Agenda December 20

So many absent students.
1 Activity Flame Test Demo
2 Turn in Activity Drops on a Penny

Agenda December 19

1 Activity Drops on a Penny - Hydrogen bonds and polar molecules due Friday
2 WS Ionic and Covalent Bonds Review due today

I will be blowing up a balloon on Friday, Dec. 20 at 5PM that will have a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.  Come and see it if you want.  It will be dark and it will be outside and will only be done once.

Agenda December 18

1 Activity Demonstration of reactivity
2 J68 Comparing Reactions (from the activity)
3 WS Ionic and Covalent Bonds review due on Thursday

Agenda December 18

1 Activity Demonstration of reactivity
2 J68 Comparing Reactions (from the activity)
3 WS Ionic and Covalent Bonds review due on Thursday

Agenda December 17

1 J 65 CH 6 Pre Reading due today
2 J 66 CH 6 Vocabulary due Friday, January 10
3 J 67 CH 6 Constructing Meaning due Friday, January 10
4 HW CH 6 Directed Reading packet due Friday, January 10
5 CH 5 Make up/ Retake Test Thurs., Dec 19 after school

Agenda December 16

1 Collect WS Bond with a Classmate and WS Ionic and Covalent Bond Practice
2 Trade and Grade CH 5 Test
3 J65 CH 6 Pre Reading
4 CH 5 Make up/ retake Thursday, Dec 19 after school

31 rebmeceD adnegA

Today is Backwards Day
1 Test Chapter 5 Stds 3 and 7

Miniatures Club will be keeping score today.

Agenda December 12

1 Finish and Turn in Activity Comparing Ionic and Covalent Bonds
2 Check Bond with a Classmate (collect on Friday)
3 Check WS Ionic Covalent Review (collect on Friday)
4 J57 Metallic Bonds
5 WS Ionic Covalent Bonds Review (if time)
6 Test Review

Agenda December 11

1 Activity Day 2 Comparing Bonds
2 CFA Ionic and Covalent Bonds

CH 5 Test will be on Friday
Makeup Tests today after school.

Miniatures Club this week will be Aerodrome and we will keeping track of points for damage.

Agenda December 10

1 Periodic Table Notes (last one)
2 Return Work
3 Activity Comparing Ionic and Covalent Bonds
4 CFA Ionic and Covalent Bonds
5 Test on Thursday
6 Retake/Makeup Tests after school on Wednesday

Agenda December 9

Happy Birthday to Mr. Realini and Adm Grace Hopper

1 J 63 Covalent Bonds (continued)
2 WS Ionic and Covalent Bonds Practice
3 Prepare for tomorrow's lab comparing the two types of bonds

Agenda December 6

1 Check HW, Vocab and Constructing Meaning for CH 5
2 Finish Bond with a Classmate
3 J63 Covalent Bonds
4 WS Ionic and Covalent Bond Practice

Agenda December 5

J62 Polyatomic Ions and Subscripts
Activity Bond with a Classmate

Agenda December 4

1 Test Electron Dot Diagram
2 J60 Types of Bonds
3 J61 Ionic Bonds
4 WS Ionic Bond Diagram Practice

Remember HW, Vocab, etc due on Friday

Agenda December 3

Oops.  Thought of this after bedtime so here it is today.
1 Lewis Electron Dot Structures with whiteboards
2 WS Lewis Structure and periodic Table Cheat Sheet
3 J59 Ions

Electron Dot Diagram Test tomorrow.

Agenda December 2

1 Review the Test
2 J58 Lewis Dot Structure
3 WS Lewis Structures

Reminder about HW, Vocabulary, etc are due on Friday.
Due to a theft, no more restroom passes until the trimester is over unless the item is returned.  It makes me sad to think that students would feel it is alright to take a teacher's personal items.

Agenda November 26

1 Atomic Number Oral Quiz
2 HW CH5 Directed Reading p89-104 Target reading p94, 99, 103 due Friday, Dec. 6

Agenda November 25

1 Collect the Radioactive Decay WS's (2 of them)
2 Fix Pennyum Lab Graph if needed
3 J55  CH 5 Pre Reading due today
4 J56  CH 5 Vocabulary due Friday, Dec 6
5 J57  CH 5 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Dec 6

Agenda November 23

1 Collect WS Placing Elements on the Periodic Table Coloring, Family Ties Coloring, and Mixed Up Periodic Table
2 Test CH 4.3, 4.4, 4.5

Agenda November 21

1 Additional Information for Periodic Table Journals
2 J54 Radioactive Decay Math
3 Check Family Ties/ Coloring Periodic Table and Mixed Up Table/ Review and Reinforce  These were stamped and will be collected on Friday so students have a chance to use them to help study for the test.
4 WS Radioactive decay and WS Half Life to reinforce information prior to tomorrow's test.  They will be collected on Monday, Nov. 25
4 CFA on the Periodic Table

Miniatures Club meets tomorrow and we will meet on Tuesday, Nov 26

Agenda November 20

1 J53 Radiation Review including Geiger Counter Demo by Ms Johanson

Agenda November 19

1 WS Placing Elements on the Periodic table finish and stamp due Friday Nov 22
2 WS Family Ties/ Color Coding the Periodic Table due Thursday, Nov 21
3 WS Review and Reinforce/Mixed Up Table due Thursday, Nov 21
Still aiming at Friday for the test on CH4.3, 4.4, 4.5

Today is the 30th anniversary of my wedding.  My wife left me a card on the steering wheel so I would find it this morning.  It is supposed to rain tonight which is decidedly romantic.

Agenda November 18

1 Check Journal 41 CH 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 Vocabulary Check Journal 42 CH 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5Constructing Meaning Check HW CH 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5
2 WS Placing Elements on the Periodic table Coloring Finish in class tomorrow

Aiming at Test on Friday

Agenda November 15

1 1st Trimester Agenda and Journal Check
2 New Seats
3 J52 Properties of Metals

Today is the 38th anniversary of my first date with my wife.  We are going out to dinner tonight for sushi.
Miniatures Club will meet on Friday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 26.  Any of you "on vacation" college students are welcome.

