The agony of defeat. Well more than that really. Evan's boat fell apart during the race - someone did step on it before the race because he didn't put it in a safe place like I suggested. But he loved his boat.

Students made their own "sail" boats out of recycled materials for fun science . They used about 9 or so 40 minute periods and worked in small groups.

In my class, students had a lot of freedom and ownership of their boats. I gave them guidelines and materials. They could also bring in their own materials. I made sure their design would at least float. It was a great experience although a bit hectic at times managing a class full of second graders pretty much in free mode while building their boats. My two classes ended up winning 8 out of 11 prizes including fastest and most environmentally friendly (the same boat).

It's interesting that some teachers chose a different philosophy and made the boats for the students. Their boats were nicer than ours, of course, but I don't think their students had much fun or took ownership of the boats.

Some winners below. I love teaching.

States of Matter \ States of Mind

What is inside the balloons? Matter? Yes! Molecules? Yes! Gas? Yes!

What's inside my mind? I'm trying to decide what to teach next year. I'll be staying at the same school but I have the choice of teaching the same students in 3rd grade or starting with a new group in the 1st grade. I have taught my current students since 1st grade and know them well. It would be exciting to see them grow and progress in the 3rd grade.

However, I won't teach science in the 3rd grade. Students in the 3rd grade on up are taught by science teachers. I love teaching science to 1st and 2nd graders. I put in a request to teach 1st grade but I still have some time to change my mind. I'm uneasy about my decision though.

Busy

I'm into the third week of the Master's program. Really busy. Lot's of reading, message boarding, journal writing and projects. It's going fine though, just taking up most of my off time.

Last Sunday we did leave the house around 5 am and went stone hunting for a half a day. Nice. I brought the computer and books and got some studying in too. Not only that, we found, or Annie found around 90 stones with the metal in it. That's what we're looking for. About 17 of those were the size of a half-dollar or New Taiwan $10 coin. Nice. I found two. My eyes really haven't tuned into what to look for. Her's have.

I'm still not sure what the metal is in these stones or even know what type of stones they are. Some of the stones in the river also contain iron. Little nodules of iron are rusting through the stone. I'm told the shiny metal could be zinc or bronze.

More research is needed.

Fun Science et el

Our 1st - 3rd grade "Fun Science" projects are to build boats and race them in the swimming pool. The parameters are you should use recycle materials, they must float and catch wind from the fans and most of all students should have fun! (Only one boy was unhappy and had trouble getting along in his group.)

There are two philosophies of boat building going on.
1. Student-built boats assisted by teacher.
2. Teacher-built boats

My classes built their own boats out of mostly recycled materials supplied by me and brought in by them. Their boats are "unique" and look mostly like barges but they do meet the parameters. They were very creative with their designs not missing out on important things like the Hello Kittie view area, the swimming pool, sleeping quarters, drivers and many other amenities... I made sure they float. The design contest is next Tuesday and the boat race is next Wednesday.

et el Really busy with classes these days so less blogs, less golf, less a lot of things. Loving school though. Thanks to my two UH Hilo on-line experiences - science and children's literature - I'm familiar with on line learning.

Masters Program

I've started a Master's program in Education. MaED in ESL. Yikes, back to school. It's a lot of work, of course, and it's only the first week. It will be worth it as the masters should make me a more valuable commodity in the education world both here and in the US. It really is a lot of work. Did I mention that?

It's through Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. The program is 36 units long and only for those with teaching credentials. The course lasts 2 months. I'm starting six units. It's a lot of work. The summer program is 8 weeks long.

I hope to graduate at the end of next year.

My classmates are mostly "older," women and ex-military. Many spent time in Iraq and most have older kids. I only saw one other male name.

Well, time to watch a lecture.

Polishing the Stones and Disaster...

Last Sunday we went to James' factory and worked at polishing the stones that we found during our two outings of rock hunting. The stones need to be polished to bring out the Taiwan jade and the metal. I'm not sure what the metal is but it could be zinc or brass.

After polishing we drill a hole in the stone so it can be worn around your neck.

There is one more step. We need to heat and wax the stone. This is where I made my big mistake. I heated the stone for too long. I put it in the oven for 15 minute and the Taiwan jade turned brown. the metal also dulled. I''m bummed. The stone you see sitting on the cardboard is so much more beautiful now than after I stuck it in the oven.

Apparently, I misunderstood and should have only put it in the oven for a few minutes. We'll polish it again this week and see what happens. Bummer.

Making Yogurt for Darwin

To celebrate Charles Darwin's 200th birthday anniversary the school decided everyone will make yogurt. The students had a great time although only a few of them actually ate it. Some parents tossed it right away because they they were worried about disease. I understand that. But it was still fun.

I ran into one of my students at COSTCO on Saturday. In class he usually speaks very well but in COSTCO he couldn't say anything in English.

This is not the first time that this has happened. I think it's very common in Taiwan. Students only can speak English in school or in a classroom situation. Outside of that something happens and they lose it.

The government recognizes this problem and is building an "English" village. The idea is to loosen student's tongues by immersing them an an English atmosphere.

We went on another day of rock hunting. This time we left home at 5 AM. It's a good time.

We ate breakfast fixed by the lady below. Then we went searching for a place.

This is part of Taiwan I really love, as you can see.

What you don't see is the garbage being tossed into the river - by some of the aboriginal people who live here.

Nice, just like the rest of the world.

This river has few or no fish. It's something about the water being clogged with a dark soil. It is and it's natural. However, I thought the lack of fish could be due to the dam down below. It may have exterminated a salmon or trout like speices. Just a hunch.

Sunday Golf

Yesterday was a "real" golf day. After ride back with Annie from Changhua to Taichung I went golfing with Duncan and his wife Meg.

We only go to golf course about once every two months. Not enough to really improve much. I practice at a driving range about twice a week and South African friend is my coach.

Golfing is a tough game. I do love the experience though and it is one way to get nearer to nature here in Taiwan without needing to drive so far.

I still don't keep a score although I made some nice puts, good approach shots and a couple of nice drives. I pared a couple of holes.







Afterward we ate a late lunch at the Lotus Flower restaurant. Not bad.

Before golfing my wife and I road the scooters home from Changhua. We decided to stop at Mos Burger for breakfast. It's a Japanese chain that is pretty good. Cheers!

Rice is Nice

On my scooter ride home the other Monday morning I noticed how nice the rice looks at this time a year. The color is very GREEN even in the morning haze - yes it is haze - I think. It could be pollution from mainland China but I don't think so.

There is a certain secure feeling about seeing rice like this all over Taiwan. Food. This is really where it comes from, not from the store. It reminds me of when I was a kid and seeing the vast corn fields all over northwestern Ohio. I have more appreciation for it now.