Science of Football

 Do you have a football fan?  Football is one of those topics applicable to elementary levels and upper level physics courses.  Take advantage of this interest with Scientific American’s The Science of Pro Football, BYHU’s Physics Behind Football, and The Science of NFL Football.  This is the list of videos on NBC News Learn.  The videos are available on YouTube.  There are lessons, too: Punting and Projectile Motion, Torque, and more lessons here at the NBC archive of lessons.  I had to dig to find these lessons.  The videos and lessons can make a nice elective for fall, especially if your child needs a change in pace.

Chemistry: Name Ionic Compounds

 I have three reaources I use every time I teach kids how to name ionic compounds in Chemistry class.  First is Flinn’s Putting the Ions in Their Hands.  At one time, Flinn sold this as a kit; the kit has the cations (positive ions) printed on red card stock, the anions (negative ions) printed on blue card stock, and the Ion Formula Chart printed on yellow card stock.  I still print my copies on colored card stock.  The kids put together ionic compounds.  Below is the video and here is a photo.

 Next is a set of Ionic Formula Dice by ChemKate.  I made a set described here.  

Finally, use Making Ionic Compounds to react, form, and name ionic compounds, as described here.  (The original lab link has disappeared.  Making Ionic Compounds is similar.) The post has pix.

Below are more images of the paper ion sets.

Do you use the textbook exclusively?

A good textbook can be used exclusively. Are you new to teaching a science subject?  By all means, become wedded to the textbook the first year.   I’m increasingly aware of the pitfalls of AI and excessive use of tech in general.  We’re using our textbooks, pencil and paper for the majority of instruction.  I’m still adding POGILs, videos, slide decks, and activities to our curriculum.  I keep the videos to five minutes; the kids aren’t watching a teacher instruct a topic.  Instead, we’re using Britannica or the Amoeba Sisters for quick video clips on specific topics.  Ask a Biologist has tons of anatomy worksheets to label to learn the names of bones, etc.  I love labs and hands-on activities.  Here’s my advice.  Stick with the textbook initially.  Use the study guide for the curriculum.  Use outside resources to solve a problem.  For example, it helps to have labeling worksheets for Biology courses.  Download those as needed.  Make videos more of a last resort when you need to understand a topic.  Look at apps, Sparknotes, Khan Academy, etc, as extras to supplement the textbook—not replace it.

By all means, use a textbook!

 Wow!  I’m growing concerned about public education. It appears that fewer and fewer teachers are using textbooks for instruction.  Instead, the courses are full of apps, and spliced-together content.  Many high school teachers use slide decks, videos, and packets exclusively.  Some are relying entirely on published curriculum, such as Ms.Razz curriculum for all of their classes.  I know what it is like to struggle during the first few years teaching a subject.  I think teachers who muddle through with a textbook come out ahead.  (I usually like to browse ideas from a few textbooks.)  I think many private schools and home-schoolers rely on textbooks.

Yes, Facebook groups, online blogs, Khan Academy, and TpT resources can be valuable.  But, what about the basic content?  It is hard to beat a textbook, especially one you trust.  Would you like a tip?  If you are teaching a tough topic, such as Physical Science, try looking at children’s books at the library, especially when you’re stuck understanding a specific topic, such as torque.  I just think you’ll gain a much deeper understanding with a textbook.

Are you qualified to teach?

 Did you know that many private school teachers do not have teacher certifications?  Usually they have college degrees.  Guess what?  They may teach subjects outside their discipline.  I’ve know math teachers with engineering degrees.  They felt comfortable teaching the subjects outside their.  Yes, it is nice to have content knowledge.  But, I know many teachers who had to develop mastery in their own.  When I first started teaching in a private school, I was assigned Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Earth Science.  Yes, my undergrad was in Biology; I had a concentration in Chemistry.  The subjects I had in Chemistry had no relationship to the Chemistry content in high school.  I hadn’t had Physics, Geology, or Earth Science, at all.  This is very comm9n.  Teachers are often called to teach outside their content area.  So what?  Do you have a college degree?  You have already demonstrated persistence.  I’m betting you could pick up a textbook and learn to teach the contents in just about any discipline.  (Okay, foreign languages and Physics are tough to teach.)  I was asked to teach a Composition class along with several science classes in a private school.  The course was fine.  Since I had that experience, I wasn’t afraid to teach British Literature with the Co-op.  Take courage!  No, the first time is going to feel awkward.  You’ll gain confidence as you move ahead with the subject.  Just think how profitable it will be for your Co-op to have another instructor!