Agenda November 14

1 J43 Hydrogen
2 J44 Group 1 Alkali Metals
3 J45 Group 2 Alkali Earth Metals
4 J46 Group 3-12 Transition Metals (Heavy Metals)
5 J47 Lanthanides and Actinides

6 J48 Groups 13-16
7 J49 Halogens
8 J50 Noble Gases

Miniatures Club is tomorrow.  We are trying something new with Aerodrome.  No not mountains or two seaters yet.  I also bought a large number of Star Wars ships (1:144) for Aerodrome clone.

Agenda November 13

1 Return Work
2 HW CH4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Directed Reading p73-87 Target Reading on 74 and 79 due Mon. Nov. 18
3 Agenda and Journal Check on Friday Nov 15
4 Make up Test tomorrow after school

New grading philosophy for make up tests.  Standards Based grading of assessments show what a student knows at that moment.  In keeping with this philosophy, if a student scores lower on a make up test than on the initial test, they will get the new lower score.

Agenda November 12

1 J40 CH 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Pre Reading due today
2 Collect Half Life Lab, Bohr Model Trading Cards, Name that Element, and Isotope Review
3 J41 CH 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Vocabulary due Monday, Nov. 18
4 J42 CH 4.3, 4.4, 4.5Constructing Meaning due Monday, Nov. 18
5 Make up test day Thursday, Nov. 14 After School

Agenda November 8

1 Test Chapter 4.1 and 4.2

Agenda November 7

1 Check WS Name that Element and the one on the back.  This will be collected on Tues., Nov 12
2 Half Life of Pennyum This will be collected on Tues., Nov 12
3 Video The Eyes of Nye Nuclear Energy
4 Test tomorrow

Agenda November 6

1 Review Isotope WS (this will be collected on Tues., Nov 12 for a grade.  Don't lose it)
2 J39 Half life
3 Activity The Half life of Pennyuim

Agenda November 5

1 Review Bohr Model Trading Cards (this will be collected on Tuesday, Nov. 12)
2 Journal 38 Types of Radioactivity
3 WS Isotope Practice (due today)

Agenda November 4

1 Check CH 4.1 and 4.2 HW, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning, WS Parts of an Atom, and HW Bohr Models
2 Review WS Parts of an Atom
3 Review HW Bohr Models
4 Journal 37 Isotopes
5 HW Bohr Model Trading Cards due Tuesday, Nov 5
6 HW Name that Element and the one on the back due Thursday, Nov 7

Agenda October 31

1 Finish J34 Bohr's Model
2 Journal 35 The Neutron
3 Journal 36 Particles in an Atom
4 WS Review Parts of an Atom (due Monday, Nov 4)
5 HW Bohr Models (due Monday, Nov 4)
6 reminder HW, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning are due on Monday 

Agenda October 30

1 return Work
2 Journal 33 History of Atomic Theory
3 Journal 34 Parts of an Atom Using Bohr's Model

Agenda October 29

1 Video Bill Nye Atoms
2 Journal 32 How to be a hero to a little kid on Halloween.

Agenda, October 28

1 HW Directed Reading packet CH4.1 and 4.2 (do all Target Reading) due Monday, Nov. 4
2 J30 CH 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Vocabulary due Monday, Nov 4
3 J31 CH 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Constructing Meaning due Monday, Nov 4

Agenda October 25

1 Check CH 3 Vocabulary, Constructing Meaning, CH3 HW packet, WS States of Matter Review, and WS Gas Laws Review
2 Journal 29 Chapter 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Pre Reading
3 Journal 30 Chapter 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Vocabulary
4 Journal 31 Chapter 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Constructing Meaning
Due dates for these have not yet been set but are at least a week away.
5 Make up tests are Tuesday, October 29 AFTER SCHOOL ONLY

Miniatures Club will not meet on Nov 1 and Nov 8.  We will start back up on Nov 15
We had a great meeting on Friday in spite of losing a number of members to the Cherry Chase Fall Festival.  A highlight was 4 previous members played against all comers from Middle School.  I didn't see how it ended but given the level of happy noise coming from the table, I would hazard that a good time was being had.

Agenda October 24

1 Test Chapter 3

Agenda October 23

1 Video Bill Nye Pressure
2 WS Gas Law Review due Friday, Oct 25
3 PTV Cards
4 Test CH3 tomorrow

Agenda October 22

1 Activity Gas Law Observations (Balloon in a Flask and Crushing Cans) due tomorrow
2 WS Gas Law Review (if time)
3 PVT cards (if time)

Miniatures Club - Aerodrome this week.  However, the next 2 Fridays (Nov 1st and 8th) will not have Miniatures Club meetings.  We will start up again November 15.

Agenda October 21

1 Review Activity Dry Ice Lab
2 J27 Charles' Law Temperature and Volume
3 J28 Boyle's Law Pressure and Volume
4 WS States of Matter due Friday, Oct 25
5 Test Day Chapter 3 moved up to Thursday, Oct 24

Agenda October 18

1 Activity Dry Ice Lab
2 WS States of Matter (if time)

Agenda October 17

1 Journal 25 Solid Liquid Gas
2 Journal 26 Phase Change
3 Activity Float a Paper Clip

Miniatures Club - Painting planes

Agenda October 16

1 Video Bill Nye Phase of Matter
2 Aluminum cans needed by tomorrow.

Agenda October 15

1 HW CH3 Directed Reading p49-64 Do ALL Target Reading Skills.
2 Aluminum Cans are needed for an activity later this week.  Not already crushed.  41 are needed for my classes.  Over 100 needed for all 8th grade science.  Spartan Spirit Ticket rewards.

Miniatures Club - This week, painting WWI planes.  Next week, teaching Aerodrome to Newbies.  The following meeting will be Newbie Feasting, uh I mean, we all fly together in a harmonious spirit.  Yeah.  Right.  The game rewards those who shoot.

Agenda October 14

1 Journal 22 CH3 Pre Read due Friday, Oct 25
2 Journal 23 CH3 Vocabulary due Friday, Oct 25
3 Journal 24 CH3 Constructing Meaning  due Friday, Oct 25
4 Test CH3 tentatively Friday Oct 25
5 Take home District Family Life Preview Night Letter

Miniatures Club on Friday -Painting planes

Agenda October 11

1 Test Chapter 2
2 Trade and Grade
3 Journal 22 Chapter 3 Pre Read

Agenda October 10

1 Review Activity Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
2 Check Chapter 2 HW, J15, J16, and J17
3 CFA Exothermic and Endothermic

Miniatures Club - No meeting tomorrow.  Come next week to paint aeroplanes for Aerodrome.

