I am going to be shameless and plug a community concern. 1 in 4 American Children will go to bed hungry this evening of the State of the Union Address. It is not up to the government to help these children and families, but it is part of our job as American Citizens to help.
Here is your opportunity - donate to our virtual Bake Sale. All proceeds will go to local food pantries and soup kitchens. You will not need to buy any of those high calorie goodies, you can feel good in two ways!
Go Ahead - click on this link - Stone Soup Dinner - You will feel like you have participated in making a childs day better.
Check out this video for some staggering facts - you will feel better about your life! Help make some child's life better ... please. Share Our Strength and AFT - 2011
I told you this was shameless!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
How do I learn... the question of the semester!
It has been awhile since I have blogged and I sort of miss it. I was thinking in class tonight about how I actually do learn. Thinking back to elementary school - a long time ago, I remember the ways that I reallly did not learn. The books that I had to re-read over and over again as I got distracted, and really had no interest in at all. (Not much has changed!) But those classes where I was challenged to be thoughtful, and creative without the shame of not keeping up with the others. I learned through the creative outlets - painting to the music of "Peter and the Wolf" in Mrs. Sudlers 2nd grade class, creating the Indian Pow-Wow and the 1st Chanakuh in Miss Irwins 4th grade class, to finding ways to create headlights in Mr. Rudnicks 6th grade class - these were hands on activities to created meaning in my life. I hope I am not just waxing nostalgia, but that these memories of early learning can be replicated in my teaching.
Now to our current class, will I be able to create the high caliber of work I expect of myself while dealing with a remote partner through WIMBA (that truly is a 4 letter word to me)? I will challenge myself to do my best and pray that the technological challenges take care of themselves before I resort to smoke signals, or my Stress Reduction Kit. Note: Do not Bang your head on your Monitor - that will increase your stress.
Now to our current class, will I be able to create the high caliber of work I expect of myself while dealing with a remote partner through WIMBA (that truly is a 4 letter word to me)? I will challenge myself to do my best and pray that the technological challenges take care of themselves before I resort to smoke signals, or my Stress Reduction Kit. Note: Do not Bang your head on your Monitor - that will increase your stress.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Patching together the summer
What a summer! As I get ready to gear up for the upcoming school year, although I do not think I ever stopped, I am wondering where this so called "free" time has gone.
Summer school is over; the students seemed to have a good time; especially putting together the play. We truly did not think they would pull it all together - but they did. A great theme- having a positive attitude. I think how often we all need that little reminder that it could always be worse, and that just a little bit of ambition and effort will make us successful. The girls did a great job singing "The Climb" and Ray was amazing as "Bug's Bunny". I'm proud of them all.
Seems that everything I wanted to get done this summer is starting to get completed. It makes me feel so successful when the three quilts I started are completed; even with the interuption of having my sewing room dismantled for several days. Didn't think it would cause alarm, but I certainly had problems finding all the tools I needed. Even managed to sew 100 lanyards for FCCLA fundraising. So any of you Southern cohorts - see me for custom designed and created lanyards!
I managed some free time - see the linked Shutterfly book for a view of 2 day trips. Had a great time exploring some of natures bounties within an hour of my home. The Morris Aboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and Batsto Lake and Village were just two of the short trips we took this summer.
So the pieces are coming together - better than unravelling... summer is waning, but we have fall to look forward to!
Summer school is over; the students seemed to have a good time; especially putting together the play. We truly did not think they would pull it all together - but they did. A great theme- having a positive attitude. I think how often we all need that little reminder that it could always be worse, and that just a little bit of ambition and effort will make us successful. The girls did a great job singing "The Climb" and Ray was amazing as "Bug's Bunny". I'm proud of them all.
Seems that everything I wanted to get done this summer is starting to get completed. It makes me feel so successful when the three quilts I started are completed; even with the interuption of having my sewing room dismantled for several days. Didn't think it would cause alarm, but I certainly had problems finding all the tools I needed. Even managed to sew 100 lanyards for FCCLA fundraising. So any of you Southern cohorts - see me for custom designed and created lanyards!
I managed some free time - see the linked Shutterfly book for a view of 2 day trips. Had a great time exploring some of natures bounties within an hour of my home. The Morris Aboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and Batsto Lake and Village were just two of the short trips we took this summer.
So the pieces are coming together - better than unravelling... summer is waning, but we have fall to look forward to!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sweltering Summer Stitching
It's been a little more than a month since I have added anything to this patchwork of thoughts. Taking some time off to regroup and organize for the upcoming school year. I have managed to get 3 units of curriculum rewritten, integrating some of the great technology tools we learned this past spring. I can't wait to begin classes! On a personal note, it's been hot in Jersey - just when you want the air conditioning to finally die. It lasted about 40 years, so I guess it didn't owe us anything - just did it have to die during a heat wave?
Now that it is up and running again I can focus on finishing some of the quilts I have contracts for.
The family heritage research continues - turns out my great-great grandmother was also a graduate of Drexel University Home Economics - back in the early 1900's - I graduated from Drexel Home Economics in 1980. The things that we as family members have in common! I even found out that one of the aides I am working with this summer is related to the "Parker" family of Parkertown, New Jersey - That's on my grandpop's side of the family. So now my family circle is enlarging - like the 525 members is not enough...
so back to finding out the snippets of information that is my family history.
Now that it is up and running again I can focus on finishing some of the quilts I have contracts for.
The family heritage research continues - turns out my great-great grandmother was also a graduate of Drexel University Home Economics - back in the early 1900's - I graduated from Drexel Home Economics in 1980. The things that we as family members have in common! I even found out that one of the aides I am working with this summer is related to the "Parker" family of Parkertown, New Jersey - That's on my grandpop's side of the family. So now my family circle is enlarging - like the 525 members is not enough...
so back to finding out the snippets of information that is my family history.
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