Breathing Time

Thanks to our Presidents, we have this Monday off from school, with a WIMBA cafe scheduled.  Its been refreshing to have a little relaxing time.
Spent this weekend evaluating GLOGS for the National FCCLA competition.  It was interesting to see how other Family & Consumer Science teachers have integrated this competition into their curriculum.  Gives me hope that there are administrations out there that recognize the importance of our discipline.  I was able to judge entries from Florida, Utah, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Kansas and California.  Good work to those who took the iniative to post and enter the competition.
Still sewing the flags for Indoor Guard, even though they continue to compete with older styles.  Both teams yesterday won their divisions at Gateway.  Go Southern!  For those of you that don't know what Indoor Guard is, picture marching band, without the band... or view these photos of our "Gold" team competing in Connecticut last weekend with their new flags... Little Red . 

Theories into practice

            Oh the joy we felt when Monday evening endeed with our synectics presentation going amazingly well.  So glad the electricity stayed on and the internet and WIMBA was operational; not sure if I could have handled the stress!  The theory presentations were great... just wish I could have typed faster to get some of those sweet rewards from the Behaviorists!  We certainly enjoyed watching how Paul the cat was conditioned, just to see that conditioning applied to us, all fighting for the candy.  The cognitivism presentation was quite interesting.  It was very simple to see how we can build on the knowledge we developed previously to solve those geometric measurements.  I also found it interesting to see how much of our educational pedagogy has been based on this theory... Objectives, gain attention, assess previous knowledge, teach, review, reteach, access, etc.  I think my biggest reflection on the evening was how all three theories can be integrated to reach all learners. 
            Now I feel relief that I can focus on my Personal Learning Theory paper; developing a best practice to demonstrate 21st Century Skills within the sewing curriculum.   Speaking of 21st Century Skills; my collaborative side has taken on another aspect.  I will be judging National FCCLA "Glogster" posters for our Spring competitive events.  Can't wait to see how students around the country are interpreting the assignment - MyPlate. 

Regrouping and Refocusing

     This week in class certainly offered us a chance to truly get focused on our learning theories lessons.  Synectics has been an interesting process to study; I believe I had the opportunity to go through the business training of the process many years ago in my previous career.  Goal to think outside the box for truly creative results.   I have found the collaboration difficult; not due to the work so much as to the many other areas of life that are desirous of my time. 

      I remember the time that I spent in retail management - January was always a let down.  Customers dwindled, time dragged, all the decorations were put away and you were left with the doldrums.  Well that can't be said for this educational climate.  We finished January with the Middle School Stone Soup Supper that took lots of time, but was definately worth it.  Over $1500 raised to help the less fortunate in Ocean County.  We then began gearing up for FCCLA Spring Conference, as well as the Chocolate Cake Contest.   Put on top of all the extracurriculars and  finishing up a marking period, I still decided to take delivery of over 40 yards of silk for Indoor Guard Flags.  Love the fabric, but boy sometimes I feel all tangled up!

Google sites and Library Databases Too...

Interesting evening with MAITS cohort.  Thanks to Amy for the chinese cuisine - Loved it! Brought back memories of the greatest boss I ever had, Steve Gallant. RIP.   Now my fortune this evening was, "After the winter, spring will come".  I guess that will happen; a little earlier for Sue Ross our presenter this evening who was presenting from Aruba.  Certainly can see how times have changed in education. 
      Even though the presenters were remote - Aruba and Boston, the information will come in handy.  I really can see some great applications for Google Sites with the MAITS program, as well as for the extra curricular activities of FCCLA and LEO Club.  A great way to communicate remotely with the students involved - all the information can be easily posted and organized.   Thanks for the workshop.

      The Library databases continue to amaze me; guess that is due to all the old school research that was done in the stacks in whatever library I could get to.  So much easier than going through those Periodical Records and card catalogs.

       Now if we could just solve all those pesky, techno glitches that continually haunt WIMBA, Blackboard, etc.  Just why can't all of these systems do what we need them to do, when we need it?  Guess its a lot like teaching...