Agenda October 9

1 Activity Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
2 HW and Journals due tomorrow

Agenda October 8

1 Review Where's the Evidence
2 J20 Thermal Energy (Exothermic and Endothermic)
3 J21 Exothermic Endothermic Activity Instruction

No Miniatures Club on Friday.  I am going south to visit my daughter at school (graduate)

Agenda October 7

1 Activity Where's the Evidence (of chemical reactions)
2 Chapter 2 Test on Friday

Agenda October 4

1 Video Bill Nye Chemical Reactions due today
2 return work

Miniatures Club - Cowboys today.  No meeting next Friday, Oct 11 but the following Friday we will start Aerodrome with some painting.

Agenda October 3

1 Review Activity - Mixtures
2 Journal 19 Matter Characteristics
3 HW reminder.  You should be half way by now at least.

Agenda October 2

1 Activity: Separating Mixtures due today

Miniatures Club - Cowboys for all.  No Miniatures Club on Oct 11

Agenda October 1

1 Chapter 1 Test trade and grade and review
2 Journal 18 Characteristics of matter

Agenda September 30(last)

1 Chapter 1 test make up/retake

Agenda September 27

1 Journal 15 Chapter 2 Pre Reading due Tuesday, Oct 8
2 Journal 16 Chapter 2 Vocabulary due Tuesday, Oct 8
3 Journal 17 Chapter 2 Constructing Meaning due Tuesday, Oct 8
4 HW Chapter 2 Directed Reading p39-48 No Target Reading due Tuesday, Oct 8
5 CH 1 Test Retake Monday, Sept 30 during class.  Both Tests

Smells like a cigar factory is on fire.

Agenda September 25

1 Trade and Grade Metric Measurement Test
2 Review Test

Chapter 1 Scientific Method Test tomorrow.  Use your HW packet and Vocabulary to study.

Agenda September 24

1 Metric Measurement Assessment
2 Reminder Chapter 1 Scientific Method Test on Thursday

Do triremes and biremes look the same at 1:2400 scale or smaller?

Agenda September 23

1 Activity Measuring Temperature Change
2 Reminder Measurement Test tomorrow

Agenda September 20

1 Collect WS Density Practice
2 Activity - Galileo's Inclined Plane and Measuring Time (aka Galileo's Marbles)

Agenda September 19

1 Journal 13 Measuring Time
2 Journal 14 Measuring Temperature
3 WS Determining Density (Practice) due Friday Sept 20

Agenda September 18

1 Check HW Chapter 1
2 Review Meters, Liters, and Grams; Measuring Liquids; Activity measuring in the Classroom; and Bill Nye Measurement

Miniatures Remember - No Club this week.  Go to the dance.  Learn other social skills.

Agenda September 17

1 Journal 12 Density
2 Activity Density of Regular and Irregular Solids

Sept 16 was a teacher Inservice Day

PTSA Meeting tonight.

Agenda September 13

1 Check Journal 3 CH 1 Pre Read Journal 7 CH 1 Vocabulary, and Journal 8 CH 1 Constructing Meaning
2 Review Metric Mania Conversion and Measuring Meters Liters and Grams

Agenda September 12

1 Journal 11 Measuring Mass
2 Activity Measuring Mass

Miniatures Club - We are painting and playing Cowboys this week and next.  I ordered some figures to play a game similar to Cowboys we will call either Pirates, or Buccaneers, or Freebooters.  We are looking into getting a copy of Star Trek Catan (must get this game).  We are looking at at painting planes before playing Aerodrome this year.

Agenda September 11

1 Video Bill Nye Measurement (worksheet due today)
2 Journal 11 Measuring Mass
3 Collect Measuring Liquid Activity

I saw a car just miss a boy in a cross walk this morning.  The lady in the car didn't see him until the last moment due to sun glare on Remington. She was able to brake and swerve.  The boy had been watching me the whole way and didn't even look the other direction.  I was shaken by the thought that I was almost the last thing he ever saw.
Last night - Back to School Night was well attended.  If anyone knows how to upload Word documents to blogs, let me know.

Agenda September 10

1 Journal 10 Measuring the Volume of Irregular Solids
2 Activity Measuring the Volume of Solids Day 2 due today

Agenda September 9

1 Journal 9 Measuring the Volume of Regular Solids
2 Activity Measuring the Volume of Solids Day 1
3 Measuring Liquids Activity due Wednesday, Sept. 11

Agenda September 6

1 Turn in Metric Mania Conversion WS and Writing Liters, Meters, and Grams WS
2 Turn in Activity Metric Measuring in the Classroom
3 Return Work
4 J3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading due Fri. Sept 13
5 J7 Chapter 1 Vocabulary due Fri. Sept 13
6 J8 Chapter 1 Constructing Meaning due Fri. Sept 13
7 HW Chapter 1 Directed Reading due Wed. Sept 18 p11-37 No Target Reading

Agenda September 5

1 Journal 6 How to Measure the Volume of Liquids using Beakers and Graduated Cylinders
2 Activity Measuring and Sketch Volumes of Liquids

Agenda September 4

Yesterday was a bad day.  We got the news about Mr. Rodrigues passing away over the weekend.  He was a great listener and I will miss him for that.

1 Activity: Measuring in the Classroom.  The paper for this will be due on Friday.

Agenda September 3

1 Review the 2 Worksheets from Friday due Friday Sept 6
2 Journal 5 Measuring Distance
3 Activity Metric Measuring in the Classroom Day 1

Agenda August 30

1 Journal 4 Metric System and Conversion
2 WS Metric Mania Conversion not due on Tuesday
3 WS Meter, Liter, and Gram

Agenda August 29

1 Grade 8th Grade Diagnostic Test
2 Journal 2 Pre Reading Instructions
3 Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading due date forthcoming.

