Oh, the joys of teaching science! Today we began studying the very basic third-grade version of photosynthesis. Somewhere in our textbook it described the give and take of oxygen & carbon dioxide between humans and plants as a "gas exchange." Upon hearing these words, my class erupted into laughter. They are absolutely taken by any humor that touches on bodily functions. Wanting to play off of their amusement, as well as make a point, I walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a whooppee cushion. It had been hiding behind the blue doors for such a time as this, though I didn't know it when I stuck the leftover white elephant gift there.
I pulled out the peculiar noisemaker and brandished it in the air, claiming "This is NOT the type of gas I meant!" Another round of laughter... Now that everyone was awake for this science lesson, I tore open the package and to my students' delight began to blow it up. I think I scored major "cool points" in third grade history when I sat on it...
Well, I guess a small sacrifice of my own dignity was well worth the lesson. But, what WAS the lesson anyway? We did finish our lesson...but not before we acted out the lives of plants, reacting to the sun and water as well as the "joggers" running by, gasping for air and dispensing carbon dioxide. Will any of them remember that chlorophyll are those little green things in plants that help make food for plants? At the least perhaps they will recall that the "gas exchange" in photosynthesis is NOT whooppee cushion gas. But if all else failed...I pray that they enjoyed a laugh. Laughter is INDEED good medicine. Ask a third grader.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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