Agenda December 16

1 Chapter 5 Summative Assessment
2 HW Chapter 6 Directed Reading no Target Reading due Friday, January 6
3 Journal 50 Chapter 6 Pre Reading due Friday, January 6
4 Journal 51 Chapter 6 Vocabulary due Friday, January 6
5 Journal 52 Chapter 6 Constructing Meaning due Friday, January 6

Agenda December 15

1 Chapter 5 Test

Miniatures Club - We will try to finish the tournament today. We will try to get in 2 games of Aerodrome today.

Agenda December 14

1 Trade and Grade Ionic and Covalent Bonds WS
2 Review WS Ionic and Covalent Bonds due today
Chapter 5 Test tomorrow
No Bacon at the Staff Brunch so I didn't go. Am I being petty? Well, probably yes but I really was looking forward to Bacon (I only get it three times a year).

Agenda December 13

1 Computer Activity - Chemical Bonding - due today
http://beyondbooks.com/psc92/3.asp

We get bacon tomorrow. Thanks to all the parents who help make the Holiday Brunch so spectacular for us teachers.

Agenda December 12

1 Hydrogen Bonding Activity - Drops on a Penny - due today

Agenda December 9

1 Check Journal 43, 44, and 45
2 Checked HW Chapter 5 Packet
3 Turned in Ionic and Covalent Bonding WS

Agenda December 8

1 Activity - Comparing the Properties of Ionic and Molecular (Covalent) Compounds

Agenda December 7

1 Journal 47 Ionic Bonding continued - Properties of Ionic Compounds
2 Journal 48 Covalent Bonds and Properties of Molecular Compounds
3 Journal 49 Properties of Polar and Non Polar Molecular Compounds
4 Peer Review of Ionic Compounds and Lewis Dot Periodic Table WS due today
5 Ionic and Covalent Bonds Practice WS due Friday, Dec. 9

Lots of misbehavior during the assembly today.
Mr. Realini says he will be there for the finish of the Pirates Tournament.
I plan on being here for the beginning of Areodrome.
I did not get to go to a Stanford Christmas party this evening. Too many people who were really important did not RSVP and still needed to attend. I missed out on the all you can eat sushi and the endless shrimp bowl. I always take it as a personal challenge to see if I can empty that thing. Oh well. I was fortunate enough to have my daughter be available so we went out for sushi. That was nice.
I am re-gearing up for playing Ancients again.

Agenda December 6

1 Journal 46 Lewis Dot Structures
2 Journal 47 Ionic Bonds
3 Activity and Worksheet. Bonding with a Classmate and Lewis Dots in the Periodic Table (due tomorrow)

Agenda December 5

1 HW Chapter 5 Directed Reading Packet No Target Reading due Friday Dec. 9

Agenda December 2

1 Learning Lab Day and Field Trip to see Tarzan, the Musical

Aerodrome first day and Pirates last day of tournament

Agenda December 1

1 Chapter 5 Pre Test (completeness)
2 Chapter 4.7 Test Trade and Grade
3 Journal 43 Chapter 5 Pre Reading due Fri. Dec. 9
4 Journal 44 Chapter 5 Vocabulary due Fri. Dec. 9
5 Journal 45 Chapter 5 Constructing Meaning due Fri. Dec. 9

Agenda November 30

1 Chapter 4 Standard 7 Test

Agenda November 29

1 Check Review worksheets from yesterday
2 Activity Radioactive Decay Half Life of "Pennyum"

Some issues about plagiarism have arisen. For all you soon to be high schoolers, check out this website. It has the district policies and expectations for the FUHSD.

http://www.fhs.fuhsd.org/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1231079427159

Miniatures Club starts Friday with Flight School for beginners and practice for veteran pilots.

Agenda November 28

1 New Seats
2 4 Review Worksheets for Chapter 4 (due tomorrow)

Test on Wednesday this week
I am grading 5 written reports per day.

We collected 216 pounds of candy for the troops as of November 22. One of the chaplains received a box of all chocolate candy and said his soldiers really appreciated it. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others.

Miniatures Club will be starting Aerodrome this Friday.

Agenda November 18 and 19

1 We had Element Project oral reports both days.

Agenda November 17

1 Collect WS Alien Periodic Table
2 Journal 42 Radioactivity
3 Video: Periodic Table

Element Project due tomorrow

Miniatures Club - Be here for Pirates Tournament. We will let you into the dance from here while you are waiting for a game so you can do both.

Agenda November 16

1 Collect WS Mixed Up Periodic Table
2 Demonstration (by fire) of reactivity across the Periodic table
3 WS Alien Periodic Table (due tomorrow)

Agenda November 15

1 Video Brainiac Alkali Metals
2 WS Mixed up Periodic Table (due tomorrow)

Today is the 36th anniversary of my first date with my wife. I hope we are having sushi.

Agenda November 14

1 Yell at class (not really yelling but I had a very stern talk about paying attention and enforcing the class discipline policies)
2 Return work
3 Check: Journal 35 Chapter 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Vocabulary; Journal 36 Chapter 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Constructing Meaning; Chapter 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Directed Reading Homework Packet (these had originally been due on Thursday); Journal for 1st Trimester (41 of these); Agenda for 1st Trimester (12 weeks of these); and extra credit awarded

Reminder - The Element Project papers and posters should be turned in this Friday. If your printer dies (a common occurrence at this time of year - when something important is due) email me the paper. Make sure to copy and paste it into the body of the email as attachments do not always make it through.

Miniatures Club - The first few rounds of the Pirates Tournament were successful.

Agenda November 10

1 Journal 41 Semimetals
2 Journal 40 continued Research Element Project on laptops

Agenda November 9

1 Journal 39 Noble Gases
2 Turn in Placing All the Elements Coloring WS
3 Journal 40 Element Project Research
4 Journal 35, 36, and the Chapter 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Homework Packet due dates are now Monday, Nov.14
Tomorrow is the last day for make up work
Grade are due by me on the 18th and will be sent home on the 22nd.

Agenda November 8

1 Journal 38 Non Metals (not Noble Gases)
2 Check Periodic Table Color Coding WS and turn in
3 WS: Placing All the Elements Coloring WS due tomorrow

We have collected 164 lbs of candy so far. The first shipment will be leaving the U.S. tomorrow and will take about 5 days to reach soldiers.