Agenda August 28

1 8th grade Pre Test

Agenda August 27

1 Check, Review, and Turn in Graph Boiling Point
2 Journal 1 10,000 Hours

Agenda August 26

1 Check Graph String Frequency
2 Check Graph Depth and Pressure
3 Code Red evacuation practice
4 HW Graph Altitude Difference and Boiling Temperature
5 Bring Journal tomorrow

Agenda August 23

1 Turn in signed Rules
2 Review and Turn in Procedures Quiz
3 String Frequency Graph
4 HW Pressure and Depth Graph.  due Monday

Agenda August 22

1 Procedures
2 Tour of Building/Code Red shelter in place
3 Website/this Blog
4 Procedures Quiz due Fri Aug 23

Agenda August 21

1 Rules
2 Procedures
3 Signed Rules due on Friday

Miniatures Club will be information and selected boardgames such as Catan, Robo Rally, and Shootin' Ladders.  We will also go over the plans for the year.

Agenda August 20

Today was the first day of school but none of you came.  Oh wait.  You get one more day because in June 2014, you have to stay one day more.

This agenda is just for Miniatures Club members.  There will be a meeting this Friday after school.  We have games we can play.  We also need to go over this year's agenda.  High school and soon to be college students are welcome.

Summer 2013 number 2

Miniatures Club has had 2 practice meetings.  Between me, Mario, Justin, and Gabe, we should be able to run the games on July 15.
I have increased my swimming but am not seeing the pound droppage.  Must be from the chocolate malts my daughters made me for a late Father's Day celebration.  I got some candles too.  They are labeled "2x4's".  Yes, that IS what they smell like.  I am getting pretty suntanned which nowadays is not a good thing.
Kendra's graduation went really well and all the events planned by my wife came off without a snag.  Kendra has refinished a table and is working on a night stand for her new apartment (which she does not yet have) in Fullerton.
I am working on a number of miniature painting projects and hope to have a couple more armies of the DBA genre.  I am also prepping American Revolution figures for a club activity similar to Memoir 44.
I have looked at a game called "and a bottle of Rum" put out by 2 hour wargames for running a pirates game.  I also found a blog called "Glue in the Carpet" about kit bashing.  It was very creative what they did with an inhaler.
Today is the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg and more specifically, the battle for Little Round Top by the 20th Maine.  Check that out sometime.  We visited there when we went to D.C.  Such a small area and such a big impact.
The Farm is this weekend with lots of company and we get to shoot our own fireworks.  They are legal (really) in our driveway.
Be safe and have fun.

Summer 2013 number 1

Miniatures Club.  We are planning a game day for Monday, July 15 from 9am until a reasonable hour, (say 2 to 4 PM).  We will be playing a game called Battle Fleet Gothic which, while a Games Workshop Warhammer 40K product, show very nicely the characteristics of the Pre-dreadnoughts of the late 19th and early 20th century.  Think Tsushima but here the torpedoes work.

Email me if you can come.

A great weekend of celebration.  My youngest graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday.  We are quite proud.  Now we need to find her a place to live near Cal State Fullerton for her Masters work.
Summer projects have started for me.  Some related to Santa Rosa, some here, and some miniatures stuff.

Agenda June 12

PROMOTION!
Best of luck in High School.

Agenda June 11

1 Sign yearbooks and walking practice for promotion

Agenda June 10

1 Great America Field Trip
Sadly, I could not go.  I had to get a filling replaced.

Agenda June 7

1 Video Tough Roads - Teen Parents Tell Their Stories
2 Renaissance Assembly Period 3 and 4

Miniatures Club - We will be trying some new games.
Game Kastle has a flea market tomorrow 10 to 2.  I am going to check it out.

Agenda June 6

1 Video What Teens Want to Know About Sex

Teacher Triathlon was today.  We had a great turn out.  Mr Schieberl  road his electric bike carrying 3 8th graders on his trailer.  2 fell off.  I managed to win in the pool which was very gratifying.

Miniature Club - I bought a new game called Dominant Species.  It is 90,000 BC and it's getting cold.  You are one of the classes of animals, mammals, birds, insects, etc.  You want to set your class of animal up to survive the coming ice age.  Truly a game of survival of the fittest.  

We are aiming for a game day next Tuesday June 11.

Agenda June 5

1 Video Abstinence The Right Choice

Triathlon results from today.  Ms Austin was gaining on Mr Barrelli when she lost it in the mud.  Tomorrow is teacher team triathlon.  Watch out Ms Steiner.  Ms Chan may be the sleeper in this pool party.

Agenda June 4

1 Video Laughing and Learning about AIDS and HIV

Agenda June 3

1 Return Work
2 Video: Teens talk AIDS
3 Family Life Questions continued.

Turn in all textbooks directly to the library now. 
Wednesday is the LAST day for any make up work.  If you already have an A, please do not try to give me more stuff.  I need to focus on children who want to improve lower scores.
Reminder, chewing gum on campus is against the school rules.  Repeat offenders will have their citizenship grades lowered in my class and this could effect your eligibility to attend the Great America field trip.
Triathletes must check into class before leaving to compete.  Otherwise, you are absent and this causes all sorts of problems.

Miniatures Club is contemplating a game day on the last day for 6th and 7th graders, June 11.  This is about 75% yes.

Agenda May 31

1 Family Life Presentation Last Day

Miniatures - I found Battle Cry.  If you have played Memoir 44, you will recognize the game mechanics.  For our proto computer science and engineering majors, we have Robo Rally.

"Then it happened...An archaic janitor robot's radio contact died.  Using its rudimentary programming, the robot accidentally wandered into a grid manufacturing center.  There it was spun by conveyor belts and fried by industrial lasers, and (as its lasts circuits blew trying to a bottomless heating shaft) the robot got crushed into a molecular wafer by a widget compressor.  The control computers were amused.  Twelve microseconds later, they held the first robo rally...."

Agenda May 29 and 30

1 Family Life Presentation Video, STD's, and Birth Control

Agenda May 28

1 Family Life Presentation - Parts is parts
Return your textbooks NOW

Agenda May 24

1 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check
2 Review Family Life Ground Rules
3 Family Life Questions

Agenda May 23

1 Playing with Polymers due today
2 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check tomorrow
3 Return Textbooks now

Happy Birthday to my oldest.  She is 26 today and is a teacher.  She has to be at her school's Open House tonight.

