Studying State and Local Government...

We've studied the Preamble, the U.S. Constitution, the Articles, all 27 Amendments to the Constitution, the three branches of government, the federal government's bureaucracy, and powers exercised by both the federal and local governments. This last week the 11th and 12th American Government class has concentrated our efforts on state and local governments.

I want to let you in on a little secret: this class LOVES to be creative. They are masters at thinking outside the box.

How do I know? Just take a look at some of the different ways that they used to display the breakdown of different state's governments:

Great use of our own state....

 Love the state flag as the background while the offices of the states government were described in detail on separate papers...

 Super lettering and drawing...

 Such creativity...

 Simplistically educational...

Great job, Class! Once again you've done a fantastic job!!

Working Down to the Wire...

We're nearing the end of the first semester and the end of our U.S. History project boards. The 9th and 10th have been hard at work and their creative juices have been flowing. They've been busily cutting and gluing....

 ...and picking out eye-popping paper....

I can't wait to see their finished products!

Now the project boards are due Monday, December 8th, for me to grade. They will go on display in the gym on Friday, December 12th, after the elementary Christmas program which begins at 7 pm.

You're all invited to come out, listen to the performances, and then browse the displays of artwork and projects that various classes have worked on throughout the semester, starting with the 1st grade all the way through the 12th.

Election Project Video on YouTube...

A HUGE Thank You to Bro. Snider for putting together a short little video of all the speeches, the debate, and student interviews. You definitely will want to check out this video.

Enjoy!!!

And Then We Partied...

Thank you all for the food contributions you made for our election party today. Let me show you the fabulous spread we had today...

There were taquitos, pigs in a blanket, tostitos with cheese sauce and salsa.

For dessert we munched on fruit kabobs...

...chocolate covered pretzels...

...and popcorn drizzled with white chocolate. YUMMY!!

It was the perfect ending to a FANTASTIC project!! Thanks again for all your hard work!!

The Results Are In...

Welcome to voting here at Madison Baptist Academy.  Let me just walk you through how this process worked today.

First you would have found the door with the election sign posted outside...

Once you've found the sign you would have found the classroom set up for three people to vote at a time...

Be sure you had signed in and then had grabbed a ballot...

Next you would have chosen a table to sit and decided who you would have vote for...

Once your ballot was filled out, you would have dropped it in the ballot box for counting later...

Then at 10 am the announcement would have been made over the school's PA system.

And the winners were:

Catherine: President-Elect

Independent American Party

Cynthia: Senator-Elect

The White Rose Party

Christiana: Representative-Elect

The Independent American Party

Fantastic work everyone! You should be proud of a job well done!!

The Day Before...

After performing my civic duty this morning and casting my vote, I've been in a flurry of activity getting ready for our own voting tomorrow at school!  After two months of campaigning, speaking, and getting the word out, our high school and staff will vote who will be President, Senator, and Representative.

....and then we PARTY!!

So here's a reminder to bring what you signed up for no later than 9:45 am. That way Mrs. Brooks who is offering her time to help put the food out on the table for us, can have it there by the time the winners are announced and we are ready to eat.

Until tomorrow!

NEEDED for Election Party...

Our Election 2014 party has been moved from Tuesday, November 4th, to Wednesday, November 5th, due to no school on the 4th. Thank you so much for those of you who have signed up to bring a party item on that day. I am still missing a few things like the following:

• Pepsi fridge pack
• Iced Sugar cookies with patriotic sprinkles
• Bottle Water

If you have not returned your list with the item you can bring, please bring that to class by tomorrow, October 29th. 

Thank you again for volunteering to bring an item! This is going to be one spectacular ending to an awesome project!!

Reminder....

Chemistry, Physical World, and U.S. History classes are to bring information on their scientist and their historical events Monday, October 27th, to begin working on their summaries. Every day this week each student will be writing a summary to be completed by Monday, November 3rd and graded as a Test grade.

