It was 29 years ago, today, that Three Mile Island nuclear powerplant, near Harrisburg, BURPED! I was an electrical engineering student at Penn State's Capital campus, at the time. I lived about a mile from the plant. I could see it from my door. One of my roommates was a water resources management student and interning at Three Mile Island. I went home for Spring Break, that weekend, and turned an interesting shade of pale as news broke of the radiation leak. I pictured glowing cows at night, mutated plants, etc. Needless to say, I never went back. I later transferred to Lycoming College and changed majors.
Let's Sing!
In science, we are conducting an experiment to determine the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere. First, however, we had to learn how to click on a lighter, light a birthday candle, and lower a test tube over the candle to extinguish the flame and measure the volume of oxygen, used. I told several students it was a good time to sing Happy Birthday to anybody.
Social Studies
Plot the location of 10 volcanoes on a grid. They did great. Yesterday, those that understood the concept, taught those that still did not grasp the process. Today, all were well informed and ready for the activity.
Have a great weekend, folks.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Atmospheric Layers Riddles Test
I protect the earth from ultraviolet rays given off by the sun. Who am I?_______________________________ Since this is a layers of the atmosphere test question, you would probably say, Stratosphere.
But, wait, the Thermosphere has a UV protection layer of nitrogen and oxygen, so, Thermosphere, could also be correct.
But, wait!!! Most of the protection from UV rays comes from the ozone layer, found in the Stratosphere. Well, that's correct, as well.
Oh, and, I asked five questions pertaining to the ionosphere and exosphere, but, ran out of time in reviewing them as part of our layers of the atmosphere review. So, I kinda gave them away as free answers (no credit, no penalty).
I suppose I should be tickled the cherubs know we live in the Troposphere, the Jet Streams are in the Stratosphere; the Mesosphere is known as the meteoroid catcher, and you can't measure the temperature of the Thermosphere with a bulb-thermometer.
The pH of water
I nailed my BASE group. I gave them a sample of tap water, distilled water, bottled water, and well water, and asked them to distinguish the water pH using 0-13 pH paper. "But, Mr. Z, they all came out as neutral!?!?! How are we supposed to know which one is which? " Neutral is 'twix 6.5 and 7.5. All those water samples fall within that range.
Ain't I a stinker?
Have a good night, folks.
But, wait, the Thermosphere has a UV protection layer of nitrogen and oxygen, so, Thermosphere, could also be correct.
But, wait!!! Most of the protection from UV rays comes from the ozone layer, found in the Stratosphere. Well, that's correct, as well.
Oh, and, I asked five questions pertaining to the ionosphere and exosphere, but, ran out of time in reviewing them as part of our layers of the atmosphere review. So, I kinda gave them away as free answers (no credit, no penalty).
I suppose I should be tickled the cherubs know we live in the Troposphere, the Jet Streams are in the Stratosphere; the Mesosphere is known as the meteoroid catcher, and you can't measure the temperature of the Thermosphere with a bulb-thermometer.
The pH of water
I nailed my BASE group. I gave them a sample of tap water, distilled water, bottled water, and well water, and asked them to distinguish the water pH using 0-13 pH paper. "But, Mr. Z, they all came out as neutral!?!?! How are we supposed to know which one is which? " Neutral is 'twix 6.5 and 7.5. All those water samples fall within that range.
Ain't I a stinker?
Have a good night, folks.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Have You Hugged Mr. Fausnaught, Lately?
Our beloved principal is still sick. I think he is trying to break all records on length of time for being sick. He loves the children of this building, so much, I believe if enough of you stopped to hug him, his health will improve.
Smells Like a Locker Room
I've been hearing that all day. My BASE kids are learning about pH and one of the samples they are testing is bleach. I put the samples from yesterday in my refrigerator and today, the odor of bleach has permeated the entire room. Kind of a nice change from the usual coffee smell.
Told 'tya So!
My social studies class grimaced when I told them we were going to study map skills. Mostly, they complained about its simplicity. Ha ha. Yesterday, they got a chance to plot latitude and longitudinal points on a grid -- ya know; north or south latitude, and east or west longitude. It got confusing, but, I think we have everyone on the same page. Today, they were given 10 actual cities to plot on a grid.
Layers of the Atmosphere
All science sections, save section 64, reviewed the layers of the atmosphere, today. They even learned the differences between a meteor, meteoroid, and meterite. You don't know? Ask your kid. He/she don't know? You better email me, tonight. They are being quizzed, tomorrow.
