Deep Thoughts

I had a great day with a great conversationalist yesterday.  It was full of good ol' fashion fun and deep thoughts.  We partook in cognitive sparring while enjoying a beautiful fall day here in Iowa.  Here are some of the questions that arose during the day:

• If money or other obligations were no object, what would you do with your time and energy?
• How do you want to be remembered?  What are you doing now to achieve that end?
• What do you want to learn (again if time and money were no object)?

We engaged one another in conversation as we considered Paul Newman's life.  He was a humble man with an extraordinary heart - loving husband, family man, powerful philanthropist.  What is the legacy you will leave this world? 

Spend some time pondering these questions.  The answers may surprise you and lead you in another direction than the path you are on.  I would love to hear responses to these penetrating questions.  Please share!

photo on flickr by Firefighter24-7's

I Need to H.A.L.T. sometimes!

Ever find yourself in state of total frustration or anger - then all of a sudden you wonder - how in the world did I get this way?  Of course!  We all have at one time or another.  Inevitably in those times, we say and/or do things that we normally wouldn't in our "calm" state of mind. 

So, here is a tip that was given to me years ago.  It is a self-monitoring system that has saved me much pain and turmoil.  It is quite simple -

HALT

Don't let yourself get too:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely or Lacking "Light"
Tired

So when you feel those feeling bubbling up inside you - just stop and take a HALT inventory.  Our schedules are so hectic that if we can manage these quite manageable conditions in ourselves, we will be more at peace in our lives.

What about you?  Do you have any system in place to monitor your attitudes or feelings?  I would love to hear about it.

photo on flickr by Athary

A Great Day of Conversations!

Had a Great Day with connections on the Literacy to Africa Front!  Received two valuable conversations from two faithful men of God. 

1.  Mike Gudka from Ankeny First United Methodist Church contacted me in regards to a missions trip that is currently being planned for next summer.  I had only, literally, three mintues to talk to him before I had to give a lesson on patterns.  Will meet the first weekend in October to discuss how I can come alongside the mission trip in hopes of delivering educational supplies to children in need.

2.  When I got home, I received a lovely email from Mitch Matthews, being the mediator of an online virtual introduction.  I quickly called my new introductee, Eric Idehen.  I was surprised when I heard of his non-profit organization, the hopeorphans.org.  It is a wonderful venture in Benin City, Nigeria.  This is the magic of the internet, meeting people together with like-minded interests.  I am excited to see how we can collaborate together in order to help children in Africa to become literate citizens of the world. 

Keep in touch dear readers!  Lots of work yet to be done.

photo on flickr by bokchoyboy

Biker Chicks Rule!

A nice day + a day off = me on my motorcycle.  Shocked?  That is the usual reaction when I tell people that I ride a Harley.  I've been riding motorcycles since I was three years old.  NO, not driving - don't panic.  My dad use to drive me and my sisters around for rides when we were little.  I have actually been driving my own motorcycle for over 20 years. 

In fact, I have compiled my top eight reasons why I love to ride my bike:

1. Looking at children's faces when they realize I am a girl.
2. Looking at men's faces when they see me pull up beside them at the stoplight.
3. The power I feel when I lay into the throttle.
4. Wearing chaps - no explanation necessary.
5. Feeling at sense of oneness with nature.
6. Being Independent.
7. Feeling a sense of comradery with fellow riders.
8. But the top reason I love riding my bike is that with the first few miles I ride, the cares of the world simply lift off my mind and get lost somewhere on the road.  Then I am able to concentrate on the ride and enjoy the journey.  For me, it is a spiritual experience.

Even though I have been riding for some time, I often allow myself to travel back in time to the days of when I rode as a passenger with my dad.  I remember taking the back roads in Iowa at night.  I would close my eyes, lay my head back, and stretch out my arms to the sides.  I felt like I was flying. 

What about you dear reader?  What do you enjoy so much that at the first possibly time, you excitedly dive into the experience?

photo on flickr EJ and MJ's photostream

Teaching Teachers Technology

As I sat in on the meeting, I listened as a seasoned teacher stated, quite defiantly mind you, how she does not want her 5th graders working too much on the computer.  She claimed it was not as much of a learning tool as it was just to research some topics. 

It took all I had within me to keep from smiling and telling her what I KNOW to be true - teaching through technological means is one of the best ways to engage our students in learning in 2008.  What this wonderful teacher does not realize is that technology provides the means in which we as teachers do what is basic in teaching - capture the attention and interest of students through what they enjoy and their learning styles. 

X-box, MP3 players, Blackberries, Instant and text Messaging, Computers, etc.

This is the age in which our students are being influenced by all things technology.  As teachers, it is our job to teach them how to navigate and critically analyze the medium of technology to gain enduring understanding in the content areas.   

