Author Archives: Mr. Bigler

About Mr. Bigler

Physics teacher at Lynn English High School in Lynn, MA. Proud father of two daughters. Violist & morris dancer.

Student Feedback

Last week, I asked my students to give me some anonymous feedback on my chemistry classes. Evidently, they seem to be happy. +2-3

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Instant Messenger Conversations

I have an AIM screen name that I give my students to use when they want to ask me school-related questions after hours.  Some of my colleagues have expressed concerns about my doing this, but I’m careful to log everything … Continue reading

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Handwriting

For the first time in over 4 years of teaching, I was unable to read one of my students’ handwriting. I gave a test with an essay question, and I was able to make out only about 1/3 of the … Continue reading

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Teaching Kids How to Read

Last fall, I took a graduate course called Reading in the Content Areas. The course dealt with various ways of improving students’ reading comprehension. The course made me realize that most students are never taught how to read anything other … Continue reading

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Baking Cookies as a Way of Teaching Lab Procedures

This year, the introductory lab assignment I gave my chemistry students was to bake a batch of cookies without using a recipe. I’m pleased with how the assignment worked out, so I thought I’d post about it here. +3-1

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Message From a Former Student

One of my students from my organic chemistry class in Peabody two years ago just sent me the following: hi mr. bigler, i don’t know if you remember me but its $FORMER_STUDENT and you taught me in organic chemistry and … Continue reading

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Après Moi, Le Déluge

Every year during my lab safety lecture, I have the kids turn on the eye wash and pull the safety shower chain with a bucket under the shower head.  This year, on about the fourth or fifth kid, the valve … Continue reading

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My “Challenging” Class Comes of Age?

I think I may have finally reached my “challenging” class. +2-3

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Stoichiometry Test Redux

Yesterday in one of my classes, I spent a few minutes talking about the results of the test I described in this post. The two kids who stayed after school for three hours both scored in the 90s on the … Continue reading

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A Modicum of Effort

The topic I just finished teaching (moles & stoichiometry) has given me a little more insight into the minds of high school sophomores. +4-4

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