Rookie

They probably didn't tell you about these things in Ed School, so here's real life in teaching:

You're on trial this year. The kids will be testing you out to see how much they can get away with.

In 1956, The Boom was a rookie, and if someone had given him the following advice, his first year would have been a thousand times better.

If you're stuck with "low-ability" classes, which rookies usually are, you will really need this. But college prep kids try stuff too, especially the Seniors in the springtime.

"May I go to the bathroom? I really gotta go, too!" (Some even jump up and down with hand in crotch. Well, things are a bit different in California).

Your answer... "NO POTTY CALLS." (If it is really an emergency, then you'll have to let 'em go). (They’re big kids now. Discipline of the bladder is necessary). And nowadays, most "emergency rest room requests" are for making cell phone calls on class time! It is rare that there is a serious reason to go. They just want out for a walk or to visit (especially after an exam).

NO trips to the drinking fountain either, or to lockers to get "forgotten" books, etc.

Administrators don't like kids in the halls even with passes. It looks bad for the new teacher-- conned again!

Last year I had several girls trying to con me with "girl problems" to go to the rest room. One even waved a Tampon in my face to convince me. I knew full well that this was to be another cell phone break. So I came up with this idea which has all but eliminated requests for the bathroom:

I agree to come in at 12:00 noon for ten minutes to make up the lost class time.

THIS REALLY WORKS! When I hand the emergency students the above to sign, they hand it back and say, "It's not worth it".

Never go over exams in class! The rookie thinks that this would be a good learning experience. WRONG! The kids don't give a darn about going over the thing, they only want to argue about points and waste a period giving you a bad time. You will lose the class since the others don't care about the person who is currently giving you the bad time and will start private conversations.

Never try to justify anything such as, "Why do I need this dumb class, I'm not going to be a ..."

Just tell 'em to get busy or lie down on the counselor's couch and check out. Again, they're just trying to egg you on. Tell them what to do, don't try to justify it.

Never discuss an individual student's grades or exam complaints IN CLASS or BETWEEN periods! You lose the rest of the class while this is happening or your precious between-class time is lost.

Your standard command should be, "See me after school". You will find that only the most serious student will give up his OWN time to argue about anything. This will eliminate 95% of the arguments about grades or exam point squeezing attempts.

Never return papers before the LAST MINUTE of the class period! If you return them at the beginning or during class, the kids' attention will spent on searching for points to argue about and comparing their papers with others' to see if you were inconsistent in grading. "Why didn't you take off points on her answer?"

Hand them back as they are leaving so that they don't have time to check them out. Remember, "See me after school if you have questions or complaints."

Never tolerate anyone getting out of his seat while you are lecturing or showing a video. Some will get up and go to the pencil sharpener or to the waste basket. These interruptions are a nuisance.

Never argue with the kids. They know that adults are out-of-date, irrelevant, stupid ignoramuses, so just laugh and continue. They love to waste as much class time as they can by arguing, and you will not convince them of anything anyhow.

Never allow students to "go to their lockers" to get something they "forgot". Like the potty calls, it's just an excuse to take a walk.

If they didn't bring any of the required materials, give them an appropriate punishment but don't let them go get them. Be sure to let them know the punishments in advance. You must be consistent with everyone. Have this on your course information sheet.

Always start the class ON TIME! The kids should know that when the bell rings class starts! If you mess around or talk to individuals so that there is not a regular starting moment, the kids will be doing their own visiting and it's hard to get them started.

Assign a Daily Bonus, a worth while two or three minute review quiz to occupy them while you take roll and do the other administrative crapola. This can be on a half-sheet of paper and quickly graded. You want them ON TASK when that bell rings.

Hand out a Course Information Sheet on the first day, go over it once, and tell them that THEY are responsible for its rules and policies. See the Boom's for an example. When a problem comes up concerning policies for your class, it will be in writing! Some teachers make the kids sign a copy which they keep on file.

Have a time-limit policy for make-up work where it must be done quickly, like within a day or two. Otherwise you will get stuck grading stacks of papers many centimeters tall at the end of the grading period while you are swamped with grade preparations.

