Agenda December 21

1 Collect Lewis Structure Review WS
2 Check Journals, 53, 54, 55 Chapter 5 Pre Reading, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning
3 Check Chapter 5 HW
4 Test Chapter 5
5 After break, all students should have a working white board marker as part of their equipment.

So at 6:21AM our time, The sun was directly above the Tropic of Capricorn signaling the shortest day of the year.  So from now until June, the days will just get longer.
Our youngest who is in Berlin reports she has a fever and is feeling very bad.  She is due home on Sunday night.
Miniatures Club is deep into Aerodrome.  I am going to try decals on the 1:144 planes next

Agenda December 20

1 Lab Hydrogen Bonds - Drops on a Penny due today

Agenda December 19

1 Return and Review Ionic and Covalent Bonding WS
2 Journal 60 Alloys
3 Journal 61 Hydrogen Bonds
4 Ionic and Covalent Review WS due Friday
5 Test on Friday

Agenda December 18

1 CFA Ionic and Covalent Bonds
2 Turn in Comparing Ionic and Covalent Bonds Activity WS
3 Turn in Bonding with a Classmate Activity WS
4 Journal 58 Metallic Bonds
5 Journal 59 Polar Molecules
6 Test on Friday Chapter 5

Agenda December 14

1 Activity Comparing Two Types of Chemical Bonds - We will complete the worksheet in class though only as a review and to answer questions

Still haven't heard from our youngest who is in Germany.  Off to the farm for the weekend.  Katharyn flies south to see a friend in Thousand Oaks.

Agenda December 13

1 Continue J57 Covalent (including Double and Triple Bonds)
2 WS Lewis Dots with additions (using this as a study guide)
3 Activity Bond with a Classmate day 1 (we will finish this on Monday)
4 Return the rest of the work

Agenda December 12

1 Journal   Ionic Bonds
2 Journal   Covalent Bonds
3 WS Lewis Dot Structure Review and a bit more.  Hang onto this one for study purposes
4 Return work
Well 12/12/12 has been a normal day so far.  I am going to a dinner party with my wife tonight at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital so that is unusual.  I may get to eat all the sushi I want tonight which is unusual but is unprecedented.  I got my flu shot and even though that was yesterday, that is unusual.  Kendra has not updated us about her experience in Berlin but again, not unusual.  So, a normal day so far.

Agenda December 11

1 HW Chapter 5 p89-104 Do the Target Reading on p 94, 99, and 103 due Friday, Dec 21
2 Journal 54 Chapter 5 Vocabulary due Friday, Dec 21
3 Journal 55 Chapter 5 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Dec 21

Agenda December 10

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 4 Standard 7 Test
2 Journal 53 Chapter 5 Pre Reading due Friday Dec 21

The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Friday, Dec 21

Agenda December 7

1 Review the 2 Review WS's and collect
2 Grade Journals 51 Vocabulary and 52 Constructing Meaning and HW for Chapter 4 Sections 3 and 4
3 Test Chapter 4 Standard 7 Periodic Table (section 3 and 4)

Agenda December 6

1 Journal 50 Groups 3-12 Transition Elements
2 Journal 51 Group 17 Halogens
3 Journal 52 Group 18 Noble Gases
4 Activity Alien Periodic Table I made this due tomorrow
5 Review WS Family Ties/Mixed up Elements
6 Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 HW, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning due tomorrow
7Test Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 tomorrow

Agenda December 5

1 Journal 49 Group 3 - 12 Transition Metals
2 Activity Tell Me About It review and Balloon Busting due today

Agenda December 4

1 CFA
2 WS Placing Your Elements Coloring WS review and due
3 Journal 47 Group 1 Alkali Metals
4 Journal 48 Group 2 Alkali Earth Metals

Agenda December 3

1 Flame Test Demonstration due today
2 WS Placing All Your Elements on Periodic Table Coloring WS due Tomorrow, Tuesday 12/4

This was started in class today

Well we had just over one foot of rain this weekend.  It did let up enough to put up Christmas lights but whenever a blow dryer goes on, the GFI circuit blows.  Still they are pretty though they point to the need to a rewire job.  Any electrical contractors out there?  Power did not go out in Santa Rosa though Tomas (our caretaker) says he needs a boat to get around the valley.

Miniatures Club Aerodragon update.  Amanda, David, Mario, and I tested the game and found it working with a couple of questions answered in-game.  It is funny that David knows the rules better than I do and I wrote them.

Agenda November 29

1 Trade and Grade CH4.1,2 and 5
2 Journal 45 Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 Vocabulary due Friday, Dec. 7
3 Journal 46 Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Dec. 7

Miniatures Club Aerodrome with a playtest of Aerodragon

Agenda November 28

1 Turn in Graph of Class Average of Pennyum Decay
1 Test Chapter 4 Section 1, 2, and 5

Agenda November 27

1 Review Lewis Dots for the test
2 Class Average activity for Radioactive Decay of Pennyum
3 Test Chapter 4 Sections 1, 2, and 5 tomorrow

Agenda November 26

1 Collect Element Project Poster and Research Paper
2 Finish and turn in WS Bohr Model Flash Cards
3 New Seats
4 Chapter 4 Section 1, 2, and 5 Test on Wednesday

Agenda November 20

1 Element Project Day 4
I went over tips on how to do the poster.  It took me 7 minutes to set up a poster so students should have been able to complete the project in the time allotted.  Many did not finish and left the poster in my room until after school to then take home.  I was at school until 6PM and over 12 were still left behind and unfinished.  So sad.
Holiday EC.  I offered all classes the opportunity to earn +5 Extra Credit for participating in an outing that related to History or Science.  These activities do not need to cost anything and I gave examples to all classes.  Students need to bring some proof of the activity such as a brochure or ticket stub or picture of them at the activity.  I am the final arbiter of what will be counted.

Agenda November 19

1 Element Project Day3 Writing the written report in class.
2 Poster day is tomorrow
3 switch seats on Monday
4 Reminder - Official due date for the Project is Monday, November 26 or -10%
BONUS - If you finish the Written Report and turn it in by tomorrow, Tuesday, then +3 EC
BONUS - If you finish the Poster and turn it in by tomorrow, Tuesday, then +3 EC

Today is my 29th Wedding Anniversary

Agenda November 15

1 Journal 44 Lewis Dot Diagrams  - How to do them
2 Bohr Model Flash Cards - Lewis Dot Diagrams, This paper will be collected after Thanksgiving

This is the 37th anniversary of my wife's and my first date.  We went out for sushi.

Agenda November 15

1 Journal 41 Bohr Model Practice
2 Journal 42 Valence Electrons
3 WS Bohr Model Flash Card Practice due today (some students were given over night to finish)

Today is the 37th anniversary of my first date with my wife.  We are having sushi for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate.

I sent of 125 pounds of candy on Sunday.  It was packed on Sunday and mailed on Tuesday (Monday being a holiday).  Thank you to all who have contributed so far.  I am still collecting candy through Christmas.

Agenda November 14

1 Pass out Element Project Instructions and Rubric
2 Day 2 Element Project in class research

Fire drill tomorrow P3.
All grades were finalized this morning.  Mrs. Coppage is on a committee that is looking at PowerSchool.  If you have any suggestions, you can email Mrs. Coppage or email me and I will forward it to her.  Do it by mid day Thursday.
Aerodragon rules are completed to be test flown.

