January 23, 2019

January 23, 2019

Yes! I made it to four days of blogging/writing.
So, today we'll just let things fly.

First, there is a dilemma of the investigations that students are doing for their Physics class. I try to prepare them by conducting labs in class with school equipment. We also take the data to make independent versus. dependent data tables, including averages and uncertainties. Then, we actually graph the data, showing error bars. We also convey the results by answering key questions that should be answered with their own, self-designed investigation. Well, this group has moved along slowly, even back-peddled, and changed their research questions more than once. That brings them to a point where there is no more school hours to grant. Unfortunately, a student has designed a lab without truly defining the research question. So, who knows what the independent and dependent variables are?!? Now, they need more time. So, today as they worked, they actually worked. They were combing through their data, looking into the scientific concepts that surround their investigation. Some even plugged values from their trials in to find the average, and further, started to run those values through the formula that addresses their research question. That said, I was trying not to let my frustration get in the way of the facilitation. These reports are not simple. They are challenging. Due to their invested work, and finally making progress, I let them to stew this soup for one more week. They have one week, until next Thursday night or Friday morning, to complete and submit their investigation. What else helped? A talk with another teacher and a thought from a third. The third teacher has their students reflect and think about the process and how they are going to make their paper match the rubric by setting goals. This is happening on Friday. My students will evaluate their own writing and figure out what each section needs. I'll grade this based on accuracy. If they assess their investigation accurately, they get the highest points in the land. If not, they will not score well.

In other news, Beckett had a basketball game today and it got serious. The referee was pretty legit, giving players fouls, calling traveling, and keeping the game straight. He looked like an official official. But, this game is getting really intense too. One shot by Beckett, one miss. He really played well the other night against the UMW students. I know that they played to a lower level with the two younger boys, but not with me. I was sprinting hard. Beckett shot over 70% and I did too. It was a blast. Before that, we'd simply play make it, take it. We also play DUDE, like pig. We also play a bit of one-on-one. All said, going upstairs, to the old basketball venue is great. The new arena is off limits, I think. The auxilary gym is the go-to, but upstairs is mac. It has glass backboards and a ton more room.

Ok, that's it for now. Thinking about 20% time and how I can muster that up...also, thinking about running Beckett to the gym to practice, practice, practice (if he wants). You know, it's sometimes sad when just two players touch the ball. Not that Beckett would score more points, but you gotta mix it up, or the other team is on to you....and player development is stymied.