Opinion as Fact

So, I read this in the article about the Space Shuttle landing at Edwards Air Force Base, about 30 miles from Lancaster. Specifically, it was talking about the repairs the crew did on the Hubble Space Telescope:

...The replacement camera and other new instruments will enable Hubble to peer deeper into the universe, to within 500 million to 600 million years of creation....

I wish people wouldn't use these types of statements when talking about the universe. they make it sound like it is a fact, when there is NO PROOF that the earth is billions of years old, just like there is no PROOF that the world is only about 6000 years old, as I believe.

Students and Turning in Assignments

So, just today, I have had more than 5 students try to turn in work that was due over 3 weeks ago, mostly because their grades are in the toilet.

Why is it that with 2 classes left, students suddenly become concerned with their grades?
Why is it that when they actually have a chance to do something about their grades, they do not, but are willing to go an extra kilometer when there is almost nothing that can be done?

These are days that I don't like being a teacher.

The Metric System

I think I might have said something about this before, but it never ceases to amaze me how poorly my students do using the metric system. Today's assignment includes some "Unit Conversion" from grams to kilograms and from cubic centimeters to cubic meters. They are clueless.

Also, they tend to struggle in general with what I call the concept of the mole. They cannot go back and forth between mass in grams and moles. (Truthfully, I think they forget that mass is grams and thus can't figure out what to do.)

As much as I love Chemistry, youwould think at least a FEW of them would find it interesting and actually learn it, right!? Right? No?? Okay.... whatever....

Easter

Today was the day that we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrificial death on the cross, followed by the supernatural raising from the dead is the cornerstone of our Evangelical Christian faith. I praise God for sending His son to atone for my sins. I pray that I am an example to others and able to witness to anyone that I can.

It was also the final round of the Masters Golf tournament. My favorite Professional Golfer, Kenny Perry, was in contention all day. In fact, he was in control of the tourney until the last 2 holes. He hit a terrible chip shot on 17, and hit a bad second shot on 18 to finish bogey-bogey and allow for a playoff. In the playoff, he hit an amazing chip shot to make par, but on the second hole, missed the green with his approach and missed his par putt. Angel Cabrera made his par and become the 2009 Masters Champion.

Kenny Perry is one of my favorites because he makes his home right around the corner (figuratively) from my Mom and Dad. My parents are in Gallatin, TN and Perry is from Franklin, KY, just across the stateline. Its about a 25 minute drive to his course, Kenny Perry's Country Creek. A relatively straight forward golf course, but a lot of fun. I am looking forward to the next time I visit them to play KPCC again, and maybe run into Mr. Perry himself.

Preparing for STAR Testing

Next week is our Calfornia Standardized Testing week. So, my students are being asked to review for the test by looking at past years questions. Most don't give a rip and are talking instead of going over the questions, even though it is an assignment. I also have heard them say that they don't want to try to do well, because they don't care. Once again, high stakes tests that has ZERO accountability on the Students will not be a good indicator on how much they have learned.

Socialism is on the Way

Yeah, this isn't socialist at all...

Government is not about controlling what people make. It is about governance. Wow.

What a Week

So, my wife went to Illinois for my spring break. What a week it was. I already appreciated what my wife goes thru to be a stay at home mom, but after being the stay at home dad for a week, it means that much more to me that she is willing to do such hard work.

Other stuff:
* I didn't always believe Tiger Woods is the greatest ever, but with today's round, I am convinced he will pass every one of the all time records.
* As a teacher, I feel that students should exercise common sense when it comes to "Public Displays of Affection", but to completely ban ALL human contact is ridiculous.
* I realize the president has a lot of influence, but this is beyond belief.
* These people are alarmists that need to look at the science, not the politics of global warming.

I want to play golf every day next week. But alas, we are not made of money, and I have a big project for my masters degree due on Saturday. Until then...