Chem13 News has been an integral part of my teaching bag of tricks for (I hate to admit it) over 20 years! It is something I truly look forward to arriving in my mailbox each month.
I read the Chem13 News cover to cover to glean all that this very worthwhile magazine offers. My routine is to scan the headlines and, usually, because I have time constraints (teacher and busy mom of three kids, etc.), I read the topics that seem the most relevant to my current teaching realities. Later in the day (or week, depending on my schedule), I return to the articles that I missed and devour them entirely. My routine then involves ear-tagging (sorry to those people who cringe at the thought of defacing such a paper) and highlighting (yes, I also write in the magazine) things I would like to try.
I always file the magazine and record page numbers and issues of ideas I would like to try in the future. I always keep a running log of what I would like to try at different times in the year. I always discuss and share all that I can with my colleagues.
Over the years I have relied on Chem13 News for new ideas in regard to labs and experiments. For example, last Christmas I performed for my students an experiment obtained from Chem13 News which involved making wreaths from washers. Chem13 News has also helped me to implement new and updated safety protocols. I have altered my method concerning the “Whoosh” Bottle demonstration, for example, solely because of new information brought to light in a timely and engaging article from Chem13 News.
The information I get from Chem13 News is priceless. As I have become the only chemistry teacher at my school, Chem13 News helps me stay current, relevant, safe, and dare I say, "hip" with my students—okay, "hip" is a relative term but you know what I mean! Chem13 News has become like an old friend. We catch up every month and I enjoy being with it! If you haven’t picked up a copy, please do so as it is sure to help you become a better, safer, more interesting chemistry teacher.
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