02/07/04

Jason Sarouhan, Grade 8 science teacher: Thank you both for your effort and time presenting here in my eighth grade classes. These type of hands-on activities are memorable and will no doubt be the highlight of the year for some of these folks. I would be happy to present if Jane needs a third and this should not impose much of a problem.

On the topic of complex subject matter. Most of my educating experience has been with college students and upper level high school folks and my tendency is to want to present the 'science' of the material that we are covering. In reality, that kind of curriculum tends to pass right over the heads of middle schoolers and I must constantly remind myself that the material presentation is less about content and more about concept. Middle school seems to be about exposure and introduction to 'life'. Whatever information that we can pass on concerning the basic function and structure of life seems to be the material which they can handle and make tangible for themselves. Further study in high school and college allows for discovery, growth and complexity. Keeping it simple has been a positive tactic with the eight graders and whatever else we can present is a bonus!

Sally Rayn, Grade 4 teacher: Thank you for teaching this class. My students really look up to the Stanford students.

A few things really help with fourth graders: First a written agenda on the board that lets them know what they will be doing that day really helps. e.g.,

1. Learn about Cells and parts of cells
2. Build a cell model
3. Look at slides of cells in Science Lab

Also, I mentioned this the last class. Demand that they stop talking before you talk. I clap a rhythm which they repeat, to get their attention. Your class takes priority over P.E. which is right after. If they make you wait, then they don't get as much P.E. I think it is going very well, so far.