I Can't Believe It's Over!

I can hardly believe we're heading into our last class with Tony! Of course, that goes along with the fact that I can't believe this school year is almost over! As we get older, life seems to go faster and faster.

This class has been such a great experience. One of the best things about it is that all of the things we've learned can continue to be enhanced as we discover more and more about the handhelds. It is obviously an area of technology that will continue to expand. I'm anxious to see what the next few years bring, especially in terms of music software.

It was so interesting to see everyone's projects. Imaginative, creative, fun - such innovative ways to capture the students' interests and to spark the desire to learn. It would be fun to be able to visit some of the classrooms next year and see some of the lessons that come out of the technology we've learned.

I look forward to being able to continue to know more about the handhelds and the continuously changing technology. My one fear is that we seem to have so little time to work on things. Tony has worked with us at Willowdale, helping us to develop class and curriculum web sites, but in between the time we spend with Tony, it's difficult to find a couple of free hours to continue. I hope that our district, and other districts, will devote time and staff development to technological advances so that we can continue to grow and improve!

Thanks, Tony, for your insight, your patience, your humor, and your leadership. It has been a great class!

The Pressure's On!

Tony's class has been such a breath of fresh air! Hands-on activities, discovering software, discussing ideas to be used in class - it makes the time go so quickly! But, when the "roving reporter" assignment hits, it changes everything! What if I miss something important? So I brought my laptop to class so that I could write down everything we discussed. And after class I wondered why I didn't bring it EVERY week! What an easy way to keep track of everything. Those of you in class - I know this applies to Rick - that have a mini keyboard for your Palm must find it incredibly helpful when keeping track of class activities. I'm thinking it is a "must" buy this summer!

I wonder how everyone is feeling about our lesson plan assignment. Ideas seem to wander through my brain at the most inappropriate times - during church yesterday, at a rehearsal on Saturday, when I was trying to go to sleep last night! There don't seem to be a lot of readily accessible music programs for the Palm, so I am a bit daunted by this assignment. PLUS, different ideas keep wandering in, so I change my mind frequently on what I'd like to cover in the plan. Today is my personal deadline - I must make a decision and begin mapping out the particulars. On Wednesday, when I suddenly think of an idea that might be better, I'll just have to save it to try on next year's fourth graders!

I look forward to seeing everyone in class on Thursday!!

White Chili and Fried Brains

I'll confess that my brain ceased functioning before class even started last week. Tony and I spent all afternoon in a meeting to discuss Willowdale's action plans, rewrite what was necessary, haggle over wording or concepts, and, ultimately, vote on acceptance. It was a long afternoon!

I loved the concept mapping, especially Inspiration. I've checked the blogs of several classmates and that one seems to be a favorite. Inspiration seems to offer the most flexibility and it's easy to use. Lynne had a good point in her mention that concept mapping on the handheld might be difficult for her kids because you can't always see the entire map. Inspiration scores the highest in that area as well.

By the time we got to ebooks, I flatlined. I honestly have no idea how to start. Midway through, I came to for a few minutes, so I think if I can figure out how to start it all, it might be okay. Ebooks look wonderful! And they offer so many solutions to curriculum - ways to enhance teaching, to emphasize those concepts that are difficult to grasp, better and more examples of concepts, the ease of having it all on the handheld - so many positives! Obviously, I'll be spending some time on this by myself to figure out what I missed during my momentary lapses!

Several people asked for the White Chili recipe, so here it is:

1 pound large white beans
6 C. chicken broth (I used beef because I like the flavor better)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium onions, chopped and divided
1 T. oil
2 4-oz. cans chopped green chilies
2 t. ground cumin
1 1/2 t. dried oregano
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
4 C. diced cooked chicken breasts
3 C. grated Monterey Jack cheese

Combine beans, chicken broth, garlic and half the onions in a large soup pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are very soft, 3 hours or more. Add more broth, if necessary. In a skillet, saute remaining onions in oil until tender. Add chilies and seasonings and mix thoroughly. Add to bean mixture. Add chicken and continue to simmer 1 hour. Serve topped with grated cheese.

Add condiments as desired: chopped tomatoes, chopped parsley, chopped black olives, guacamole, chopped scallions, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips, salsa.

See you all on Thursday!