'my Bad

It's been a couple of days since my last blog. Sorry. It's just been so hectic, this week.

Well, open house is over. It was nice to meet or remeet some of the parents, last night. I, of course, was in rare form as I bounced around the classroom. The show was free, the information I relayed was important and true. Please, please, please, please peruse your child's agenda and binder, often, just don't take anything scholastic out of the binder.

Leaf press is due, tomorrow. We will mount the leaves and complete the available data before we hit the computer lab, next week, and research the identity of our leaves.

Have a great night, folks.

Sorry for the late blog

Had to drive to state college to pick up my son from the airport. He is home on leave as he transfers from Lackland AFB, San Antonio, to Warren AFB, Cheyenne.

Anyway, we introduced soil to the munchkins, today. They learned the definition of lithosphere, geo, regolith; the suffixes, logy, and, graphy, and the difference 'twix soil and dirt.

What's the difference? Dirt is simply, regolith, is nothing more than weathered and powdered loose rock, and soil is dirt with minerals and live and dead organisms.

The homework handout covers that material.

4-sight Testing
Tomorrow, we do reading 4-sight during 3rd and 4th periods. Section 61 - my normal 4th period class will meet after lunch. Oh, yeah, all sixth graders eat lunch from 11:10 to 11:40 a.m. Several of the sixth grade teachers will be in the cafeteria to teach our kiddoes proper cafeteria ediquette. It seems a handful of them are using the cafeteria as a track and many, many more seem to think normal conversation volume is to shout.

Have a great night, folks

No Fungus, Among Us

How to demonstrate taxonomy - the action of organization through sorting and elimination. Okay, we sit in a circle toss our shoes into the middle of the circle and through direction sort and eliminate shoes and sneakers until we come down to just one or two possible choices that fit our requirements. Thank goodness, sneaker and shoe-wearers had socks. And, the sandals and flip-flop wearers were made aware of the bacterial dangers associated with walking around in flip-flops.

Have a great night, folks.

Impressive Press

WoW! The munchkins took well to making their leaf press, today. I brought in a few newspapers for those children that forgot, but, for the most part, they did well. Now, parents, ensure your kiddo finishes the press and places the press with leaves on a shelf or counter with a book or rock atop it for the next 7 to 10 days.

In social studies we are making posters of the Freedoms of Expression. The only problem is the posters have no words, other than the student's name. Hee hee, what a great lesson on interpretation.

Have a great night, folks.

WoW! No Questions!!!

I kept a laptop with me all weekend, thinking some of my new cherubs will have some difficulties in collecting their leaves for the current project. As of right now, I've only had one email from a young lady with a very fixable problem.

So, as I prepare for my last night of summer and a cookout at a location with absolutely no cellphone reception, the laptop stays home. Afterall, I just can't imagine any of my students waiting until the last minute to complete their science assignment.

Students should have their leaves and an old newspaper for tomorrow's class. We will cut the newspaper into multiple sheets to create a leaf press. In between several sheets of newspaper, munchkins will place a leaf. Upon completion, students will have a leaf press to take home and place on a shelf or counter with a brick, or heavy book, atop. They will leave the press there for about 10 days before bringing the press back to school.

Have a great (end-of-the-summer) night, folks.

Time to leave

LOL!!! Munchkins, get those leave collected and those data tables completed for next week. No rocket science, here. Collect a leaf and note the items for each leaf and tree before moving onto the next tree.

Enjoy the weekend. See you on Tuesday.

Should I Post My Units?

Currently, we are creating a leaf collection. To do so, we need to learn a little background and then proceed to collect leaves, according to directions. Well, here I have kiddoes that went out and gathered leaves and placed them in ziplock baggies or something as such.

Where in the agenda do these kids have written to collect leaves? Everything in due time, folks. You would not have your kid cross a street without looking both ways, first, would you?

Therefore, I went over the field packet the munchkins will use this weekend, and, tomorrow, I will take them outside the practice how to use that packet in this assignment.

Think of my class as a jigsaw puzzle. Perusing the entire unit is like looking at the completed puzzle illustrated on the box cover. The actual puzzle needs to be assembled.

Have a great night, folks.

I am so tired, but, delighted with my new sixth graders

What a pleasure, it was, to work with my newbies, today. I actually got through with two lesson plans with better retention. We got to joke around and play. I am so tired. I'm gettin' old, but, boy its a good tired. I adore this class.

