The First Days of School

The first few days of school can be tough.  I can recall the sleepless night before the first day of school.  I wasn't sure if I had planned enough so my classes wouldn't be bored.  I feared that I had put the wrong names on the desks.  I feared my class numbers would continue to grow making labs and movement around the room uncomfortable.  And just what would we do on the first day - I couldn't start on any content, so what would we do?  What about the rest of the first week, how would I ease into the content?

A few important suggestions before I list possible activities.   Be firm yet kind.  You likely intend for the class to be fun and engaging with activities and great discussions, but this may not take place for a few days.  The first days should be calm and engaging.  Students should raise hands to be recognized to speak.  Greet students at the door and tell them to find their name card at their assigned seat.  Do not allow students to change seat assignments immediately.  Manage this closely.  If students realize that they can change your mind, things can become chaotic.  be firm, yet kind.  You may be a first year teacher and you may be nervous.   Do everything you can to minimize confusion.

This post is dedicated to offering some ideas for the first few days of school in a Science classroom. 

• Teacher Introduction - Make a single Google slide, project it, and discuss with students.  Be sure to tell them why you chose to become a Science teacher and what you are excited about for the school year or semester. 
• Student Introductions - If students have devices, they can make a single Google slide within the same presentation as your intro.  As you scroll through each, give each student the opportunity to say a few words.   Students can also make poster with materials you supply to introduce themselves.  You can hang these around the classroom. 
• Have students design their very own T-shirt  that only they can "wear."  Have them cut out the shirts and hang them in the classroom.  Be sure to set rules about profanity, social organization membership displays, etc. 
• Make Vision Boards - This is a good idea for the start of the school year or for the start of the semester in January.  It's similar to goal setting, but can be more broad encouraging students to envision occurrences beyond goals. 
• Explain your syllabus, class rules and procedures.  Some suggest allowing students to help with the development of the rules and procedures.  Either way, you will want to explain this early. 
• Have students set up their Science notebook or journal.  Try this Virtual Notebook with Google drive. 
• Help students become acquainted with their Science textbook.  This one is designed to accompany the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade Pearson Interactive Science Textbook. 

Now for some Science! 

Lab Safety!

• This is our required, RHSD District Lab Safety page.  Show the video and have students complete the quiz. 

Measurement and Lab Materials

• Teach students how to measure in inches and centimeters, then assign them some standard items to measure.  They could measure the size of the square tiles on the floor, their desk top, or an index card.  They should measure in inches and centimeters.  Take thens a step further by having them calculate area or perimeter, or by calculating their error.  If all of the floor squares are the same size there should not be variation in their measurements.  
• Teach students about volume measurement. 
  -Advantages and disadvantages of beakers vs. graduated cylinders. 
  -Have students use different graduated cylinders and determine how each is calibrated. 
  -Have students compare equal volumes in different containers.
• Teach students about mass and weight measurement. 
  -Show students how to use the triple beam balance. 
  -Teach students about electronic balances, the need for tare weight. 
  -Have students compare the weight they measure on the triple beam and electric balance them calculate percent difference OR compare to known weights and calculate percent error.   
• Teach students about derived measurements (measurements that must be calculated).
  -Students measure distance and time (using a stopwatch) then calculate speed.
  -Students measure mass and volume, then calculate density.

Review the Scientific Method

• ​Have students complete this simple experiment and a quick lab report. 
• Have students check their knowledge with this document. 

Discuss current Science news 

• Lots of information here about the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine trials.

Teach about data analysis

• ​Find a great chart or graph at Turner's Graph of the Week.