A Great Physics Video

I found several videos illustrating Physics concepts.

Turning Boiling Water to Snow

Another Snow Demonstration

Making Snow the Hard Way

All of these are fun, and create a good bridge to discussing phase changes.

Update

No time to update lately. I've truly been too busy to spend much time on this blog. With luck, I'll be move active in the future.

Non-tech issues

Today, I am moving like an 89-year old, arthritic codger - probably good training for my old age, which feels as though it's already arrived.

Over the last two days, I moved my entire classroom of books, computers, materials, files, and equipment to another classroom. For the second time this school year.

Why? We started 2 teachers short in the science department. We were able to pick up one three weeks into the school year. Because the position I held last year, in the 9th grade academy, was switching to mostly Biology, I volunteered to move out, necessitating the first move. Although the classroom was smaller and had less storage, I was teaching 4 Physical Science and two Chemistry for the Technologies, which I preferred.

Last week, the high school lured a middle school science teacher to the high school. He'll be arriving Tuesday. Trouble is, he was only Chemistry, and couldn't teach the Bio classes. This made some switching of classes necessary, to avoid issues of certification. I was one affected. I lost my ChemTech classes, and added two Bios. Also, we had to flip-flop two Physical Science classes. I wasn't exactly happy, but I understood that we had to do it.

So, I had about 1 week to pack up the stuff, move it, and set up for the new classes on Monday. I'm moved in, but surrounded by boxes. My files are a mess, I may not get my old file cabinet in for a few days, and I have to get an extra copy of lesson plans to the new teacher - he shouldn't walk in cold without some help. He's taking the Praxis Monday.

What's the upside?

• My Bio classes are better students - they're already had Physical Science, and they rank higher in math skills and academic performance. So, even though I'll be having to put a fair amount of time into catching up, it should be OK.
  
• I have a Bio teacher next door - she's a VERY sharp lady, and I plan to lean on her a LOT.
  
• I finally have a storage room again.
  
• The new room is bigger, and has MUCH cabinet storage. Several sinks, instead of just one.
  
• Air conditioning works. As well as the heat, when needed.
  
• I have lots of chips in my stack, since I made the changes without complaining. The principal owes me, and he's a guy that remembers those things. Could come in handy someday.
  
• Many of the kids I had before - helps in getting acclimated with names and stuff. Several of them were QUITE excited to hear they'd have me again. Good for the ego.

The kids and parents weren't all happy, but they weren't that upset. They're a good bunch, and, I think, recognize that the change has some positives. I was open in expressing my optimism and focusing on the good of the move, and I think that helped.

On top of moving yesterday, I had to take tickets at the football game. We all have to do that once a year. But, at least I got it over with, and I can kick back for the rest of the year.

I'll take some pictures Monday, before I put the room back to order. Then, I take some "after" shots. I'll post the contrast in a few weeks.

Technology Issues

I'm still not using my probes, motion detectors, and other bells & whistles as much as I'd like to. Partly, it's the issue of moving stuff to a new room. Partly, it's a matter of spending too much time on classroom management issues.

I'm planning on making a big push this week, and into the weekend. Clearing up any incomplete grading, organizing my filing and storage, and getting caught up on planning. It all sounds perfectly dreadful.

I did move ahead in some ways. I've been working on whittling down the grading backload for the last week, and it's a much smaller pile. I've been setting a goal of bringing order back to my desk (not totally successful) before I leave each day. Slowly, I'm managing to develop some routines.

Constant nagging is helping with getting kids to progress, especially making them take responsibility for turning in work, cleaning up after themselves (I swear, most of them must have personal maids), and completing their work before the end of class.

Too many of them resemble the cartoon below:



And, realistically, it takes a lot of self-discipline to reject the fun for the work. Heck, I have difficulty doing that myself - for example, I'm currently writing this post, rather than getting the grading done.

