I Passed the Ecology Torch To Mrs. Rogers

Mrs. Rogers, the 7th grade science teacher, and I, spent the morning, together. For those of you who do not know Mrs. Rogers -- she's pregnant. Not a really cool pregnant -- my belly is still bigger.

Anyway. Today, I passed on the Ecology unit to Mrs. Rogers. I spent the last seven years teaching the environment to my sixth graders. This year, I am concentrating on geology -- you know, Earth and Space Science. Therefore, I gave her my new and improved leaf collection project, complete with tree, leaf, twig, and fruit pictures. I am really proud of this unit and rewrote it in October, geared to use it next year. I also hope she continues my unit on dendrology -- the study of trees, and dendrochronology -- the life of trees.

I really like Mrs. Rogers. She is so quiet -- unlike the big ol' grumpy, loud ogre that teaches 6th grade science. She concentrates on life science -- Biology -- the study of life. I keep telling my kiddoes they are gonna love Mrs. Rogers. The 7th graders keep telling me I was right and they really like her. However, her jokes are not nearly as "stupid" as mine. Oh, well.

We then discussed and found neat stuff about Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 25). This year's theme, is, "The Planet in Peril." Well, both of us have been teaching that same theme, all year. Wait'll you see what we have planned for that week.

I'm Workin' Tomorrow
Teachers have to make-up a day because of a snow day. Dr. Mextorf gave us a choice of Good Friday or June 9. Well, my classroom needs a good cleanin', so I'll be there, tomorrow. I was surprised to hear a number of other teachers are coming in, as well. Most of them have little ones, at home. I hope they leave early enough to spend some time with their families. My daughter is at school in Texas, my son is visiting a buddy in Harrisburg, the wife works at Lycoming College cafeteria and so, works on Easter Sunday. Its just me, the dog, and the cats on Sunday -- I hope they like ham and yams.

Kids Go Back To School On Monday!!!
School, as usual, on Monday. Check out my homework page. I did some revamping before work, this morning. Kinda got the idea from Mrs. Pulizzi. Let me know what you think.

Have a great Easter -- remember, I LOVE CHOCOLATE BUNNIES!!!!

What a Fast Day!

Have a great Easter break. The teachers are working, tomorrow, and I am going in on Friday, to make-up the one snow day.

Atmosphere Unit Begins!!!!

Okay, read pages 19-23 in the textbook and do the questions and answers in the section review on page 23. "Do we have to write the questions?"
"Absolutely not! And, while you are at it, do not write the answers. What good are answers without questions?" Geez!

So Proud
Scored well on the test, today? Hmmm. You did the worksheets, I checked them, gave you a chance to fix the mistakes, rechecked them until you fixed all the mistakes. Had you copy that information into your own packets and then I let you use those packets for the test. A test, in which I copied the questions from the packets. Real rocket science. Here are the powerpoints: http://www.ltsd.k12.pa.us/497970223125916/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=51474

Don't forget Mrs. Pulizzi's big vocab test, tomorrow.

Have a great night, folks.

Answers to the test

Those 7 powerpoint packets are the answers to the test. If you studied the powerpoints and answered the questions on the worksheets, then, you have the answers. Simple. Really. So, why did several students still fail the test?

Have a good night, folks.

Sorry, I'm Late

I was so busy after school, I did not get home until 9:15. Between paying bills, shopping with the wife, and going to church, I was really occupied.

Hey, did ya stop by Mr. Fausnaught's blog, today. Fantastic video. Here is the link: http://mrfausnaught.blogspot.com/

I see Lee Lee has admonished me for being late with the blog. Sorry.

Nothing much to write about, today. Hmmm, PappaZ, dumbfounded -- notify the media!

Have a great weekend, folks.

The Gag Response

I could deal with the discarded candy and gum wrappers on the floor. I even tolerated the cow syndrome (chomping on gum with mouth-open), but, I draw the line on discarded gum. I peeled off two wads of gum from seats, this morning. Kids found more under the table at computer #5 and one under the hole punchers. Needless to say, I gagged as I removed them. I have therefore instituted a no gum/candy zone in my classroom. I am not kidding. Violators will first have lunch detention with me, and a second offense results in an after school detention. I shutter to think of a third offense penalty.

My BASE Is Getting Bugged
In keeping with water quality awareness, my BASE kids are researching macroinvertebrates and how they are used to study the quality of water. Ya know, some critters are very sensitive to pollution, while, others thrive. Here I thought I would get "icky pooh" from some kinds, but they embraced the research. It really is a kind of fun research. I hope tomorrow's BASE thinks so, as well.

Have a great night, folks.

Squeezing 25 kids in a 10-feet long space

Section 63 is close to completing their Earth's Innerds unit.

