boettcher's universe

Shared Prosperity

2011-04-30T17:58:00.001-04:00

I wonder if I know any of the "losers" in this change in the business tax.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/MBT_Overview_-_Final_179275_7.pdf

My students and I are the losers in the current legislation. I'm just saying. Share prosperity, you know...

http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/04/michigan_house_approves_gov_ri.html

And those seniors who don't pay any taxes, they've been dodging this burden too long!*

*holy sarcasm, Batman

Really? I'm over-payed?

2011-04-07T21:26:00.008-04:00

Do you really believe that to fund the State of Michigan and at the same time make budgetary concessions to spur economic growth in our state we need to take it from the education system and public employees in general? And don't start believing statistics that say that as a public employees I'm over-payed. Those statistics try to contrast my wages/earnings (and my 7+ years of schooling, and endless years of retraining) with those of the uncertified/HS Diploma job holders. Compare my job to jobs that require similar levels of ed/training and you will see that the public sector lags behind in wages (-3.3%), and keeps up only because the benefits are better on average (+5.3%). However, public sector professionals are beaten out in total compensation by private sector professionals overall (-0.7%). (Data for calculations source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 9, 2011).

So when you say I'm over-payed, check your sources.

All that not withstanding, it's not what any teacher would tell you is the main point. The real problem (in Michigan, at least) is that they are taking money from the children (no joke!) because MI schools are financed based upon the students served and in my area the students go where they want to for school. The parents can "vote with their dollar" because their student, again in my region, is worth approximately $7,000 to a school district's funds. The current MI budget proposal will decrease this by over $700, over 10% of the "student" money is taken away. I don't have to tell you what this implies, but I will tell you that the old adage 'you get what you pay for' comes to my mind.

Don't mind me, though. I'm not really a professional. I'm just a middle school math teacher with a B.S. in general mathematics, provisional teacher certification, a Master's in education, and a bill for $1,400 for a pointless class the State made me take to get my professional certification.

Nice graph, Rep. Paul Ryan

2011-04-03T14:51:00.006-04:00

Found on Rep. Paul Ryan's facebook page, a presumed accurate "fiscal prediction" made by the Heritage Foundation:

This is hilarious! So based on the most recent "War on Terrorism" you (the Heritage Foundation) and your mish-mash of "compilations of data" somehow predict that in the next 20 years nothing will change and we won't have learned anything from our history???

Computer/table Workspace

2010-01-25T20:07:00.001-05:00

A way to collaborate that is truly remarkable. Wish I had one at my job.

Trig/Pre-Calc on Moodle

2008-10-03T13:12:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to our course page on Moodle. This page contains a weekly schedule, with homework assignments, useful links, notes, handouts, etc. You should get a free Moodle account as most teachers in the school only allow access from registered users to their courses. If you just wanna browse the page then you can log in as a guest. No matter what, you need to know the enrollment key. If you don't know the enrollment key, then pay attention next time in class.

Long Division of Polynomials Help

2008-10-01T12:37:00.002-04:00

Text and video:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/polynomials-division-long.html

Youtube video with an especially helpful example #2 at 3:45 into the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6_ghhd7kwQ

If you have a "dial-up" connection here is a text page, check out the second example:
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/col_alg_tut36_longdiv.htm

Good Luck!

Our Wikihow is Up and Running!

2008-09-23T10:03:00.003-04:00

You must contribute 2 significant edits to our article titled "How to solve polynomials of a higher degree". One edit will help start the article, another to help refine our article or a related wikihow article.

First edit due by Monday 9/29

Second edit after 9/29 is due by Monday 10/6

You must review the Wikihow Writer's Guide before editing

AND

You can learn about using Wiki Syntax (used in almost every wiki) to try some advanced editing techniques.

Wikihow Account

2008-09-22T10:24:00.004-04:00

For this assignment you must contibute to the creation of our very own wikihow entry. Here are the first steps to completing this assignment.

