Step 8: Life is Great!

Thoughts of Winter and Pie

Hello all!  This post is a bit off topic, and yet all part of my journey.  There are two things that I have really enjoyed lately and I wanted to share that with you.  The first is the Winter Activity Program at my school.  For 5 weeks, every Thursday afternoon for 2 hours, the students participate in an activity that is typically outside of the regular classroom setting.  Several of the students go over to the ski mountain for ski lessons, snowboarding, ski jumping etc.  Other students take classes in gymnastics, cooking, karate or arts and crafts.  I had the pleasure of participating in the Winter Sports activity for the 5 weeks and had a blast each time.  We skated on the ice rink located next to the gym, we snowshoed through the trails in the woods, we went sledding down the big hill by the school and in general had a blast each and every day.  Sadly I missed the last day of the program when the kids went cross-country skiing.  What I enjoyed most about doing these activities was seeing these kids excel at things that I would never see in the classroom.  They also saw me out skating around, and pushing myself to try things I wasn't very good at.  When we have opportunities to share these experiences, it gives us all a better understanding of each other, and makes connections that enhance our teaching and learning.

The other fun thing that I recently enjoyed was my annual Pie for Breakfast Party!  We had about 30 people at our house and around 20 different pies.  It was a real treat.  The reason why I wanted to mention it, is not because of the obvious deliciousness of the day, but rather all the wonderful people who surround me in my life.  I am truly blessed to have so many unique and adventurous people that I can count as friends.  Although several people called, emailed or texted in advance to say they couldn't make it this year, we still had a full house and a lot of fun!  We even did some singing!

 

 

 

 

                                      

Step 7: Learn More

So I recently started my courses for my Masters in Teaching with Technology through Marlboro College Graduate Center in Brattleboro VT.  I have always loved Marlboro, having received my undergrad degree in Theater and Psychology  in 1994.  I also worked for the Marlboro College library from 1994-2000 and that is where I discovered my passion for working in libraries.  The Grad Center is similar in so many ways and yet so different as well.  They have a tiny kitchen that people store stuff in; walking into it I felt transported back to so many of the dorm kitchens, same feel about it. And yet the grad center is also so different, the focus on technology and the idea of the global/digital community feels so strange, or at least at odds with what I knew at the undergrad school on the hill!

So far, the courses have been great! They are engaging, student centered, everything you would expect.  One of the greatest aspects of the courses I'm taking, is the fact that I can apply what I'm learning and the projects I'm doing with my current job. As educators, we always try to make real-world connections with kids and as a learner, I find greater engagement when I can do the same. I have been learning about all the Google tools in order to become a Google Certified Teacher. I am also learning a lot about making sure courses are accessible to all learners. 

I will be using this blog to share some of my work and to try out some of my new plans. Occasionally I may even ask for some feedback, so be on the lookout! I look forward to hearing all your comments, feedback, encouragement and advice. I hope to learn all I can on this journey and I thank you all for joining me.

a snapshot of me during my undergrad days at Marlboro

Step 6: Enthuse Others

Hey folks - this is the week when I did more to spread the word!  I spoke at the School Board meeting on Wednesday night, telling them all about Makerspaces and why I want to start one in our elementary school.  I shared the following video, the attached article and the attached survey.

7 Things You Should Know About Makerspaces - article

Makerspace checklist

I had the students create some fun things with the Little Bits kits and the MaKey MaKey kit and share those at the presentation as well.  It does certainly feel like we are on the right road.  I took some pictures of the kids while they were working - lots of enthusiasm and passion for the exploration and the process.

 

Student creating Lego Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Student created bow and arrow out of cardboard and rubber band.

Student exploring the MaKey MaKey kit using banana and other conductors as controllers for an online game.

Students using hot-glue gun to create a windmill from Popsicle sticks and a Little Bits kit.

 Students refit a remote control truck with a Little Bits kit so that it has working lights, a  horn and exhaust fan.









Students also added a trailer hitch made from a tin can and a cord wood holder from cardboard and attached this to their truck.












The same students that created this truck also wrote a letter to share at the school board meeting about why Makerspace is so important to them.  Neither student particularly likes writing, or does very well in school, but both are passionate about making, as you will see from their letter below.

Tyler and Wesley's letter to educators