The Chemistry Particle

Ever wonder where c came from? Why not s for speed or v for velocity?

The Latin word for speed is celeritas. The idea that c came from this Latin word was popularized by science fiction author Isaac Asimov.

Mathematicians were using it well before Einstein's equation.

It's a great reminder that in math, we define the variable. Students can change the variables in an equation if they carry the same meaning. I often tell my kids to swap letters out for x, since they are more comfortable solving for it. Plug your numbers in and x for what you're solving for. While I'm comfortable solving for lambda, many student are not.

So, why c? Because mathematicians and scientists have used it over many years. We've created a common language and have agreed that c = speed of light.

What other variables are strange for you and your kiddos?

My TA has taken over a small corner of my board.

I like it :)

🥰 New classroom!

This is my 5th room for the same school. We've been a-shufflin'.

🧪 I now have a periodic table wall (my PT, Theodore Gray's PT, PT if Emotions gifted tow by our library, and two chemical abundance posters (oceans and the universe) passes on to me from a history teacher (by Big History Project).

I put up my 🔬"how science really works" board as well as my growth mindset posters again. I just really love them.

I also decided to hang up my 🎓 college degrees. I don't display them at home, so why not here?

Also with this move is a return to the WORST cord management under my desk. Nope, I cannot move my desk, I've asked. The cords were just floating all over the floor. 🧺 I've corralled them in a basket for now. I might hang the basket to get it off the floor. If anyone has a better solution I'd love to hear it!

My Chemistry department went as the Noble Gases today!

Happy Halloween 👻

I can't believe it's already October 👻!

I have Parent-Teacher Conferences this week and then 🍁FALL BREAK! I'm so excited to be so close to some 🔋recharge time.

🥳To celebrate I've put my WHOLE TPT STORE on sale, Sunday- Tuesday (10/6-8). You'll get 20% off!

🎃Happy Fall!

Exploring Half-Life today!

You don't need a lot to simulate half-life. Here I've got printer paper box tops and bingo chips. Each round students remove chips that touch the line and record the number touching (and removed from the box) and how many are left. Those remaining make it to the next round.

I've used pennies and washers before. Bingo chips are MUCH quieter 😉

New clock for the front of my classroom! I love it already :)

Got it on Amazon :)

Happy EARLY Valentine's Day!

Use code FEBSALE24 for up to 25%off sitewide, including my entire store!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Chemistry-Particle

It's all fun and games until you have to cut out all of the cards....

My kids have been really struggling to take notes with PowerPoint lately. Last week I projected the PDF of our notes and wrote directly on the whiteboard. It was like magic.

Why? Who knows, but it's working for now. They are focused and engaged.

If you are struggling with lecture engagement, try this.

Next step when this novelty wears off? I'm going to try to find an old overhead projector and transparencies 😄

Are you on the right track? Are your students?

This year has been a doozy for me already. I feel constantly behind. But I have a plan. I'm on the right track.

🌈Did I need to spend time color-coding my unit binders today?

No.

Is my teacher heart happy?

Yes ❤️