Agenda November 13

1 1st Trimester Agenda and Journal Check
2 Element Project Choose an element and research.  Project due Monday, November 26 or -10%

Agenda November 9

1 Turn in Half Life of Pennyium
2 Finish WS's including WS Bohr Model Homework

Agenda November 8

1 Journal 40 Half Life
2 Activity Half Life of Pennyum
This activity was completable with in the class time but I have extended the due date until the beginning of class tomorrow.  Many students were sadly observed wasting the time.
NOTE Chapter 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 Pre Reading Vocabulary, Constructing Meaning, and Directed Reading are due tomorrow.
NOTE 1st Trimester Journal and Agenda check on Tuesday.  There are 40 Journal entries so I must (one chance only) see these on Tuesday.  We also have an all period activity on Tuesday.  The Agenda includes 12 weeks from August 22 to November 8.  Holidays and Inservice Days do not count but the week needs to be totally filled in unless the student started after the beginning of the school year.
THESE SCORES WILL EFFECT FINAL GRADES.

Agenda November 7

1 Journal 38 Types of Radioactivity
2 Journal 39 History of Radioactivity
3 CFA Parts of an Atom

Agenda November 6

1 Journal 36 The Neutron
2 Journal 37 Partcles in an Atom
3 Journal 38 Isotopes
4 WS Name the Element
5 WS Element A-Z

I have been giving students the chance to find out about and make up work at lunch and after school this week.  A number of students have come but none came today after school.  Please remember that this Friday is the last day for make up work.

Agenda November 5

1 Journal 33 History of Atomic Theory
2 Journal 34 Bohr Model Parts of an Atom
3 Check grades
4 Check WS Bill Nye and Parts of the Atom

Agenda November 2

1 Video Bill Nye Atoms
2 WS The Atom due Monday
Return Work

Look for updated grades this weekend.  Please not that a zero means you/your child got a zero on the assignment.  In other words, I recorded the grade and yours wasn't there.  A blank space means the name of the assignment is in the computer but I haven't entered the scores yet.

Agenda November 1

1 HW Chapter 4 Directed Reading Sections 1 and 2 (p65-72) Do all Target Reading due Thursday Nov 8
We only had 10 trick or treaters last night.  Had a quiet evening at home with my wife which was nice.
Miniatures Club - Starting Aerodrome this week.  Some High School students and I are working on Aerodragon using the Aerodrome rules as a base.  We will be painting dragons as well.

Agenda October 31

1 Journal 29 How to be a Hero to a Little Kid on Halloween
1 Journal 30 Chapter 4 Pre Reading
2 Journal 31 Chapter 4 section 1,2, and 5 Vocabulary
3 Journal 32 Chapter 4 section 1 and 2 Constructing Meaning

All due Thursday, November 8

Agenda October 30

1 Finish Collapsing Can / Balloon in a Flask
2 Review Chapter 3 Test

Agenda October 29

1 Move Collapsing Can completion to Tuesday
2 Trade and Grade Chapter 3 Test
3 Check Chapter 3 HW
4 Check Journal's 22, 23, 24 Chapter 3 Pre Read, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning

Agenda October 26

1 Test Chapter 3
2 Move Collapsing Can and Balloon in a Flask to Monday to finish in class

Agenda October 25

1 Review for Test using a leveled test
2 Move Journal and HW packet due date to Monday

Today was a Code Red Drill at SMS

Agenda October 24

1 Journal 28 Constant Volume Gas Law
2 Activity Collapsing Can and Balloon in a Flask

Agenda October 23

1 Finish Dry Ice Lab
2 Journal 25 Change of State
3 Journal 26 Charles' Law
4 Journal 27 Boyle's Law

I will be collecting candy again this year for Adopt a Chaplain to send overseas to our military.

How 'bout those Giants.  What a great way to spend an evening.

Still painting Aerodrome planes

Agenda October 22

1 Activity Dry Ice Lab

Agenda October 19

1 Test Chapter 3 Section 1

Agenda October 18

1 HW Chapter 3 Directed Reading (do all Target Reading Skills) due Fri. Oct 26.

Agenda October 17

1 Video Bill Nye Phases of Matter
2 Collect Progress Reports

Agenda October 16

1 Journal 22 Chapter 2 Pre Reading due Friday, Oct. 26
2 Journal 23 Chapter 2 Vocabulary due Friday, Oct. 26
3 Journal 24 Chapter 2 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Oct. 26
4 Signed Progress Reports due tomorrow +3 Extra Credit
5 We were informed that Progress Reports would not be sent by the school due to problems with the report card format (the short version is that the district didn't buy a report card for middle schools when it bought this software).  As a result teachers are required to notify parents if a child's grade is a D or below.  Rather than just let some of you know, I sent them to all students as I used to do.  Please remember that grades are always being updated so this is literally a snapshot of your child's grade.  I will probably need to send a second wave in early November.
I do find it interesting that the more technology we are to use the more work we have to do.

Agenda October 12

1 Test Chapter 2 Standard 3 and Standard 5
2 Check Journal 16, 17 and 18.  Check HW Directed Reading (all due today)

Miniatures Club - The Pirates Tournament is reaching its climax.  Despite a number of forfeits (Kids have other obligations) we have a strong core who are doing battle.

First notice of up coming Aerodrome Competition versus Bentley School.  Our first choice date at the moment is the first Friday in February (Mayans not withstanding).  Locations are being examined.  SMS is a popular choice however Hiller Aviation and Moffett Field have been mentioned.
Questions about the game parents?  See this website:
http://www.aerodrome-ww1aircombat.com/

Agenda Oct 11 (10/11/12)

1 Finish Activity Where's the Evidence due today
2 Finish Activity Endothermic vs Exothermic due today
3 Check Journal and HW (for bonus) still due tomorrow
4 CFA Exothermic and Endothermic
5 Chapter 2 Test tomorrow

Agenda October 10

1 Activity Exothermic vs Endothermic Reactions Day 1

Chapter 2 Test on Friday
I am offering extra credit for turning in the homework early tomorrow.  This will give more time for the test on Friday.

I understand that progress reports have not gone out.  I also understand that the district will not be adding a work habits grade category that the teachers requested.  Please be advised that a student's Work Habits grade will be folded into their Citizenship grade.  This means that an F in my class is an automatic U in the Citizenship/Workhabits  in my class until these grades are separated on the report card.  Don't even ask about comments.  We have no idea how many are allowed.  We cannot even easily find them.

Agenda October 9

1 Activity Where's the Evidence Day 2

Today we had an assembly about cyber bullying.  You should ask your kids about "Jill's Story".  You should also tell your kids that no matter what they do and how angry you might seem to be, that they are the most important thing and you will work out things as a family.