Take a look at how they cram together to gather the information from six computers on the side of my classroom. Ahhhhh, togetherness. Its a wonderful thing, as long as, everyone is showered and teeth are brushed. Really. The kids have been great during this unit. They work in teams of 4 or 5, and each team shares one computer. I really have to thank Mr. Gee, Mr. Black and Mr. Johnson, our techies, for repairing my six computers. It certainly saves us from using the entire computer lab.

We Dig In April!!

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Chapter 8 Archaeology Society and the Muncy Historical Society continue their dig at the old Muncy Canal Lock on Pepper Street, Muncy, on April 26. The dig is open to the public. Wanna learn a bit about artifact collecting? This is a great opportunity. The link to the Muncy Historical Society and the dig operations are: http://www.muncyhistoricalsociety.org/dig/index.html Click on this link and learn all about digging into our past. Its a great site and well-maintained.

Have a great night, folks.

Rewarded For Good Behavior

Mrs. Antonacci, Mrs. Pulizzi, Mrs. Nemeth, and Mr. Fausnaught, were so intrigued with the sixth graders' great behavior at Frankly Ben, that we spent periods 6 and 7, watching "Ella Enchanted," (I liked it) and eating popcorn and lollipops. Just our way of saying thanks for the good behavior.

Map Skills
In social studies we started a packet on map skills.

Have a great night. I wanna get back to the movie.

Loyalsock Conquers Mansfield -- On To Altoona!

WOW!!!! Congratulations,
Loyalsock Township OM Teams!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Sun-Gazette for publishing photographs -- here's the link: http://cu.sungazette.com/pages/gallery.php?gallery=301694

Anisha, Leah, and Addie -- quoted in the newspaper! You're now stars. And, I bet this won't be your only 15 minutes of fame!!!

Civil Rights Movement Studied in Social Studies

My cherubs watched Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., give his "I've Got A Dream" speech on a U-Tube video clip. So, I had them design a poster that sums-up the civil rights movement. I too, have a dream, that all sixth graders realize the importance and beauty of diversity.

Finally, Pangaea!
Many groups have succeeded in completing six of the seismic powerpoints and are now learning about Alfred Wegener and the theory of Pangaea -- the super continent.

4-Sight
Mrs. Antonacci, Mrs. Pulizzi, and Mrs. Nemeth, want to do a final 4-sight testing before the PSSAs. So, Tuesday and Wednesday, will be double-academic periods. My first period will meet both first and second period on Tuesday, while my sixth period meets sixth and seventh periods on Tuesday. Second period meets first and second period on Wednesday, and 7th period meets sixth and seventh period on Wednesday.
I really like our 4-sight tests. They give us real insight on how our kiddoes are progressing. Also, I have the neatest video from National Geographic, I want to show on those two days.

Be Here on Monday
Spread the word, kids. We want you at school on Monday. Mrs. Pulizzi and Mr. Fausnaught want to thank our 6th graders for their fantastic behavior at the Frankly Ben show. No, their not planning on having me give every kid a PappaZ hug. Few, could survive that.

It Was A Good Week
Between leaving early on Monday for a doctor appointment and being out of the classroom to assist Mrs. Phillips with IEP meetings, my 6th graders have been fantastic for the substitute teachers that came in to help out. I really like this group of kids. You will be rewarded with some really neat science projects, coming up, very soon.

Girls' Night Out
Our middle school girls were invited to attend a girls-only event, tonight, at the middle school. Did you go? Wanna share your thoughts with me? I know Mrs. Smith, our school nurse, who coordinated the event, has been excited about this event. If you get a chance, next week, stop by the nurse's office to thank Mrs. Smith.

Wrapping Up Today's Blog
Good luck at Mansfield, OMers. I hope the weather cooperates with you. I know Mr. Fausnaught is going up to support you. If I did not hate driving, so much, I would go, too. I hope you OMers remember to give Mrs. Walls a gigantic hug. She is a phenomenal woman, with coordinating so many exceptional Loyalsock OM teams.

Have a great weekend, folks.

Meet the People

Teachers, staff members, students, no one was safe from the hordes of sixth graders, who, today, swarmed the halls of the middle and high school in search of victims to conduct a water know-how survey. Not only did I have my BASE class, but, I took Mrs. Antonacci's kids in this whirlwind adventure. Seems like they enjoyed the out-of-seat activity.

Willy Wetworth
I wanted to get a photograph of the Willy Wetworth Travel Guide, my BASE kids designed, but they blended in with the backdrop of the wall so much, the actual booklets were lost in the glare. Sorry. They are kinda cool, stop by my room and read them. I have them on the hallway wall, outside my classroom. Whatsa Willy Wetworth Travel Guide? Its the adventure of a water drop through the drainpipe and is part of a water conservation and protection project I am working with during the BASE period.