As I reflected on this more, I thought of David Truss' new video called, A Brave New World-Wide-Web. I came across it from Dr. Scott Mcleod's website, Dangerously Irrelevant.  Word is that this video is making the rounds, but I believe it is worth another look. 

Next time you run across a teacher who finds no value in the authentic learning that takes place from technology, challenge her to a test as this video shows.  Teachers around the world, embrace your inner wiki! 

Cindy - Africa's Hope for the Future

  Since starting my quest on my Big Dream, I have been reading and watching videos showing the tragic circumstances children find themselves.  How can children possibly fight their way out of poverty without the basic means of equipping them to get out.  Many adults would probably lose hope in such dire conditions and give up.  I just got to wondering if all these children gave in to their plight.

Then I found Cindy.  She is a shining testament to the power of perserverance and fulfilling ones dreams.  Her zest for life and education is infectious, especially considering the fact that her mom died when she was very young.  This is less than four minutes.  I guarantee you will be encouraged and inspired by her words and her smile.  Take a listen!

Cindy is but one of many who understands the unshakable link between literacy and a life of few options.  With the gift of literacy, she will make a difference!

Scored Sites of a Sub

One of the great things about being a substitute teacher is the accessibility of resources from other teachers.  I just started my long-term sub position with the Talented and Gifted program (TAG) here in Iowa.  While shadowing a very pregnant teacher, I spent some of my time time learning about the program and the resources she has in place to support her job.

I could almost hear the website angels singing as I navigated my way through her online resources.  GOLDMINE! 

Here are just a few of the sites I scored thus far:

exploratorium.edu - San Francisco museum of science, art and human perception.

observe.arc.nasa.gov - This site provides teachers with a great anchor lesson with several web links for all types of natural disasters.

U.S. Geological Survey - Everything science and geology related.

pbs.org/newshour/extra - Great site for students in grades 7-12.  It features news, current events and much more.

edtech - Everything Math

Pete's Power Point Station - Site offers free powerpoint presentations and interactive activities.

First Podcast - Continuing The Dream

Wow!  I am still shaking and I'm not quite sure what it is that I actually said.  Ever been interviewed for a podcast?  Well, I haven't - until today.  I was okay as long as I thought about it just being a conversation between two people, but as soon as he said, "Everyone who will be listening", I could feel my pulse race just a little faster.

Mitch Matthews, the founder of The Big Dream Gathering, and I just discussed My Big Dream via a podcast that will be blogged about on his website tomorrow. 

So, let's listen together....

Big hugs to Mike Sansone and Drew McLellan for being a rock in my dream.  Now that you've had a chance to listen to my heart.  Share your impressions or thoughts.

Hope for America

As the election nears, my thoughts wander back to a day when I was feeling quite patriotic - of course I am talking about the 4th of July.  It is always a great time for family and friends togather and celebrate our country's automony and freedoms.  While all eyes are on the lit sky, I witness a friend hold his son on his shoulders to see the display of lights. 

 

  As I watch a loving moment shared between father and son, my thoughts wander to the children.  How will their world look as they celebrate this momentous event with their children some day?  They are destined to inherit all of our labors, accomplishments, and failures of our present.

  Our only hope for the future lies in the values we instill in our children.  A stable, flourishing American rests in the future characters of our young ones.  Many faithful mothers, fathers, and family members around the country are actually playing out what seems to be a heavy burden naturally.  They spend quality time with the children they have been blessed to care for.  Passing along family traditions and values while equipping our children for a future none can imagine, is a task every adult must face.

     So what will our children’s world be like when they are our age?  Only God knows.  The best we can do is to give our best to those little ones who look up to us.  We carry the responsibility of preparing them for an unknown world they will walk in alone.  Just like this father, we must hold our children up in safety and knowledge to show them the beauty and possibilities of a world they will all too soon govern. 

 

As the verbal banter rages on, let us keep our children on our minds as we ask the tough questions to those who seek to lead us into this unknown future.

 

What are your words of wisdom to contribute while all of this political conversation is happening?

To Find Yourself - Get LOST!

• Committments
• Deadlines
• Schedules
• Jobs
• Family
• Bills
• Me Time - Your kidding, right?

 

Seriously....Give yourself a break and get out in nature.  Otherwise, our fast-paced world will eat you alive if you let it.  For the sake of all the items listed above, get lost.  Find somewhere you can go and just BE STILL. 

Stop - Listen - Breathe.

This poem has saved my sanity more than once.

 

LOST

 

Stand still.  The trees ahead and bushes beside you

Are not lost.  Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger

Must ask permission to know it and be known.

The forest breathes.  Listen.  It answers

I have made this a place around you

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven

No two branches are the same to Wren

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost.  Stand still.  The forest knows

Where you are.  You must let it find you.

Lost:  David Wagoner

 

My challenge to you is to find a solitary spot in a wooded spot and just be.  Connect to the world that is void of the stressors that all too often ensnare us.

Where is your place to get lost?  Tell me about it!