Allow no make-ups for unexcused absences! Watch out for this trick, "Boom, I DID this assignment, here it is in the return basket, you forgot to grade it." Yeah, it just got stuck there good and late and, no doubt, copied from someone else’s work. Rubber stamping (with your own unique stamp) all the papers will solve this problem.

Be strict about tardies. Demand promptness. See the Boom's "Congratulations..." summons for tardies and other disciplinary problems.

Prepare your seating charts IN ADVANCE. When the kids walk in, TELL them where they are to sit.. Never let them choose their own seats. This gives you talking and cheating groups. (I haven't had a problem letting them choose their own lab partners, but I assign their lecture seats. Talking is not a problem in labs and they don't take tests at their lab stations).

We recommend a super great shareware computer program for making versatile and beautiful seating charts. Students can be randomized on command, and it allows you to switch kids with the mouse. Your charts can be arranged to fit your room. This can be downloaded. www.boomeria.com

PS: for you teachers of Big Chem, the Boom also has a great interactive freeware Chemical Formulas Game that you may download. www.boomeria.com. Neat Action!

Don't tolerate wise cracks. Funny as some are, they multiply until you lose the class.

Never get mad. For most problems, just laughing will ease the tension and will eliminate hard feelings.

"Heh, Heh, Mike, consider this detention a blessing in disguise, ha, ha, think of how much homework you'll get done..."

"Oh, Bertha, it's your second cut, heh, heh, well I understand that Saturday School is the breakfast club where you'll meet new friends...har, har."

Science teachers really have it made because we have so many activities to "entertain" the kids. They love demos and labs. Good videos are available, too. You should make comments during the showing to "keep it alive" and part of your teaching. Do not tolerate any sleeping during the videos.

Contact The Boom about a super great freeware computer program for randomly calling upon kids (big print on the screen or LCD projector) for class reviews, group selecting, cooperative learning stuff, etc. This can be downloaded. www.boomeria.com

When a kid asks, "When do we get out of here?" you respond, "WRONG! It's, "When MUST we leave?"

Laugh off as much as possible. Be nutty! A successful teacher is an entertainer, not a dull, ultra serious lecturer. Much learning takes place when all are having fun.

For your own sanity, you will need to learn FAST the true position of education in the school system. It isn't right, but what is in the past ten thousand years? Accept this and life will be much more pleasant for you!

Here is a starting list of activities that are more important than the class room (and furthermore you will be required to give make up work for those who miss your classes for these events):

Athletics events-- It would never even be considered to have them not conflict with classes.

Field trips for other teachers-- For example, the Spanish class's visit to a Mexican restaurant could never be done after school, in the evening, or on a weekend.

Rallies, Counseling appointments, Picture taking, Picture re-takes, Class meetings, Club meetings, Leadership Camp, Kid Day, Cheerleader practice, Cheerleader try-outs, College rep meetings, Military Info meetings, Camp counseling, and it goes on and on!

Even after all these years, The Boom still loves teaching and will retire when his corpse falls onto the demo table.

