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This month, we’re exploring The Poisoner's Handbook —an enthralling true-crime narrative that delves into the groundbreaking origins of forensic science in 1920s New York.   The Summary: The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum tells the story of how forensic science developed in the 1920s and 1930s in New York City. It focuses on Charles Norris, the city’s first chief medical examiner, and Alexander Gettler, a toxicologist, who worked together to make major advancements in criminal investigations. During this time, criminals often used poisons like arsenic and cyanide to commit murders, and there weren’t many ways to detect these toxins in the body. Norris and Gettler changed that by developing new methods to test for poisons. Their work helped make forensic toxicology a reliable science for solving crimes. The book also explores the impact of Prohibition, when the illegal alcohol trade led to many people being poisoned by contaminated alcohol. Blum uses real-life cases to show how Norris and Gettler’s work helped solve crimes and changed how forensic science is used in law enforcement. It’s a mix of history, science, and true crime, showing how modern forensic medicine began.   Suggestions for Classroom Use: This Poisoner’s Handbook is perfect for October and Halloween time when there is are general thoughts of witchcraft, poisonings, death and ghosts! It is a great choice for classes in biology, health science, medical forensics, or chemistry because it connects real crime cases with the development of scientific methods and application to real life! Here's how it works for each subject: General Biology: The book explains how different poisons affect the human body by disrupting processes like cell function and respiration. This helps students understand biology by showing how these processes can be harmed, using real examples that make the science more interesting. Health Sciences: For students studying health and medicine, the book highlights how toxic substances, like those found during Prohibition, affected public health. It shows how understanding chemicals and their effects on the body is important in health careers. Medical Forensics: In a forensic science course, this book shows the beginning of forensic toxicology, one of the main fields used to solve crimes. It tells the story of how early scientists like Norris and Gettler developed methods to detect poisons, giving students an appreciation of toxicology’s role in solving crimes today. Chemistry: For chemistry students, the book gives a historical look at how chemical tests were developed to detect poisons in the body. It also explains the properties of different toxins and how early scientists invented new ways to identify them, when reliable tests didn’t exist. There is a detailed index which would allow you to focus on specific chemicals such as wood alcohol, carbon monoxide, cyanide, etc. without having students read the entire book.  LINK TO AMAZON

This week, we’re exploring Love You Forever by Robert Munsch —a classic that beautifully captures the enduring love between a parent and child.     The Summary: Children's author Robert Munsch wrote a famous book called “Love You Forever.” The story is like a hidden message about how parents always love their children, and shows the cycle of parents taking care of a child and, eventually, the child taking care   When the boy is young, he does things that sometimes annoy his mom, like flushing her watch down the toilet when he's two or refusing to take a bath when he's nine. His mom gets frustrated and even jokes about putting him in a zoo. But when he's asleep, she goes into his room, rocks him, and sings a special song that goes like this: "I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be."   Suggestions for Classroom Use: This book is a great fit for any class that discusses the periods of human development, such as Introduction to Health Science, Nursing Assisting and Medical Assisting.  It is a quick read and we recommend reading it together in class and then discussing what is observed in the different stages of life.   LINK TO AMAZON

LINK TO AMAZON The Summary: "Big Potential" is a captivating book that explores the power of working together to achieve greatness. The author, Shawn Achor, emphasizes that success isn't just about individual talents, but rather about the collective potential of a group. Through inspiring stories and scientific research, Achor explains how supporting and uplifting others can lead to remarkable achievements. The book encourages junior high school students to embrace teamwork, positivity, and collaboration, showing them that by helping each other grow, they can unlock their big potential and create a brighter future together. Suggestions for Classroom Use: Chapter 1 – The Power of Hidden Connections In the opening chapter of "Big Potential," Shawn Achor emphasizes the significance of hidden connections and working together to achieve greatness. He highlights the prevailing focus on individual achievement, which often leads to increased stress and limited potential. To illustrate this point, you can engage your students in a thought-provoking exercise. By asking them about their capabilities, such as doing well on the ACT, earning A's in class, graduating from high school, or obtaining a medical assisting certification, they will likely respond with a unanimous "everyone." This realization opens the door for a meaningful discussion on the power of collaboration and supporting one another. The students will understand that their year will be much more successful and enjoyable when they work together to learn and develop the skills needed to become medical assistants. In doing so, they unlock their big potential and foster a positive environment that nurtures growth and success for all. Chapter 5 – Enhance Your Resources Chapter 5 is all about a fascinating concept called "Falling Up." But what does that mean? Well, it's about learning from our failures and turning them into stepping stones for success! You see, sometimes in life, we all face setbacks and challenges. It might feel discouraging, and we might want to give up. But here's the exciting part – those failures can actually help us grow and become even better than before! Shawn Achor shows us that with the right mindset and support from others, we can "fall up" and use our mistakes as opportunities for improvement. In this chapter, you'll discover inspiring stories of famous people who faced failures but didn't let them define their future. They used their setbacks to learn, adapt, and eventually achieve remarkable things. You'll also learn practical tips on how to develop a positive mindset, find motivation, and build resilience when faced with obstacles. Reflection Exercise for Students This is a great time for personal reflection by students. I know some teachers who use this weekly or twice a month, to help students to reflect on their work. · My current grade in this class is: · Are you happy with this grade? · I am getting this grade because: [Explain} · Do you understand the material covered in class? Circle one: YES - SOMEWHAT - NO · **If you selected NO or SOMEWHAT, answer the next two questions: o Do you make appointments for extra help? YES - NO o Do you ask questions in class? YES - NO o Have you asked other students for help? YES - NO o Have you formed study groups? YES - NO · Are you putting forth your best effort in this class – studying daily, attending regularly? · Describe your behavior on an average day in this class. Provide an example of something good and something you can improve. · Are you helping other students in class? Provide an example · Remember, this form helps you understand your progress and how to improve further. Don't be afraid to ask for help and keep working hard to reach your goals! You've got this! (Reflection Idea provide by Garth McFarland, West H.S. Modified by Denise Abbott)