The Magic Coloring book is a very simple demo that is incredibly versatile in the classroom. I’ve purchased several dozen of these in the past 10 years for use in class, prizes to students, gifts to colleagues at retirement etc. The patter can be customized to suit the presenter. In fact, making it fit your class, your style and your topic is part of the fun!
The book is available at Magic Stores or on-line at prices from approx $6 to $20. I’ve gotten an educational discount when ordering through my university. One site that has a nice explanation ishttp://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/1328
In a nutshell, the presenter flips the pages so they are empty, black and white outline, or in full color. The site says the skill level is “easiest” and appropriate for presenters ages 6 to 126!! I agree. Initially it takes less than 5 minutes of practice!
The figure shows the commercial cover but for classroom use, I make a new red cover (front ant back totally covering the original cover) and tape or glue it over the original. I print a title that suits my purpose. One is “The Electromagnetic Spectrum Made Easy” which I like better than “The Electromagnetic Spectrum for Dummies” or “An Idiot’s Guide to the Electromagnetic Spectrum.” When I first used this I called it “The Little Golden Book of Atomic Spectroscopy” but that dates me a bit.
After a presentation of light frequencies and their energies related to atomic orbiral transitions, the book is a welcome break. I introduce it as an interesting illustration of the principles. I flip the pages so that the students see the blank pages. Then I use a large magnetic and place it on one side of the book and we “pull out” the colors in the visible region of the spectrum. Then I flip through and the black and white things appear. Usually I act surprised and put the magnet on the back side of the book and flip again so that the colors appear. Students always laugh and ask for a repeat. I let them coax me into it.
I then change the patter as appropriate but I never do it more than twice. I ask them to “explain” it to their neighbor. Usually a few students have figured it out but everyone does enjoy it. Invariably a student will ask where did I get the book….. so I give them a challenge. “If you would like one of these books to impress your friends, give me a good story about how you’d use it and maybe you’ll win.”
Here’s another good way to use it:
When XXX came ito class on the first day, his understanding of XXX looked like this (blank pages). After 3 weeks, his understanding looked like this (black and white outline) but NOW that he understands XXXX his understanding looks like this (full color).
If my pictures and descriptions aren’t clear, here is a link to YouTube. You can enjoy it too!! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRCLsBor1hI
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