Kentucky Academy of Technology Education

Animal Adaptations

Core Connections

http://pics.tech4learning.com

By: Constance Rogers, Elementary Science Teacher

 If you tried to name all the animals you know you could probably name quite a few, but what do the animals you know have in common? All animals have body parts and behaviors that help them meet their basic needs. Adaptations help animals meet their needs in their environment. Different structures and functions of animals contribute to their growth, survival and reproduction. Emphasis at all grade levels should be placed on understanding likenesses and differences in form and function creating diversity of life. Understanding these concepts not only addresses a large percentage of national and state biological science standards but relates to real world applications as interdependence is a global issue.

When teaching animal growth and adaptations it is important to emphasize analyzing structures and related functions of animals to help students establish classification schemes. Students also need to observe different animal structures in order to learn how to predict how body parts function or in which ecosystem an animal might live. Observation of animal structures and functions can be accomplished through a virtual field trip to the zoo or science experiments.

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Apples Across the Curriculum

Core Connections

http://pics.tech4learning.com

By:  Ashley Durbin, Jesse Stuart Elementary, Hopkins County Kentucky

When teaching first graders the hardest thing to do is keep their attention. In order to do so, one must incorporate fun and interactive activities that spark their curiosity. Teachers for years have used apples as a means of teaching students across the curriculum. They have done so because there are so many possibilities in the wonderful world of apples and students can apply apples to just about every single subject.

School districts throughout the state are pushing for the use of multiple intelligences, specifically the hands-on, kinesthetic component. What better way to teach across the curriculum and reach those kinesthetic learners by incorporating apples! For students who struggle in math, one can go as basic as counting apples. As students progress they can estimate seeds and count fractional parts. One activity that increases graphing skills is getting to taste test different types of apples and graphing the results. To go even deeper, students can then make bar graphs and picture graphs to display their findings.

Here is an example of one taste test: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BChsMamaof3/412671/

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The Changing Classroom

Instructional Illuminations

Webster County Schools

Twenty years ago teachers might have had the complaint that classroom resources were limited. In today's time, however, classroom resources are so numerous that many teachers find the task of searching through the overwhelming amount of materials far too time consuming and exhausting. Teachers today must decide which resources are the most useful and purposeful for their individual classroom. One such resource that is currently being applied in individual classrooms in Webster County is the SMART Board.

This is a valuable resource that allows teachers to be creative in their lesson presentations. Imagine how a history lesson can come to life if students were to see re-creations of a battle and then a series of photos and articles about that battle all in one lesson. Visualize a math teacher using computer graphics to help visually show many mathematical concepts that are usually difficult to demonstrate on an overhead or a whiteboard. A Language Arts teacher may find and show excerpts from various books in order to expose students to more literary examples. A science teacher may find a video clip of a recent scientific discovery that will have an effect on the lives of the students. These are just a few ways teachers are using SMART Boards in Webster County classrooms.

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