Awesome Cell Model

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".

Superworm Races

Go Zophobas morio!  Last week, we studied a living organism as part of our Introduction to Biology. Kids learned about Superworms (related to mealworms) not through research but by collecting qualitative and quantitative data. Here are a group of my kiddos measuring distance traveled in 5 minutes.

Ice Cream!

Its been insanely hot these past few days in San Diego.  Last year, I started coordinating a school-wide incentive program that rewards GPA achievement.  Today, we were able to reward students earning a 3.0 or higher with an ice cream social.  With the weather this extreme, the ineligible students appeared to be very dissappointed that they were missing out.   Next week, we reward 3.5 and higher.

Stable Mates

Everyone should have 4 wheels, right?

In progress...

The New G-Ride

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!

Habanero Monster

This is one monster of a catepillar that seems to have thrived on Habaneros for quite some time.  Camoflauge bought this guy some time before I noticed some interesting fallout and entire peppers dissapearing.  How it manages on the spiciest pepper on the planet, no clue!  Taking this maniac to school tomorrow to show the kids.  I'm very curious to see what this will turn out as.  Anyone seen this species before?

Adams Street Fair

Highlight of the Fair goes to a punk band playing on the roof of El Zarape!  Kara and Michelle can probably recall the lyrics from a song likely entitled, "Crack Daddy".

Triumph Demos

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.

Integrated 21st Century Interactive Classroom

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!

Human Sun Dial

Its been quite some time since I've posted here. I blame it on Facebook for aquiring much of my blogging habits. I was in San Francisco earlier this week and came across this awesome sundial in the parking lot of a science museum. I'd like to find a good place to do this at my own school. It shouldn't take much to map this out on the ground. The hours I could map on any given day though best on a clear and long day. The months need two time points at each solstice for calibration. Sun Dials are latiude specific so local calibration or calculation is necessary.

Flight of the Conchords

At the Bowl after just returning from a great week on the east coast with my wonderful 8th graders, Always great to see FOTC.

NY Invasion

Many of the kids are sad to be leaving New York this morning. We packed the past couple of days with numerous adventures around the city. My group of boys even did some bartering for some bling that they proudly wore to a nice dinner and a Broadway show, The Addam's Family. The picture with me in it is after the play with my two favorite librarians that I work with. Off to Philly.

Freedom Trail

Yesterday was packed mostly exploring the American Revolution. Started out the day with Lexington and Concord, lunch at Quincy for the Boston Special (lobster roll and chowda), and the afternoon exploring the significance of sites on the Freedom Trail. Headed to New York now!

Boston Invasion

Our first night went very well. Kids appeared to be alert and excited this morning at breakfast. The travel, time change and excitment is bound to take its toll at some point today. Dinner last night was exactly what I've been craving - clams, mussels, scallops, and shrimp, oh my!
Today, our focus is the American Revolution with tours of the Freedom Trail, Lexington and Concord, and Harvard (part of the smaaaart revolution).

The Lightning Thief

The English department at my school organized a field trip for all of our 7th graders to see The Lightning Thief at a local movie theater. The AMC staff did their best serving 500 7th graders at their concession stands. Our students seemed to enjoy the movie. Many would think so many kids would make it unbearable to have and enjoyable movie experience. In fact, I've had worse movie experiences with the general public than with my students today. Charged with sugar and the end of Friday in sight, we have to manage two more periods at school. Wish us teachers luck!