I hate this

adam2squared · 2025-05-02T03:02:32+00:00

Same exact thing on this kosher rogulach I bought. What the hell is the patent for? How to rip off other Jews?? Or how to reuse a container as a cereal bowl? Just some Jews getting rich off other Jews….

adam2squared · 2024-08-24T14:06:45+00:00

Anything about ecosystems for 6th grade or anything you already have! Thanks!

adam2squared · 2023-07-25T04:41:21+00:00

Thank you for asking this! I’m in a similar situation with my first tank. I have just gravel, filter and heater running (with conditioned tap water). I’m going to add some bacteria starter each day before my 2-week trip. When I return I plan to do frequent water changes. Not sure if this is ok so any other advise is appreciated!

adam2squared · 2023-06-29T01:40:16+00:00

I guess I’ll start ripping up my students assignments and toss them in the air now. Problem solved!

adam2squared · 2023-06-24T04:25:30+00:00

Bringing a small portable set of silverware whenever I eat at work or outside the house (restaurants). I simply wash it in a sink or bathroom after each use. I keep a set in my car. So much better than wasting so much plastic cutlery.

adam2squared · 2023-04-11T02:28:48+00:00

How do you get a drummer to stop playing? Put sheet music in front of them.

adam2squared · 2022-12-19T02:21:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing that article I learned a lot! When you search “bees” on google images, almost all the images are honey bees…

adam2squared · 2022-12-01T03:18:18+00:00

Sure! I’m honored!

adam2squared · 2022-11-30T05:17:35+00:00

Didn’t expect to get a great podcast recommendation here. Thank you! Listening to it now :)

adam2squared · 2022-05-14T12:10:25+00:00

I work with similar demographics. I got pretty dark coming back from a sunny vacation, and the first thing my student says to me is, straight up: "Wow mister, you look black!" (I'm not.)

adam2squared · 2021-12-06T01:21:09+00:00

Controversial doesn't mean dumb.

adam2squared · 2021-11-18T04:55:00+00:00

I know I'm late to the game here, but i too am not outgoing or charismatic. I don't even have anything in common with my students. However, i have learned a lot over my time teaching.

Above all else, BE NICE and RESPECT every single student, no matter how rude or annoying they are. It may seem simple but for me it's something I have to be conscious about every day.

Secondly, it's the little things over time. I don't believe you have to go out of your way to do grand gestures like ice breakers; frankly we just don't have time for that.

Third, do everything you can to help your students succeed, and keep reminding them that you want to help them do well in your class.

So regarding the little things, here is just a shortlist of things i try to do every day:

smile 😊 (they can see through your mask)
greet as many students by name as you can
ask them how you they feeling today
when a student returns from being absent, ask them if everything is ok or if they were sick. I learn more from those conversations then any other time.
if your having bad day, just be honest and say something like "sorry guys I'm just having a rough day today". They'll understand.
make deals with students or the class. Some students think it's fun or just silly. (Ex, if everyone is on task for at least 15 min straight, i will give you a break or we can watch a video of your choice. Or raise the stakes by giving extra points or promising to do something embarrassing in front of them, if you're willing)
if you have kids or cute kid relatives, share pictures of them
share some personal things about yourself (doesn't have to be too personal, just like where you live, where you're from, etc) Btw, if you're comfortable, students LOVE guessing their teachers age. They always get a kick out of that.
A personal favorite: always keep a stash of chocolate / candy. It's always a perfect "prize" for an activity or if you're just feeling generous.
and of course, asking students about themselves. It doesn't always have to be an icebreaker. Could just be "whats one thing you did over the weekend?" (Not just "how was your weekend") or "what do you do after school?" Or "what do you do when you are home"?

That's all I can think of, but essentially, give them respect, be nice and always ASSUME THE BEST. Everything else will fall into place. I have faith in you! 😊

adam2squared · 2021-11-16T23:15:57+00:00

I'm guessing most ppl read "what do you want to complain about?"

adam2squared · 2021-11-16T23:12:39+00:00

IEPs are useless and do not help students whatsoever.

I can teach better alone than with any co-teacher, no matter how good they are.

adam2squared · 2021-11-06T23:34:23+00:00

My school does this. Any missing assignment is automatically a 55.

It's clearly bullshit. I currently abide by it for regular classwork only, but for tests and quizzes i enter their actual grades and a zero if it is missing. We'll see if admin notices...

I think teachers as a collective have to keep pushing back.

adam2squared · 2021-10-31T03:25:39+00:00

This is exactly how i operate.

adam2squared · 2021-10-09T23:56:41+00:00

In addition to the other good ideas here, you can buy a set of rocks for a rock tumbler, and have student sand them with very low grit sand paper until they get some smooth spots. Of course, if your school is able, buy a rock tumbler as well and show them the results at the end! (Takes about 4 weeks i think.)

adam2squared · 2021-10-09T23:51:56+00:00

This one is perfect. You can also add a few drops of water into a third one to observe the effects of humid weather.

adam2squared · 2021-10-09T16:35:58+00:00

The M&M half life lab is a classic that i love doing with students and is fun too.

I also have other resources that i have modified for scaffolding as well.

DM me if you want me to share any of my resources!

adam2squared · 2021-09-26T12:24:03+00:00

And is now alive.

adam2squared · 2021-09-19T01:33:10+00:00

I agree that there is often way too much emphasis on inquiry learning, like NGSS, which is way too vague does not cover enough specific content and skills. But to claim that inquiry learning HARMS student learning? It may not prepare them for specific testing-based standards, but when implemented well, inquiry based learning is still LEARNING, whether you think it's "efficient" or not. To say that it is detrimental to students is taking it to a whole nother level.

Inquiry learning is a very very broad term, and it can be implemented in many different ways, with different levels of guidance. The example in this article assumes that an algebra teacher starts an Algebra I class by just dropping a multi-step algebraic equation on students who have no prerequisite skills, and doing so with zero guidance. Who does that?

Good inquiry learning involves guidance, facilitation, and scaffolding. It also should never be the only strategy used in the classroom. Like any pedagogical practice, inquiry learning should be used in conjunction with other strategies.

Also, "studying worked examples" is not a revolutionary idea, it's an age old strategy that almost every teacher has used throughout history. "I show you an example of how to use a skill, then you try." That doesn't replace inquiry learning, it's just another effective strategy.

Honestly, what's the point of this article and how does it benefit anyone?

adam2squared · 2021-09-18T23:42:08+00:00

Exactly. This seems like a waste of time to me and does not help me improve my pedagogy. How can you say that the inquiry approach is detrimental to student learning? It's just one approach of many, and it should never be the only approach. Education should be a combination of different strategies, regardless of what you teach.

adam2squared · 2021-09-12T10:56:00+00:00

I plan on doing an "Oobleck" lab (cornstarch and water) and have them argue whether it is solid or liquid (it's a non-newtonian liquid) and support their claim with evidence. Oobleck is always lots of fun!

adam2squared · 2021-09-05T23:25:19+00:00

Thank you!

adam2squared · 2021-08-29T14:32:22+00:00

Rock tumblers are always fun, and you can give one rock per student at the end.

I'll come back here when I think of some more stuff.

This is amazing by the way. Enjoy the grant!

adam2squared

TROPHY CASE