Agenda May 22

1 Straw Rocket Lab Day Final Draft due today
2 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check Friday May 24
3 Return Textbooks

Agenda May 21

1 Straw Rocket Lab Day Experiment
2 J118 Rough Draft Straw Rocket
3 3rd Trimester Journal Agenda Check Friday, May 24

Miniatures - We will be learning and Playing Cowboys, Memoir 44, and maybe Hold the Line (American Revolution) and maybe Battle Cry (American Civil War).  These last three have similar game mechanics so it isn't aas tough as it sounds.

Agenda May 20

1 Straw Rocket Lab Day Written Work
2 J 118 Rough Draft Straw Rocket Lab
3 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check on Friday, May 24

Miniatures Club - 12 folks attended the Saturday game day.  We got in 3 games of Aerodrome 3.  I shot down Ben (which someday will be looked upon with awe and reverence).

Agenda May 17

1 Building Rockets (last minute construction) and Launching

This was Periods 2, 4, and 6

Miniatures Club - We need some direction for the end of the year.  Please give me some ideas as to what you want to do to finish this school year.

Agenda May 16

1 Building Rockets (last minute construction) and Launching

This was Periods 3 and 5

Agenda May 15

1 Rocket Building Day 2

Many students still did not bring bottles and no one, so far, has brought a nose cone weight.  This means construction will continue on Thursday/Friday which may cut into launch time.

Miniatures Club - Aerodrome 3.0 on Saturday.  Please let me know if you are coming.  We may not have enough Pizza and Soft Drinks for you.  I am working on getting Mr. Duchman to come too.

Agenda May 14

1 Grade CH 14 Test Solar System
2 Rocket Demo
3 Rocket Instruction Video   http://www.tclauset.org/21_BtlRockets/BTL.html
4 Rocket Building Day 1

Period 2,4, and 6  Unfortunately Period 2 and 6  did not have enough bottles so they are now squished for time.  Make certain to bring in those bottles.
Every one needs a nose cone mass.

Agenda May 13

1 Grade CH 14 Test Solar System
2n Rocket Demo
3 Rocket Instruction Video   http://www.tclauset.org/21_BtlRockets/BTL.html
4 Rocket Building Day 1

Agenda May 10

1 Test Chapter 14 Standard 4 Earth and the Solar System
2 Still collecting 2 Liter bottles

Miniatures.  Passing out permission slips.  Of my non middle school members, only Mr. Goslinowski and David have RSVPed.  Get in touch SOON.

Agenda May 9

Lots of stuff due today.
Tomorrow's Chapter 14 Test will be open notes
1 Check J110 - J115  This is CH 13, 14 and 15 Vocabulary and Constructing Meaning
2 Check HW Directed Reading CH 13, 14, and 15
3 Still Need 2 Liter bottles

Agenda May 8

1 Practice STAR Test - Final Post Test.  This was the same one you took in September.  Remember, we were on the other side of the Sun then.

We need 2 Liter bottles for our water bottle rocket project.

Agenda May 7

1 Galaxy Review
2 Activity Hertzsprung Russell Diagram Day 2
3 Bring 2 liter soft drink bottles this week.  Each group needs 2.  +2 EC for each bottle.  Maximum 10 points EC per person.

Agenda May 6

1 J 116 Standard Practice Review Standard 5 Reactions and 6 Organic Chemistry
2 Activity Hertzsprung Russell Diagram Day 1
3 Bring 2 liter soft drink bottles this week.  Each group needs 2.  +2 EC for each bottle.  Maximum 10 points EC per person.

Agenda May 3

1 J116 Standard Practice Review Standard 7 Periodic Table
2 Activity How Far are Stars - Parallax Shift Activity

Miniatures Club started playing the Cowboy game.  We ironed out a few problems and we should be able to get some good games in next Friday.  I will also demonstrate how to apply a wash on the painted figures.

Aerodrome 3 on Saturday, May 18.  Please email if you are planning on coming.  Mr. Realini cannot come so I will need some help with the food coordination.

Agenda May 2

1 J116 Standard Practice Review Standard 3 Structure of Matter
2 Activity Planet Speed Around the Sun

Agenda May 1

1 J116 Standard Practice Review Standard 2 Force
2 Activity: The Expanding Universe Model

Agenda April 30

1 J116 Standard Practice Review Standard 1 Motion
2 Activity Model of Plants' Orbits

Agenda April 29

1 J 110 CH 13 Vocabulary
2 J 111 CH 13 Constructing Meaning
3 J 112 CH 14 Vocabulary
4 J 113 CH 14 Constructing Meaning
5 J 114 CH 15 Vocabulary
6 J 115 CH 15 Constructing Meaning
7 HW CH 13, 14, and 15 Directed Reading - No Target Reading
ALL DUE THURSDAY, MAY 9

Make up test CH 12 today after school

These next 2 weeks are intense.  Please do not miss class.

Agenda April 26

1 Check HW Directed Reading Chapter 12
2 Check J 108 CH 12 Vocabulary
3 Check J109 CH 12 Constructing Meaning
4 Test CH 12 Standard 2 Forces and Standard 4 Earth and Solar System

Miniatures Club Aerodrome 3.0 is being scheduled for Saturday, May 18 from 10 to 2

Agenda April 25

1 Video Bill Nye The Moon
2 Video Bill Nye Seasons

We had the 8th Grade Panorama picture today that took all of Period 2 so they did not (and will not) see the videos.  These would be useful in reinforcing the subject matter but not absolutely necessary.

Miniatures Club - Painting cowboys.  Saturday, May 18 we will be having a game day from 10 to 2 in G5.  We will be playing Aerodrome 3.  If you are a high school (or beyond) former member, let we know if you would like to come.  I need to arrange for food and game equipment.