1. Go to wikihow.com and create an account for free.
2. After you have created an account make sure you are logged on
3. Answer the following "would you rather" by leaving me a message on this page http://www.wikihow.com/User_talk:MrBoettcher
4. Would you rather get an "A" on your math quiz or get five extra hours of sleep?

QUIZ ALERT: Solving Polynomials 9/25

2008-09-18T15:54:00.002-04:00

I sent an e-mail announcing a quiz on Sept. 25th. If you would like to sign up for that e-mail list send me an e-mail and I will add you to the list. The topics for this quiz are from our studies this year of sections 2.1-2.5 in the book.

QUIZ ALERT: Tues. 9/16

2008-09-11T08:40:00.002-04:00

Piecing it all together: Quadratics

Critical features of a parabola
Finding vertex (x=-(b/2a) or completing the square)
Finding x-intercepts/zeros (factoring or solving for zero)
Finding y-intercepts (when x=0)

Don't forget to check your vocab lists for of section 2.1

Stroke of Insight

2008-09-10T13:09:00.002-04:00

Click to see and hear brain scientist Jill Bolte Taylor describing her stroke.

Parabola Games

2008-09-10T09:35:00.004-04:00

You can play the real game we simulated in class by downloading the old-school DOS program Scorched Earth. Have fun.

TI Emulator

2008-09-08T13:26:00.002-04:00

I found a TI emulator so you may use a TI-83 or 84 calculator on your home computer. There is one minor problem, which is that if you do not own a TI graphing calculator you cannot use the emulator since it requires a ROM image from your calculator which requires you to hook your own TI to your computer (see, getting a ROM image for help). However, if you would like to use your calculator on your home computer at anytime you can download any of the free programs from ticalc.org, then get the ROM image from your calculator by following the instructions on this site. Good luck!

2008-05-16T06:28:00.003-04:00

When you turn in your project, do not forget:

Your bibliography
Three questions about your topics main ideas that students should be able to answer.

When you turn in your project you must give me a digital copy of the file.

Find your file and rename it so your name is in the title.
Right-click (or control-click) your file.
Select "duplicate" from the menu.
Open the "Student Work" Folder and find the "Boettcher" folder.
Open the folder and drag and drop your duplicate into the "Drop Box" folder.
Select "OK."

You must give me a printout of your completed PowerPoint.

In PowerPoint, go to the file menu and select print.
Where it says "Print What," select "Handouts (6 slides per page)."
Where it says "Output," select "Black and White."
Select a printer that you know is working and print.

You must give me a printout of your Newspaper.

If your document uses regular size paper
Print the document to any printer that you know is working.
If your document uses legal paper (3 inches longer)
See Mr. Boettcher to load the proper paper so you can print your document.

If you do not have a printer at home, you can print out your project on Monday and give it to me by 4 pm.

Physics Phynal Exam Review

2008-05-13T14:45:00.003-04:00

To complete your checklist you may need to complete some notes on-line. All of the PowerPoint notes and practice problems are available at my wikispaces website.

Finish your checklist by opening the files available on boettcher.wikispaces.com

2008-05-06T14:11:00.003-04:00

Attention to those students who have Einstein’s Theories Topic #1 (General Relativity). I have changed the wording for the first three statements. The ideas are still the same so you do not need to research again, this is just to help clarify what is meant by the first three main ideas for your topic.

1. Describe the how gravity changes the space around a large mass.
2. Discuss the difficulty of visualizing curved space-time and the fourth dimension.
3. Discuss the similar effects for objects experiencing gravity and objects undergoing acceleration.

Keeping your Research Notes

2008-05-02T08:05:00.003-04:00

Today you will make a file titled "Modern Physics Research" as a place to keep your notes and websites.

1. Go to the "Finder"
2. Go to "Applications" and open the "TextEdit" program
3. Save the TextEdit file as "Modern Physics Research" and save it to you desktop.
4. Find your topic and five main ideas on this blog post and copy and paste it into your TextEdit file.
5. For each main idea (1-5) list the websites and any notes that are important to each idea.

