Teaching High School Science

Well, here we are in a new school year.  The kids return tomorrow.  As we are returning take a look at the biology curriculum the teachers in the chicago area came up with.  Again this is for all student from the lowest levels the the brightest.  Chemistry teachers from the same area are going to meet this year to come up with the vital curriculum for all high school chemistry students.  Take a look back at my previous chemistry curriculum post and put in your 2 cents worth.  I do not know it I will be going to these meeting, but someone at my school will so maybe I can keep you informed of what is happening.  Have a great school year!!

Tags: biology, chemistry, high school science, science

I found this post as I was looking around. http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/chemistry-can-be-fun/ Take a look at the video here. Is this something you would show your class? I think it is creative. How would you use it in class. Are there other thing you have done or found that you use and how?

Tags: chemistry, teaching chemistry

At my school we are looking into our chemistry curriculum with the idea of changing it. We are looking at many different areas including topics to cover and the depth versus breadth argument. I am looking for a little dialog about what and how things should be covered for a Chemistry class. We only have one level of chemistry in our school so this would be for all chem students.

Let me give you a little background. Freshman at our school take Biology, then as sophomores the more advanced students take chemistry while those who are weaker take physical science (a one semester intro to Chem and one semester into to physics with Earth Science sprinkled in). There are many students who take chemistry as Juniors after they have completed the physical science class. Even though the Juniors coming out of physical science have some chem background, the sophomores tend to outscore them on tests.

Anyway, I am hoping to get some ideas out there about topics and how much time/depth of covering them. There are times with I think we should stick with a few main topics and cover them very deeply and in the process we will cover some of the other things they may encounter in the future, and then I go to the other side and feel the students should be exposed to as much as we can cram in during the year. Let me know how you teach and what works best for you.

Tags: chemistry, curriculum, science, teach

Welcome to my new blog. I am very new to the world of blogging, But I think I can get the hang of it. I have been teaching high school science classes in the Chicago land area since 1994. I have taught many Science classes including Physics (independent study), Ecology, Biology, ESL Biology (now it would be ELL), Physical Science, Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. I have also taught at Biology classes in a few Local Community Colleges. I am currently looking forward to a new class I have started at my high school Environmental Science.

While doing research for my new class (along with my old ones) I have found some resources but they are scattered all over the internet. I am hoping to build a community of science teacher to share their lessons, ideas, frustrations, thoughts, worksheets, labs, and what ever else so we can all be better teachers. I would like to put together information in categories and get it nicely organized, but I need your help. If you have any ideas or anything you would like to contribute please let me know. Thanks and happy bogging to all!!

Tags: biology, chemistry, community college, ecology, environmental science, high school, physical science, physics, science, teacher