Who are the teachers here?

[cbish]

I know there are quite a few teachers here and I've contacted some of you via PM for advice and as a resourse. I think it could potentially benefit us all if we actually knew who is a teacher and in what area.

Sign in with JREF name, level, subject.

I'll start:

cbish, High School (U.S.), Chemistry/Biology

[Madalch]

Madalch, college (upgrading and first-year university equivalent), chemistry and math.

[Complexity]

It has been a few years, but: Complexity, undergraduate and graduate college, computer science.

[FenerFan]

FenerFan, primary, ESL

[fuelair]

fuelair: HS Chemistry, Physics, Int. Sci. + Certified Biology and Gen. SciK-12.

[pgwenthold]

pgwenthold - college freshmen through advanced graduate, chemistry

[themusicteacher]

themusicteacher, instrumental music (including theory, technology and enything else I can to help my kids learn) 6-12, US high school

[Rinky]

Rinky, high school (Finland, ages 16 to 18), EFL

[bjornart]

bjornart, Senior High (Norway 17-19 year olds), Gen. Sci., Physics, Maths

[Crossbow]

Me: MicroStation. And few years ago it was AutoCAD, Drafting, and Dynamics.

[malbui]

Malbui, postgraduate, IT

[TheDoLittle]

TheDoLittle/David O. Little, Community College, Digital Communication and Graphic Design

I also occasionally volunteer to teach basic computer skills at a community center.

[Malerin]

Elementary (5th grade)

[BoogieWoogieWookie]

College, undergraduate, electrical engineering. Been retired for awhile, though.

[ingoa]

ingoa, university, nuclear and particle physics

[themusicteacher]

I'm disappointed in my non-science, math or technical brethren. We are woefully underrepresented here.

[MattusMaximus]

Cbish, thanks for starting this thread. For reasons which will become apparent in the not-too-distant future, I might be contacting you all. Btw, if you haven't yet, please consider signing up for the teacher workshop at TAM.

MattusMaximus: Physics & Math (HS), Physics & Astronomy (College)

[Malerin]

I'm disappointed in my non-science, math or technical brethren. We are woefully underrepresented here.

Music was the first program we cut when the Great Recession hit. Then we laid off 25% of all our other teachers, so don't feel singled out.

[Lucian]

I'm disappointed in my non-science, math or technical brethren. We are woefully underrepresented here.

Well, okay: Lucian, freshman composition, business and technical writing and English literature (college level), but I'm not currently teaching.

[Metullus]

Junior High School (US) Grade 8: History and Latin

[ingoa]

:bcake: Happy Birthday Metullus!


(Love History, hate (failed) Latin)

[quarky]

I teach dumpster diving to high school drop outs. Does this count?

[Hokulele Mom]

Hokulele Mom; College; Chemistry, General Science (The Way of Science, a course on Critical Thinking/skepticism, general education distribution course)

Phil Plait came to talk to the Way of Science students a few years back; this year Michael zimmerman of the Clergy Letter Project came to talk on Creationism and Evolution.

[Alt+F4]

Alt+F4 - high school social studies

[Hindmost]

I taught high school physics and physical science for seven years. I returned to engineering--but I am going to find a way to teach again.

glenn

[fuelair]

Hokulele Mom; College; Chemistry, General Science (The Way of Science, a course on Critical Thinking/skepticism, general education distribution course)

Phil Plait came to talk to the Way of Science students a few years back; this year Michael zimmerman of the Clergy Letter Project came to talk on Creationism and Evolution.

The more we find out about you the cooler you get!!!:):):)

[TheDoLittle]

I teach dumpster diving to high school drop outs. Does this count?

I teach that at the college level, so I would say yes!

I think I also had some of your students. There were 3 that were genuine experts.

[quarky]

I teach that at the college level, so I would say yes!

I think I also had some of your students. There were 3 that were genuine experts.

Cool.
I always thought that Vinnie, in particular, had ph.d potential.
Did he ever get his D.D.D.?

[fuelair]

Cool.
I always thought that Vinnie, in particular, had ph.d potential.
Did he ever get his D.D.D.?

I thought that was a Ph.D.D. .:)

[Metullus]

:bcake: Happy birthday metullus!


(love history, hate (failed) latin)Another year older, but, alas, not one bit wiser...

[TheDoLittle]

Cool.
I always thought that Vinnie, in particular, had ph.d potential.
Did he ever get his D.D.D.?

Vinnie!? Oh no, he had problems with his final in my class. The week before I gave everyone a pre-test, and he failed the "What To Do When Confronted With A Rabid Ermine" portion. I understand he's changed his major to Political Science, where they appreciate his new ability to just sit there with a blank expression and drool uncontrollably.

[TheDoLittle]

Another year older, but, alas, not one bit wiser...

