found online. The C210K has guidelines for how long to run at a time - for example, it starts you out running in only one-minute spurts and eventually builds up to running 15-20 minutes at a time with 1-minute walk breaks in between. The C2HM has guidelines for overall distance and takes you from 3 miles all the way up to 11 miles. So this week I have been covering a distance of three miles, by running one minute and walking two minutes. I know it sounds lame, but I have been working up a sweat so I know I'm doing something right. Plus, I don't want another knee injury so I am trying to be smart about this! Oh, and having my parents' dog along for the ride helps because he tugs on the leash and keeps me going!!

{4}

I've added lots of brand new pieces to the shop this week and will continue to do so next week. My creative juices have been flowing like lava from an active volcano. Now I just need to channel this creativity into my support raising and I'll be set. Click the link above to get your hands on some new bling and support me in the process. :)

{5}

I love this shot I got of the pup today on a drive through town. That is all. :)

Lugano 2012 - Day 3

The third day of our trip was divided up over several smaller activities. Our first event of the day was a visit to the Alprose Schokoland. Here we toured the factory, learned about the process of chocolate making, and were able to see chocolate being molded, checked for quality control, and then wrapped up and packaged for selling. Students completed a scavenger hunt, then gorged themselves on the all-you-can-eat free chocolate sample buffet. If you like chocolate, this is the place for you!!

Watching the chocolate move through the factory on the various conveyor belts was pretty cool. There was a walkway over one of the belts and as we watched the chocolate move underneath us, I was reminded of the game Pooh Sticks (see video below).

When our time at the chocolate factory ended, we returned to the hostel for a mapping exercise related to the hike and utilizing skills we had covered in science class.

Photo by Daniel Meade

Following lunch, students had a good chunk of freetime to play games, swim, relax, and just enjoy each other's company. There was an old barn up on the hill behind our hostel that had been somewhat renovated to house a ping-pong and fooseball table as well as a climbing wall, an overhead walkway, and a zipline! It was all very cool, and the kids enjoyed hanging out up there.

Traditionally the last night in Lugano involves a grill-out, with hotdogs and s'mores. Following dinner we played an awkwardly awesome round of Ducky Wucky (well, we teachers just watched...). The kids always hear from previous students that DW is a Lugano tradition and beg to play it, but then afterwards they complain about it being awkward .. even though they are laughing and having a blast the entire time the game is in play.

A pillow is our awkwardness buffer.

Again, I am praising God for another fantastic day in Lugano! Thank you so much for your prayers.

five things friday: falling asleep

SO. I fully intended to publish this post on Friday but the day was insanely busy with last minute Lugano prep, and by the time I sat down at home to write it, I literally fell asleep on my computer.

*****

As you may or may not know, I'm leaving on Monday for a four-day trip with my eighth graders. I'm freaking out because this is the first time I have been the leader of the trip... so in the spirit of trying to avoid the freakout, here are five completely random things that are on my mind right now.

{1}

This dad is pretty dang awesome. He and his kids have figured out that Bohemian Rhapsody is just long enough for their ride to school so they listen to it each morning.  I hope someday I get to marry a guy who does awesome things like this with our kids.

{2}

source

I'm not totally in love with this gingham nail thingy, but I am intrigued by this tutorial, which involves painting Scotch tape, letting it try, then cutting it into stripes or other shapes. Stick to your nails, give it a swipe of topcoat, and voila, homemade nail stickers. I really want to try it, but here in Germany true Scotch tape isn't available so it may have to wait until I'm in America this summer.

{3}

pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk

No, that's not a giant typo. This week a former student of mine posted this gibberish on Facebook with the following instructions: Copy and paste into Google translate, and set it to translate from German to English. Then on the German side, click the audio button to listen. Just go do it. Now.

{4}

The epic spirit day that was this week. I talk about my students alot but I don't often mention how blessed I am to work with this incredibly talented and God-fearing team of women at the middle school. This isn't the whole middle school staff, and we do actually have a few men on staff, but these ladies are such a joy to work with and I'm so thankful for the team God assembled for our first year at the new middle school campus!

{5}

EEK! We leave on Monday morning for Lugano and I still can't shake the feeling that I'm forgetting something devastatingly huge. Everything is ready, except my suitcase of course. Lugano, here we come!!

five things on Friday the fourth

I seriously CAN'T believe it's MAY. Here are five things that are on my mind right now.

