First Staff Development

I made it through my first district staff development!
This comes after a couple of rough days with students. Those kinds of days when one questions their reason to show up in the morning.
But, I showed up today, continued my "cup is half full" attitude, and prepared for the class.
I had my wiki ready for links of all of the software, hardware, and websites reviewed. I presented each topic in a way similar to which I would my 75 year old mother.
I tried to look around and see if people were engaged or looked like a "deer in the headlights". I would say, generally there were smiles. The kind of smile you might have when you find something new or cool. The kind in which you have when you find something that could help others be successful.
All went well except for one part...The custodians locked all of the school doors except one. The one which is the farthest away from the computer lab! This will now come to the top of my list when preparing for new classes.
So, I guess I will do this again in the future. I had fun. I felt like I made a connection to some who may not have considered computer technology.

I would like to hear about your first experience with presenting to peers. What was the highs and lows of your seminar?

Thanks to all,
Your Pal,
Lori

Flat Stanley

Stanley's travels are now beginning. Our special eduction class at Lux Middle School in Lincoln Nebraska, which consists mostly of moderate to severe students, have been hearing about the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.

Stanley is flattened when a bulletin board falls on him. This does not stop him from having adventures. He is just the right shape to be put in an envelope and be mailed around the world! Imagine what he will see when he arrives at his destinations. Who will he meet? What activities will he join in to?

This is where you can help out...If you are willing to have Stanley mailed to you (snail or email) we would be more than happy to share him with you. This adventure will last throughout the entire school year. This gives plenty of time to invite Stanley to hang out with you.

I have started a "glog" to track some of the adventures. Stop by often!
http://lfeld52.glogster.com/flatstanley/

What we should learn from the story of Noah's Ark!

I just came back from services and this week's story was that of Noah's Ark.
The lay-leader shared this bit of humor prior to the reading:

Everything I Really Need to Know
I Learned From Noah's Ark

• Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
• Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something Really big.
• Don't listen to critics. Do what has to be done.
• Build on the high ground.
• For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
• Two heads are better than one.
• Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
• If you can't fight or flee--float.
• Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
• Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
• When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain--shovel!
• Stay below deck during the storm.
• Remember that the ark was built by amateurs & the Titanic was built by professionals.
• If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
• Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
• No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.
• DON'T MISS THE BOAT !!!!