Rare Earth Metals

We are studying the structure of the periodic table and we looked at a short article on rare earth metals with the accompanying graphic from www.wealthdaily.com

This article triggered an entire class long discussion with my ELL Chemistry section! They were wondering why China had so much of those metals, and what other resources the U.S. had in comparison.

Then they wanted to talk about why so many items are manufactured in China.

Then they wanted to talk about international trade.

Then they wanted to talk about pollution and impacts of mining.

Then, going back to why so many things are manufactured in China, they wanted to talk about why there are so many people in China.

Then they wanted to talk about birth rates in US versus China versus Africa.

Then they wanted to talk about the one-child policy in China.

Then they wanted to talk about education and why Chinese students do some much better on math and science tests compared to U.S., so we talked about differences in education systems and college admissions.

Then THEY brought up why they think students in the U.S. aren't as serious about school as in other countries - they said it was perhaps because education is (almost) free here, and it's very easy to get into college here, and you don't have to decide on a "career track" until a later age compared to other countries.

I'm certain it was more meaningful for the students to come to their own conclusions about U.S. students not focusing on school than all of us well-meaning adults nagging them. 

It was a fantastic discussion. 

Those spontaneous "teachable moments" are one of my favorite parts of teaching. 

Please contribute to the discussion in the comments!