Mrs. Hughes

If you scroll to the bottom, you will see a YouTube movie showing Mrs. Hughes, self professed "World's Funniest Grandma". Watch it--it has some very funny lines.

Our YouTube Movie

Either click to play below or copy and paste this web address to follow this link
to see our YouTube Movie entitled:
Transitioning from Middle School to High School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBOfScWclc8

The Podquest

I think the webquest was a good assignment -- it was fun working together to create something
as a group and see it posted on the internet. We really didn't use the blog in the process of
our project. Were we suppose to use it --I guess I can post it on my blog.

I think our group process went well. We met once to put things together and then the second
time we practiced several times and then got a pretty good taping of the project.

I think it was good to bounce ideas between each other--each contributing and compromising
Ellen -- created our "little people" and helped scripted (providing the points or tips
as she sends these out to in coming freshman). Mary provided the background and some
good ideas on practicing and scripting. I helped with the scripting and did the taping.
I also put it together as I had the Mac with iMovie and probably the most background
in doing this process (I learn quite a bit doing it too).

All in all, I enjoyed doing this project. I just wish the taping had been clearer--inconsistant
lighting.

Try and try again with no desired results

Bankhofer Statement

I agree with Alicia Bankhofer's statement regarding podcasting except I'm not sure podcasting is in its infancy. This statement was written several years ago and when I googled podcast now there were over 74 million results. We had listed interesting content, humor and specific topics.

Ragbrai

Tomorrow it is off to Ragbrai Bike Ride--no, I'm not riding a bike, but my two children are--one right now and delivering the other to join tomorrow. I'm very proud of them--I know they have alternative motives other than just getting exercise, but at least they are doing something special and making great memories (between themselves and others from around the world). What have you done in your life sharing with other family or people that you will remember with a smile on your face?

Friends are Forever

Two of my best friends from college days are visiting this weekend plus one new one. We have known each other for 42 years! Yikes! We are like sisters and try to get together several times a year. It is great! We have created so many wonderful memories-one recent one was a Hawaii trip we enjoyed last summer. We wish we could go back again and just relax on the beach--we took several tours that were very interesting.

One friend is from Carlisle and one is from north of Chicago so the QC is a middle point and works out for most of the get togethers. But we have also traveled together to Orlando, Texas, and Door County.

These are forever friends!

Ames Trip

I just returned from Ames where I helped my niece and husband finish painting the inside of their new house (or new to them) and unpack the many boxes. He just finished with the Air Force and is an OB-GYN Dr. I enjoyed working and helping family. It reminded me of days gone by where my parents went to help my aunt and uncle when they moved. It was family helping family--thereby making what some might view as undesireable activity to an enjoying time simply because it is done together--this doesn't seem to happen much anymore with families so spread across the US. We grew up with all aunts and uncles around us--that no longer exists. So even though I was doing physical work--it will be a good memory just because I spent more time with my family.

Do you agree that families are spread far and wide these days in comparison with days gone by? What changes does this bring into our lives?

Toys

Which of the 3rd party tools did you like the best? I liked the Mosaic of pictures, but it would require quite a bit of time on the students part and several pictures that they would need to use.

Learning online

How do you feel about taking a class online--instead of using a book--you read from accessing an eBook?

What if?

What if students were not allowed to bring a cell phone to school?