January 25
Continue Swingers … Q’s during activity relate to effects of varying factors on pendulum’s period.
Ultimate aim is for students to be investigating particular question: How does ____ effect the time it takes for pendulum to swing back/forth once? . . . Discuss possible procedures with classmates. Students try to answer question, working again in pairs. (If you like, you can have students think about how they’d answer a question, then solicit possible procedures as a whole group activity.)
[Also, I like to eventually point out to students that everyone found my directions clear–“make an object that will swing back and forth 60X per minute”–but there’s still much opportunity for confusion. …]
Also today: Need to read safety sheets to students, take time at end of class to check that students have met prerequisites, take photos, show students where my office and Science Ed Dept office located.
Autobiography is due one week from today. Take a little time to be sure students understand what the assignment is about & how it will be graded. The rubric is simple:
Paper was two to four pages, typed, double spaced=>yes,no
You discussed your personal experiences with science=>yes,no
You discuss how you distinguish science from other ways of understanding the world=>yes,no,somewhat
Paper was handed in on time=>yes,no
FOR NEXT TIME: Hazen (Why My Kids Hate Science), Graika (Minds On, Hands On Science), Keys (Inquiring Minds Want to Know). … autobiography is due next Wednesday.
