Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy
Jersey City, New Jersey
Travel Day to New Jersey!
Well, this seems to be the normal time for my travels. This clock at my house shows a.m. That's when I got up and drove Dimas to my parent's house and then off to the Waterloo Regional Airport!
The airport was pretty empty around 6:00am, but it soon filled up and we boarded the plane. This picture was taken from inside the plane, but do you see the far building in the background? You and the 4th graders will be visiting there next MAY! |
The flight to Chicago was short. It only took 40 minutes to fly there! Find Chicago on the map and figure out where I likely was 20 minutes into my flight. In Chicago, I had to switch planes and walk a little ways, but not too far. Here's the board you have to look at to see which gate you need to get to. |
I met up with some other MEMTA (Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy) members. They flew in from other states. We flew to Newark, New Jersey and waited for our van to take us to the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Hudson. I got there and settled in at about 2:00pm. Here are a few views from my room. Yes, when you look straight down, you see water! |
Here it is on the outside. It's so cool! Can you see the Hudson River? I had about a half hour to spare, so I walked around the boardwalk.
I met Kevin, a fourth grade teacher from Wisconsin, and he had never been to New York City before, so I offered to take him there before our 5:00 registration. We took this water taxi across the river. It costs the same as a subway ride.
We went to the 9/11 Memorial pools and saw the Survivor Tree.
We also walked to Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty from a distance and then began back to the water taxi. On the way, we ran into the Wall Street Bull.
We also walked to Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty from a distance and then began back to the water taxi. On the way, we ran into the Wall Street Bull.
At 6:00pm, we had a welcome party. We ate food and learned about the other teachers in the academy. At 7:00pm, we had our official welcome banquet. We met some people who are very important in the science and math fields. We were also put into table number groups and given a challenge to do some building AFTER we ate supper (which was incredible, by the way!).
When the assembly got over at 8:30, I wanted to take a walk around the hotel. Here's what I saw. Can't wait until tomorrow. It's going to be awesome! We will be learning all day at the Liberty Science Center!
Time to head for bed! Thanks for reading along!
Day 1 Complete (ly Amazing!)
I already wish every elementary teacher could experience this! I feel so lucky and fortunate to have been chosen for the opportunity. I'm meeting great teachers from all over the country, getting super ideas, listening and learning from the best speakers and teachers who present to us, and just plain GETTING EXCITED to come back to Aplington to teach some great science and math! Here's how my day started out. I got up at about 6:00am and headed out of the hotel by about 6:35am. I had all of my materials I was so generously given yesterday including a notebook, goggles, key drive, poncho, and binder. We had to follow the line of MEMTA (Mickelson ExxonMobile Teacher Academy) staff to the light rail train and learn how to get on. The train runs on tracks on the streets with electrical wires hanging above the entire track. We had to put our tickets through a machine that stamped them with the date and time. We rode this train about 5 minutes or so and had help figuring out where to walk the extra block to the Liberty Science Center. |
The first thing we did was eat breakfast! Did I mention Mr. Sammons loves his food?
Next, we had some speakers explaining to us why we were chosen for this academy and what they hope we do with the information we learn. Our speaker was from the ExxonMobil corporation which partially sponsors this academy. Did you know they chose third through fifth grade teachers to attend because that is the time kids get most interested in learning about math and science?
My favorite quote for morning was, "Our hope is to inspire you, so you can be a catalyst (way to make) change!" - Jeff Morrison
After we met for the talk, we broke up into 10 different color groups. Mine is the purple group. I'll work with them during our classes. I'm also known as "table 4," which means I'll eat dinners and suppers with those folks. During our first color group, we not only DID an experiment, but we learned how to make kids think hard about why and how the experiment happens. We learned how to make them wonder more about it.
The experiment was called "Egg Drop." I'm not going to tell you too much more, except that we did two other activities that built up to this:
My favorite quote for morning was, "Our hope is to inspire you, so you can be a catalyst (way to make) change!" - Jeff Morrison
After we met for the talk, we broke up into 10 different color groups. Mine is the purple group. I'll work with them during our classes. I'm also known as "table 4," which means I'll eat dinners and suppers with those folks. During our first color group, we not only DID an experiment, but we learned how to make kids think hard about why and how the experiment happens. We learned how to make them wonder more about it.