Agenda November 7

1 Journal 37 Metals
2 Return and Review work
3 WS Color Coding the Periodic Table due tomorrow
4 Art Supplies were made available

Agenda November 3

1 HW Chapter 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Directed Reading due Thursday Nov 10. No Target Reading

We have collected 100 lbs of Candy for Adopt a Chaplain as of today. I was given easily another 20 plus pounds this morning. We are well on the way to the 200 lb goal. It is a little convicting to weigh these using a bathroom scale because I have to hold the bags, get a weight, set the bags down, get a weight (mine) and subtract. I wish I had a smaller number to subtract.

The Pirates tournament is going to be slowed to allow training 6th Graders

Agenda November 2

1 Test Chapter 4.1 and 4.2

You can pick up poster paper for the Element Project after school any day this week. Art supplies will be available in class on Thursday or Friday.

Element Project note. Pick that is easy to write about. I do not recommend and element above 92. The 2 elements after Tungsten (W) would be hard too.

Agenda November 1

1 Video Bill Nye Atoms
2 Pass out construction paper if time. This will be available daily after school to minimize damage to the paper.

Test Chapter 4.1 and 4.2 tomorrow. Remember that Journal 31, 32, 33 and that Bohr Model worksheet are really important to know.

Happy Protestant Reformation Day

Agenda October 31

1 Journal 34 How to be a hero to a little kid on Halloween
2 Review Bohr Model Homework and collect
3 Hand out Element Project information sheet

Agenda October 27

1 Return Work
2 Turn in WS Calculating Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons
3 CFA Atomic Parts Chart
4 Review Chapter 3 Test - Make up Test on Tuesday Nov 1 after school

Miniatures Club is still on

Agenda October 26

1 Journal 32 Periodic Table information
2 WS Element symbols / Parts of an Atom due today
3 WS Calculating Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons due tomorrow

Agend October 25

1 HW Chapter 4 Directed Reading Section 1 and 2 No Target Reading due Friday Oct 28
2 Journal 31 parts of an Atom
3 Journal 32 Periodic Table information

Miniatures Club This Friday we start Pirates. No purchase required. If you do not own any ships, we will provide some to start. Experienced buccaneers will be training in preparation for the mini tournament the following week.

Agenda October 24

1 Journal 28 Chapter 4 Pre Read due Friday Oct 28
2 Journal 29 Chapter 4 Vocabulary Section 1 and 2 due Friday Oct 28
3 Journal 30 Chapter 4 Constructing Meaning Section 1 and 2 due Friday Oct 28
4 Chapter 2 make up test tomorrow after school
5 Halloween Candy info. I am collecting candy again for troops overseas.
5 +1 EC each day for Spartan Spirit Week participation

Oops, I swore I put this in yesterday. Beautiful weekend in Santa Rosa. Found a number of electric hazards and the walls are still sagging in the lower house. But the driveway at the "south campus" looks really nice. We hired Tomas to do some trimming and he will be digging 42 holes for Kim so she can plant plants. I gave her a can of orange marker paint and she went to town on the ground. A woodpecker is attacking the building. The neighbors house caught fire but was not destroyed. It put in mind that the closest hydrant is about a half a mile away. So I am looking at plastic water tanks. The add says "the perfect gift for someone you love". Phil and Carole came to visit and Phil installed 5 light fixtures. Slowly the house is looking more modern. We even got a couch and another bed.

Agenda October 21

1 Chapter 3 Test
2 Chapter 2 Make Up Test on Tuesday, October 25 after school
3 Last day for make up work this trimester is Thursday, November 10

We felt one of the two shakers at our house last night. A thought. The fellow who predicted the end of the world today has his church close to the epicenter of those quakes.

We are off to the farm this weekend. The driveway is done (except the final bill)

Agenda October 20

1 Activity Gas Law Observations
2 Check Review WS's
3 HW Chapter 3 Review WS from Mrs. Messner due tomorrow (completeness)
4 Chapter 3 Test tomorrow
5 Chapter 2 make up test on Tuesday, October 25 after school

If you never took the Chapter 1 test, today was the last day to make it up.

Agenda October 19

1 Check HW Directed Reading Chapter 3
2 Check Journal 22 CH3 Pre Read
3 Check Journal 23 CH3 Vocabulary
4 Check Journal 24 CH Constructing Meaning
5 Journal 26 Charles' Law Temperature affects volume
6 Journal 27 Boyle's Law Pressure affects volume
7 Review WS Phases of Matter due Thursday Oct 20 (completeness)
8 Review WS Gas Laws due Thursday Oct 20 (completeness)

Yesterday's turn out for the make up test was abysmal. The next make up is for Chapter 2 next week. Day to be announced tomorrow.
Me and the wife are feeling better.

Agenda October 18

Yesterday's staff development was described as a root canal without anesthetic by two different teachers. Presenters live and die by their reputations and should listen to the requests of their clients.

1 Journal 25 additional information
2 Activity Dry Ice Sublimation observations

Today is after school tutorial in my room

Agenda October 14

1 Journal 25 Phases of Matter
2 Video Bill Nye Phases of Matter

Chapter 1 Make Up Test Tuesday Oct 18 after school

Agenda October 13

1 HW Chapter 2 Directed Reading Packet p49-64 due Wed. Oct. 19
2 Family Life Preview Night Letter went home
3 Class Average Grade competition

Agenda October 12

1 Check Journal: 18 Chapter 2 Pre Reading; 19 Chapter 2 Vocabulary; and 20 Chapter 2 Constructing Meaning.
2 Check Chapter 2 Homework Packet
3 Journal 22 Chapter 3 Pre Reading due Wednesday Oct 19
4 Journal 23 Chapter 3 Vocabulary due Wednesday Oct 19
5 Journal 24 Chapter 3 Constructing Meaning due Wednesday Oct 19

Softball Season ended yesterday in the semi finals. The girls played with heart and never quit trying.
This now means I can schedule the make up test for Chapter 1 on Tuesday Oct 18. The make up for Chapter 2 will be on Tuesday Oct 25.
Miniatures Club is Catan this week. I hope the extra games get delivered tomorrow.

