On Friday, I was so pleased to be able to return to one of my favorite days of the year, High-Interest Day at Brookfield Elementary School. This is a day where I have been able to bring the concepts of physics to k-5 graders. You may be asking yourself, "Elementary students doing physics?" YES! Not just experimenting, but understanding the concepts behind the physics of electricity and sound. This is a very special day I have had the opportunity to be involved in since 2017. So, how are we able to bring the concepts of electricity and sound traditionally taught to high school 11th and 12th graders to the elementary level? There are a few keys 1) make it a hands-on experience 2) remove the mathematical calculations and make it practical. In the past, I had the luck of bringing a handful of my physics students with me to guide the elementary students through the concepts that they had learned over the course of the year. But in my new role as a Teaching and Learning Speciali
Yesterday I saw the movie "Whiplash", and it is probably the best film I've seen this year. We'll get to why it was probably right up my alley a little later. The film tells the story of a student's attempt to achieve perfection at a prestigious musical conservatory, and the teacher who sees the potential for greatness within the 19 year old drummer boy. But, this is not the heartwarming tale of the only teacher who would nurture the brilliance out of the student that no one would take a chance on. "Whiplash" is the tale of how a teacher who believes he can push his pupils to greatness through intimidation and fear. The following clip says it all: I am a teacher but while watching the movie, the lead character of Andrew (played with brutal honesty by Miles Teller) connected with me on a deep level. Many of our students are seeking affirmation from their teachers and will put themselves through the wringer until they get it. That was me as