Today was my first day with all my students. Some of my students in AP Physics 2 took AP Physics 1 last year, some took it the year before, and some are taking it concurrently. I've found that start with the ray model of light (RML) means that everyone starts on the same place at the beginning, learning something entirely new. We start with the camera obscura and use that as evidence for the ray model of light. We then start drawing rays, letting them only change direction when they hit an object.
Today, we had an orientation day for 9th graders and new students to the district in higher grades. After two hours of activities and meetings, students followed their schedule for TEN minutes per class. Hardly any time at all! I had students take a tour of my classroom. I also got ready to give out lab notebooks and binders to my classes.
Today, I ended up in an impromptu meeting about two transfer students. I got my room ready for the year, and planned out the first two weeks. Our assistant principal brought us snacks. And I had lunch with a great colleague.
In our new contract, we get two days to get ready for the school year without students and without any meetings. Today has been wonderful. I got to talk to our new science teacher. I did some cleaning in my prep room. I started mentoring a teacher. I did some planning. And I have another day tomorrow to get ready. So luxurious.
Today was some professional development. We had some good PD led by Facing History and Ourselves. In the afternoon, we had a staff meeting, where a link hub I maintain that I fully stole from Michael Freeman (who stole it from another principal). The principal even projected the link hub on the screen, and then said that other schools in the district are going to copy. I love it when good ideas spread.