Agenda October 11

1 Test Chapter 2 Structure of Matter Std 3 and Reactions Std 5

Playoff versus Cupertino for both the softball teams. We hope to do well.

Agenda October 10

1 Activity Exothermic and Endothermic reactions due today
Chapter 2 Test tomorrow

What a week last week. I am recovering from that cold sinus thingy. My wife and I went to Seattle over the weekend and while that wasn't that restful ("Sorry dear for getting you up t 5AM on a Saturday to catch a flight but you can sleep on the plane")it was a lot of fun. We met with our niece who is just starting working on sets on movies. She is quite charming. Next was the Seattle Underground tour. Our tour guide was Ray, an informative and entertaining actor. We recommend this tour. A good portion of old Seattle is underground. Sunday was a trip to the Chittendon Locks and Fish Ladder. The salmon have already all gone upstream but the grounds have a botanical garden and my wife got lots of ideas for Santa Rosa. Great lunch in the little quirky community of Ballard (The Hi Life Restaurant in an old firehouse was good). Katharyn got to go to Educator Appreciation Day at the Stanford game and they obliged by winning 42 to 7.

Agenda October 7

1 Activity Day 2 Where is the Evidence?
2 Catch up/ redo/ Learning Lab day

Agenda October 6

1 Journal 21 Evidence of Chemical Reactions
2 Activity Day 1 Where is the Evidence?

Chapter 2 Test next Tuesday Oct 11

Agenda October 5

1 Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixture Separation Activity due today

Wow what a day. A gunman in the Cupertino only mildly affected us at SMS. Steve Jobs passes away. The Girls Softball game is cancelled due to a heavy winter storm (1 foot in the Sierras so far) and by Cupertino schools being shut down. The gunman is still "at large". Oh, and I am sick still.

Agenda October 4

1 HW Chapter 2 Directed Reading Packet p39-48 No Target Reading due Wednesday Oct 12

Softball versus Columbia yesterday was rained out.
.29 inches in the mountains and more over night last night.
First fire in the fire place this year and I am sick.

Agenda October 3

1 Check Grades
2 Journal 18 Chapter 2 Pre-reading due Wednesday Oct 12
3 Journal 19 Chapter 2 Vocabulary due Wednesday Oct 12
4 Journal 20 Chapter 2 Constructing Meaning due Wednesday Oct 12

Progress Reports come out the week of Oct 10

Girls Softball is in the play offs

Agenda Sept 30

One of the longest months of the school year draws to a close.

1 Test Chapter 1 Scientific Method and Safety
2 Check your grades on Pinnacle.

Mr. Realini, Mrs. Ehlers and I are sponsoring a homework "detention". If some work is not finished a student will be invited to attend. If they do not accept the invitiation, there will be referrals.

While Miniatures is supposed to be Catan, we only have 2 sets. I will also introduce Cosmic Encounter. A simple board game with lots of variations. It was new in 1979. I think there is an online version now.

Agenda Sept 29

1 Test Chapter 1 Metric Measuring
2 Turn in Graph from Journal 16

I think I said that Miniatures Club would be Settlers of Catan.

After softball practice yesterday I can barely move. I pulled or bruised something in every extremity below the waist multiple times.

Agenda Sept 28

1 Journal 16 lab Report format and Measuring
2 Graph of data from Journal 16 due tomorrow
3 Trade and Grade Density Problems WS
4 Journal 17 Density Problems Practice
5 Test tomorrow Metric Measuring

Agenda Sept 27

1 Journal 16 continued. We are doing the actual dry ice observations today.

Great softball game yesterday. Great means we won 22 : 3. Some girls who haven't hit the ball yet got hits.

Agenda Sept 26

1 Return Work
2 Journal 16 How to write a lab report using an actual experiment as a demonstration
Also Known As; The Dry Ice lab

Had a great time in Santa Rosa. Cleared 50 yds of drainage swale.

Agenda Sept 23

1 Journal 14 Significant Figures
2 Journal 15 Activity Measuring Time (and Speed)

Going to Santa Rosa today. Miniatures Club is Memoir and Catan. Looking to mid October for Pirates

Agenda Sept 22

1 Redo Activity Density of Liquids
2 CFA Density
3 Journal 12 Time
4 Journal 13 Temperature
5 Journal 14 Significant Figures

Softball vs Cupertino today

Agenda Sept 21

1 Turn in Density Activities and Density Questions WS
2 Activity Density of Liquids due today
3 Density CFA (moved to tomorrow)

Huzzah for Kento. Kento found the copper cube in the boys locker room. This restores some of my faith in humanity.
The girls softball team is another story. I sure don't take to being referred as a loser by a student. This crop of 8th graders seems to think it is ok to argue as equals with adults. I must say that adults are more polite than this when they argue.

Does anyone know how to put documents on this blog? Please come and give me a tutorial.

Agenda Sept 20

1 Journal 11 Metric Measuring Density of Liquids
2 Finish Density Activities from Yesterday due tomorrow Sept 21
3 WS Density Questions due tomorrow Sept 21

I am highly displeased with Period 2 and Period 6. Please be advised that lab equipment is going missing. Expensive lab equipment. I do not have to use lab equipment to teach this class. It can be done with board work and demonstrations. please speak to children or classmates about the honesty and ethics needed in a classroom.

Agenda Sept 19

1 Journal 10 Density of Solids
2 Activity Density of Regular Solids
3 Activity Density of Irregular Solids
4 WS Density Questions (practice)

Had a great weekend in SLO. Kendra's room has a wonderful view of the hills and the campus. Got to see Matt's room too. Matt the view out of your window puts me in mind of a black diamond ski run from the side. We ate a lot. Firestone's Huckleberries (Pismo), Steamers (Pismo too), and a Thai place whose name I do not recall but around the corner from Firestone's. Kendra has a lot of leftovers.

I spent the time in the back of the car entering grades. Some children need to be more careful writing their names. Some need to turn in their work. Pinnacle still not updated so no scores in computer yet.

I was jazzed that 3 parents who did the homework assignment for back to school night questioned the placement of the dependent and independent variables on the X and Y axes. How cool to have parents that notice that I got it wrong. I will change it for next year.

Next weekend we will be off to Santa Rosa. Is it vacation yest?