At least you have an excuse for your yearly bath. 8-)

ETA: ...and happy birthday!

[ToddH]

I work for a local college teaching technology classes to high school students.

[Jorghnassen]

I teach lies, damned lies at the introductory level.

[Metullus]

At least you have an excuse for your yearly bath. 8-)

ETA: ...and happy birthday!Yup! I even have a new wire brush for those hard to reach places!

[quarky]

I teach lies, damned lies at the introductory level.

Damn.

That's sucks all the righteousness out of teaching dumpster diving.
You've cut to the chase.
May I study under you?

[Floyt]

(IIRC, Kittynh and Athon are teachers as well)

[Marduk]

Sign in with JREF name, level, subject

Marduk, Lecturer (private sector), Dragon mythology, Ancient history
:p

[Thomas]

I teach lies, damned lies at the introductory level.
And there I thought all the global warming deniers had gone hidding in the bush, with Bush :p

I will soon teach music to private students, i.e. electronic sequencers and MIDI devices. Not that it will matter to far the most of you in here, but there we are.

[DrKarlKid]

DrKarlKid, Educator (Private, Public, Government), i teach stupid people what waste is and why they cant put that on the land.

[maxpower1227]

fuelair: HS Chemistry, Physics, Int. Sci. + Certified Biology and Gen. SciK-12.

You can do that? Teach that many different science classes? Did you teach them all simultaneously or do you rotate from year to year?

I ask because though I'm not a teacher, I've starting to seriously consider becoming one, and I think teaching multiple disciplines like you seem to would be my dream job.

[Hindmost]

You can do that? Teach that many different science classes? Did you teach them all simultaneously or do you rotate from year to year?

I ask because though I'm not a teacher, I've starting to seriously consider becoming one, and I think teaching multiple disciplines like you seem to would be my dream job.

Actually, it can be exhausting. It is fun to teach differing classes, but if you teach three different classes, you end up with three different preparations, three sets of exams and possibly labs..etc.

glenn

[fuelair]

You can do that? Teach that many different science classes? Did you teach them all simultaneously or do you rotate from year to year?

I ask because though I'm not a teacher, I've starting to seriously consider becoming one, and I think teaching multiple disciplines like you seem to would be my dream job.

I can, I do not do so and do not want to - That's why I said certified in, not am teaching. My school works on a collaboration model: In physics and Int. Sci, collaboration means everyone else basically does what one teacher wants (hint: it is not me), in Bio. collaboration means everyone (almost - my wife doesn't) sits around arguing who's favorite methods/topics/labs they will do, runs forever, last one there when lights go out wins,). In Chemistry we have a great group and we actually work together and make decisions together and coordinate labs and...... The science admin. loves us!!!

If you are in a collaboration system where all the groups work together like chem here does, go for it!!, If you are in a "normal/classical system where each teaches his/her own way and selects topics and emphases that way, go for it. Almost nobody wants to teach integrated/general sci. by the way because it is mostly 9th graders who take all year to figure out their grades won't get magically raised at the end of the year like they did in middle school. And, it is mostly just choppy versions of several subjects none of which the students want to do as actual science - though they are fine if it is nothing but simple kitchen science labs (excuse the all caps) IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY CALCULATIONS OR DATA ANALYSIS. Mostly most of the students do not understand the concept of prepare first (read the chapter/segment, look at the illustrations, try the sample problems, be ready to ask questions) though we try really hard on this point.

The good news is, in most of your classes there will be one or two (truly treasure a class with more) students who are interested and want to learn for more than just the grade and maybe even will challenge you!! That is what makes it worth while - well, that and the , also rare, times when an uninterested student suddenly realizes that science is fun and he/she is actually good at it. Treasure those even more.

Best of luck and, if you do go in, remember both parts of the above - you have been forewarned and fore-promised!!:):):):)

[Dancing David]

dancing david, teacher's aide (computer lab), elementary

I instruct students and staff and do general trouble shooting. I aid students in whatever task they are assigned in the lab.

[Iconoclast08]

Iconoclast08: teaching assistant, undergraduate and graduate levels, general and clinical psychology, psychological assessment, psychometrics (depending on semester)

[LostAngeles]

LostAngeles: Teacher's Assistant, working on emergency credential, Non-Public High School with varying degrees of ability, mathematics, history and what ever they need me to sub in for that day.

[cbish]

I ask because though I'm not a teacher, I've starting to seriously consider becoming one, and I think teaching multiple disciplines like you seem to would be my dream job.

Be real careful for what you wish for. Having multiple credentials is certainly more marketable, but make sure you have credentials in things that you really love and are willing to teach. Otherwise, you might be placed in an assignment that was your 3rd string choice.

Or, even worse, you may teach in one department for many years and then they switch you because they have a need and you have the paper. We have a Spanish teacher here who has taught for 35 years. Last year, they gave him a Science class. He hasn't seen science since he was in school and they put him in there all because he had the credential from 1975.

