Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Week 36, Day 1: Fast Adjust, something different every period

Even block period
Every period was a bit different.
Making gas lab, Bikini Island bomb test video, Michelson's accurate measurement of the speed of light reading passage.


Per2:
Speed of light passage then Making Gas Lab. We make CO2, H2,and O2 using BS and vinegar, mossy zinc metal and HCl. and H2O2 and yeast respectively. Then using a small tea candle and skewer test each gas several times with a flame test. Fun
Period 4:
They were out of their seats, not paying attention, so I decided to do the lab as a demo but they were still unruly so I decided to show them the end of "Bikini: Forbidden Paradise" that we started last time.
Period 8:
Behind a day, so we did Einstein's letter reading passage from last week, and then the making gas lab.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Wek 35, Day 5: YOu grow into your teacher self

Odd block
Same lesson as yesterday Einsteins letter Hiroshima



As you go through your career you will see things, video, toys, models, shirts, decorations, labs, activities, and you will grow into these.  I remember being a new teacher in training and being blown away by the stuff of master teachers. My stuff I mean more than the physical decor of their rooms. I remember the confidence and conviction behind those mentors and thinking, "Wow, I wish I could be like that".


I remember being a first grader looking across the street to those "grown up kids" at the Middle school.

I remember looking across the street while in middle school to those "grown up kids" at the high school.

If you are a student teacher looking at your mentor teachers with that same apprehension I say to you
YOU WILL GET THERE, WE WILL HELP YOU, WHAT YOU LACK IN EXPERIENCE YOU WILL MAKE UP WITH e2, ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM.


My first year was one of my best years of my 23.

As for today in class, I have been focused on preparing for a retirement party by painting wooden spider models.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 35, Day 4: Nuclear Chemistry and Fallout

Even block.
Einstein's letter to Roosevelt and beginning of chapter 1 of Hiroshima then bikini island video


After reading to the kids about Marie Curie last class, it flowed to keep the radiation motif going. I read about the beginning of the Manhattan project, then the story of the Noiseless Flash (ch 1 of Hiroshima by Hershey) on August 6, 1945. Then I show them a video of an ABC show from the '90's about the bikini bomb tests.

I also spray painted spider decorations for a retirement party for a respected a beloved colleague.

 
I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 35, Day 3:The Chemistry Project

Odd block
"A glowing discovery" passage about Marie curie and Pierre discovering elements and sub atomic particles.


A nice day. Kids had their  first real chance to work on the chemistry project.

Again as yesterday they loved the glue and borax polymer. Period 7 didn't get to do it.

Students are teaming up and most are trying to figure out what will be easiest to do:
Atom model, Molecule model, Element Brochure, or High Quality Poster

My website has the project listed in the NOTES AND MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS>>>Chemistry Assignments, you can down load it there for the detail.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 35, Day 2: Marie Curie Fun with GLUEP

Even Block Schedule. Marie Curie reading passage, time to work on the chemistry project, and making GLUEP mini lab.

A nice day. The students were tolerant of the long reading passage (which was a pleasant surprise) and then LOVED adding the 50% glue in water mix to 10% borax solution making a slimy polymer that one lab calls GLUEP (glue polymer).

TO add to the story of Marie discovering Polonium and Radium I get glow sticks and then cut them open and dump them into small test tubes and hen hang them on my clip board as I walk around the room reading.






Honors sci took the test today.

My school website has the story I read, A glowing Discovery, on the Teachers link off the main page as well as my power point supplement.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 35, Day 1: Angels and tests.

Odd block schedule. Last test, chemistry Benchmark tests.

Long day
Started with a faculty meeting which was nice for 3 reasons:
1) beautiful choir performance, they sounded like angels
2) got a gift from the school district (and it was not a pink slip)
3) I did not have to stand morning duty.


I got frustrated with period 1 and chewed them out.  They were handling this test review as if it was  Saturday afternoon at the mall.

I wish I would handle the situation differently. My 3rd year teaching I never got mad. I don't know if it was the kids or me. My last two years at my privious middle school were dream years too. We never left what I 
call "the honeymoon".



I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Week 34, Day 5: We became Ribosomes today!

Even block Schedule. Final test of the year (structure of matter and organic chemistry).

Slightly shorter periods due to the Latino fest lunch celebration. Due to testing last week we couldn't do it on Cinco de Mayo.

For review I drew the structural formula, then made 8 copies(per page) of the amino acid glycine on a sheet of paper. We then we cut them out, bonded them together (making covalent bonds with tape) to make branched and unbranched protein. Two of our standards deal with monomers making polymers, and proteins are molecules of life.