Agenda Sept 16

1 Collect Metric Mania 3 Mass and Metric Mania 4 Volume
2 Trade and grade: Metric Mania 1 Conversion; Metric Mania 2 Length; Metric Mania 3 Mass; and Metric Mania 4 Volume

What a game yesterday. Bases loaded double play to get the win in the bottom of the 6th. Softball only plays 6 innings.
I'm off to Cal Poly tomorrow to help my daughter settle into her on campus apartment. I have 3 tubs of graded papers to get into the system so wish me luck.
My wife flies home this evening but we still have Miniatures Club.

Agenda Sept 15

1 Journal 9 Metric Measuring 4 Volume continued
2 Activity Metric Mania 4 Day 2 Volume - Irregular Solids
3 Collect Metric Mania 2 Length

Those of you following closely will notice I am off a day in collecting. That is because Micah told me that the assignment I tried to collect was due the next day. I, being a foolish mortal, believed him. He has an excuse but since I am the editor of the blog, his excuse is not admissible. So the due dates are pushed back one day except for today's. It is correct.

My wife is out of town so, of course, I didn't get to sleep right away. It isn't a party thing. Its just a different routine.

My daughter made it to SLO. She sent a text message showing the neighbors. Goats out the window.

Miniatures Club is on Memoir 44. Some High School/ older kids are playing Catan. I may work on MULE or something else. I need to find time to paint miniatures. We are looking for Matt Gilbert. He should be back from Detroit.

Agenda Sept 14

1 Journal 9 Metric Measuring 4 Volume
2 Activity Metric Mania 4 Volume Day 1 volume of liquids and regular solids
3 Turn in Metric Mania 1 Conversions

Great night last night at Back to School Night but the staff meeting this morning and the game yesterday (we won 6 to 4 vs Egan) and I feel really fuzzy. You parents were great sports to take on the homework assignment. Some have already turned it in. You were supposed to get help from your kids.
My daughter is on her way back to college and my wife is off to a business meeting in San Diego. Woe is me.

Agenda Sept 13

1 Metric Mania 3 Mass due Friday, Sept 16

Agenda Sept 12

1 Journal 8 Metric Measuring Mass
2 Check Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre read; Journal 4 Chapter 1 Vocabulary; Journal 5 Chapter 1 Constructing Meaning; and Chapter 1 Homework packet

Agenda September 9

1 Journal 9 Metric Measuring - Distance
2 WS Metric Mania 2 Distance due Wednesday Sept 14

Miniatures Club today will include an introduction to an "antique" video game. I read an article in a game magazine which asked the question, "Why are there no antique video games?". It got me to thinking about my favorite old games and, given my new found "skills" at looking things up on the internet, was able to (re)find M. U. L. E. Turns out this game was the inspiration for many other games through time and friends of the game have put it online for free. It speaks to the generous nature of programmers who program for the fun and acclaim and not necessarily the profit. I know, how naive. This has me looking for other "labors of love". Maybe "Turtles" is still out there.

Also, my mom is now an official follower. Huzzah

Agenda September 8

1 Journal 6 Metric Conversion K H D B D C M
2 WS Metric Mania 1 Metric Conversion Practice due Tues Sept 13

Agenda September 7

1 HW Chapter 1 Directed Reading pg 11-37. No Target reading Skills. due Monday Sept 12
That is 3 assignments due on Monday. You have had class time to work on these to get started. Hopefully you have used it well.
Mr. Realini has jury duty. I do not think he will be at softball practice today.

PTSA has agreed to fund Miniatures Club again so join PTSA to help support the club.

Agenda September 6

1 Journal 4 Chapter 1 Vocabulary (with instructions)due Monday Sept 12
2 Journal 5 Chapter 1 Constructing Meaning (with instructions) due Monday Sept 12

Miniatures Club presentation tonight at PTSA meeting 7PM. If you are a former member (Matt Gilbert) feel free to come by and tell the PTSA how being in the club has kept you from a life of crime.

Agenda Sept 2

Well I missed it again. This will happen alot. However, it will get updated.
1 Journal How to do Pre reading
2 Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading due Monday Sept 12


Wow I really missed it Sept 1 was never entered. For Sept 1 we did the Pre Test
Miniatures Memoir 44 and intro to Miniatures Club

Agenda August 31

1 Equipment Managers
2 Turn in all Graphing Activities
3 Procedures Review: Evacuation; Gum; Chairs; and Dress Code
4 Journal 1 10,000 Hours. The concept of doing useful work

Agenda August 30

1 Trade and Grade Predator Prey Graph
2 String Frequency, Depth and Pressure, Boiling Water, Graph activities, (due tomorrow)
3 Safety Procedures Earthquakes and Evacuation

Just finished "Carpe Juggulum" by Terry Prattchet and am now on "The Wee Free Men" by same.

Miniatures Club on Friday. Eighth Graders teaching others how to play: Memoir 44; Battle Cry; and possibly Settlers of Catan.

Agenda August 29

Oops. So busy yesterday I forgot to put agenda online. Here it is.
1 Collect redone Procedures Quiz
2 Review, Correct, Repair, Turn in, Predator Prey graph (due tomorrow)
3 Safety Procedures for Code Blue and Code Red

Agenda August 26

1 Collect signed Rules
2 Procedures Quiz (except period 2 - you will be doing this as take home)
3 HW Repair procedures Quiz due Monday, Aug 29
4 HW Graphing Activity Predator Prey due Monday, Aug 29

Agenda August 25

First Day Back
1 Rules and Procedures
2 HW signed Rules. due tomorrow (Friday)

August 26 Summer Entry 3

Well, school has actually started. I learned this summer how to change a chain in a chain saw and that curry is good. I played entirely too much online (Warhammer) and didn't paint enough toy soldiers. I got to listen to a monster truck rally, Huey lewid, David Crowder, Trace Atkins and two days of demolition derby from the farm. The house is on a hill overlooking the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. I visited the fair with my wife for half a day and saw the most amazing flower display I have ever seen at a fair. Sonoma has evidently historically set the bar for county fairs in that category. It, by itself was worth the price of admission. And then there was the guy with the toothpick structure. But while we were at the fair we got some great news. Our daughter, Katharyn, got a full time teaching job at Loma Prieta Elementary School just down the road from our house (the house in the Santa Cruz Mtns).
Well, not enough naps again but it has been a nice time. I loved playing Warhammer with Kendra and working at the farm with my wife. I even built a banquette (look it up).