[cbish]

Wow, there's more teachers here than I thought. It seems like I'm well stocked for resources, advice, and scoldings!

[fuelair]

Be real careful for what you wish for. Having multiple credentials is certainly more marketable, but make sure you have credentials in things that you really love and are willing to teach. Otherwise, you might be placed in an assignment that was your 3rd string choice.

Or, even worse, you may teach in one department for many years and then they switch you because they have a need and you have the paper. We have a Spanish teacher here who has taught for 35 years. Last year, they gave him a Science class. He hasn't seen science since he was in school and they put him in there all because he had the credential from 1975.

That's why I have carefully avoided getting/listing courses in Language Arts. Under the current silliness I have no interest in teaching it (the current silliness is teaching to certain tests) so I avoid having it on my certification.

Since certification in all three of the major HS science topics is some rare, my job is not in any danger. And, other than basic science (9th grade), no bad locations by topic.:):):)

[Jeff Corey]

University level, experimental psychology, experimental and applied behavior analysis, critical thinking.
Interest in the Wason card problem and ways to get people to overcome confirmation bias.

[Madalch]

Marduk, Lecturer (private sector), Dragon mythology, Ancient history

Serious? Are you aware of Ralph Brocklebank's Dragonlore series?

[JamyeJ]

JamyeJ - High School Level - Pre-AP/AP Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Science composite certified (to teach all high school level science classes). Hoping to teach only Pre-AP and on level Biology next year.

[Nick Terry]

University, Modern European History.

Just finished marking exams, so it's time for some howlers!

Furthermore the post-war boom between 1918-1939 had provided 30 years of growth

Before World War One women were largely viewed as domestic creatures

This can be seen in the 20th Century from as early as World War I as the Kaiser embarks on a European empirical adventure, in which he describes as a war against the Slaves, a race which was perceived as detrimental to the German identity.

Sexuality was liberated with women having relations with previously ridiculed black men

Furthermore, the war gave women sexual liberation, as Germany wanted to boost their population, they were more than willing to allow their women to take part in extra marital affairs as long as they were racially pure.

The ‘Bobikopf’ the hairstyle of glamorous Holywood actresses became a popular hairstyle for many women all over Europe for instance Victoria de-Grazia in Italy [who is an actual historian at Columbia today]. However the extent to which this was accepted and used is highly debatable. Many historians have argued that not that many women actually copied the American glamorous women, it was merely exaggerated by idealising men.

In East Germany, during the Berlin Blockade of 1948-9, Rod Stewart became the first jazz musician to play in front of a German audience


Historians such as Herbert Butterfield [d.1979] have seen a ‘triumph’ in liberal democracy at the end of the 20th Century

[Ribbitalu]

ribbitalu, college, animal sciences

[Monkian1234]

Monkian1234

First year out of college was teaching 8th and 9th grade math to students who had all failed 8th grade math the previous year (this was an awesome and horrendous experience) ><

Now teaching English to 3rd graders up through undergrads in South Korea :)

[thull]

Monkian1234

First year out of college was teaching 8th and 9th grade math to students who had all failed 8th grade math the previous year (this was an awesome and horrendous experience) ><

Now teaching English to 3rd graders up through undergrads in South Korea :)

Strangely similar here. That was what I did my first year and now I teach math and stats in high school, which feels like mainly test prep for kids going to college. In the last few months I've been looking into TESL courses as a chance to go abroad for a few years.

[Malerin]

Be real careful for what you wish for. Having multiple credentials is certainly more marketable, but make sure you have credentials in things that you really love and are willing to teach. Otherwise, you might be placed in an assignment that was your 3rd string choice.

Or, even worse, you may teach in one department for many years and then they switch you because they have a need and you have the paper. We have a Spanish teacher here who has taught for 35 years. Last year, they gave him a Science class. He hasn't seen science since he was in school and they put him in there all because he had the credential from 1975.

He has a 35 yr old credential? How long has he been working?

[cbish]

He has a 35 yr old credential? How long has he been working?
Since then. Yeah, he's old. He's also Mormon with a boat load of kids & now grand kids that, for some reason, he has to support. don't ask.

[Monkian1234]

Strangely similar here. That was what I did my first year and now I teach math and stats in high school, which feels like mainly test prep for kids going to college. In the last few months I've been looking into TESL courses as a chance to go abroad for a few years.


It is pretty fun to teach abroad :)

It is really refreshing to step into a classroom and have students listen to you because they want to learn! I like getting kids involved and making them want to learn for themselves-but having kids already wanting to learn before you even get started is great because you get to skip the whole song and dance routine and get straight to the material :)

That has been my experience here in Korea so far (have no clue if that is the norm here or anywhere else in Asia).

