cinema.science

I must first credit others for the title of the blog post. I am not nearly clever enough to go around coining phrases at random. Today was one of those days where you sit down during your prep period and realize that the day is almost over and you hardly had to do anything. No major discipline problems arose, lessons went smoothly, they seemed to get it, and I get to show a video in my last class of the day.

For those of you who think it is lazy and ultimately irresponsible to watch movies in class I submit the following argument (and that is where it will end): In science there are a multitude of real-world examples of the principles and concepts that we discuss in class. There are only so many demonstrations that can fit on a tabletop or even in a room for visual reinforcement. Many examples simply cannot be performed of observed safely or at all in a classroom or high school laboratory setting. The budget just isn't there to afford much of the lab equipment and demos that would be useful for instruction. Enter the video. A recorded discussion or journey into examples and topics that simply cannot be visited otherwise. I don't think I need to go into specifics but suffice it to say you just can't take a field trip to the moon (yet).

In other exciting news, my students spent most of the day doing group work and problem solving in preparation for various quizzes and tests next week. Always a nice time. Made even more so buy the prospect of a test and rest day as it is known in some circles. I have of course scheduled the tests to coincide with the day I leave for California so as to not burden myself the night before with preparation and perhaps forget to pack something.

I also get to chef it up tonight as I will be preparing dinner for a group of BU students. Always a fun way to spend the afternoon. The only damper on that fun is the strange dietary requirements of some of the students. Gluten free this and non-dairy that. I can't keep it all straight in my head!

Well time to grab some lunch.