Like This:

Don't Forget:

1. Use four different, reliable resources
a. Cite all sources using proper MLA citation format (use bibme.org)
2. Profile at least one scientist who played a role in a discovery related to this topic

Research Topics:

Nuclear Physics Topic #1
1. Explain the steps of a fission reaction.
2. Describe and compare the products of a fission reaction (What is emitted? What substances are produced?)
3. Give two examples of fission reactions, including the reactants (what goes in) and the products (what comes out.) Be sure to note light and heavy elements.
4. Explain how fission reactions are useful for the generation of power. Include benefits and concerns related to nuclear power plants.
5. Explain how fission reactions have been used for political and military purposes (nuclear weapons and nuclear powered submarines.)

Nuclear Physics Topic #2
1. Explain the steps of a fusion reaction.
2. Describe and compare the products of a fusion reaction (What is emitted? What substances are produced?)
3. Give two examples of fusion reactions, including the reactants (what goes in) and the products (what comes out.) Be sure to note light and heavy elements.
4. Discuss naturally occurring fusion reactions in stars.
5. Explain the possible benefits of harnessing fusion reactions to generate power, and discuss the obstacles that have prevented the use of fusion reactions to generate power.

Nuclear Physics Topic #3
1. Explain why some substances undergo nuclear (or radioactive) decay.
2. Discuss the products of nuclear decay (what is emitted by radioactive materials?).
3. Discuss some dangers associated with nuclear decay.
4. Explain how radioactive materials can be useful in medicine and/or industry.
5. Give at least three important uses for radioactive materials.

Einstein’s Physics Topic #1
1. Describe the gravitational field surrounding a large mass.
2. Discuss the difficulty of visualizing curved space-time (extra dimensions).
3. Explain why a uniform gravitational field is equivalent to a uniform acceleration.
4. Detail an experiment that verified Einstein's theory of General Relativity.
5. Describe how black holes and the big bang theory followed from General Relativity.

Einstein’s Physics Topic #2
1. Describe how time may be measured differently for two observers watching a "light clock" when one person is moving near the speed of light relative to someone else.
2. Explain the "twin paradox."
3. Discuss why objects can never travel faster than the speed of light (what happens to matter as more energy is added at very fast speeds?).
4. Explain how E=mc2 describes the tremendous amount of energy stored in small particles of matter.
5. Describe the relativistic effects for a muon as it makes its trip through the earth's atmosphere (what happens to an object moving near the speed of light).

Quantum Physics Topic #1
1. Describe the problems that led Heisenberg to create the uncertainty principle.
2. Express the uncertainty principle in one simple statement.
3. Describe the relationship of Planck’s constant to the uncertainty principle.
4. Explain why any time you measure a property of something you have to alter it.
5. Discuss how uncertainty has changed classical (Newtonian) physics to show that the universe is unpredictable.

Quantum Physics Topic #2
1. Explain why light should be considered a wave and a particle.
2. Discu ss the importance of the double-slit experiment in proving wave behavior.
3. Detail an experiment that proved De Broglie's hypothesis.
4. Describe how De Broglie changed the model of an atom.
5. Demonstrate how De Broglie's hypothesis can determine the wavelength of any object.

TEST ALERT - This Thursday 05/01/08

2008-04-28T14:13:00.002-04:00

This Thursday an assessment (test) will be given on the topic of light waves. The topics to be included are:

Light emission by atoms ("How Light is Made in Atoms" answers)
Refraction of light (page 504)
Solving for frequency and wavelength using the wave equation (page 525)
Why certain objects reflect certain colors (page 535)
The different types of electromagnetic waves (page 526-527)

Notice the pages are given so you may study these topics tonight. We also had many discussions/notes about these topics that you should review to prepare for the test. A tutorial session will occur Wednesday after school to review and prepare for the test at 3:35.

