Fried Green Pickles!

The third week of school is almost over...and I'm still alive. At times, not gonna lie, I thought the spanish speaking students were going to eat me! It is surely different from teaching in good old Michigan. I have to struggle everyday to reach those students in my class who speak and understand little or no English. At times I think my eighth graders are a lot like those 4th graders I taught last semester! The ability levels, quality of writing, and even common sense is unbelievable. My class sizes are now at a good level though so I am hoping this will help me. I have around 30-31 in every class except for one that has 21(that class is my favorite!) The only downfall is that my last period class now has ALL OF THE TROUBLE MAKERS! Pedro, Pablo, Hector, Juan, Jose, Hose B, Hose C (get it!! thanks for that one dad!) there all there in full force!

On to the pickle...I got this idea from the other 8th grade science teacher, who has been SUPER helpful in my transition to this school. We are working on Physical and Chemical changes and properties, and trying to understand the differences. (By the way this is like teaching pigs to fly!) We started by identifying the pickle's physical properties, how we could physically change it, and then introduced the chemical properties and changes by electricuting the pickle. It was really neat because when you apply the electricity it sparks, smokes, turns black and smells awful. Perfect though for showing the differences between physical and chemical changes.