Reflection of Module 8

Of all of my posts I think this post is going to be the easiest.  I say that because I have been working on the energy study for what feels like months and it is a topic that comes up in almost every conversation outside of work.  I am thinking that when this class is over I give it just two more weeks and then I will get back to talking about my infant twins again.

The energy self study I decided to try and reduce the number of plastic bottles that I use and would eventually go out to trash or recycling.  I started by calculating the amount of shampoo and conditioner I used on a weekly basis.  While finishing the bottles I researched the best method of cleansing my hair without the use of heavy chemicals and detergents.  I mixed 1 TBS baking soda and 1 cup water and placed it in a condiments dispenser, and placed it in the bathroom.  First I ran out of shampoo, so the following morning I put some of the new mixture into my hair and rubbed it into my scalp.  Unsure of how it worked I just used a little conditioner and went on with my day.  That day my hair felt a little more oily then usual but I just went to work and did what I had to do.  The next two days I did the same thing.  Being out of conditioner now I mixed up 1 TBS apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of  water, placed it in a condiments container labeled ACV in the bathroom.

I waited a whole day unsure if I really wanted to do it.  In the morning before work I tried it.  My hair felt clean to the touch and I was wide awake by the smell of ACV that everyone on the internet promised would go away when the hair dried.  My first few hours in the day were the best, my hair was light, full, bouncy and clean.  As the day progressed my hair started to become oily.

I read all about the "transition" period.  And my fear was realized, I was going through it.  My hair had been used to the harsh detergents in the shampoo that my body was producing and excessive amount of oil to compensate to the daily stripping of the oils.  On the internet people say that this transition period could last from just a few weeks to a couple of months.  I spend the majority of two weeks with my hair in a pony tail.  With those two weeks I believe the transition period is over.

When I started to calculate the use of plastic bottles I realized that this experiment was so much bigger.  I actually do not go through a great deal of bottles.  I do save some money and am bringing less chemicals into my house.  The best thing is that I have to wash my hair less frequently, and therefor using less water.  I went from washing my hair six times a week to only four.  My hair feels wonderful and can last many days between each wash.

Was my experiment a success?

YES

Reflection of Module 7

Thinkfinity.org  


Go There.  I have spent quite a few hours on this website.  The part that I keep going back to is that people can search for lessons via the state standards or common core standards.  This is very important because in my school the principal keeps pushing the common core standards.  I have shown this website to a minimum of 5 colleagues, including the literacy coach and health teacher.  All have be very grateful, it is just a shame that I had to show it to them this late in the year.  


I enjoyed “Turn It Off”, I feel like younger kids would find the use of the toy as relatable as well as the question prompts about parents asking them to turn off the lights or toys.  “Power Play” was a lot of fun.  I think it would we great to do with some of my kids.  In “Be an Energy Saver” I enjoyed the energy conservation game that I can see a direct correlation with activities I do with my students.  Thinkfinity.org was an amazing website.  There are a ton of resources that I will be sharing with my colleagues on Monday.  I found the website easy to navigate and also includes a broad range of levels. 

Reflection of Module 5 and 6

The project that I am working on is to reduce the number of plastic bottles that I recycle/throw away by not using shampoo or conditioner. I started collecting data on how much shampoo and conditioner I actually use. Therefore making a prediction on how many bottles I go through. I have also identified other methods of cleansing and toning my hair.
I chose this as my project because I have new babies at home and I am thinking about all of the chemicals that are in my home.  Removing shampoo and conditioner can not only benefit me but also the environment, at least that is my hope.  I collected some data on how much shampoo and conditioner I use in each shower.  With-in the past week I ran out of both, and now I am using baking soda and water mixture to cleanse my hair.  I follow that up with an apple cider vinegar and water mixture for toning.  (I have been using the ACV and water mixture on my face as well.)  I am collecting data on how much baking soda and apple cider vinegar I am using.  

I hope that my hair agrees with the change.