Anisha's Mom
Stopped in to see me, today. Anisha has been accepted, again, for a summer program at Johns Hopkins. Wow. This little girl is sharp. She is polite, warm, and a really nice kid.

Have You Thought About Summer Camp?
If you are struggling in school, perhaps, you should consider summer camp for reading and/or math. Mrs. Nemeth and Mrs. Antonacci will talk with you if they think you would benefit from the summer program.

OMers Make the News
Congrats to Loyalsock OMers that the education section of the Sun-Gazette!! I am so proud of our kids that get involved in this problem-solving activity. It takes a lot of their free time, but the rewards are well worth it. Keep chuggin', kiddoes, and good luck at competition at Mansfield on Saturday. By the way, Saturday will be an all-rain event with just a trace of snow. You should be okay for traveling.

Thanks Nick D.
I may not have said this enough to Nick, but, I am so very proud of this young man. He has turned himself around and is a pleasure to have in the classroom. He is intelligent, strives to succeed and has been helpful to me when I needed an extra hand. I think he is COOL. I mentioned that to Mr. Fausnaught, this morning, who agreed with me. Keep it up, Nick. You will do very well for yourself with this new attitude.

Have a great night folks. Dog and I are going for a nice walk, as soon as I get out of the school building.

A Rare Privilege, Indeed

While the sixth grade attended a field trip, today, I stayed behind to attend learning support meetings. In between my meetings, I filled-in for two 7th grade teachers, who also attended similar meetings. It gave me an opportunity to see what my colleagues are doing in the classroom, and boy, I gotta tell ya, I'm impressed as all get-out.

Define Tyrant -- Naw, Not PappaZ
First, I had an opportunity to play Mr. James Ellis, the 7th grade social studies teacher. We did a study guide review for a test tomorrow on medieval Europe. The students were well prepared for the review and we had an interesting session talking about the importance of the Rhine and Thames River, knights, lords, vassals, and feudalism. The munchkins were intrigued and motivated. All too soon, Mr. Ellis returned, and I moved on to the next teacher. I like Mr. Ellis' style of teaching.

Pizza To Wet The Learning Appetite
Next, was Mr. Tristin Forney, 7th grade language arts teacher, and one of my former students -- oiy, I'm gettin' old. Anyway, the cherubs came into the classroom, got into their groups, some grabbed a laptop, and they proceeded to work on a project. Talk about motivated. They are writing a piece, complete with the mechanics of grammar, on their favorite pizza parlor. The winning group gets a pizza from that establishment. Now, these kiddoes were mine, last year, and they were a great bunch of characters, but, I have to tell you, Mr. Forney has truly motivated them. I saw real learning, cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, practical learning, going on. I told him and I will tell you, Mr. Forney is an innovative teacher with a unique style. Unfortunately, he is a temporary, long-term substitute. Whatever school district lands him as a permanent addition will indeed be fortunate. I have watched Mr. Forney from the time he was a student teacher with Mrs. Fry and throughout this school year and the only word I can think of to describe his classroom environment is -- COOL. I sincerely hope Loyalsock finds a permanent position for him, he is a gifted teacher.

I sometimes look around at my colleagues and am truly impressed with the quality of our teaching staff, here at the middle school.

They're Baaacccckkk!
My cherubs returned about noon. We ate lunch in homerooms. It gave me a chance to ask about the "Frankly Ben" show. Some liked it, others described it as opera meets rap, and still, others did not care for the wiggle/jiggle dancing. Few saw a link to the historical Ben Franklin figure. Mostly, they saw a young Ben trying to decide his future. To be fair, Stasia did exclaim, "It was Cool!" Ryland told me "it was awesome." Ask your kiddo, tonight, about the show.

I would love to hear from you. Whadd'ya think of the teachers at Loyalsock or how did your kiddo like the Frankly Ben show?

Have a great night, folks.

The New Phone Book Is Here!!!!

As Steve Martin said in the film, "The Jerk," when the new phone book arrived. "I'm a somebody!" I made it as an address link in Mr. Fausnaught's blog! Just watch me sashay down the main hallway, now. Hmmmm. My importance has now increased. Hee hee. Just kidding. Thanks, Mr. Fausnaught.

Earthquake Central
The munchkins are getting the hang of working in groups on the computer to answer worksheet questions on Earthquakes, as presented in a series of powerpoint presentations. You say you can't find those powerpoints? Well, its because they can only be accessed from inside the school district buildings. In other words, its on the district server that is not accessible on the internet. Sorry.

Drainpipe Adventures
BASE kids are working on a water conservation project. The first phase is design a Wet Willie adventure through the drainpipe.

Social Studies
Equal rights.

Have a good night, folks.