American Government students are to bring in information to begin speech and debate preparations. Friday I handed out a sheet with a summary of specific political topics that should be addressed in their speeches or may be asked during the Presidential debate.

Failure to bring in any information for any of  the four classes listed above will be given a 0% for that day's participation grade and will have to copy Psalm 119 during the class time.

I'm looking forward to reading your summaries!!

Government Assignment Change...

I inadvertently left out a reading assignment for tonight's homework. This error was amended in class today but I wanted to also post about the change here. So for tonight's (October 7th's) reading, please read and outline p. 120-124 up to "Agencies..." This change has also been noted on the American Government Assignment's link to the right.

Hand-Held Atoms...

Have you ever held an atom in your hand? After all, we've been learning in Chemistry that atoms are the smallest particles of matter. So small in fact that we have to use models in order to understand their complex functions and structures.

What makes up an atom? How are they represented? What if some of the particles are different in number?  We've been studying the answers to ALL these questions and many more by doing a practical application of hand-held atoms...

This particular atom has protons (the red beads), neutron (the green beads), and electrons (the loose black beads). For neutral atoms the protons, neutrons, and electrons are all equal. There are some cases where their are differing numbers of neutrons which cause isotopes.

For this particular case study we looked at nine different "atoms", identifying each particular element represented by the atomic number and then counting the mass number, number of neutrons, and the number of electrons. We then took all of this information to write the isotopic notion for this element.

It's "Hands-On Learning" at its best!

Ice Cream Science...

This last Friday we summed up Physical World chapter 5 on Pure Substances and Mixtures by taking a closer look at the two divisions of mixtures: heterogenous and homogenous. We had learned how to tell the difference between the two but needed a more practical way to demonstrate our new found knowledge.

And what better way than with heterogenous ice cream...

That's right. Nothing says "This is what we learned in science!" by actually eating what we're learning about.

These awesome 9th and 10th graders also fixed a bowl for our Principle, Bro. Wally, in celebration of his birthday...

As for the test grades on Monday...everyone did a fantastic job!

No Physical World Elements Quiz...

The Elements/Compounds quiz scheduled for the Physical World class on Wednesday, October 1st, has been moved to Friday, October 3rd. We'll be covering compounds tomorrow and learning the formulas for a few basic compounds which will be included with familiar elements on the quiz now scheduled for Friday.

Model Work...

In the 11th and 12th grade Chemistry class we've been learning about the history of the modern model of the atom: the men, the discoveries, and the changes. These changes in the model were huge steps in understanding the structure and function of the atoms of each element. During class we watched two videos that demonstrated how a cathode ray tube works (used by J.J. Thomson to discover the electron) and the Gold Foil experiment (used by Rutherford to discover the nucleus of the atom).

Basically we're stepping into the world of the Periodic Table and how atoms combine to form substances all around us.

So in learning about the structure of the atom we designed a few ourselves. In fact, we used the basic idea of Bohr's model (even though his was only good to represent the Hydrogen atom) and with paper plates and Trix cereal you have these...

I'd say that's some pretty model work.

Parents, stop in sometime and take a peek at what we're learning. Or you can see it all on display, Friday, December 12th, right after the Elementary Christmas program.

It's Our Party...

...and I don't mean one with food and fun. Although I do have to say this is going to be one AWESOME project.

Last Wednesday the 11th and 12th grade American Government class chose their party name and who was running for each office.  On Thursday we took their "official" photos to be displayed on the bulletin board in our classroom. Parents, please stop in and see each of their pictures. I would be more than happy to e-mail them to you if you will provide me with your e-mail address. I was so pleased with how they turned out.