The experiment was called "Egg Drop." I'm not going to tell you too much more, except that we did two other activities that built up to this:
We took a break and were treated to pop and snacks including fruit, yogurt, granola, and desserts.
After our break, we did an activity called "What's Typical?" It was about how we use results from tests (and other numbers) and how to show them to others so they make sense and are correct. My new friend and I created a pictograph. Do you remember those? I learned so much more about different types of graphs and how to use them.
After our break, we did an activity called "What's Typical?" It was about how we use results from tests (and other numbers) and how to show them to others so they make sense and are correct. My new friend and I created a pictograph. Do you remember those? I learned so much more about different types of graphs and how to use them.
After lunch, we went to listen to Cathy Seeley, who has written books about math and used to teach at the University of Texas. She was so inspiring. One of the most important things I left her talk with was when she expressed how important it was to keep high expectations for all students. She was great! Next, was our final group session called "Four Points." It was all kinds of serious learning, IN A GAME! I can't wait to play it with you all when we learn about ordered pairs! We took the light rail train back to the hotel and I rested for a few minutes! |
I helped guide 7 of my new friends over to Manhattan to go to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. They were as touched as I was when I first saw it!
After returning to Jersey City through the PATH train (subway that goes under the Hudson River) we spent some time walking around. I got back to the room at about 10:00pm and have been working since (including some homework)!
We have 5 group learning activities tomorrow. I can't wait! See you all tomorrow!
Day 2 "Brain Challenge" Complete!
So, I'm always telling third graders to challenge themselves. Do what you can do, and then do it better. There's always room to grow as learners. Well, today I had to tell myself to do what I could, and then I did some more. I'm so excited to be bringing lessons learned from some of the best in the United States! How can you challenge yourself today? I should have known today was going to be special. Check out what I noticed as I left the hotel room this morning. I can't help but keep staring. It's so amazing! |
Today, we did 5 activities that will help us be better math and science teachers. It was good, challenging work. The first one was called Walking Directions. We worked on it some yesterday. We had to chart and graph someone walking down a tape measure at a certain pace. We compared different distances and times. We made charts, compared them, and made predictions. I can make a lot of charts to show data! |
We then moved on to Gravity on a Roll where we studied science words like inertia and acceleration. Fancy, huh? Don't worry, you'll be hearing about them soon! We used small race car tracks and marbles. We took data, made graphs, compared our results, and made predictions. This is a picture of me working with my group, and then my group pretending to still be doing our experiment as I took their picture. What good sports!
Our next lesson was on using notebooks in class. Not just ANY notebook, but a notebook where you can share what you are learning or maybe even results from an experiment. I'd like to start some science notebooks this year. Maybe I'll add another one the year after? Since I am a food lover. You all know that. I had to show you lunch. |
I ate quickly so I could have some time in the Liberty Science Center. Take a look at some of the amazing finds I had.
Our next activity was about reminding us how children learn best. We remembered learning something that was non-school related and what was it like. I remembered learning to build forts in with scrap materials at home in the woods when I was a little boy. I was very creative with them. The environment was safe, positive, helpful, allowed to be creative, and made me think. Kind of sounds like a classroom right? EXACTLY!
Our final activity for the day focused on forces and motion! We are doing these in science this year. The teachers even gave us a couple books with great science lessons in them. I really don't know how I'm going to get all of this great stuff they are giving me on the airplane. I'll figure it out. We used Whackers to hit golf balls and ping pong balls. We studied how fast they moved and tried to make changes in the acceleration (look that word up). We had to be creative, but we all came to the understanding that the more mass (space it takes up and what it's made of) it has, the less acceleration it will have. Here are some group members trying it out! |
After our final activity, I hopped on the light rail and headed back to the hotel. I called up a friend of mine, Jim, who lives in Jersey City. I walked along the Boardwalk and met him, and then we walked through Hoboken and ate some supper. Jim is a nice guy and is fun to talk to because he has a lot of interesting stories to share about living in the area. I walked back to the hotel at about 9:15pm and then ate my most favorite New York City dessert. Do you know what it is? CHEESECAKE… STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE to be exact! Can you believe standing in front of the famous Carlos Bake Shop (from the TLC show Cake Boss) I ran into another MEMTA fellow? |
Tomorrow, we have a shorter day, and I plan on taking a group of friends into Manhattan and showing them around! Guess what? We may even try to meet with Hayley! Yeah! She has rehearsal, but is going to try to see us afterward!
