Ah, it's been quite some time since I've posted on my moblog. Everything is going well this summer and I've been learning the essentials of taking care of our son while Michelle starts her new job. Knox makes noticeable progress every day and it's fun to see all the developmental changes in early stages.
At the top of the canopy, the vastness of the Manhattan jungle is impressive. Our kiddos are loving the view!
As we near the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I wondered how our students would react to visiting Ground Zero. Most on our trip were only 4 years old on that tragic day. They seemed to be most interested in the future and snapp?ed many pictures of the construction of the One World Trade Center.
I checked for my last name on the Ellis Island's web database with no luck. I'm not sure how my DNA crossed the Atlantic but I have a feeling the emotion and dream was the same as immigrants have felt here. Turns out that the events at Ellis Island were mostly not positive as previously assumed. A lengthy process was endured here that broke dreams for so many.
Security remains tight for access to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Our most iconic symbol of freedom remains in confidence despite threats, war, and terror. -Mr. G
"Let it begin here!" This morning we visited sites of the events on April 15, 1775 that changed the course of American history. A seemingly unintentional battle that intensified throughout this day contains the first casualties in the American Revolution.
After a presentation on the events at the Minuteman Museum, the story and sites visited all came together for us. From the first colonial casualties at the Lexington green and the first two fallen British Regulars to the mass of 4000 colonial militia that brought down an unwelcoming folley on the British retreat along the bay road, the experience here is rich and moving. Even for a teacher, the learning here is more memorable than chapters studied in a textbook.
Pictured are our group at the Lexington green, Minuteman Statue at the green, and our reinactment of the first British casualties at Old North Bridge.
We've arrived! Flights went very well. Our bus checked in to our hotel and we're heading to Quincy Marketplace for dinner. -G
Knox is falling into a good routine of feeding, sleeping, and evening awake time.
I currently have 12 week blocks in a mini-elective where the focus is centered around learning how to solve the famed 3x3 Rubik's Cube. On Tuesday, I will see 30 new eager kiddos. Success rate varies from about 35-85%. Anyone want to throw down for an insane pizza party if I can get 100% of a class to solve the cube unassisted within 12 weeks?
Mini-electives are 30 minute classes meeting 4 days a week.
Here's some of my last group 7th graders who wanted to leave a nice surprise for the next group.
Finishing up our unit in Evolution with a podcast where students tell about Charles Darwin, his legendary voyage on the HMS Beagle, evidence collected, and the development of his theory of Natual Selection.
Testing out our new solution to ventilate the crawlspace under our house utilizing a solar powered gable fan. The fan will be installed in the cover to the access port and the solar panel will sit on the roof.
Offer extra credit and kids readily volunteer for great events like volunteering at our local wetland. Famosa Slough is adjacent to our school and I find that most students don't even know it's here.
This is the best cell model I've had from one of my students. Huge props to Amy for her hard work, creativity and skill. Its also the most educational pillow ever! Next is our cell division comic and hopefully Amy's will feature "Phyto".
Motorcycle of the year (twice) is living up to its reputation in the first week of engine break-in. The Street Triple has a sport bike engine (from the Daytona 675) retuned and geared for torquey street riding. Commuting is fun again!
Triumph is in San Diego this weekend doing demos of their motorcycles. I'm in line to ride their Street Triple and hopefully can demo the Daytona as well.
i21 is Here!
...well, partly. Went to a workshop for the new equipment rollout. I received a new teacher laptop (ThinkPad - district is ditching all macs) and was introduced to the new student netbooks (pictured). Along with a 1:1 ratio of netbooks, I will have a new presentation station installed connected to a Promethian Interactive Board that includes student laptop management and response systems.
As to be expected, all of this was planned to be ready to go at the start of the school year but has been delayed. I'm sure they'll roll in when its most convenient!
