Summer School Day 11: Last day fo NASA PSTI Summer school

Friday June 25, 2010

I was up all but 2 hours last night. I have learned not to this any more.  I sent the wrong version of the radar gram in early this morning. Then later I made the ending video too long by clicking FULL length in place of MAGIC movie.

We said good-bye .  24  strangers come together, create a team, make some friends build everlasting memories.  This has been like a whole school year compressed into 12 days. NASA Ames almost seems like a dream...a nice dream . I am so glad I made the videos.

I have learned a lot too. I have come away from, this with knowledge of creating YouTube videos, a few neat little techie programs, and the realization that I really enjoy working with adult students and will do more in the future.

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE:
Partial Lunar eclipse this morning at 4.  I SLEPT THROUGH IT. I've begun the process of catching up on sleep.

Summer School: Day 10: D-Day-lesson presentation time

Thursday June 24, 2010

NASA Ames PSTI 2010 Website with links to student blogs, web pages and YouTube videos

Day 9 YouTube Video -Practice Lessons

NASA Ames PSTI 2010 Day 10-D-Day, THE LESSON

New- NASA Ames PSTI2010 Virtual control tower ON MARS Day 3.2


ED building room 140 (MISSION CONTROL) opens at 8.
8:30 all hands meeting.
9:00 rooms almost all open for set up.
9:00-12:25 hurry up and wait.
12:25 students enter rooms and lessons begin. I am in the room with team GO Green.

All student teams have their rooms ready, have practiced, have re-practiced and are now beginning their lessons.  Smiles, cool "flight suits" to wear, neat models to use, decisions to make, calculations to do.

I am so proud the student teams that have come together, forged a team, dealt with issues, and made a totally cool , safe, and fun lesson for some children. Oh yes, there were gift bags given to the kids.

A channel 24 camera man enters the class and begins filming the students. As he leaves I call him to me and I stick my camera into his face and I say, "Good day. so what are you doing here this afternoon?".  He smiles, and says he's filming some really excellent and impressive science lessons. Tha t was fun.

Summer School: Day 9 : Practice

Wed June 23, 2010

NASA Ames PSTI 2010 Website with links to our blogs and beginnings of our webpages.

PSTI 2010 Day 8 YouTube video-practice lessons

Last day at NASA Ames and a fun one.
We spent all morning practicing the lessons.
Each team presented their lesson to the class (we have 4 teams),
2 teams acted as students. Each was given a slip of paper that said what kind of student they were, Examples: Always raised hand, does not want to participate, is out of their seat and distracting, Etc.
One group was an observer group and scored the presenting group with a rubric.

The challenge of the whole week and a half of training, and the 50 min lesson designed
A comet was just discovered on collision course wth the ISS. You have only minutes to gather needed supplies and then use an escape pod to take the crew to a nearby asteroid and crate a habitat to keep you alive for the 5 days needed to await a rescue.

Team Blue FAEA (Future Astronaut Educators of America) created a board game type solution to have students figure if enough room room of the escope is present.

Team Red focused on designin and then creatiing the habitat to sustain life.

Team GoGreen had students calculate how much of each resource (air, food, space suits, water etc) is needed, plot it on a graph, then put the material inside the escape pod to see if it fit. (see pic above)

Team Golden Stardust broke the class into different teams, gave each team a job to do in order to save themselves.

We left for Fresno. Got students checked into the dorms, set up our rooms with our supplies, and then called it a night at 7. I love this sign that hung on the railing at Sequoia Hall.

Summer School: Day 8-Practice lesson

NASA Ames PSTI 2010
(pre-service teacher institute )
Our last day here at Ames! Bummer. We are exhausted but happy with our time here.

It's late, 12:06 I'm about to go to bed. I'll update this tomorrow morning,

Here is the YouTube link from yesterday, Day 7.(Mon)

Here is the YouTube link for today, Day 8 (Tues) 

The visitor center will be the first place we go next year, right after team building or just before. I'd like to use the visitor center for the lesson on NASA's 5  charges (this is not the correct term but close) and the Patch design design.

Summer School, Day 7: Solstice, star party, and up too late for a good cause

I got back to my room at 12:57 AM.

Kendia and I suggested we do a dessert potluck and then a star party (telescope viewing) and moon observation.

