I based my sketchnote on the thoughts that stood out to me most as I reflected on my reflection blog posts. A recurring theme was the impact of multimedia in creating a more accessible and personalized learning environment. I also thought a lot about inquiry-based learning. Initially, I assumed that free inquiry was beneficial for everyone, but a conversation with my brother, who is on the spectrum, challenged that assumption. He shared that free inquiry feels very stressful for him, which made me realize how important personalized learning truly is.
For my final free inquiry project, I decided to decorate and frame my Burgundy Goliath Birdeater’s most recent molt, which I had previously pinned. I had been putting it off for a long time because I was worried about breaking the molt during the process. It was also challenging to find a shadow box large enough to fit it.
The photos above show part of the process as I planned the decoration. The background for the shadow box was black, but I wanted the tarantula’s fangs to stand out, and I felt the black background wouldn’t work very well. To solve this, I decided to use some of my snake’s shed skin to add to the background. Since a tarantula’s abdomen is often damaged during molting, I replaced it with a labradorite gemstone shaped like an abdomen. I love how the labradorite shifts colors depending on the lighting. I didn’t accidentally break any legs during the process, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Now, all that’s left is to hang it on the wall.
I also had time to pin some bugs today, though I’m not sure how they’ll turn out. It’s much harder than I anticipated, and I’m struggling to soften them enough to make positioning the wings easier. Maybe it’s never truly easy to move the wings? Thankfully, I bought a large batch of dried butterflies and moths to practice on because it’s going to take quite a bit more work to get it right. Still, I’m excited to see how they look once they dry!
Looking back on what I’ve accomplished through my free inquiry project, I wish I had worked with more mammals like mice and rats. I had hoped to teach myself how to taxidermy them, but the supplies are quite expensive, and the rats I have in my freezer are usually reserved as food for my snake. I also can’t believe how quickly this semester has gone by. That said, this has been one of my favorite school projects ever. I loved having the freedom to choose something I’m genuinely interested in, especially since this isn’t something I’d typically have the opportunity to learn in school. My weekly free inquiry never felt like a chore—it was always something I looked forward to.
Today, I finally went back to collect the deer bones I discovered a few months ago. The deer was completely decomposed, and it was surprisingly challenging to retrieve the bones due to the thick brush and debris covering them. I was thrilled to find the skull fully intact and with a complete set of teeth. However, locating the hooves was incredibly difficult—they had completely detached from the bones they were originally connected to.
Looking back, I wish I had taken the leg when I first found it and placed it in silica beads to dry out; having a fully preserved deer leg would have been fascinating. I collected the pieces I wanted and brought them home to degrease in my designated bone bucket filled with soapy water. I’ll let them sit for a few weeks before checking on their progress.
I completely forgot about the bear claw I cut off a decomposing bear on my friend’s property. I had sealed it in a jar of water as an experiment to see how it would decompose. When I finally remembered it the other day and checked on it, I noticed the jar’s lid was under a huge amount of pressure, looking like it might pop off at any moment. There was also a very unpleasant smell near the seal.
To be honest, I didn’t so much forget about it as I avoided opening it—mostly because I was worried it might explode all over me and, if it smelled that bad while sealed, I couldn’t imagine how horrendous it would be when opened.
Today, when I went to pick up the deer bones, I decided to bring the claw along to finally deal with it. I can genuinely say I’ve never smelled anything as disgusting as the bear claw decomposition water. My sister came with me but kept her distance—she could still smell it strongly even from far away. It was nearly impossible not to gag.
I dumped the putrid water and rinsed the claw bones, but I’ll definitely be throwing out the jar. I’ve also decided I will never attempt defleshing bones like that again. Even as I write this, I can’t get the smell out of my head—it’s making me nauseous just thinking about it.
That said, I’m glad I finally got it over with. The claw is now in my bone bin to degrease along with the rest of the bones, though I’m worried the smell might never go away.
I was hoping to pin some bugs today. I had placed a few moths into a container with damp paper towels to soften their wings for pinning, but I think I didn’t use enough water. After two days, the wings still haven’t softened enough to work with. I added more water to the paper towels and will check on them again tomorrow.
I wasn’t able to make it to the class for the topic on technology, classroom management, and inquiry-based learning, so i decided to reflect on how these topics connect to my future teaching. Technology is such a great tool for making learning fun and accessible, like using tablets or interactive whiteboards. At the same time, it can be challenging to keep kids on task and ensure they’re using the technology appropriately. In a kindergarten classroom, I’d want to use technology mindfully, focusing on short, interactive activities that don’t take away from hands-on learning or social interactions. Young children learn so much through play and exploration, so I wouldn’t rely heavily on screen time in my classroom.
