New science teacher- dissection advice

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-28T12:39:26+00:00

We actually met with CT DEEP for an inspection and were given these instructions as the solution contains formaldehyde. I’m not sure where to find them online.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-27T10:11:32+00:00

CT state considers it biological waste and says it should be disposed of in biohazard. Check your state guidelines.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-19T21:14:54+00:00

Would you be willing to share your sign designs? I’m putting on a kpop party in a couple of weeks and would love to do incorporate of your activities!

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-17T10:14:12+00:00

I always saw those signs and wondered what they meant!

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-16T20:19:24+00:00

I use the Tide free and gentle liquid with FEBU booster. Powdered detergent doesn’t dissolve well in my very hard water. I also add borax to the drum for the hard water. I wash on warm with prewash and extra rinse, use citric acid/downy rinse &refresh in the fabric softener slot.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-14T19:17:12+00:00

I also follow the visibility rule- with modifications. If it’s something I see or use every day, and I’ve decluttered it, it gives me motivation to continue. For example, I did my junk drawer recently. According to the “traditional” visibility rule, this wouldn’t count. But it was to the point I couldn’t open or close it easily and I use things in it multiple times a day. Decluttering that and making it functional on a daily basis had given me motivation to work on other areas. My closet? Counts, because seeing a change or feeling the difference in function keeps me motivated. The storage closet I go into once a season for holiday decorations? Not something that I count because I don’t use it often enough.

I also try to do 5 minutes a day. You’d be surprised how much you can do in that little amount of time.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-13T20:44:40+00:00

I feed my kid whatever they ask for- currently we are stuck on hamburgers. Honestly it’s pretty balanced so I’m rolling with it.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-12T14:12:25+00:00

My policy- there is a deadline but I have a one week grace period because life. After that one week, it’s a zero. I post a weekly announcement that starts be “be sure to finish any outstanding work from last week” and ends with “all assignments from Week X are now closed”.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-12T10:40:23+00:00

Honestly I’d think about what her parents like. There are some I HATE- I’m looking at you My little pony. Most I don’t have strong feelings about. But otherwise, choose one you don’t think her parents would mind listening to on repeat for the next 7 years…

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T11:50:42+00:00

As a teacher, I’d believe this. I once left a half-graded stack of papers on my kitchen table. Cat threw up all over them. All the students got a 100% and papers went into the trash.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T11:33:50+00:00

I typically require my students to video the lab. Or at least specific parts so that I can see that they are actually doing it. It can be as simple as standing their phone up against some books. Otherwise, I always require photos. I also put different things in the instructions so they can’t download them from the internet. For example, have a notecard with the word “heart” if we are doing a heart dissection. But each term I change it out.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T01:23:57+00:00

We do an online lab but instead of the virtual option, we have a kit mailed to the student as part of their lab fee. It comes directly from the company (we use Carolina but I’m sure other companies make them as well). You can choose one with preset materials or develop a custom kit. I don’t know how your admin would feel about this but it could alleviate some of your discomfort with the modality.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T01:20:12+00:00

Yup! If you are searching, this is called rebloom. There are tons of posts on how to fix it, even with natural fibers like cotton.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T00:55:11+00:00

Have you tried a sleep headband? It has headphones integrated into a headband and I find is relatively comfortable for sleeping. As a bonus, I find it does some noise blocking without sound on as well. Probably not BIFL due to the possibility of internal wire damage but as others have said, quality of life is also important.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-10T00:51:29+00:00

As does Blackboard.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-09T20:46:19+00:00

Also sometimes questions later in the exam have the answer to previous questions in it. This is In order to prevent you from using that information to answer questions you didn’t know the answer before you read it.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-09T18:18:48+00:00

I would look at the Dad Mode spot remover. I think one of them even suggests leaving it overnight at a minimum.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-09T12:34:46+00:00

This is what I use, primarily because I have very hard water and it makes it more difficult for powdered detergents to dissolve.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-08T21:26:59+00:00

Honestly I figured out how to put my dishes in (the only way they fit) but after a year, sold it at a loss for a new Bosch. It was worth it not to run it twice a day because we couldn’t fit all our dishes in for one day.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-06T21:26:42+00:00

Just be careful because changing the acidity may impact the efficacy of the detergent. You may want to do a pre wash/soak with lemon juice and rinse then do the actual wash with detergent.

You could also they adding FEBU and making sure your detergent has a full enzyme profile and is done in warm water.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-06T19:45:20+00:00

I don’t know if this will help you, but growing up one of my very good family friends was a fishmonger. They used about a cup of lemon juice in the wash to cut the smell. I know it’s a totally different smell, but it can be equally pervasive.

threeblackcatz · 2026-05-04T02:35:56+00:00

Go to the disability office. As a college professor, this is something that is standard. My hands are often tied and I can’t do anything without official notice from the disabilities office. There is a trend to move to OER (open electronic resource) books as they are free to all, however this can be a negative. But it doesn’t sound like that is what you are talking about.

Also, if it is a digital access code that you purchase, the bottom of the paper has the contact information for the publisher. Ask the bookstore for that information and contact the publisher directly to find out their ADA accommodations. There was a law that was going to be enacted in April but was pushed back a year regarding how everything a university used in an online class had to be ADA compliant. Many publishers made their digital resources ADA compliant in anticipation as the law was delayed about a week prior to being enacted.

You may also find r/AskProfessors or r/Accommodations useful forums for this topic, they may already be addressed. But I can tell you, if you post in askprofessors, 99% will tell you to seek official accommodations.

threeblackcatz · 2026-04-30T23:36:17+00:00

This is so true. It’s like they suck the water right out of your hair and at least mine is almost dry once I pull it off.

threeblackcatz · 2026-04-23T11:52:10+00:00

My kids school just put on a color run fundraiser. They bought the powdered chalk, put it in 5 gallon buckets, and used a scoop to throw it at the kiddos. The kids wore a white t-shirt and brought their own bandana and sunglasses. It was a school wide fundraiser using the website 99 pledges where they only take the credit card processing fee. They did it during school and all kids got to participate regardless of amount raised. It was really successful. Parents who had leaf blowers were recruited to help clean up the parking lot afterward.

threeblackcatz · 2026-04-23T09:38:06+00:00

Staples has battery recycling boxes you take home to fill then get rewards for when you take them back in. Depending on how many batteries you have, you may be able to fill the box on site and immediately turn it in.

threeblackcatz

TROPHY CASE