TEST ALERT - This Thursday 04/17/08

2008-04-14T14:34:00.002-04:00

This Thursday we will have a test about Mechanical Waves in Physics. To prepare for this test you have been given a study guide. Completing this study guide will help you review the ideas. To prepare for this test further I recommend that you read and reread the following pages in your blue physics textbook:

In Chapter 20, pages 434-447
In Chapter 20, pages 456, 457, 459-460, and 469

To be extra prepared, the chapter review on pages 450-452 will be helpful.

ALERT - Test Thursday

2008-04-02T15:13:00.002-04:00

We will be having a re-assessment related to speed calculations and experimental design Thursday, April 3rd. We have recently reviewed speed calculations involving wave speed and have been discussing lab variables at different times throughout the year. Since every science class requires an understanding of experimental desig, students are being re-assessed to be assured that they have retained these understandings. Students received a review packet to prepare them for this assessment on Tuesday and should complete those questions to be ready for the re-assessment.

Mechanical Waves Websites

2008-04-01T07:38:00.004-04:00

Here are some websites that will help direct your research for questions and answers about waves.

General Waves Information:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/wavestoc.html
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/sound/soundtoc.html
http://www.gcsescience.com/pwav.htm
http://www.headwize.com/tech/elemnts_tech.htm

Applications of waves:

Ultrasound:
http://www.physics247.com/physics-tutorial/ultrasound-physics.shtml
http://health.howstuffworks.com/ultrasound1.htm

Water waves and Tsunamis:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/physics/waves/water_wavesrev1.shtml
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/oceano/waves.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/tsunami1.htm

Sonar and Echolocation:
http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=260
http://www.exploratorium.edu/theworld/sonar/sonar.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/bat2.htm

Slow Motion Videos

2008-03-25T16:04:00.002-04:00

Today in class we observed water waves in a wave tray. We saw plane waves, circular waves, and wave diffraction. We also watched a slow-motion video of a drop of milk making waves in a saucer. The link for the video is given below and shows that as the wave propagates through the milk, the original drop stays in one place. This proves that particles in a medium stay in one localized area while the wave travels through the medium.

Milk Drop:

Slow motion video of a drop of milk

Find a large collection of slow motion videos here:
Interesting High-speed Video

Wave Interference

2008-03-19T15:26:00.002-04:00

Here are two great interactive web pages that show the behavior of waves when they combine. It may not sound interesting, but the combinations you can create are endless. Try creating some patterns in this first one from MIT:

Radiation in Two Dimensions (by "radiation" they mean waves)

Experiment with the effects of "loose ends" and "fixed ends" on this one from the University of Colorado:

String Wave Demo

Power House

2008-03-04T21:16:00.003-05:00

Click here to go to the Power House site.

Computer Lab 02/28/08

2008-02-28T06:36:00.004-05:00

1. Sign-up for e-mail updates by entering your e-mail or your parent's e-mail address in the box to the right. Follow the instructions given and then return to the blog.

2. Fill in the blanks on the worksheet by going to the Physics Classroom website's Power page.

3. Check your answers to the blanks with Mr. Boettcher.

4. a. If you went on the field trip with Mr. Billingsley:
You need to collect some data in the hallway. Go with a partner to collect two times for walking up the stairs and two times for "walking fast" up the stairs. When you come back with data you may finish your calculations.

4. b. If you DID NOT go on the field trip with Mr. Billingsley:
You must answer the Check for Understanding questions on the worksheet.

5. EVERYONE: for homework tonight you have to read pages 89 & 90 in your blue Physics text and respond to the following prompt. Complete this on the back of your worksheet from today:

You are a fitness trainer and one of you clients wonders why it matters how fast he lifts weights. He says, "you want me to start by lifting a barbell in 10 seconds, and then 9 seconds, then 8 seconds, etc. until I do it in 1 second. Why can't I just lift it at my own pace?" Explain to him why it matters how fast he lifts the weights? Use the words work, joules, seconds, power, watts, and horsepower. Write at least four sentences.

6. If you have time, try this lab. You will need someone to measure how far you move when you do a push-up, but you can easily compare to see who is more powerful.