Back in the Saddle Again

Not that I'm feeling like a cowboy, you understand. But 3 weeks of teaching is enough to get me back into the rhythm again. Monday and Wednesday, meetings. Tuesday and Thursday, tutoring after school. Friday, pack up all papers for grading on the weekend. Saturday, catch up on household chores and grade. Sunday, grade, and make out the week's lesson plans. Monday...

Actually, I kind of enjoy the routine. I'm not someone that needs to have every day exciting and different.

Lately, I've been thinking about Direct Instruction. In our district, it's expected that we will be using that model of teaching. Not necessarily every day, or in every class, but often. And, as I incorporate more of DI in my lessons, I've noticed a few things:

• Low-performing students improve markedly. Not surprisingly, since they are usually quite deficient in basic skills.
  
• Average students achieve mastery more quickly.
  
• High-end students are not bored by the repetition. They seem to be OK with it.

I've been focusing on using DI with the many math skills and concepts that are such torture to teach - fractions, decimals, metric measurement, graphing. I've been including a LOT more review each day, not just the previous day's work, but weaving back several weeks. I plan to continue hammering down on these topics, using motion and force as the science topics. I'll post in a few weeks on our progress.

Does this mean that using Modeling is out?

No. But I think that when students clearly indicate that they can't calculate a simple velocity problem, even after leading them through the process, more DI is a reasonable option. I've been calling parents, suggesting tutoring for those still struggling (or, more often, those who just sit there, waiting for other students or the teacher to give them the answers. Lord, are they a passive bunch!)

Prime Numbers

I've been reading a murder mystery book, "Case of Lies", by Perri O'Shaughnessy. At the core of the reason for the murders is mathematics, more specifically, prime numbers. The math is way beyond my understanding, but the approach to explaining it seems to be novel. It's an interesting book, and the mystery part works well, too.

I'd recommend it.

A Riveting Analysis of the Chemistry of Sports

While aimlessly killing time before work virtuously keeping up on news, I found this fascinating explanation of the chemistry of blood testing in sports. It's in response to the story about Floyd Landis.

I have no personal feelings about the situation, but, if it's true that he added boosters, it will ruin the jokes - "Why did the French think Landis cheated? They've never seen detectable levels of testerone in a man before."

Found via Instapundit's Megan McArdle.

Mid-Summer Update

I've been rather busy the last few months - end of year testing, clearing up for summer break, and now, traveling extensively this summer. I've only spent about 2 weeks at home since school let out.

I've accomplished a few things this summer. I attended a workshop for the Physical Science teachers in SC, gotten 3 credits in science, was given a PASCO GLX (a data collection device, with multiple probes included). I'm currently in Syracuse, NY, working with the PTRA's Summer Institute. I plan to work with a teacher in northern SC to bring in some workshops, hopefully next year.

I'm starting to drag, so I'll have to close and post more later. If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll post pictures to the web in the afternoon.

Summer Activities

I'm at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC this week and next week. I'm taking a course related to the Physical Science classes I'll be teaching in the fall.

It's a beautiful campus. All the buildings are absolutely chilly, which necessitates bringing a heavy sweater to class.

I'll be getting a PASCO GLX to take home with me. I'm looking forward to learning how to use them.

I'll add some pictures later this week.

More than a little truth to this

I found a really funny, if somewhat snide reflection on the mania to ensure that all students will feel really, really special and smart.

To be candid, I feel that most teachers, myself included, grade students more leniently than a realistic appraisal of their learning would mandate. In part, that is because most districts no longer officially separate students by ability. With all students taking college prep coursework, the teacher either has to be overly generous with grades, or risk failing large segments of the class.

Elementary, my dear Watson!

I found this on Science and Politics

# It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment.
# I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.

It was prompted by Google's celebration of the anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday.

Hooray for technology!

I had a relatively pleasant time getting my final grades in today. It was simple to add in the score for the Finals - I did the test in Quizdom, and didn't have to manually score anything. I plan to use United Streaming quizzes next year, as well. I understand they can be done online.

Next year's Physical Science students are already excited about taking the class. They kept on seeing the neat equipment I had set up for the other classes (they were in Applied Biology this year), and wanted to know how to use it. They were particularly interested in the PASCO motion detectors.

