Making Progress

Another week finds my students feverishly working on getting their game demos done on time. Between now and our presentation dates, we will have end of course assessments, Westests, and AP testing. Time is passing so quickly, the end of school will be here before we know it. I will need the summer to recuperate. Then we'll start over in August and do it again!

Good Intentions

I seemed to have let down on my goal to write in my blog at least twice a week. This is the time of year that everything gets hectic anyway. Then add to the mix, we are trying to finish our demos. I guess I will just have to get back on track and try harder or maybe I should "use the force?"

Photo Cube

I saw a photo cube on a wiki or blog and thought it was really neat. There was a link to the site that you could enter your own pictures. So since I had some free time to explore, I thought I would try it. So this is my attempt at a photo cube containing pictures of my granddaughter.


Photo Cube

FBLA State Leadership Conference

We have students that will advance to the National FBLA Conference in Nashville this summer. Our Entrepreneurship Team placed first and we had a 1st and 2nd in Cybersecurity, 3rd in Public Speaking II, 3rd in Intro. to Technology, 3rd in Business Law and 4th in Business Law. Some of my students were disappointed that they only gave out the first five places instead of ten. Now comes the hard part, getting all the paperwork, reservations and travel plans completed. If you are not an FBLA member, check out their website.

Practicing What I'm Preaching

If we want our students to blog, we have to set the example. I get busy with trying to keep everything up to date and often forget to write in my blog. This week is hectic with the writing assessment taking place and the State FBLA Conference begins Friday in Charleston. I am going to take Ingrida Barker's advice and set a goal to blog at least twice a week. Hopefully, the next time I will be able to report a lot of FBLA winners from our school.

It's Been a While

Since we have had "8" straight days of class, we have been busy trying to get back on track. That's a good excuse for not writing in my blog. This is usually the time of the year that things begin to get hectic. With FBLA competition, the writing assessment and spring break approaching, it is difficult to get the students' full attention. Before you know it, school will be out! I guess it is time to pick up the pace!

New Olympic Event??

Well, we have been off from school for the last three days and who knows about Friday. It does give you time to keep up-to-date with the Olympics. After we finished our daily routine of shoveling snow, I wondered if they would ever consider adding such an event to the winter olympics. We could practice right here at home!

How Many Days Until Spring?

We have missed two more days of school this week. When we are in school, there are students that are absent. I am really tired of all the snow. We are getting behind in class and all these missed days really add up. How many more days until Spring? I know I'm ready for a change in the weather!

Entering the 21st Century at Warp Speed

Wow! Starting Globaloria has been a big change in my class. The students are getting their e-mail, wiki and blog set up. They are anxious to get their pictures on their wiki and are ready to start customizing it. Some are already comfortable with the new setup and some are still dazed and confused--but I think they will catch on quickly. It is a new challenge that I think we are all ready to undertake.

Motivating Students

Anyone that has taught in the classroom has experienced the problem with motivating some students. You always have students that will do anything you ask, ones that do what you ask most of the time, and then the ones that no matter what you do, it's hard to get anything out of them. It is frustrating, but you have to look at each individual student to see what is going on with them. For different reasons, they don't come to school or they don't complete work or turn anything in. Most of the time, there is an underlying reason for this behavior. We just don't know what it is. These students sometimes do not have any support at home and are pretty much raising themselves or the family unit does not exist for them. As a teacher, I have found that you have to let them know that you are interested in them and want them to do well. Most students need praise and encouragement. They need to know that you are there for them. Sometimes you find out after they have graduated and moved on that you made a big impact on their lives. If you're really lucky, they get a chance to tell you face to face!