Thursday September 8th

We've had another student join our class. We've had 3 new students this week. A drop-out who has dropped back in. A student who has relocated from New Orleans. And today our newest student was a transfer student from a nearby area. Our class size is about 30 students now.

Today in class we did two major science experiments.

In the first experiment the students used devices called "RANGER" that use sound waves to determine distance, like a bat would (or a dolphin under the water - sonar). They had to move to produce a time/distance graph, by measure their distance from a wall.

It was the first time they used the equipment, so a new and confusing experience.

On Tuesday and Thursday we meet for 95 minutes. So we had a second major activity.
We collected data for future use. This time we used wooden cars and ramps with electronic photogates (light beam switches/sensors). We timed the car over 3 distances, three times at every distance. This activity we had enough equipment to allow one at every table. When we learn how to calculate speed and acceleration, we'll be able to use the data we collected.

Classroom Photos

As a science class, the students usually learn best when doing lab actvities or experiments. Here are some photos from the first three weeks of class.

Learning about physical properties by polymerizing elmers glue with a borax solution

Students using individual remotes to answers questions, part of the Classroom Performance System from E-instruction

Welcome to Mr. Moses IPC class at Lee High School

Without going into major details, I am participating is a special program as a teacher and this year I only have one class, as opposed to the normal 5-8, depending where the teacher works. Our class is located at Lee High School, in Houston, TX. We are a first period IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) Science class. We meet first period, Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday. The majority of the students are freshman (first year high school).

My class and I have decided to participate this year with the Relief International - Schools On Line program. We will be having a sister school(s) in Tajikistan that we'll be doing coordinated projects with. Our students will do something that theirs will do something similar, we both put our "results" online and then everyone can see.

I feel confident that my students will all get something out of this opportunity, as I definitely will.