What is my teaching style?

 I’ve taught long enough to have a distinct style.  Believe me this style changed with experience.  I was in a public high school teaching some of the toughest kids you can imagine.  Many have behavioral issues, attention and emotional problems, and most were years behind academically.  Guess what?  They thrived with hands-on projects, models, and labs.  They participated in science fairs.  This was not a pretty process.  What I learned was that if the most difficult kids I had ever encountered thrived with hands-on activities, wouldn’t any kid thrive?  So, I use activities, models, time-lines, projects, and labs whenever possible.  I limit direct instruction to ten minutes.  For example, when I teach DNA, I do start with a five minute introduction. Then I pull out kits and have the kids build DNA models.  We made paper models, candy models, did DNA sentences, and extracted DNA from split peas.  I reviewed the steps in replication, transcription, and translation repeatedly—in five minute lectures.  I showed quick videos.  Go Amoeba Sisters!  In other words I saturated them with DNA.  The test is all essay.  The materials useful for studying are right with the test.  They have to edit their tests to my satisfaction.  I take this approach with every topic.  I give a brief introduction and launch into activities.  I hammer home concepts with every tool I can find.  Why does this work with many, many kids?  Because they remember almost everything they do and almost nothing you say.  Do more hands-on activities!  Link these labs to their lessons!  You can do this!  You’ll be amazed at the results.

UV Lamp

 I was trying to activate my glow in the dark yarn I got for Christmas.  I’m knitting a hat and want it to glow in the dark right away.  A few minutes of sunlight activates the yarn, too.  But I have a UV flashlight and thought it might be quicker.  It only took a few minutes with the UV lamp to get the yarn and hat to glow.  I hit my set of UV beads that were in the kit with the lamp, too.  Since I had out the UV flashlight  I thought I would mention the Glow Germ kits and the UV Beads.  If you have young kiddos, read Germs Make Me Sick as part of a handwashing lesson.  Since I had out the kit, I sprinkled a few germs on the table for my class to see how they glow.  Here is a list of other household items which glow under a black light.  Many stains glow, too.  While you are in the bathroom running experiments, scan the flash light or lamp over the sweatshirt, too.  Fun, right? (Paul insisted I add a mini ghost as a topper.)

DNA Extraction: How to Write a Lab Report

I’ve been beavering away to teach the Co-op Biology class. This has been a challenging group.  Guess what?  I haven’t assigned any formal lab reports.  Zero.  Usually, the kids write two each semester.  I just assigned the Split Pea DNA Extraction. The kids are working on lab reports due next Monday.  I use a simple Lab Report Rubric and MLA style citations.  But kids still struggle.  Here is a slide deck I prepared to help kids write their lab reports.  (The kids write their labs in the third person, present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. For example, ‘The materials include test tubes, beakers, a blender, filter paper,….)   I’ve found that kids with learning differences appreciate a slide deck and find it enormously helpful.  I have no idea why.  I just know it works.  They can organize their thoughts and then rewrite the report into a document.  Here, here, and here are some sample DNA extraction reports from students.

Baby Lab: Genetics

 For whatever reason, the kids found the Create a Baby Lab hilarious.  The idea is to pound basic genetics into their heads: genotype, phenotype, alleles, etc.  Take a look!

CSI Blood Labs

 Forensics or CSI make science labs even more fun.  Blood labs are even more fun!  Here is a Blood Splatter lab (red dye and corn syrup).  I would use an old drop cloth or pick up a large sheet at the thrift store.  Here is an excellent slide deck with a bit of background and loads of tips for your lab.  Use this Blood Typing Lab with this CSI Blood Type lab for three suspects.  Science Spot has even more Forensics labs.  There is a simulated Presumptive Blood Test.  Innovative Science has a simulated blood kit at a fair price. 

ABO Blood Test Kits

 Boy have blood test kits gone up in price!  It’s hard to find a kit for $10 each.  I bought test kits for each of the kids in Co-op.  But, you may want to use a simulated blood test kit to save on costs.  Here is cost effective, simulated blood test lab using milk, dyes, and vinegar.  We’ll use a commercial blood test kit before the kids use the expensive ABO and rH test kits.  Below are a few prices.  I’m sorry I can’t find any good deals.  I paid nearly $100 for 12 kits.

Instant Slushies

Hey!  It’s likely freezing outside.  Try to Make Instant Slushies both outside and inside, in the freezer.  The water may freeze solid, too.  Apparently, you can drop or shake the frozen bottle for different results—as seen below. Here is Super Cool Experiment with clear instructions.  See what happens when you use tea or soda.

Make Genetics Meaningful.

Update, we started the Genetics module with this Punnett Square worksheet.  I teach Punnett Squares, alleles, ratios, phenotypes, genotypes, and vocabulary with problems.  We started with polydactyly, extra digits.  Chickens, cats, and humans can exhibit polydactyly.  Really.  It’s a dominant gene, too.  It’s just rare.  We just dive in and do problems.

 Last year, I finally individualized my Genetics module.  Each kid did genetics problems according to his or her interests.  Wow!  Everyone came away understanding genetics quite well.  This year, I’m doing it again.  I did some research and located tons of different genetics problems and web sites.   Here is a standard Punnett Square worksheet.  Take a look.

