Hi Plants and Zombies folk!

I miss you all and I’m excited to reconnect with you!  Our class will be meeting every Monday 11:30-11:50am through Google Meets at this link.  This link is also posted on Google Classroom.

A few ponderings about class:

1) Science is CHALLENGING to do remotely.  It is so collaborative and it is hard to let go of some of the hands on projects that were planned. The good news is that from a material standpoint, we have covered most of the life science curriculum already.  At this point, less is more.  This upcoming week will be heavy simply due to the LTP, but my hope is to keep work meaningful and lighter during home learning.  Students are welcome to reach out to me at any time with questions.

2) With the exception of the LTP work (which should be mostly done), I am also going to try and keep most of the learning “offline”. There is only so much screen time that is healthy for middle school, and Science is a good excuse to get a bit more “maker-space-ish” with the learning.  Your students may need access to materials — but there is no “set” list.  They are encouraged to get creative.

3) This week — our focus will be twofold.

              A) LTP due via Google Classroom by Friday at 8:30am.  If students want strong draft feedback on their LTPs, they can email me before Wednesday at noon and I’ll try to turn it around within 6-12 hours. The LTPs should have been mostly written prior to our hiatus, but I know some students still have significant work to do.

              B) Our first project is for students to simply grow something or try a botany experiment.  Here’s the task description. First post to Padlet is due Tuesday, April 7th.

• Monday:  Google Meets at this link
• Wednesday at Noon:  Last chance for LTP draft feedback from me.  Simply email me.
• Friday:  Final Draft LTP due via Google Classroom.
• Monday, April 6th: Google Meets at this link
• Tuesday, April 7th:  Grow Something picture due to Padlet.

After we finish the LTP, we’ll be developing ecology boardgames.  More details on that in the next update.

Thank you so much for your support.  -JF

Ps.  Students — if you have NOT used Google Meet before, you may wish to connect with a peer and give it a try before classes start.  It’s really simple to access through the “9-dot” menu in the top right area of any Google Screen.

Just wanted to reach out and tell you that I miss you all!  We are planning for home learning commencing March 30th.  Schedule is still being sorted out, but I’m excited to reconnect with you all.

Scary how all the virus work we did in January has become so prescient!  I hope you and your family are staying well, enjoying one another, and not doing too much screen time!

I think we are going to be virtually meeting as a whole class integrated class every Monday (starting 3/31) from 11:30-11:50am through Google Meets.  I will then be available via email or Google Meets throughout the week as needed.

In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just to say hello.

Happy (almost) Spring Break!

Best, -JF

Please note that the LTP which was originally due Monday is suspended until after school resumes.  Do not stress.  Be with your family.  Stay safe. Get outside and smell the flowers.

Thank you for all your hard work.  Best, -Josh Feiger

Big LTP week in Plants and Zombies.  Here’s what’s happening:

1) Strong Draft Magazine Article LTP due Monday, March 16th at 8:30am via Google Classroom.   These should include:

1) Writing.  (See Outline Template and/or Graphic Organizer)

2) Food Web

3) Phylogenetic Tree

4) Habitat Map

        5) Additional Pictures as needed

6) Bibliography.  (Using “easy bib” add-on in Google Docs.)

2) Body System Lesson Simulation due Thursday, March 12th.  Students are working in teams to research body systems and then develop an interactive simulation/game for the class.   We’ll be engaging in these simulations on March 12th.

3) Giant Insect Museum Exhibit Project.  Commencing March 16th, we are going to be studying insects, creating (sculpting?) reproductions of those insects, and then using Makey-Makey kits and Scratch to program the insects into interactive exhibits.

Thank you for all your support (and your awesome kids!).  Best, -JF

———