We met at the Dorm about 7:17 pm and I made Virgin Pina Colada's, Mai Tai, and Margarita's.

I set up two telescopes and binoculars for a waxing gibbous Moon (more than half lit and getting bigger) observation. Venus was bright and also in gibbous phase.  About 10 the party was winding down but a few faithful stayed longer and got great views of the moon.

Then about 11 pm I realized Saturn was up and enjoyed the "Oh my gosh, it really does have rings". I love that comment, it is just the pure joy of discovery.

Some students from Singularity University program/reception came walking through over the next 2 hours. I had amazing talks with Jordan and Joe who work in the fluid dynamics lab and we talked about rocket fuel, hybrid fuel , droplet analysis and ROCKET SCIENCE   OH MY GOSH I'M AT A NASA FACILITY AND AND HAVE CASUAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ROCKET SCIENCE WITH INTERNS WHILE STAR GAZING WAH HOOOO!

One pair of students , Justin from Canada and Tigest (teh-jist)  from Ethiopia (I think)  were really stoked about the Moon and Saturn  and stayed out their for 2 hours.(pictured in the photo)

These two were fun. Back from a formal party/reception they were so appreciative and enthusiastic about the 'scopes and viewing that it was a joy staying out 2 hours past bedtime. Funny, they said I complementary things about me. We were all caught in neat moment, Tigest kept saying how sleep would be totally awesome with the visions of the moon and Saturn still in her minds eye (paraphrase).  Justin and I got in discussion about DNA testing (he is a biotech guy from...let me look at his card...HOLY FRINGGN COW...from Cambridge...England...Newton went there..wow..oh he got to look through my (school's) Newtonian Telescope...how perfect.
And that's what this night was..long..but PERFECT.   (moon photo taken by me by holding an old SONY Mavica 3.5 floppy disk camera to the eyepiece...SINUS IRIDIUM -Bay of Rainbows)

I am so impressed with all the college students, from Fresno to Cambridge, you are our Future and you are looking bright.  I'm glad you got see some heavenly objects tonight because tonight YOU WERE MY SHINING STARS.  Thank you!

YouTube Video of the LATE STAR PARTIERS

Summer School: Day 6: RAFT teacher supply store and FUN FUN FUN BLAH BLAH BLAH

Friday June 19, 2010
I arrived back to Moffett field after a 24 hour trip to Fresno to see the STAR WARS In-Concert tour.

NASA Ames PSTI 2010 Day 6 YouTube video- RAFT (science) teacher supply store-you gotta see this, no matter who you are.

Photo caption: Me and colleague Jim  Feramisco...or 3 big _______.

I missed  a lot while gone.  FLUID DYNAMICS TOUR  and  a social event BBQ. I enjoyed the concert but I feel like I really missed out on a couple of special things while gone.

We went to the Teacher Supply store RAFT. It's like a COSTCO meets the DOLLAR store and its for teachers.

My biggest challenge is trying to stay focu-SQUIRREL-sed on one thing at a time. My brain is filled with input and ideas and its a really cool time.


SNAPS to the GO GREEN team, and all the teams, for your hard work but remember this:

In the end , you are doing a 50 min lab for 12 year olds, be upbeat, do your thing, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A HANDS ON THINGY to do, and mostly ENJOY IT, HAVE FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN. Ya, standards are important blah blah blah but if the students check out on the lesson they are not getting the standard. Also, let them know if they follow directions AND HAVE FUN they will get a surprise!  This in not coercion, its motivation!

Also, that one kid you will have in your class that cannot focus and can hardly maintain him/her self, let them wear one of the yellow suits!

Summer School: Day 5: Off to a galaxy far far away!

NASA Ames PSTI (Pre-Service Teacher Institute)

Up later than I meant to last night. Just not enough hours in the day.

In my session this morning I introduced the Jing capture tool. A few students could not get from the tutorial to the program. This bugs me. Especially when I don't know why it works on one computer and not the next. Most likely its the operating system , but my knowledge of this part of TECH in GREEK TO ME.

NASA AMES PSTI 2010 DAY 5.1 Short Sample FLIP Video made this morning as a demo.

Yesterdays video now available on Day 4 (previous) Blog entry.

I demonstrated how to create and quick edit, create, and publish to YouTube a Flip Video.

