These would be great as a class read, or, if you do some sort of “choose your own” project on the elements or the table, these could be assigned to one of the groups that prefer books (we all have that kid we are constantly asking to put the book away-perfect group leader for this one). The first three chapters help set the stage for how the elements were discovered, how the periodic table began, and a offers a tiny view into the trends of the periodic table. Instead, I would suggest integrating the different parts of the book throughout the year. Okay, I know that is the easiest way to use any book in a science classroom, and I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings if you do that (I could certainly see it on a summer book list), but I think this book deserves a better shake. In fact, there is only one way that I would NOT use this book, assign the whole book to the class and ask for a report or something. To say that there are many ways to use this book in your classroom is an understatement. And, unlike your textbook, or even a wiki article, these descriptions won’t put you to sleep! The Disappearing SpoonĪfter re-reading just the first chapter of The Disappearing Spoon, I was immediately reminded of why I enjoyed the book personally and professionally: it makes the most boring topic in chemistry, the periodic table (again, my opinion-but really!), fun and exciting! Not only does it tell the story of arguing scientists, rogue college students, spies, and a boy scout who got a little too interested in radioactivity (the description of his pock-marked face, not from acne but radiation, is a great cautionary tale), the introductory chapters, with their explanation of how to “read a brick,” how the table is set up, and, yes, even the trends, is the best primer of the table of the elements, I’ve ever read. But, especially for my “non-sciency” kids, it just felt like slamming on the brakes of that new year’s joy-until I stumbled upon The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table. I certainly had some success, and my students usually got through it with me and were happy again when we got to bonding. I did whatever I could do to try and keep up that beginning-of-the-year energy while we talked about thrilling things like element numbers, masses, and table trends (sorry to those of you who love this unit, it just wasn’t my jam). Science teacher friends: happy new school year! While this article is mostly going to be for chemistry teachers, I think there are some good ideas for how to use literature in the classroom in general, so I encourage you all to read on! I always love the beginning of the year in chemistry class kids are excited, they all think we are going to blow things up, and I get to do a few initial “lab training” activities that are fun for us all! And then, we begin our first unit-the periodic table (can you hear the duhn-duhn-duh in your head as I do?) I’ve tried a lot of things: the good old, everybody gets an element assignment of posters, powerpoints, or videos the walk around the school elements ID game trying to race through it I even had kids make elements posters for the first pep rally once (darn “High School” why is there no “G” on the periodic table (we just used Gallium and made the “a” really tiny)).
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