0 Inspiration from Science Class

Even though I don't teach science, I was still inspired by a lot of the decorations I found in the science classrooms at #edcampTULSA.  I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but if I wasn't a math teacher, I think I would want to be a chemistry teacher.  Chemistry was the only science class that I ever truly enjoyed.  And, I'm pretty sure the reason I'm so enamored with chemistry is that it's just math in disguise.  Equations to balance.  Polyatomic ions.  Valence electrons.  What's not to love?!? 

Several of the science classrooms featured periodic tables of the elements.  Each student was assigned a different element to research.  Their research was summarized on a small rectangle of paper, and the pieces of paper were joined to form the entire periodic table. 

Periodic Table of the Elements

Close-Up of Periodic Table

Another Close-Up of Periodic Table

A third close-up of the periodic table

I'm not quite sure how to make this into a math project, but I'm thinking about it.  Maybe I could have students make posters over different mathematical properties???  Then, they could research one property and present it to the class.  The posters could be posted on the wall as a reminder for the remainder of the school year.    

 

Science Timelines

 I found a bulletin board of science timelines in one classroom that I LOVED.  I would love to adapt this idea and have students make timelines of major mathematical discoveries.

One thing that struck me was that the thing I was drawn to the most in these classrooms was student work.  Yet, I have a classroom where no student work is displayed.  This needs to change.  When an outsider walks in my classroom, they need to see more than just cute posters.  They need to be able to see evidence of student learning.  I have two small spaces of wall that were left blank this year in my classroom.  Last year, they held word walls for Algebra 1 and 2.  I planned on redesigning my word walls this year, but that never happened.  They just stayed empty.  Next year, I want to dedicate that space to displaying work.

When I took chemistry in high school, the most important day of the year was October 23rd.  Why?  It was Mole Day.  Math teachers celebrate Pi Day.  Chemistry teachers celebrate Mole Day.  Inspired by these Mole Day decorations, I want my students to design their own Pi Day decorations next year.

Enjoy the pictures!     
 

Mole Day Bulletin Board

Mole Day Bulletin Board

Mole Day Bulletin Board

Question vs Inquiry Bulletin Board with Mole Day Decorations

Mole Day Poster

Mole Day Signage

How Big is a Mole?

Scientific Element Posters

Detail: Inspiration from Science Class

0 Word Wall Reflection

This past school year, I attempted to maintain a word wall for my Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 classes.  I don't think I ever had a teacher use a word wall when I was in school.  And, none of the teachers I did my student teaching with had word walls.  I didn't learn about them in college, either.  So, I guess I learned about word walls via blogs and pinterest. 

I didn't really use my word walls to their full potential during this first year of teaching.  I think I updated them about three times over the course of the school year.  I never created words for the last few units of each subject. 


Algebra 2 Word Wall

Students didn't use them as much as I would have hoped, but I didn't teach them how to use it.  I did have a few students who would use it when they couldn't think of a word.  And, as soon as they started using it, other students would start using it.  So, they are useful.  I just need to find a way to better incorporate it into my classroom routines.  

Algebra 1 Word Wall

One day in Algebra 1, I required my students to choose a word from the word wall and write a letter to the celebrity of their choice.  In their letter, they had to explain what the vocab word meant.  Those were enlightening to read.  And, they made me realize how out of touch I am with pop culture. 

I put up the words randomly, and I think that was a mistake.  I'm going to replace the fun fonts with a font that can be easily read from across the classroom.  Next year, I think I want to color-code the words by unit.  And, I want to put the units up in a linear fashion.  I know it won't be as "cute," but I think it will be more functional and lead to a higher level of usage by my students.  If they are looking for a word that they have learned recently, they will look at the most recently added words.  If they've forgotten a word from the beginning of the school year, they can quickly look at the first sets of words.

Next year, I will prompt my students to use the word wall more often.  When I want my students to express themselves using more specific and appropriate terms, I can direct them to the word wall.  The word wall in my classroom will only be as useful as I make it.  Next year, it will add more than just color to my walls.  It will add to the learning environment.

Detail: Word Wall Reflection