Agenda October 8

1 Heterogeneous to Homogeneous Mixtures Activity Day 2 due today
2 Activity Where's the Evidence Day 1

Make up test tomorrow after school

Go Giants Go - Spartan Girls Softball

Agenda October 5

1 Journal 19 Characteristics of Matter
2 Journal 20 Mixtures
3 Journal 21 Compounds
4 Activity Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Substances (due on Monday)

I swore I put this up yesterday.  Listening to the Giants first playoff game of the season.  Brandon Belt just made a great play.  I wonder if, tomorrow, it will be the play of the game or just a great effort.  The future will only tell when we get there. 
We trimmed some bushes and trees today here in Santa Rosa.  The weather is a perfect 75.  Last year at this time there was a foot of snow in the Sierras and an inch of rain in Los Gatos.  I wonder what this winter has in store.
Report cards are due out to you all this week.  I wonder what it will look like.  We have not seen them.  Mr. Realini got a Standards Based Report Card from a new transfer student.  It was 6 pages.  I feel that if we want to do it right, our report cards will need to be like that.

Agenda October 4

1 HW Chapter 1 Directed Reading p39-48 (Do the Target Reading Skills on pages 44 and 47 as well)
2 Make up test is Tuesday after school

A note about the recently posted grades.  This new attendance program does not tell the grading program if a student was absent when an assignment was due.  The old program did have this function.  The upshot is that I cannot readily tell if a student was absent or just did not turn in an assignment without printing out an attendance record (not very green) or go back and forth between screens to correlate.  This is difficult and tedious.  What I will be doing is having students check and come to me.  Then I do not need to corroborate all missing grades, just the ones who bring it to my attention.

Agenda October 3

1 Journal 16 Chapter 2 Pre Reading due Fri. Oct. 12
2 Journal 17 Chapter 2 Vocabulary due Fri. Oct. 12
3 Journal 18 Chapter 2 Constructing Meaning due Fri. Oct. 12

Agenda October 2

1 Finish Measuring Time Activity aka Galileo's Marbles due today
2 Finish Measuring Temperature Activity aka Dry Ice Lab due today

Agenda October 1

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 1 Measurement Test
2 Day 3 Activity (write up) Galileo's Marbles

Many student would like to make up Friday's test due to poor performance.  I will offer one make up test next week so I do not conflict with sports activities this week.  I have not decided on the day other than it will not be on a Friday and it will be after school.  Given the number of hands that went up, one half of my students feel the need to take the test.  I will limit space using, as of yet, some predetermined criteria.  I may or may not offer a make up on Chapter 2 so please be PREpared. (ah see what I did there?)

Miniatures Club - Mr. Realini (and Mario) made a twenty player double elimination tournament tree.  It is available on Challonge.com

http://challonge.com/pirates2012

Agenda September 28

1 Turn in Density practice Worksheet
2 Test Chapter 1 Measurement

Miniatures - Pirates Tournament starts next week.  However, we may get things rolling today.

I will be going to the Homestead Football game tonight.  They are playing at my daughters' alma mater so go Los Gatos.

Agenda September 27

1 Activity Measuring Temperature Change
2 Chapter 1 Measurement Test tomorrow

Agenda September 26

1 Day 2 Activity Measuring Time Galileo's Marbles
2 WS Density Practice due Friday
3 Day 1 Activity Measuring Temperature Change (the experiment is tomorrow)
Chapter 1 Measurement Test on Friday

Agenda September 25

1 Journal 15 Measuring Time
2 Activity Measuring the time a marble takes to roll down a ramp from different heights or Galileo's Marbles

http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/lectures/gal_accn96.htm
or
 http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/mechanics/forces/galileo/galileoInertia.html

Agenda September 24

1 Finish Measuring Density of Solids Activity
2 Journal 14 Measuring Density of Liquids
3 Activity Measuring Density of Liquids

Agenda September 21 Autumn

1 Activity Day 2 Density of Regular and Irregular Solids Day 2
2 Return Work and discuss

Today has been quite fun.  Very enriching if not academic.  The Space Shuttle Endeavor flew on the back of the 747 Transporter flew through the Bay Area today.  As part of the NASA Ames flyby, the duo flew to the east of our campus.  We had the kids out there for what turned out to be an hour but they were quite well behaved and pretty patient for middleschoolers.  Mrs Kranich, with the able assistance and leg work of Mr. Reynolds, arranged a circle the the students filled in to make a happy face.  This lasted until the shuttle started to go by and the students started running the length of the field to keep up with the flight.
Side note.  My daughter is at a school near our house in the mountains.  She was able to see the flight from their school.  She also estimates that it flew over our house.  I should have stayed home today.

 Sorry about the dirt in the lens.  They are called artifacts and they need to be cleaned out.

Agenda September 20

1 Journal 13 Density
2 Activity Density of Regular and Irregular Solids (finish tomorrow)

Today the weather was quite clear when the Space Shuttle was to have flown over.  The fly over is now set for tomorrow.  I am praying for the same weather.  Maybe I can post a picture.

Agenda September 19

1 Activity Finish Measuring Volume with Beakers and Graduated Cylinders (due today)
2 Journal 12 Measuring Volume of an Irregular Solid
3 Activity Measuring Volume Day 2 Irregular Solids (due today)

Agenda September 18

1 Journal 10 Measuring Volume of Regular Solids
2 Journal 11 Measuring Volume with Beakers and Graduated Cylinders
3 Activity Measuring Volume Day 1 Regular Solids
4 Activity Measuring Volume with Beakers and Graduated Cylinders (finish tomorrow)

We got our youngest move into the Poly Canyon Village (dorm) and hung out with her through Sunday.  Kendra is very bright.  She is a third year senior and is planning on an Information Systems Masters at Cal State Fullerton next year.  Initially I said no way are you going to Fullerton.  I felt it beneath her abilities.  She pointed out the benefits of the program and and how this would be equivalent to a second Bachelors Degree.  Like I said, she is bright.

An editorial comment about Common Core Standards.  I find it amazing that people who are essentially my age have decided that the best way to teach children is this new particular method.  These same people expect that these new students to advance in education as they did.  Unless you subscribe to a conspiracy theory that they are actually teaching children to a lower standard so as to create a class of drones, then I can only imagine that they are "well meaning but misguided".  It seems to me that I will be grading more failing work because the children are not capable of understanding what is required of them or unable to deliver what is required of them.  See this article to get an idea about being incapable.
http://www.childrenshospital.org/dream/summer08/the_teenage_brain.html
The analysis that the children are going to be required to do is physically beyond their present brain development.
All these "educators" seem to forget this.  I think it will be left to us in the classroom to pickup the pieces of this incomplete plan.  And, of course, we will get the blame for it not working.

Agenda September 14

1 Check HW Chapter 1 Directed Reading
2 Check Agenda
3 Activity Triple Beam Balance Day 2 due today
4 Journal 10 Measuring Volume (if time)

Agenda September 13

1 Journal 8 Measuring Distance
2 Journal 9 Measuring Mass
3 Activity Using a Triple Beam Balance Day 1

Agenda September 12

1 "Pink Sheets" for student whose parents couldn't make it last night
2 Video Bill Nye Measurement
3 If you didn't finish the Measurement Activity yesterday then you needed to finish it today and turn it in.

It was great to see all the parents who came to Back to School Night last night.

Miniatures Club - We are playing Pirates on Friday.  I ordered a few more planes from Shapeways and started painting some of the float planes.  I received the game "Cowboys" for later this year.  I have to learn the game (or Mario and Justin and David have to learn the game) so I (they) can teach it to you.

