Where do you get your resources from?  I’ve use many that have been forwarded on to me and have found some by just exploring the internet but does anyone know a place where there could be access to curriculum or worksheets or other explanations of certain material?  Is there a place where people share their resources?  I am at a relatively small school so within our science department there aren’t many faculty to share between.  Just curious what everyone may use.

Some of the resources that I find helpful and that I use within my class are:

http://www.bozemanscience.com/

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new

https://www.khanacademy.org/

These are probably some of the best that I have used and continue you to use.  Open to all new suggestions however!

What happens when you have an unexpected absence?  In my classroom I have emergency plans set aside for times like these.  I teach chemistry and physics and my emergency plans typically consist of conversions or triangle trigonometry; two very useful skills for each of these classes. It turns out to just be busy work for them but keeps their skill set fresh.  I wish I could have some emergency plan in which students could continue their learning in an uninterrupted way.  Of course you could always just have them read from their book and answer questions or watch a movie but how productive is that?  Has anyone every found a set of emergency plans that were effective?  What kinds of things do you leave for you students when you have an unexpected absence?

At this point, we’re into week 4 of school with week 5 coming right around the corner.  I have 3 classes I’m teaching: Chemistry, Physics and Sci-Tech.  Sci-Tech is a computer based science course where students work through modules completing tests/quizzes on the computer; however, there are also hands on activities throughout the module students must complete.  This class is a minimal prep if any at all.  Then I have Chemistry which I’ve taught the last 2 years, that prep is easy.  Lastly I find myself spending all my prep time on Physics.  I have never taught Physics before, but I excelled when I took it in both high school and college, it’s just been a while, like a long time.  I sometimes feel I’m a little stressed about the Physics that I may be losing a little bit from the chemistry.  Has anyone ever felt that before?  You put all your energy into one thing that you neglect other things?  I’m working hard to get the physics foundation this year so in future years all I need to do is tweak, it is just hard laying the foundation sometimes.  Thoughts of how to deal?

This year, I have transitioned from one school to another.  I have moved back to the area where I was born and raised and was hired at my alma mater, Ware Junior/Senior High School.  Many of my friends, family and coworkers have all been asking me if it is weird that I am now working side by side with the teachers that taught me.  Is it?  In my opinion, no, I actually find it quite comforting.  I left my high school on good terms with everyone that was a part of the faculty and though some faces have changed, much of the school as a whole hasn’t.  In every sense of the phase, “its like coming home.”  As I sit here typing this blog, I wonder if anyone else is in or has been in a situation like mine?  Has anyone else ever returned to teach at a school in the community where they grew up?