Thanks for reading the blog, third graders! Check back tomorrow!
Oh, I forgot one more thing. Right before I came into the hotel, I took this:
Thanks for reading the blog, third graders! Check back tomorrow!
Oh, I forgot one more thing. Right before I came into the hotel, I took this:
Short Day 3
Wednesday is the short day here at MEMTA Jersey City 2014. We arrived at the center, had breakfast, and then headed to our "color" groups. Do you remember which color group I am?
We first did an activity called Measurement Menu. Menu simply means every student (me!) is handed a sheet of activities listed like a menu, and we get to choose which ones we do. We did some super hard challenges! So many of the challenges involved questions, that when presented, it seemed obvious and needed no more thought. Soon, we found out we had fallen for the trick! Here's an example: If the pizza place doubles the size of the pizza pan, do they double the price? We ALWAYS make predictions, experiment with ways to solve the problems, collect data, and decide if it matched our predictions. The original pizza is in the center of the graph paper. What do you think? We also practiced drawing tricky shapes on isometric dot paper! |
After that, we met with a member of the National Science Teacher Association. He showed us all of the free resources we can use from their website. Would you believe if I downloaded everything that costs money, I'd have to spend over $10,000? Well, for the next year, it's FREE! What a very nice thing for them to do!
Our final activity was called Thirds a Charm. It involved using Newton's laws of force. For example, if you are in a chair with rolling wheels and I stand behind you and push, what would happen? That's an example of a science law discovered by a man named Newton. I can't wait to let you discover all three laws yourself!
We did an experiment that involved putting a material in a small bottle and capping it. The bottle explodes and shoots it across the room! We discovered the science behind it.
Oh, and ALWAYS wear your safety goggles! We have a video of one experiment exploding, but I can't post it here… too bad. I'll have to share it with you in class!
Our final activity was called Thirds a Charm. It involved using Newton's laws of force. For example, if you are in a chair with rolling wheels and I stand behind you and push, what would happen? That's an example of a science law discovered by a man named Newton. I can't wait to let you discover all three laws yourself!
We did an experiment that involved putting a material in a small bottle and capping it. The bottle explodes and shoots it across the room! We discovered the science behind it.
Oh, and ALWAYS wear your safety goggles! We have a video of one experiment exploding, but I can't post it here… too bad. I'll have to share it with you in class!
After class, I went with a group of friends to travel all over Manhattan. We went to Central Park, FAO Schwarz toy store, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Schmackary's cookies, Bryant Park, and even did some souvenir shopping. We even got squished in the subway! Our highlight was meeting up with Hayley! Be sure to see all 8 photos below!
Day 4 Final FULL Day
Wow, I can't believe it's all coming to an end. We've got only a half day tomorrow and then it's off to the airport to fly home. I'm anxious to get started in making some big changes in the third grade science and math!
Today, we started with a lesson called Origami Box. We actually had to make several different sized origami boxes. The paper was pre-cut to exact sizes. After we made them, we had to do some estimation on how many lima beans would fit in each one. We looked for patterns in the box sizes, made estimations, counted, made estimations again, and graphed our results! It was really interesting.
Today, we started with a lesson called Origami Box. We actually had to make several different sized origami boxes. The paper was pre-cut to exact sizes. After we made them, we had to do some estimation on how many lima beans would fit in each one. We looked for patterns in the box sizes, made estimations, counted, made estimations again, and graphed our results! It was really interesting.
After that session, we went to a whole group session with a person who was one of the writers of the Next Generation Science Standards. Those are lists of ideas of science for schools to teach. I learned a lot about the standards and am anxious to get back to the classroom.