Agenda September 11

1 Metric Measuring Activity (estimates and 1 measurement due today)

I was walking out to my car this morning and I heard a jet flying over and it took me back.  I remember we still had school that day but I remember being ill at ease driving in scanning the skies for I don't know what.  I was proud of our kids here at SMS that day.  They were kids then after all and events were so far removed for them.  They are all grown now.  I wonder what they remember about that today back then?

Agenda September 10

1 Check, Repair, and Turn in the Worksheets about conversion from yesterday
2 Activity Length Lab due today at the end of the period.  This assignment was not finished by many so those of you who did not finish today will need to squeeze it in during tomorrow's Measurement Activity.

I got to go to a good friend's 70th birthday party (great ribs) in Gilroy and then the Stanford Duke Game that evening.  Wearing Duke gear at Stanford Stadium was really interesting.  I saw Drew and Kendra, two former students, the Messners and Mr. Reynolds.  When I got home, I feel asleep going up the stairs to bed.
Sunday at church there was an acknowledgement and praying for teachers.  I will take all the help I can get (especially the divine kind).
Back to School night is tomorrow.  If you can come, it would be great to meet you.  Check the school map in your child's agenda.

Agenda, September 7

1 Check Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading, Journal 4 Chapter 1 Vocabulary, and Journal 6 Chapter1 Constructing Meaning.
2 WS Metric Mania - Metric Conversions due Monday, Sept 10
3 WS Writing Metric Meters Liters and Grams due Monday, Sept 10

Miniatures Club - We had over 30 kids today.  Thank you to all the high school and experienced middle school students who taught the newcomers.  You all were fantastic.  Please let me know if you can come and play next week and yes you can bring your own fleets.  We need wider tables some how.

Agenda September 6

1 Journal 7 KHDBDCM
2 HW Directed Reading pages 11 through 37 (no target reading skills) due Friday Sept 14 (completeness)

Miniatures Club - If you are a High Schooler and you know whether yo can come or not on Friday (tomorrow) please drop me an email.  I need to get an idea of how many instructors I have.

Agenda September 5

1 Physical Science Diagnostic Test Trade and Grade

Agenda, September 4

1 Physical Science Diagnostic Test (completeness)

Miniatures Club - We appear to be set to start Miniatures Club this Friday.  I will need 10 minutes to introduce the club and then we can start.  I am at the complete mercy of my high school students for teaching our first game, Pirates.

This weekend I discovered a small snake behind me while working in a field.  With a diamond shaped head, it caused me to pause.  If a rattlesnake, it did not have a rattle due to its age.  Young rattlers do not have a rattle until they shed their skin.  It dove down a crack in the dried clay.  I hope not to see it again.
I also went sailing in a small boat on a small lake with, thankfully, a small wind.  Best comment overheard from the canoe with Katharyn and Kim in it was "We can't both sit on one side".  Kendra and I managed to stay dry.   Well, mostly.
 Oh, and Frozen Beverage Dispensers are quite expensive.  We will need to earn a good deal of money to buy one new for the Science workroom.

Agenda August 31

1 Journal 5 How to do Constructing Meaning
2 Continue Journal 4 Chapter 1 Vocabulary
3 Journal 6 Chapter 1 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Sept. 7

The second full moon in a month is called a blue moon.  Tonight is a blue moon.  Once in a blue moon people come along that are quiet and considered but have great impact on the world around us.  Yesterday, a man named Leigh Weimers, a former columnist for The San Jose Mercury News and community commentator, passed away.  His insightful commentary on the local news station KLIV was a joy to listen to and while I never met him, it was comforting to know that he and I espoused some of the same causes. 

Miniatures Club - I am looking at purchasing some WWI aeroplanes from Shapeways.com.  This is the 3D printing company I bought some planes from last year.  I am looking at rounding out our collection of regular planes and adding some esoteric ones and some multi engined bombers.  If you see something you think we should have, let me know. Look for the designers: kampfflieger  and colinwe.  Matt, they do not have SPAD XII's yet.

Agenda August 30

1 Finish Journal 2 How to do the Pre Reading Assignments
2 Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading due Fri. Sept. 7
3 Journal 4 Chapter 1 Vocabulary due Fri. Sept. 7

Miniatures Club  I am looking for any number of high school students to assist in setting up fleets for next week's first club meeting.  I also need you to show up to teach new members how to play this game.  This would really be nice to do with a document camera but the district is dragging it's heels and giving our office staff a run around.

Agenda August 29

1 Continue Journal 1 10,000 Hours
2 Journal 2 Pre Reading Instructions
3 Journal 3 Chapter 1 Pre Reading

Miniatures Club this Friday.  If you are a returning player please come by to help set up for our first activity which will be Pirates.  I need you to come and get this set up so we can welcome any new members the following Friday.  Mr. Realini wants to have a tournament so we need to train the newbies.  I need people to come and set up or we won't be able to start on the first Friday in September.

Agenda August 28

1 Collect repaired Procedures Quiz
2 Safety and Evacuation
3 Journal 1 10,000 Hours
4 Journal 2 (if time) How to do the Pre Reading assignment

Agenda August 27

1 Trade and Grade Procedures Quiz
2 Safety and Evacuation
3 HW  Fix Procedures Quiz due tomorrow Aug 28

Agenda August 24

1 Collect Rules
2 Collect WS Scientific Summer
3 Procedures Quiz

Miniatures Club  We are having a small gathering this week.  Watch for info next Wednesday about the Friday before Labor Day (I am going to Santa Rosa then so Maybe on Friday Aug 31)

It looks like Mr Realini and I will not be coaching girls softball this year so we should be able to start Miniatures sooner

I need to update you on my trip to Kentucky but that will be over a weekend.

Here is the Panda video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIrUJfhABGI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

We will be talking about this as it relates to making decisions.  It is a metaphor.  What's a meta for?
(remember sometimes the jokes are just for me)

Agenda August 23

1 Room Tour
2 Procedures Review - Test on this tomorrow
3 Signed Rules due tomorrow Aug 24
4 WS Scientific Summer will be graded on completeness so have fun with it.

Agenda August 22

First Day of School
1 Seats
2 Agenda
3 Rules
4 Procedures
5 HW Scientific Summer WS due Friday Aug. 24

Summer, July 15

No miniatures tomorrow July 16.  Maybe miniatures on Tuesday July 17

Summer June 30

Well a big thank you to Mario, Bennett, Garrett, Justin, Katie and Matt who came in to help with the end of the move.  Mario is working on revitalizing the computers including an old pentium type.  The frogs are in and eating and the Slytherin banner is up.
We had a serendipitous adventure today.  We bought tickets to the U.S. Gymnastic Team Trials which were at the HP Pavilion (read Shark Tank for the locals).  Today's event was the Men's finals.  It is quite amazing to see this young men perform with strength and agility.  The 2 young men who came in first and second had traded the lead and with the last event the former leader, who had fallen to second, reclaimed his lead.  Both are going to London.  It was amazing to think that this is what they had both worked so hard for (as had all the others) and we were watching them realize their dream.  One of them was tearing up.  It was quite emotional.  What a great once in a life time opportunity to be able to share as a family.
I have been interviewing a neighbor this week.  His name is John Garity and he is a World War II Veteran who flew P47's in Europe.  His anecdotes are fascinating.  I have been taking notes and hope to put it all down in print when we are finished.
I see that our planned trip to the midwest to attend my nephews wedding will also be attended by high temperatures.  There is a reason we love California.  We are planning a trip from St Louis to Nashville to Lexington to Louisville to Cincinnati (where the wedding is).  We leave on the 7th and we will be back on the 15th.
So if you have been patiently waiting for me to finish this ramble to find out about a game day, here is what I have in mind.  Sometime the week after I get back so between the 16th and the 20th.  It has been requested that we play Aerodrome 2 so that is what is planned for now.

