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Simple Models

Book Chapter

Simple Models

As stated in “About This Book,” the author isn’t going to take the usual approach to the subject of chemistry. Because virtually all explanations of chemical reactions are based on our current model of atoms and molecules, the first thing to do...

Elementary High School Middle School Chemistry Physical Science

Better Models

Book Chapter

Better Models

At the end of the first chapter, you realized, hopefully, that the model of an atom that we have so far (Rutherford’s model of a concentrated positive nucleus with negative charges around it) doesn’t go very far in helping us explain observations...

Elementary High School Chemistry Physical Science

Periodicity

Book Chapter

Periodicity

In thinking about a title for this chapter, the word periodicity came to mind. I was sure this had some kind of pop culture reference. After discussing this with my wife, we figured I was thinking of synchronicity, which is a reference to music b...

High School Middle School Chemistry Physical Science

Balancing Act

Book Chapter

Balancing Act

We now know enough about atoms and how they combine to investigate a number of different chemical reactions. We’ll even be able to represent those reactions with symbols that tell us how many of each kind of atom we begin with and how many of each ...

High School Middle School Chemistry Physical Science

Organic, Dude

Book Chapter

Organic, Dude

The word organic has lots of meanings in everyday life. Organic vegetables are ones grown without pesticides and organic beef comes from cattle that haven’t been given antibiotics. When it comes to chemistry, organic sometimes means something el...

High School Middle School Physical Science

NSTA Press Book

Chemistry Basics: Stop Faking It! Finally Understanding Science So You Can Teach it

Do the words “periodic table” send chills down your spine? Are you anxious about atomic structure? Confounded by chemical equations? Relax! The cure for chemistry confusion is within reach, courtesy of this newly available book in the Stop Faking...

By William C. Robertson, Ph.D.

Elementary High School Informal Education Middle School Chemistry General Science Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation

NSTA Press Book

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 2: 25 More Formative Assessment Probes

If Hollywood filmed this sequel, the studio would call it “Probes II: More Battles Against Misunderstandings.” Like the blockbuster before it, Volume 2 will reveal the surprising misconceptions students bring to the classroom—so you can adjust ...

By Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, Joyce Tugel

Elementary High School Informal Education Middle School Earth & Space Science General Science Life Science Physical Science Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Phenomena Teaching Strategies Interdisciplinary New Science Teachers Professional Learning old Research Teacher Preparation

Comparing Cubes

Book Chapter

Comparing Cubes

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about intensive and extensive properties of matter. The probe is designed to find out which properties students think will change if the amount of material changes and which will sta...

High School Middle School Physical Science Assessment Teaching Strategies

What's Behind the Rules?

Book Chapter

What's Behind the Rules?

This first chapter starts off with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and a few other things. It gives a demonstration of the basic differences between memorizing rules and really understanding the process. For those who te...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

Not So Scary Calculus

Book Chapter

Not So Scary Calculus

Given that the vast majority of people reading this book will never ever have to teach calculus, you might be wondering why in the world the topic is being addressed here. Well, even though you might not teach calculus, chances are that when teachin...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

Fractions and More Rules

Book Chapter

Fractions and More Rules

This chapter deals with fractions and decimals. This is one place where people who are otherwise fine with math jump off the boat and decide it's just too weird to continue. As with everything else, though, it's only a matter of understanding what'...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

Loose Ends

Book Chapter

Loose Ends

This chapter contains basic material related to exponents that is a supplement to Chapters 1 and 2. Keeping with the theme of the first two chapters, there will be a discussion of procedures for which one may know the rules, but might not understand...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

Negative Influence

Book Chapter

Negative Influence

This chapter is all about negative numbers, and how to deal with them. They're not all that difficult to understand, but for some reason people get just a little uptight when they see computations involving negative numbers. I'm guessing that the a...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

Why Do They Have to Gum Everything Up With Those Letters?

Book Chapter

Why Do They Have to Gum Everything Up With Those Letters?

Often people who are relatively comfortable doing math with numbers completely freak out when variables (you know, those letters that take the place of numbers) come into the picture. Things start looking much more abstract and complicated. You don...

High School Middle School Mathematics Teaching Strategies Professional Learning old

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