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Jen replied to Jen's discussion Student-centered plan for teaching

"Jon - Thanks for the compliment :) I would also be willing to work together to make year-long curriculum that resembles this. I'm moving more and more towards this type of structure. Unfortunately, I'm in the minority in my department for…"

Aug 25, 2011

Jon Freer replied to Jen's discussion Student-centered plan for teaching

"Brilliant. Jen (and everyone) how can we go about developing a year-long curriculum like this? A place that we (and others) can turn to for student-centered, interactive units that can be put together however the teacher sees…"

Aug 24, 2011

Jen added a discussion to the group AP Biology

Test construction collaboration for next year?

Okay - as CRAZY as this sounds...I'm already thinking to next year...sigh...it never ends! Anyways, I had an epiphany today as I've broken the practice test into 20 questions per day, and seeing a pattern in how the test is constructed. I'd like to reconstruct ALL of my tests next year to be more similar in format to the AP exam. 1) Has anyone already done this and had any successes or failures with it?2) Would anyone be willing to work with me on this over the summer? I use the Campbell book,…See More

Apr 28, 2010

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Jen replied to Colin Matheson's discussion Science Fair

"Colin - Thanks for the wiki/blog idea - I LIKE THIS!!! The kids will also like being able to update their ideas and milestones and post their successes - BRILLANT!!!! Jen"

Feb 7, 2010

Jen replied to Colin Matheson's discussion Science Fair

"We don't require science fair, but there are other things that the kids want to shoot for that science fair helps with - and I had 3 projects (4 girls) this year - as my first time as a mentor/coach - holy cow! Talk about trial by fire! BUT…"

Feb 7, 2010

Jen commented on Elissa Hoffman's group AP Biology

"There is a facebook group out called "You know you're in AP when...." - I remember a couple: "That AP really stands for "Advanced Procrastinator" "I put the "pro" in procrastinator." "Your GPA…"

Feb 5, 2010

Jen replied to Jen's discussion Student-Centered plan for Ecology

"Adding some questions for the Lorax taken from the UNC website (address is at the bottom of the PDF file) :) Also, I copied the Sustainability Diagrams for the Teacher's Notes into a PDF file so I can post on my website. I added two questions…"

Feb 5, 2010

Jen replied to Colin Matheson's discussion Science Fair

"Target has grants for field trips :) Jennifer"

Feb 1, 2010

Jen posted a discussion

Student-Centered plan for Ecology

Okay - here's another one :) Days 1/2 - Intro to ecology with Chapter 52 (via SmartBoard but mostly I did this one as a lot of this chapter is memorization :P and data analysis :)Day 3: Virtual Population Simulation of Paramecium (available from the glencoe site - with questions added in - file is attached)Day 4: Began a two-week long lab from the Vernier lab manual - population studies in yeast (I don't think I can attach this one due to copyright issues - but you can find a student copy on…See More

Feb 1, 2010

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Jen replied to Colin Matheson's discussion The Carbon/Water/Nitrogen) Cycle

"Colin, I REALLY like this idea as it gets kids up and moving (I'm always in favor of that!) Just a question about the cards that you made in the Carbon cycle document - most seem to have "choices" of where they can go - do you allow…"

Jan 15, 2010

Sean Nash replied to Jen's discussion Student-centered plan for teaching

"This... is inspiring. This is the type of open interaction and sharing that made me want to create this site in the first place. I will certainly be back to roll through this a little more carefully. At first glance... the sneaker males cricket…"

Jan 15, 2010

Jen replied to J. Gudelsky's discussion What Do You Decide To Include/Teach? in the group General Biology

"for my honors level kids, I used the "Molecular Approach" (blue book). However, if I were to teach to our "CP" (average) classes, I would like the "Ecological Approach" (green book). It's less chem intensive, and…"

Jan 9, 2010

Jen posted a discussion

Student-centered plan for teaching

By request :) (and thanks - I wouldn't have thought to do this....), sharing a plan for my AP evolution unit this is limited on lecture, and uses a lot of different activities/labs/whiteboards to get students interacting with the unit. This unit is taking me (we are still in it) about 13-14 days including all labs. I'm probably spending a little more time - but it's evolution, so I'm feeling it's pretty critical. I've only done 3 days of lecture - and I use a SmartBoard to make them more…See More

Jan 6, 2010

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Jen replied to Jason Braun's discussion Photosynthesis Labs

"To piggyback on what Colin said - you can also use geminated seeds (just place a cotton ball above the indicator) and non-germinated peas in the same way. I simply take a wet paper towel - place all the seeds on it (I always do "extra" to…"

Jan 6, 2010

Jen replied to Colin Matheson's discussion Collaboration Invitation in the group AP Biology

"Colin, I wasn't teaching AP this time last year - but if you are still interested in this, could we maybe try to work out details in the summer and collaborate? I'm stretched a bit thin right now with a few different…"

Jan 6, 2010

Jen replied to Paula Courtemanche's discussion AP Recruitment in the group AP Biology

"Paula, I'm curious (and please don't take this the wrong way) about your statement that kids were "selected from the AP Potential list" - what do you use for criteria to be on this "potential" list? I only ask because…"

Jan 6, 2010