Brian :cupofcoffee: :rss:

I don't think Alex Melton has ever missed on a cover. Good grief this is good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uttrSiyrptM

Today in the classroom:

First year chem are working on assigning oxidation numbers in compounds and reactions. We'll do some work with that and then split equations into half reactions.

Second year chem have all finished their final exam, so today will be the last day to do corrections. Seniors are finished after today, we'll do the customary "signing of the lab bench" and then they'll give me some anonymous feedback on the course.

#chemistry #teaching :cupofcoffee:

I'm listening to a Nick Drake playlist this morning and now I want to watch a Wes Anderson movie.

I've neglected my blog recently, so I wrote a short mishmash post with some stuff going on.

https://ohheybrian.com/blog/2026/05/happening-recently

#blog

I'm in the thick of oxidation numbers and identifying redox reactions and I cannot come up with a way to have students practice this skill without just doing a bunch of problems to put it into use.

#chemistry #teaching

Today in the classroom:

First year chem has a work day. Some have test corrections, others need to finish up some article reading and analysis. They'll also do some work assigning oxidation numbers to atoms in compounds and identifying oxidized/reduced elements in reactions.

Second year chem is still finishing their exam. Seniors finish classes tomorrow, so I need to get those wrapped up.

#chemistry #teaching :cupofcoffee:

Today in the classroom:

First year chem is starting electrochemistry. They'll try to get something - anything - from copper, zinc, and potatoes. The goal is to walk away understanding that you need two different metals, conductive solution, and wires. Historically, most groups get there.

Second year chem took their final exam yesterday. It wasn't great. They'll start corrections today (a tradeoff for taking it early) to wrap up the year.

#chemistry #teaching :cupofcoffee:

Today in the classroom:

First year chem just took their acid/base tests. We'll take time to do corrections today. Those who don't need them will do their electrochemistry vocab list and read a short article on redox and radicals.

Second year chem is taking their semester final exam today. Lots of interruptions this week, so it's quite shortened just to make sure we get it done.

#chemistry #teaching :cupofcoffee:

I taught my two older girls how to play Settlers or Catan tonight.

The 12 year old was all about forging solid economic relationships.

The 10 year old was focused on building the largest sheep army on the island.

#games #ttgames

Today in the classroom:

First year chem fell apart on yesterday's test. Like, badly. We're going to have some hard conversations today in class about what needs to happen to get back on track, especially athletes who need to remain eligible. Everyone retests on Thursday.

Second year had a rough review day, so they also had some hard conversations about how to prepare for difficult tests. They get grace, we'll do one more review day and test tomorrow.

#chemisty #teaching :cupofcoffee:

Back to school today after a surprise snow day yesterday. I didn't sleep well, even with the long weekend, so I'm going to power through the day today.

First year chem is doing test review over the atomic structure. Test tomorrow.

Second year chem will be analyzing PES diagrams to connect empirical data with the electron structure theory.

#chemisty #teaching :cupofcoffee:

Just spent an hour fighting #wsgi and #flask because an app was missing config information.

Turns out it needs to be actually included in the config file to...you know...use it.

All is well. I'll do SSL tomorrow.