Solar Ovens

Having nothing to do with WBT, my last week of school has included a few fun adventures.

Science Fun Days wrap up a year very nicely.

A couple of things I like to do that last week is cooking with the sun and blowing bubbles.

Solar Ovens:

Below is a picture of one of our solar ovens.  

We cook hot dogs one day and s'mores another.  

This year I had personal pan pizza boxes graciously donated by our local Pizza Hut.

Any box with a lid can be creatively used, as well.

This year I put black paper only inside the lid.  

Usually, I have students cover the lid inside and outside with black paper.

(This was altered slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.)

The inside bottom is lined with aluminum foil.

I propped the lip open with a straw.
The second day, I taped the straw in place.
Practice makes perfect!

Place the food to be cooked on the foil; then, cover the opening with plastic wrap.

Yes, it works.  

On a nice, sunny day, and a couple of hours in the oven, the hot dogs get sweaty and bubbly.  

S'mores only need about 30 minutes to achieve a melty, tasty mess.

Send the solar ovens home for fun summer cooking!

WBT Reflections

As summer is quickly approaching, I am reflecting on WBT.

As I have stated in previous blogs, I love it!  But does it really work?  A most important question.  The answer, I believe, is YES!  My students have made a lot of progress.  Could I say it was all due to WBT?  No.  I have changed so many things this year, it would be difficult to assess what made a profound affect on the students and their progress.  I do feel comfortable, however, in attributing a lot of student interest, satisfied parents, and fun in teaching to the WBT methods.  

I plan to continue studying the WBT practices this summer vacation.  A whole year of whole brain next year!

Reflections on the math training I have had this year...if I implement it fully, I hope to avoid this:

So funny!  It's the time of year we all need a good laugh!