Famous Quote from Theodore Roosevelt

There have been times where trying something new or coming up with a different plan or sailing on unmarked waters (whatever it might be) was just not the popular thing to do. I have learned that each time I've stepped forward, sometimes with fear, I'm a better person because I choose to dive-in in that direction.

The following quote is made by our past President Theodore Roosevelt, a boxing analogy:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is not effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat."

Measuring

This project took place in the school year 2001-2002. After returning from NASA, I did several scientific projects with my students. These students are now in their freshman year in college. As a teacher, I am so very proud of their accomplishments! I am sharing with you a little bit of what took place on that super day.

Crater Mania Project 

This is the surface of the moon.

Students working on measuring the width and depth in centimeters of different size of craters.

The height to which the meteorite will fall.  Students try at different heights and speeds to drop the meteorite.

The top of the surface was green to see how the impact of the meteorite forms the rays.

Students wrote the length, diameter, and height of the impact of the meteorite after it hit the surface.  One of these students is currently studying to be an Engineer

Students discuss the process and results.

Students learn how craters are formed and use math skills to discover the process.

One of these students was the top 10% of her high school graduating class of 2009! 

Reflection:  What would I do different if I taught this lesson again? 

I would show a short power point presentation of the actual moon and its many craters.  If time allowed,  I would let each group share their results with the entire class.

New English Language Learner Math Students

Your ELL math students are doing awesome! But happens when you are blessed with a new ELL student who enrolls in the middle of the school year? He or she is a non-English speaker and is not on-level academically.

1. Assess their English Language Skills
2. Assess their English and Spanish Reading Skills
3. Assess their Math Skills
4. Assign both a boy and girl buddy/peer system to assist them in daily school routines
5. Apply the 15/30 small group or one-on-one intervention strategy. Teacher teaches students in a small or one-on-one setting in the area most needed: Monday: 15 min., Tuesday: 30 min., Wednesday: 15 min., Thursday: 30 min., Friday: 15 min.
6. Prepare and send a Take-Home Folder to practice specific math skills
7. Monitor as student and buddy peer system go over short and specific math skills. (10 minutes)
8. Teacher communicates progress with parents once a week.

You will begin to see the student flourish because of the support provided by you, the teacher, peers, and parents.