I told the students as they connected their Glycine units together that my room is a cell, they are now RIBOSOMES making proteins.

Due to a late scheduled afternoon meeting at the High School, my Honors Science afternoon class lesson was destroyed. So we hung out. Did a review at the end of the period for the postponed test.

Happy 48th birthday Paul

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 34, Day 4: Beginning of the end...4 weeks remain.

Odd block Schedule. Review for final test.

My plan was to give the last chemistry test. I have not seen my odd classes since last week, due to the weird state testing schedule, and I think it would be bad to give them the test today (structure of matter and organic chemistry)
.
We reviewed the requirements for the last project of the year: THE CHEMISTRY PROJECT, a choice of atom model, element brochure, poster project, or molecule model. More on this in week 35.

Final stretch for end of the year. About 5 kids per class this year have F 's and they don't seem to care. I've begun the notification process, I'll tell the parents and let the kids decide to do or not to do.  Usually I have only 1 or 2 kids with F's but this years group has more. Its frustrating for me, I really think you have to work harder to fail in my class than to pass.  However, maybe being 13/14 is especially difficult this year.


I hope this helps.


Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!


It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Week 34, Day 3: Are other teachers kids nicer than our own students?

Last testing schedule of the year. Then Periods 2 and 4 in the afternoon. Apollo 1 video (see blog w33d3)
I have so enjoyed the 7th graders that spent some time in my class these past two weeks for testing. This is how it must feel to be a grand parent.

I used the video today to be a time of getting missing work turned in. This is the only time all year that I had period 4 at the end of the day.  I told them if you do not get your work done (ticket out the door) then you do not leave. I HAD TONS OF WORK TURNED IN!

I hope this helps.


Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!


It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com
 
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Week 34, Day 2: Planning past testing week

Testing schedule  Period 1 (Apollo 1, see two posts ago) and then Prep to end the day

Apollo 1 From the Earth to the Moon Clip.

Got next weeks assignment sheet completed, The Chemistry Project , put together. This will be a choice for them of either Atom model, Molecule model, High quality poster project, or Element Brochure.More on this next week

Kids at lunch making (from honors sci) shrinking the #6 plastics.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 34, Day 1: Having fun with your students

Even block period. Expansion Lab per 2 & 4, Fun with polymers period 8 (honors).

A really nice day. The expansion (Alka seltzer) lab touches on atomic and molecular motion and states of matter and the effect on reaction rate.

The fun with polymers lab was a blast. Glue and borax blobs, shrinking # 6 plastics. The kids had a great time.

That's why I do this..teaching that is. It's fun.Seeing the kids laugh and delight.


I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 33, Day 5: Between Testing

Odd block schedule: catch up and video "Apollo 1"

After 3 days of testing schedule we have a regular day. Period 1 is behind in lessons and we got caught up.

Apollo 1 From the Earth to the Moon Clip.

I covered a class for a colleague during my prep.

I decided to show the video: From the Earth to the Moon: part 2-Apollo 1.  It is the story of the forensic investigation into the tragic fire.  I show this because of the chemistry reference.


This week I have been making a power point key for our district's new benchmark chemistry tests.





I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 33, Day 4: Polymer Fun

Test schedule and period 6 (prep YES) and 8 honors.

Today I had to give a test and not just student-sit. It was our dept 7th grade test. They finished early and I got out the embossing powder again (yesterday) and also let them make borax/glue polymer "GLUEP". I never made this in class before and SHAME on me. Totally fun!

During my prep I  made a paper polymer lab and added to it some activities on Polymers from a session I attended at the 2008 NSTA Portland conference.

I created a paper polymer activity to show how repeating glucose molecules connected can make either Starch, Cellulose (wood) or Glycogen.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 33, Day 3: Renaissance Fun with 7th graders

Test schedule and period 5 and 7. Same lesson as yesterday ( elements in the human body)

Testing day 2. Lots of fun with the students I monitored as they waited to take their test with their 7th grade AB teacher. Today they were to work on a flip book about the Renaissance notable people. I pulled out my heat expanding embossing powder and multi colored card stock and all had a great time.

The lesson went much better today. Knowing the students were not familiar with protractor work made the lesson easier to carry out. Also, the students were not flipp'n crazy goofy as they were yesterday late afternoon. I do get a bit moody having two periods back to back with no break.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 33, Day 2: Craziness

Testing schedule , then period 2 and 4
Graphing the top 10 elements in our bodies and calculating their weight in pounds.