Our web site for Big Chem , Mighty Physics, and Natural Philosophers Chemistry/Physics web page.
Here you will find: A letter to parents, course information sheets, assignment sheets, class notes, review sheets, practice problems, drilling of formulas and equations, lesson plans, and a computer program Formula Club for practicing symbols, valences, formulas, and exams. Grades may be checked on our website.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Big Chem is the study of the great reactions and principles of matter. Topics include: Matter & Energy, Measuring & Calculating, Chemical Symbols & Formulas, The Mole, Chemical Equations, Chemical Problem Solving, Atomic Structure, Electron Theory, The Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Molecular Structure, Kinetic Theory, Phases of Matter, Acids, Bases & Salts, Solutions & Electrolytes, Oxidation-Reduction, Organic Chemistry, Qualitative Analysis.
GOALS: You will write explanations, perform labs, and solve problems on the above.
A NOTEBOOK IS REQUIRED:
It must be BOUND (spiral recommended) and kept in INK! Print your name in large lettering on the front cover and initial each page readable from a distance of ten meters. You may use YOUR notebook on the Final Exam, not someone else's.
It is your responsibility to check daily The Announcements Page found on the Chemistry/Physics web page. This gives you your assignments, labs to print, and other important information.
Assignments are given for the following reasons:
To teach research, find answers to questions and problems, practice writing skills with scientific explanations, solve mathematical problems, and practice for exams.
Assignments are practice for exams. Like the athlete must practice for games, the student must practice for exams.
The most efficient way to learn is to write while studying! This keeps the brain engaged while you think.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY-- NOW GET THIS AND GET IT WELL! LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED--
DEFINITION OF LATE :
1-- Not in at BEGINNING OF PERIOD.
2-- Not in the day of return from ILLNESS. (Unless previously arranged).
3-- Not delivered on DUE DATE for NON-ILLNESS excused absence. Bring it in BEFORE SCHOOL or send it in by SPECIAL COURIER!
PROBLEM ASSIGNMENTS for Big Chem with Hints and Answers are on our Big Chem Website. The assignments will be found ON-LINE, not in the text book. This way we shall have links to charts, tables, and hints for the problems. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME! This is to prevent the line-up at the beginning of class. Boom will not grade unstapled papers.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS are on our Big Chem Website. The Labs will be found ON-LINE, not in a lab book. They will include OBSERVATIONS, QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS, and CRITIQUE. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME! This is to prevent the line-up at the beginning of class. Boom will not grade unstapled papers.
ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be done in INK, using Complete Sentences, and turned in AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. Problems must SHOW THE METHOD, Hup, Two, Three, Four. Please STAPLE your papers AT HOME!
HEADING OF PAPERS: You must PRINT your FIRST and LAST NAME and place the CLASS PERIOD on your papers. DO NOT SIGN YOUR PAPERS OR SCRIBBLE YOUR NAME! Boom will not try to guess who you are!
EXAMS missed with excused absences must be made up at lunch on the day you return unless you have previously made arrangements with Mr. Boomer. Any exams or assignments containing "BS" will receive a zero grade!
WARNING: Vacations are UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. You will not be allowed to make up work missed during vacations taken on school time! Do not even consider going to Camp!! Field trips must not conflict with classes.
GRADING:
Your grade is determined by percentage: 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D. Points are deducted each time one uses, is when for an explanation, or misspells, separate or principle. Boom enters grades DAILY. You must check your grades daily and let Boom know if there is a problem. Do NOT wait until the end of the grading period to address problems. It's toooo late then!
Physics is a lab science and students MUST be present to perform labs, see demonstrations, and take video field trips,
Mr. Boomer will fail any student who has excessive absences and/or excessive missing work.
From the Student Handbook: " If students have more than 10 excused or four unexcused absences in any class, they may be dropped from the class with a "WF" -(withdraw fail) grade."
CLASS RULES:
NO POTTY CALLS ON CLASS TIME!
You must ATTEND REGULARLY and BE ON TIME! If you are not IN YOUR SEAT when the BELL STARTS TO RING, you will be marked ABSENT!
The Tardy Policy: Late people will be marked Absent. They must come in at noon the same day to change the Absence to Tardy. They will serve time.
You must BRING TO CLASS each day your NOTEBOOK and TWO PENS and a CALCULATOR.
You will be expected to listen to and read directions, and to follow them.
Science is a discovery process so you will be expected to think and do research.
Mr. Boomer will give extra help or discuss grades with you during LUNCH TIME.

BIG CHEM IS GREAT! HAVE FUN!

Print these up in big fancy fonts in advance all ready to hand out. Just give it to the miserable offender without disrupting the class with explanations:

You have just acquired a mandatory 15-minute conference in this room at 2:45 TODAY!

Should you choose not to appear, you will receive a referral to the Vice Principal for the issuance of a one-hour detention or possibly a Saturday School.

One administrator wrote me up when I disappeared from a staff meeting by slipping under a curtain. He noted that “Mr. Boomer is a bad influence upon young teachers”.

If you would like to see how I organize my daily lessons I’ll link them below. They are on our Chemistry/Physics web page.
If they look overwhelming, like I must move really fast paced… well…

Here’s some Boom philosophy (food for thought):

• Put the pedal to the metal and ROAR at FULL SPEED AHEAD and finish the course curriculum! This requires teacher discipline to the schedule. My schedule is linked below and it really works (for me).

