Wild Williams's Physical Science Lab


Wild Williams Philosophy Standards Lab Pics Lab Safety Scientific Method Metric Units Matter Changes in Matter Physics Intro Motion Work Simple Machines Waves Sound Light Heat Electricity Magnetism Demos and Experiments Projects Links Lab Chat Contact	Wild Williams's Philosophy Jay Williams Eighth Grade Teacher at Southeast Bulloch Middle School Statesboro, Georgia. I am a Science teacher and lucky to be one. My subject lends itself to all the educational "Holy Grails": Teaching to learning styles (auditory, visual, tactile……..) Opportunity for the sensational to promote student involvement, and Content that is easily related to everyday life . I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Science is about answering questions. It is a search for the absolute truth in any given situation. Science is one way that we humans try to make sense of all that is around us. Who is not engaged in that? The desire to know the truth is a part of everyone on this planet. Life Lessons Science is in everything, so I do not think of it as a departure when occasionally my science lessons are interrupted by one of my "Life Lessons". A life lesson is a lesson, that if applied, will help my students have better lives. Students, must first survive and succeed as humans before they can effectively use the science I teach. As much as I love science, it cannot fill all the needs of students. I truly believe in "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs": People need to feel worthy People need to love and to be loved People have a need for belonging People have a need for food, water, and shelter - (physiological needs) If these are not met, my lessons fall on ears deafened or at least distracted by their cries. We all know that sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are a special group. They have special needs. I am working on a "Williams's Extended List of Needs" for the Middle Grader". I know one that I would add. Middle Schoolers need well defined, understood, and "bought into" boundaries. Boundaries make us feel safe. We all like to be wild, but in a way that won't cost us too much. Boundaries provide safety for exploration. The Middle Grade years are when a student decides who he/she will be. Not their occupations but their personalities and character traits become theirs. They take awkward steps toward total independence in this time period. It was for me and even more these days, a rough and wonderful time. It is a time that I am honored and privileged to share with those who are our future.