I shared  Jeopardy power points. Students opted to learn about MOVIE MAKER and not Excel formula creation (duh, like this really needed a vote, I mean do you want to go fly in an airplane or learn how to bleed the airplanes brake fluid lines*). Kendia Herrington did the presentation (sorry, I just dropped that on you at the last minute). I am so glad she jumped at the opportunity, she did a FANTASTIC JOB!

I left at this point (10ish) and headed for home and to the Star Wars In-Concert at the Save Mart Center.

Star Wars In-Concert was really nice.

The photo is (blurry sorry) Composer John Williams original hand written sheet music for STAR WARS. It was like I was looking at the Constitution or something.  This is in tribute to my colleague, a principal, a music teacher, and all around amazing person and fellow instructor: Felicia  Bessent

*I would choose both actually

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

Summer School Day 4: SLEEP Deprived and running out of energy

NASA Ames PSTI (pre-service teacher Institute)
NASA Ames PSTI 2010 YouTube Video Day 4 : NASA math websites, Bio recycling lab tour,  Making Comets with dry ice, NASA Teacher Resource center.

Photo taken tonight on my way back from meeting with my student team.Hanger 1, Big Ruskie heavy lifter transport, and visible under the tail the Zeppelin NT.

This is going to be super short for now. I need sleep.

But I have to say the past 4 days have been some of the best in my life. I am working with really nice people, excellent students, living in the Bay Area at an old Naval Air Station AND I AM LIVING A LIFE LONG DREAM TO WORK AT NASA.(I know it's a NASA funded project but hey, let me have this one)

I worked with my GO GREEN team tonight. I love the youth, the smarts, the TEAM WORK, the acceptance, and appreciation and incorporation of each others gifts. The future of education is in great hands. I love teaching because the energy and youthful enthusiasm is contagious.

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

Summer School: Day 3:Team Patches and Tours

 NASA Ames PSTI Day 3.1 YouTube Video Bienvenidos and Review
NASA Ames PSTI Day3.2 Virtual martian rover (in the virtul control tower)
 NASA Ames PSTI Day 3.3 YouTube Video NASA Educator websites preview
 NASA Ames PSTI Day 3.4 YouTube Video Team Patch Presentations
 NASA Ames PSTI Day 3.5 YouTube Video AEE center tour.  (short version)

Photo: I went a little crazy at the gift shop. Sent this pic to my wife with a message of "Here's what 96 bucks looks like", BUT I made a typo and put 960 bucks" This got me an immediate phone call, she was worried that I  bought two Zeppelin NT tickets too.

8:44 pm: Oh my goodness. What a wonderful day. We Reflected on yesterday, got focused on the lesson the students will present, enjoyed and amazing tour of the Air Traffic control tower simulator (this was amazing!), gifto shop (I lost $100 bucks!), reviewed NASA educator websites (it was pretty neat, I was worried about the Ho Hum factor), Presented team Patches, visited an moratorium, and then Kendia and I did some RECON to find a Dry Ice Supply and TACO BELL.

Now I have 110 video clips (90 min) to make into movies. Will update later. Bye for now.

10:54pm: made 4 movies, 1 to go. Previewed the Dr. Harry Wong DVD. We need to watch this, it is so important for these future teachers to see this, it may change their (professional) life as it did mine. Okay, back to the FlipVideo editor.

11:30 pm: Videos made. I'm so tired.  Not enough time in the day!

2:01 am: Just uploaded to YouTube . Hey my Google doc works.

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

Summer School: Week 1 Day 2: Intro to Blogging

NASA Ames PSTI 2010 Day 2 YouTube video

I was up too late last night messing around with the video's. IT WAS WORTH IT!

Had a beautiful morning and breakfast, both with glorious hanger 1 in constant view. See photo.