Agenda April 24

1 Activity Phases of the Moon
2 Review Activity Reason for Seasons

Agenda April 22

1 Review National Geographic Video Sun, Earth, and Moon
2 Activity - The Reasons for the Seasons
3 Chapter 12 Test either Friday or Monday
4 No Gatorade in class

Agenda April 22

1 Return Work
2 Video National Geographic Sun, Earth, and Moon due today
3 Chapter 11 Make Up test today after school.

We got the terracing done in Santa Rosa and we got the grading permit cleared.  Pictures coming soon.  I was at the game on Sunday thanks to my wife and I called Buster's homer.  I did pick for it to go to right field.
Welcome back.  Painting cowboys on Friday.

Agenda April 12

1 Journal 107 Chapter 12 Pre Reading
2 Journal 108 Chapter 12 Vocabulary due Friday April 26
3 Journal 109 Chapter 12 Constructing Meaning due Friday April 26
4 HW Directed Reading Chapter 12 p 205-220 Target Reading p 206 and 213 due Friday April 26
5 Newton's Laws Video Project due today.

Agenda April 11

1 Chapter 11 Test
2 Turn in Fountain in a Flask
3 Journal 107 Chapter 12 Pre Reading due date not yet posted

Agenda April 10

1 Review the following:  Fountain in a Flask; Bill Nye Flight; Mystery Canisters; Sink and Spill; and Bernoulli Day

Agenda April 9

1 Activity Fountain in a Flask

Test CH 11 on Thursday

Agenda April 8

1 Bernoulli Day due today
2 Check Chapter 1: Homework Packet; Journal 102 Vocabulary; and Journal 103 Constructing Meaning

Chapter 11 Test on Thursday
Video Project due on Friday
Some students will be here playing Aerodrome 1.1 on Tuesday night Open House

I got to help some friends plant a vineyard yesterday.  They had pre drilled the holes which made it pretty easy.  I did two rows.  Now I need to learn to appreciate wine.  I have 5 years before they have wine so I have time.

Agenda April 5

Today was a period 4, 5, and 6 day.  The agenda is the same as yesterday.

This is the last weekend before the Newton's Law Video Project is due.  Good Luck

Agenda April 4

1 Activity Sink or Spill Buoyant Force
2 Journal 104 Bernoulli Principle
3 Video Bill Nye Flight

Only periods 1, 2, and 3 today

Agenda April 3

1 Activity Mystery Canister Density Review

Agenda April 2

1 Review WS Isobar Practice - collect
2 Video Bill Nye Buoyancy

Agenda April 1

1 Return Work
2 Journal 104 Pressure
3 WS Isobar Practice and Country Under Pressure due tomorrow

While I totally agree with the proposed dress code for students, I do not concur with the choice of garments for the teachers.  I do not look good in sweat shirts.

Agenda March 29

1 Journal 101 Chapter 11 Pre Reading due today
2 Journal 102 Chapter 11 Vocabulary due Monday April 8
3 Journal 103 Chapter 11 Constructing Meaning due Monday April 8
4 HW Chapter 11 Directed Reading - No Target Reading due Monday April 8

Today is our guest speaker in Miniatures Club.

Agenda March 28

1 Collect the following assignments:  Activity Motion Stations; WS Newton's Second Law; WS Friction and Gravity Review; WS Showing Forces (Vectors)
2 Test Chapter 10

Agenda March 27

1 Activity: Motion Stations Day 2
2 WS Newton's Second law Review.  due today
3 WS Friction and Gravity Review due tomorrow
4 WS Showing Forces due tomorrow
5 CH 10 Test tomorrow

Agenda March 26

1 Activity Motion Stations Day 1
2 The WS Newton's Second Law is now due tomorrow.

Agenda March 25

1 Review Disney Imagineering Newton's Three Laws Video
2 Review Bill Nye Balance Video
3 Check Chapter 10 HW, J94 CH 10 Vocabulary, and J95 CH 10 Constructing Meaning
4 WS Newton's 2nd Law Problems due tomorrow
5 Test Chapter 10 on Thursday

Miniatures Club on Friday will have a guest speaker.  A former World War 2 pilot will come and answer questions for half an hour.  Parents and interested adults are also welcome.  Just email me so I know you are coming and I can have a seat for you.

Agenda March 22

1 Video Disney Imagineering Newton's 3 Laws
2 Video Bill Nye Balance
3 HW Directed Reading, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning due date moved to Monday, March 25

Go to the Bascom Ave Library on Saturday at 3PM for a great rock concert and earn 5 points EC.  Cheer for Half n Half

Agenda March 21

1 Review Shoe Lab
2 Journal 98 Gravity
3 Journal 99 Newton's 1st Law
4 CFA Friction

Check out Youtube for Veratasium for some of the cool videos we saw today.

Agenda March 20

1 Activity Shoe Friction Lab due today

Extra Credit is available in college.  My daughter took a certification test on some software system and passed.  As a result, she earned enough extra credit in a class to move a B to an A.  She is also employable with that certification.

I am offering extra credit to students who attend the Battle of the Bands judging at the Bascom Ave Library (near Valley Medical Center) on Saturday at 3PM.  A group of SMS students have made it this far and could use our support.  An added bonus is about a 2 hour rock concert for free by some kids of whom you may be able to say "I say them when they were 13".  Go Half n Half

Agenda March 19

1 Video 3 Incorrect Laws of Motion
2 Journal 96 Force
3 Journal 97 Friction

Agenda March 18

1 Chapter 10 Directed reading.  do Target Reading Skills p 175, 180, and 187.  Due Friday March 22
2 Newton's Laws Video Project due Friday April 12 (that is the day before Spring Break)
3 CH 9 Make Up test today after school

Aerodrome 3.0 at the South Bay Game Club on Saturday was great fun.  3 former and 1 current SMS students attended making the sky a target rich environment for me.  Sadly, I fell victim to their guns on 2 occasions.  Still, lots of inspiration for another project.

I spoke with my neighbor about attending Miniatures Club and we are planning on Friday March 29.  He is quite anxious to come.  John is 90 and flew P47's in World War 2.  If you are a parent (or follower) and would like to also attend, just drop me a note so I can expect you.

