Force and motion

Hello,

It wasn't my original plan, but I started our force and motion unit today.  What a difference between the two classes!  I tried to teach the same intro lesson that I taught to Mrs. Smith's class yesterday.  We got about a third as far into the lesson as I did yesterday, and while I was very surprised, I was as pleased as punch.  Our class asked so many questions that it took so much longer.  I would make a statement and three hands would go up.  It was fantastic.  I was blown away by the difference in the classes.  It made me feel like many in this class are taking responsibility for their learning.  That's not an indictment on their class.  Classes take on a personality of their own every year.  I was just really impressed with the curiosity level and the courage to ask questions that I saw today.  I think it is the first time in my teaching career that I attempted to teach the same lesson plan twice in a row on consecutive days, and it just showed how all of the planning in the world doesn't make its execution predictable.  I'm very anxious to see how the rest of the unit goes. 

Homework has to do with friction.  We didn't write a specific definition yet, but they should have a good sense of what it is.

I have a little egg on my face today.  I finished my last report card conference last night and I accidently got the numbers flipped.  I gave ones instead of fours.  Umm... I meant that they consistently do their homework not that they never do it.  We went through the whole conference and I never realized that I had all the wrong grades in.  At Jordan Acres, ones were good and fours were bad.  I guess my brain hasn't let go of the old system yet.  The student informed me this morning.  Oops.  Sorry.

The poetry word of the day was onomatopoeia.  Ask about that one.  Hint: groan, creak, click, moo, crunch.

Have a good night,

Mr. Shea