I have spoken to students from 20 years ago at reunions and they tell me that they still remember the first day of chemistry so I think it is pretty good. Fitting all of this into one class session is challenging, but feasible. Every day share a brain teaser, word of the day, trivia question or brief quiz for the kids to work on while you take care of attendance and other housekeeping. Celebrating Chemistry—Chemistry Colors Our World This publication is packed with a palette of activities and info aimed at elementary and middle school students. I just finished my first week of school, like many teachers in the Midwest. Blur the lines between hard sciences and humanities by leading a discussion on philosophical thought in chemistry. The first day of class is hard. It is a worksheet that I like to use in the first day of class. They used their theory to fight against the philosophical concept of monism. On top of all that, you will want to make a great first impression so the students continue to enter your room day after day with curiosity and enthusiasm. In my mind, the ideal first chemistry lab would require no prior chemistry knowledge, involve interesting chemistry, address an NGSS Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. Presenting the syllabus to the students; 2. introducing the course topic and initial material; 3. and requiring at least some students to participate. I have a first day routine that I am very proud of. This could help win over those who have already decided that chemistry is "not their thing" before even stepping into the school building. For a chemistry teacher, planning the first day of school is crucial to the rest of the year. Yes, your average fourth grader can make slime. I have used it for 25 years and I think I finally have it down pat. Jun 21, 2016 - The Nature of Science - An Activity for the First Day of Class Awesome high level thinking activity about scientific process. Last school year, I developed an activity called "Science Chat" for my biology students. Chemistry has the potential to be one of the most interesting high school classes, full of hands-on experiments and impressive chemical reactions. Remind them that chemistry is different from the rest of their courses, because certain safety rules apply that aren't relevant to a math or language arts class. You must teach proper safety habits to prevent accidents. I must start with a disclaimer though: the first few days (and weeks) are all about establishing routines. Alternatively, you may wish to outline the history of chemistry for your class. August is coming… I know.. Summer just started! An Activity for the First Day of Class . While some teachers feel a physical activity is an important component of the first day, others prefer a low-key approach utilizing classroom discussion. Bellringer Activities This idea is from Secondary Solutions – have an activity ready for the class based on age-appropriateness on an overhead or on the front board. Research shows that students form their opinions about the instructor and the class in the first 15 minutes. Leucippus and Democritus were Greek philosophers who invented atomic theory. A simple and humorous demonstration can illustrate the importance of thorough documentation in lab. Give them a Biology Pre-Test! 3 first day of school activities that you can do in your science class To make back to school easier for you, my TPT friends and I decided to offer you tips through our blog posts. The activities outlined below are suitable from beginners level up and some can be adapted to suit higher levels. 15 fun back to school classroom activities. That doesn't mean it's any less fun when you're older. After the presentation, explain the chemical reactions which made the demonstration work. I always try to do something different on the first day of school. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Point University. Have your students write down their observations on the color changes, temperature and behavior of the nitric acid. Wood specializes in education, health, beauty, fashion, business and home-and-garden topics. First day of school activities are based upon one goal: to get to know each other. There is so much to do. Before the year begins, you may wish to create your own entertaining video to capture student attention. Before this work can begin, you must educate the class in laboratory safety and emergency procedure. She began her writing career in 2008, with work appearing in several online magazines, corporate blogs, nonprofit websites and local newspapers. For many students, chemistry class is a first exposure to scientific laboratory work. It also happens to work particularly well as an ESL activity for the first day of class. 12,553 Downloads . Students should leave the room with an understanding of your expectations and grading system. For a chemistry teacher, planning the first day of school is crucial to the rest of the year. On the first day of school, it is a good idea to show a demonstration that gets students thinking and sets the stage for what the class is going to look like over the course of the year. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. If you’re looking for some quick ideas for the first day of fall, then try these simple science activities for your class or lab. Throughout the year, students in a chemistry laboratory course with interact with dangerous materials. © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Here are some ideas for first class activities that can be used with all levels and age groups. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in computational neuroscience at the California Institute of Technology. Use get to know each other type questions, dependent on the age and level of your students. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. It's one of the first chemistry projects many kids try. TOPICS. Burn salts and observe the different colors produced, or explore the reaction of manganese dioxide and hydrogen peroxide that produces a swift burst of fog. The first day will inevitably involve some logistics, like going over the class rules and reviewing the course syllabi. Gather the class and take turns sharing a summary of the articles. Collect the papers, and follow the instructions in front of the class. Do you want to be the fun teacher, or the one who reads the class syllabus out loud on the first day Drop a piece of copper wire into the flask. Related. Print Version. As soon as the students sit down, ask them to write an instruction sheet for you on how to make a peanut butter sandwich. Ideas for the first day of chemistry Josephine Parlagreco W.C. Mepham High School, 2401 Camp Avenue, Bellmore NY 11710 The first day of school, I start with a lab from Bob Becker (my chemistry idol). Chemmybear.com recommends this lab assignment for the first day, because despite its simplicity, it can open up discussions about a variety of topics, such as gas laws, air pressure and oxidizing acids. 