Having TESL does make you more marketable but you can actually get a job (fairly easily) teaching English with ANY college degree as long as you are a native English speaker :)

[bpesta22]

I teach "management" to MBA stewdents but my training is in cognitive psychology, though lately I have been doing differential psych.

[quixotecoyote]

currently unemployed undergraduate communication/public speaking instructor

[Hans]

Overseas college, business, management, ICT, java scripting, office management, logistics and occassionally library subject, history and archaeology.

Mainly I do start ups either in the management or faculty

[Azimer the Mad]

Public Middle School, 7th-8th Grade, Comprehensive Science, Paleontology. Engineering/Critical Thinking, Astronomy.

[fuelair]

Public Middle School, 7th-8th Grade, Comprehensive Science, Paleontology. Engineering/Critical Thinking, Astronomy.

Details! I have taught middle school science: fossils (a day or so - Paleontology no.) Engineering(minor physics - nothing on real world use that i didn't have to sneak in)/ Critical Thinking - they had what they called that. It wasn't -and still isn't here (assume the reason is obvious, but let's whisper religion application. Though it is fun to point out that If Bible, then, psychics must die. Ergo psychic or god (can't say it, but it's fun to watch as it hits them) not both.

[Kaon]

Kaon, upper secondary school (ages ~16-19) in Norway, physics and math.

[MattusMaximus]

By the way, everyone on this thread should check out the latest JREF Swift... http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1006-fine-tune-your-skeptical-education-skills-at-the-tam8-teachers-workshop.html

[SusanB-M1]

Strangely similar here. That was what I did my first year and now I teach math and stats in high school, which feels like mainly test prep for kids going to college. In the last few months I've been looking into TESL courses as a chance to go abroad for a few years.
May I suggest exchange teaching? I was a Primary School teacher for 20 years, mostly years 5 or 6, and spent 1986 in Australia, having swapped jobs, houses and cars. We were obliged to find accommodation for our exchangees, but car swap was optional.

I met many teachers there from other countries, some of whom I remain in contact with still.

[C_Felix]

Used to be a teacher.
God, I hate typing that.

5th grade right outside Raleigh, NC.

We gotta new principal. She didn't like me so she asked parents to complaint about me.

I'm a security guard now.

I was the cool teacher.
We did the popsicle stick bridges and tested their stregnth...
Build cars with rubber band engines and test how far would 5 and 15 winds make the car go? Then we'd graph that stuff, and extrapolte 20 winds and interpolate 10 winds...

Those were the days.


I had a 96% pass rate on the state mandated tests.

[fuelair]

Used to be a teacher.
God, I hate typing that.

5th grade right outside Raleigh, NC.

We gotta new principal. She didn't like me so she asked parents to complaint about me.

I'm a security guard now.

I was the cool teacher.
We did the popsicle stick bridges and tested their stregnth...
Build cars with rubber band engines and test how far would 5 and 15 winds make the car go? Then we'd graph that stuff, and extrapolte 20 winds and interpolate 10 winds...


Those were the days.


I had a 96% pass rate on the state mandated tests.

Still certified? Science certified? Florida is not great right now (hint:funds suck) but........... Sounds cool to me. Lot of schools gonna be looking for "the cool teacher".

[notsure]

Teach at a university, mathematics.

notsure

[fuelair]

Teach at a university, mathematics.

notsure

welcome in!! Are you sure yet?:D

[notsure]

welcome in!! Are you sure yet?:D

No, still not sure about a lot of things.

notsure

[jojonete]

jojonete: Spain, Computer Science.

Sorry, I can't describe my situation in one single line. All the following are true:
I studied Computer Science at University.
I passed an official exam that certifies I'm able to give computer science classes to people over 18.
Due to the characteristics of the exam I just mentioned, I'm employed by the Spanish government as a teacher for life. They just can't "fire" me.
I never studied any more maths than what is required to study computer science (however, this means I actually studied a lot of maths).
I never passed any exam to certify I'm able to give math classes, or to work with underage students (i.e. below 18).
As they don't need computer science teachers, but they do need math teachers (and they have to pay me no matter what), they "reassigned" me to give math classes to students aged 13-18.

[Madalch]

As they don't need computer science teachers, but they do need math teachers (and they have to pay me no matter what), they "reassigned" me to give math classes to students aged 13-18.


I can relate. I have a PhD in chemistry, but since the campus is too small to have enough chemistry classes to completely occupy a full-time chemist, I'm also (usually) also teaching a course in math for education students. Some of it simple stuff that I remember well (area, perimeter, multiplying fractions, different bases), some of it is complex stuff that I remember (imaginary numbers and logarithms), and some of it is stuff I'd never seen before teaching the course (symbolic logic, Egyptian number system, etc.).