July 27, Summer Entry 3

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this. There is a long story which is actually shorter if I tell you in person.
In the world of construction, the contractors broke ground this week on the area out by the(former) softball field at SMS. I didn't think they would go through with it this summer given that the summer is over half over. Mr. Realini's room is behind a fence, I think so not accessible. My room is due to have the floors waxed next week so that will be out. I do not think any other place is available this or next week. I checked the community room at De Anza Park but it would be $240 plus a cleaning deposit. So when can we meet you may ask? The following week, I will be in Santa Rosa and while you are all welcome to come play in my large game room/basement, I do not think any of could actually get there on your own. The main area is big enough for 2 pool tables but I digress. I will be check with Mr. Realini about the following week (the week before school starts) or if he had any luck with Mr. G.
Keep the faith that something will occur.

July 19 Summer Entry 2

Well things came out all right in the end with my procedure. I am certainly learning new vocabulary terms.
On to the events at hand.
Mr. Realini and I would like to host a Pirates game day next week. However, I do not have all of your email addresses and I would be overconfident to think that all of you actually follow this blog. Still, if you are out there, please email me at chris.roberts@sesd.org to say which day of the week, next week, would work best for you. I am looking for Katie, Justin, Gavin, Nathan, David, Alex, Mario, Jeffery, Patrick, Scott, Sam, and Dang for starters. If you know any of these people, contact them for me please. If I did not include your name but you want to play then still please contact me. I plead summer vacation amnesia. Try to contact me this week.

July 8 Summer Entry 1

Hello all. I have discovered I need a chainsaw on a stick, a leaf blower(though given the specs of blowing over 100 mph, I think small woodland creature blower would not be amiss), and a jackhammer (60 lb should be sufficient). I have also discovered that trees do not take kindly to being trimmed and my forehead is proof of their retaliatory abilities. I have also discovered that Target is selling boxes of Pirates cards. $10 for 20 packs (you do the math). The bonus is that they are not just the purple cards (which are in there) but also The Cursed Sea - Fire and Steel and The Cursed Sea - Rise of the Fiends). So if you are looking to add to your collection, now is a great time to buy.
I get to see a Giants game on Sunday, July 10 from one of those boxes. I also get to have a colonoscopy on Friday, a week from today. (the day the last Harry Potter movie comes out.
I am committing to painting American Revolution soldiers and Early WW II airplanes from Flying Tigers period.
Mr. Realini and I will not be available for gaming until after July 17 so keep checking back this next week. My lunch is ready gtg.

Agenda June 16

Promotion day
Enjoy the summer
Check back periodically to see if there will be a summer game day

Agenda June 15

1 Promotion Practice from Period 4 until we get it right

Agenda June 14

Flag Day
1 8th Grade Field Trip to Great America

Agenda June 13

1 Finish Video Laughing and Learning About HIV/AIDS

We had a great field trip on Saturday to the Military Vehicle Museum in Portola Valley. This is/was (the owner passed away 2 years ago) the largest privately owned armor collection IN THE WORLD. One of the docents referred to it as an armored division. Over 200 vehicles with some one of a kind vehicles. Watch for the trip next year.

Agenda June 10

1 Journal and Agenda Check
2 Video - Laughing and Learning About HIV/AIDS

Agenda June 9

1 Triathlon for periods 2,3, and 4
2 Period 5 and 6
Family Life Quiz
Video - Laughing and Learning about HIV/AIDS

Agenda June 8

1 Video Tough Roads
2 period 2 went to the Triathlon

Agenda June 7

1 Check Journal 110 9th Grade Academic Vocabulary
2 Check the 9th Grade Science Worksheets
3 Video Abstinence It is the Right Choice

Agenda June 6

1 Quiz family Life Body Parts
2 Video What Teens Want to Know About Sex

Agenda June 2

1 Reminder that Worksheets and Vocabulary are due on Tuesday June 7
2 Planned Parenthood Presentation (Pregnancy, Communication, and Birth Control)

Miniatures Club - Field Trip on June 11 to Tank Museum. This will cost $20 per person. We need 15 people. A number of people HAVE expressed interest but I have only received money from 1 (not counting Mr. Realini and me).
I am getting figures ready to paint for Friday. Be ready to learn.

Agenda May 31

1 New due date for Worksheets
2 9th grade Academic Vocabulary List due Tuesday June 7
3 Family Life CFA
4 Planned Parenthood Presentation (parts)

Miniatures Club will be about learning to paint miniatures. I have figures or you may bring your own. If you bring your own bring them flashed and primed. If you don't know what this means then just come and I will supply practice figures.

Friday, my daughter go her Masters degree in Education. Proud, mom, dad, and all the grandparents were there.

Agenda May 27

1 WS Conversions are a cinch
2 WS Yes There's Math in Science Class
Both will now be due Tuesday June 7

Agenda May 26

1 Launch Rockets

Agenda May 25

1 Build Rockets

Miniatures Club is now back on but only for a 30 minute meeting about the June 11 field trip to the tank museum

Agenda May 23

1 Water Bottle Rocket Learning and Constructing

use www.tclauset.org to see videos of the construction instructions
One more in class work day on Wednesday
Launch day is Thursday

Constellation Project and Straw Rocket Lab Report both due tomorrow.

No Miniatures Club this week

Happy Birthday Katharyn

Agenda May 19 - 20

1 Straw Rocket Lab - Prove that ... lab report due Tuesday May 24

Agenda May 18

1 Constellation Miniposter Project due Tuesday May 24
2 Bring in two 2-Liter bottles for water bottle rocket project

Erroneous information correction. There WILL be a Miniatures Club on Friday this week. Rocketmen

Agenda May 16 - 17

1 Video October Sky

Agenda May 13

1 Collect Movie Permission Slips
2 Video The Eyes of Nye Astrobiology

Miniatures Club - Today is one on one battles. Next week I have to cancel the club because I will be attending my daughter's masters degree ceremony. The following week we will be playing bigger games based on the results of (maybe)this weeks games.

