Say Hello to My Little Friend!

Students frequently want to know a lot about their teachers.  This blog has been a way of my sharing information my interests as well as those things I find really cool and want to share with students.

This week marked the start of another effort.  I am now a “Teacher Blogger” for The Secret LIfe of Scientists and Engineers.  The series’ website describes it as:  ”“Secret Life” is an Emmy-nominated web video series and site from the makers of one of the most acclaimed American science series ever, PBS’s NOVA.

I look forward to sharing things I find interesting about science.  Read my first blog post and bio to learn more about me and things I find interesting!

Now that this post is over, I bet you’re wondering why I included a picture of a rooster from Key West.  Well, I went to a wedding in Key West for Spring Break.  I have a hobby of taking digital pictures with my Cannon EOS camera. Now you know a little more about my Secret Life

Used w/ Permission through Creative Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow-naped_Amazon.jpg

Fear can be powerful.  As I have previously shared with classes, there are very few things I am really afraid of.  One of the things I am truly afraid of us birds – parrots, cockatiels, crows, pigeons, you name it.  I once remember going to an open air market in Venezuela where there was a photographer.  He placed a bird on my shoulder and I freaked out!  It was not a pretty sight.

So, by now you are asking yourself, “Mr. Woods, where are you going with this?”  The answer is quite simple.   Often  teachers encourage students to step outside their comfort zones.  We are famous for prodding students to do something that they don’t feel like doing.  People may not want to do something because of the fear of failure, for lack of interest, or simply because they are afraid to take a risk.  During the past two days, I faced something I fear worse than birds – the dentist!

I have two crowns on my front teeth.  One of them came off on Saturday.  I had to have it replaced – I looked like Dracula!  Knowing that I hadn’t been to the dentist since Bill Clinton was President, I went to where my old dentist’s office was and made an appointment.  Monday my two front teeth were fixed and I even made an appointment to go in today to get my teeth cleaned.  I even learned a few things!  Your mouth is a crucial area in which bacteria can enter your body.  So, I will have to do a better job with taking care of my teeth.  Secondly, I learned about oral cancer and its causes.  My dentist used a light in my mouth to see if he thought I had any form of cancer – I was clear!

My message for today is simple…..do something you are afraid of!  Even if it is uncomfortable and scares you to death!  Have a great Spring Break!!!

WELCOME BACK TO 2011! We have started off this year at a record pace! Since we have returned this year, Mrs. Renzette (for all my 9th graders who have her and me in class) and I have been working feverishly at launching a new project. As we mentioned in class, we are not only the ONLY high school but the ONLY class at that high school to have a class set of iPads to use with our students!

I got my iPad given to me as we started Winter Break in December. Mrs. Renzette got hers when we came back a few weeks ago. The point of the project is to see how the use of iPads in the classroom effect student performance….that’s a lot of adult talk for “Hey….do these things really make a difference if kids use them?” While we have just started the project, I am very excited about what we have planned for y’all!

Mr. Shoemaker and Mrs. Renzette Introduce the iPad Project

On our first day we learned about how the iPads worked, discussed how we would use them in class — including how to keep them in working order, how to get them at the start of each class period, and how to save your work on them.

Mr. Shoemaker from Educational Technology at our District Office was very kind to join us and help Mrs. Renzette and me out!  We have never done something so “cutting edge”.  Mr. Shoemaker is coordinating the iPad Pilot Project for several schools.  A big “golf clap” to him for all his hard work!!!

REMEMBER:  All students need to return their SIGNED iPad Pilot agreement and 1941 (photo release) forms ASAP.  Everyone will be required to have a form on file in order to utilize the iPads in class.

So you ask yourself…..WHAT’S NEXT?

We are going to explore the oceans and the continents on our iPads very soon.  Mrs. Renzette and I are so excited!

Congratulations to each of you for completing your first (Keynote) project with Mr. Shoemaker.  You made us proud!  You guys make us proud!

Convergent? Divergent? Transform? Magnetic Reversals? Puzzle Fit?

Are you confused about Plate Tectonics? Does Wegner have you confused? Here are some really AWESOME animations that you will be seeing next week in class during our review!

BE THE FIRST TO SEE THESE AWESOME ANIMATIONS! Click HERE

As many of you have heard by now, I a major earthquake has struck the island of Haiti. By reports, the earthquake (a 7+ on the Richter scale) caused major destruction. If you are interested in learning more, Follow this link to Reuters articles on the subject.

You may also wish to visit the Red Cross Web Page to learn more. Our thoughts go out to our neighbors in Haiti.

It is ironic that we are studying tectonic plate movement and earthquakes this week. I hope you will make this a “learning moment”.