Agenda, March 15

1 Journal 93 Chapter 10 Pre Reading due today
2 Journal 94 Chapter 10 Vocabulary due Friday March 22
3 Journal 95 Chapter 10 Constructing Meaning due Friday March 22
4 Chapter 9 Make Up Test Monday after school

South Bay Game Club tomorrow

Agenda March 14

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 9 Test
2 Discuss grades so far
3 Discuss Calculus

I did some math-magic today.  Chapter 9 assignments were all based on completeness and timeliness.  It turns out there were 103 points of these kind of assignments.  The Chapter 9 Test was 66 points.  This totals 169 points.  I did the math for the students to show them that:  If they had turned in all assignments complete and on time; and if the scored 50% on the test (33 points).  They would have an 80% (B-).  As a note, none of the actual work needed to be correct and I went over the actual answers for every assignment.  This means that you could fail the test and still have a B- in the class.  So this begs the question, why does anyone have a grade below B-.

Agenda March 13

1 Test Chapter 9
2 Collect: WS Acceleration Calculation; WS Acceleration of a Roller Coaster; Galileo's Marbles; and Hot Wheels Lab

33 Days until STAR Testing.

Agenda March 12

1 Acceleration of Hot Wheels Cars Lab Day 2.  This activity will be collected tomorrow
2 Stamp and Review WS Acceleration Calculations  This activity will be collected tomorrow
3  Stamp and Review WS Acceleration of a Roller Coaster  This activity will be collected tomorrow
4 Chapter 9 Test tomorrow
5 Collect the 3 assignments listed above and the Speed of Marbles/ Galileo's Marble Lab

Agenda March 11

1 Activity:  Acceleration of a Hot Wheels Car Lab Day 1

Saw Argo this weekend and had a great social lunch with friends.  Good
Finished rewiring the house.  Good
Aerodrome 3.0 at SBGC on this coming Saturday.  Also good

Agenda March 8

1 Check Homework Chapter 9 Directed Reading, Journal86 Chapter 9 Vocabulary, and Journal 87 Chapter 9 Constructing Meaning
2 Journal 82 Acceleration
3 WS Acceleration Calculations due Tuesday, March 12
4 WS Acceleration of a Roller Coaster due Tuesday, March 12
5 Chapter 9 Test Wednesday, March 13

Agenda March 7

1 Journal 91 Graphing Speed

Agenda March 6

1 Review Lab Galileo's Marbles
2 New Seats

Spartan Citizen Lunch:  I chose Spartan TV Sam for his continued good nature with the joke of the day in the face of constant ridicule by his co-anchor (yes I know it is scripted)

Agenda March 5

1 Lab Measuring the Speed of Marbles Lab or Galileo's Marbles

New seats will be tomorrow.

Agenda March 4

1 Review Bill Nye Motion
2 Journal 90 Speed and Velocity
3 White board calculations

Today was make up tests and only 4 students attended.  Sigh

Aerodrome 2.0 started.  Mr. Kubiak is volunteering to bring us Aerodrome 3 (Korea) this school year.  More information to follow.  South Bay Game Club is going to Have Aerodrome 3 in March and April.  Check their website to find dates and times (Matt) if you are interested.

Agenda March 1

1 Video Bill Nye Motion
2 Agenda Check 11/12-3/1
3 Journal Check 41-84
8th grade Hearing Test 

Today is the last day for make up work for 2nd Trimester

Make Up Tests on Monday after school

Agenda February 28

1 Journal 89 Distance and Displacement
2 HW Chapter 9 Directed Reading due Friday, March 8
Tomorrow is Second Trimester Agenda and Journal check.
Agenda back to Nov 12 and Journals back to Journal 41
Aerodrome 2.0 starts tomorrow. Battle of Britain

Agenda February 27

1 Journal 88 Relative Motion and Reference Point
2 Last Day for Make up work Friday, March 1
3 Make Up Tests on Monday, March 4 after school
4 Agenda and Journal Check Friday, March 1

Agenda February 26

1 Journal 85 Chapter 9 Pre Reading due today
2 Journal 86 Chapter 9 Vocabulary due Friday, March 8
3 Journal 87 Chapter 9 Constructing Meaning due Friday, March 8

Last day for any make up work to be turned in is Friday, March 1
Make up Tests for this trimester on Monday, March 4

Agenda February 25

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 8 Test
2 Journal 84 Correct Answers

Chapter 7 and 8 make up tests on Monday, March 4

Agenda February 15

1 Test Chapter 8

Last Day of Aerodrome 1.1 today.
Students going to San Francisco with Mr. Realini on Wednesday.  Bring me proof you went and earn 5 extra credit points for the vacation extra credit.

Agenda February 14

1 Activity Murder in Sunnyvale, Testing for Organic Molecules

Test on Chapter 8 tomorrow
Remember that Vocabulary, Constructing Meaning, and the Homework Packet are due tomorrow too.

Agenda February 13

Activity Molecule Models due today

Agenda February 12

1 Journal 81 (just a bit more)
2 Journal 82 Polymers
3 Journal 83 Organic Chemistry

Test on Chapter 8 on Friday

Agenda February 11

1 Journal 80 Properties of Carbon
2 Journal 81 Carbon Compounds

This is mainly for friends and family
Today is my wife's birthday.  We had a great weekend celebrating.  Kendra came home and we went to dinner and a movie on Friday night.  Saturday, Kim and Kendra went out for mother/daughter time and Katharyn went to Olive's first birthday party (Olive is the daughter of Katharyn's good friend, Jessica).  Saturday night was dinner at Restaurant James Randall in Los Gatos.  Then the girls made mini chocolate souffles for candles and some presents.  Kendra made a table runner from scratch using her limited supplies and facilities at Cal Poly.  Monday was the actual birthday and on Sunday I built raspberry ice cream souffles.  Most of Sunday was spent cleaning one of the sauce pans.  The instructions never said to stiff while boiling the raspberry sugar mixture.  FYI burned sugar can be mostly removed with boiling vinegar.  However, there is still a lot of elbow grease required.  Now, on to Valentine's Day

Agenda, February 8

1 HW CH8 Directed Reading p137-153 Target Reading on p 138 and 141 due Friday, Feb 15
2 CH 8 Test on Friday, February 15 .  Due to the short amount of time before this particular test, it will be open note.  Notes will include this HW packet so be sure to get them right.

