McGurr's Musings

David Gallo shows underwater astonishments | Video on TED.com

2010-03-30T11:30:00.000-04:00

The first part of the video shows bioluminescent cnidarians, ctenophorans and fish, while the last part show the ability of cephalopods to camouflage themselves by changing not only th e color of their skin but the texture!
David Gallo shows underwater astonishments | Video on TED.com

New Beginnings

2009-11-02T09:46:00.002-05:00

The start of the new terms brings changes in my job description. Beginning last week themajority of my time will be spent as the Science coach here at First Coast High.

I'm excited about the prospects of supporting my colleagues as we struggle to move our school from it's position at the bottom of the grading scale, but I'm also a little saddened that I won't be teaching much. At least I'll still be teaching the one Marine Science class.

Welcome Back!

2009-08-29T07:57:00.004-04:00

Another year has begun and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to teach Marine Science this year. Though I haven't yet taught the course, I feel that my life (as a benthic marine invertebrate ecologist) before teaching has provided me with the knowledge and skills to do so. I can't wait to teach you all about the Wild and Wacky World of Worms! Check out this article on the newly discovered Green Bombers. And check out this photo essay depicting many of the fascinating critters that were a huge part of my life in Hawaii.

Though my classes are bigger than I'm used to, I seem to have a great group of kids this year and I truly hope that my excitement for science will be catching.

On a lighter note...

2009-05-30T13:42:00.002-04:00

Since my last post I've had opportunity to participate in the First Coast Awards ceremony. On this nigth we celebrated all of the successes at First Coast; scholarships, honor roll, perfect attendance, and all around student acheivement. It has helped me to remember what I love about being a teacher and I want to thank all of those students who make it worth while. You know who you are!

Seriously?

2009-05-28T09:55:00.004-04:00

As the year wraps up I sit in my empty room (1st period consisted of all seniors) and reflect on the past year...let me rephrase...in between frantic knocks at my door and phone calls from parents I reflect on the past year.

In light of those frantic knocks and phone calls what I recall is all those lost opportunities. How many times did I stay after school to help you succeed? In case you forgot, it was every Monday and Tuesday since August). How many times did you take me up on the offer to retake a quiz or an exam to better your grade? And how many times did you turn your homework in on time so that I could assess whether or not you got it. Because that's my goal. To get you to get it.

I'm not a heartless person, (see how many chances you had to get help?) but really, I've already bent over backwards to help you succeed. What, exactly, have you done to ensure that you walk across that stage on June 1st? I wish you would think about this before you beg me to change your low F to a C. Seriously.

Aloha 3rd Nine Weeks

2009-03-19T09:53:00.000-04:00

As the term is coming to an end, students are turning in the projects that they've been working at diligently for the past two months.

The Environmental Science classes will be teaching us about all of the different sources of energy.
The Zoology classes are compiling a survey of the Invertebrate phyla.
The AP Environmental Science class will be teaching us about some important pieces of legislature.

I can't wait to see what you've created!

Welcome Back to School!

2008-08-09T14:13:00.000-04:00

I hope you had as relaxing a summer as I did and that you managed to get some fun in. I spent a lot of time preparing for this year and I hope your as eager to get started as I am.

Lots of new things I'm trying out this year. If you've been in one of my classes before then you are aware that I rely heavily on internet and computer usage. If you've somehow managed to get this far in your education without learning much about how to get around your computer, much less, the internet than don't stress (yet). I am patient and more than willing to help you learn how to navigate your way around the world wide web. All you have to do is ask.

Some of the things I'm implementing this year are:

a message board - this will be used mostly for APES students to post their current events.
an alternate website - this will be used in conjunction with my school website. Since that website doesn't have a lot of storage space, most assignments will be posted there.
this blog - though I'm not quite sure how much I'll be updating this blog nor to what extent I'll be using it, here it is.

I look forward to an exciting year.