Mastering Mathematical Transformations

One concept that we are discussing in our Grade 7 math class is geometical transformations. The Grade 7 Mathematics curriculum states that students should "create and analyze designs involving translations, reflections, dilations, and/or simple rotations of two-dimensional shapes, using a variety of tools and strategies" (p. 104)

Translations, reflections, dilations, and rotations are the main types of geometrical transformations. Using a coordinate grid helps us to identify how a shape is transformed and to create our own transformations. Yet, learning how to transform shapes on a coordinate grid can be a tricky skill to master. Rather than just using the pencil and paper method, math games make the concept much easier to visualize and understand. There are a few great sites that both explain the types of transformations and provide a gaming opportunity to practice.

Math is Fun is a site that provides well-rounded assistance. It first provides you with background information on the specific types of transformations - always great to be reminded! It then allows you to create your own translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations to see how the shapes move. If you feel like you have a good understanding of the transformations, I encourage you to think of the final coordinates for the transformation and then see if you can find the proper angles and distances.

So have no fear, with a little practice you will all be fantastic transformers!

Photo Credit: Oswego City School Regents Exam Prep Center (2012). Working with Dilations [Online Image]. Retrieved from http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/geometry/GT3/PracCoD.htm. 



Minuscule But Mighty!

Remembering all the different structures and organelles in cells, what they look like and what their roles are, can be a struggle. It's one thing to remember what a cloud looks like and how clouds function in the water cycle because we frequently see them. But cells?! They are so tiny that they are not even visible to our naked eye!
 
The Ontario curriculum, however, requires Grade 8 students to be able to "identify structures and organelles in cells, including the nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, vacuole, mitochondria, and cytoplasm, and explain the basic functions of each" (p. 141). Knowing how animal, plant, and bacterial cells function is the first step in learning how to effectively care for our own bodies. And that we can all use more help with!

But how? Thanks to microscopes and advancing technology, we can have much more exposure to the cells in and around us. So to help expand your knowledge, Sheppard Software offers a gaming resource that provides you with general information about cells and with games and quizzes to develop your skills with identifying the cell's structures and organelles. 

It's time to play and learn!  

Click Here for Cell Games

Image Credit: University of Vermont. (No date). Animal Cell [Online Image] Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~inquiryb/webquest/fa06/mvogenbe/.

Learning Through Games

Learning does not, and should not, be boring. How many of you love to play video games or participate in the virtual world? Games for Science combines your passion for online gaming with science so that you can learn while navigating through space, acting as cellular organelles, or joining a team of park wardens. 

This is a fun and safe learning environment where users can join the community and chat with friends while exploring scientific concepts. Check it out!   Games For Science

Science museums offer a wide variety of hands-on activities, but sometimes transportation or financial limitations can prevent us from visiting a museum. Whatever museum you would like to go to, whether its for art, science, history, or other topics, check out their website first. Many of them offer virtual tours where you can explore the museum online without having to drive or pay the entrance fee. The Ontario Science Centre offers this online opportunity where you can explore the world of science through interactive videos, images, and games. 

P.S. They also offer student resources for science fair information or science awards, always worth the time to check it out!

Ontario Science Centre - Virtual Tour

Calling all teens! Whether you're a science enthusiast or you think science is a bore, 'Let's Talk Science' is  the site for you! It provides a wide activity database for experiments you can try at home (trust me, these are very cool), interactive learning activities, and a science challenge. You can even convince your teacher to ask the organization to come in for a day of experiments and activities. Always nice to spice up our schedule :)  
Let's Talk Science

Photo Credit: Urban Moms (2010, August 8). Toronto Travel Diary Part One: Ontario Science Centre [Screen Shot Image]. Retrieved from http://www.urbanmoms.ca/losing_it/2010/08/toronto-travel-diary-part-one-ontario-science-centre.html. 

So much to 'Discover'!

Here is a great resource for both students and parents! Even without subscribing to the site, Discovery Education Canada offers homework help, motivation strategies, and programs that you can get involved with, all for free! Whether you want to build your knowledge in an science area of interest or need some help with a scientific concept, I strongly encourage you to check out what this site has to offer you. Enjoy!

Discovery Education Canada

Photo Credit: Discovery Education Canada (2013). Science Homework Help [Screen Shot Image]. Retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/homeworkhelp/science/science_homework_help.html?campaign=DE&CFID=291797&CFTOKEN=85246622. 

Welcome Grade 8!

I would just like to take the time to welcome all of you to my teacher blog. I am thrilled to be your student teacher - we have many exciting times awaiting us in the science realm! Science is my favourite subject, biology in particular, and my goal is to pass on my passion for science to you!

Please feel free to access my Edublog throughout the semester. I will be using the blog as a means of keeping you and your parents up to date on our learning experiences as well as providing additional resources for topics we have covered in class. I encourage each of you to explore the science world at home; there are so many cool experiments that can be done with simple home ingredients!

I look forward to working together to tackle the science behind our world!