I found out last night that my daughter is being bullied by her dorm room mate. This is disturbing to me as a dad.

Agenda May 9, 10, 11,12

1 Review for STAR Test
2 Return work

Miniatures Club - Last meeting was okay. I hope you learned how to play Rocketmen. This week we will be playing one on one battles and the following week we will be playing a mini campaign tournament format. Anyone interested in designing and building their own fleet with their own flavor test, see me for guide lines. We are keeping it in the solar system so no galaxies far far away. Think Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon.

The California Standards Test released test questions are at this website:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp
Go down the page and select whichever one you want

Agenda May 6

1 End of the Book/Post Test

Miniatures Club I found my scratch built Rocketmen ships. They were in storage at home. I started painting some in the hopes that students might be inspired to make their own. Right now, I have more plastic sheeting than I can ever use to make these ships

Agenda May 5

1 Chapter 15 Test Standard 4 Earth and the Solar System

A few years ago I challenged students to build their own Rocketmen ships. I made 2 new races. I, unfortunately put these ships away in a safe place. I will let you know when I find them.

Tomorrow is the "end of the year diagnostic test". Please do not confuse this with "we are finished and have nothing left to learn in 8th grade science"

Agenda May 4 (Star Wars Day)

1 Video Greatest Discoveries with Bill Nye Astronomy
2 Chapter 15 Test tomorrow

Agenda May 3

1 Check WS Classifying Galaxies
2 Check WS The Stages in a Star's Life Cycle
3 Video Bill Nye Outer Space

Miniatures Club Rocketmen taught to us by our resident rocketman Mario G.
Mario- I have to tell you that I am hurting withholding all pithy comments I could be adding.

Agenda May 2

1 Check HW Chapter 15 Directed Reading
2 Check Journal 107 Chapter 15 Vocabulary
3 Check Journal 108 Chapter 15 Constructing Meaning
4 Check HW How is a Star's Color Related to its Temperature?
5 WS Life Cycle of Stars due Tuesday May 3
6 WS Classifying Galaxies

Miniatures Club this week is Rocketmen featuring that denizen of deep space, Mario Gueriere (correct spelling of names is optional)

Agenda April 28

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 14 Test
2 HW Chapter 15 Directed Reading p259-279 Target Reading on pages 264 & 270 due Monday, May 2
3 Journal 107 Chapter 15 Vocabulary due Monday, May 2
4 Journal 108 Chapter 15 Constructing Meaning due Monday, May 2

Chapter 14 make up test Tuesday, May 3

Agenda April 27

1 Test Chapter 14 Standard 4 Earth and the Solar System
2 Turn in Chapter 14 Review Packet
3 Turn in Planetary Facts worksheet.

Miniatures Club Aerodrome 1 with mountains. Beware the AA goats

Agenda April 26

1 Family Life Letter
2 Activity Expanding Universe Model

Agenda April 25

1 Front of the line competition rules for promotion ceremony
2 Video Bill Nye Comets and Meteors
3 HW Chapter 14 Review Worksheet Packet (completeness) due Wednesday April 27

Chapter 14 Test Wednesday April 27

The trip to Washington D.C. was great. I will try to add pictures

Agenda April 15

1 Video Bill Nye The Planets
2 Check Homework Chapter 14 Directed Reading
3 Worksheet Planet and Dwarf Planet Facts due Wednesday April 27 completeness
4 Chapter 14 Test aiming at Wednesday April 27

Agenda April 14

1 Activity Speed of Planets Around the Sun
2 Reminder HW Directed Reading due tomorrow

Agenda April 13

1 Check Journal 103 Chapter 14 Pre Read
2 Check Journal 104 Chapter 14 Vocabulary
3 Check Journal 105 Chapter 14 Constructing Meaning
4 Journal 106 Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

Agenda April 12

1 HW Chapter 14 Directed Reading Packet No Target Reading p235 - 258 due Friday April 15 (started 15 minutes today in class)
2 Activity Model of Planets' Orbits

Agenda April 8

1 Journal 101 Chapter 13 Pre Reading (due Monday April 11)
2 Journal 102 Chapter 13 Vocabulary (due Monday April 11)
3 HW Chapter 13 Directed Reading Packet No Target Reading Skills started in class (due Monday April 11)
4 There will not be a Chapter 13 Test

Agenda April 7

1 Chapter 12 Test
2 Journal 101 Chapter 13 Pre Read
3 Chapter 12 make up test will be Tuesday afterschool

Agenda April 5

1 Video National Geographic Sun, Earth, and Moon
2 Sun Observations
3 Journal 100 Tides
4 Chapter 12 Test on Friday

I got out the Civil War Ships. Gotta find the rules.

Agenda April 4

1 Review Practice Test Seasons
2 Journal 99 Phases of the Moon Flash Cards
3 Activities Phases of the Moon

Miniatures this week will be Civil War Ships with horse artillery too.

Agenda April 1

1 Video Bill Nye The Moon
2 Video Bill Nye The Sun

This just in. A large metal cylinder has crashed into the field here at SMS

Agenda March 31

1 Reason for the Seasons - Tilt of the Earth Activity
2 Chapter 11 Make up Test after School

We can have an abbreviated Miniatures Club on Friday. Must be done by 5PM and gone.

Agenda March 30

1 Video Bill Nye Seasons
2 HW Chapter 12 Directed Reading p 205 - 220 (including Target Reading Skills on p206 and 213) due Wednesday April 6
3 Journal 96 Chapter 12 Pre Reading due Wednesday April 6
4 Journal 97 Chapter 12 Vocabulary due Wednesday April 6
5 Journal 98 Chapter 12 Constructing Meaning due Wednesday April 6

Miniatures Club is canceled for this week. I get to go to Oakland with my wife on Friday night. Go to the dance and have a great time.

Agenda March 29

1 Chapter 11 Test

Happy Birthday Miriam
Miniatures Club - we are aiming at Aerodrome 2 or Rocketmen. let us (Mr. Realini or myself) know your preference.