Today, I went to a training session on United Streaming. I already used it, so wasn't sure I would benefit. It was worth the time I took, as I learned about new features, and features I wasn't currently using. I also found out about the Discovery Educators Network, which I plan to join. It seems worth the time.

Free at Last - Almost!

I'm down to the last week and 1/2. I have to finish the grading this weekend, and enter the grades in the computer. Next week, other than working with a few kids who need to make up an assignment, I only have my finals. Finals finish on the following Monday.

That's basically it. I'll use those last two half days to use unpaid labor cooperative, fine youngsters to clean, organize, and run errands. Assuming they'll show up, when the attendance won't be taken.

HQ - At Last!

It was the last, long day of a VERY long week - the upperclassmen were testing, in SC's version of an exit exam. Which meant, for the 9th grade, extra time in some of their classes, with no ability to let loose some steam roaming the halls.

Yesterday, it came to head - about 20 girls cut loose with a water balloon fight just after lunch. Today, the 9th grade is on punishment - escorted to lunch like toddlers, no privileges.

So, when I checked onto the state certification site, I fully expected to see that I'd still not been approved for a full professional certificate in science.

And I really needed it. The deadline for applying for National Boards is Monday. Without a change from temporary permit to certificate status, I couldn't apply.

Whoopee!! Hot diggity dog!!! It was approved, and I'd been marked an HQ - a Highly Qualified teacher. Which also made my principal and district very happy.

I got online as soon as the kids left, and finished the application. Then, I filled out the paperwork for the state payment of the processing fees.

Right after I left, it was off to the bank to get the papers notarized, and then to the post office to have them postmarked in time.

Sometimes, life is good. Very good.

Web Word Processor

I found an interesting new application. It's one of the first web applications that has the potential to be a Microsoft Killer.

AjaxWrite. I've been playing around with it, and come to a few conclusions:

• It's still in the early development stages. I tried using it to create a sign for my door, but I had difficulty getting it to print in the enlarged font correctly. The font displayed correctly, but the text ran off the edge of the page. I finally added some hard returns, and it printed fine. So, it's not fully WYSIWYG yet.
  
• I can see the utility, particularly when you're not at your home machine, but need to work on something. You save your work either to a website or a jump drive, and can theoretically work on it whenever, whereever.
  
• At the moment, it's a stripped-down version of the old Microsoft Works. Some of the "functions" are greyed-out, indicating that they're not available. Not sure why.
  
• It only works in Firefox, version 1.5 or higher. Fine for me, I prefer Firefox.
  
• No spell-checker at the moment. No way to change page layout. No insertion of images, yet. So, it's still a VERY baby version. Ajaxwrite needs to ramp up, soon, if they don't want to get clobbered by The Evil Empire.

I'll probably continue using it for a few months. I'll be traveling part of the summer, and it would be nice to have compatibility with my Open Office files. In addition to a word processor, there are other applications shown. Don't know how good they might be, I couldn't get the Image editor to load. It may have been a network thing. The Spreadsheet Viewer is just that. It only allows you to see, not edit.

My evaluation? Not ready for prime time. But promising. I'll check back at the end of summer.

Web Word Processor

I found an interesting new application. It's one of the first web applications that has the potential to be a Microsoft Killer.

AjaxWrite. I've been playing around with it, and come to a few conclusions:

• It's still in the early development stages. I tried using it to create a sign for my door, but I had difficulty getting it to print in the enlarged font correctly. The font displayed correctly, but the text ran off the edge of the page. I finally added some hard returns, and it printed fine. So, it's not fully WYSIWYG yet.
  
• I can see the utility, particularly when you're not at your home machine, but need to work on something. You save your work either to a website or a jump drive, and can theoretically work on it whenever, whereever.
  
• At the moment, it's a stripped-down version of the old Microsoft Works. Some of the "functions" are greyed-out, indicating that they're not available. Not sure why.
  
• It only works in Firefox, version 1.5 or higher. Fine for me, I prefer Firefox.
  
