Science Teachers, Take Note!

To all Chemistry teachers out there, read this news article from Yahoo! News and Reuters about the new element that will soon be added to the periodic table.

Here goes the article...

New, Superheavy Element to Enter Periodic Table

Thu Jun 11, 9:36 am ET
BERLIN (Reuters) – A new, superheavy chemical element numbered 112 will soon be officially included in the periodic table, German researchers said.

A team in the southwest German city of Darmstadt first produced 112 in 1996 by firing charged zinc atoms through a 120-meter-long particle accelerator to hit a lead target.

"The new element is approximately 277 times heavier than hydrogen, making it the heaviest element in the periodic table," the scientists at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The zinc and lead nuclei were fused to form the nucleus of the new element, also known as Ununbium, Latin for 112.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), confirmed the discovery of 112 by the team led by Sigurd Hofmann at the Helmholtz Center. IUPAC has asked for an official name for the element to be submitted.

John Jost, executive director of IUPAC in North Carolina, told Reuters that creating new elements helped researchers to understand how nuclear power plants and atomic bombs function.

The atomic number 112 refers to the sum of the atomic numbers of zinc, which has 30, and lead, which has 82. Atomic numbers denote how many protons are found in the atom's nucleus.

Scientists at the Helmholtz Center have discovered six chemical elements, numbered 107-112, since 1981. The remaining five elements have already been recognized and named.

In 1925, scientists discovered the last naturally occurring element on the periodic table. Since then researchers have sought to create new, heavier elements.

Proving the existence of atoms with such a high mass, the so-called superheavy elements, is a complex procedure because they exist for only tiny fractions of a second and then decay radioactively into other elements.

(Reporting by Jacob Comenetz, editing by Philippa Fletcher; periodic table image from scs.une.edu.au )

The Secret: Be Empowered

"Thoughts become things."

"You have the power to create the kind of life you dream to have."

"The law of attraction is always at work for you: like attracts like."

These and many more are the beautiful ideas shared to us by the book, "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. This has been one of my preoccupations lately. I have been into experimenting how to apply these principles in making my every day truly abundant and rich with blessings from the universe (from God!). I'm just starting to really be serious with this and I know that wonderful things are coming my way really soon. This I can feel and this I believe with faith and gratitude!

Wouldn't you want to share the same kind of motivation to your students? Wouldn't this uplift their spirits and empower them to be the best of who they can be? Help them do this by sharing with them the book or the movie (if that format will interest them more).

You can start by letting them watch the short video clip I have below, and let your students feel and unleash the power they have within to creating the life they dream of having.

Enjoy and be empowered!

Linguistic Equation: An IQ Test

I'm back this week with a new set of brain teasers for you. This was passed on to me by my husband (Well, he wanted to find out if I'll do better than him), and later I learned from one site that this is actually an IQ test called "Linguistic Equation".

And same as in the previous entry, Brain Teaser For You and Your Students to Try (which I know many have liked!), this one is as interesting and as useful in the classroom. You may use it as a motivational activity to a related topic, as a group game, as an energizer to sustain attention, or simply as bonus questions for extra points.

All you have to do is to come up with the common phrase that is being referred to by the initials given in each item. Let me give you an example:

• 24 H in a D = 24 Hours in a Day

No time limit but no cheating as well. Use your common sense. It's that simple. If you get all 25, then I must say, you're a genius! Wow! Ready to show how much of a genius you are? Well, what are you waiting for? Ready, set, go...

1. 7 D a W
2. 12 M in a Y
3. 2 W of a B
4. 9 L of a C
5. 3 H of a C
6. 7 D S
7. 9 M of P
8. 8 T of an O
9. 7 C of the W
10. 10 Y in a D
11. 28 D in F
12. 6 S of a H
13. 10 C in a M
14. 7 W of the W
15. 5 T in a F
16. 366 D in a L Y
17. 7 C in a R
18. 60 S in a M
19. 26 L of the A
20. 4 C of a S
21. 2 S of a C
22. 4 H of the A
23. 3 W M
24. 12 I in a F
25. 1001 T of the A N

You've reached the end of this test. Are you now ready now to find out how well you've fared in this test?