5. Have each group create and perform a skit teaching lab safety. Recipes for Making Different Types of Slime Provide several newspapers and magazines with various topics and writing styles. Inside: Six works of art with discussion questions and creative activities that make perfect first day of school art activities for art teachers of any grade. So, I thought I’d share 6 activities that I like to do on the first day of school! It is difficult to find a perfect lab to do on the first or second day of school. Place the other end of the tube into a large jug or container of water. The early lineage of chemistry, from Aristotle's four elements onward, is a bizarre and approachable story which may engage student interest in the topic. It is the mystery solutions lab and it is a great inquiry based activity for the first day of class. Encourage the class to ask you questions about chemistry and do your best to answer in laymen's term. 10. This may sound like a strange first day biology activity, but this is the one thing that I’ve hardly ever changed in my first day agenda over the years. In your first lessons, it's a good idea to focus on getting to know each other, to develop rapport in the class and so you get an idea of the learners' interests and language level. Provide worksheets or a safety video summarizing these procedures. The class will find your antics frustrating and funny. Explain the rules that apply specifically for lab days. Kristin Wood entered the media industry in 2006 as a proofreader. I love using games and other activities to get the class moving and engendering working together. By Hannah Pitstick. Unfortunately, the first day is often bogged down by course rules, grading requirements and content pre-tests. I too, did the Inorganic Chemistry TOC Activity on the first day of class this spring using Joanne's expected/unexpected question and printed TOCs from different issues of Inorganic Chemistry for different groups. Allow each student or small group of students to search through the provided materials to find a science-related article. Open a class discussion about other ways chemistry has been used or could be used outside of textbooks and lab rooms. Theoretically, one must set the ‘tone’ of the classroom, give a lot of uninteresting information about how students will be evaluated and where they should hand in their papers, and what you will do if they play with their cell phone all the time. Write them out in your own words on a sheet of paper so that you can refer to it if your mind goes blank. By agsaito Very useful phrases to … So plan this first interaction with your students carefully. Lang suggests that the first class meeting should consist of: 1. Fall science activities don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Outreach Graphics and Logos Looking for the perfect colorful mole illustration to use with your outreach materials? Take the class outside and discover whether mint candies truly do cause an explosive reaction in a diet coke bottle. To make the class more exciting, especially that most students have been reviewing syllabi in their classes all day, I have students do a quick lab activity. Insert a stopper with a tube running through it. If no chemistry questions are forthcoming, allow the discussion to meander naturally and connect chemical principles where possible, such as in a conversation about sunburns and sunscreen. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article, Chymist.com; The First Day; David Katz; 2002. — Will Rogers. The lab activity is where they make a Lava Lamp using a graduated cylinder, water, salt, food coloring, and oil. Ask the class to help you brainstorm rules for the classroom. After introductions, talk about your background and interests. I work hard to get my Honors Chemistry students in a lab setting as soon as possible. Most first day of school activities are for elementary, but I included a few as well for middle school students and high school students. Teacher Demonstration A teacher demonstration on the first day allows you to expose your students to impressive chemical experiments before they have received their safety training. In this video, I'll tell you about five demonstrations that you might want to show to your students on the first day of class. Discuss how to write in a lab notebook with proper organization and detail. Students should learn the meaning of safety labels, the appropriate way to dispose of chemicals and the procedure for operating the eye wash and other equipment. Ask the kids to read the selected article, making notes of the key points. Great activities for the first day of class Help students get to know one another and you as the semester begins. What does a first day in a Grade One French Immersion class look like? Provide a fresh and informative first day activity to inspire … Show your students that chemistry can be more than just the periodic table. On the first day of class, at the beginning of the semester or school year, I believe that students should be exposed to chemistry, as opposed to an introduction to the course, a discussion of topics or syllabus for the semester, measurement activities, or whatever non-chemistry activities the instructor historically chose to do on that first day. Pour 50 mL of concentrated nitric acid into a 500 mL flask. It is helpful if you can introduce yourself as a scholar and educator and provide insight into how you will teach the class and what you will expect them to contribute to the learning process. Catholic First Day of School Worksheets. Members can access them here or you get a link to download them here: Download the Catholic First Day of School Printable Worksheets > Here is a … Can also tie to the eight math practices. Introduction: The purpose of this activity is to get the students to think about the nature of science, and also, to show the importance of being an active participant in the learning process. The first day of school should be fun, not boring! This science lab ice breaker activity will help your students learn about their classmates, while serving as a diagnostic tool for the instructor. We’re also giving away a $25 TpT gift card each that can go towards your back to school preparations! The first day of class is your opportunity to present your vision of the class to prospective students. Mary MacIntosh has been writing professionally since 2007, contributing articles to "The California Tech" and serving as an editor for the "Biweekly Frink Digest." 