Author Archives: Nancy Cattrell

Blogger

      Comments Off on Blogger

I have enjoyed using this blog this year.  I plan to continue blogging on this site for my classes.  I think this will be a great spot to post things I learn about and things for my students to explore. Thank you for a location to organize all of my thoughts!

Reflections

      Comments Off on Reflections

I grew more than I expected.  I knew that the Kenan Fellowship would be an opportunity to grow  and learn, but I did not realize the impact it would have on my everyday teaching.  I have learned how important problem/project based instruction is for student learning.  I feel that my students understand my content better this year, since I have… Read more »

The End is Just a New Beginning

      Comments Off on The End is Just a New Beginning

After working on the products for almost a year, it feels odd to have my products finished; I feel like I should still have edits to make. The process was long, but worthwhile. I am proud of the lessons I created through my Kenan Fellowship. I would like to see my chemistry lesson used by teachers across the state, and… Read more »

I get it!

      Comments Off on I get it!

Chemistry lends itself to many new concepts which can be difficult for students. Stoichiometry is the concept I find students have the most difficulty understanding. Stoichiometry is the use of the Mole to determine quantities needed to complete reactions based on the reactants needed for the desired products. One of my students was struggling with the concept of a limiting… Read more »

Metamorphosis

      Comments Off on Metamorphosis

I have developed as an educator throughout my fellowship and believe I will continue to become a better educator. The inquiry instruction I implemented into my classroom has required students to use problem-solving, critical thinking, and reasoning skills. Students have stated that they learn better when we use inquiry to explore content. I have grown by collaborating on with other… Read more »

Mentors Make It Possible

      Comments Off on Mentors Make It Possible

The mentors for my fellowship were Dr.Jesse Jur and Dr.Elena Veety from the ASSIST Center on NC State’s Centennial Campus.  I enjoyed working on a university campus with professors.  Jess and Elena worked with us as peers and allowed time to work individually.  We also worked in groups with other fellowship members to create a new project.  Most of the… Read more »

Professional Development

      Comments Off on Professional Development

The Professional Advancement Institutes provided information that is not normally shared with educators.  I appreciate the incorporation of education policy and the ability to meet with legislators.  It provided a much better idea of how education policy is created and implemented.  I know that I would like to be more involved wit education policy in the future to ensure teachers are… Read more »

Utilizing Technology to Improve Communication

      Comments Off on Utilizing Technology to Improve Communication

Technology tools have become standard in my classroom. Starting this year I am using Google Classroom and Remind to communicate with my students and parents. Utilizing Google Classroom, students and parents can view class notes and calendar of assignments with directions.  Students can submit assignments, receive feedback, and send messages.  It has made grading much easier by allowing digital submission… Read more »

Impact on Students

      Comments Off on Impact on Students

I want my summer internship to change my teaching methods to better serve my students.  I have already begun inquiry activities that require problem solving in my classes instead of lecture.  The students have enjoyed the inquiry activities and appear to be understanding the information better.  My Chemistry classes designed their own procedures for measuring length, mass, density, volume, and… Read more »

Sensors in Science

      1 Comment on Sensors in Science

I will be incorporating the use of sensors into my Chemistry and Earth Science classes.  Chemistry will be using the sensors to understand variables (temperature, humidity, light intensity) in the laboratory setting and how those variables can effect lab results.  Students will need to explore variables and make hypotheses about the effects, before conducting a lab to test their hypothesis…. Read more »