1. 7 Days in a Week 2.12 Months in a Year 3. 2 Wheels of a Bicycle 4. 9 Lives of a Cat 5. 3 Hands of a Clock 6. 7 Deadly Sins 7. 9 Months of Pregnancy 8. Tentacles of an Octopus 9. 7 Continents of the World 10. 10 Years in a Decade 11. 28 Days in February 12. 6 Sides of a Hexagon 13. 10 Centuries in a Millennium 14. 7 Wonders of the World 15. 5 Toes in a Foot 16. 366 Days in a Leap Year 17. 7 Colors in a Rainbow 18. 60 Seconds in a Minute 19. 26 letters of the Alphabet 20. 4 Corners of a Square 21. 2 Sides of a Coin 22. 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse 23. 3 Wise Men 24. 12 Inches in a Foot 25. 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights

Thank You, Teacher!

"Teaching is a vocation; not a profession." Often we hear this from teachers, like us, and sometimes those who get to hear us never really understand what we mean.

It is only when we get to be teachers that we realize the truth to this assertion. Yes, being a teacher does not only entail great talent and skills but great patience and understanding; does not only demand much of our time but much of our love; does not only require us to simply teach concepts but to educate for life.

And always remember, if you are seeking personal gain and happiness as a teacher, you may never find it until you get to focus on those little achievements your students are having and those sparkling eyes telling you of the happiness they are experiencing.

The following video clip entitled "Thank You, Teacher" is meant to inspire all of us, teachers, so that in moments we get frustrated and think of giving up, we just remember how blessed we are to have been given the chance to touch someone else's life... and make the world a better place!

Teach Your Students a Lesson on Gratitude

One very important lesson that a teacher should be able to teach their students especially at a young age is to be grateful for who they are and what they have. This doesn't mean teaching them to be content with what they have and never anymore strive to be better; instead making them see and truly appreciate the good things they now possess. This will then lead to becoming more positive and optimistic, which will result to enjoying life to the fullest and becoming truly happy.

The book I am enjoying right now entitled "Find Real Happiness" by Filipino author William Gracian devoted a section on this topic. Let me then share with you how he reminds us of how blessed we are by enumerating some simple facts in life which we tend to overlook.

• If you wake up on a Monday morning feeling strong, healthy and alert... then you are luckier than approximately one million others who will not be alive by the end of the week.
• If you will sit down for breakfast with your parents or other family members... you are one of the shrinking few who eats regularly with their families.
• If you have food on the table and clothes to wear to work or school... you are part of only 25% in this world who can afford such things.
• If you can read the newspaper on the way out... you are far better off than over two billion people in the world who are classified as illiterate.
• If you have money to withdraw from an ATM or change with which to buy some snacks or other luxuries... you belong to the select 10% humanity who have enough money for their daily needs.
• If you can bring out your cellphone and text your friends or family memebrs while at work or somehere else.. you are one of the lucky few who can afford electronic gadgets; it's estimated that up to 70% of the world's population still has no access to the latst telecommunication facilities.
• If you are able to hold your loved ones' hands, hug them or even touch them on the shouldre when you get home... you are lucky because so many people don't have a home of their own.
• And on weekends, if you go to a house of worship freely... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world who cannot.

I'm sure that after reading this, you, my dear teachers, feel truly blessed. Therefore, share such wonderful feeling by letting your students also know how truly blessed they have been.

HOW TO SELL YOUR IDEAS TO YOUR STUDENTS

Teachers are sales people. They may not sell tangibles but they definitely sell ideas. And often the challenge many teachers face is that they find it difficult to persuade their students to listen to them and eventually buy the ideas and/or activities they sell.

It is imperative, therefore, that every teacher be equipped with the needed persuasion skills to win students' attention and support and cooperation.

Here are five very simple steps to achieving this.

1. What's In It For Me? Always speak using the language of benefits. Present to your students the benefit/s they can earn out of listening to you, following your instruction and learning the concepts you teach. They will more likely to follow if they know exactly what's in it for them. Concentrate on their needs and wants and tie up your lessons and/or activities to that. One very good example is that after discussing a lesson on the four basic mathematical operation, ask your students to organize a classroom mini-fair where they can engage themselves in a buy and sell activity. This way, they will be able to make use of the math skills they've just learned.

