This time, I decided to photoshop the god of peas…Mendel 
Enjoy:
Archive for September, 2010
Photoshopping (Can it be a verb?)
2010
09.23
09.23
This is me playing with photoshop – I know, its not very exciting. My creativity leaves alot to be desired. However, I was trying to make something into another. On top is the original picture of a washcloth knitted in the shape of a flower. On the bottom is the photoshopped version, which I tried to make look like an elephant. Don’t be too harsh!
Modern Media
2010
09.22
09.22
The above is a clip (0:46 – 2:30 min) from the movie Twilight, where Edward and Bella are studying mitosis. I think this clip could be a great way to introduce the lesson and engage the students by reaching out to them on their level (specifically females, who are often underrepresented in the science classroom). In addition, by having such an important biology topic in a hit movie, it might help the students find importance in it as well.
Presentation
2010
09.22
09.22
As we discussed last class, there are some topics that work best when approached in the “generic” PowerPoint standard. However, the presentation above does a great job with trying to engage the students with activities and shock value (think SEX!) during the lesson. While there are **cringe** many font and color changes throughout, it presents all of the necessary information and vocabulary without it being text-overload. In addition, the teacher breaks up the lesson with two different activities so that the students have a chance to exercise their brains using the new information.
Genetics – Block 1 Lesson Plan
2010
09.10
09.10
View more presentations from Christen Mamenko.
Meiosis Block 1
View more documents from Christen Mamenko.
Meiosis Block 1 PPT Breakdown
View more documents from Christen Mamenko.
Google Reader
2010
09.08
09.08
Personal Feeds
- Christen’s Creations: My personal blog. I enjoy knitting commission pieces and tailoring them to each individual for a perfect custom-fit!
- Knitters for Knockers: This blog is updated each year for the Komen Race for breast cancer. The blog members are from my knit group and the prizes are donated from local yarn shops.
- Baaaaaaats! : My friend from the VCU knit group set up this blog. Mainly a bunch of random topics that are loosely held together by knitting.
- xie knits: Prime example of a great blog that is no longer updated. I really enjoyed her posts and the pictures of the items she had knitted. I wish she’d update it!
- Sexy Knitters Club: I’m always trying to convince my husband that knitting isn’t just for old ladies. While this site no longer updates on the blog platform, they are very active on Ravelry (aka Facebook for Knitters).
Professional Feeds
- Exploratorium: Integrating multi-media into presentations is a great way to keep the kids attentive. This website gives links to mulit-media concerning the sciences, mainly biology.
- PlanetGreen.com: Giving back to the environment should be a topic on the forefront of current science curricula. The videos, articles, and graphics on the website are a great idea for writing prompts in the science classroom.
- iLearn Technology: Another website that integrates technology into the classroom.
- Kevin Kelly: A conglomeration of videos, articles, and graphics that can be used as writing promts and discussion topics. Though it does not seem to be updated anymore, there are enough posts to give a whole year’s worth of ideas.
- inhabitat: Like PlanetGreen.com, these environmental topics are great for preparing students for the upcoming lesson via writing prompts or discussion topics
Feeds from Classmates:
- The Biology Corner: Lesson plans, worksheets, and other multimedia to assist the biology teacher.
Summary of Presentation Designs
2010
09.01
09.01
Every human being is captured by the element of surprise. By overloading the senses with a white background, black font, and bullet points, students will start daydreaming about a more colorful world, which most likely will have nothing to do with the current lesson. To bring their minds back into the classroom, adding color, animation or other multi-media to your presentations is a start. In addition, giving the students a break every 10-20 minutes will help ensure that their eyes won’t glaze over. This break is not just a chance for them to get to catch up on the latest gossip, but a way to re-enforce what was taught – maybe by Carousel activities or Trivia Baseball.