[fuelair]

I can relate. I have a PhD in chemistry, but since the campus is too small to have enough chemistry classes to completely occupy a full-time chemist, I'm also (usually) also teaching a course in math for education students. Some of it simple stuff that I remember well (area, perimeter, multiplying fractions, different bases), some of it is complex stuff that I remember (imaginary numbers and logarithms), and some of it is stuff I'd never seen before teaching the course (symbolic logic, Egyptian number system, etc.).

Are these by any chance elementary school teachers? I ask because of the Egyptian number system item.. Egypt is a unit often used in fourth grade or so as a 'let's do a big honking multidisciplinary project!!" thing.

[jojonete]

Are these by any chance elementary school teachers? I ask because of the Egyptian number system item.. Egypt is a unit often used in fourth grade or so as a 'let's do a big honking multidisciplinary project!!" thing.
I actually don't know what exactly "elementary school" or "fourth grade" are, as I live in Spain and I don't know foreign education systems. That's why I refer to "grades" by student's age.

I had to deal with weird numbering systems (like drawing a hand to mean 5 and drawing a person to mean 20) when I had to teach maths for students aged 12-13. My way of dealing with it was saying how roman numerals work (including a small question about these in the exam) and skipping the whole rest of the unit. The few people who actually noticed I was skipping part of the program didn't seem to care at all.

At times I also have to teach computer science to students aged 15-16. Society tends to think it's good that children learn things about computers early on, so politicians include references to computers at every possible chance. Unfortunately, these subjects are regularly taught by people who know next to nothing about computers. These classes usually evolve into classes about facebook, hotmail, etc. Of course, students generally have facebook and hotmail accounts long before they start having computer classes, so the actual person learning something is the teacher.

Whenever I have to give a class of this type, I tend to begin with Word and Excel because the program starts that way. However, once this is done (which, in my classes, is very quickly), I'll completely ignore the program from that point on and start explaining the relational database model and then use Access to create some tables, relationships and queries. If there's enough time left after that, I'll explain the main programming concepts and let students write some simple VBS scripts. Anyone who shows up for the exam passes (though I don't tell this up front to students). I think that's better than letting students play with facebook in class and letting them fail because they don't know how to set the images in their profile to "visible only to friends".

[Jorghnassen]

Damn.

That's sucks all the righteousness out of teaching dumpster diving.
You've cut to the chase.
May I study under you?

You'll need to apply like everyone else, and may I remind you that there are many well qualified candidates to compare and evaluate, and that funding is limited, thus I cannot guarantee that you'll make it into the program. Particularly if you want to do biostats because those applications have to go through epi as well.

By lies I meant statistics, and introductory level I meant university, but it's always introductory anyway, even at the graduate level...

[MattusMaximus]

Actually, it can be exhausting. It is fun to teach differing classes, but if you teach three different classes, you end up with three different preparations, three sets of exams and possibly labs..etc.

glenn

No kidding. At least every other year I have three preps, mostly because I'm the only one in my district qualified to teach calculus-based physics.

Those years suck :(

[MattusMaximus]

Used to be a teacher.
God, I hate typing that.

5th grade right outside Raleigh, NC.

We gotta new principal. She didn't like me so she asked parents to complaint about me.

I'm a security guard now.

I was the cool teacher.
We did the popsicle stick bridges and tested their stregnth...
Build cars with rubber band engines and test how far would 5 and 15 winds make the car go? Then we'd graph that stuff, and extrapolte 20 winds and interpolate 10 winds...

Those were the days.

I had a 96% pass rate on the state mandated tests.

fuelair is right - if you have a valid teaching license and are that serious about continuing in the profession, move to another community or state. Science teachers are especially in demand these days (even more so if you can teach chemistry or physics), so I suggest looking around.

[MattusMaximus]

Wow, there's more teachers here than I thought. It seems like I'm well stocked for resources, advice, and scoldings!

At the TAM Teacher Workshop, I plan to be passing along some goodies in the form of lesson ideas, general hints & tips specific to skepticism in the classroom, a couple of really nifty skepticism/critical thinking demos, and whatnot. I'm sure the other workshop organizers will have stuff as well.

If anyone on this thread cannot attend the TAM Teacher Workshop, throw a PM my way and I'll see what I can do about sharing my stuff with you.

Disclaimer: I am a science (specifically physics) teacher, so most of my stuff comes at it (skepticism/critical thinking) from that angle.

[fuelair]

I actually don't know what exactly "elementary school" or "fourth grade" are, as I live in Spain and I don't know foreign education systems. That's why I refer to "grades" by student's age.

I had to deal with weird numbering systems (like drawing a hand to mean 5 and drawing a person to mean 20) when I had to teach maths for students aged 12-13. My way of dealing with it was saying how roman numerals work (including a small question about these in the exam) and skipping the whole rest of the unit. The few people who actually noticed I was skipping part of the program didn't seem to care at all.