Agenda February 7

1 Return Work
2 Journal 77 Chapter 8 Pre Reading due today
3 Journal 78 Chapter 8 Vocabulary due Friday Feb. 15
4 Journal 79 Chapter 8 Constructing Meaning due Friday Feb. 15

Agenda February 6

1 Return Work
2 Trade and Grade Tests

Tonight was the District Meeting at Cumberland School.  I attended.  I will comment on that in a bit.

Agenda February 5

1 Acid Base Test
2 SBG Parent Meeting at Cumberland School on Feb 6 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.  This has not been widely publicized and it is your chance to ask district officials (the ones who are actually making the decisions) the hard questions you may have.  I will be there because I want to hear what they say to you.  I have heard what they say to me and I want to compare the two.

Agenda February 4

1 Acid Base Lab Day 2
2 Journal 74 Base Properties
3 Check J 69 Vocabulary Chapter 7
4 Check J 70 Constructing Meaning Chapter 7
5 Check HW Chapter 7
6 Chapter 7 Test tomorrow

Agenda February 1

1 Activity Alien Juice Bar Computer Activity
2 Due dates for Vocabulary, Constructing Meaning, and Chapter 7 HW due now on Monday
3 Make up/retake of Solution Test is being recalculated

Miniatures Club will be setting up for our grand game tomorrow.  We should have time to play at least one game.

Agenda January 31

1 Acid Base Lab day 1
2 Journal 74 Acid Properties
3 Journal 75 Water as it relates to Acids and Bases
4 HW, Vocabulary, Pre Read, Constructing Meaning Chapter 7 due tomorrow
5 CH 6 Make up test Monday Feb 4 after school

Miniatures Club hosts the annual Aerodrome Knights of the Sky Tournament on Saturday in my room this year.  It lasts from 10 to 3 this year and should have 35 students plus additional high school students and adult volunteers.   We hope to be on "Mr. G In The Hood" on Spartan TV.
If anyone knows people at Cupertino MS who would be interested in this sort thing, please put them in contact with me.

Agenda January 30

1 Test Chapter 7 Solubility

I am moving the Acid/Base test out further to Tuesday

Agenda, January 29

1 Solubility Lab Day 2
2 J72 Solubility Lab Data
3 J73 Solubility and Temperature
Solution Test on Wednesday

Agenda, January 28

1 Solubility Lab Day 1
2 J 72 Solubility Lab Data

CH6 retake was today after school
Solution Test moved to Wednesday

Agenda, January 25

1 Journal 71 Types of Solutions
2 HW Directed Reading p123-136 due Friday Feb 1

Agenda January 24

1 Journal 68 Chpater 7 Pre Reading due today
2 Journal 69 Chapter 7 Vocabulary due Thursday, January 31
3 Journal 70 Chapter 7 Constructing Meaning due Thursday, January 31
4 Retake Test Monday after school
5 Aiming at Solutions Test on Tuesday, January 29

Agenda January 23

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 6 Test
2 Make up/retake for Chapter 6 Test is Monday after school

Not a very good day yesterday.  I have serious doubts about JBK

Agenda January 18

I swore I put this in on time.
1 Check Chapter 6 HW, and Journals about CH6 Pre Read, Vocab, Constructing Meaning, and the Balancing Equations Practice Sheet.
2 Chapter 6 Test

Miniatures Club.  I have 10 flyers so far.  Bentley has 21.  I have equipment for three full games of 5 on 5.
I am trying to get some decals for some bombers from ebay and I got a board game called Samurai which is "Kingmaker" in Japan.  I am getting ready for us to model and paint Cowboys.

Agenda January 17

1 Activity: Catalyst and Decomposition Lab due today
2 CFA Balancing Equations
3 Chapter 6 Test tomorrow.
4 Vocab Pre Read HW etc due tomorrow

Today was the first day of the second half of the school year.  It is downhill from here out.

Agenda January 16

1 Zinc and Hydrochloric Acid
2 Chapter 6 Test on Friday

Miniatures Club - High School students who are planning on attending the Aerodrome Tournament to play on the High School table need to contact me so we can have enough food for you. 
Non High School members:
Bring in those permission forms.
We need to establish squadrons of 5 and we need to mix up who you are practicing against.  These goals are counter to each other so please come, get set up, and get started.
I am listening to old western movie music for inspiration for the next games after Aerodrome.  After some figure modifications we will be painting cowboys.  YeeHaw.

Agenda January 15

1 Activity Silver Nitrate and Sodium Phosphate Lab and Aluminum and Copper Chloride Lab due today
2 Chapter 6 Test on Friday

Agenda January 14

1 Check Online Balancing Equations WS
2 Journal 66 continued
3 Journal 67 Types of Chemical Reactions (powerpoint)
4 Activity: Calcium Chloride and Sodium Phosphate Lab (double replacement)
Chapter 6 Test on Friday

Agenda January 11

1 Computer Activity Balancing Equations Online

Agenda January 10

1 Journal 65 The Law of Conservation of Matter
2 Journal 66 During Chemical Reactions
3 Balancing Equations Practice
4 WS Balancing Equations due Fri Jan. 18

Agenda January 9

1 HW Chapter 6 Directed Reading p105-122 Do Target Reading p 106 only. Due Friday January 18.
2 White boards and markers needed for tomorrow
3 Make up test today after school.  School sports make up test on Monday.

Miniatures Club - We need to get things ready for the tournament.  Also be ready to learn about points and team tactics.

Chance of snow here in the mountains tonight.

Agenda January 8

1 Journal 62 Chapter 6 Pre Read due today
2 Journal 63 Chapter 6 Vocabulary due Friday Jan 18
3 Journal 64 Chapter 6 Constructing Meaning due Friday Jan 18
4 Need white boards and markers by Thursday
5 Make up test Wednesday after school.  If you are on a SMS Sports team, make up test day in Monday Jan 14.  Arrange this with your coach.

Miniatures Club - I have been working on decals (man they are small) for the WWI planes.  I am almost done with my first batch that will be needed for the tournament.  I will be starting the second batch this week.  Painting needs to continue.  I am also working on the permission slips for the tournament.  Make certain to ask for one if you want to participate.

Agenda January 7

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 5 Test
2 Make up test is on Wednesday after school
3 White board and white board markers are now required
4 How to make a white board