Agenda March 28

1 Review CFA Graph
2 Check Homework Chapter 11
3 Check Journal 92 Chapter 11 Vocabulary
4 Check Journal 93 Chapter 11 Constructing Meaning
5 Journal 95 Pascal's Law (p435)
6 Chapter 11 Test tomorrow

Agenda March 25

1 CFA Graphs
2 Review Worksheet for Chapter 11 Test
3 Video Bill Nye Pressure

Agenda March 24

1 Bernoulli Day Activities

Chapter 10 Make Up Test today after school

Agenda March 23

1 Check Journal 91 Chapter 11 Pre Read
2 Journal 94 Graph Analysis Review

Agenda March 21

1 Video Bill Nye Flight
2 Journal ** Chapter 11 Vocabulary due Monday March 27
3 Journal **+1 Chapter 11 Constructing Meaning due Monday March 27

Miniatures this week will be Pirates or Catan or possibly both

Agenda March 20

1 Video Bill Nye Buoyancy
2 HW Chapter 11 Directed Reading Packet due Monday March 27

Agenda March 18

1 Video Disney Imagineering Fluids
2 Journal 91 Chapter 11 Pre Reading due Wednesday March 23

Agenda March 17

1 Formative Assessment Graphs
2 Activity Paper Airplane Lab

St Patrick's Day. The Wearing of the Orange

Agenda March 16

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 10 Test

Agenda March 15

1 Turn in Worksheet from Relation of Weight to Starting Friction Activity
2 Chapter 10 Test

Agenda March 14

1 Journal 90 Chapter 10 Test Review
2 Activity Relation of Weight to Starting Friction

Mr. Realini is working on a field trip for the Miniatures Club to a tank museum in Menlo Park.
Pirates on Friday.

Agenda March 10

1 Turn in Homework Newton's Second Law Problems
2 Activity Motion Stations

No Miniatures Club this week

Agenda March 9

1 Check HW Turn in Newton's Three Laws WS One more day for Newton's Second Law Problems WS
2 Video Bill Nye Friction

No Miniatures Club on Friday

Agenda March 8

1 Check and Review Homework Chapter 10
2 HW Worksheet Newton's Three Laws due tomorrow
3 HW Worksheet Newton's Second Law Problems due tomorrow

Agenda March 7

1 Journal 89 Newton's Laws of Motion
2 Video Bill Nye Motion
3 Return Work

No Miniatures Club on Friday

Agenda March 4

1 Check Journals on Chapter 10 Pre Read, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning
2 Check Second Trimester Journal, Agenda, and Extra Credit
3 Journal 89 Newton's Laws of Motion

Agenda March 2

1 Journal 86 Chapter 10 Pre Read due Friday March 4
2 Journal 87 Chapter 10 Vocabulary due Friday March 4
3 Second Trimester Journal and Agenda Check on Friday

Agenda March 1

Chapter 9 Test

Miniatures Club: I made a purchase of 52 planes and 2 observation balloons in 1:144 scale. These planes are really small. A World War II bomber propeller in this scale is the same distance across as a Fokker Triplane's wing span. These planes will be used for taking the game to new schools.

Agenda February 28

1 Review Velocity and Acceleration worksheet for the test
2 Review Marble Speed Lab and Marble Acceleration Lab
3 Review for the test
4 Chapter 9 Test is tomorrow

Agenda February 18

1 Collect Marble Acceleration Lab Final Draft
2 Collect Velocity and Acceleration Worksheet
3 Activity Potential and Kinetic Energy and marbles and blocks

Pirates again today

Agenda February 17

1 Journal 85 Marble Acceleration Lab Final Draft due tomorrow
2 Check Chapter 9 Directed Reading Packet
3 Check Journal 81 Chapter 9 Vocabulary
4 Check Journal 82 Chapter 9 Constructing Meaning
5 HW Worksheet Velocity and Acceleration due tomorrow

Agenda February 16

1 Formative Assessment Speed
2 J85 Marble Acceleration Lab Rough Draft (final draft will be due Friday)

Chapter 8 make up test today after school
Aiming at Chapter 9 Test on Tuesday March 1

Agenda February 15

1 Return Work
2 J84 Marble Speed Lab Rough Draft
3 Final Draft Marble Speed Lab (due today)

Miniatures Club: We are restarting Pirates for a few weeks. Bring your cards. We will also be playing Lepanto with the Pirate Galley ships.

Agenda February 14

Lots of Candy and stuffed animals (and teddy bears too)
1 Journal 83 Motion, Speed, and Velocity
2 Journal 84 Marble Speed Lab Rough Draft (this is similar to Journal 10 but different enough with a formal write up coming)

This week the Sunnyvale PD will be out front of school citing jaywalking students. Don't be foolish.

Miniatures Club decisively beat Bentley School at the annual Aerodrome Tournament. This year it was at Hiller Aviation. This venue is probable for next year but without the lecture going on simultaneously. Special thanks to Katharyn Roberts for running a table, to Matt Gilbert for making the trek to help, to Steven, Katie, and Justin for their support and help as monitors.

Agenda February 11

1 Video: Eureka: Speed, Acceleration Part 1 and Part 2; Kinetic Energy; and Potential Energy.

Interestingly enough, you did not need to be here to see these videos. They are also found on Youtube.
For example,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwt5ZnbibS0&playnext=1&list=PLE24B08A9BBD426E1
is the url for Eureka Speed. Check it out

Miniatures meets today to sharpen our Aerodrome skills for tomorrow's tournament at Hiller Aviation. Be here at SMS by 8:45 for a ride. You too Taichi.

Today is Mrs. Roberts' Birthday. She is amazing.
oh Thomas Edison was born today too.