• No spell-checker at the moment. No way to change page layout. No insertion of images, yet. So, it's still a VERY baby version. Ajaxwrite needs to ramp up, soon, if they don't want to get clobbered by The Evil Empire.

I'll probably continue using it for a few months. I'll be traveling part of the summer, and it would be nice to have compatibility with my Open Office files. In addition to a word processor, there are other applications shown. Don't know how good they might be, I couldn't get the Image editor to load. It may have been a network thing. The Spreadsheet Viewer is just that. It only allows you to see, not edit.

My evaluation? Not ready for prime time. But promising. I'll check back at the end of summer.

One thing that Americans excel at

I was reading Watching America, a site where you can get translations of foreign news. I highly recommend it, as it's always neat to see yourself (and your countrymen) from the perspective of non-natives.

Today, I found an interesting article that lauds the way Americans teach their children about money and personal responsibility. It particularly mentions the Girl Scout cookie selling program:

The Girl Scouts Web site [RealVideo] flatly states that many successful American entrepreneurs got their start selling Samoas and Tagalongs [cookies]. Each box of cookies costs four dollars, which is at least 30% higher than the store price. Such a way to teach a child to make money! Isn't it a little too much? But as soon as we tried to sell our first box, I saw that no one was put off by the price.

The American experience is contrasted with the Chinese way of raising children.

American children are truly very practical, and begin to make and calculate money from childhood. They all realize the value of money early on, and don't neglect even a penny.

The article additionally mentions that American children are more conscious of others' needs, and spontaneously give to others in need, without parental prodding.

Emergency in Project-Land!

I just got off the phone with my daughter. Her son had a last-minute crisis with a project due - you could see this coming - tomorrow!

Fortunately, it was a science research project, and I was able to clarify the terms that were causing confusion - habitat, community, niche, and population.

That's why I seldom assign projects. It seems to cause more work for the parents than for the kids. When I do hand out projects, I try to assign them so there are points where I check the progress, and can assist in re-directing effort in more productive channels. One of the few I think worthy are science fair projects. But, only if I have the kids bring in their work-in-progress to make sure they stay on task.

Dress Codes - Good or Bad?

The school I work at has a new push to enforce the dress code. It mandates some overly stringent rules:

• Shirts must be tucked in
  
• Pants must be worn at the natural waist
  
• No flip-flops
  
• No hats

Which, of course, are an INCREDIBLE violation of human rights! Call Amnesty International!

OK, I'm a little sarcastic today. But, I just sat in a meeting about the dress code, and, from my perspective, it's a very reasonable set of rules. But some of the teachers were up in arms. They said that they would have to spend too much time enforcing it (come on, maybe 10 minutes the first day, less thereafter). They claimed it would take away from time they needed to prepare for the End of Course Tests (mandated by the state). After a few teachers voiced their opinions, I noticed something - most of the teachers who were anti-dress code enforcement weren't the snappiest dressers on the faculty.

I've had to abide by a dress code before. The teachers had to follow one, as well as the kids. It was not a problem. I got used to wearing dress shoes instead of athletic shoes. Other than that, my wardrobe needed little polishing. But, I used to work for businesses, and there, I assure you, I had to dress according to the dictates of my employers.

Many teachers began working just as the custom of dressing up to go to work was ending. Many of them got used to dressing very casually. I've known teachers (yes, certified teachers) to wear:

• rubber flip-flops
  
• T-shirts that were clearly too small - not covering the no-longer flat tummy
  
• dirty, torn jeans
  
• house slippers - not for a temporary foot injury, but regularly
  
• stretch leggings (not a pretty sight on a size 16+)
  
• tired flannel shirts
  
• mini-skirts and low-cut shirts (think Boston Public clothes on a less-than perfect body)
  
• and, of course, the ubiquitous denim shirt and pants

I realize that a hot climate might mean dressing for comfort some days. That's a good time for the polo shirt and cotton pants. Maybe even sandals.

But not flip-flops.

Have you ever wanted the last word?

Go see the other possibilities for the last chance to speak your mind.