Although they have a homework assignment due on Friday, most of them finished it with me, in class. It's in their binder, check it out.

Have a great night, folks.

WE HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN! TOMORROW?!?!

They were nervous, the incoming sixth grade, some, even terrified. Some were told Mr. Z is nice, others that he is an ogre. Some of the cherubs were fearful of being the little fish in the big pond. And, all along, those teachers heaped information after information on these children that would make any adult grimace in complete confusion.

We gave them a schedule that was short of being a highly-secret code, then, we gave them lockers and combinations, then, we put them in groups and asked them to go to lunch at this time or at that time. Then, we placed them strange related arts rotations and gave them a tour of the building. INFORMATION OVERLOAD!!!

What a sweet group of kids. Way too much information to absorb in a short time span. It will be okay. You will quickly get into the swing of things.

Have a great night, folks.

Mex As A Celebrity

We took the daughter to State College airport as she left again for school in Texas -- she is now a junior. Anyway, the wife picked up a copy of "Town and Gown" to see a photo of our former superintendent, Dr. Richard Mextorf. The article was about his history in education as he takes the reins as superintendent of State College public schools. Needless to say, we snatched a handful of copies of the magazine and I dropped off a few at the district office, Schick elementary and the middle school.

Our New Principal
Although I have yet to meet Mr. Gaetano, our new middle school principal, a few parents in the district stopped me recently to say they think he is a real charmer. That's great that parents like him. It is tough to move into a new neighborhood and make such a great impression. I think I'm gonna like this fella. I hope you all welcome him to our district.

More New Faces
Well, our boys' and girls' gym teachers have moved to the high school, and the newbies have been assigned to the middle school. I will meet them, nxt Wednesday. Apparently, they subbed or student taught in our schools. Also, I am eager to see who gets the learning support teaching job for sixth grade. Mrs. Pulizzi's classroom is now the new learning support room, and Mrs. P. has moved into the old learning support classroom -- right next to me. Poor woman does not like loud music and in the mornings, I crank the tunes until the windows rattle.

Mr. Johnson has moved into the old middle school computer lab and is now the 7th grade reading teacher, while Mrs. Krout, came down from the high school to each 7th grade language arts. She is a nice lady and the kids will be very pleased with her.

I Was Correct!!!
For a couple of years, I've been harping about not permitting flip-flops in school. My reason is sanitary. Click on this link for a neat article about the footwear. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32453516?GT1=43001

Have a great night, folks.

New Year, New Principal, Returning Friend, Same Z

I see we have a new middle school principal, Mr. Gaetano. He comes to us from Millersburg, where he was the high school principal. Yes, he has three grown children - two college grads and one still in college. He was officially hired by us, last night. The man has an ominous task as we get down to just a few weeks before school begins. Welcome aboard, Mr G.

Howdy Newbies
It appears we are getting a large incoming sixth grade class to be shared among only four teachers. That means we will be crammed into a small science classroom, where I have all our science-related gadgets, supplies, and tables, stored. Remember, when working in such close quarters -- to shower, often. LOL!!

She's Back
Our own Mrs. Fry, sixth grade reading teacher, is back, after a two-year hiatus. I saw her earlier this week getting her classroom ready for the upcoming year. She looks great and is eager to get back to work.

Earth and Space
Pay close attention in class, this year. It's the only time you will receive instruction in Earth and Space science, while at Loyalsock. That means, you've "gotta" remember all this stuff for not only your 8th grade PSSA science test, but, for the 11th grade test, as well.

You Will Need. . .
This is complicated. You need a notebook, pen/pencil, notebook paper. The trick is, you need to bring them, everyday, to class. Last year's group wiped me out of more than 100 pencils. You are responsible for your own pencil and paper. If I give you a pencil, be prepared to contribute $0.25 to the "Money I Raised For Charity" jar.

Nobody Messes With My Newbies
I am a daddy. My oldest is in the Air Force, a military cop. My baby is in her third year of college at Texas A&M in Galveston, studying to be a marine scientist. Expect me to treat you the same as I would my own children. I will guide you, protect you, hug you, hold your hand, listen to your problems and concerns, and -- "yell at 'ya," when you misbehave. Most importantly - I will love you as if you are my child. Anyone "messes" with you, must answer to me!! Or worse, to Mrs. Antonacci, our sixth grade math teacher, resident dynamo, and mommy of two elementary school kids.