Agenda February 10

1 Check Journal 80 Chapter 9 Pre Read
2 Journal 81 Chapter 9 Vocabulary due Thursday February 17
3 Journal 82 Chapter 9 Constructing Meaning due Thursday February 17
4 HW Chapter 9 Directed Reading packet (No Target Reading) due Thursday February 17

Agenda February 8

1 Chapter 8 Test

Agenda February 7

1 Journal 79 Flubber Activity (polymers and borax)
2 Chapter 8 Review WS due Wednesday though best done tonight

Chapter 8 Test tomorrow
Chapter 7 Make up test tomorrow after school

Agenda February 4

1 Journal 78 Polymers and Monomers
2 Check HW Chapter 8 Directed Reading
3 Check Journal 74 Chapter 8 Vocabulary
4 Check Journal 75 Chapter 8 Constructing Meaning
5 Chapter 8 Formative Assessment (completeness)

Still aiming at Tuesday for Chapter 8 Test

Agenda February 3

1 Models of Organic Molecules Activity (worksheet due today)

Agenda February 2

1 Activity Organic Compound Card Game
2 Journal 77 Drawings of Organic Compounds from the card game

Agenda February 1

1 Journal 74 Chapter 8 Vocabulary due Feb 4 Friday
2 Journal 75 Chapter 8 Constructing Meaning due Feb 4 Friday
3 Check Journal 73 Chapter 8 Pre Reading
4 Journal 76 Three arrangements of carbon compounds
5 Chapter 7 Make up test on Tuesday after school February 8
6 Aiming at February 8 for Chapter 8 Test

Agenda January 28

1 Journal 73 Chapter 8 pre Reading due Tuesday February 1
2 HW Chapter 8 Directed Reading due Friday February 4 Target Reading in section 1 and 2 (easy Venn diagrams)

These two assignment were started in class because there was a shorter period of time before they were due. I found that a good portion of the class chose to waste that time. In Chapter 9 there will not be ANY class time given to these and the Vocabulary and Constructing Meaning journals. The due dates will only be a little longer. Those fully functional students who have support at home will find this change will only have minor impact on their lives. The other students, who chose to waste the opportunities given in class will find themselves stretched. That is what will cause growth.

Miniatures Club had 2 fascinating games on Friday. One was early war planes and the other featured a few more early war planes with a total of seven 2 seaters. Pilots to watch out for? Sam, Takuma, and Nathan (each with multiple victories) and Dang gets mentioned in dispatches for hanging in so long in a tattered plane. Only 2 weeks to the tournament.

Agenda January 27

1 Trade and grade Chapter 7 Test
2 New Seats
3 Journal 73 Chapter 8 Pre Read - there are four sections - due Tuesday, February 1

Miniatures Club is Aerodrome. We may play with some other planes for a change.

Agenda January 26

1 Chapter 7 Test

Today is my birthday and my family is taking me out for sushi. I got many well wishes today form students and teachers.

Agenda Jauary 24

1 Computer lab - Alien Juice Bar activity. Working with acids and bases (due today)
2 The home work Directed Reading Packet, the vocabulary, the constructing meaning, and the Chapter 7 pre reading are all due tomorrow.
3 Chapter 7 Test is Wednesday

Agenda Blanks

The last few agenda's have not been entered because the district has changed it's protection program. I can no longer easily access this blog from school which is where the information for the blog is. I will be contacting the school site tech support though I have little hope for a quick solution. I do remember today's.

Agenda January 13

1 Activity Decomposition and Catalyst Reaction
2 Chapter 6 Test tomorrow

Agenda January 12

1 Return Work
2 Review Types of Chemical Reactions WS
3 Journal 68 Chapter 6 Test Review

Miniatures Club - Remember that I will be counting the number of times you attend as well as the number of victories you achieve in a complex algorithm to determine eligibility for the tournament.

Agenda January 11

1 Activity Double Replacement Reaction AgNO3 + Na3PO4 ->
2 Chapter 6 Test on Friday
3 Journal 67 Fire Triangle and Safety

Miniatures Club - Aerodrome Remember to stay and play as many games as you can for the practice and for placement for the tournament. Leading Pilots now are Zachary and Kento.

Agenda January 10

1 Turn in Types of Chemical Reactions WS
2 Activity Single Replacement Reaction Zn + 2HCl -> ZnCl2 + H2 (pop(little boom))

Agenda January 7

1 Trade and Grade Balanced Equations WS
2 Balanced Equations Formative Asessment
3 Turn in Chapter 6 Review WS
4 Journal 66 Types of Chemical Reactions
5 WS Types of Chemical Reactions (due Monday Jan. 10)

Aerodrome today.

Agenda January 6

1 Journal 65 Balancing Equations
2 WS Balancing Equations (due tomorrow)

Agenda January 5

1 Check Journal 62 Chapter 6 Vocabulary
2 Check Journal 63 Chapter 6 Constructing Meaning
3 Check HW Chapter 6 Directed Reading Packet (completeness)
4 Talk about how to study for tests
5 Turn in Chapter 5 Review WS (completeness)

Agenda January 4

1 Review and turn in HW Electron Dot Diagrams
2 Chapter 5 Review WS (due Wed Jan 5)
3 Chapter 6 Review WS (due Fri Jan 7)

Agenda January 3

1 Journal 64 Ionic, Covalent, and electron dot diagram review using manipulatives too.
2 Review of Electron Dot diagram WS which everyone did poorly at the first time the did it. (due 1/4)You really have to understand the foundational material
3 Chapter 6 Directed Reading, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning all moved to Wednesday

New Years

Hey all,
It is after the New Year's Day. The Family had a nice vacation.
We started with my daughters joining me at school for the first day of Aerodrome. My oldest ran a tutorial session for 10 fledgling fliers. Matt came too.
The next day (Saturday), my wife and oldest went to look at property in Sonoma again. Found something near Sonoma Academy and we are checking on it.
Monday was the traditional trip to Valley Fair. It turns out that there are many arcane rituals that go with this tradition. I find that strange as I was the one who started the tradition and wasn't aware of most of them. Sure there is the "selling of the parking place" and the "visit to Victoria's Secret" as well as "Lunch" and "See's Candy" but others such as "we have to get to the mall when it opens" and "trying on clothes to see if they fit mom" and the ever popular "wrestle with my sister in a public place" were ones I wasn't aware were actual "traditions".
We had 2 trees this year. One in the entry way (13 feet tall) and one in the front window from the front yard (Very thin and light weight and airy and Charlie Brownish).
Christmas Eve at our friend Roger's church and dinner at Il Fornio this year. Christmas Day was spent around the fireplace and the tree. Thanks to neighbor Ericka, the cat, Oliver could also spend Christmas with us. We left for Southern California on the 26th so Oliver would have had to go to the kennel on the 24th (Sunday and holiday interfering with cat drop off) Christmas Day dinner with the Edrington's.
We managed to leave some time around 1PM on Sunday to head south. Kim and Katharyn drove. We got to my mom's for a Christmas dinner and then headed to Huntington Beach.