This year I have some special education students in my class so I get an assistant for an hour each day during my science block. Well, they are in the process of hiring the assistant, so for the time being I get a different substitute every day. Up until today, this was not a problem.
Today we read in the Science book about physical and chemical changes. Afterward, I had put together a lab about mixtures and solutions in order to "explore" for tomorrow's readings. The lab was set up so that two groups could do it simultaneously. I did this knowing that I would have help from the assistant.
Or so I thought...
Directions for the lab:
1. Label 4 plastic cups: salt, sand, sugar, gelatin.
2. Put 100 mL of water in each of the 4 cups.
3. Put 1 teaspoon of salt in one cup and stir.
4. Repeat step 3 with each of the other materials (sand, sugar, and gelatin).
5. Record observations.
My first inclination that there might be a problem was when the substitute asked for a student to get the water before reading the instructions. The next thing I knew the "master" cup of sugar was filled with water. I reminded the students of the importance of reading the directions. Luckily, I had more sugar.
Next the "master" cup of gelatin was filled with water. This was when I lost it because I did not have more gelatin. The lab would have been ruined had I not looked over my shoulder at that moment. My reaction was not very nice upon this discovery. Had I known this would happen I may have just let the other group of students perform the lab themselves. Or maybe only have had one group.
My only question from this experience is: Why can't some people JUST READ THE DIRECTIONS?
2 comments:
Bet you are wishing it's me in your classroom right about now. ;) That's really kinda a sad, sad story.
Hey can somebody hand me the water, I'm ready to make this sand into mud. What? What do you mean that isn't what we're supposed to do?
Post a Comment