Send Me E-mail, or Comment on this Blog
I love hearing from you and/or your parents. Comments, quips, queries, quandries, etc., are always welcomed. I post homework and copies of our current unit on my website. Please visit, daily.

Okay, let's get started. Click the web address to get to my website. http://www.ltsd.k12.pa.us/497970223125916/site/default.asp

Gonna revamp my curriculum

okay, folks. what did you like and dislike about 6th grade science, this year.

let's start with geology. our study of rocks and things. making rocks, identifying rocks, making sand from rocks by shaking in a jar, understanding the three main types of rocks.

how about the timelines we made of earth?

how about the computer powerpoints on earthquakes?

water? fresh and salt. great mixing bowl. the sand in the soda bottle experiments. how wells work? ground and surface water? life in the oceans? life zones in the oceans? motions of the ocean?

the atmosphere? layers, jet stream. . . weather?

space? c'mon, we need more space. i need more space. send me your ideas, thoughts, reactions.

have a great summer, kids

Fence Posting and Michael

Well, well. Lookie who stopped by my classroom to explain how to convert the speed of light from miles/second to miles/year - or, light-years.

Michael, an 8th grader, utilized the mathematics comparison weapon of fence posts, to explain how to convert that number. Michael used my smart board to construct the fence post and then painstakingly explained each step of the process. The only problem was that 8th graders were enroute to lunch at that time, and my cherubs were more concerned about watching them, than Michael.

Never to be dissuaded, Michael announced, "I'll be back, tomorrow."

Light travels about 186,400 miles per second. How far will it travel in a year?

Have a great night, folks.

The End Is Near

Chapter test on Atmosphere, this week. We reviewed today, tomorrow, they get study guides. Test on Wednesday, except Section 64, their test is Thursday.

Then, we do the universe. I'm gonna cover that unit in light-speed.

Look to edline

Progress reports are due, today. Students with a "D" or lower will have a hard copy of the progress report sent home. I have 'lotsa' hard copies to send, today.

Please, parents, I update edline each week, when needed. If your kiddo did not turn in a paper a month ago, that means I have already spoken to that child three times. Please do not ask me to print-off a copy of that assignment, now, and give it to your child to redo. That time has long passed and we are working on something completely different.

You would not believe how many requests I get for such action or to do extra credit work. Why?

I post my entire unit on my website for easy download and printing. My homework page is always up-to-date. I monitor my email to provide quick response to queries. Short of calling each of you, daily, I am doing things at my end trying to make your child successful.

Feels like pigs flying
Just because I went to San Antonio, last weekend, and am now sick as a dog, means my allergies turned into a cold. I do not have "swine flu."

Have a "cough-free" day, folks.

Know The Chemical Formulas

Okay, folks. Leaving to go see my boy graduate from basic training. I will be back on Tuesday. In the meantime, wewill be in the textbook. pages 15-19. Homework Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Whadd'ya Mean, Not Enough Time?!?

This is a good one. I gave a chapter test. In that test, I returned all homework and project papers several days prior to the test, so kids had something to study. I did two days of review and even handed out study guides to those that asked. The entire chapter is on my website.

The test?
-Well, they had the entire period.
-It was 20-questions.
-They were permitted to use their science notebooks.
-Each question was in chronological order, according to homework.
-I even provided information from which homework assignment that particular test question was taken.
-Each question was worth 5 points, but, I gave partial credit when appropriate.

From the e-mails I received, it appears there was a sale on wool -- the kind that can be worn over the eyes.

Have a great night, folks.

Test on Friday

As we finish the ocean chapter, students are well aware there is a test on Friday. The test also entails the Mixing Bowl project. So, on Wednesday, I will hand back all the papers I have been keeping so the kiddoes can study.

Have a great night, folks.

Did y'all read the newspaper?

Both of our middle school OM teams are advancing to world competition. The older middle school group won first place for Lost Labours of Herakles -- yes, this was a story about a Greek hero, named, Herakles. By the time the Romans stole the story, the name was perverted to Hercules. Sorta like how white men perverted the Indian name of Lawasaquik (Loyalsock). The Teach Your Creature gang -- mostly my current students - won second place.

Long live creativity and intelligence!!!!

Did y'all read the newspaper?