Science Lessons:

The remaining part of my learning walk took place in Science.

In L9, with our Head of Physics, Mrs Booth, Year 10 students were conscientiously studying about Moments and Centre of Mass.  Jessica said:

“I really love Mrs Booth’s PowerPoints.  They make learning structured and fun.  Thank you Miss.”

In L4, our Advandced Lead Teacher of Chemistry, Mr Green, was working with Year 12 students focusing forensically on exam style questions and examiners’ mark schemes.  Students were using their ‘purple pen of progress’ to self assess the test they had completed in a previous lesson.  They were all excited to see how well they had performed.   Riya had this message for Mr Green:

“One of the most enjoyable activities I have ever done in Chemistry is an interactive lesson where we moved around the classroom in pairs and Mr Green broke ‘bonds’ between us so we could join someone else. This was enjoyable because it was a demonstration that made a difficult concept more comprehensible and memorable.

  

Thank you Sir for coming up with countless analogies to help us understand Chemistry a bit better and for making sure the whole class is at a level of understanding that allows us to achieve the very best grades.”

Jewel Mhizha shared with me the vast array of revision cards she had already produced for Science and said it was well worth the effort and time to create these to help with recall of facts which is a huge component of success in Science.

In L6, Miss Nugara was inspiring her Year 8 students with a very colourful video all about heat loss, captured using a military thermal imaging camera.  The students could visually see how the body heat of a man was lost as took off layers of clothing in freezing conditions.  Why not check out the video yourself by clicking below.

Jamie passed on this message for Miss Nugara:

“Dear Miss, thank you for giving us special lessons, letting us ask questions and I especially enjoyed your lesson on Diabetes.”

My last stop of the learning walk was in L7, where Mr Gall, was impressing students with some exciting experiments exploring how different metals react with water.

Students then completed a matching cards exercise to consolidate the learning from the live demonstration.

Tyler had this message for Mr Gall:

“One of my most memorable activities in this science unit was when we were reacting metals with water; there were so many unusual reactions, hence I enjoyed learning about them. I really enjoy when Mr Gall always tries to do a practical and theory in one so it is a fun educational lesson. Thank sir for your great lessons.”

Rashmi also wrote:

“One of my most enjoyable activities I have ever done in this subject, is doing an experiment which involved potassium. As I watched the reaction, I couldn’t believe my eyes and we could not have done this experiment with our teacher, Mr Gall.  Thank you Sir for allowing our class to not only enjoy science but also visualize it. Without you, we would not be great at science nor actually understand it. The experiments you let us do really help the whole class when have tests and questions about the topic to answer.  Thank you Mr Gall for all your help.”

To see see some bigger scale (very explosive) reactions of alkali metals with water, click on the link below (and of course, never try on of these at home!!!)

Alkali metal reactions with water (explosive!!)

What a great opportunity and experience this learning walk was.  It really demonstrated all of the great work both students and teachers are putting in to help everyone really achieve their very best.  I really look forward to my next learning walk and seeing lots more great things in other parts of the school.