Thank you Brad...

I recently read a great article by Brad Kuntz- it was as if the man had read my mind and could articulate far better than I. The article was called  Focus on Learning, Not Grades

I read so many articles written by fellow professionals all explaining why extra credit is wrong, Mr. Kuntz expressed it so well.  Now we are at that time of year and students are realizing their semester grades may just reflect their understanding and competency in a particular subject and HORROR- that may not be an A.

Imagine you are going to work, but while you are there, you spend your time doing anything other than your actual job. Then you realize that your pay is a reflection of the work you have been doing.  So you start to work extra hard, but you haven't actually paid any attention to the job description- no problem. You can simply ask your boss to give you extra time, or a bonus even.  All will be well and you will still take home that paycheck.  I may be wrong, but I don't see that happening too often in the work force. Why do students and often times their parents believe that good preparation for life is to ask the teacher for extra credit?  Imagine receiving emails like this on a regular basis- Dear (insert teacher name),  
I am only x points away from the next grade up; or I have worked really hard but the material I studied was not on the test; or, simply, I really need an A in this class. Followed by- Is there any extra credit I can do to boost my grade?
I will help organize the stock room, make signs, bring in tissues.  Anything.  Sincerely (insert student name)

When does any of this boost a student's understanding of the material? If a student typically scores in the low B high C range of all assessments, how can the student be demonstrating complete mastery of the material in the class, in other words earning an A? When as a society will our focus on the learning and growth of a student rather than the emphasis on the grade?  I have been guilty of giving extra credit- a challenge question on a test to be answered only if all other questions have been answered; attendance at an external lecture of interest to the student and connected to the course. I will not give extra credit just to boost a grade, to give the false impression that this student really understands the material. 
I along with many of my colleagues at Notre Dame want the best education possible for our students- that does not mean giving them free points.
So, if you are reading this, next time you say "No, there is no extra credit to boost your grade, but you can meet with me to go over your test/quiz/homework" remember, you are not alone!

Saving the Bay - Service Learning Rocks!

On Wednesday November 19, 2014, the AP Bio Rockstars made their first trip to the Palo Alto Baylands to work with Save the Bay. Students collected soil data and calculated biodiversity using Simpson's Biodiversity Index. The data collected will be shared with Save the Bay and added to the data collected by classes and groups around the bay. 

Here's more about the experience!

Created with Padlet

Join the fun that is Connected Educator Month

I can't believe October is right around the corner and this is our first post of the school year. That let's you know that we have been busy designing and implementing amazing lessons in our classes. This year marks the official beginning of NDB's +1 Policy. Students are required to bring a laptop of their choice and additional technologies will be used to enhance learning and engage everyone in the classroom. Soon departments will have a set of iPads for media exploration and creation. Cell phones will be used. We have probeware and biotech equipment to support the continued evolution of our inquiry based science program. It is a very exciting time right now that brings challenges as well. The main question is how do we find the time and the resources for the training we need to integrate the technology?

The answer is, we have to dedicate the time by making a clear choice to find resources and get connected. To me, the value of being a connected educator far outweighs the time it takes to develop my PLN. The most incredible, useful, engaging professional development I have ever done has happened because of Twitter.

Yes, it takes time to engage in chats, send tweets with meaningful information, and respond to others, but it is so well worth the effort! There have been times I have posted a question on Twitter and received replies within minutes. There are others out there who know the answers and I save my time by learning from them and not having to search. Crowdsourcing has become a skill that I not only employ, but I also teach my students how to leverage. Now the question is how can I encourage others to invest their precious time and become connected?

Along comes Connected Educator Month, which is a great time for all educators to focus on developing their Professional Learning Network (PLN).

This October, EduBlogger has set up a Build your PLN Teacher Challenge. Their challenge provides opportunities for newbie and veteran connected educators to kick start their own learning. Join the conversation on Twitter using #CE14. Head to Connected Educators for more ideas and a calendar of amazing events during October. They also have an entire badging system set up for you to document your PD and share it with your PLN and administrators. You can even nominate colleagues for badges. Now that's a fun way to encourage one another!

