Stem Cell Research Project

My latest successful lesson from my A&P class came from our unit over Stem Cells/Tissues.

The scheduling with this unit was quite chaotic for me because of half days, lack of computer access, Senior Josten's meetings and it was the crazy week of homecoming at OG.  So here is what I did

Day 1 - watch the HHMI video over stem cells
It was the second lecture over regeneration because the kids always relate better to it compared to lecture 1.  Found here.

Day 2 - Talk about the project, get the points of view and start researching
I had the kids pull out slips of paper that had major politicians and people who have an interest in stem cell research and this is their person that they have to portray for the duration of the project.  I found the various points of view from this website  starting on page 7. I told the kids that they couldn't trade and even if they didn't agree with the person they were given and their views on stem cell research; they still have to present their ideas in a convincing way.    

Day 3 - No computers...so did a point of view activity
Since I couldn't give them access to computers - I had them talk to  each other about their ideas they planned to present in their paper.  I had them come up with 3 or more reasons why they either supported or did not support stem cell research with a group of other kids that had the same point of view.  Then I had them meet with peers who had opposing points of view and listen to each other tell their opinions - this gave them ideas for how to develop a counter argument.  Even though this was a filler day because of no computers - it actually worked out pretty well and I think it helped the kids develop their ideas more and point them in the right direction for the rest of the researching days. 

Day 4 - Research
On research days, I basically left them alone to work and just answered questions or clarified things for them if they didn't understand the procedures and such associated with stem cells. 

Day 5 - Research - papers due over the weekend
I have my kids turn in their papers via dropbox - so the entire project is paperless.  Go green! :) Let me know if you want to set up your classroom like this as well - it rocks!  I would be happy to share my system.  Below are some sample essays of what two of mine turned in.  I thought they did exceptionally well with this project...especially when I found out later that most of my kids did not agree with the point of view they were given.  I told them to be convincing - and I think they accomplished the goal.
Sample Student Essay #1
Sample Student Essay #2

Day 6 - Class Discussion day
This is after they had turned in their papers to me about stem cell research.  I had them discuss the topic as a class from their person's point of view.  I specifically told them many times throughout the unit that I did not want to know their own personal point of view until the entire project was over...every thing they presented was as if they were the person given to them on their paper.  To get everyone involved I had them all grab 5 poker chips.  When ever they wanted to talk or add to the conversation; they had to turn in a poker chip.  Once they ran out - they couldn't talk anymore.  So it helped encourage all the shy students to speak up and all the outspoken kids to choose their words wisely.  Once that conversation kind of died down; I had them restock on poker chips and they were finally able to give me their opinion.  We really got into some good conversation and it was obvious that they had learned a lot about their research. 

Finally, the next day I had them write a reflection that told me their own opinion on stem cell research and what they had gotten out of the project.  Overall - I was impressed with my kiddo's work - nothing new.  :)

Instruction Page found here
Grading Rubric found here
Reflection Form found here

We Are...A Get to Know You Activity

In our school, we have our regular classes and then we have an Advisory.  We see them everyday at least in passing, but we have lessons with them once a week and then SSR one day a week. 

This year I have Juniors for Advisory and the lesson that was presented to us was a "Superhero" lesson...and knowing the kids I had in Advisory - I didn't think it would go too well.  So I found this idea on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.  Here was the inspiration:

This was a two day activity; on day one the kids did "speed dating."  I set them up across from each other and gave them 2 minutes to really get to know each other.  I told them they had to 'sell themselves' and what their best qualities and interests are.  Then I had them rotate to the next person until they had talked to each person in the advisory.  I was a little worried they wouldn't buy in, but they really got into it after the first few rounds and talked a lot to each other.

On day two, they came in and i explained how they were going to use the information they gained about their peers.  One at a time a student would go up to the whiteboard and stand facing me.  Then their peers would go around them and write characteristics about the person.  *I kept an eye out to make sure they stayed school appropriate* Then I took their picture.  I had a student erase the words around them before the student at the board could move.  So no one was able to read what others wrote until the picture reveal.  We repeated this process for all the kids, finally when we had done all of them - they wanted to do it for me.  I let them - but you gotta give these kids some credit, because standing up there all vulnerable was actually pretty scary.  But I was impressed with their willingness to participate and work together as a group.

Here are pictures of my kids and what others said:

When i printed them, I had to go back and add sharpies to the writing because it was kinda hard to read...but overall; they turned out pretty good.

The last step was that I made a bulletin board in my room with all of their pictures and with the help of Facebook and Edmodo - we came up with the title as "We are..."

The kids really enjoyed the reveal and had a good time with the activity.  I was proud of them!