Some will say that by going fast we will leave the slow students in the dust. Well I’ll tell you this about that.

• Chem and physics are college prep and the slow kids should be taking other science alternatives. That’s part of my Summer Assignment, to show the kids that these courses demand much, serious, hard work.

• I zip along, but review frequently. This way the fast kids don’t get bored and the slow kids do pick it up. For example, don’t spend five weeks on the Mole. Do it quickly in a few days and roar on. The mole never goes away so it is automatically reviewed all the time. (I met a teacher who sacrificed a whole week of valuable chem time having the kids make model rodents to hang from the ceiling. Not on class time, please!)

• Some say that by going slowly, the kids will learn better.
WRONG! By going slowly, we lose the top kids to boredom (and discipline problems). Loafing prevails!
High speed keeps them on the old toes. We make extra help available at lunch time for those who need it.

• Remember, too, that high school should expose the kids to a broad spectrum of knowledge. College is for majoring in just one or two topics.

For example, I’ve met many physics teachers who only get only half way through the course! They spend so much class time having the kids solving endless problems on, say mechanics, that they never get to light, magnetism, electricity, electronics, nuclear, etc.

Considering that most kids will never take another course in physics, this leaves them with a wealth of general important info that they never learn. Some kids might be inspired to major in the topics they missed if they had studied them in high school!

So I ADEQUATELY cover the WHOLE text without bogging down trying to make everyone a specialist in any one topic. As I said before, college is for majoring, high school is for surveying.

• Use class time for teaching, NOT FOR READING OR DOING HOMEWORK! Homework should be done at home as the name implies.
This doesn’t mean that an assignment can’t be started in class to get the kids going on it (activation energy) but only for a few minutes. I know teachers who actually have their kids read the text and write their assignments by the hour in class! Sheesh, they cover very little.

• Class time is for teacher presentations, explanations, sample problems, demos, short appropriate videos, and labs. Not for doing homework.

• If you do projects, let them be done at home and displayed at an appropriate time. Don’t spend class time building trebuchets. Let them be done at home and have a weekend contest with them.

• I do have volunteers solve sample problems on the board. This keeps the kids involved and gives them a break from my voice.

• The above philosophy has been supported by the UCSC physics department. When they address our Woodrow Wilson Summer Physics Institutes for Teachers, they have repeatedly stressed, “The high school’s job is to turn students ON to physics. Don’t drive them away with excessive tough math problems. They will get plenty of those in college”.

PowerPoint Lessons for Chemistry.

PowerPoint Notes & Lectures for Physics:

......... First Semester and Second Semester

WARNING ! DVD’s are very easily scratched which causes skipping. Don't let kids handle them. (And don't drop them like I do).

Why do we show science videos?

They are electronic field trips. They take us all over the world and to the planets and stars. They enable us to show equipment and people that students will probably never see otherwise. And they give a break from full time teacher talk.

There is an ongoing problem however:

Modern kids (just like us adults) are used to constant action entertainment movies. Endless car chases, explosions, machine guns, etc. So kids tend to judge a video on its entertainment value instead of its educational purpose.

“This is boring!”

In spite of our attempts to instill into the students that educational videos are for teaching rather than for entertainment, many kids will still try to sleep during the video or work on something else like homework or writing a letter.

As one teacher put it, “As soon as I hit the start button, heads hit the desks. They don’t even wait to see if the show is acceptable” to them.

Therefore, we teachers find it necessary to police the showing of videos, constantly on the lookout for the nodding heads and closed eye lids. Sometimes I even have to confiscate something that a students insists on doing even after a warning.

If we teachers use video time to grade papers or do other work, the kids will dope off. Bummer for us who have seen the video many times!

I get involved with the presentation by pointing out things for emphasis like, “Watch this, we did this in class yesterday”.

We must preview any video before showing it to be sure it is really what we want here and so that we can be prepared to make comments as it plays. Sometimes we may wish to put the video on pause while we emphasize a point being shown.

If the video is long, it helps to require the students to take and submit notes on it. I call these Video Field Trips.

It is a challenge to get kids to pay attention to videos, but they are an integral part of teaching.

*Compiled by Preston "The Boom" Boomer, 60 Verde Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 831 426-2617.

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