Summer June 16

Thank you to all the kids and adults who helped me pack and move.

Now I have to unpack LOLOLOLOL.  The first day of unpacking will be on Thursday next week in G5.  If you want to come and play Catan with an eye toward using Catan as the basis for a DBA campaign then please come by.  9AM to 2PM.

I am in Santa Rosa right now and will be here until Wednesday.  You can still reach me at my school email.

Agenda June 11

1 Finish Family Life Questions
2 Return work
3 Move boxes
4 Sign Yearbooks

Agenda June 8

1 Family Life Video
2 Another tough day

Agenda June 7

1 Family Life Video or Triathlon

Today was a really bad day at SMS.  We got the bad news that Mrs Asato passed away last night.  After a really great day at the triathlon, we got this news.  SMS will never be quite the same.

Agenda June 6

D-Day Anniversary
1 Family Life Video (unless it was Triathlon)

Agenda, June 5

1 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check
2 Video Teens Talk AIDS
3 Return Work

Triathlon tomorrow and Thursday

Agenda, June 4

1 Video What Teens Want to Know About Sex
2 3rd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check is tomorrow

Agenda, June 1

Ah the last month of the school year
1 Family Life Presenter Day 4 - Relationships and Anonymous questions

Hurray I found the Settlers of Catan games (they were in my storage locker at Grape Avenue Storage) so today we are playing Catan

Agenda May 31

1 Family Life Presenter Day 3 - Birth Control

Agenda May 30

1 Family Life Presenter Day 2  STD's

Agenda May 29

1 Family Life Presenter Day 1
Parts, Where babies come from, Twins, Menstruation, and Sexting.

Agenda May 25

1 Video Bill Nye Great Discoveries in Astronomy

No Miniatures Club Today
I am off to Albuquerque to visit some family.  Early flight

Agenda May 24

1 Launch Water Bottle Rockets (we actually had 3 blow up on the launch stand this year)  No one was hurt even though I was standing right next to them when they blew.
2 No Miniatures Club on Friday

Open House at my daughter's school tonight.  Her first one.

Agenda May 23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHARYN

1 Bottle Rocket Lab construction

The last day for make up work for 3rd Trimester is this coming Tuesday.

Agenda May 22

Rats I swore I put the 22nd in.
1 Straw Rocket Lab day 2 due at the end of class

Agenda May 21

1 Straw Rocket Experiment day 1 A group choice experiment testing the students' abilities at performing and writing lab reports.  due tomorrow at the end of class
2 2L soda bottles needed by Wednesday
3 Start returning Science Texts now.
4 Last day for make up work is Tuesday May 29

The 2L soda bottles are for the Water Bottle Rocket Project.  See this link to understand more.
http://www.tclauset.org/21_BtlRockets/BTL.html

Agenda May 17/18

1 Video October Sky
Start Returning Textbooks on Monday
Great America Physics Day tomorrow.  Congratulations to all who made Trebuchets

Agenda May 16

1 Return Work
2 Collect Permission forms
3 Solar Eclipse Sunday
Below are some websites talking about the eclipse.
http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/news/bay-area-public-viewing-partial-eclipse-sun-may-20-2012
Scroll down on this one for San Jose Astronomical Society
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html
Cool map from NASA (zoom in)
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2012May20A.GIF
Shows bands and percent of sun covered.  From this I determined we should experience over 80%

Agenda May 14/15

Block Schedule 1-3-5 on Monday and 2-4-6 on Tuesday
1 Constellation Miniposter Project due today
2 Collect Video Permission form today

You can start returning textbooks on Wednesday

No Miniatures Club on Friday

Agenda May 11

1 Trade and Grade Test Prep
2 October Sky Permission Slips due Monday/Tuesday

Agenda May 10

1 Test Prep due Friday (tomorrow)
2 October Sky Video Permission slips due on Monday/Tuesday
3 Art supplies for project on Monday

Another Reminder.  The last day I will take make up work is Tuesday, May 29

Agenda May 9

1 Test Prep for STAR test
2 Permission Slip for Movie October Sky due Monday/Tuesday  May 14/15

Start returning Textbooks next week
Art Supplies on Monday?Tuesday next week for Miniposter project

Agenda May 8

1 8th Grade Diagnostic Post Test

Students should remember to take their time answering questions on the STAR test

Agenda May 7

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 14 and 15 Test

Agenda May 4

1 Test Chapter 14 and 15 Standard 4 Solar System
 Miniatures Club is Aerodrome 2.  We may be still over the English Channel or we could be over Iron Bottom Sound and "the Slot".  Either way, we will be over water.

Agenda May 3

1 Video Bill Nye Comets and Meteors
2 Trade and Grade Bill Nye Videos
3 Turn in Hertzsprung Russell Diagram Activity and Classifying Galaxies/Stars Life Cycle WS

I swore I did yesterday's agenda.  The WS due today was given out yesterday.  We also did an Activity about the Expanding Universe using rubber bands

Agenda May 1

1 Activity How do Astronomers Measure Distances to Stars? (Parallax Shift)
2 Activity How is a Star's Color Related to its Temperature? (Hertzsprung Russell Diagram) due Thurs, May 3

Reminder test on Fri on Chapter 14 and 15
Reminder last day for make up work is Tues, May 29

May Day is also Lei Day in Hawaii.

Agenda April 30

1 Trade and Grade Bill Nye Videos Planets and Sun
2 Video Bill Nye Outer Space

Agenda, April 27

1 Video Bill Nye The Sun
2 Video Bill Nye The Planets

Found airplanes WWII is on the way-

Agenda April 26

1 Activity The Speed of Planets Around the Sun

8th Grade panorama picture was today.  We had it in the gym because there was rain that 15 minutes of today.  A lot of non smilers.
Due to special request, tomorrow will be Aerodrome 2 day.

Agenda April 25

1 Journal 100 ( a mile stone)  Heliocentric History
2 Journal 101 Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion
3 Activity Model of Planets' Orbits

Agenda April 24

1 HW Chapter 14 Directed Reading No Target reading due Fri. May 4
2 HW Chapter 15 Directed Reading No Target reading due Fri. May 4

These are the last 2 HW packets from the book

Agenda April 23

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 12 and 13 Test
2 Return a lot of work
3 Journal 96 Chapter 14 Vocabulary due Fri May4
4 Journal 97 Chapter 14 Constructing Meaning due Fri May4
5 Journal 98 Chapter 15 Vocabulary due Fri May4
6 Journal 99 Chapter 15 Constructing Meaning due Fri May4

These are the last chapters in the book and this will bring us up to STAR testing (don't all cheer at once).  The Homework Packets go out tomorrow so keep current.
I am still having difficulty putting a video on the blog.  I could use some help.  Any volunteers?  Speaking of needing some help, I not only have to pack the stuff on the counters at the end of the school year this year but I have to move all the things in the cupboards as well.  Anyone who may have some time this year in May would be appreciated.
Another reminder is the last day for any make up work for this trimester is Tuesday, May 29th.

