Weather and Moods

I've often wondered about the effect of changing weather on moods. Does a sunny day help one have a sunny disposition? And, conversely, does a gray day result in a sad, reflective day? How about rainy days...do they cause one to cry a lot (you know rain = tears)?

How about changing seasons...are we different in the winter just because it's cold and we have to bundle up...does that mean we're "hiding away" ourselves? Do we, in essence, hibernate in the winter by being less out-going. Does spring truly rejuvenate us? How about summer...are we better people then because we're more "sunny?" Is my melancholy mood caused by the end of summer and the cloudy days?

Just some thoughts.

First Days of School

Well, It's been a while since I've last posted a message to my blog. I could say it's because I've been too busy but in all actuality, it is because without the structure of needing to blog about the 23 Things course, I've forgotten to do it.

So, maybe a just a few thoughts about the start of school. I've been doing this "school thing" for many, MANY years. I began teaching in 1974 and, except for a three hiatus when I was re-thinking my career choice, I've been in the education business ever since. Boy oh boy, have things ever changed in those 30+ years!

I believe that this has been my hardest start ever...and I don't think it's because I'm older (I'm really not THAT old!). It seems like no one is happy about much of anything....talk about the pressure that puts on a person. You know, I am someone who really does like folks to be happy with what they are doing...but juggling the balls to make it all happen isn't exactly an easy task.

I have really done a LOT of reflection about how to be a better instructional leader and I think that choice is perhaps putting some "pressure" on some folks. I am all about trying to help teachers be better teachers and kids becoming better learners. I am depressed by our test scores and am sometimes at a loss as to what to do about them.

Anyway, there it is. I can only hope things get better!

A New Slide show

End of the Course

I have truly enjoyed this course...on of the best I've ever taken because I learned so much! It was nice to do it at my own pace and the support from Beth and Ryan (and the rest of you in the class) as excellent!

My favorite things from the class (the things I will most likely continue to use) are:

• My Pageflake...I have it as my Firefox log in page. I have many of my other "favorites" linked to my Pageflake (thanks for explaining the linking function, Beth). I also have some other helpful things posted there like my address book, local weather, news and sports links, and a calendar/to do list. It's nice to have everything in one place (it seems like I have finally organized my computer - maybe my office can be next)!
• TeacherTube is another great find. I think that along with United Streaming, there is an endless supply of helpful videos out there. I am amazed at how much is available on those two sites!
• On the fly concept mapping is another skill that I believe is a great teaching tool. I can think of many ways to use it in the classroom.

As life-long learning is not only a personal goal but also a goal we need to be instilling in our students, I believe that learning more about what is available at our finger tips is essential. I remember Beth saying that our students are not going to come g=back to us, we have to learn what they already know...at lest now I will understand what the students (and some of our more techie staff) are talking about.

I think that everyone needs to learn more about our La Conner Moodle. I think it is a great place to help develop a PLC in our school. I also believe that the sharing that has developed with some of the class members for 23-Something Things has been great. I have had assistance from many and I really appreciate it!

The biggest surprise that I have had in this course is that I really enjoyed doing it on line (in my blog, etc.). I think going at my own speed was very helpful as sometimes it took me a while to process some of the lessons.

The only thing I would do differently is maybe get together once or twice to discuss what we've learned. When I've met with folks in the class we've had great discussions about the new things we know.

Thanks Beth and Ryan for the GREAT job you've done. I truly appreciate your patience and all of the extra "tutoring" you've done. The comments by folks in my blog have been fun! I would certainly do another class if it was offered!

Google Maps

I made a Google map of the locations of my family. I often use this feature when I am traveling to give me clear driving directions. I enjoyed doing the satellite and hybrid maps. If you'd like to see where we're all located, please feel free to check out the link below (for some reason it doesn't go right to the map but you can get there by selecting my maps and then "Maps to My Family"):
http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=ml.

I also enjoyed Google Earth...don't know how much of my computer memory it took to download that appication but I have it for now. This world of technology sure is larger than one can even imagine!

ROLLYO

At first I really didn't understand what this was all about, but in the middle of the night it came to me what I supposed to do with it. So, here is a link to my ROLLYO on my main theme:
Team Building - Icebreakers: http://www.rollyo.com/editroll.html?sid=307228

And look Beth, I did it as a link!!!

I can see how teachers could use this to roll the specific sites they believe best cover a topic and save students the "pain" of the whole Google list or even perhaps limit where they go on the Web to keep them from [laces they don't belong.

Generator Blog

I really did have fun with the generators! I think I could really use the calendar generator but I got "stuck" in a series of "name generators" and would like to share a few of the favorites I got when I typed in my name:

• Indian name generator: Catherine Leatherbound Gander
• Japanese name: Peguji seeringu
• Middle Earth name: Crying Huora or Beleghiliel
• Hobbit name: Melilot Boffin from Deepwater
• Literal meaning of my name: stubborn understain
• and, my two favorites:
• My monkey name: Crackpot McChimperson
• My Orkish name: Gutdush the Horrible

So, I guess, as the saying goes, "it's all in the neame!"