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end of year reflection

6/11/2015

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You’re probably starting Final Exams soon – good luck with your year end!

For inexpensive chemistry lab ideas to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $20.56 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com. It will take a few weeks to get to you, so order now! 

http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget

http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html

This book contains 13 labs using consumable materials purchased from local stores including Analysis of a Mixture, Paper Chromatography, and Coinium (using pennies to demonstrate half-life).  There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report.  This way the teacher has the option!  Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout. 


Last year, I posted “Final Exams – End of Year Preparation” on 06/08/2014.  It’s very comprehensive – check it out!  Also, “Quizzes and Tests” posted 09/05/2014 may be helpful as well.

As you’re running around finalizing grades, cleaning your room(s), and maybe ordering items for next school year, now or in the week after school, reflect on your year --  what went well, what needs revision, what you want to try, and what you’ll never do again. 

You may think you can reflect in a week or a month, and then suddenly the summer has gone by and you’re back on the treadmill.  Do it now, while you’re deep in this process, on the last day of work or the day after.

Go someplace quiet where you won’t be interrupted – be able to write/type your thoughts.  This is just for you, not for your supervisor or cooperating teacher – you can be honest and just brainstorm about where you are as a teacher, and where you want to be.

This is just for you, no one else (please don't post it on Facebook or email it) – and you can cherry-pick the ideas when you need to meet with anyone supervising you!

After reflection, you might want to attempt every improvement you thought of during the next school year.  Although admirable, it’s sort of impossible. 

Pick one realistic goal (or two) to add to your many roles as a teacher – little goals are less overwhelming and can be accomplished.  Think “Baby Steps.” 

Reflect on the end of your year, file it away, and enjoy your summer!


This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom.  Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.

Have a good weekend!  

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    Marjorie R. Heesemann is a chemistry teacher with 15 years of experience who is now working to develop resources for the Chemistry classroom.

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