It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I haven't been posting, but I feel the need to say... I haven't been posting.
Some caped-crusader-kryptonite found its way around the cape, and I've been trying to get my senses back. With that in mind, I must say that my little poo-muffins are the best healers in the world. What truly incredible power-houses of perseverance, resilience, and character these kiddos are. I have sticky notes (read here for previous discussion of my penchant for the sticky note) all over my desk with quotes and stories that I must share with you one day. I will.
Some future posts that I will tell myself you are looking forward to....
--The Guy at the Coffee Shop (again)
--Dead Word Walking
--Book Review: Graceling
--The Maury Quote
--Why Boys Aren't Allowed the Crochet
--How You Know There is a Yeti Around
--More Hope is the Thing With Feathers poems
Peace Out!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
[Quote of the Week] Quote of the Week #20
B: We should come up with a nickname for Boss.
Me: Like what? Boss is pretty short.
B: How about Boss with one S?
Me: Like what? Boss is pretty short.
B: How about Boss with one S?
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
[NBPTS] Can I Get a Fist Pump?
Congratulations to all of you 2011 NBPTS Renewals!
For more information about National Certification and NBPTS, go here and here.
Friday, September 30, 2011
[Friday Free Day] NPR--rrific
It is no secret, I am a public radio nerd. I listen to my local NPR station to and from work most days, and on road trips. I learn something new on a weekly basis--probably more, but I try not to exaggerate other than for means of literary hyperbole. I often leave myself short voice notes or typed notes (illegally) to remember what I've heard (examples here and here and here and here).
This week I heard about two things that struck my fancy.
Cool Thing #1 Foldit--Solve Puzzles for Science
I heard about it once before, and forgot to leave myself a note. The other day I remembered. I am no scientist, but here is my version of what this "game" does:
Some muckety-muck scientists at the University of Washington created a game out of unfolding proteins. My understanding is that proteins are folded up in some grand scientific way, and unfolding them leads to breakthroughs for curing illness and solving problems. How that works is a mystery to me and will remain so. A less simple, perhaps better explanation of that can be found here. Either way, the smarty-pants scientists made a game out of unfolding proteins and all the gaming geeks in the world are solving protein problems galore. Here's a video:
If you are like me in any small way, this video little other than show what the game is about. What I understand is that unfolding these proteins leads to cures for things like Parkinson and Alzheimer and stuff. Simplistic explanation, I know, but cool. For more info, try this.
Cool Thing #2 Super Better
This isn't completely up and running for the public yet, but here is a blog that describes one users experience. It sounds like it is a game structured like a social media site. You use the site to achieve personal goals. The description was intriguing, but not altogether clear. I requested access to the "sneak preview" so we'll see what happens!
Happy Friday!
This week I heard about two things that struck my fancy.
Cool Thing #1 Foldit--Solve Puzzles for Science
 |
| http://fold.it/portal/ |
I heard about it once before, and forgot to leave myself a note. The other day I remembered. I am no scientist, but here is my version of what this "game" does:
Some muckety-muck scientists at the University of Washington created a game out of unfolding proteins. My understanding is that proteins are folded up in some grand scientific way, and unfolding them leads to breakthroughs for curing illness and solving problems. How that works is a mystery to me and will remain so. A less simple, perhaps better explanation of that can be found here. Either way, the smarty-pants scientists made a game out of unfolding proteins and all the gaming geeks in the world are solving protein problems galore. Here's a video:
If you are like me in any small way, this video little other than show what the game is about. What I understand is that unfolding these proteins leads to cures for things like Parkinson and Alzheimer and stuff. Simplistic explanation, I know, but cool. For more info, try this.
Cool Thing #2 Super Better
 | |
| https://www.superbetter.us/ |
This isn't completely up and running for the public yet, but here is a blog that describes one users experience. It sounds like it is a game structured like a social media site. You use the site to achieve personal goals. The description was intriguing, but not altogether clear. I requested access to the "sneak preview" so we'll see what happens!
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
[Teaching Art] Describing Chi
Yesterday I tried to start an art study on Chinese Calligraphy. As the turkey-butts would say, it was an epic fail. Middle school turkey butts are so very very literal, that they just weren't getting the... the... zen of the whole thing (maybe because "zen" is Japanese in origin?). I knew that if I set them to work on calligraphy today, they would struggle, and shoot for perfection, and come up with passable pieces. I got into my tiny little head though, that I wanted them understand the concept of calligraphy as art. I wanted them to feel the chi, tap into the tao, think like Confucius.
