Classroom Culture

Flipped Classroom: A Framework for In-Class Activities

Josh Kenney | Fri, 10/11/2019 - 12:53

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The flipped-classroom approach to education is undoubtedly popular, with consistent growth in the number of related books, conference sessions, and educator network memberships. Although active-learning may not be any more beneficial in a flipped classroom compared to a traditional classroom, it is clear that a flipped class can increase the frequency of active-learning opportunities.

Flipped Classroom: Check For Understanding, Not For Notetaking

Josh Kenney | Tue, 09/17/2019 - 18:28

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Many teachers assess engagement with video lectures by inspecting students’ notes at the start of class. However, notetaking doesn’t necessarily prove the comprehension of the material.

First Day Chemistry Engineering Activity

Melissa Hemling | Sat, 09/07/2019 - 22:26

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I just finished my first week of school, like many teachers in the Midwest. I work hard to get my Honors Chemistry students in a lab setting as soon as possible. It is difficult to find a perfect lab to do on the first or second day of school. In my mind, the ideal first chemistry lab would require no prior chemistry knowledge, involve interesting chemistry, address an NGSS standard, be relatively safe, not require expensive glassware or lab tools, and reinforce positive class norms. I have found engineering labs fit the bill! I don't know if I have found the "perfect" lab, but I have found something close I want to share!

Accessibility and Inclusion in the Chemistry Classroom

Ariel Serkin | Sun, 08/04/2019 - 15:30

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Having presented on the topic several times over the summer, I am sharing strategies for helping support diverse learners. As we teachers prepare to go back to school, I have summarized my presentation into a list of ways to help your classroom be inclusive for all learners.

Element of the Month - Sulfur

Stephen Wright | Sat, 05/18/2019 - 18:55

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In honor of the International Year of the Periodic Table: A familiarity with the chemistry of some of the elements more commonly encountered in everyday life is a valuable learning experience for all students. Sulfur is the fourth in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT

“Careers in Chemistry”: A Simple Reoccurring Assignment that Helps Build Relevance

Dustin Williams | Wed, 03/20/2019 - 02:31

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This assignment helps students realize that chemistry class is not just a place where we talk about and imagine stuff we can’t see, but the things we learn in chemistry are actually used in real life in lots of different ways.

Element of the Month - An Introduction

Stephen Wright | Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:15

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A familiarity with the chemistry of some of the elements more commonly encountered in everyday life is a valuable learning experience for all students, regardless of whether they pursue further studies or careers in the sciences. Follow this series of articles to find out how the Element of the Month Project began and how the elements are presented. #IYPT

Molecule Monday

Ariel Serkin | Mon, 02/11/2019 - 11:26

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Molecule Monday is an opportunity to engage students in the chemistry of everyday life.

Are Great Teachers Born or Made?

Josh Kenney | Thu, 02/07/2019 - 06:22

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Many researchers have attempted to characterize the knowledge of an expert teacher, and it's complex, to say the least.

Improvisation in the Classroom

Stephanie O'Brien | Sat, 01/12/2019 - 17:10

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I recently attended a workshop at my state conference about improvisation techniques to use in the classroom. As a teacher we are challenged to constantly adapt our pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of our learners, and this workshop provided some new strategies to do just that.