We asked the students to create Google accounts and begin a Blog. The following is what we asked them to do answer daily:
What challenges did you work on today
-I introduced Blogging to 22 of 24 students. We will use this as a method of daily evaluations.
Individual Achievement
Learning to make Flip videos and uploading to YouTube has been a goal for about 3 years, I can check those off my list.
Group achievement
Interacting with my 3 fellow teachers to make a worthwhile day. I am mentor for TEAM GREEN.
Plus/Delta's 
I enjoyed: the discussions amongst the groups and the really nice nearby cafe and nice people that work there.
I'd like to change my presentation style , its a little too A.D.D.
Snaps (cool things about your team members)
I like Felicia's calm manner, I like Lena's memory clues to Vertical and Horizontal, I like Sharon always taken care of us and being a great photographer, I like the team of Steve and Anne, and I appreciate the back up of Mariceli, and Kendia-don't get me started on her...she's my alter self. 
Coolest thing you learned/heard/saw today.
Seeing the initiative of the groups working on their team patch designs.
Also I learned that answering these questions is not easy, it makes my brain work!
Quote of the day:
"You should eat science as much as possible" -Kendia Herrington while running a lab on asteroid types using different kinds of treats.

                     Photo: P-3 Orion Anti-sub patrol aircraft. I like my wife and kids but I love airplanes!

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

Summer School: Week 1 Day 1: NASA Ames PSTI 2010

 NASA Ames PSTI 2010 (Pre-Service Teacher Institute)

Ice Breaker!  YouTube Video
Post Dinner Staff Self Walking Tour  Walk YouTube Video
Oh my goodness this is too cool!

Sunday June 23, 2010
Left Clovis at 9:40 am. Arrived Moffett Field 1:05 and barely late for the welcome and intro.

Oh my goodness this is too cool!
 They are adults, I'm use to 8th graders. This is so weird, I am now on the other side of summer science academies, I'm an instructor. When did I get this darn old : )

Team building was totally cool , lots of smiles and cool vibes. groovy

Interesting noises in the reception lounge, sounds like a dentist working on King kong's molars with jack hammers and saws-alls. Either a/c issues or reconstruction happening down stairs, but I saw no construction workers. I think the building is a transformer (NAS-APTA-TRON, hoping it's an autobot and not a deciptacon) and we were actually in its stomach!

Neat problem solving activity, congress, up the hill, top of the hill, and over the hill were the groups and the task was: "choose me to go to space".

I am very much looking forward to working with, and getting to know, the students.

Kendia and I jumped in to do the Team name and Logo intro. Fun.

Went to dinner at THE FISH MARKET, With Steve, Anne, Felicia , Sharon and Kendia. What a fun group, and nice people. Smoked salmon and albacore. (I mean I ate the fish, not rolled it and lit it and inhaled it) Mmm.

Came back and took a walk. See the YouTube video.
12:24 Go To Sleep!

Quote of the day: "Man, I'm glad I was skinny back then"


Thought of the day: thank-you students for emanating joyful laughter. 

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 38, Day 5: Last Day

Odd schedule, half day, talent show schedule.

A quiet calm last day. It was not hot, and more than usual absences, those factors may have made it calmer.

This photo is a blast from the near-past.I love the look and body language, relaxed and full of beginning-of-the-year energy. Summer brings that back to us teachers.

I did not participate in the talent show this year. Worry about the summer school class I will help teach, having to get my room cleaned up this week (normally I do it the Monday after school is out), and trying to get the home honey-do list completed, and trying to get as many of my failing students passing(More of those this year, it bothers me) made it too much. .  Usually I have 1 or 2 fail and that usually due to many absences. I had about 10 this year.

I did win an award, for the 4th year in a row, WILDEST 8TH GRADE TEACHER. That was nice but I really feel it should have been my colleague Grace Bennett (the spider lady).

Well I did it.  Blogged for a whole school year. A blog that almost no one reads. Oh well, Like much of my teaching, this was about trying to help colleagues.

I will post a few more times over the summer to give updates about my summer school class at NASA Ames.

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 38, Day 4: Didn't get to say good-bye

Even block schedule,

Most students went to a swim park today for the 8th grade picnic. I stayed behind and cleaned my room while supervising 21 students that did not go to the picnic. They helped me take down my room.  I took the boys that might have been a problem for other teachers and let them stay together with me in my class. We watched Galaxy Quest, Monsters Inc, and most of My Favorite Martian.I ended up collecting money and getting them some pizza. They really helped me get the class taken down.  It looks kinda sad in my room now.


Due to a goofy schedule two days ago and the picnic today I did not get a chance to say goodbye to my honors science class. I thought Friday we would get a few minutes together.

This really bugged me.

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 38, Day 3: Waiting for the end, Looking for a change.