Section 64 is just learning about our present atmosphere. I went into a dissertation about the power of veggies, when it comes to introducting nitrogen into our bodies, which aides in producing proteins, which aid in building skin and muscles. Go ahead, ask your section 64 kid why mama always tells us to eat our veggies?
Have a great night, folks.
Smells Like a Locker Room
I've been hearing that all day. My BASE kids are learning about pH and one of the samples they are testing is bleach. I put the samples from yesterday in my refrigerator and today, the odor of bleach has permeated the entire room. Kind of a nice change from the usual coffee smell.
Told 'tya So!
My social studies class grimaced when I told them we were going to study map skills. Mostly, they complained about its simplicity. Ha ha. Yesterday, they got a chance to plot latitude and longitudinal points on a grid -- ya know; north or south latitude, and east or west longitude. It got confusing, but, I think we have everyone on the same page. Today, they were given 10 actual cities to plot on a grid.
Layers of the Atmosphere
All science sections, save section 64, reviewed the layers of the atmosphere, today. They even learned the differences between a meteor, meteoroid, and meterite. You don't know? Ask your kid. He/she don't know? You better email me, tonight. They are being quizzed, tomorrow.
Section 64 is just learning about our present atmosphere. I went into a dissertation about the power of veggies, when it comes to introducting nitrogen into our bodies, which aides in producing proteins, which aid in building skin and muscles. Go ahead, ask your section 64 kid why mama always tells us to eat our veggies?
Have a great night, folks.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
I, Smiled, Today!
Yes, its true. A Kodak moment, if you will. I returned from the sixth grade team meeting to find a 2.75-oz chocolate Easter bunny resting on my computer monitor. Thanks, Racquel. There was no one around to see the pearly-whites, but, believe me, the cracks in my face were evident the remainder of the day.
Then, MRS. FRY!!!! came in to visit about 3:15. Guys, she looks great!!! We hugged and chatted a short-while. It was wonderful to see Mama Fry.
Problem-Solving
The cherubs worked in groups on an ozone-damaging prediction graph. I gave them a few questions to answer and the majority of students worked well in solving the problem. You wanna talk about infuriating. They still can only deal in black/white, and when I refused to answer questions and directed them back to their groups, they grumbled and griped, but, lo-and-behold, the worked on the problem. It felt great to see their independence.
BASE Played with pH
I poured out some bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, vinegar, liquid soap, coffee, lemon juice and some other do-dads, and set the BASE students off on investigating bases and acids. I burned the daylights out of my fingers handling the toilet bowl cleaner, but, the kids had no reason to touch that material. I'm not quite certain of the reaction on their part. I thought it was a neat lesson. Oh well, I will repeat the lesson for tomorrow's group.
Have a great night, folks.
Then, MRS. FRY!!!! came in to visit about 3:15. Guys, she looks great!!! We hugged and chatted a short-while. It was wonderful to see Mama Fry.
Problem-Solving
The cherubs worked in groups on an ozone-damaging prediction graph. I gave them a few questions to answer and the majority of students worked well in solving the problem. You wanna talk about infuriating. They still can only deal in black/white, and when I refused to answer questions and directed them back to their groups, they grumbled and griped, but, lo-and-behold, the worked on the problem. It felt great to see their independence.
BASE Played with pH
I poured out some bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, vinegar, liquid soap, coffee, lemon juice and some other do-dads, and set the BASE students off on investigating bases and acids. I burned the daylights out of my fingers handling the toilet bowl cleaner, but, the kids had no reason to touch that material. I'm not quite certain of the reaction on their part. I thought it was a neat lesson. Oh well, I will repeat the lesson for tomorrow's group.
Have a great night, folks.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Post-Easter Depression
Where, oh where, is my chocolate Easter bunny? I asked for one in my blog, and no one brought me a bunny. Hrrrmmpphh!
Talk About Zombies!
Attack of the walking dead. The munchkins were totally zoned-out. Yeah, teaching is easy. Despite all that, I trudged on. Today, sections 62,63, and 61, started layers of the atmosphere, while section 64, learned a bit about the three main features of the Earth. Everyone has homework.
Talk About Zombies!
Attack of the walking dead. The munchkins were totally zoned-out. Yeah, teaching is easy. Despite all that, I trudged on. Today, sections 62,63, and 61, started layers of the atmosphere, while section 64, learned a bit about the three main features of the Earth. Everyone has homework.
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