Why I use Christian textbooks….

 I use Christian textbooks in science.  Why?  These textbooks have a Christian worldview.  We know God is the Creator.  His designs are imponderable.  Christian textbooks reflect our faith in every aspect of science.  I’m teaching Anatomy right now.  I tell the kids there is always more to learn.  Science is always trying to answer questions about how the human body works.  Our intricate bodies were designed by God.  Period.  We are in search of answers about systems mysteriously made.  I teach American Literature, too.  My friend, Jen, is teaching American History.  We had a friend, Jim, do a lecture on worldviews.  (Both of us use Stobaugh.)  Jim has loads of background in philosophy.  As he examined different worldviews I was struck by the fact that too many textbooks do not have a central worldview at all.  As a Christian, I want faith, hope, and charity to be part of our scope—regardless of the subject.  I want us to be guided by God.  What freedom it is to be able to say to the class that we are plumbing the depths of God’s infinite creation—in every subject.

Play Doh Anatomy

 I’m using some of the free resources from Anatomy in Clay for my Advanced Biology (Apologia Anatomy) class. We use polymer clay to make bones, muscles, hearts, etc.  (I like Sculpey clay; other polymer clays tend to crumble.). You don’t need to use expensive clay to make anatomical models.  Instead use Play Doh or make your own clay.  Yes, it is frustrating that so many of these resources are only for sale at TpT.  

1. Peri-oral musculature,  Eyelid, Human Heart, Anatomy of Human leg, have detailed instructions to make layers with Play Doh.  This is detailed enough for Middle School aged kiddos.

2. Free Human Body Systems Playdough Mats are great for younger students.  Clay or Play Doh mats are useful to help kiddos see the parts: Ear mat, Human body organs, and a brain diagram to use as a play dough mat.  These types of diagrams work well for clay models.

Anatomy: Muscle Labs for all ages

 I have taught Anatomy to kids from ages 6-18.  This is a fun topic.  Let me share some great muscle labs and activities.  Take a look!

K-4: Muscle Lab (with paper arm and string), KiwiCo’s Muscle Machine, and Hand Craft

Grades 4-6: Play Doh Muscle Groups

Middle School: Muscle Model (ruler and rubber bands to model muscle strength), Build Arm Muscle (balloons and poster board to make a model), Muscle Fatigue (clothespin), 

High School: Muscle Action (move and identify muscles) and Anatomy in Clay (sign up for free resource, shoulder and upper arm).

A note about modules…

Earlier, I posted rough slide decks for the modules in Advanced Biology.  I published the links for the modules’ slide decks back in August.  As I teach each module, I’m making changes, adding material, and correcting errors.  We’re just starting Module 4; but I’m working on Modules 5 and 6, to add labeling worksheets, etc.  BTW I use an old Human Biology textbook, too.  It has interesting case studies, examples, images, and explanations.  When I’m working up a new course, I often use more than one textbook.  Below the textbook is an example from the book.  Note that it has a bit about the origin of the muscle’s name.  This is the sort of changes or additions I’m making to the original slides.

Anatomy Models at Good Will

Good Will has multiple skulls and skeletons available.  I like to use  better models to use in my Co-op classes. Two important models are the skeleton and the skull.  Halloween models fuse the clavicle and often distort the pelvic girdle.  I have a small, accurate model; I did bid on the skull and skeleton.  We’re studying the skull now; I’ve been trying to buy a decent model.   There is a copy of the giant anatomy set available, too.  Don’t forget to check the shipping!

Anatomy: Clay models

 This morning we started making clay models.  The first model is the long bone. The kids will label the parts, too.  I think the teens look at the bone more closely.  The kids made models and then labeled them.  I used Sculpey so the class can use their models for study.  I like to include pix of the process.  Why?  I’m sure you ask yourself if we really do all of the activities.  Yes, we do!