See you later!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Really and truly...
See you later!
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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6:23 AM
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Thursday, June 4, 2009
OK, OK!!
Thanks for a wonderful year with your
truly special students.
Dr. Smith
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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6:37 AM
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Is today the last day? No....
I am closing the year with an overview of the newest research on cosmology and the origins of life. We will then review the greatest discoveries in the history of medicine with Bill Nye.
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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8:16 AM
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
School is STILL not over....
This week in Science we will be discussing new theories on the origins of the earth and life itself. Fresh data has revolutionized this area over the last few years and I want our students to have encountered these radically new ideas. One activity will be to try to create a truly alien being that is not simply an earth creature with a "weird head."In Literacy Skills the students voted to view The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, one of the greatest films of all time made from one of the greatest books of all time. Talk about aliens!
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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1:09 PM
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Cruisin' But School Still Isn't Over!
I am here conducting Science classes
for those students remaining.
In my view we get the better deal!
Oceans and reptiles are on the agenda....
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
at
7:42 AM
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
Mastery Redux--YAY!!
Here are the results for key recent assessments; to my great satisfaction (and hopefully yours and your students') the average level of performance indicates Science
Orange: Anatomy Final = 87%; Pig Dissection = 92%
Yellow: Anatomy Final = 81%; Pig Dissection = 89%
Blue: Anatomy Final = 86%; Pig Dissection = 89%
Red: Anatomy Final = 84%; Pig Dissection = 90%
Green: Anatomy Final = 83%; Pig Dissection = 87%
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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8:43 AM
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
STAR Test
Overall the average GE for my Lit Skills students rose from 8.1 to 8.7, while the actual grade level went from 6.02 to 6.86. You have excellent readers, who continue to improve!
If you are interested in your student's results please contact me.
Posted by
Scott P. Smith, M.D.
at
11:50 AM
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Next week....
...IS NOT THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!
For all Team 6-1--Monday is Memorial Day (no classes), a time to remember those who sacrificed, and those who still sacrifice, to protect us.
Tuesday is the field trip to the International Museum of Surgical Science (pictured above). If you have not been designated a Sweepstakes Winner (i.e. a chaperone) and wish to join us you may meet us in Room C102 at 8:30 a.m. or at the Museum at 10:00 a.m. Admission is $7, and THERE ARE NO FOOD FACILITIES!! Parking is also VERY scarce.
Friday is the 6th Grade Boat Cruise.
In Science--Wednesday will be our Celebration honoring our GREAT GLAND MAP CONTEST winners as well as others on Team 6-1 winning AWARDS that day.
Thursday we will engage the HISTORY OF SCIENCE while Dr. Smith is with the rest of the Science Dept. training on the new curriculum adopted for next year (hint: in 6th grade we will be doing basic biology and earth science rather than physicis and anatomy).
In Literacy Skills--We will watch the film version of HOOT on Wednesday and Thursday.
...AND NOT THE END OF LEARNING, EITHER!
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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7:58 AM
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
Touchdown!
Yesterday we played the Review Game (a highly modified version of football). Overall the ladies scored 551 points and themen 564--nice work all around.
YELLOW period had the highest total score of 294,
but the "lowest" total score was still 190!
Today and tomorrow will be the Anatomy Final, and I expect overall performance to be in the MASTERY range.
I am truly proud of what your students have accomplished!
I think we have also had fun
(depending upon ones definition of fun).
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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8:37 AM
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Artistry!
fetal pig dissection and
in general met or
surpassed my
technical expectations!
Nice work, all!
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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11:45 AM
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Monday, May 18, 2009
The tables will be scored as a group (students chose their partners last week) on the basis of what I am calling ANATOMICAL ARTISTRY.
The point is to create a product
that is both accurate and aesthetically balanced.
This will require kinetic and visual skills rather than linguistic and will
challenge the students to be CAREFUL and METICULOUS.
I will let you know how it turns out!
Posted by
Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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6:32 AM
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Friday, May 15, 2009
Mastery!
Students did a great job on the Reproduction & Development Assessment!
Average score was 85%!
Orange = 89%
Red = 84%
Blue = 84%
Yellow = 83%
Green = 75%
Nice work...plus they have learned how to do wicked concept maps!
Posted by
Scott P. Smith, M.D.
at
7:13 AM
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The GREAT GLAND MAP CONTEST
The CONTEST was decided by scored ballots cast by teachers and based on
CREATIVITY and AESTHETICS.
Fabulous prizes will be awarded!
Congratulations to:
GOLD MEDAL: Red Period, Table 4--Vicky, Julia, Eliza, and Kalah
SILVER MEDAL: Orange Period, Table 3--Jessica, Maureen, Rose,
and Chelsea
BRONZE MEDAL: Yellow Period, Table 3--Eric, Malik, Terrell,
and Charlie
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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1:10 PM
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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Don't be embarrassed!
I am showing the award-winning NOVA program,
The Miracle of Life.
Ask your student...
whatever you want to know!
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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9:45 AM
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Reproduction & Development STARS
and will participate in the
STAR CURRICULUM (see Assignments).
Nice work!
Jordan D. / Joseph J.-J. / Sebastian T. / Bobby S.
Ben A. / Avery C. / Ryan B. / Bess L.
Jack P. / Sam B. / Mara K. /David M.
Roy W. / Ted S. / Riley S.
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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7:46 AM
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Monday, May 4, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Literacy Skills: READ, READ, READ
The following is the list of books assigned for independent reading in Lit Skills. Credit will be given based on the number of books completed (as documented by an Assessment). Note that the score is only for this portion (about 1/3) of the overall Lit Skills grade. Please check with your student and see where he/she is in his/her progress!D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths
The Egypt Game
The White Mountains
The Bronze Bow
A Wrinkle in Time
The Westing Game or Shakespeare's Secret
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
The House of the Scorpion
Bridge to Terabithia
BONUS: King Matt the First
1 / 65
3 / 75
9 / 95
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Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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8:46 AM
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bait and switch? Hidden agendas?
I have found that students frequently think that there is a set of "invisible directions" associated with some of these more "free form" assignments. This project has basic requirements: 1) it needs to use the 12" x 18" drawing paper as the foundation; 2) it must show all the required glands; 3) the glands must be "cut outs" pasted on the body; and 4) it must have the specified legend. Beyond that I want the groups to use their collective creativity.
This freedom of choice seems to cause some anxiety! I have been asked if the body MUST have legs (no, unless there are endocrine glands in the legs), if the glands can be different colors (yes), if gland images can be taken off the internet (yes), and if the organs can be drawn on rather than pasted on as cut outs (no, see basic requirements above).
This exercise requires a complex web of thinking skills and group working strategies--just like science itself! And like science (and life) when all else fails, follow the directions--beyond that, go for it!
Posted by
Scott P. Smith, M.D.
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9:01 AM
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
6th Grade HOTS
See BRAIN POWER below for the latest in pubertal thinking!
Posted by
Scott P. Smith, M.D.
at
9:36 AM
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