GET OUT!
Now, I do not underestimate the challenge of teaching, especially teenagers. Trying to distract Patricia and I from our doodle game escapades in chemistry class was no small feat, and I can only imagine how hard it is to do now that kids have smartphones (or it needs to be done remotely/safely during a global pandemic, 100% respect...)
So, although this particular “lesson” was, questionable - I have to kind of respect Mr. Farooqi because it not only got Patricia and I to pay attention, but the whole class me thinks. And, I still remember the story, and therefore the lesson, to this day...
Chapter 3: ATOMIC THEORY - Atoms, Molecules and Ions. Now, like a really bad game of telephone from 1808 to 1996, the original modern atomic theory from English scientist John Dalton states:
All matter is composed of atoms.
Atoms of the same element are the same; atoms of different elements are different.
Atoms combine in whole number ratios to form compounds.
So far, so good? (At this point in class I am trying to take notes and pay attention. Patricia is instigating round one of the doodle game by pushing a scribble towards me…)
We continue on to:
An ELECTRON is a tiny subatomic particle with a NEGATIVE charge.
A PROTON is a larger subatomic particle with a POSITIVE charge.
A NEUTRON is a subatomic particle with about the same mass as a proton but no charge.
Mr. Farooqi went on to further explain the structure of the atom with...
“Protons and neutrons make up the center of the atom, called the nucleus…”
Makes sense, cool, okay…
“ They are like the local hookers…”
Say what?
“… and the nucleus is their downtown corner. And the electrons are like hookers from another city.
Should I be writing this down?
“They come over and try to get on the downtown corner and the local hookers say, “GET OUT!” So the visiting hookers have to stay out, just like electrons from the nucleus. The local hookers stay on their downtown corner and the visiting hookers work the streets around it. Protons and neutrons are in the center of an atom and electrons orbit around it. Everyone in their place. Make sense?”
My pen still hovers over my paper. I finally drop the tip down and right two words:
GET OUT.
Do you really need to write anything else to remember that story? And here’s the thing, I’m sure Mr. Farooqi’s goal was to teach us chemistry using, real life? And I guess in a weird, twisted way it worked because, full disclosure, I aced that question on the chemistry exam.
So kids, if you’re struggling with this particular lesson, you’re welcome.
I’d say let’s hope the telephone game on modern atomic theory stopped in 1996, but here I am in 2020 keepin it alive.
You’re welcome Mr. Dalton.
Love,
Grace
Chapter 3: ATOMIC THEORY - Atoms, Molecules and Ions. Now, like a really bad game of telephone from 1808 to 1996, the original modern atomic theory from English scientist John Dalton states:
All matter is composed of atoms.
Atoms of the same element are the same; atoms of different elements are different.
Atoms combine in whole number ratios to form compounds.
So far, so good? (At this point in class I am trying to take notes and pay attention. Patricia is instigating round one of the doodle game by pushing a scribble towards me…)
We continue on to:
An ELECTRON is a tiny subatomic particle with a NEGATIVE charge.
A PROTON is a larger subatomic particle with a POSITIVE charge.
A NEUTRON is a subatomic particle with about the same mass as a proton but no charge.
Mr. Farooqi went on to further explain the structure of the atom with...
“Protons and neutrons make up the center of the atom, called the nucleus…”
Makes sense, cool, okay…
“ They are like the local hookers…”
Say what?
“… and the nucleus is their downtown corner. And the electrons are like hookers from another city.
Should I be writing this down?
“They come over and try to get on the downtown corner and the local hookers say, “GET OUT!” So the visiting hookers have to stay out, just like electrons from the nucleus. The local hookers stay on their downtown corner and the visiting hookers work the streets around it. Protons and neutrons are in the center of an atom and electrons orbit around it. Everyone in their place. Make sense?”
My pen still hovers over my paper. I finally drop the tip down and right two words:
GET OUT.
Do you really need to write anything else to remember that story? And here’s the thing, I’m sure Mr. Farooqi’s goal was to teach us chemistry using, real life? And I guess in a weird, twisted way it worked because, full disclosure, I aced that question on the chemistry exam.
So kids, if you’re struggling with this particular lesson, you’re welcome.
I’d say let’s hope the telephone game on modern atomic theory stopped in 1996, but here I am in 2020 keepin it alive.
You’re welcome Mr. Dalton.
Love,
Grace
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