Odd block schedule:
Signing yearbooks and watching movies. DELUGE. It's an amazing documentary about water. It gets the kids attention.
I've got to get my room cleaned up. 4 days 'till I start the two week teaching position at NASA Ames. Two weeks in the Bay area. Normally the last week of school is free and easy. This year it's a bit more intense due to getting ready for the next two weeks

Looking back over this year I need to slow down my teaching pace and work on being kinder and gentler. My work persona is kind of like "Grumpy uncle Richard". I want to change this.

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 38, Day 2: Little Treasures from our past.

Even Block Schedule: Wild California DVD (see previous post) and students go through their class work data folders.

I had students go through their class work data folders.  This is where I have them store all their class work through out the year.  I encourage them to keep the assignments that show their personality: What Science is to me essay from week 1, Character Counts Shape Project from week 2, Periodic names and Periodic table Square from the Chemistry unit .

My Mother handed me a stack of work I did in middle school when I was in my 30's and they were like little lost treasure.  A direct view of what I was like as a teen, my thoughts, my goofy hand writing, my doodles and writings. I tell my students that they will treasure these in 10 or 20 years and either slip them into your year book or put them under a box in your closet.

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 38, Day 1, Last week of school

Odd block schedule, modified for assembly schedule. Wild California video and catch up reading passage about calculating the speed of light.

The IMAX DVD Wild California is worth it's weight in gold. The kids learn some environmental science and see some beautiful views of sky diving, snowboarding, Sequoia tree climbing, baby Sea Otter rehab, Golden Gate Bridge views, Endangered species Eagle chick restoration and all of this to the music of Fleetwood Mac.
The kids love this show.
This is my fall back lesson when I have to cover a class. Due to the shorter periods I could not do the roller coaster lab I planned.

We had a fire drill this afternoon at our school and we did not hear the alarm "chirps" in my room. I did know about it until the principal announced on the all call system that all was clear.

Mr Scott Case, math teacher, had the school yearbook dedicated to him. He is very deserving of this award.

One week from today I will be on day 2 of my summer teaching job at NASA Ames in Mountain view.

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 37, Day 4.5: Good-bye Teacher and Coach John Wooden

We lost former UCLA Teacher and Coach John Wooden this week. Several years ago our school used his Success Pyramid Book as our staff development training. At first I was skeptical, "I'm a nerd not a big sports fan" I thought. Turns out his book is one of my favorites.

I made a lesson based on his pyramid.

I celebrate your life. Thank you for making me a better teacher and a better person.

 
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 37, Day 4: Mixed up lessons and a bad choice.

TGIF

Even block schedule: A different Lesson every period.

Period 2 did the roller coaster lab.They have been a terrific class, both academically and with (not surprising) behavior. This was a lab that I sometimes do in the Force and Motion Unit, but this year it was cut out. I will use it ow where I can.

Period 4 watched a movie, Earth to the Moon part 10: GALILEO WAS RIGHT (You Tube link)

While they watched a movie, I began to take down my model airplanes that hang from the ceiling.

One student decided that the .50 caliber machine gun shell hanging with the model was just too cool and this student stole it. 2 periods later I found out it was gone. This was a kick in the side.  I called in a few students, a name was mentioned along with “..was going to steal it”. By the end of the period I had the model back. I learned: don’t leave something that may be so cool out unattended.

Period 8 watched the end of Galaxy Quest while I tracked down students.  I show the clip pictured below when we talk about the Alkali Metals. Here the Galaxy quest crew is getting a "Beryllium Sphere", which of coarse is a reference to Star Trek's Di Lithium Crystals (an Alkali Earth Metal)

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 37, Day 3: Explaining Voltage and electric Current.

Odd block Schedule.
Same lesson as yesterday: A Spark of Genius" reading passage about Benjamin Franklin's lightning discoveries. See previous post.

I found a great deal on some tubing for use in the roller coaster lab at Lowes hardware store , 31 cents a tube. That's a great price. I am planning on doing the roller coaster lab tomorrow for a few classes. More on that tomorrow.

Kids had so much fun with the Van de graaff  generator, and so did I.