I heard about water calligraphy, but did not have any handy water calligraphy sets or access to a place to do water calligraphy (as we are not allowed outside of the fence until the neighboring school has gone home--more on that when I'm not pissy about it). I also wanted to add a sensory element to the experience. Enter... my super power of coming up with strange ideas at the drop of a hat....
I created four stations. Each station had a large tray with a different substance on it. The turkey-butts went around to each station (while I played interesting music), and... well... played in it.
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| Dish Soap |
 |
| Shaving Cream |
 |
| Rice |
 |
| Sand |
After they tried each station, I gave them trays of their favorite medium and asked them to create a piece of art.
Then, I put five minutes on the clock, gave them white board markers, and had them write about it. The little chi-brains went right to it.
Tomorrow I'll see how it goes with some actual calligraphy. We shall see if this goofy idea translates into some learning.
*NOTE--Yes, I teach art. No, I am not an "art teacher." I send my sincerest apologies to the art teachers in the world for attempting to teach it. BUT, my turtle-doves NEED art in their lives, and there isn't anyone else to do it.
Monday, September 26, 2011
[Vocabulary] A Distinguished Set of Explicit Words Guaranteed to Make You Guffaw
A very smart, very talented lady gave me this idea this Summer (Thank You to Mrs. R!) as a way to develop vocabulary skills. She is a word-lover from way back, and was able to cultivate this same passion in her kiddos by using something as simple as vocabulary cards. "Vocabulary cards?!?" you say? Yes, vocabulary cards. I would then say "not just any vocabulary cards," but I would be lying. They kind of were any vocabulary cards. The key is in how she incorporated them into her classroom.
I, of course, copied her. I didn't have any vocabulary cards, nor did my librarian, nor did my favorite used teacher-supply website. I did, however, have a binder full of magazine photos I had been gathering for... hm... say 15 years? Viola! Vocabulary cards!
Following the structure taught to me by the fab-o Mrs. R, I present a new word by asking the schmoopies what they see in the picture. They eventually come around to an understanding of the word. Then we call on the Man on the White Horse to tell us the part of speech, keep track of antonyms and synonyms as they come up, and then each schmoopie writes a sentence to go on the back of the card. We agree on a non-verbal signal for the word (a motion or hand sign) and then we add it to our writing notebooks as a writing tool. Once a new word has been welcomed, the kiddos are on the hunt. They are starting to take pleasure in using the words in conversation, in their journal writing, and telling us about places they have seen or heard the words at home or on TV. They have a smaller version of the word-lover sparkle I get when I learn something new. I'm hoping this word-lover-sparkle grows over time. To all of my wordie friends out there--I've got some new recruits!
Here are some of the card sets we've made this year.
As is typical for the schmoopies, they have made this their own protocol. They are bringing in magazine pictures to use, and are offering up ideas for new words as they stumble upon them. I'm forever delighted at their eagerness to learn and to be academic. For many of them, prior to coming to our program they were identified by what they did not know, did not have, or could not do. They are tickled pink to be identified by what they know or can do. They run with it. They teach me every day.
And another shout-out to the SDAWP SI for providing the place for me to learn this!
I, of course, copied her. I didn't have any vocabulary cards, nor did my librarian, nor did my favorite used teacher-supply website. I did, however, have a binder full of magazine photos I had been gathering for... hm... say 15 years? Viola! Vocabulary cards!
Following the structure taught to me by the fab-o Mrs. R, I present a new word by asking the schmoopies what they see in the picture. They eventually come around to an understanding of the word. Then we call on the Man on the White Horse to tell us the part of speech, keep track of antonyms and synonyms as they come up, and then each schmoopie writes a sentence to go on the back of the card. We agree on a non-verbal signal for the word (a motion or hand sign) and then we add it to our writing notebooks as a writing tool. Once a new word has been welcomed, the kiddos are on the hunt. They are starting to take pleasure in using the words in conversation, in their journal writing, and telling us about places they have seen or heard the words at home or on TV. They have a smaller version of the word-lover sparkle I get when I learn something new. I'm hoping this word-lover-sparkle grows over time. To all of my wordie friends out there--I've got some new recruits!
Here are some of the card sets we've made this year.
As is typical for the schmoopies, they have made this their own protocol. They are bringing in magazine pictures to use, and are offering up ideas for new words as they stumble upon them. I'm forever delighted at their eagerness to learn and to be academic. For many of them, prior to coming to our program they were identified by what they did not know, did not have, or could not do. They are tickled pink to be identified by what they know or can do. They run with it. They teach me every day.
And another shout-out to the SDAWP SI for providing the place for me to learn this!
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