Good News

Our very own Lindsey has obtained her GED as of yesterday! Please stop by and tell her congratulations and wish her well on her college endeavors. I may have been just a little excited when I pulled her results up on the computer.

Much to Lindsey's dismay, not only did I dance as bad as Elaine, I had trouble containing my excitement. I kept grabbing Lindsey's arm and shaking it saying "you passed you passed". I was then politely reminded by Lindsey she may need her arm when she goes to college. I released my death grip. She still has her arm and I have calmed slightly. She has no idea how excited I will be when she finishes her civics game.

Student Blogging

My students have begun their journey into the wonderful world of blogging. For those of you (myself included) that may still be a little fuzzy as to what a blog might be.... click below:

BLOGS IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Some blogs are informative. Some blogs are fun. Some blogs are well....subject matter only a select few may be interested in reading. Blogs are all of these things and so much more. Blogs let us share any information with anyone willing to read it! Think of the things you can accomplish with a blog. I can tell you on my blog to make sure you click all the links throughout and you will learn about the universe, Playstation 3, and Rick Springfield. I have given you three very diverse and interesting topics (Rick is interesting....let it go).

In my class we will be using our blogs to discuss class events, learning experiences, questions we have regarding flash programming, to answer questions we may have seen on each other's blogs, to find weekly assignments (yes, my blog will have your weekly assignments). A blog is a very powerful thing. A blog can inspire people to act, to think, to believe, to dream... If used in a positive manner a blog is a powerful and incredible tool.

My Growing Computer Lab

My computer lab last week:

Stay tuned for my computer lab next week! It will be better! I have it on good authority, plus 2 additional computers were delivered today with the promise of more next week.

I am excited

This may not seem like much to all of you, but....I have a new chair!!!! Crittenton green, but its new!

The Tortoise and The Hare

I remember being a child and hearing the story of The Tortoise and The Hare. At that time in my life I always wanted to be the hare. I knew he always lost by the end of the story, but I always thought I would be a smarter hare and change the end of the story. Most of my life I have aspired to be the hare, but that has not always been to my benefit. I have come to realize the tortoise was right in most cases. As we start our Globaloria classes my students and I are finding slow and steady works best.

So, be patient with us, we are working slowly and steadily.

New class with some recycled students

I am sitting in my classroom observing my students; some old (recycled) and some new. I am trying to decide how I can become a better teacher this year by looking at the students of the past, their needs, and the outcomes we achieved by the end of the year. One recycled student in particular has really grown and become a student any teacher would love to have in her classroom which was not always the case. Another recycled student just found out she will be leaving within a month and 1/2 so her mind is wandering quite a bit. I look at the new students whom thought the GED classroom would be easier than high school and find themselves in a state of panic!

I need to find ways to motivate the "short timers", calm and motivate the "shell shocked", and ways to praise, instruct, and utilize the "seasoned veterans". It is a very daunting task I have before me. That being said I find myself more relaxed this year:

As opposed to last year:

My hopes for this school year are that my students will become more than anyone has even expected of them (until now) and I will become :

Welcome to Globaloria

I know all of you are sitting here today wondering , "What the heck is Globaloria?" and "Melonie has finally lost her mind if she thinks she is going to make us program a computer game!". Globaloria is a social network for students and educators to learn and use social media to create their own games, wiki pages, and blogs. I know what is a social network? Most of you have My Space or Facebook, both of these are social networks. Globaloria allows us to connect with other students, educators, and professionals and become more technologically literate. Relax and keep an open mind and I promise you this will be not only educational, but fun. If you want to read more about Globaloria click here. At any time you can visit my blog and my wiki page. I look forward to visiting all of your blogs and wiki pages in the new future.

By the way Melonie lost her mind a long time ago and if she can make a game so can you.