Kids are naturally curious, especially at the kindergarten age, and I love the idea of incorporating inquiry-based learning into my teaching. I would encourage their curiosity and let them take the lead in their learning. At the same time, I’d make sure there’s enough structure so they don’t feel overwhelmed and can stay engaged. I’ve noticed that some neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, can find inquiry-based learning more difficult. For those students, I’d want to adjust their learning plans to better fit their needs while still encouraging exploration in a way that works for them.
Classroom management would play a big role in making inquiry-based learning successful, especially when it comes to teaching students how to take turns, share materials, and respect each other’s ideas during group activities. Having clear expectations and routines in place would be important, but I’d also stay flexible to support individual needs and make sure every student feels included and supported in their learning.
Describe how smartphones and tablets are, and are not helpful in educational settings at the age level you’d like to teach.
Smartphones and tablets can be really helpful in kindergarten classrooms when used in the right way. Tablets, for example, are great tools for teaching foundational skills like letter recognition, counting, shapes, and colors through interactive and engaging apps. They also allow me, as a teacher, to personalize activities for kids who might need extra support or more of a challenge. On top of that, tablets help introduce young learners to basic technology skills in an age-appropriate way, which is important for their future.
That said, I know there are challenges to using technology in kindergarten. If not managed properly, tablets can be distracting, and too much screen time could take away from hands-on activities that are critical for developing motor skills and creativity. I also think it’s important to avoid over-relying on screens, as it might limit opportunities for kids to work together and build social skills. Additionally, not all students come to school with the same level of access to devices at home, so it’s important to be mindful of that.
If I’m in a school where tablets are available, I would definitely use them because I believe in offering as many learning opportunities as possible. I’d also make a point to get to know my students and figure out which kids respond well to learning with tablets and which do better with other approaches. It’s important to give every child a chance to explore and see how they learn best with technology, but I’d make sure it’s balanced with play-based and social learning to support their overall growth.
This week I’ve been drowning in schoolwork and feeling pretty stressed so I didn’t have time to work on the bugs I was planning on preserving this week.I did however, manage to finish whitening my cow scull with hydrogen peroxide. I finally have it displayed inside my house in perfect time for halloween. I’m grateful for this free inquiry project for giving me the motivation to finally clean my cow scull after four years of it sitting outside in my backyard covered in moss. The scull is a reminder of all the fun memories of exploring and galloping through the forests ranchlands with the horses near my home.
2020: Found the Cow scull on ranch lands near my childhood home in Coldstream BC. 2024: Final cleaning and preservation process done and desplayed in my home in Victoria BC.
Can computation thinking help learners become better problem solvers?
Computational thinking helps learners become better problem solvers by teaching them to break down problems, find patterns, and plan steps to solve them. For kindergarteners, this could be sorting activities or puzzles that build basic thinking skills. In middle school, students might use coding and more complex logic to solve problems. Starting with simple activities and building up, computational thinking teaches students to tackle challenges step by step, helping them become more confident problem solvers.
Discuss how gameplay can be used as a tool to make traditionally less popular topics more engaging for some learners.
Gameplay can make subjects like math, which I personally find difficult or boring, more enjoyable and engaging. Games turn math into a more engaging challenge, where students solve puzzles, practice skills, and explore numbers in a hands-on way. For instance, a math game might involve solving equations to reach a new level or earn rewards. This approach makes learning feel fun and less intimidating, building students’ confidence and interest. By making math feel like a game instead of a chore, gameplay can help students feel more excited and motivated to learn.
How can the SAMR theory of technology adoption help you evaluate technologies that you might consider using in your classroom?
The SAMR model helps me evaluate technologies for my kindergarten classroom by providing a framework to understand how each tool enhances learning. At the Sybstitution level, I would replace traditional methods with digital tools, like using a digital whiteboard. Augmentation, I could incorporate educational apps with interactive elements, such as tracing letters. At the Modifivation level, I would seek tools that enable new forms of engagement, like creating digital drawings. At theRedefinition level, I could use virtual reality (VR) to take my kindergarten students on immersive field trips without leaving the classroom.This model encourages me to focus on age-appropriate technologies that genuinely enhance learning and engagement.
Could sketchnoting benefit learners in the grade level you hope to teach at? If so how?
