TED is not a guy

Here is a video I want to share with you 
This came on PBS on May 7th. Talks about education by the big thinkers in education. Please give it 55 minutes and you will not be sorry.
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Watch TED Talks Education on PBS. See more from TED Talks Education.

The Cambridge Code

Programming and Presenting

In technology, our students are learning to code. This means that they are learning to speak the language that computers speak. Most school do not teach this skill and, as a result, are under-serving our students. They will be able to design and write their own computer programs and apps. 

Unfortunately, there is not enough class or homework time to give them the practice they need to become proficient. That's why I've put a bounty on practicing code.  The students have a code academy account. I am giving extra credit for every point they get for completing lessons. This site is an easy and accessible way of teaching them how to program (or "code" as the kids say nowadays.) I encourage you to help them set aside time to practice on this web site. I encourage you to learn. You are not too old or too dumb. This is a very valuable skill in the workplace. See the video below this post. 

The Dialectic classes have been learning how to create Prezis.
This is next generation presentation software that will make the conventional slide show obsolete. This is an outstanding way of presenting ideas and and making a great impression. See what your children have done. Just start the presentation and navigate using the arrows at the bottom of the window.

Trinity Thomas

Kamaal Power

Isaac Stinnette

Micah Payne


Below is a video that articulates why teaching code is so important in school.

Sun and Sea

Sunshine in a Bottle

For Earth Week, we made ethanol. It was easy and fun. A little sugar, water, and yeast and we had ethanol alcohol. This is the fuel of the future.
"Smells like red wine," one student observed.
We filtered it and bottled it. (It is not for sale, so don't ask). It was not combustible or even flammable so it would not make a good fuel. Our next step is to try different mixtures to see if we can create something more volatile. This falls in line with our studies about chemical reactions, mixtures, and pure substances.
You can try it at home. Just remember: Safety First!

The sixth graders are learning about the sea. I would love to tell you what they have been doing in class but my students have been learning how to program their own interactive lesson and I would like them to show you themselves. Here is a sample of their work.

Amar Power



Joli Papillon



Josiah Malcolm


Joli Papillon

Kennedy Springfield