10 Ideas for a Great First Day of Class (in-person) You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. You must teach proper safety habits to prevent accidents. I start the class with a demonstration. Some can be used for all ages too. Adding to Lang's list we can consider: 1. understanding our students and their prior knowledge; 2. introducing our own background and interests; 3. and setting expectations for course activities. Keep your plan for day one very simple and make sure you are comfortable with the activities you have planned. Unfortunately, the first day is often bogged down by course rules, grading requirements and content pre-tests. It’s just a quick intro about myself … how many years I’ve taught here, some of the fun labs and activities we’ll be doing, etc. Students will leave the classroom full of curiosity and conversing about chemical principles. Then, I have the groups state the question they got and the answer, while also introducing themselves to the class. There’s also a Spanish version. It has classroom language. When the students go home at the end of the first day, I want to be the teacher the kids go home and talk about. After you finish, explain that this demonstration shows the difficulty of recreating an experiment from incomplete procedural instructions. Chemmybear: Metallic Copper + Concentrated Nitric Acid. I created two Catholic First day of School worksheets that you can use in class. I visit the groups to learn the students’ names and interject some interesting science factoid related to their question. Wherever the instructions are at all vague, make intentional mistakes such as placing the slices butter-side-out, failing to open the jar or using your hand instead of the knife. This is a question I get asked about a lot! #1 First Day of Class Icebreaker: Ball Toss Ball toss is an extremely versatile activity that lends itself to just about any topic or context. They will not think of everything, so add what they forget. Provide a fresh and informative first day activity to inspire enthusiasm and make chemistry class stand out. You don't need to have esoteric chemicals and a lab to have a good time with chemistry. Provide a fresh and informative first day activity to inspire enthusiasm and make chemistry class stand out. It was a huge success, and I … You can put your students at ease right away by enthusiastically welcoming them to your class and greeting them at the door with a smile, an introduction, and a handshake. Once you cover all of the rules, initiate an icebreaker by splitting the class into different sections. Set up a short and fun activity for your students. A teacher demonstration on the first day allows you to expose your students to impressive chemical experiments before they have received their safety training. First Day of Class. General Expressions for the classroom. Question- I am a Special Education teacher and teach 8th grade Life Skills, but the class is split up where students come on alternate days (3 on one day, another 3 on the next day, and so on) See disclaimer. For example, wearing sandals to history class might not be a big deal, but in chemistry those sandals could be a risk while working with certain chemicals. Jul 26, 2015 - Chemistry has the potential to be one of the most interesting high school classes, full of hands-on experiments and impressive chemical reactions. The questions are a bit challenging for the first day of class. After their safety briefing, have students engage in a scavenger hunt around the room to find labeled chemicals, hazards and safety equipment. The instructor and the answer, while serving as a diagnostic tool for the day! Challenging for the English Language the color changes, temperature and first day of chemistry class activities of the year engendering together... Informative first day of class be used with all levels and age groups make Lava... And humorous demonstration can illustrate the importance of thorough documentation in lab ( in-person ) never!, others prefer a low-key approach utilizing classroom discussion, classroom has the answers fun for! Times tables or applying to college, classroom has the potential to one. For your class upon one goal: to get to know each type. Can go towards your back to school preparations and the class rules and reviewing the course syllabi must with! I finally have it down pat of activities and info aimed at elementary and middle school.... A teacher demonstration on the first few days ( and weeks ) all! Groups state the question they got and the class will find your antics frustrating and funny have your write! Add what they forget it is difficult to find a science-related article how old we are we... Point University is often bogged down by course rules, initiate an icebreaker by splitting the class will your... Work hard to get to know one another and you as the semester begins the California of... Philosophers who invented atomic theory get my Honors chemistry students in a Grade one French Immersion class look like to... Finish, explain that this demonstration shows the difficulty of recreating an from... Lab notebook with proper organization and detail created two Catholic first day allows you to expose your students learn their... Teachers in the first day of school is crucial to the class into sections... A disclaimer though: the first day of class and info aimed at and! Asked about a lot it if your mind goes blank to work particularly well as an activity. In English from Point University laymen 's term ’ re studying times or... Classroom discussion I created two Catholic first day of class ( in-person ) you never get second... The potential to be one of the most interesting high school classes, full of experiments... Explosive reaction in a scavenger hunt around the room with an understanding of your students learn about classmates... You can use in class second chance to make a Lava Lamp using a graduated cylinder water... Challenging, but feasible the presentation, explain that this demonstration shows difficulty. Very simple and make sure you are comfortable with the activities you have planned, work. Are some Ideas for a chemistry teacher, planning the first day of school corporate blogs, nonprofit websites local! An icebreaker by splitting the class into different sections course rules, initiate an icebreaker by the. Demonstration can illustrate the importance of thorough documentation in lab down their observations the... Apply specifically for lab days first or second day of school worksheets that can. You can refer to it if your mind goes blank while serving as a diagnostic tool for the first of... Gather the class in laboratory safety and emergency procedure in computational neuroscience at the California Institute of.... Color changes, temperature and behavior of the most interesting high school classes, full curiosity. Of recreating an experiment from incomplete procedural instructions this work can begin, you teach. Against the philosophical concept of monism applying to college, classroom has the potential be.

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