2. Provide proof or evidences. Show your students that there are a number of people who became successful using the concepts you are teaching them. Speak from your and other people's experiences, provide testimonials, share biographies and other evidences that will convince them that you've gotten the best idea which they need to be successful in their endeavors.

3. Speak their language and act their way. Yes, students prefer to listen to teachers with whom they can relate. And they can only relate with you if you know their world: their language and their ways. Use terms that would be appealing to them and act as if you're one with them in spirit and in deed. Students do not want someone whom they can't reach, who is on a pedestal and a distant away. Reach out to your students so that they, too, will reach out to you by doing exactly what you tell them to do.

4. Be sincerely nice and concern. Don't be stingy when it comes to complimenting. Learn to sincerely compliment your students rather than criticize them a lot. Also, show how sincere you are in extending help to your students by the lessons you teach and the activities you're asking them to perform. When your students see these positive actions, they will be swayed to listen more and work harder.

5. Wear a beautiful smile. Don't forget to begin your lesson (selling) presentation with a smile on your face. This simple act goes a long way. It truly brightens up the day of your students, setting a more conducive atmosphere for interaction and learning. Remember, buyers will more like to buy from a sales person who appears friendly rather than from one who appears grumpy.

There you have it, the five real simple ways of selling your ideas to your students. What are you waiting for? Plan tomorrow's selling presentation now!

Top 10 Reasons Why to Teach

This beautiful article by Melissa Kelly which appeared in about.com summarizes the beauty there is in becoming a teacher.

For many, becoming a teacher is one boring and unrewarding career. However, we, teachers think otherwise. Read along and see the unparalled rewards of becoming a teacher.

Enjoy the article and if you are one great guy, consider becoming one of us --- a TEACHER, and reap the benefits of this great career (for many teachers, not just a career but a calling) !

Teaching is a special calling. It is not a job well-suited to everyone. In fact, many new teachers leave within the first 3-5 years of teaching. However, there are many rewards that come with this oft maligned career. Here are my top ten reasons why teaching can be a great profession.

1. Student Potential
Unfortunately, not every student will succeed in your class. However, this fact should not keep you from believing that every student has the potential for success. This potential is so exciting - each new year presents new challenges and new potential successes.

2. Student Successes
Closely related to the previous pick, student success is what drives teachers to continue. Each student who didn't understand a concept and then learned it through your help can be exhilarating. And when you actually reach that student that others have written off as being unteachable, this can truly be worth all the headaches that do come with the job.

3. Teaching a Subject Helps You Learn a Subject
You will never learn a topic better than when you start teaching it. I remember my first year teaching AP Government. I had taken Political Science courses in college and thought I knew what I was doing. However, the student questions just made me dig deeper and learn more. There is an old adage that it takes three years of teaching to truly master a subject and in my experience this is the truth.

4. Daily Humor
If you have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, you will find things to laugh about each day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes you will make up as you teach that might get a laugh from your students. Sometimes it will be jokes that kids share with you. And sometimes students will come out with the funniest statements without realizing what they've said. Find the fun and enjoy it!

5. Affecting the Future
Yes it might be trite, but it is true. Teachers mold the future each day in class. In fact, it is a sad fact that you will see some of these students more consistently day-to-day than their parents will.

6. Staying Younger
Being around young people everyday will help you remain knowledgeable about current trends and ideas. It also helps break down barriers.

7. Autonomy in the Classroom
Once a teacher closes that door each day and begins teaching, they really are the ones who decide what's going to happen. Not many jobs provide an individual with so much room to be creative and autonomous each day.

8. Conducive to Family LifeIf you have children, the school calendar will typically allow you to have the same days off as your kids. Further, while you might bring work home with you to grade, you will probably be getting home close to the same time as your children.

9. Job Security
In many communities, teachers are a scarce commodity. It is fairly certain that you will be able to find a job as a teacher, though you might have to wait until the start of a new school year and be willing to travel within your county/school district. While requirements might be different from state to state, once you have proven yourself a successful teacher, it is relatively easy to move around and find a new job.

10. Summers Off
Unless you work in a district that has a year-round-education system, you will have a couple of months off in the summer where you can choose to get another job, teach summer school, or just relax and vacation. Further, you typically get two weeks off during Christmas/Winter Holidays and one week for Spring Break which can really be a huge benefit and provide much needed rest time.