{1}

I came across this video the other day and was incredibly convicted. This is the kind of teacher I want to be!! This is based on a poem by Taylor Mali, someone I had never heard of a week ago but am now a teeny bit obsessed with. He speaks with conviction and humor, and I really enjoy his work.

{2}

On Wednesday I accidentally parked right next to my town's May Pole!! I happened to look to my right and thought, "What is that random wooden pole in the middle of the Blumenplatz?" Then I looked up, though my sunroof, and saw this view. It was pretty startling, and for some reason very funny to me. And in my humble opinion, this is a pretty awesome shot. :)

{3}

This post by Laura, who writes a blog called Along for the Ride. She talks about her temptation to worry about things rather than trust in God's timing and plan, and it spoke volumes to me as this has been a recurring theme for me over the past week.

{4}

I came across this blog, where Annelise is working through a 365 day fast from "hairspray, teasing, dyeing or frying." I am impressed with her willpower and creativity - she has loads of super easy hairstyle tutorials that spice up longer hair and can keep you occupied while it's still growing out. Now that my hair is as long as it is, I'm in the market for some variety and Annelise's fun hair tutorials hit the spot. I don't think I can join her in sacrificing my blow dryer, though!!

{5}

Several years ago I used to watch a TV show called Just for Laughs, which revolved around a team of actors playing pranks on people in public and recording their reactions - sort of a revamped Candid Camera. This week I came across several compilations on YouTube and seriously could not stop laughing. It was good for my soul and for my abs. This top ten montage is sure to bring at least a smile to your face today. :) My favorite is the gas station clerk who turns into a fairy when the lights go out. Also, look for Daniel Radcliffe's lookalike around 12:40!

the great hallelujah = heaven's teaser trailer

This weekend I had the awesome privilege of singing in a two-night praise and worship concert called The Great Hallelujah. It was organized by Danny Plett, a JanzTeam/TeachBeyond member who engages in the ministry of music, both recording albums in English and German and giving concerts throughout Europe and North America. He is incredibly talented and was so much fun to work with over the past four months as we rehearsed and prepared to lead this event.

Here is the first song of the concert - this video is part of a playlist and you should watch it all when you have the time. I promise you won't be disappointed!

I was thrilled to be a regular member of a choir for the first time since my Moody days in the Women's Concert Choir, but I really had no idea just how amazing this experience would be for me. While we rehearsed our parts, worked on rhythms, and memorized our lyrics, there was no pressure to have the uniform appearance or sing with perfectly tall vowels.

Each of us had our own microphone, and we were instructed to "get into it" and let the Spirit lead. With this new-found freedom I found myself so wrapped up in the music that I forgot people were watching me! It was a true worship experience for me, unlike anything I have ever felt before in my life. In those two and a half hours of singing praises to our King, I had forgotten the stress of the weekend, the pressure of my finances, and all the requirements, responsibilities, and checklists I have to get through in the next month... all these things that have been weighing so heavy on me faded away and all I could think about was God's presence enveloping me and speaking to my heart.

The concert ended and as I climbed into bed, I found I was on such a high from my experience that I couldn't sleep. It wasn't until after midnight, almost 1:00 am that I finally dozed off, songs from the evening still running through my head and serving as a soundtrack for my dreams.

I feel like a teenager who has just spent the weekend at a retreat and come home "on fire for God." More often than not this fire starts to dim when one returns to the daily grind and the reality of life takes center stage.

As I try to move on with my life "Post Great Hallelujah" I have come to an obvious, yet startling realization. I felt God's presence so clearly and strongly at the concert, but the truth is that he has always been there. He was there before the concert, he was there after the concert, and he is here now as I write this post. He is there on the mornings when I don't want to get out of bed, He is there on the days when I'm on cloud nine, and He will continue to be there no matter what comes my way. He has been there everyday from the beginning of time, even when I couldn't "feel" him. My elation at being in his presence is certainly an appropriate response, but I need to remind myself that every single day He is with me.

Danny wrote a song called "I Arise Today," which speaks to my heart and has become my prayer. Here he is performing it at the Great Hallelujah concert. I pray this song blesses you today!