Wk 2 - day 6

today was the first lab...it was called the milk lab. the student were given a question "what makes better bubbles?" the students were given two cups, a straw, vit D, and skim milk. they needed to blow through the straw creating bubbles in the milk and figure out which was better. it was a pretty neat little activity. at the wrap up, both cooperating teachers asked the students which was better and most students caught on right away. the students were set up to fail since "better" is an opinion. they were then asked what word should have been used and they came up with "bigger."

ms. b's class was very chaotic, and loud. the students spent most of their time talking over one another and blowing through the straws so hard that the milk spilled out of the cups. i'm really having a difficult time in ms. b's class because her style of teaching and classroom management is so opposite of mine. she's very laid back, loud, and doesn't seem to mind the students talking over her. i don't want to seem as if i'm "dissing" her teaching, it's just that i find myself really wanting to step in and reprimanding the students for being so disrespectful to her. not a lot of work seemed to be accomplished.

mrs. s's class was a lot more productive. the students were loud, but were working. i don't mind the noise otherwise i wouldn't be in a middle school...7th graders are squirrely and noisey, but as long as they're being productive...i don't care. the students poised a new purpose question and procedure, but more importantly had thought the purpose through and came up with reasons as to why....more fat content, etc. the class was able to work through the lab and had a good discussion afterwards.