Inspiration in the Windy City...

Well the third quarter has come to and end and we are now on the down slope toward the end of the year.  I know it gets hard to focus on school as we approach spring break, but we will keep going and then after the break we will finish the year strong.  I picked up a ton of motivation this past weekend as I attended the National Science Teachers Convention in Chicago.  I really was filled with a renewed enthusiasm for my profession just by spending time with 10,000 other science educators from around the country.

Just in case you didn't know, the GHS student body is currently being scheduled for next year.  Hopefully everyone takes some time to think about what classes will be best suited for getting you ready for you future...resist the urge to take something just because it is next on the list.

I hope everyone has a great spring break and enjoys a bit of relaxing with friends.

Best...

In honor of pi day, did you know that if you started writing out the decimals of pi on paper that it would cover the entire earth?  It is an non-ending, non-repeating number so I guess it would cover, well, everything.

March Madness...GHS Science Style

The quarter is coming to an end and the year is almost 75% over.  While many of my students see spring break as the next major event in the school year, there is the matter of finishing this quarter strong that must be dealt with.  Tests are coming in all three classes and this will make a huge difference in the final quarter grades.  After that, then we can look a bit forward to spring break.

In physics, we had our first Physics Musical Extravaganza.  The students created their own musical instruments and had to play a song for us.  Many of these were wonderful, but a few were outstanding.  I wanted to give kudos to Nick Slone and Draven Colon for their pvc instrument and the awesome version of Crazy Train.  The Unique Instrument Award goes to Cassidy Brannigan and Jessica Isley for the Tongue Drum they made.  The Clearly Not Copied From the Internet Award goes to Josh Mooshian and Jonathan Fulton for the Gatorade/poster board Trombone.  I was really impressed with many of the different things that were made and I look forward to using this project again in the future.

So that is all for now, I was going to fill out my brackets soon, but I just can't bare to do it with the ultimate outcome so clearly visible.  Congrats in advance to Mrs. Whipperman and her UK Cats!

The best laid plans of mice and science teachers...

The Scottish poet Robert Burns pretty much nailed that one!  I had every thing I needed to become a blogger (bloggist, blog-meister), and yet I'm left with naught but pain and grief.  I guess it is hard to carve out a few minutes each week to put down some thoughts, but that is nothing more than an excuse. Since I don't accept excuses from my students, I shouldn't make any for myself.  I simply need to either do it or not do it.  The odd thing is I really do like writing.  I was a journalist in school and was always fond of creative essays so this blog thing should be right in my wheel-house.

We are moving through the third quarter at a pretty good clip and we just got tests back in all of my classes, so that would be why grades moved so drastically.  In physics, the students should be channeling their inner musician and developing an instrument and learning to play a tune.. this is a new project so I am interested in seeing what they make of it.  In my chemistry classes, we are getting ready to do a couple of labs and pushing on through the material.  If you have any questions of me, please feel free to drop me and email and I will get back with you ASAP!

That is all for now except to say I am pretty much done with winter!  I am looking forward to some nice, warm spring days...I say we get rid of the stupid ground hog!

The end of the quarter draweth nigh...

It is hard to believe, but the first quarter is almost at an end.  We will have our second test of the quarter during next week.  The schedule is as follows

Physics -- Wednesday, October 8
Chemistry H -- Thursday, October 9
Chemistry 2 -- Thursday, October 9 and Friday October 10.

This will close the quarter and finalize the quarter grades.

Parents, if you are not aware, you have access to My Big Campus.  This is the learning environment that use for all of my classes.  If you are interested in getting in and looking around, send me an email, and I will send you the instructions that were given to me.

Of course, at the end of next week, we will begin Fall Break and will be off for the week.  Here is hoping the weather is fine and the trees are colorful!

Until Later...

RP

A moment of empathy...

Well the first round of tests are upon us.  All three of my classes will be taking tests this week, so your students may be just a little on edge.  Of course studying is most important, but there are a few things you can do to help.  Make sure they get a good night of sleep, something healthy for breakfast and reassure them that all will be well.  There may be some long faces as we go through this, but everyone that tries in my class will get through.  Here's hoping that all goes well.

Labor Day...

Well, 4 weeks has gone by and labor day is upon us.  When I think back to my school days, at this point we were not even in school yet...how times change.

Things are moving along quite briskly in all of my classes.  In Chem H we are learning the fundamental make up of materials and will soon be learning about nuclear processes.  In physics linear motion is our current topic, and in chem 2, we are talking all about stoichiometry.  Ask your student to explain some of the concepts we have covered and have them talk about the labs we have been doing...it will help them solidify the ideas they know well, and get them thinking about what they need to spend some more time with.

Just a reminder, in physics, the kids should be building a catapult from a clothes pin.  This is due on Friday, September 5th.

Until later, 

All the best!

Week 2 almost gone....

Greetings all...

We have just about finished our second week so I wanted to take a moment to update you on a few things.  I hope this post is being read by the parents that really want to be involved in the education of their students.
So far we have been looking at the skills that are the building blocks of the class we are in.  Physics is looking at how we take data and then how we deal with it.  In chem I H we have been looking at some new math skills and of course the dreaded element quiz.  Chem 2 has been studying various types of concentration units and how to calculate them and also studying some statistical analysis processes.  So as a you can see, we have been busy.

Since I haven't done so, let me introduce myself.  I am Rich Perry and I am a graduate of Ball State and Indiana Universities.  I have been teaching at Greenwood High School for 20 years and have taught chemistry and physics that entire time.  I am married to my wife, Paula, who is a Spanish teacher at Greenfield Central High School.  We have three kids ranging in age from 18 to 12.  If you ever need to get in touch with me, feel free to shoot me an email at rperry@gws.k12.in.us.  I will get right back to you!

I hope all is well and I look forward to meeting some of you on Meet the Teacher night.

All the best.

RP