Turns out, my way has become pretty popular, educationally, these days. And there's a name for it: The Flipped Classroom. Here is a 60-second explanation:
Things We Will Be Doing:
In Class- Labs & demonstrations
- Model building
- Discussion: peer reviewing lab reports, a little bit of math, correcting misconceptions and focusing on the main ideas.
- Field trips
- Textbook reading, answering questions
- Watching online videos or reading library books
- Writing informal lab reports
- Preparing demonstrations to share with class
- Interesting Stuff
Middle school physical science covers such topics as: Matter, Forces and motion, Energy, The atom and the periodic table, Chemical reactions, Electricity, Waves, sound and light. see also Science Framework for California Public Schools. grade 8 focuses on physical science.
What are some highlights?
building a rocket, building a mousetrap car, field trip to the Exploratorium, a chemistry magic show put on by the students, a science faire project, graphs! yes, I said graphs. But wait, there's more! there's always more.
Materials and Requirements:
Students will need to acquire Glencoe Physical Science 2002 edition (through Amazon.com-click here.) Buy used!! the sooner you buy the better the price.) and a bound composition/lab notebook, plus a regular binder for handouts and notes. Plus at some point I will collect a materials fee, probably about $35. Sometimes colored pencils are handy.
If you have some chemistry equipment you would like to donate to the class, please do!
Homework:
I will post the homework on this blog by the morning following class, and I expect students to put in at least an hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It could take more time than this, depending on the student.
Since much of the content will be given online, please take responsible measures to keep out objectionable sites, as is appropriate to your family.
Please let me know if their are any special circumstances regarding your child's needs from this course. I am happy to help and I appreciate good communication.
Sign up on left to get emails; AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW SO I KNOW YOU HAVE READ THIS. ;)
