Strolling revisited

My morning classes are rewriting their fantasy story, "Strolling on the Ocean Floor." I am using the PSSA writing rubric for this lesson. Students received a copy of the rubrics and instruction for the writing. Also, students were required to get my initials on the introductory paragraph before they left school, today. The story is due Wednesday, Jan. 23.
The afternoon classes spent some time learning about how sonar works to determine the depth of the ocean. Then, we went into the hallway to demonstrate how water molecules move up and down, but the energy of that movement creates a wave. Remember when they chased those waves into the ocean, only to be chased back onto shore by the waves?

What a Nice Guy
Our superintendent, Dr. Richard Mextorf, is one in a million. Tomorrow is a clerical day for teachers. He sent us an email advising us about the possible weather hazards and that we should first consider safety in coming into work, as scheduled. He said if the situation appears too hazardous, to wait and come in later, but to put in the prescribed time, or work later into the day. Safety first! How many employers would think of their employees safety? The bosses in this district are top-notch. I really do love working here.

Time Off
The new marking period begins when the munchkins arrive on Tuesday. That means new related arts and the sixth graders rotate social studies. My group moves to Mrs. Pulizzi and I get Mrs. Antonacci's group.

Brrr, Looks Cold
The kids have gone for the day, I am looking outside my classroom window. The snow is pretty, but, boy does it look cold, out there. I notice many children left school wearing thin jackets, complaining how they have to walk home. I remember, as a kid, my parents rarely were able to control my outerwear apparel, because I had to sneak to wear the right clothing to be cool. I see times have changed, but kids haven't.

Have a great night and weekend. I will return to bloggin' on Tuesday.

The Speed of Sound

Sound travels through air at about 1,000 feet per second. Through water, sound travels about 4,500 feet per second. If we want to know the depth of the ocean, we need to send a sound wave pulse down to the ocean floor and time how long it takes to go down and back. What we want is the time it takes to go down. Therefore, munchkins learned; Distance = rate of speed of sound in water times the time it takes to go down. Whew!

One Question Quiz
A luxury on my part. By giving one question, I was able to see some students do not read the question. You see, each student at a table, got a different question to answer. Many of them glanced at their neighbors and copied answers -- oops. Fortunately, very few students did that. Most kiddoes received a 100% on the quiz. GREAT!!!

Shanghai Massetti Got Me
It was picture make-up day. Despite my avoidance of cameras, Miss Massetti, our girls' gym teacher, got me. She even sent a student to escort me to the weight room, where they were taking pictures. Can you believe the photographer asked me to smile!?!?!?!?

Have a great night.

One Question Is The Test

Better work extra hard on the homework questions for tonight. One of them will be your quiz, tomorrow. The three forms of life in the ocean, are: Plankton, Nekton, and Benthos. The three factors that regulate ocean life are: sunlight, temperature, and water pressure. The three major zones of ocean life are: Intertidal, Neritic, and Open-Ocean zones. The open ocean zone is made-up of the bathyal (thermocline) zone, and the abyssal (deep) zone.

A Real Hero
I learned, today, the father of one of my students has been deployed to Iraq. She cried, all morning. I tried to reassure her that his sacrifice in leaving his family is much appreciated and that he is a real hero to go off and defend our way of life. If you know a hero, hug that person and thank him/her for the sacrifices made in the name of the United States of America. Each morning we stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegience to the flag. Let's really mean it, tomorrow, kids!

Have a great night.

Ocean Life Zones

Three factors that affect ocean life are: sunlight, temperature and water pressure. Three types of ocean life are: Plankton, Nekton, and Benthos. Three major ocean life zones are: Intertidal, Neritic, and Open-Ocean Zones. The open-ocean zone is divided into two parts: Bathyal and Abyssal. That's it. That is what we are covering today and tomorrow. Pretty easy, eh? Can you guess what the one question quiz will be about? Ok, here's a hint. There will be four different one-question quizzes. That means, each person at a four-person table will have a different question to answer.
Am I good, or what?

Old Photos
The James V. Brown Library website features an online services historical archive of old photos. My BASE students are getting a chance to look at these photos. If I can get myself out of the school before nightfall, I can go around and get some today shots of these same places.

Have a great night.