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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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 Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: Science in the classroom (the BIG classroom) |
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I'm thinking doing a couple of experiments with my middle school girls but unfortunately I teach 40 in a class. I think it'd be quite exciting for them as science is simply a case of call and repeat with no real experimenting going on. We can use words like "hypothesis" and "method" and "fair test" and "variable" etc. etc.
BUT I'm drawing a blank on what sort of experiment I can do which wont either degenerate into chaos or will bore them massively. The other problem is I'd be supplying the materials so it cant be very heavy on that front (I teach approximately 700kids a week). Any suggestions? If I keep them in my groups it makes it much more managable (I have 7 groups of 6 normally). |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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| the baking soda volcano is always good. |
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Wassat? |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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Bleach and ammonia are both cheap, and the effect when mixed together will be an attention-getter.
In my hogwan days I brought in some stuff from The Anarchist's Cookbook to go over with a few very keen middle school boys. There might be some stuff in there worth checking out. |
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chiaa
Joined: 23 Aug 2003
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Well I found out about the volcano and that looks quite good.
My other ideas are:
Growing sugar crystals (this is with my free class which is only once a week and only 15 students). The fact they are growing their own candy should appeal greatly.
The other idea I think I will do first, teaching the kids how to make invisible ink. First I'll have them write a short message to their friend in English, then I'll give them the sheets with instructions to make the "ink" finally I'll have them warm it up and they can read their messages.
They'd like that (I see them pass enough notes in class!) but I'm not too sure about the heat source, all the lights in class are fluorescent any suggestions? |
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chiaa
Joined: 23 Aug 2003
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I dont think it'd be too old for them, but controlling them may be an issue. Still I like it a lot, the kids here get precious little time to enjoy their classes. My main question is, where can i find 45 film cans? Or similar small opaque objects. |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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something here:
http://www.billnye.com
( used to host a science for kids show at home)
or www.discoveryschool.com
should give you some ideas as well.
Personally, I'd avoid amonia in a small classroom. It smells awful and can be pretty harmful if spilled. |
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chiaa
Joined: 23 Aug 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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| blunder1983 wrote: |
| I dont think it'd be too old for them, but controlling them may be an issue. Still I like it a lot, the kids here get precious little time to enjoy their classes. My main question is, where can i find 45 film cans? Or similar small opaque objects. |
Any of your local photoshops will have hundreds of them. Have a fellow teacher write down in Korean what you are looking for and bring it to the guy. Make sure you say its for Blah Blah Middle School or the dude probably try to charge you even though he got them for free. |
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xtchr
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| How about making Hokey Pokey? From memory it's more or less just sugar and baking soda (I think). And if it turns out okay then at the end they can eat it. |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| blunder1983 wrote: |
Well I found out about the volcano and that looks quite good.
My other ideas are:
Growing sugar crystals (this is with my free class which is only once a week and only 15 students). The fact they are growing their own candy should appeal greatly.
The other idea I think I will do first, teaching the kids how to make invisible ink. First I'll have them write a short message to their friend in English, then I'll give them the sheets with instructions to make the "ink" finally I'll have them warm it up and they can read their messages.
They'd like that (I see them pass enough notes in class!) but I'm not too sure about the heat source, all the lights in class are fluorescent any suggestions? |
I tried and failed at this. Problem is the sugar, since its cane sugar and not sugar made from beats it will never crystallize.
Salt crystals are easier to make, just don't use the weird Korean salt. |
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blunder1983
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Hokey Pokey (according to my google skills) involves boiling sugar. Thats pretty dangerous for a public school class imho. |
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