Monday, August 22, 2011

Home Is Where the Heart Is

It was already after seven in the evening when I left my classroom last Friday. The sun was still up though, and more than a hundred feet away, I could see my car in the parking lot. I noticed that there was only one other car left in this vast space north of my school. Sitting two lots to the right of mine, the light gray vehicle looked like my principal's. I thought that she must still be inside her ofice and working late to prepare for our students' first day of school, which is today. As I walked to my car, I reached for my phone to send her a text message.

"Go home already," I wrote.

As soon as I got inside my car, I started the engine and rolled the windows down to let the heated air inside my car escape. As I sat there I observed that the sun had gone low and the scene in front of me was a little charming. There was a group of young men playing soccer at a distance. I thought about watching them play, but my stomach growled in protest. I was about to drive away when I got a text message. It was from my principal.

"I am! LOL."

"So she's gone home and this car to my right isn't hers after all," I said to myself.

I texted her back: "Oh,I thought this car next to mine is yours." Then I slowly drove away.

This time her response was quick. "It is!" I quickly turned my gaze in the direction of my school. My principal, Mrs. Yvette Cavazos, emerged from her office and waved at me.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Geometry Project: Using Proportion in Construction

This project that I assigned to my Geometry students this year involves re-creating something (a building, toy, et cetera) using proportion.

The main project components are the following:
     (1) research and mathematical presentation/calculations
     (2) essay about the chosen object (typewritten, at least two pages,
           double space, font size of 12)
     (3) finished product
     (4) oral presentation and interview

Below are my students' wonderful products. 


Tata's House by Jesus Martinez (10)

Tata's House by Jesus Martinez (10)



The Taj Mahal by Diana Yakushkina (9)


F-22 Raptor by Joseph Zamora (10)


The Freedom Tower by Samantha Cerda (10)


The Rocha Home by Karidme Rocha (10)

The Rocha Home by Karidme Rocha (10)



Rion Antirrio Bridge by Jorge Roque (10)


The Crystal Palace by Liann Pena (10)



 
Las Vegas Welcome Sign by Irma Mata (9)



Red Barn by Ruby Cruz (10)


Violin by Ayssa Salinas (9)



The London Eye by Lesly Diaz (10)



The Taipei 101 by Cecilia Rocha (9)




 
Playhouse by Zulma Reyes (10)




The Bansi Tower by Martha Lopez (10)


Mack 1972 Semi by Rey de Leon (10)




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Washington's House by Andrea Garcia (10)





Taekwondo Trophy by Mark Cruz (10)




Temple of Zeus by Victoria Gomez (10)



Temple of Zeus by Victoria Gomez (10)


The Space Needle by Adriana Garcia (10)


The Burj al Arab by Vincent Grimaldo (10)



The Singapore Flyer by Amber Hernandez (9)

 


The Mustang Shelby GT 500 by Yesenia Cervantes (10)

 



The Pacheco Home by Berenice Pacheco (10)



The Sorcerer's Hat by Sarah Black (10)



Soccer Field by Alfonso Luna (9)


The Empire State Building by Sebastian Garcia (10)



The Schroeder House by Arnoldo Torres (10)


C-130 Hercules Plane by Juan Jimenez (10)





Tabernacle of Moses by Dianajudith Salinas (10)





Play house by Jessica Hernandez (10)


by Alejandro Tenopala (9)





London's Millennium Bridge by Kimberly Tellez (10)


The Basketball Court by Michelle Mendoza (9)


The Garcia Home by Evelyn Garcia (10)


Fighter Plane by Juan Garcia (10)


by Samantha Vasquez (10)


The Alamo by Samantha Rodriguez (10)


The Burj Dubai by Edgar Rodriguez (10)


.Play House by Heycy Rodriguez (10)

Table Lamp by Leslie Cortinas (10)



A Barn by Ashley Baker (10)





The San Francisco Bridge by Irving Urbina (10)




The Carrasco Home by Ashley Carrasco (9)




The Cardoza Home by Courtney Cardoza (10)





A Play House by Wendy Martinez (10)




A Phone Booth by Kate Salgado (10)




The Kukulkan Pyramid by Victor Castillo (10)





The Bellagio Hotel and Casino by Alexis Siller (10)
Photo courtesy of Alexis Siller


The Welcome to Las Vegas Sign by Irma Mata (9)





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