Welcome Parents! (and any curious students)

Chances are you are visiting this blog because your child is a student in one of my science classes at Mays High School, whether it is AP Physics C, Chemistry, or Physical Science.  Let me just say welcome to you, and I am excited and priviledged to be teaching your student this year.  I don't guarantee it will be easy, but I do promise that I will provide challenges for your student in a way that will make him or her stronger both academically and personally.  Chances are, you are also visiting this blog because you want to know how you can help your child do well in science this year and how you can help them get the most out of their high school experience.  I hope to provide some insight into how we can work together to do this in this post.

How Can I Be Involved?

So, you might be thinking: 'I haven't taken science since I was in high school - I am not so sure I can help my child in your class.'  Well, I have great news!  You do not have to be a science expert to help your child succeed in science.  Here's a few simple ways you can be involved:

1. Join my parent e-mail list.  It is a great way for us to communicate.  Our students are a lot more likely to study if you tell them at home then if I just tell them in class.  I will send out information about upcoming tests and big assignments so that you can help them to stay on top of their schoolwork.  Also, we can communicate one-on-one about how your student is progressing and share concerns that we might have.  This will be much more efficient than sending home paper notices, as even the most conscientious high schoolers can forget to bring things home.  To join, just send me an e-mail at mrgbryant@gmail.com

2.  Check the class website every week or so.  It has all homework assignments, class notes, and opportunities for extra credit and additional learning.  This is especially helpful if your student misses a day in class.  Now you can know for sure whether they really have homework to do or not!

3.  Encourage web-based research.  Is your child stuck on their homework?  Are they asking questions about things they have learned in class and you want to help them find the answers?  The web is full of good (but also bad) information.  Helping your student learn how to find answers through internet-based research will give them a serious edge in high school and beyond.  Informed use of technology can help our students to be self-teachers, and being a self-teacher can empower them to perform at a high level in any environment.  Not sure how to help them sift through the good and bad info out there?  Check out this article.

4.  Do virtual labs at home.  Yes, that's right - you can do science labs at home at no cost right there on your computer, without the worry of mixing the worong chemicals and getting an undesireable result.  The web is full of web-based labs.  Here are a few to get you started:

Science Simulations

Physics Simulations

Virtual Chemistry Lab                                             

Ask your child what they have been learning in class in find a lab related to that concept.  Even if it is not something that I am going to test them on, any knowledge of science will help your child to be a better critical thinker and help them to better handle any scientific concept that I throw at them.  All science is related, and science is as much a way of thinking as it is a body of knowledge - so any scientific activity helps!