Blame Quantum Mechanics

 

Students who know about quantum theory appreciate this answer but it does lead to a lot of odd questions being asked further down the road.

Recycling Papers

A veteran teacher once told me that you should collect everything, but not necessarily mark everything. He never did tell me what to do with the stuff I didn't mark.

Dealing with Unexpected Questions #1

The student rarely comes back with an answer unfortunately. I guess they never actually want to know the answer (or don't feel like working to get the answer)

Things I Tell My Students - Failure is an option

A lot of students don't like to know that some teachers will actually fail them. It's almost as if they think they are entitled to pass even if they don't do any of the work necessary. Kids these days.

Pyrex vs. Bunsen Burner

Would have been a good demonstration of increasing temperature and volume but alas, the glassware could not handle it (either that or the rubber stopper melted to the glass). Students were nonetheless eager to see science in action.

Gas Test

Sometimes I think I let my students do too much science in science labs.

Is it True?

"Of course I alternate the answers so sometimes it really is all true or sometimes I'll do other patterns. Thus far none of my students have noticed."

Just Enough

One of my practicum supervisors told me that you know you've given enough homework when the students start complaining. It surprises my students sometimes as usually the homework in other classes gets piled on if they complain.

Teacher Hypocrisy

 
So we're always told at Pro-Ds that we shouldn't be teaching kids to use the tools of yesterday and instead teach them to use the tools of the future. Yet at all the schools I've been to, most teachers and admin do everything they can to get rid of the tools the students will be using once they are out there.

The Stair Master

Marking would be so much easier if teachers could mark this way. Thankfully (for the students, lol) we don't.

Asexual Reproduction part 4

When the students find out spores are floating around all the time they get really freaked out.

Desktop Clutter

I'm sometimes embarrassed by what students pick out on my computer desktop, but at the same time I'm quite impressed by their observational skills.

Like puppies, but not as cute

One of my practicum supervisors told me to treat my students like dogs and although I am uncomfortable treating my students like dogs, sometimes it is easier when they are trained like dogs.

Explosive Lesson

Being able to just randomly blow stuff up makes being a science teacher really great.

Asexual Reproduction part 3

The boys like this one. The girls think it would be a little gruesome if we reproduced this way.

Cell Phones in My Class

Sometimes I feel bad for the electronic devices my students use. The students just don't seem to realize the potential of what they have.

Asexual Reproduction part 2

This one always freaks out the students. Not sure if it's because they don't like the idea of something growing out of them or if it's just that I draw badly.

Collision Course

You can make up so many problems involving conservation of momentum with these things. It's also quite fun trying to re-enact some of them.

First Compressed Gas, then the World!

One of my grade 9 science students asked me this and she seemed quite worried someone might try it in the future.  Add another one to my plans of world domination.