The challenge of learning chemistry precedes itself, and sometimes teaching it can be even more so. I have found doing these 3 steps help build a solid foundation for future topics. Not the beginning of the year for you right now? No problem! These steps help build a strong foundation at any time, even if it is near the end of the year.
1. Create a Collaborative Culture in the Classroom
Chemistry is new to many of our students. There are a lot of ways to help provide support for your students outside of the classroom: sharing your notes and videos you've found or made that help explain a topic more in-depth or in a different way. But what about those times you're in the classroom? Have you ever thought to yourself how awesome it would be if you could have a few extra copies of yourself to help teach? But guess what? Help is on the way! An often untapped resource is our students. As you know, we all learn at different speeds and even different speeds on different topics! Balancing came so easy to me, but when it came time to grasp the idea of independent and dependent variables, I still find myself talking it out loud to make it through. :)
Depending on how long ago you learned your first chemistry concept in high school, it's often easy to forget what it was like to learn an unfamiliar topic. Reminding students that they are not alone in learning, encouraging them to turn to a classmate for help, or turning to help another is a powerful way to teach chemistry. Students can often phrase a topic in a different way that we might not have thought of that may be the piece needed to help connect a student to the chemistry we are teaching that day.
Some of my favorite ways to bring collaboration in the chemistry classroom:
2. Increase your use of particle diagrams
A major component of learning chemistry is to understand that the behavior of matter at our macroscopic level is determined by the properties of atoms and molecules at the nano-scale. The biggest hurdle here? The nano-scale is a scale we cannot see. Anytime I can bring in particle-level diagrams to help students see the atoms form bonds by sharing or transferring electrons, the more students begin to understand, explain and predict how matter behaves. One method I like to use throughout the year is the use of Johnstone's Triangle, published by Alex Johnstone in 1991, that links together the three worlds of chemistry: the macroscopic, the nano-scale, and the symbolic.
<insert image here>
See how I use it throughout the year here.
3. Bring in dimensional analysis calculations early and often
Chemistry links the natural with the mathematical world. The mole ratio found in balanced chemical equations connects the quantitative measurements of chemical reactions. The conversion of the amount of reactant to product employs the use of dimensional analysis (often referred to as the factor label method). Bringing in dimensional analysis early and often throughout the year makes the transition from known units to the use of mole and stoichiometry that much easier. When students learn the process early on, it makes for a faster transition to practice with unfamiliar units such as moles, grams and liters. I scaffold this is many ways using simple shapes and activities to teach the process of dimensional analysis.
<insert pics here>
Once students know the process of how to set up dimensional analysis problems, they have the tools to handle any unit or ratio they will see, whether it be kJ/mol in AP chemistry or physics course. Students who go onto becoming nurses tell me that they use the dimensional analysis they learned in first-year chemistry is a technique they use almost every day!
Some of my favorite ways to bring collaboration in the chemistry classroom:
- Switch up seats every 4-5 weeks. Did you know that moving students' seats increases their attention in class? Having a new view of the class is good for them and for you! Having a new neighbor to lean on, a new classmate to check work with, a new classmate to work through helps build connections among students. Use this quick and easy method to make new seats for your students. <insert pic here> After students find their seat, pass around an empty seating chart for them to write in their names, and no time is wasted! If you have a list of students who need to be upfront, you can easily give them a higher numbered card as they enter your classroom.
- Use random student grouping cards. These cards offer a quick and easy way to get students into groups of 2, 3 or 4. Use the pre-made sets of science and other terms or use the editable side to bring in vocabulary review throughout the year. <insert pic here> Laminating these makes them last for years! I use them for station groups, question trail partners, lab groups and collaborative activities. Getting them up, moving and talking brings a nice transition into an activity.
2. Increase your use of particle diagrams
A major component of learning chemistry is to understand that the behavior of matter at our macroscopic level is determined by the properties of atoms and molecules at the nano-scale. The biggest hurdle here? The nano-scale is a scale we cannot see. Anytime I can bring in particle-level diagrams to help students see the atoms form bonds by sharing or transferring electrons, the more students begin to understand, explain and predict how matter behaves. One method I like to use throughout the year is the use of Johnstone's Triangle, published by Alex Johnstone in 1991, that links together the three worlds of chemistry: the macroscopic, the nano-scale, and the symbolic.
<insert image here>
See how I use it throughout the year here.
3. Bring in dimensional analysis calculations early and often
Chemistry links the natural with the mathematical world. The mole ratio found in balanced chemical equations connects the quantitative measurements of chemical reactions. The conversion of the amount of reactant to product employs the use of dimensional analysis (often referred to as the factor label method). Bringing in dimensional analysis early and often throughout the year makes the transition from known units to the use of mole and stoichiometry that much easier. When students learn the process early on, it makes for a faster transition to practice with unfamiliar units such as moles, grams and liters. I scaffold this is many ways using simple shapes and activities to teach the process of dimensional analysis.
<insert pics here>
Once students know the process of how to set up dimensional analysis problems, they have the tools to handle any unit or ratio they will see, whether it be kJ/mol in AP chemistry or physics course. Students who go onto becoming nurses tell me that they use the dimensional analysis they learned in first-year chemistry is a technique they use almost every day!
No comments
Post a Comment