At times I also have to teach computer science to students aged 15-16. Society tends to think it's good that children learn things about computers early on, so politicians include references to computers at every possible chance. Unfortunately, these subjects are regularly taught by people who know next to nothing about computers. These classes usually evolve into classes about facebook, hotmail, etc. Of course, students generally have facebook and hotmail accounts long before they start having computer classes, so the actual person learning something is the teacher.

Whenever I have to give a class of this type, I tend to begin with Word and Excel because the program starts that way. However, once this is done (which, in my classes, is very quickly), I'll completely ignore the program from that point on and start explaining the relational database model and then use Access to create some tables, relationships and queries. If there's enough time left after that, I'll explain the main programming concepts and let students write some simple VBS scripts. Anyone who shows up for the exam passes (though I don't tell this up front to students). I think that's better than letting students play with facebook in class and letting them fail because they don't know how to set the images in their profile to "visible only to friends".

12/13 would be 6th and 7th grade mostly here - middle school.

[money]

I teach General Psych and Developmental Psych at the community college.

I love it!

[SusanB-M1]

Are these by any chance elementary school teachers? I ask because of the Egyptian number system item.. Egypt is a unit often used in fourth grade or so as a 'let's do a big honking multidisciplinary project!!" thing.
I used to have several books for teachers with one-off, photo-copiable ideas for lessons. One of them was 'Ancient Egyptian Multiplication', complete with picture of a seated pharaoh. It was the halving and doubling method, which included 'throwing away' the 1/2 remainders. This apparently scandalous thing to do was enjoyed by the children! They thought it 'wasn't allowed', but I'd say, if it works, use it! They soon realised of course that the larger the numbers, the greater the opportunity for error and that they had to learn the more traditional method too, but it was fun.

I've still got a copy of that in a file, along with the Mobius strip lesson and the Euler's square*, which I photocopy and give to people occasionally. Also copies of the mammoth equation contained in Tony Ross's book, 'Super-Dooper Jezebel', but have lost the one contained in another of his books about the boy who designed space rockets during class lessons in maths. Does anyone remember the title of that one?
Note to self: Try and find it on Amazon!

*The Knight's Move (or one of such) where all columns and rows total the same and 1-64 can be traced with Knight's move.

[fuelair]

I used to have several books for teachers with one-off, photo-copiable ideas for lessons. One of them was 'Ancient Egyptian Multiplication', complete with picture of a seated pharaoh. It was the halving and doubling method, which included 'throwing away' the 1/2 remainders. This apparently scandalous thing to do was enjoyed by the children! They thought it 'wasn't allowed', but I'd say, if it works, use it! They soon realised of course that the larger the numbers, the greater the opportunity for error and that they had to learn the more traditional method too, but it was fun.

I've still got a copy of that in a file, along with the Mobius strip lesson and the Euler's square*, which I photocopy and give to people occasionally. Also copies of the mammoth equation contained in Tony Ross's book, 'Super-Dooper Jezebel', but have lost the one contained in another of his books about the boy who designed space rockets during class lessons in maths. Does anyone remember the title of that one?
Note to self: Try and find it on Amazon!

*The Knight's Move (or one of such) where all columns and rows total the same and 1-64 can be traced with Knight's move.

The Mobius Strip and cutting a hole (we make it way generous by letting them do it in an 8.5X11 sheet) in a piece of paper* that they can walk through - with extra points for group that can walk the most people through their's at the same time are both great!!. Current winner is 19. Standing up.

My wife and I do these with classes every year in the THINK part of our intro to science. High School level.


*It can be done with a business card.

[SusanB-M1]

The Mobius Strip and cutting a hole (we make it way generous by letting them do it in an 8.5X11 sheet) in a piece of paper* that they can walk through - with extra points for group that can walk the most people through their's at the same time are both great!!. Current winner is 19. Standing up.

My wife and I do these with classes every year in the THINK part of our intro to science. High School level.


*It can be done with a business card.
What a lovely idea! I bet they'll remember that for a long time, probably for the rest of their lives.

[fuelair]

Well, we do hope so - and they mostly have fun with it - especially once one group proves it can be done by figuring out how!!

[uruk]

Late for the party. As usual

Uruk, Electronics and Computer Maintenance (not so much electronics anymore in this disposabe age), Community Colledge.

[TheDoLittle]

Electronics and Computer Maintenance (not so much electronics anymore in this disposabe age)

That's why they invented MAKE (http://makezine.com/).

[Azimer the Mad]

Details!

My school had empty spaces on the master schedule open up when we adopted block scheduling, so they said "Suggest a class! You'll get 100% creative control and 0% funding!"

