Last week you learned about Democritus and the Atom. Post a comment below explaining why Democritus is important to the history of atoms. What did he argue? What word did he come up with? If you are not sure about the answers to these questions read the paragraph on pg. 176 in your textbook where Democritus is listed.
Mr. Wood
This week you’ve learned about the parts of the atom. Post a comment below describing the three parts of an atom. Make sure you tell me the charge of each part and where in the atom you would find this part. Remember to use only your first name and an email address (use mine joe.wood@sanjuan.edu).
Mr. Wood
Photo: Atom Basic by Lypo
When you read through Chapter 1, Lesson 2 yesterday during 4th period you should have noticed that there are three different types of speed mentioned. Post a comment below explaining the difference between average speed, instantaneous speed, and constant speed. As I commute from Salk to my house in West Sacramento on the freeway, explain to me where I might see each of these or when they might occur.
In other words…
When you post a comment, remember to use only your first name. If you don’t have an email address use mine: joe.wood@sanjuan.edu
Mr. Wood
Photo: From a Speeding Car by B Tal
In a little less than a month your parents will be heading off to the polls to vote for President of the United States. This week YOU have the opportunity and responsibility for picking Salk’s student council members. Make sure you register to vote today or tomorrow at lunch. Voting occurs on Wednesday at lunch. As an extra incentive, every person who registers and votes earns points for his or her Spirit Class (5th Period). My 5th period wants get the spirit stick for the month of October, so I know they will be there in force! 
Mr. Wood
If you are in one of my semester science classes, then you know we’re wrapping up the states of matter this week. I love the posted picture because it shows all of the states commonly found on Earth in one quick shot. Post comment below and let us know one thing you learned during this unit.
Mr. Wood
Photo: Washington State Ferry – Enjoy the Ride by WoodleyWonderWorks on Flickr.
I talked about the races in class today and I know a few of you wanted to watch my movie at home. Here it is. I can’t claim its my best work, but its not too shabby considering I made it in the back of the car on the way home last night.
Mr. Wood
Believe it or not, we are half way through the 1st Quarter of this school year! That means progress reports are in the mail. Make sure you are checking your grades online on a regular basis. I post them on your class Moodle page once a week, usually on Fridays. If you see any blank scores that means you were absent the day we turned that in and I am waiting for your make up work. Any “no” scores means you did not turn that assignment in to me. No’s are worth zero points and hurt you overall grade really, really, really, really, really bad! Get your worked turned in and your scores will skyrocket!
Any questions? See me ASAP!
Mr. Wood
Photo: Bekah’s Report Card on Flickr.
They arrived! They arrived! They arrived!
Yesterday morning each of you got a beautiful Macbook laptop. Do you know how lucky you are? My students from last year are so jealous. They had to share a laptop with one other person and could only use it in science and social studies! A few of them have emailed to share with me how much they wish they were Salk students. I don’t blame them. I feel lucky just to teach here!
This week we’ll be spending most of our time getting familiar with the computer and some of the technology we’re using in class. Yesterday, everyone should have enrolled in the correct Moodle course, checked their grade, and taken an online technology survey. Today and tomorrow, we’re focusing on blogging – one of my favorite tools. By the end of the week you’ll hopefully have two posts, an introduction and a MythBusters review. You will also be subscribed to other student’s blogs and learn how to leave comments. I can hardly wait!
Mr. Wood
Welcome to the Salk Scientists blog!
Throughout the school year this will be your place to find out what is happening in Mr. Wood’s class. I will post assignment information, weekly summaries, and grade updates on this very web page. In the future, this blog will also provide opportunities for students to post their thoughts and ideas on topics related to our class and the world at large. Blogging is a conversation, so I look forward to reading your comments, thoughts, and ideas. I also look forward to seeing student work appearing on these digital pages as well as your own. In a few weeks you will be setting up your own blog to use in this class, as well as a few others.
Once nice thing about technology is that you can make it work for you. Do you want to be notified when a message has been posted? Add this blog to your Bloglines or Google Reader page on your home computer and you will be notified whenever the blog has been updated. At school once your Macbooks are up and running you will be able to subscribe to Salk Scientists with Vienna, a piece of software which we are preinstalling. Don’t be afraid to use Technorati, Bloglines Search, or Google Blog Search to find more blogs of interest to you and add them to your aggregator.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Mr. Wood
