notable impacts

• Created a webpage so all teachers have free access the chemistry curriculum

http://southernchemistry.blogspot.com/

The blog has 11,600+ page views all time. 

• I've mentored two other teachers using my resources. One has gone on to mentor other teachers.
• Several lessons and tests have been used as the exemplary models for Teach for America chemistry resources

designed a specific, optimized Format for each resource

My students are exposed to a familiar, intentional design for all their notes, practice sheets, quizzes, and PowerPoints. 

Unique characteristics of my design:

• The vocabulary follows the ELI5 (explain like I'm five) principle
• Developed through trial and error by teaching through the entire chemistry curriculum six times
• The tests are formatted similarly to the ACT

In the image to the right, I've highlighted some formatting rules I follow when designing notes for a lesson.

Curriculum is data driven

I use a tracker to evaluate the success of each lesson and how well individual students learn the material.

In 2013, in a school of 1,500 students, I was one of three teachers recognized for my outstanding teaching because of 1. the relationship I built with my students and 2. the proof of success that the students were achieving.

Designed Original Diagrams to Teach Scientific Principles

None of these pictures are to be understood on their own. Students interact with them to learn content.

For example, to teach vapor pressure and boiling point, we use a molecular diagram. Students can cross out external molecules to see how vapor pressure changes with different atmospheres (i.e., high altitude, low altitude, space, etc.).

The curriculum is organized, adaptable, and complete

Organized: The curriculum is almost biblical in the sense that it is broken down by unit, day, and fact.

Unit 2, Day 2, Fact 1 is "the atomic number is always the number of protons."

Adaptable: It is easy to rearrange, add, or subtract both facts and days because of how everything is broken down.

Complete: All 75+, 1hr lessons, have notes, practice problems, PowerPoint, and a relevant quiz. Every unit has a test, a practice test, and a unit vision.

Created Tests and notes that focus around specific vocabulary

Tests: I give both a vocabulary test and a multiple choice/written test. Students must score an 80% on the vocabulary test to take the multiple choice test. Why? How can you apply vocabulary if you don't know the vocabulary?

Notes: My students take notes directly on notecards.

Benefits of strategy: 

• Provides a tool they can study from (the notecard)
• Shows students exactly what they need to learn.
• Allows for conversation to talk about learning strategies (see diagram)

Initial Signs of Success

• I taught three students AP Biology for one semester. All we used was notecards. One student received a four, another received a three. The third student, who barely passed my class, received a two.
• All my students (40) in freshman biology were all able to get an 80% or higher on a test with 63 vocabulary words and facts.

Designed Novel, Practice worksheets grounded in application

I've designed 35+ worksheets that are 20min activities where students independently learn something new about the world using the vocabulary they have been learning.

Real Science: Worksheets

Students are walked through a concept that uses new vocabulary words and test their comprehension by analyzing graphs, tables, and diagrams.

Real Science: Readings

Based on Teach for America's best practices in English classes, Real Science Readings prompt previous knowledge, guide students through readings, and help them analyze what they've read.