Classroom ChIRPs

Year of Science

emcool — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:33:21 +0000

Kudos to my ed-tech sister for sending this link along! Premier Gordon Campbell has declared (amongst other things) that 2010-2011 is the Year of Science in BC schools. Frankly, it’s up the teachers to make that decision, but as a secondary science teacher, why not embrace the enthusiasm!

The Year of Science website has lots of articles, ideas, and links to promote more science education and enthusiasm for teachers, parents, and children. At first glance, it appears to be geared more towards the elementary audience, but I think there are worthwhile opportunities for the secondary teachers and students as well.

For example, it gives real-world examples of careers in science, highlights current lectures and workshops, and provides links for resources and professional development applicable to the BC curriculum.

Everything explained…

emcool — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:05:46 +0000

Sal Khan deserves a gold medal in my books, or at least some large wooden plaque.

Sal is teaching the world using a YouTube channel, a tablet computer, and 15 minute videos explaining a slew of topics in chemistry, physics, and math. He is easy to listen to, goes at a reasonable pace, and explains science and math in layman’s terms. New videos are constantly being added to both his site and YouTube channel. I prefer to use the website, as I find the layout very simple and easy to browse topics.

Personally, I use Sal’s site to give me a rundown of topics I may be teaching. It would also be useful to pass along to students for extra reinforcement, or if students are absent for numerous days.

Here is Sal’s way to explain the mole (“just a number”!):

The Story of Stuff

emcool — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:55:40 +0000

The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

I will admit, it’s a little USA-centeric, but the key points are still good! I would not recommend this for an ESL class, as the narration is very fast-paced.

Random seating

emcool — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:47:24 +0000

I can’t take credit for this idea, or even being the one to find it, but it is definitely chrip-worthy!

As students enter the classroom, they pick up a number from a beaker. Each number corresponds to a specific seat, and that is the seat the student takes for the day! I love this idea because it mixes up the kids in the front versus the kids in the back, expands partner interaction beyond just their friend sitting next to them, and creates more of a whole class community. I think it would also be a useful classroom managment tool for an especially rowdy room. (I think this would work best if you started it off the first day.)

Virtual dissections

emcool — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:50:58 +0000

It’s a useful learning activity to dissect animals in biology classes…for some students. I believe that a hands-on dissection can create a meaningful learning experience by encouraging students to explore, ask questions, and experience biology (guts and all) in that hand of the student. However, consideration should be given to students who are not comfortable dissecting animals due to cultural, religious, or ethical reasons. The BC curriculum does not specifically require dissection, and it is up to the teacher what activities they would like to include in their classroom. For students who wish to opt out of dissection, here are a few virtual dissection sites that may be substituted.

Animals, Ethics, and Education – Features a bank of free dissection alternatives by grade level, animal, and type of alternative

Cow’s Eye Dissection – A great site through Exploratorium that is kid-friendly and useful for grade 8

Frog Guts – Requires subscription for virtual dissection CD ROMs of frog, squid, starfish, fetal pig, owl pellets, cow eye, peas, and flies. (I remember when this was free…)

(This post was inspired by an article in the Janet Steffenhagen’s “Report Card” blog featured in the Vancouver Sun.)

Ban dihydrogen monoxide!

emcool — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:39:23 +0000

As his science fair project entitled “How gullible are we?”, Idaho student Nathan Zohner circulated a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide (H2O). In his article, he claimed that this “odorless, colourless, tasteless substance kills thousands every year.” This would be a great article to share with a Science 10 class learning how to name covalent compounds. See if they fall for the spoof!

A possible follow-up activity may be asking students to make similar “claims” against an element or create a wanted poster with properties of familiar elements or compounds.

Ban DHMO spoof

Four legs versus six

emcool — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:19:36 +0000

In the “Collected Wisdom” column of the Globe & Mail, Philip Jackman takes on Galileo’s cube-square law with the question of who would outrun who: the cheetah or the cockroach? This is a fun article to give to a Bio 11 class to discuss adaptations or arthropods versus mammals.

Click here for the full article.

One way to explain the atom

emcool — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:25:59 +0000

On the 1970s TV show, “WKRP in Cincinnati”, the DJ character Venus explains the atom to a big high school student named Arnold who plans to drop out of school. In 2 minutes, he gives Arnold the basics of the atom in his own lingo. (A great clip to show junior science kids when they start the chemistry unit, or for comic relief to senior chemistry classes!)

Click here to see a transcipt of the segment.

Buzzword Bingo!

emcool — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:26:55 +0000

Here’s an easy game to play with your class: This is perfect for review or if you are filling in for a teacher with time to spare. Ask the students to make a 5 x 5 grid, and fill in 24 vocabulary words (“buzzwords”) from a chapter you are reviewing. (It helps if you give them a choice of 30-35 words.) The middle square is a freebie! Read out the definitions or functions of the key term and students cross off the words as they get them. Any 5 in a row wins! Play for multiple winners.