Google Tools are impressive

I just completely reconfigured the scheduling portion of www.mugansbiologypage.com

I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I believe that my schedule will be much more clear and understandable for the students. It will also be easier for me to update.

Google calendar is saving the day!

August is always an interesting time of year for teachers. Once the first of the month hits, the excitement begins. Each year I feel as if I have the chance to get it right. To use what I have learned last year to be just a bit better. To revel in the opportunity for a chance to help, and an opportunity to learn. I set my chin knowing that the first few days can be awkward for some and unsettling for others - and I hope I can make a difference in someone's experience.

A school year is a microcosm of life. One of my students will accomplish something they have never done before. One of my students will fall in love. One of my students will fall ill. One of them will lose a loved one. One of them will look to me for guidance and support. One of them will drop out. One of them will gain admission to a college that they once thought was above them. Alot can happen in a school year.

Let us all look for those instances where we can share a smile and lend a hand. I have learned that most people are about as happy as the degree to which they help others. Perhaps by helping someone else's school year to get off to a great start, I will influence how my year goes as well...

Strive to be happy.
MUGAN

It has been a long time since I have been eager for the end of the school year. Perhaps it was last summer's challenges or this school year's issues... I am not sure. But I am glad it is summer time.

The insect collection is rolling! Of course, they are never where you want them to be.

Hunting insects is not like hunting deer... Nothing says we can't bait them!!! So here are some tips. Set out some leftovers, some canned dog food, some sugary liquid like MtDew or syrup. Put a bit of any of these out underneath a tree, or a bush. Set it out off the beaten path a bit... Come back to check on it in an hour or a day and see what has been drawn to the bait!

Happy Hunting!
Mugan

winding down by winding up

The end of the school year has been planned for months... Yet it always seems to sneek up on me. There is so much to finish and so many experiences that are left to be enjoyed.

In Mugan's Biology, we will take our final exam on May 19 and 20. This will wrap up the paper and pencil portion of the school year. It has been nice to take the final in this manner over the last few years. It certainly gives the students one less exam to deal with during finals week.

Once we have finished our final, it is time to GET BUGGIN!!! On the 21st, we will assign our field project - the insect collection. During this field experience, students will have the opportunity to collect, pin, classify and label insects from seven different insect orders.

The insect collection is a wonderful way to finish up our school year. We will regularly be outside collecting and enjoying great springtime weather. Our classroom atmosphere becomes more relaxed and laid back. Best of all, I get to spend a lot of one on one time with my students. OUTSTANDING!

Strive to be happy,
Mugan

Ma Nature is increadible

"The earth is going to be just fine. The earth is going to shake off our species like a bad case of fleas..." Comedian George Carlin.

Scientists investigating the flow of blood-red water from beneath the glacier discovered the bacteria, which have survived for millions of years, living on sulfur and iron compounds, they report in Friday's edition of the journal Science.


This planet is so perfect for life that life has found a way to flourish in every possible place on it! I often wonder what life exists on Earth that we do not even know about. Blows my mind!

Strive to be happy!
Mugan

Shifting Gears

The creative portion of our mulitmedia construction is complete. Next, we will be learning from the best of the student produced creations from the last three years.

I never cease to be impressed by what the students can do. Some presentations are different than I have ever seen before. It is something that given the same tools and information, that someone can build a different product that those that did the same project before them.
Our goal this spring is to add some more hands on activities to the animal kingdom investigation. I have ideas for incorportating flatworms, crayfish and maybe the fish from our room into new lab activities.
Strive to be happy,
Mugan