Kindergarden is the grade level i would like to teach at. As their teacher i could use sketchnoing myself to support visual learning, and helping students connect ideas with images, which can improve memory and engagement. It also bridges the gap between art and emerging literacy as children begin to combine pictures with words. But, Sketchnoting would be to comlex for my students to do themselves at that age. I think the closest they could get to sketchnoting would be to have multiple words and pictures cut out for them and then, have them color each picture and then match each picture to the word that represents it. then, i would have them glue the matched pairs to a larger piece of paper.
About a month ago, I came across a baby deer that had been hit by a car on the side of the road. I carried it down the ravine into the forest and concealed it with some brush and debris. This week, I returned to check on the deer’s decomposition progress. I didn’t expect to see much change, but I was surprised to find that it was almost completely decomposed. The skeleton was much smaller than I remembered, and the skull was tiny. I plan to leave it for a few more weeks to ensure there are no remaining bits of hair or flesh before I take some pieces of the skeleton home to degreese.
This week, my Burgundy Goliath Birdeater tarantula, Hades (Theraposa stirmi), molted! This is especially exciting because he has only one final molt left before reaching his full size. The Burgundy Goliath Birdeater is the largest species of tarantula in the world, with a leg span of up to a foot—about the size of a subway sandwich. While Hades isn’t that big yet, he’s getting closer. Also, I’m thrilled because I can preserve his molt and turn it into a piece of art.
Not only is Hades the largest tarantula species in the world, but he also possesses some of the most Irritating urticating hairs of any tarantula. In fact, these hairs can potentially cause blindness if they get in your eyes. The hairs were a significant issue for me while pinning Hades’s molt. In the past, when I had to rehouse him, I wore a mask, full-length gloves, and safety goggles. However, this time, I was a bit lazy, thinking that since a molt can’t actively kick hairs, I’d be fine with just gloves. I ended up coughing and feeling itchy for the rest of the day. In a day or two, I’ll be able to remove the pins and frame his molt with some flowers and a crystal to replace the abdomen—definitely wearing more than just gloves next time!
When a tarantula molts, it sheds its old exoskeleton to allow for growth. This process is essential for their development as their exoskeleton does not expand like human skin. During molting, the tarantula becomes vulnerable, often lying on its back or side while it slowly emerges from the old shell. Molting not only allows for size increase but also helps regenerate lost limbs or repair damage. It, requiring a safe, stress-free environment for the tarantula and takes about a week for their new exoskeleton to harden.
I wasn’t able to get a video of Hades molting, but a few months ago, I did capture a timelapse of my juvenile Salmon Pink Birdeater tarantula, Petrie, during his molt. Although the process typically takes several hours, the timelapse shows the amazing transformation in a shorter time. It’s truly an amazing sight to witness.
I had planned to pin some bugs this week but I’ve been really sick and still don’t seem to be getting any better. I also don’t have the energy to work on my cow scull so I decided that I would use this week to get some inspiration for some new projects.
I saw this tiktok and immediately knew that I wanted to create one of these. I will be making a letterpress tray shelf filled with oddities and curiosities. First, as soon as im better ill be heading to the antique shoips and thrift stores to find a shelf or letterpress tray similar to the one in the video. I’m worried it will be hard to find one with a variety of sized cubbies that are small enough for tiny specimens.
When people visit my house for the first time I often have to warn them about the multiple unusual creatures and specimens I own. The longer you look, the stranger things get. My sanity is often questioned once they notice the pickled hamster in a jar on my bookshelf. I have quite the collection of tiny oddities scattered randomly around my house because i never know where to put them. An odditties and curiosities tray that I can hang on my wall would be so much better than having them placed randomly around my house. I also think it will be fun to fill up the little tray spaces with tiny side projects I complete throught my free inquiry project.
by: erin swan
Above are a few tiny specimens I already own that I would add to my oddities and curiosities tray… From Left to Right:
One of my pet Black Widows egg sacks that hatched inside the glass vial.1
Dragon Fly Wet Specimen
One of the Molts from my baby Asian Forest Scorpion (his name is Nero)
My pet jumping spider that I preserved once she died of old age (her name is Dimitri)
The Fangs from my Orange Baboon Tarantulas Molt when he was a baby (his name is nibbles because Orange Baboon tarantulas (OBT’s) are also known as Orange Bitey Things in the tarantula hobby)
The “helmet” from one of Dimitri’s molts.
Domestic Cat Jaw
Rabbit Foot
Snake shed from my Ball Python (her name is Lilith)
*Every specimen I own and will own are ethically scourced*