Paleontology- Three years of my own 8th grade elective called Jurassic Park for 8th graders. Curriculum went from them designing a modern animals evolution over 10 million years, simulated dinosaur digs, watching Hollywood dino movies to pick out inaccuracies, to astrobiology. Fun stuff.

Engineering- I teach a7th grade elective based on the SECME engineering competition. Water rockets, mousetrap cars, bridge building, egg drop, catapults, robotics & general critical thinking problems.

Astronomy- Teaching a lab & simulation-based astronomy 8th grade elective this year called "StarFleet Academy." Using Phil Plait's Death From the Skies as the Reading book and incorporating the physics projects from the Engineering class. Speaking of 0% funding, if anyone could spread this link (http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=402405) around I'd appreciate it.

[TheDoLittle]

That is one annoying link and almost as obnoxious as the post before the one before this one.

Annoying because you're technologically incapable or annoying because you are technologically capable and you spent way too many hours perusing the site? 8-)

[fuelair]

That is one annoying link and almost as obnoxious as the post before the one before this one.

What is wrong with the link? Or more precisely the material in it? Looks like some neat stuff to make!!! If I missed something, please note it!! Thanks, fuelair:)

[Jeff Corey]

Annoying because you're technologically incapable or annoying because you are technologically capable and you spent way too many hours perusing the site? 8-)

No.

[jskowron]

jskowron- Graduate school and practicum- Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Analysis

[Jeff Corey]

What is wrong with the link? Or more precisely the material in it? Looks like some neat stuff to make!!! If I missed something, please note it!! Thanks, fuelair:)
When I opened it, it went to an ad that never went away until I finally gave up and closed it.

[TheDoLittle]

When I opened it, it went to an ad that never went away until I finally gave up and closed it.

In the 4 years I've frequented their site, I've never had a problem with ads like you're describing. You might want to check your pop-up blocker or other ad-buster software.

[uruk]

That's why they invented MAKE (http://makezine.com/).

Yep. MAKE is awesome. It would be cool to see what people can do with recycled electronics. Working with surface mount components is a royal pain the rear end though.

[Malachi Constant]

The good news is, in most of your classes there will be one or two (truly treasure a class with more) students who are interested and want to learn for more than just the grade and maybe even will challenge you!! That is what makes it worth while - well, that and the , also rare, times when an uninterested student suddenly realizes that science is fun and he/she is actually good at it. Treasure those even more.

Best of luck and, if you do go in, remember both parts of the above - you have been forewarned and fore-promised!!:):):):)

As someone who is returning to school to become a HS science teacher this terrifies and excites me.

But then I was one of those kids who found out that sitting next to my girlfriend wasn't the only thing that I liked about my physics class in high school, all thanks to an awesome teacher.

[Spung]

Spung-- uni level, art history (I think I win the excessively vague humanities discipline prize, until someone from, oh, folklore studies shows up)

[fuelair]

Spung-- uni level, art history (I think I win the excessively vague humanities discipline prize, until someone from, oh, folklore studies shows up)

I am a science person who is quite interested in art and it's history. And folklore - especially the folklore of erotica:esp: jokes/stories. At Siggraph a few years back (it was in Texas that year) in the Electronic Theater - where the best of the best in Computer Graphics is shown for attendees - they had a demo of a computer program that could be used to examine a painting and give all sorts of data about positioning, object location, painter location, time of year painted, etc. Unfortunately, it was highly classified by the group that designed the program so it was one of the six or so every year that we get to see but are not included in the electronic theater DVD for that year. I wanted that one so bad - very disappointed!!!

And, I would love to teach Chem. in an arts academy - gearing it towards reactions that apply to art materials, aging and protection, etc.

[Spung]

I am a science person who is quite interested in art and it's history. ...

And, I would love to teach Chem. in an arts academy - gearing it towards reactions that apply to art materials, aging and protection, etc.

At one point I studied a bit in working with infrared reflectography and x-ray and dendrochronology and all of that technical examination sort of thing-- interesting stuff. Early on thought about conservation studies, but most of what I do these days is contextual/cultural history in character.

[Grywolf19]

Grywolf19, University, French, Minneapolis MN

[Grywolf19]

I am a science person who is quite interested in art and it's history. And folklore - especially the folklore of erotica:esp: jokes/stories..

If you haven't already done so, I would recommend taking a look at Old French fabliaux. They would be right up your alley if you like jokes/stories about erotic subjects.

[bikerdruid]

bikerdruid
high school english (canada)
retired

[fossilhound]

I've been teaching 25 years, and love the carreer. Am at a high school in Los Angeles. It's difficult, but rewarding.

[fuelair]

If you haven't already done so, I would recommend taking a look at Old French fabliaux. They would be right up your alley if you like jokes/stories about erotic subjects.

Not just like them like knowing/finding out how they relate to the culture of those who create and tell them - you can tell a lot about a culture through it's erotica and it's jokes.:):)

[Correa Neto]

Missed the bandwagon thread, sorry...

