Help us explore our world from a different perspective! A dissecting microscope will allow us to examine larger specimens, such as ants, leaves, and molds. My students will develop their science vocabulary as they read, write and talk about what they see.
My urban middle school students, ages 11 to 15, begin the year reading years below grade level.
Many are English Language Learners; most have struggled in school for years. We spend several years together in our multi-grade language arts classroom, building reading and vocabulary skills, as we explore new topics together. Science themes, from fire ants to carnivorous plants, have been especially successful at hooking my students on reading.
My Project
Our school is in an older building with many leaks. The damp encourages the mold, which creeps across the ceiling and walls of our classroom and has drawn the attention of my students. We will be reading a collection of books about molds and other fungi.
A dissecting microscope will allow us to examine specimens collected on school grounds and inside the building. My students will also bring in objects from home to examine with the microscope. Many natural objects acquire a new and special beauty when observed through the lens of a microscope; this fresh perspective will inspire my students to use new language as they write and talk about what they see.
A dissecting microscope will allow us to closely examine a fire ant's head and the trigger hairs of a Venus flytrap.
The excitement of real specimens will bring so much color to the reading and writing that we do. Please help me keep my students curious about the world and actively engaged in understanding more!
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