During lunch, ExxonMobil drove up several scientists and engineers from their company to sit and have lunch with us so we could ask them questions. They also brought their robot which was walking around the room talking to everyone. The robot was controlled by another employee 50 miles away!
During lunch, ExxonMobil drove up several scientists and engineers from their company to sit and have lunch with us so we could ask them questions. They also brought their robot which was walking around the room talking to everyone. The robot was controlled by another employee 50 miles away!
After lunch (no picture, sorry), we had another lesson on pendulums. Pendulums are the things that hang down and swing freely, like swings. We studied how many times pendulums swing in 30 seconds. We changed all different kinds of things about the pendulum and studied the results again. We graphed the results, and they blew us away. We were all so surprised. We then had to create a pendulum that had an EXACT number of swings in 30 seconds. Everyone got a different number of swings. We also decorated them and created a short commercial trying to sell them. |
After lunch, we had a speaker come and talk to us about motivating students and being proud of being a teacher. His name was Dr. Calvin Mackey. He grew up not believing he could ever go to college and now has a doctorate degree from a college! He created a company that integrates science and math education. He was very inspirational and made me feel good about my future teaching children… like you! |
After Dr. Mackey, I went to the gift shop to find a few things for the classroom. The academy gave us all $10 gift cards and 7 or 8 teacher books! They are always handing things to us to use in the classroom because research shows that by 5th grade kids who are turned off to science and math do not ever get into the field. So, the focus of the academy is to better teaching at these levels.
A short time later, we had an amazing supper as part of our closing banquet. We recognized our wonderful teachers throughout the week and met many folks from the National Science Teachers Association, Math Solutions, and ExxonMobil who support this program. Many of them hold very, very important jobs at their companies. Every speaker emphasized that their companies were "Investing a lot of money for the future… and the future starts here," meaning that they support providing teachers with experiences like this.
A short time later, we had an amazing supper as part of our closing banquet. We recognized our wonderful teachers throughout the week and met many folks from the National Science Teachers Association, Math Solutions, and ExxonMobil who support this program. Many of them hold very, very important jobs at their companies. Every speaker emphasized that their companies were "Investing a lot of money for the future… and the future starts here," meaning that they support providing teachers with experiences like this.
Even after listening to the many amazing speakers, I just have to tell you that the highlight of the night for me was meeting astronaut Barbara Morgan! She shared a digital presentation of her experiences being an astronaut, including a trip to the International Space Station! She thanked the teachers for doing the job they do, and said what important work it was. |
During the after party, I had this picture taken of some friends I made throughout the week. So many neat and inspiring folks here!
I have never felt so appreciated being a teacher as I have this week with the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy. They truly treated us like kings and queens during our entire stay!
Until tomorrow! Hope you're loving the blog as much as I am!
Until tomorrow! Hope you're loving the blog as much as I am!
Day 5 Time for Goodbyes
Well, the final day of the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy (MEMTA) is here. It's a bittersweet day because I have so enjoyed learning so much that I wish I could stay longer, but I also am ready to come home and get started using what I've learned!
I had to take just one more look out of the beautiful Hyatt Regency on the Hudson River. It's such an amazing location and the staff was absolutely wonderful!
I had to take just one more look out of the beautiful Hyatt Regency on the Hudson River. It's such an amazing location and the staff was absolutely wonderful!
Our first session was called Iron Scientists, Mathematicians, and Engineers We did a lot of studying about how kids learn best when they learn to create their own science problems to solve. Instead of a traditional science fair where kids pick from a stack of science experiments, it's really best to let them think of a problem in the real world they would like to solve. So, we got to try it out!
My group decided that we wanted to discover how long it would take different liquids put in a small container with Alka-Seltzer to explode! We tried many liquids including water, skim milk, Dr. Pepper, tea, coffee, decaf coffee, half and half, and Coke. We had to make a prediction, take our data, create a chart, and come up with results. We then had to present our scientific findings to the group a few members at a time.
My group decided that we wanted to discover how long it would take different liquids put in a small container with Alka-Seltzer to explode! We tried many liquids including water, skim milk, Dr. Pepper, tea, coffee, decaf coffee, half and half, and Coke. We had to make a prediction, take our data, create a chart, and come up with results. We then had to present our scientific findings to the group a few members at a time.
