Safety in the Science Classroom

I have decided that my main form of teaching science safety will be using pictures from the internet and videos from YouTube. I have seen multiple safety videos made by students on YouTube and while going through them to find the best one I noticed that none were completely 100% flawless. I will show this video on the left (provide an example as how the video should be "graded" using the rubric. Then we would continue to watch the video which sums up and explains many of the rules and regulations we are to teach concerning lab safety and see if they caught them all. 

This is when I decided to give each group of students a select video to view and then do a rating on the video including any flaws the video had. In essence they would be "grading" the certain lab safety YouTube video using a rubric I have given them. In the rubric the comments section should include how they would change be video and specific things that were "wrong" in the video concerning presentation and lab safety rules. 

Here are a few videos I thought about using. Most of these videos use the rap by Rhythm, Rhyme, Results from educationalrap.com

Here is another video which can be used for younger students as well as a link. It would not let me post the video. 

Lab Safety Video for Younger Grades

Then they can use the discussion from the first video and their knowledge to do this cartoon activity almost as a pre assessment before giving the lab safety test which must be passed in order to do labs in science class in the future.

 http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/safety.html

At the bottom of the cartoon after the questions is also a "Lab Safety Teacher Guide" that provides possible answers.

I have also decided that I would have a final project that the students would complete choosing from these two options and possibly if a student has an additional idea they may ask me for permission.
1. A fashion show where they are to walk down and show improper lab attire and proper lab attire and explain why for both not only on a note card for me to grade and have a sample but as they make it to the end of the runway. (one I think my VERY talkative/outgoing always wanting to show off girls will REALLY go for and like)
Here is the video I used for the background music (of course not showing the video to the students)

I searched for a video that had a great flashy background to show as my students walked down a butcher paper "red carpet"
2. A personal sketch that must contain at least 4 colors /presentation using http://www.kerpoof.com/  /cartoon using http://www.toondoo.com/ /or another video or book site that I have showed my students or one they have used in the past. These must also show the improper and proper lab attire with a paragraph explaining. I will also have them present this to the class to work on social skills and speaking in front of their peers.

If you have other ideas or videos that would be great to use in a lab safety lesson please comment below.
Until another idea pops into my head,
Chelsea

The popular "Carol never wore her safety goggles" poster 2.0 (YOLO version)

Safety is the first thing that I must teach and instill in my students other than procedures when it comes to a science classroom that readily uses a lab. I have on many levels connected with my current students generation when it comes to social media, viral YouTube videos, television shows, and musical entertainment. I found this picture and couldn't help but put this on my website and eventually as a poster in my classroom.

As I found this I was searching for safety activities that are hands on and entertaining to students. Although, I taught safety last year it was most likely the least liked unit by the students and myself. I would LOVE input on how you teach lab safety in fun and exciting ways in your upper elementary/middle school classrooms.

Until another idea pops into my head,

Chelsea

Twitter in the classroom

So I have decided that since I'm doing fifth and sixth science next year (meaning I will have my last years fifth graders again in which I have built a strong relationship with many of them) that I want to incorporate more ways for my kiddos to contact me (other than school email... something they use more of.... meaning social media!) or message me with their opinions and ideas or just their kind words (hopefully haha).

I've created a "teacher" twitter account that I plan on using for reminders for homework, exciting things in the classroom, retweets of scientific knowledge, and school reminders as well. This will also be a great way for parents to see upcoming tests, homework, and activities too if their child never brings home the weekly newsletter. 

I've decided on a vague twitter "handle" as they call them because being in a small district I could become a math, reading, social studies, second grade, fourth grade, heck even HS with the proper previous testing in the future. I also decided that one day my last name/email for which ever district I work in may change so I decided on @TeachOpenMinded which also goes along with my philosophy and this blog name. Consistency seems to help with many things in life.

If you are new to the twitter vocab here is a great resource THE TWITTER GLOSSARY!