So now let me introduce you to our three political parties vying for election in this year's run for office:

The Independent American Party:

• Catherine-Presidential Candidate
• Clint-Senatorial Candidate
• Cristiana-Representative Candidate

The White Rose Party:

• Libby-Presidential Candidate
• Cynthia-Senatorial Candidate
• Katie-Representative Candidate

The New Direction Party:

• Abraham-Presidential Candidate
• Michael-Presidential Candidate
• Bianca-Senatorial Candidate
• Brooke-Representative Candidate

Wednesday, October 1st, will be our second workday where each party will begin contracting their party platforms. The completed, typed platform will be due Friday, October 10th. Election Day will be November 4th and both Junior High and High School will be voting.

Any predictions on who's going to win in each office? Leave them in the comments below.

Particle Particulates...

In 9th and 10th Physical World we've been learning all about Matter and the particles that make up matter. What better way to depict these tiny particles in each of the phases of matter than to use food. Eat and craft...nothing like it!

So here are the class' models hand-crafted with care by using Fruit Loops...

Since there are two types of models for solids, there are two representations as seen here...

They are crystalline and amorphous. Do you know which one is which?

These are all on display in my classroom now but will later be included in an art wall in the gymn on December 12th after the Elementary Christmas program.

Running for Office...

Today we kicked off our Election 2014 project. The class was divided into three groups and will choose Wednesday, September 24th, who in each group will run for President, for the Senate, and for the House of Representatives. Here are the groups:

• Group 1--Cristiana, Catherine, and Clint
• Group 2--Cynthia, Katie, and Libby
• Group 3--Bianca, Abe, Michael, and Brooke

Wednesday, September 24th, will be our first in-class workday. The goal for this work period will be to decide which office each candidate will run for in their group, the name that they choose for their political party, and begin work on your party's platform. Please bring information on political issues that you believe your party should address.

Also, I will be taking each candidate's picture on Thursday, September 25th, for the Election 2014 bulletin board. This is so you can spruce up a bit!

For any other information regarding this project be sure to check out the PROJECT: Election 2014 link under the American Government class in the margin on the right.

Branchin' Out...

In Government this last week the 11th and 12th have been learning about the Constitution, the Constitutional Convention, the Articles of the Constitution and the three branches of our government.  What better way to review the branches of government and their jobs by doing a little arts and crafts project...

Each one of them had their own spin on creativity which was fantastic! One was actually a Lorax tree from Dr. Seuss...

A few of them had decorative art on the trunk making them look like a real tree...

One even had a little bird's nest on one branch and the tail of a monkey sticking out from the uppermost branch...

Did you find them both?

I wish there was room to display each one individually here online. Everyone received a 100 percent for participation. Way to go!!

All of these pictures will be on display on an art wall in the gymn after the Elementary Christmas program on December 12th.  

Keep up the good work!

Chemistry Homework Change...

The homework for Friday, September 19th, has been changed for Chemistry. In addition to answering Chapter Review Question 12, please complete the first column (front and back) of the worksheet on Exponential Notation. This is in preparation for our test on Tuesday, September 23rd. If you have any questions please ask!!!

Way to Go, 9th & 10th!!

Congratulations to the US History class for a job well done on your Test Friday, September 12th!! Everyone did a fantastic job that we just had to capture the moment with a photo. Check out those happy faces! Keep up the hard work, Class, as we march into chapter 15th and the reconstruction after the Civil War.

Change in Chemistry Assignment...

The Chemistry assignment for Friday, September 12th, has been changed from....

• Section Review Questions 3B 1-4
• Chapter Review Questions 4-5

to...

• Worksheet p. 11

This worksheet p. 11 will be handed out after the lesson on Friday. The original assignment of Chapter Review Questions and Section Review Questions has been moved to Monday night, September 15th. All changes have been noted on the assignments page. If you have any questions please leave a comment below or see me in class. Thanks so much!

Progress Reports...

Just as a reminder, Friday, September 12th, ends the four week grading period. Progress Reports will be going home Wednesday, September 17th.

Change in US History Assignment...

UPDATE: The dates below refer to the month of September and not August. So sorry!!

