About “Magic Moments with Class”
Hi, my name is Pete Suchmann. I am the originator and owner of Magic Moments with Class. As a Science Coordinator and a Science Teacher for 30 years in Great Neck on Long Island, N.Y., I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of students over the years. Simultaneously, I have collaborated with teachers at all levels, doing “Magic Moments” workshops for ESSA, SCONYC, STANYS and NSTA in N.Y. City, at the Nevele / Fallsview Hotel and at various regional science conferences. Last year, I took part in the Celebration of Teaching Conference in Manhattan and in October 2010, I presented at the NYCATA – UFT Artworks conference in New York City.
Why use MAGIC?
The following two statements taken from the National Committee on Science Education Standards and Assessment, National Research Council speak to the justification for the use of Magic in the classroom.
1. The current reform effort in science education requires a substantive change in how science is taught; an equally substantive change in professional development practices.
2. The business community needs entry-level workers with the ability to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems.
Taken from the : THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT at http://www.nysed.gov
STANDARDS 1, 2, 6, AND 7:
EXPANDED PROCESS SKILLS
Science process skills should be based on a series of discoveries. Students learn most effectively when they have a central role in the discovery process. To that end, Standards 1, 2, 6, and 7 incorporate in the Intermediate Core Curriculum a student centered, problem-solving approach to intermediate science. It should be a goal of the instructor to encourage science process skills that will provide students with background and curiosity sufficient to prompt investigation of important issues in the world around them.
Try a magic trick and you will present your students with high interest problems that will immediately engage them in an investigation that will be driven by their innate sense of curiosity. Think about it….they will have a need to discover the science and the math in order to develop an understanding of how the trick was done.
When you use magic in the classroom, first of all, all eyes are on you and every student is engaged and interested. As an opening to a discussion, as a momentary attention getting device or as an ending to a great lesson, magic can help to transform your classroom into a new and exciting place. Once this is accomplished, your next lesson or lab is that much easier to do. There is nothing better than students entering your classroom, with an expectation that something really interesting and fun might just happen during their class. No one is saying that you need to entertain your students everyday, but every now and then do something “magical” and you will very quickly see the enthusiasm that it will generate. Your classroom becomes a place where you and even your most disenfranchised students are solving problems, reasoning, discussing solutions and thinking creatively. Magic moments with your class —you’re going to love it! They’re going to love it!
Parents will be calling to thank you for getting their kids excited about learning and you’re administrators will be smiling also.
Each of the tricks that I have chosen to place in my learning kits, is easy to learn and sure to please. With very little effort on your part, you can introduce these tricks, puzzles and amazing props into your lesson plans and create your own “magic moments with class.”
Let’s face it…every teacher today needs a “bag of tricks”. I welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing all about your Magic Moments with your CLASS. Please submit feedack and suggestions to the blog and let’s exchange ideas and feedback with each other and the world of teachers!
REMEMBER– TEACHING SHOULD:
1. BE STUDENT CENTERED (SHIFT THE SPOTLIGHT-TEACH THAT SHY, QUIET STUDENT TO PERFORM THE TRICK).
2. BE DRIVEN BY CURIOSITY.
3. INVOLVE PROBLEM – SOLVING, CREATIVITY AND THINKING SKILLS.
4. BE FUN!
5. BE MAGICAL!
TRY “MAGIC MOMENTS WITH CLASS”! Professional Development workshops are available- contact Pete@magicmomentswithclass.com and request information and pricing and available dates.