I had a blast in the classroom. A science teacher resigned the day before the Second Semester began ( Monday Jan. 4, 2010). I have not been in the classroom since 1993 and that was as an English Teacher. We began class with Memorare* - the kids are hugely non-Catholic but they seem to like the idea of Christ's Mother watching over our work.
Physics - we considered the Greek Atomists and concentrated on Heraclitus:
" Nothing is Constant, but Change" - the gentleman of Leo took that paradoxical aphorism to interesting levels of discussion with regard to -
1. Icy Hot Sports Balm - Cold Burns; Pain indicates Healing; Forethought ( Prudence)is an empirical process.
2. Falling Bodies - Milton's Satan; Newton's Law - falling bodies drop at the rate of 32' per second & etc.
3. Heraclitus' River Saga - Flux; Coinstantiation -
Environmental Science - The development of the Chicago Sanitary District in 1899 - Cholera; The Stockyards; water locks; flooding
1. Reviewed this weeks Asian Carp gambit by the Sierra Club/State of Michigan v. Illinois
2. Every student wondered how all this snow Chicago Enjoys, more on the way, melting and rain would impact on their homes if the U.S. Supreme Court went goofy and decided to order the Army Corps of Engineers to close the Locks. Universally, - we would flood.
Chemistry - Periodic Table of Elements ( History of its Development) Atom Weight/Atomic Mass - Acids and Bases:
1. Live Lab Hickey's Tea - Reaction: Howls of Derisive laughter - "Hickey, OG, that's nasty!!!"
2. Conclusion: cream and lemon is a bad idea Acids and Bases require greater scrutiny by chemistry neophytes in the instructor's Chair.
3. Bacon goes nicely with Tea - Roger Bacon, OFM (c. 1214–1294), - Doctor Mirabilis Grand Daddy of Scientific Method and Gun Powder.
I left the House at 5:30 A.M. and arrived here at Leo by 6:10 taking Western Ave ( which was magnificently treated by the Snow Plow Teams. Well Done. Racine Ave. is tough to drive due to the buses at 86Th Street. 79th Street - like Western Ave. is well maintained. Outstanding work by the 19th, 18th and 17th Ward Streets and Sanitation heroes!!!!
Classes are rightfully cancelled.
This weather reminds me of 1967. I predict that we may see drifts creating pyramids from garages and kids pulling sleds full of bread and milk.
The young men of Leo High School are magnificent! Challenging, funny, respectful, patient and tough, these young men were saddled with 57 year old south side Irish dinosaur and performed and learned something this week. Make no mistake, there were moments - a few mind you - when they well less than attentive. Hell, I would have been right with the more profound knuckleheads in my classes. Nevertheless, (and that was a word that cracked them up when I applied it to a suggestion that we not do work) we did a lot of learning in the last three day. I am giving my Physics section a Blue Book Essay Exam, upon their return to classes. My guess is Snow Day tomorrow.
These young men come from the Chicago Shooting Galleries of Roseland, Englewood, Chatham, Brainerd, Morgan Park, Auburn/Gresham and several gentleman from the West Side. They worry about staying alive - In Fact, I am safer than these kids. God Bless and Keep you in His Care, Gents! My morning Memorare always has you Gents in mind.
I enjoyed myself thoroughly.
*
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