Be sure to check out the 9th and 10th US History Assignments page for a change: the addition of a reading assignment on Friday, August 5th, and Monday, August 8th. This addition was made during class on Thursday, August 4th, and the assignment page now reflects what was given in class. If you have any questions please leave a comment below.

Student Inventory...

On the first day of school I asked my students to fill out a Student Inventory sheet. This was basically a way for me to get to know my students a little better. Some of the statements/questions were:

• One word that I would use to describe the person I am is...
• My favorite subject in school is...
• If I could speak any language, I would choose...
• When I get home from school, here are the things you would find me doing:
• How would you choose to teach a lesson in this class: by video, by notes, by a creative project, etc.?
• What do you feel the Lord would have you do when you graduate from high school?

Some of the answers surprised me. As to the question about the language they would choose to learn, the responses ranged from Mandarin Chinese, to Italian, to Arabic...and my absolute favorite: an Australian accent.

As to how they would describe themselves, these responses started with helpful, to happy, to nerdy, neat, and even ok.

I wasn't really surprised as to the answers given to How would you choose to teach a class. Everyone seemed in agreement on this: by video!!

But my absolute favorite fill-in the blank was this: One thing I've always wondered is... Here are few of the responses:

• Who named numbers? (Me. too!)
• Is college hard? (Hmmm.....)
• Is the chicken at McDonald's real or not? (Do we really want to know?)
• How do great authors come up with such good ideas to put into books? (I know, right? I often think: Who comes up with this stuff?)
• What will my future be like? (The choices you make today will begin to shape who you will be tomorrow.)
• What does a unicorn look like? (I have no response.)
• What does it feel like to be in space? (I think that would be pretty awesome!)

You all are a great group of students to teach and I feel so honored to be your teacher!!

Change in Physical World Quiz...

Due to extreme confusion on the 9th and 10th Physical World Quiz today we will take a different quiz over sections 1B and C Thursday,  August 28th. Be sure to study!!

Small Changes...

As we get into the swing of school I am tweaking the arrangement and set-up of my blog to better serve you. Here are a couple of updates that you will find now:

1. The classes are now listed in the order of the school schedule. This may make it easier for you as you go to look up info on your particular class.
2. Each class' "Weekly Assignment" page has undergone a face-lift with more than one week of homework assignments listed. That way you'll have a good heads-up as to what to expect. You'll also be prepared if you have to be out of school for travel or sickness.
3. A "Grade Scale" page has been added to the above toolbar next to "My Favorites." This is in case you wanted to check out what letter grade you received on an assignment, quiz, or test.

If you think of any other ways in which this blog would help you, please feel free to leave me a comment below or drop off a note to me at school. This blog is here to serve you as you seek to do your best in school. Keep up the good work!

Chemistry Assignment Change....

The Chemistry quiz over sections 1B-C that was scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th, has been moved to Thursday, August 28th. This change will also be made on the Chemistry Assignments page. If you have any questions please be sure to leave a comment below.

Sharing...

I really enjoy learning about each of my students: their talents, their learning styles, their hobbies, and even their insights. One of my goals for this year is for every student to make life applications from the subjects that we are studying together. Hence came the idea for my bulletin board: "What this class means to me"...

Parents, if you get a chance to stop in my classroom I know you would enjoy reading some of the comments that were posted. Some descriptions or goals are very general but there are some like this one...

...that are quite insightful. And remember when you read, I did ask for honest opinions.

What you ask for "ye shall receive."

I plan to ask again in a few weeks to see if their perspective has changed once we've been through a few chapters and studied more on our subjects.

So stop in a read a few. I know you'll enjoy!

Already Working...

It was a busy first day back to school today. There was so much to hand out, so many things to go over, all in preparation for another great year of school.

The 9th and 10th U.S. History class were already hard at work reading and taking notes for tomorrow's lesson. We'll be looking at key events that sparked the South to secede from the North and the Civil War to commence.

Great first day, Everyone!

It's That Time of Year Again...

...and we're looking forward to a GREAT year!