Maybe I shouldn't have started this blog now, not with everything that's been going on.

In my mechanics class last Monday I started with a seatwork on forces and Newton’s Second Law that they answered on a one fourth sheet of paper. The reason for this was so that I could have small card like objects I could draw from for the recitation that we had afterwards, since I did not bring their class cards.

While they were solving that I wrote down the answers to the previous quiz on the board.

Afterwards, I discussed the solutions, emphasizing on how they had to be able to discern the difference between situations with constant velocity and constant acceleration, this being the most common error I saw in the exam. Some students used the equations for constant acceleration for the problems on constant velocity, without simplifying the equations by setting acceleration is equal to zero and initial velocity equals final velocity.

Then I started with the recitation, focusing on the fundamental concepts they are supposed to carry with them to the future topics: the difference between position, distance and displacement, for one.

The five quantities used in the equations for constant acceleration. The variables that change when dealing with motion along the vertical, or free fall. At what point does the velocity of an object in vertical motion become zero? What are the difference and the similarity of the velocities of an object passing the same point on its way up and down during vertical motion? What is the force exerted on a stationary object on a frictionless surface? When the object has constant velocity?

Given the results of their first quiz, it is necessary for them to take these to heart before we can confidently proceed to the next topics.

I also attended my first meeting as the adviser of the Commission on Elections for the Student Council.

We discussed the possibility of getting more members for their group, depending on the foreseeable workload for the rest of the term and the election next term.

Tentative chronological tasks and deadlines were listed, including the last day for the filing of candidacy and the screening process.

Lastly (and most importantly) we had to draft a letter to announce to the student body about the general schedule of the elections next term.

It will have to be signed by all members of the commission and noted by the Sir Ronnie, the Director of Student Affairs, and checked by the Executive Vice President.

Regular weekly meetings have now been set, apparently without the necessary attendance of Sir Ronnie.

In other student activities the Inter High School Math and Science Quiz Contest is also proceeding nicely. There is already a draft of the rules, as well as a preliminary list of questions. Whether this is for the elimination round or for the finals, I don’t know.

Tuesday’s Mathematical Methods 1 lecture will have to wait until tomorrow. Later.