I did not give any test today. We test by the students Academic Block teacher. While a teacher's AM classes were testing the PM class was hanging out with me.

After lunch I found out that most students in my period 2 class do not know how to use a protractor, an assumption I made.

Period 4 came in into the class as if they were clowns and this was a carnival, one student out of their seat then on the floor rolling and hooting and running around. A second student was spraying an aerosol and when I asked for the can, the student  looked me in the eye, put it in their bag, zipped it up and grinned at me. The bag and the student were delivered (by me) to the 8th grade office. I managed my frustration and anger and got the class going.

After all this I had a parent-student meeting in which the student showed all adults in the room that they are talk back-a-tive, and defiant and rude. 

This was my after noon.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Week 33, Day 1: Teacher Appreciation Week and STATE TESTING

Odd Block Schedule: same lesson as yesterday - organic chem lab, starch and lipid test.

I've got this lesson figured out after a rocky start last Friday.

State testing starts tomorrow. We have done a nice review over the past 10 days, I feel that I have fully prepared them for the state tests.

Frustration with talkative students in period 5. I had difficulty with one of them last week. This one student will not stop talking.  I had to remove this student and the one sitting beside to go fill out a TIME OUT SLIP. I have a pre-made time out slip that I can quickly check some behavior boxes to get the kids out of class quickly but make them have to answer some questions about their behavior. They usually sit out side but today I had them go to the 8th grade office.


I get a balloon delivered with a bag of candy ballast and a note saying how much I am appreciated. That was a welcome surprise.


As I prepare for tomorrow's class and the state test proctoring, our student councilor calls me to say the parent of the talkative student wants a conference. Now I'm frustrated (there were some accusations made about my professional ethics by the talkative student). I decide it's time for a walk home NOW


Warm weather. Hot walk home.
Can't focus on grading papers. I decide to call it a night early.
Not feeling very appreciated.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Week 32, Day 5: MORE FUN with Organic Chemistry!

Even block Schedule: Simple organic chem. Lab, review old released questions form past state science exams.

I forgot to set up the lab last night after sitting for a couple of hours at the D.M.V. awaiting my son's time to take his test for his learners permit.(he passed so no trip back soon is needed!)

Today's lab is about the 3 part of our Organic Chem standards, The large organic molecules of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and D.N.A.

The lab is simple.  Test some foods for STARCH with Iodine and LIPIDS with grease smears on paper bags. It is not my favorite lab, BUT IT IS A LAB and it does draw attention to the foods we eat and what is in them.
The Lab tests Bread, Potato chips, raw potato, cheese, crackers, raw bacon and cooking oil.

We had a lunch today by our principal to kick of our state testing next week, that was nice.

The afternoon class FLEW by today.


I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 32, Day 4: MORE FUN with Organic Chemistry!

Odd block schedule: (same lesson as yesterday,models with organic chemistry, A model of butane shown in the photo).

Nice day again. A little review, a little notes, a little lab
Nice to spend a lunch with the teachers together for lunch today go kick off the start off the the jogathon which will really be a swim a thon.

Needed to stay after today to put together the organic chem lab but got told to come home and sit with my son at the D.M.V. while he takes his driver test. He passed! But the LAB was not set up.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 32, Day 3: FUN with Organic Chemistry!

Even Block Schedule (Organic Chem models-non ring glucose molecule shown in the picture) 

Wow what a terrific day to be a teacher.

Who knew organic chemistry could be so fun! We covered part 1  of a 3 part organic chem standard.  Carbon is the element of life and makes 4 covalent bonds. I broke out the atom model kits for the first time ever. They made all kinds of carbohydrates from methane to octane to decane. Some made vanillin , aspirin and glucose. Even TNT.

We used a set of model set with  wood spheres and springs to make the models.  The kids had soooo much fun. I should have done this 20 years ago.


I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney

Week 32, Day 2: Review revolt!

Odd Block Schedule. Test review and finish some old labs.

Review revolt! I revolted against review only.  I through a mini lab into the lesson plan.  4 days of review and testing made me psycho.!

A week or two ago we started the exothermic/endothermic lab. WE did not get them all finished back then and I used today to do it. Nice break from review. In one or two classes we even started the conservation of mass lab.

I hope this helps.

Love to Teach, and Teach with Passion!

It’s not Magic, It’s Science!

RichardKinney@cusd.com

http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/rey_kinney