| Description | I begin the school year with a study of spiders that we catch on campus. These are garden spiders and we build 'condos' for them to live in (we release them after our study). We 'raise' flies from eggs - maggots - pupa - adult and release some and use some as food for the spiders. Students study spiders and flies under our stereomicroscope to see the similarities and differences with insects and arthropods. I teach 2 sections of 4th grade - both have 15 students. Both are mixed for gender and ethnicity. As a teacher with 20 years experience, I have my techniques in my 'toolbox' to address issues of equity. I also have membership in many professional organizations and attend meeting. I have lead workshops on the national level (NSTA) and well as in my school. |