Follow Up with Pictures and a Video

Here are some more pictures from the end of the trip.  I haven't been able to upload the video yet.  The computer seems to freeze up.  I will need a blog expert's help.  Anyone?

April 20 and some of the 19th from 36000 feet

We are somewhere over Ohio on the way home. No pictures right now as my camera is inaccessible at the moment. Yesterday was the Spy Museum (this is privately run but very good with an activity the kids did that they really seemed to enjoy)and the 2 of the Smithsonians but earlier in the morning we saw a little bit of Congress in session and then met with Representative Anna Eschoo. She is a petite woman who enjoys gardening, reading and hanging out with friends. She talked with the kids for quite awhile. The kids read, in popcorn fashion, Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream Speech at Lincoln Memorial. Today was the earliest we got them up and then we were off to Mt Vernon. Following that was a visit to a really good museum about the press called Newseum. We got them all through security though we lost Reed for a bit behind someone with "difficulties" in security. A number of boys have earned nicknames on the trip. Leon is Bisket Boy, Jarod is George, Hiroto is Fire Lord, and Diego is Fire Boy. Hopefully I will put some pictures up tomorrow.

White House, Holocaust, and Gettysburg

Here are some pictures. Oh, Hi Mom


We are just in from Gettysburg and are settling in for the evening. As an editorial note, children need to learn how to use their technological devices for good instead of... no wait, I mean, how to use it rather than just play with it. As a tool for their intelligence as opposed to an electronic endorphin generator. But I digress.
We walked around the White House and then went off to the Vietnam Memorial. This is a place of contemplation and reflection. The statuary near by evokes the stress and emotion of the participants. The Holocaust Museum was next. There is a children's portion called Daniel's Story which is the story of a 13 year old boy's experiences. The story is poignant and the kids will remember this for awhile. As I told them, it is important to remember so things like this never happen again.
Gettysburg was great. There has been a light drizzle/rain today making the visit to Devil's Den a bit exciting. We also stopped at the eternal flame Peace Memorial and the top of Little Round Top. Dinner was at General Picket's Buffet which is on the actual battlefield. The Park Service has been working for several years to restore the battlefield to the way it looked in 1863. To this end, they purchase businesses and homes as money becomes available and then tear them down if they were not there in 1863. I understand that in the 1960's there were many more cafes, service stations and souvenir shops than there are today. The fields are quiet and peaceful.

Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Arlington

So we have done an awful lot in the last 2 days. To start with the end, the kids got to go in the pool this evening. I realize that many of you already know all of this due to the texting and Facebooking the kids have been doing. Space Shuttle Discovery flew over Washington today on the back of a 747. This was a once in a life time opportunity the kids had. Going back to yesterday, a group of kids raised a sail on one of the demonstration ships at Jamestown. Later at Williamsburg, the kids joined the Continental Army and drilled as an infantry company (which was historically about 50 young men). Mr Realini is holding up well despite the Giants poor performance last night.
You should be proud of the behavior of your children at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They behaved with the utmost dignity and respect. The Laying of the Wreath and the playing of Taps Ceremony was quite stirring. Now if we could just get them to sleep.
Here are a few shots of the 200 pictures I took in the last two days.

On the Plane

So we are in the air over the Sierras. Here are some pictures from this morning. Don't expect constant updates. I paid $18 for this internet access on the plane "just because I could".

Getting Ready for DC Trip

Please note that Alex is not TSA compliant.
And neither am I.
These pictures were taken on a Miniatures Club Field Trip last year to the Tank Museum in Portola Valley. It is also a test on uploading pictures to this blog for the trip. Seems I can do it. I plan on trying this while on the plane. We will see.

Agenda April 13

1 Test Chapter 12 and 13
2 Check journal 89 CH 12 Pre Read, Journal 90 CH 12 Vocabulary, Journal 91 CH 12 Constructing Meaning, Journal 92 CH 13 Vocabulary, HW CH 12 Directed Reading, and HW CH 13 Directed Reading

Got a cortisone shot in my foot today and had to miss swimming. I am looking forward to the D.C. Trip with mild trepidation due to this palntar fasciatis. Looking forward to learning about posting pictures.

Agenda April 12

1 Video National Geographic Exploring Our Solar System
2 Video National Geographic The Sun, Earth, and Moon
Test tomorrow
Chapter 12 and 13 Vocabulary, Directed Reading HW, etc due tomorrow

Agenda April 11

1 Activity Reason for the Seasons
2 Turn in Spacecraft Miniposters

Open House tonight

Agenda April 10

1 Video Bill Nye The Moon
2 Trade and Grade Videos
3 Journal 95 Seasons

Agenda April 9

1 Activity Phases of the Moon
2 Journal 93 Moon and Eclipses
3 Journal 94 Moon and Tides

Agenda April 6

1 Activity Varying Rocket Length

Agenda April 5

1 Video Bill Nye Seasons
2 J91 Chapter 12 Constructing Meaning
3 HW Chapter 12 Directed Reading No Target Reading due Friday, April 13
4 Journal 92 Chapter 13 Vocabulary due Friday, April 13
5 HW Chapter 13 Directed Reading No Target Reading due Friday, April 13
6 Space Ship Miniposter Project due Wednesday, April 11

Miniatures Club looks very tentative at the moment. Cumberland Elementary has acquired our rooms for a science fair. I am having to pack everything early making it difficult to find things.

Agenda April 4

1 Trade and Grade Bill Nye and Isobars
2 Journal 89 Chapter 12 Pre Read
3 Journal 90 Chapter 12 Vocabulary

Agenda April 3

1 Chapter 11 Test Standard 8 Density and Buoyancy
2 Check Chapter 11 Review WS Packet

Agenda April 2

1 Activity Fountain in a Flask
2 Check Journal 86, 87, and 88 (Chapter 11 Pre Read, Vocabulary and Constructing Meaning)and Check Chapter 11 HW Packet
3 Chapter 11 Test Tomorrow

Agenda March 30

1 Homework and Journal checks for Chapter 11 moved to Monday, April 2
2 Video Bill Nye Buoyancy
3 Video Bill Nye Flight
4 Chapter 11 Review WS packet due Tuesday April 3

Miniatures Club cancelled today

Agenda March 29

1 Bernoulli Day Activities

Agenda March 28

1 Video Bill Nye Pressure

Agenda March 27

1 Activity Mystery Canisters Density and buoyancy with film canisters and sand
2 WS Isobars and Pressure

Agenda March 26

1 Turn in Video Project
2 HW Chapter 11 Directed Reading Packet No Target Reading due Friday, March 30

Had a great game day on Friday and we got a visit from Matt Gilbert. Good luck on your interview in Arizona. Mario, and Justin came with me to play DBA at the South Bay Game Club. Marion also brought Micah and Daniel. The normal members were very impressed with both their skill and their politeness. One fellow commented after the guys had left that that was the only time he had played a young person and won because the young person had bad luck. That was high praise.
Had a great week with Kendra and got her off to school for the last quarter. Katharyn was a bridesmaid for her college roommate in Orange Co. and we enjoyed the rain at home.