After that session, we had an hour to work on a lesson plan we were to bring to the academy. We took that lesson plan and transformed it into a much better lesson with all of the tools we had learned the entire week! My lesson was on camouflage. I can't wait to have you experience it during our animals unit.
Next was lunch where we all got to spend our final meal together. There were lots of pictures and exchanging of phone numbers. We were excited to be heading to our final group meeting.
We went to the theatre of the Liberty Science Center. There were speeches from several different staff members and finally from pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy. They both spoke so kindly of teachers and all of the hard work they do. They told stories of the importance of science and math to their own children and family. They shared the reasons why they got involved in the creation of the academy and thanked the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association), Math Solutions, and ExxonMobil who have all supported the program in its anniversary 10th year! Most importantly they spoke of the intention of this academy. They wanted to have teachers leave the academy equipped, inspired, and feeling a little spoiled. They told us the future of science and math education was in our hands and it was up to us. We were now Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy ambassadors and we needed to spread the word because every child deserves to have a teacher with this experience. Both Phil and Amy spoke so kindly of teachers and showed a passion for learning you don't get to see very often.
We went to the theatre of the Liberty Science Center. There were speeches from several different staff members and finally from pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy. They both spoke so kindly of teachers and all of the hard work they do. They told stories of the importance of science and math to their own children and family. They shared the reasons why they got involved in the creation of the academy and thanked the NSTA (National Science Teachers Association), Math Solutions, and ExxonMobil who have all supported the program in its anniversary 10th year! Most importantly they spoke of the intention of this academy. They wanted to have teachers leave the academy equipped, inspired, and feeling a little spoiled. They told us the future of science and math education was in our hands and it was up to us. We were now Mickelson ExxonMobil Teacher Academy ambassadors and we needed to spread the word because every child deserves to have a teacher with this experience. Both Phil and Amy spoke so kindly of teachers and showed a passion for learning you don't get to see very often.
At 2:15, we all walked to the great front steps of the Liberty Science Center. We stood posed and Phil and Amy took their spots part way up. A photographer showed up to take a great big group photo. Immediately after the photo, we were given directions to head for the bus to take us to the airport. I went that way as a few others stayed behind to get some extra photos with Phil and Amy. I would have stayed, but didn't want to hold up the bus (or get left)! You can see my super quick selfie as we waited for everyone to get settled on the steps.
We were bussed to the airport and after a little confusion about which bus our bags were located on and the outside ticket agents not being able to get our tickets printed, we FINALLY made it through to security. There, they scan everything you are bringing on the airplane and scan your body to keep everyone safe. It's very easy. Have any of you had to do that?
This is my last blog for the MEMTA week. I can't say enough how so very special they made me feel during this week. They really made me feel like the teaching profession I belong to is one of the most important in the world! I'm inspired. I'm ready to share the knowledge from all of free books and thousands of dollars of online resources I now have access to. I'm ready to be challenged and to challenge all of your third grade minds reach your highest potential.
So, from Mr.Sammons to MEMTA and the nation's best teaching faculty of science and math, I want to say thank you for helping me grow and change. To my new science and math fellow teaching friends from all around the country, I want to say we'll be chatting soon! To the future third graders of Aplington Elementary, I want to say buckle your seat belts, THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE CRAZY RIDE!
Thanks for following our blog!
Sincerely,
Mr. Sammons
This is my last blog for the MEMTA week. I can't say enough how so very special they made me feel during this week. They really made me feel like the teaching profession I belong to is one of the most important in the world! I'm inspired. I'm ready to share the knowledge from all of free books and thousands of dollars of online resources I now have access to. I'm ready to be challenged and to challenge all of your third grade minds reach your highest potential.
So, from Mr.Sammons to MEMTA and the nation's best teaching faculty of science and math, I want to say thank you for helping me grow and change. To my new science and math fellow teaching friends from all around the country, I want to say we'll be chatting soon! To the future third graders of Aplington Elementary, I want to say buckle your seat belts, THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE CRAZY RIDE!
Thanks for following our blog!
Sincerely,
Mr. Sammons