1. Superhero Genetic Project

2. Dog Coat Color and Coat Color in Labs

3.  Poultry Genetics

3.  German Shepherds

4. Quail Genetics

5. Rabbit Coat Color

6.  Guinea Pig Genetics

7. Horse Coat Color

8. Blood Types (my favorite)

Try subscriptions with used kits.

 Are you tempted to try a science kit subscription?  Curious about the contents?  Think the kit might merit a trial?  Yes, I’ve been similarly tempted.  What did I do?  I bought used versions online at Good Will and eBay.  Really.  It’s a lot cheaper to try a used kit than to have to deal with a monthly subscription.  BTW, the MEL kits are terrific!  It’s usually much cheaper to buy any kit used.

Let’s start Genetics!

 This week, we’re starting the Genetic module with an Inventory of My Traits (student).  I’m visual.  Here are photos of traits and below are inventories.  The kids work in teams of two to jot down their own traits, collect the class data, and make a spreadsheet with the data.  I just ordered PTC taste paper and copied the inventories.  Mind you, it’s sleeting outside right now; we may start Thursday.  The last photo has the Star Trek Vulcan salutation.  It’s genetic, too.  I would show you; but, I can’t do it!

Chemistry Demo Bottles

Thank you Social Media!  I’ve been teaching for years and years.  I love seeing a new idea!   Okay, it’s a lava lamp.  But there are differences.  When kiddos at science camp make lava lamps we use corn oil and water with Alkaline-Seltzer tablets.  Instead, experiment with corn oil, water, dye, and Alka-Seltzer tablets.  Next try lamp oil, water, and dye.  Notice the location of the dyes with respect to the oil and water before adding any tablets.   You might try water soluble and insoluble dyes with the oils and water, too.  Below is an AI explanation.  Want to explore more!  Try Density Totem which examines density, polarity, and miscibility.  

Valentine’s Day Chemistry Labs

 Does your family like seasonal themes when you teach?  I don’t but admire people who do!  Okay, here and here  are Chemistry Valentines and puns.   Do you have a few acid-base indicators? Use them to make Instant Carnations and Hot and Cold Pink Color Change.   Make pink flames with metallic salts or Borax Hearts.  If you do a search you’re going to see the Vanishing Valentine; resazurin or alamarBlue is very expensive.  Few high school Chemistry teachers have the budget for this dye; college chemistry departments are much more robust.  Little Bins has these chemistry experiments for younger kiddos.  While you are making Valentines, add a little science.

Dice Nomenclature

Nomenclature or naming in Chemistry is a key skill.  Have you seen Ionic Compound Formula Dice?  While it is easy to make a set with little blocks or foam squares, here, Ionic Compound Dice, is even easier.  You use two colors of ordinary dice.  Each number represents an ion.  Wow!  You can scavenge dice from board games. I wish I had seen this before I spent two hours making colorful, wooden, nomenclature dice.   I saw the dice activity on Social Media.  You definitely should join the National Chemistry Teacher’s group.  Ignore the whining and look for cool ideas, instead.

USA Science & Engineering Festival

 Years again, I brought teens and set up a booth at the US Science & Engineering Festival in Washington D.C.  I was tethered to the booth because the teens took off to explore the Festival.  Here is the Wikipedia page with more details.  I don’t see whether or not there will be another huge festival at the Convention Center this year.  If I see dates, I’ll post them.  In the past the event was free.  However, look at the Educator Resources on the homepage.  The Law of Reflection Lab from Introduction to Optics is one sample.  The lessons have loads of videos, too.  Look at the resources.  Here’s hoping the group restarts the giant STEM festival again.

Science of Sleep

 My jet-lagged brain has been obsessed with sleep.  Arrgggh!  It can last for weeks!   Usually, I sleep well.  However, my husband sleeps poorly. Chamomile, melatonin, and OTC antihistamine have no effect.  My son asked for tips because he’s starting to have issues.  Let me organize habits. We follow these tips.  We’re upstairs, in bed, reading by 10:00 pm.  We awaken at 7:00.  Every. Single. Day.  There are no naps, little caffeine, or late night snacks.  I follow my husband’s rigid sleep hygiene regime because I don’t want to rock the boat or acquire sleep issues.  Guess what?  Do all these tips work?  Not all the time.  (My husband is scheduling a second sleep study.)  But, if your sleep issues are mild, they may help.  

DNA Review

Update: We all made the Paper Transcription Translation Models.  But, the process doesn’t include the tRNA.  Instead it jumps from mRNA to the proteins—no codons with anticodons.  Huh.  I’m not going to use it again.

 I’m battling jet-lag and trying to restart classes tomorrow.  We ended with DNA transcription and translation.  We’ll start there.  I’m guessing we’ll need to revisit DNA. Guess what?  I have another activity!  We’ll start here.  Next we’ll tackle a model, Paper Transcription and Translation: Teacher Guide, Student Instructions, and Cut-outs.  Finally, we’ll use Molecule of Heredity (key) and this slide deck to recap.  I’m sure this will take all week.  Now, I need to get my jet-lagged brain in gear to teach!

Bye-bye, Tokyo!