Two weeks ago I conducted the "make your own electromagnet" lesson for my class. I did this about 5 years ago as part of a state science inquiry writing assessment. I have to be honest, when you've taught a long long time - there really isn't that many new classroom descrepant events that you can do that you haven't already seen. That is both a good and bad thing. Good because you can plan well and know what you will need for your students. You've seen many possibilities and know what the outcome is so there is no surprises. Bad because it is boring and hard to get really excited and enthusiastic for your students. If they see you enthusiastic, then they pick up on it and get excited too....
I also did the "how to keep your cup warm" experiment. I tried cloth, styrofoam peanuts, cardboard enclosure, and newspaper. When you are doing stuff that is rote...you sometimes loose the obvious. You get so bored you don't think...I thought the peanuts would do the job, but the cardboard really kicked butt. Then my 11 year old son came in and said something to the fact...Duh Mom, Starbucks solved that one a long time ago! Sometimes, stupidity AND bordom is not a good combination. I wonder how many of my students would get the obvious as well. Knowing the students I have this year? probably a lot - which will make me feel really stupid!
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