Agenda March 23

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 10 test
2 Journal 86 Chapter 11 Pre Read due Friday, March 30
3 Journal 86 Chapter 11 Vocabulary due Friday, March 30
4 Journal 86 Chapter 11 Constructing Meaning due Friday, March 30

Take Element Poster/Models home
Video Project due Monday

Agenda March 22

1 Chapter 10 Test Forces

Agenda March 21

1 Video Bill Nye Motion
2 Check Chapter 10 Review WS Packet
3 Trade and Grade Bill Nye
4 Test Chapter 10 tomorrow

A note as a result of today's team meeting. Any student with a U for 3rd trimester in Work Habits and/or Citizenship will not be attending the Great America Field Trip. When polled, all 8th grade teachers said they give a U in Work Habits if the student has earned a grade of F.
Related to that is my end of 3rd Trimester late and missing work policy. The last day to turn in ANY late or make up work for 3rd Trimester is Tuesday, May 29. Do not ask for any papers or what you can do to fix your grade after Friday, May 25. You need to address this issue in the beginning of May which is a little less than a month and a half away.
About Citizenship. This is a qualitative grade except for me and chewing gum. If you are caught in my class or any other place on campus chewing gum, then you fit under my rules about gum chewing. Please see my beginning of the year rules about this.
Any questions? email me.

Agenda March 20

1 Activity Momentum of Colliding Cars
2 Trade and Grade Bill Nye Video Gravity

Agenda March 19

1 Trade and Grade Bill Nye Balance and Friction
2 New Seats
3 Video Bill Nye Gravity

Grades for second trimester are due into the office today. Students should not wait until the end of a trimester to fix their grades. Last day this trimester for make up work to come in will be the day after Memorial Day. Don't ask for missing papers. Just don't lose them.

Agenda March 16

1 State Hearing Test
2 Check Journal 81, 82, 83, and Chapter 10 HW
3 2nd Trimester Journal and Agenda check (all the way back to Nov 14)
4 Chapter 10 Review WS packet with 2 pages on Newton's Laws4

Good news at our house. Our daughter Got re hired as a teacher for next year at Loma Prieta. More news to follow.

We had a small but dedicated turn out for our first day at DBA miniatures. I ran 5 games simultaneously.

More on knee injury later

Agenda March 12

1 Activity Motion Stations Day 2

Short Periods all day due to Talent Show Assembly in the afternoon.

Agenda March 14

1 Activity Motion Stations Day 1
2 Agenda and Journal check moved to Friday
3 Aiming at Thursday Next week for Chapter 10 Test
4 New seats on Monday

Agenda March 13

1 Video Bill Nye Friction
2 Journal 84 Newton's 3 Laws
3 Journal 85 Law of Conservation of Momentum
Agenda and Journal Check moved to Friday

Agenda March 12

1 Newton's Laws Video Group Project Introduction due Monday, March 26
2 Video Disney Imagineering Newton's Three Laws due today
3 2nd Trimester Journal and Agenda Check on Wed. March 14

Agenda March 9

1 Journal 82 Chapter 10 Vocabulary due Friday March 16
2 Journal 83 Chapter 10 Constructing Meaning due Friday March 16
3 Video Bill Nye Balance

Agenda March 8

1 Activity Sticky Sneakers due today
2 HW Chapter 10 Directed Reading (including Target Reading Skills on p 175, 180, and 187) due Friday march 16

Agenda March 7

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 9 Test Standard 1 Motion
2 J 81 Chapter 10 Pre Read due Friday March 16
3 Bring shoes/sneakers for tomorrow's activity

Agenda March 6

1 Test Chapter 9
2 Turn in Chapter 9 Review WS's completeness

Agenda March 5

1 J 80 Energy
2 Trade and Grade Graphing Acceleration and Velocity WS
3 Chapter 9 Review WS Packet due tomorrow

Agenda March 2

1 Activity Acceleration with real Skate board
2 Video Disney Imagineering Energy due today

Agenda March 1

1 Activity Acceleration lab with Tech Decks due today
2 Work on those Graphing Velocity and Acceleration WS's from yesterday

Agenda February 29

1 Worksheet Activity Velocity/Acceleration Graphing Review due today Graded on completeness

Sadie Hawkin's Day Look up the Reliant K song "Sadie Hawkin's Dance

Agenda February 28

1 Activity Measuring Different Speeds of a Bowling Ball
2 Video Eureka Day 2 (any we didn't see, you need to watch on YouTube) due on Friday March 2

The first part of vacation I spent in Palm Desert with my family at my Dad's place. We played bocce ball and we went snow skiing in the nearby mountains. The middle of the week was spent here at school packing up some cupboards for the move. The Science Building is going up. The end of the week was spent in Santa Rosa where my wife and I put in new sprinklers and pruned trees. I have dined well all vacation but one of the nicest things was to come back to school and have a student ask me if I had lost weight.

Agenda February 27

1 Journal 79 Acceleration
2 Combine the two Speed of a Marble labs and fix graphs if necessary
3 Video Eureka 1st Day

Agenda February 18

1 Activity Speed of a Marble Long Distance
2 Check Journals for Chapter 9 Pre Read, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning
3 Check HW Chapter 9 Directed Reading

Great day at Miniatures Club learning the care and feeding of paint brushes using our new fleet of planes to practice on. I have another $100 of planes I want and that isn't counting the bombers. Sigh. Well there is next year.

I am off to Southern California to ski with my dad and daughters.

Agenda February 16

1 Journal 78 Speed and Velocity
2 Activity Speed of a Marble on the Marble Rolling Ramp of Science (yes this looks like Journal 15) due today

Agenda February 15

1 Journal 76 Chapter 9 Constructing Meaning (done in class as a class activity) due Friday, Feb 17
2 Journal 77 Describing Motion

Agenda February 14

Wearing of the Red
1 HW Chapter 9 Directed Reading Packet due Friday, Feb. 17
2 Journal 75 Chapter 9 Vocabulary (if time) due Friday, Feb. 17

The planes came in! Interesting to track the little guys. The were UPS Next Day Air. But come to find out that If an item is picked up on a Friday, next day does not apply. Watching their tracked movements, they most obviously came by truck. My favorite was they arrived in Sunnyvale of Feb 12 then left Sunnyvale to go to Salt Lake City and then back to San Jose and Sunnyvale all in a 24 hour period.

Agenda February 13

1 Trade and Grade Ch 8 Test
2 Return work
3 Journal 74 CH 8 Pre Read due Fri Feb 17

What a cool weekend. Got a visit from sister in law and niece for my wife's birthday. I got to visit the Hobby Expo in Petaluma. Battling Robots, Model planes, trains and automobiles, RC Tanks with guns and RC ships with guns. Way too many new hobbies to consider. A favorite was the 1/144 scale Zeppelin and the lady with the RC tanks who found out I have a farm (they need lots of room for their battles) asking me if I also had a BBQ. Hobbies are still just ways of sharing fellowship, conversation, and food.

