Why Chemistry Matters on Nobelprize.org

Chemistry, especially in the media, sometimes gets a bum rap.  That's too bad, and a notion we as a society of scientists need to change, because everything in the world around us is chemistry.  From the food you eat, to the clothes you wear, to the gas in your car, to the cell phone in your pocket - there is virtually nothing that chemistry isn't an integral part of.  More Americans need to realize this.  That's why it is so great to bring a series of videos, called Chemistry Matters, to your attention.  These are short videos, aimed at students, which have the goal of communicating the importance of chemistry to our life. Check them out.  They are very interesting and thought-provoking for virtually anyone at any grade level.

One Nobel Laureate expounds, "If there is any one subject that an educated person should know in the world, it is chemistry."  For us here at DISCUS, it is hard to disagree.  Thanks to Meg Young, chemistry teacher at Lamar High School in Arlington, TX, for bringing these videos to our attention.

Think-Pair-Share-Square

The procedure Think-Pair-Share-Square, an extension of Think-Pair-Share, is well suited to groups of four students.  The procedure for Think-Pair-Share is followed as described (in a prior LEP/SIOP blog post).  Partners one and two share, while partners three and four are also sharing.  The partnerships then share across the table.  In this setting, one pair of students will be encouraged to summarize what they have discussed when sharing it with the other pair, and vice versa.  Also, this interaction facilitates further clarification of shared ideas.

I want to thank Mrs. Emily Vissers, a retired 5th grade teacher from Ellicott City, MD for contributing this effective teaching strategy.  As we all know, sharing one's knowledge and assimilating new ideas is an important part of becoming a better teacher.  That is why we are so pleased to have a series of contributions from Mrs. Vissers that we will be posting in the near future to help spread the word.