I used the dam analogy to explain voltage and current. Voltage is not what can kill you, current flow is(how many electrons).  The height of a dam (or waterfall) is like the voltage of a circuit. You can have a very high dam (High V) but if only a few drops are spilling over the top (Low Current) you are in no danger,  If the flood gates open and you hit with 400 cubic feet per second (High current) you are in trouble.  Images of Bridal Veil Falls  in Yosemite, Same voltage, different current.

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 37, Day 2: Lightning and static charges.

Even block period
"A Spark of Genius" reading passage about Benjamin Franklin's lightning discoveries, and then we watching the first 15 minutes of the NOVA show "Lightning". The best part was playing with the Van de Graaff generator and shocking the kids to giggles and laughs.
Click here to see the beginning of NOVA: Lightning

The year is winding down. Lots of retirement parties happening. Plans for next year happening. It's a kind of Energized Calm.


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 37, Day 1: End of the year lesson grid

Odd Block Schedule
Same lesson as last time; An explosive discovery reading passage about Roger Bacon re-discovering gunpowder and Star Trek episode:ARENA.

In the last 2 weeks of school we are Caught in the middle time. Too early to hang out and sign year books, too late to get anything big started. Things get hectic and lessons may need to be switched or adjusted. I use this grid to keep my lessons straight in my head. You may find it helpful.

As hokey as the old Star Trek episode looked to my students, THEY WERE ALL SILENT AND FOCUSED ON THE EPISODE. You learn a little chemistry. You learn not to jump to conclusions.

A nice day, until the end. A couple of boys decided to mess with a molecule model and broke part of it. I was mad. I helped the girl it belongs to glue it last week so it would be ready today. What got me really angry, and too loud, was the boy's attitude of,"I didn't do it",  and let me grin at my buddy because the teacher is mad at me. I know they are 13/14 but they need to learn to just say, "I'm sorry, didn't mean to break it, can I fix it?".

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 36, Day 5: Roger Bacon, Black Powder, Captain Kirk,Giant Reptiles and Memorial day

Even Block period, An explosive discovery reading passage about Roger Bacon re-discovering gunpowder and Star Trek episode:ARENA.
See Capt. Kirk use Gunpowder
It's the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. I show a Memorial day power point based on the photographs from a book called "Offerings at the Wall". It begins with some newspaper cartoons about the meaning of Memorial Day, then the book photos, then some pictures of various Hmong and Laotian memorials. We have a large population of Southeast Asian families and I wanted to so respect and appreciation to them.

Due to a fundraiser reward, 1/3 to 3/4 of my students are gone to a water park. Cool, literally, it's a cold day, especially when wet and with this wind.

I read to my students a story of Friar Roger Bacon re-discovering black powder. Then, since so many of the students were gone, I showed them most of an old Star Trek episode called Arena. It's the one with the giant lizard man battling with Captain Kirk.

The reading passage is on my school website under: Notes and Major Assignments, then Reading Passages.
The memorial day power point is on my school website Home page at the bottom with other downloads..

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 36, Day 4: Pictures of the Chemistry project

Odd block  return text books  same lesson as yesterday;

Chemistry projects due, Michael Collins' LIFTOFF and Apollo 13 video clip of the launch.

Today was kind of frustrating, it was the same lesson as yesterday but it really bothered me, the kids seemed a bit more off track. Below are the High Quality Poster project, Element Brochure, Molecule and Atom  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 36, Day 3: Chemistry project turn in and patience

Even Block.

Chemistry projects due, Michael Collins' LIFTOFF and Apollo 13 video clip of the launch.

Per 2 and 4 completed their projects and I hung them up on the ceiling or pined them to the wall.

Period 8 watched From the Earth to the Moon part 2 APOLLO 1
The reading passage is about a what a rocket launch is like, then the video clip is a visual to the passage.

I am practicing patience and it is working. I have to get the clutter off of my desk, it is even bothering me.(Photo)

Department meeting this morning.  Biggest issue was the new mster schedule for next year and less money for supplies.

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 36, Day 2: High Honors

Odd Block Schedule
Morning classes did the expansion lab and the afternoon class made the glue polymer lab then finished the Bikini island bomb test video

Last night was the principal medallion dinner, students who earned straight A's all 4 semesters at my school (exceptions for B in Geometry and Honors Science).

Seeing these scholars last night was so special. They were proud of their achievement and a bit nervous about the next step toward growing up and moving over to High School.


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