Tales from the science classroom

 Since I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, time for a catch up.  Week 10:  This was the week before break and we were all done. Completely. Totally. Done.  Chemistry:  Week 10:  Started dimensional analysis (maybe that is why I was so done - teaching this is far harder than it should be). Did a little work on dimensional analysis. Then, on Wednesday/Thursday, I gave them a catch up day. They could work on their summative task, retake any thing they did poorly on, whatever. I did not feel like jumping into something on the day before break. I honestly didn't feel like working on the day before break.  Over the fall break, I watched a webinar about mathematical reasoning. It really struck home because I realized that these kids had no concept of numbers or what they mean exactly or even really how to use them well. They know the algorithms but they don't really understand what they are doing. So over the break I created a lecture and some notes for them on this topic. I th

 It was a week.  Chemistry:  Monday/Tuesday:  We whiteboarded worksheet #3 and then did worksheet #4. Worksheet #4 was turned in for a grade.  Wednesday/Thursday: We took some notes on density and then did Big Idea #3. The Summative Task was distributed and work began on it.  AP Chemistry:  Tuesday: Lecture on periodic trends and a little practice Thursday: Lecture on PES and then a little practice.  I was very low energy this week and it was reflected in my classes. Also, we are approaching fall break and that is just kind of making things drag a bit. Next week is the week before break and I'm truly looking forward to break. We are going to New Mexico for a few days and I'm super excited about it.  That was it. Not a lot to say. As I said, low energy week and so nothing exciting happened.