Gave 'Em The Same Quiz

Okay, they are working in groups on a project. I quizzed them on Friday, about what they learned. Obviously, the ones that did the work, did well. Those that just stood around and talked, did poorly. Surprise!~! I gave 'em the same quiz, again, today. Most did better, some did the same, a couple did worse?

Look for progress reports on Thursday.

I read a letter to the editor of the Sun-Gazette in praise of a Loyalsock boy named, Eric. He did a random act of kindness for an older woman by shoveling out snow and ice for no pay. I hope we find out who you are, Eric. You are about to get the hug of your life from a bunch of tired old teachers, who role-model morality.

Have a good night, folks

Shocking Watt U Can Learn

My buddy, Bailey, shows little emotion as the vandegraf generator builds a hefty charge and discharges an arcing lightning bolt. We spent a good part of the day playing. My telephone, shown in the photo, got the brunt of the discharges as we watched bolt after bolt zap the receiver. Watt more can we learn about Ben Franklin"s experiment?

Have a great weekend, folks.

Seismic Waves

Well, the munchkins pretty much finished the Earthquake powerpoint and should be starting the next worksheet -- Slinky P-Waves. Time for a surprise multiple-choice question quiz, eh? By all appearances, the cherubs are fooling around, gathered around six 'puters, but, looking at their worksheets, today, I see at least one member of each group is on the ball. Talk about controlled chaos.

Van deGraf generator
Oooohhh, I've got a Van deGraf static electricity generator for use in tomorrow's social studies class. I got it from the high school science department. The kiddoes were not real impressed with the power of a small Leydon jar in producing an electric discharge. This puppy can arc a charge from three feet. If Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment left them lukewarm, this demonstration should be a real shocker. They will be charged-up for next week's musical.

The Boss is Back
Good to see Mr. Fausnaught back. His color still is not a healthy glow, but, he appears to be functioning. This "crud," as the cold/flu bug has been dubbed, is making its rounds. I was nailed, last week. Mr. Fausnaught is going on a month. Mrs. Pulizzi spent three days at home and should have made today, a fourth. She looks really weak. The kids are coming back after days of being sick with the "palest" complexions. It really is a "crud."

Have a great night, folks

We Is Workin' On 'Puters

The lesson continues as the cherubs work together on PappaZ powerpoints in the classroom.

I gotta really thank Mr. Gee and Mr. Black, for working so diligently, to get my six little boat anchors -- I mean, 'puters, working. With Mrs. Nemeth in the computer lab, I can still do my lessons. This is great.

In Social Studies, we viewed a video about the real Benjamin Franklin. I gotta tell ya. He has always been my hero and with my paunch of a gut and balding head and reading glasses, I am starting to look like him.

Have a great night, folks.

All-4-One

The kiddoes are ganging-up on six computers in my classroom, reviewing powerpoint presentations on various aspects of Earth's innerds. Today, they started with everything they need to know about earthquakes. Each group (about four kids, each) shares a single computer to answer worksheets pertaining to that powerpoint. In the meantime, they have a reading assignment from the textbook and answer the questions on the section review page 145.

Social Studies
It ain't no Leydon jar, but my lightning game, certainly gave my munchkins an idea of the static electricity Benjamin Franklin sought in his kite-flying experiment. We spent the entire period shocking ourselves. Although the boys strived to show off, little Jolene took shock after shock without even a change in facial expression. Okay, not a heck of a lot of learning went on, but, we had fun and believe it or not, the children understood the basis of Benny's experiment.

Pulizzi Out Sick, Fry Still Out, Antonacci Went Home
I was all alone in 6th grade, this afternoon. Thank goodness Mrs. Nemeth has been here for a while and there was a familiar face down the hall. I even miss Mr. Fausnaught, who frequently pokes his head in my room and utters a friendly greeting. A cold, rainy day, inside and out.

Geologic Timelines
Wow. Mucho munchkins completed and displayed their 15-foot geologic timelines. Thanks, kids, they look great. Oh, Leah, my question to you about the timeline referred to a 15-foot long strip of paper that hardly had any information for the first four billion years, but the last 100 million years was full of all kinds of neat events that occurred on Earth. The idea was to put into prespective Earth was desolate for so long and then burst forth with events.

Have a great night, folks.

Making A Geologic Timeline

15-feet until humans appeared

Our geologic timelines started at 4.5 billion years ago and continued until today. At 10-cm equals 100,000,000 years, the 15-foot long timeline seemed empty compared to all the Earthly developments that occurred over the last 100 million years. As they are completing the assignment, the timelines are going up on the wall outside my room.

Social Studies
Frankly Ben is March 5, so, today, we started to learn a bit about Ben Franklin. Of course, I am zeroing in on Franklin, the scientist.

Have a good night, folks.