A peek at things to come

Everyone in the department attended our meeting this morning/afternoon. People seem to be open to taking a new direction in programming. Grades7-8 we'll focus on the basics of short story--literary elements like plot, character, conflict, and setting. We'd like to use new materials--but budgetary restraints have to be taken into consideration. Photocopying can be expensive but we'll make class sets to be used for at least a couple of years. This should help us avoid copyright related issues as well.

We're looking into setting up a social network (blog, etc.) for the kids. Our tech guy suggested "Ning". I'll have to check it out this weekend. The idea is to get kids to create a blog and other related online technologies to create a mult-genre response to novels, reading materials, writing prompts, and educational concepts taught in the classroom. The kids could create, research, and publish a variety of ideas and concepts based on class discussion and their own interpretation of the material covered in class.The teacher would have access in order to comment, suggest, assess and evaluate the content and design features of the blog. The blog would become a homework project with a reasonable timeline.

Areas of concern centered around privacy and cyber-bullying. Perhaps the blogger could select those who would have access to comment about the material on the blog. Our tech guy will consult with administration and review board policy.


The roof situation hasn't changed, but the weather continues to cooperate. 

I'll leave ya with a little Martyn Bennett




  

obligatory post

House cat is away for most of the day--she's a great babysitter's assistant. Spent part of the morning getting the house cat ready and fed. She seems to be looking forward to the change. Hanging with "good ol' dad"

can't be terribly exciting for a nine year old.

The school year is quickly approaching! Meeting tomorrow with my staff--we'll try other approaches this year. I'm going to push for Web 2.0--blogging as part of the writing credit for the course. Read an article about reaching Milennials--everyone has ADD/ADHD-- not really. The kids are bored with the method of instruction, we have to do something. "you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone..."

The roofing contractor arrived with shingles and placed them in my driveway two days ago--we haven't heard from him since. The weather has been fine but invetiably we'll soon be listening to an
ominous rhythm... Drip, Drip, Drip....

Sunny and windy today--the hurricane in Mexico wasn't as bad as predicted. However people were lost as a result of an earthquake in Indonesia.

Getting headaches late in the afternoon the last couple of days--very unusual for me. Hmmmm. Perhaps it's my sporadic eating pattern.

Nothing very profound to say, but I'm gonna keeping blogging away.  It's a little weird talking to oneself.

Birthday Girl

My youngest daughter had her ninth birthday party at the local public swimming pool. She was actually born on August 1st but all of her friends are on vacation during that time, so we usually hold it one week before school starts. She of course loves this, because she gets a family celebration on the 1st and a final bash at the end of the month. You've heard of "The Never Ending Story" or "The Song That Never Ends", we experience "The Birthday Party That Never Ends".  Around 15 of her mates attended--I was too busy helping my wife to actually count. The kids were ravenous after the swim, the cake was demolished and very little dinner (KFC--bad, bad, we know!) was left--they were like seagulls at a wharf. Needless to say it was a great success and of course my daughter was delighted --my wife is amazing at this kind of stuff.

Tropical storm Danny passed by yesterday, the roof is leaking (line from an old Phil Collins I think), we've been trying to get the damn thing fixed for the last two weeks. The weather hasn't been cooperating--does it ever? I'm not very handy and I have tried to create a temporary fix--to no avail.

I'm starting to think about school in September--as I get older it seems harder to reach these technological wizards. When I was their age a basic calculator cost 100.00 and you had to plug it into an electrical socket.

I'm trying to keep up with the technology--but time seems to be a factor. I've recently purchased a new computer with a Vista operating system--I can't burn Itunes, it's not compatible with many of my programs, it's a pain in the butt. What was wrong with XP? Next time, I'm going for an Apple.

Spent some time looking for music via the internet and youtube. Rediscovered an old guitar solo by Bill Nelson (Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape) it still brings back a flood of youthful memories. Bill is off on another tangent these days, older now, seems like a nice person (quirky, left of center, a tinge of sadness in his eyes).

I'm listening to John Martyn (Small hours) a little dated, but very honest and soulful.  Good night.


Good Morning, time for some Martyn Bennett, ah yes, Yer man from Athlone and Aye? always puts a smile on my face.

Now for some new stuff from our stage blog (or youtube) pomplamousse hail mary. You'll have to smile now!

Massive category Hurricane heading to Mexico--serious stuff, more pain and suffering.

My little house cat (youngest daughter) is watching way too much TV this morning.  I've got to go and drag her out for a walk in the local park. I love my life!

Music: Imogen Heap

I had been plannning to start a journal for many years, but I always managed to put it off until now. What prompted this change of heart? A young person, someone I have never met , a musician the same age as my oldest daughters, someone who I would normally not relate to because age and perhaps a generation gap. 
I was introduced to this young woman's music last year via CBC radio. The specific song was Hide and Seek2. I later found out that an earlier version of the song was featured on the television program the OC. I'm a little older than the 30 something crowd and was not exactly familiar with the show. Anyway, I was completely taken in by this extremely talented musician and have been following her (along with 900 thousand others) on twitter. Her willingness to share her life with others is very charming, but as a parent I would advise her to be very selective about the information she shares on the internet and its various communications technologies (I'm sure her loved ones have already addressed this).

I recently purchased a copy of her new album Ellipse and look forward to hearing more. Anyway I wish her well and I hope she continues to follow her "bliss" (a Joseph Campbell term).