First Day of School:
What an exciting time! Do you remember any of your first classes? That's right, I don't really either..they were often boring and involved reading the syllabus and rushing through a quick lesson maybe. What an opportunity wasted!
The first day of class can give so much meaning to an entire year, or even change the outlook of a student towards school. And we waste it taking up the classroom rules, as if they are so important that if they were 'broken'on the first day, everything would fall apart. Instead of engagement, the focus is often on structure.
This day could be used to channel that excitement into curiosity; to change previous beliefs of what a classroom is; to build something from the ground-up with student support. Why not start with an experiment, and lead into discussion. Is the syllabus really that important that it cannot wait another day. Students will just as quickly forget it, but they won't forget if they were engaged...
(ps. engaged is not used in the eloping sense. though exciting, I would not recommend this on the first day of class)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
10 SOP's in the Lab
Here is a list of my 'top 10' standard opperating procedures in the science classroom:
1. Come prepared to class by having read through the procedure for that lab (will be provided to you ahead of time).
2. There are no inappropriate questions: if you do not understand the procedure ask your lab partner(s)to stop and clarify and/or seek my help (it's my job.
3. Understand the properties and common characteristics of the chemicals you will be working with. Use the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to read into the properties of the chemicals that you will be handling in your lab.
4. Never assume that you know all the properties of an element or chemicals you are handling: do not taste, touch or smell any chemical just because you think it's safe.
5. Be aware of who and what is around you. Accidents in a lab can be very dangerous.
6. Safety equipment is located in the classroom for your safety! Know where it is and how to use it.
7. Come dressed appropriately on lab days: long hair tied back and no open-toed shoes. No compromises.(if you come in wearing sandals, you will be forced to wear the complimentary pair of Dutch wooden clogs for the rest of the day)
8. Goggles are not just for 'suckas.'If you like the luxury of sight, get used to wearing them.
9. Although science is fun, lab is not open playtime. Follow the appropriate procedure and do not start your own 'side projects' without consulting with a teacher.
10. Enjoy what you learn, that's the purpose after all....
Here are a few for educators to consider:
1. Always try out the experiment that you are asking students to perform, before letting them loose on it. Think of possible mistakes they might make (unintentional or deliberate) with the set of equipment that they have at their disposal.
2. Document safety rules that you and the students will follow. Make sure they are understood and accepted by all students.
3. Model safe behavior. Wear goggles during experiments, don't overlook infractions or safety rules and be cosistent with expectations.
-V
1. Come prepared to class by having read through the procedure for that lab (will be provided to you ahead of time).
2. There are no inappropriate questions: if you do not understand the procedure ask your lab partner(s)to stop and clarify and/or seek my help (it's my job.
3. Understand the properties and common characteristics of the chemicals you will be working with. Use the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to read into the properties of the chemicals that you will be handling in your lab.
4. Never assume that you know all the properties of an element or chemicals you are handling: do not taste, touch or smell any chemical just because you think it's safe.
5. Be aware of who and what is around you. Accidents in a lab can be very dangerous.
6. Safety equipment is located in the classroom for your safety! Know where it is and how to use it.
7. Come dressed appropriately on lab days: long hair tied back and no open-toed shoes. No compromises.(if you come in wearing sandals, you will be forced to wear the complimentary pair of Dutch wooden clogs for the rest of the day)
8. Goggles are not just for 'suckas.'If you like the luxury of sight, get used to wearing them.
9. Although science is fun, lab is not open playtime. Follow the appropriate procedure and do not start your own 'side projects' without consulting with a teacher.
10. Enjoy what you learn, that's the purpose after all....
Here are a few for educators to consider:
1. Always try out the experiment that you are asking students to perform, before letting them loose on it. Think of possible mistakes they might make (unintentional or deliberate) with the set of equipment that they have at their disposal.
2. Document safety rules that you and the students will follow. Make sure they are understood and accepted by all students.
3. Model safe behavior. Wear goggles during experiments, don't overlook infractions or safety rules and be cosistent with expectations.
-V
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)