Coming back to the academic life after 10 years in the industry.

University, Geology (mineralogy and gold metallogeny this semester).

[majamin]

Marian Minar (majamin)
Secondary Mathematics, Port Hardy, BC

[fuelair]

Or: see if you can locate, on the net or elsewhere, PLCs. Check how they relate to collaboration (and identify how it is used in the PLC context). Why are schools - and a number of school systems - going over to PLCs? Once you know that, check back (make sure you have checked out people and concepts involved and question me on it.
I am hoping some of the other teachers here know what I am writing of and, perhaps have been to some of the conferences as my school is currently one of the pretty well known ones doing it and dragged our area into it!!:)

[majamin]

Or: see if you can locate, on the net or elsewhere, PLCs. Check how they relate to collaboration (and identify how it is used in the PLC context). Why are schools - and a number of school systems - going over to PLCs?

Are you referring to Professional Learning Communities? I've never heard of the term, but it seems similar to Professional Development, which is an essential component to any profession. Why are you concerned?

[fuelair]

Are you referring to Professional Learning Communities? I've never heard of the term, but it seems similar to Professional Development, which is an essential component to any profession. Why are you concerned?

I am - but PD refers to pretty much anything we do to develop professionally. PLCs are much more specific: they involve a specific series/group of changes made in a school/school system to use (always a theoretical) best practices for better educating students.

I was not concerned, I had (along with others) a post removed wherein I gave my qualifications for a poster who has been questioning while pointing out I would not give any data that would specifically id me for the obvious reasons. Because that post was removed, the post you quote does not make as much sense.

Our school has been doing PLC since it opened - it involves, among way more things than I have time or space for, teachers in each subject (specific, not general) planning the course together, preparing summative assessments together, grading them the same way, reteaching or enrichment as needed for students individually or by dividing the students so one teacher handles the enrichment and another the reteaching. That is the heart and skeleton of the system.

More data: http://www.solution-tree.com/Public/Media.aspx?

Canadian Workshop (one of several): http://www.solution-tree.com/Public/InstituteDetail.aspx?node=&parent=&ProductID=CFN137

(and, one of the programs at that one is newer than the workshop I attended w/16 other teachers from my school and our principal and 2 asst. principals this June - the new one is common formative assessments.).

It seems to work and our county is quite happy with our results - we have been heavilly observed by people from other schools : state and beyond. :):):)

[Metullus]

My school has agreed to let me teach an 8th grade honors Critical Thinking elective! Twelve kids have signed up, every one that qualified academically. I am stoked. Now all I need to do is right a lesson plan...

[bikerdruid]

My school has agreed to let me teach an 8th grade honors Critical Thinking elective! Twelve kids have signed up, every one that qualified academically. I am stoked. Now all I need to do is right a lesson plan...
:D

[majamin]

I am - but PD refers to pretty much anything we do to develop professionally. PLCs are much more specific: they involve a specific series/group of changes made in a school/school system to use (always a theoretical) best practices for better educating students.

I was not concerned, I had (along with others) a post removed wherein I gave my qualifications for a poster who has been questioning while pointing out I would not give any data that would specifically id me for the obvious reasons. Because that post was removed, the post you quote does not make as much sense.


Thanks for clearing that up.

[majamin]

My school has agreed to let me teach an 8th grade honors Critical Thinking elective! Twelve kids have signed up, every one that qualified academically. I am stoked. Now all I need to do is right a lesson plan...

I'm stoked for you. I have squeezed in a critical thinking unit into my Gr.11 math class in the past (when I taught it). It'll be interesting to see how gr.8s will do with that kind of material.

[genesplicer]

Genesplicer - Middle School (7th and 8th grade, U.S.). Certificated to teach General Science, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics (General, AP and College Prep levels). Just started my 20th year on Monday!

[Malachi Constant]

Genesplicer - Middle School (7th and 8th grade, U.S.). Certificated to teach General Science, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics (General, AP and College Prep levels). Just started my 20th year on Monday!

Hey, I'm guessing you're the same guy on the SA forum. If so, you rock.

I'm returning to school after ten years in the real world and I expect to get my chem degree in about 2 1/2 years, along with my teaching certificate for secondary education (in Texas).

Any advice you'd give yourself when starting your degree?

I'm already planning to study like crazy and get to know my profs. I don't start the teacher training for a while. I understand that I won't be always enlightening eager students. I look forward to the rare student who is interested in the science and I think I'm prepared for the kids who just don't give a damn.

What would you (or any other teachers here) have told yourselves when you were getting your degrees?

[Lucian]

If you haven't already done so, I would recommend taking a look at Old French fabliaux. They would be right up your alley if you like jokes/stories about erotic subjects.

There are some entertaining Middle English fabliaux as well.