If you're reading this you must be connected to the Internet, which means you are already on your way to developing your connectedness. It starts with one click at a time. The more you invest, the more benefit you will receive. As I connect with others on topics that are of value to me, I find that I am more enthusiastic about the curriculum and activities in my classes. My passion for science and technology integration continues to grow and that translates into enhanced learning and engagement for my students. Now that is time well spent!

#onelessteachertothank!

Recently I was surprised by a blast from my past in the form of an email from twitter.  A student from one of my first classes had stumbled across our "Wet Floor" joke which led him to this blog.  From over 30, yes, THIRTY, years ago, he reached out and said "Thank you" I haven't stopped smiling. He made my old memory churn over and I could remember where he sat, who his friends were and then realized I remember the "good ones". Thank you @lesgray

Ah, the good ones, students and teachers alike.  I remembered Mr. Griffiths from my high school  chemistry days. I went back to visit him when I was accepted to my PhD program in chemistry.  I thought about every teacher I had ever had who had made a difference in my life.  I've left it too late to offer my thanks to many of them. My elementary school teacher, Mrs. Wakefield, whom I adored, was one.  She told my parents not to allow me to go into teaching because it was a "thankless profession".  I am so glad I did not follow her advice. After exploring all the other options available to me, I knew I only ever wanted to teach. It isn't for the money, or the hours through the school year, it is for the students.  The delight when they "get it", the connections we make throughout the school year and for the occasional "thank you".

No teacher expects thank you gifts, what profession does? This makes the letters, emails and visits we get mean so much.  They give us the impetus to keep going forward, to do more for our students.  

I work with some amazing people, teachers who go the extra mile for their students again and again. To each of them, on behalf of their students, who if prompted would say it themselves, I say thank you.  Have a great summer, you deserve it.

How much time is there in a day?

Anyone who works with kids is an educator...parents, grandparents, friends, coaches, school staff, and of course teachers. Here's to those who say yes to the vocation of education and devote their time to being successful. All teachers I talk to talk about how much time it takes and their desire for more time. Well, here's a little glimpse into the time it takes to be a teacher. It doesn't look like they included professional development, training, blogging, or Twitter chats either, so add that into the mix. I appreciate those who have been my teachers and my colleagues whom I learn from everyday.

Created by Knewton and

I love Science Humor!

Here's a chem joke shared by Mae Linh.

Students engaged to the end

One of the things I enjoy doing is popping into other science classrooms.  To see my colleagues engaging students in so many different ways, is such a positive experience.  I had the honor this week of watching students engaged in an AP Biology review lesson. It was great prep for the AP exam, tied in well with their fetal pig lab and reviewed body systems.  In short everything you would expect from a well thought out review lesson. The difference was the lesson was conducted by the students themselves.  Their inspiring teacher had set the ground rules, established guidelines and given the students freedom to explore and design the presentation using appropriate technology. I was so proud of the confident young women engaging their peers, presenting material with confidence and using techniques they had been taught and developed over the duration of the course.  Rather than a "hit the books, do more practice questions, teach to the exam type of review,  I observed a lesson where the students were thinking outside of the box.  They were engaging higher level reasoning skills, drawing on all of their resources, learning while doing. They had been given the tools needed to be successful,  lifelong learners.

I came away from the lesson inspired, I knew what I was going to do with my students after their AP exam. I want them to be engaged to the end of the year and beyond.  They will be given the opportunity to investigate chemicals in society, create a murder mystery of their own.  I can use the Poisoners Handbook from PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/poisoners/player/ for inspiration.

While it was a joy watching the students, being able to work with and learn from my colleagues,  makes me a very fortunate teacher.  Thank you Rebecca, for inspiring your students and setting such high standards in your classroom.

Next week I am off to watch Physics students using power tools as they build their own speakers,  putting resonance, frequency and waves to work!
Go NDB- educating young women for life!