Agenda February 10

1 Check Journals for Chapter 8 Pre Read, Vocabulary, and Constructing Meaning
2 Check Chapter 8 Directed Reading Packet
3 Turn in all the Chapter 8 Review and Enrich worksheets (especially if you haven't turned in the ones already collected)
4 Test Chapter 8 Standard 6 Chemistry of Living Things

Sorry no Miniatures Club today. I was very shocked to win the Golden Helmet Award for contributing to the Developmental Assets of our students. I am very proud that I was chosen by my peers. That means alot. I nominated 2 teachers myself so I know there are many deserving staff members out there.

Tomorrow is my wife's birthday. I hope she likes the gift. Ms Bazzini says it should always be jewelry. Not this time. But there is still Valentine's Day.

Agenda February 9

1 Turn in WS 8.2 Enrich Simple Hydrocarbons
2 Activity The Last Meal - Identifying Macromolecules
3 Chapter 8 Test tomorrow

Agenda February 8

1 Video Mythbusters Worksheet due today
2 Turn in WS 8.1 Enrich "Charcoal"
3 WS 8.2 Enrich "Simple Hydrocarbons" due tomorrow
4 WS 8.3 Enrich "Degradable Plastic" due Friday Feb 10

Test is definitely Friday
Miniatures Club for this week is canceled. I have to be home by 5PM for a trip

I was not seated on a jury. The trial is scheduled to be done and to the jury by mid April which would mean no more Miniatures Club this year. I am glad that doesn't have to happen.

Agenda February 7

1 Journal 73 Life with Carbon
2 WS Chapter 8 Crossword Review due today
3 WS Chapter 8.1 Charcoal (Enrichment)due either today or tomorrow depending on class behavior.

I have Jury Duty Tomorrow so be good
Chapter 8 test will now definitely be on Friday

Agenda February 6

1 Journal 71 Carbon Compounds (continued)
2 Journal 72 Polymers
3 WS Rev Chapter 8 section 3 and 4 due Friday, Feb. 10
4 Activity Let it Snow

Agenda February 3

1 Activity Hydrocarbon Models due today
2 Now aiming at Thursday, Feb 9 for Chapter 8 Test

Agenda February 2

1 Journal 70 Properties of Carbon
2 Journal 71 Carbon Compounds
3 Review WS Chapter 8 section 1 and section 2 due Friday, Feb 10

We are all set for the tournament on Saturday.

Agenda February 1

1 HW Chapter 8 Directed Reading Packet including ALL target Reading Skills due Friday, Feb. 10
2 Aiming at chapter 8 test next week about Friday

Agenda January 31

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 7 Test
2 Journal 67 Chapter 8 Pre Reading due Friday, Feb 10
3 Journal 68 Chapter 8 Vocabulary due Friday, Feb 10
4 Journal 69 Chapter 8 Constructing Meaning due Friday, Feb 10

Agenda January 27

1 Check Journal 61 Chapter 7 Pre Read
2 Check Journal 62 Chapter 7 Vocabulary
3 Check Journal 63 Chapter 7 Constructing Meaning
4 Check Chapter 7 HW Directed Reading
5 Check Review Worksheets
6 Test Chapter 7

Agenda January 26

1 Argh I cannot believe I missed my own birthday. Many nice well wishes
2 Activity Alien Juice Bar Computer Activity due today

Agenda January 25

1 WS Temperature and Solubility due Friday, January 27
2 Activity Combining Different Liquids - Mystery Acid and Base due today

We Have 5 pilots so far. We need 7 more.

Agenda January 24

1 Journal 66 Acids and Bases
2 Activity Acids and bases Observation Lab due today
3 WS Acids and Bases due Friday, January 27

Agenda January 23

1 Trade and Grade Tests and Assignments
2 WS Solutions, Colloids, Suspensions due Friday, January 27

Agenda January 20

1 Activity Solubility Lab due today

Agenda January 19

1 Return Work
2 Journal 64 Solutions Colloids and Suspensions
3 Journal 65 Concentration and Solubility
4 WS Solutions and Solubility Practice due Friday, January 27

Miniatures Club is Aerodrome. Lets try to get 2 games in. Also lets get those permission forms out and signed.

Agenda January 18

1 HW Chapter 7 Directed Reading including Target Reading Skills on pages 124, 131, and 134. Due Friday, January 27.
2 Aiming at Chapter 7 Test on Friday, January 27.

Agenda January 17

1 Trade and Grade Chapter 6 Test
2 Journal 61 Chapter 6 Pre Read due Friday, January 27
3 Journal 62 Chapter 6 Vocabulary due Friday, January 27
4 Journal 63 Chapter 6 Constructing Meaning due Friday, January 27
5 Aiming at Chapter 7 Test on Friday, January 27

Agenda January 13

1 Vocabulary Testfor English Class in honor of Backwards Day. English is doing the Chapter 6 Science Test.
2 SSR (I love SSR)

Agenda January 12

1 Journal 60 Activation Energy and Catalyst
2 Trade and Grade CFA
3 Demo of Oscillating Reaction
4 Review Balancing Equations

Agenda January 11

1 Chapter 6 Balancing Equations CFA
2 Decomposition with Catalyst Reaction (MnO2/H2O2) Activity due today
3 Balancing Equation WS due Thursday

Mr. Realini and I have sorted the prizes for the Pirates Tournament. Please come and claim them. The Aerodrome Tournament is Saturday, February 4 here at SMS. Get your sign up sheet on Friday. Mr. Green only has 11 pilots so we may have an open challenge game running as well open to high school and "post high school" students (Yes that means Matt and Katharyn).

Agenda January 10

1 Single Replacement Reaction due today
2 WS Balancing Act Worksheet - balancing equation practice due Thursday
3 Chapter 6 Test on Thursday

Agenda January 9

1 Single and Double Replacement Reactions Activity (AgNO3/NaPO4 and CuCl2/Al)due today
2 WS Types of Chemical Reactions due Thursday (completeness)

An interesting weekend trying to get rid of Plantar Fasciatas. Sat down for most of the weekend and it felt nice. Then I saw a story on the Sunday evening news about how sitting for more than 2 hours a day can lead to all sorts of diseases and disorders. I still liked sitting. Got to play online with my daughter while she is at school. That was nice.

Agenda January 6

1 Check: Journal 50, Chapter 6 Pre Read; Journal 51, Chapter 6 Vocabulary; Journal 52, Chapter 6 Constructing Meaning; HW Directed Reading Packet Chapter 6
2 Chapter 5 Test

Agenda January 5

1 Journal 56 Evidence of Chemical Reactions
2 Journal 57 Types of Chemical Reactions
3 Journal 58 Balancing Equation Practice
4 Journal 59 Review for Chapter 5 Test tomorrow

Agenda January 4

1 Chapter 4 test

Had coffee from another teacher spilled on the back of my white dress shirt in the staff meeting today. I am thankful I have spare clothes here at school. I am also more fortunate than Mr. G who caught his pants on the edge of a white board and tore a gaping whole in them.

Agenda January 3

Well I am going to use the "I am out of practice excuse"
1 Journal 53 Physical and Chemical Properties
2 Journal 54 Chemical Reactions
3 Return work
4 Journal 55 Review of Chapter 4 Test for a second try at the Chapter 4 Test for tomorrow.