This fall the N.C.S.S.S.M.S.T. Conference is in Atlanta. So we're not going far. Since the conference is in our hometown, the Wheeler Gang is doing a few presentations. Linda Patterson and I will be presenting again on Teaching Engineering Classes in the High School. We've re-vamped it a little but basically it's the same presentation.
I'm venturing out solo this time and speaking on Creating Architectural Design Projects. After the last conference, I thought this would be a helpful topic. I imagine classes other than Drafting classes have units on architecture or home design and the teachers might like to have some tips on setting up projects in which the students can be successful at.
Once again, here's the Prezi for my prezentation:
Hope to see you at the conference, but if not just ping me. I'm out here in the Web 2.0 world somewhere.
If you are interested in the resource documents from the presentation, here's the link to a zip file on Google Docs.
If you've arrived here as a result of our presentation on Teaching Engineering Courses in the High School, here's a zip file of the resources on Google Docs.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Isn't Google Great?
Sorry to not have written anything earlier this school year. It's been a challenging start. What with budgets, administrative challenges and class sizes, it's been rather difficult to find the time to update the blog. It's not that we haven't been doing anything interesting, it's just that time has been short.
Late last spring our principal received a big box from Google. Inside the box were 5 laptops and a letter stating that Wheeler High School had been chosen to participate in the STEM High School Laptop Grant program. Mr. Chiprany gave me the task of figuring how to chose the 4 students who were to receive these laptops. Talk about delegating! He passed that job off pretty quickly. Not to worry, Wildcat Drafting can handle it. But how do you choose 4 students out of a population of over 2,000?
After discussing this with several other teachers, we arrived at the decision that the students should be either senior or juniors, had taken several STEM classes, expressed an interest in pursuing STEM in either a career or post-secondary education and preferably not already own a laptop. We didn't want to make it a competition, so GPA's and essays were out of the questions. At about this same time, the school district's budget woes and teacher layoffs were the center of attention, so we decided to postpone making a decision about the laptops until school started back in the fall. We made our decision about who the recipients would be and then we had to find a time we could get them all together.
Today was that day. We had asked the students to report to the media center under the pretense of having their photo made for a media project. As they came in, I had the four laptops on a table and I ask them to have a seat. They were looking at the new computers and making comments about them, but they were still a little confused as to why they were there. You should have seen their faces when I told them that the laptops were theirs to keep. I explained that Wheeler High School had been chosen, along with 599 other schools, to receive the laptop grant. We were to give the laptops to two male and two female students who demonstrated interest, ability and achievement in STEM related courses. They were so excited!
What about the students? They are all above average, but they don't have 4.999+ GPA's. Some are athletes, one is an Eagle Scout, one plans to become a doctor, another an engineer. One is interested in architecture and another in computer programming. Some are magnet students and some are regular ed. They are a good mix of bright, energetic students that make teaching a pleasure.
I must say a big "Thank you" to Google for providing the laptops, to Mr. Chiprany for giving me the opportunity to be involved with this project and Valerie Bryan, our Media Specialist for helping with giving out the laptops. It's been a great day! I mean how often is it that you get to give away 4 new laptops to 4 deserving students!
Late last spring our principal received a big box from Google. Inside the box were 5 laptops and a letter stating that Wheeler High School had been chosen to participate in the STEM High School Laptop Grant program. Mr. Chiprany gave me the task of figuring how to chose the 4 students who were to receive these laptops. Talk about delegating! He passed that job off pretty quickly. Not to worry, Wildcat Drafting can handle it. But how do you choose 4 students out of a population of over 2,000?
After discussing this with several other teachers, we arrived at the decision that the students should be either senior or juniors, had taken several STEM classes, expressed an interest in pursuing STEM in either a career or post-secondary education and preferably not already own a laptop. We didn't want to make it a competition, so GPA's and essays were out of the questions. At about this same time, the school district's budget woes and teacher layoffs were the center of attention, so we decided to postpone making a decision about the laptops until school started back in the fall. We made our decision about who the recipients would be and then we had to find a time we could get them all together.
 |
| Google Laptop Recipients |
Today was that day. We had asked the students to report to the media center under the pretense of having their photo made for a media project. As they came in, I had the four laptops on a table and I ask them to have a seat. They were looking at the new computers and making comments about them, but they were still a little confused as to why they were there. You should have seen their faces when I told them that the laptops were theirs to keep. I explained that Wheeler High School had been chosen, along with 599 other schools, to receive the laptop grant. We were to give the laptops to two male and two female students who demonstrated interest, ability and achievement in STEM related courses. They were so excited!
What about the students? They are all above average, but they don't have 4.999+ GPA's. Some are athletes, one is an Eagle Scout, one plans to become a doctor, another an engineer. One is interested in architecture and another in computer programming. Some are magnet students and some are regular ed. They are a good mix of bright, energetic students that make teaching a pleasure.
I must say a big "Thank you" to Google for providing the laptops, to Mr. Chiprany for giving me the opportunity to be involved with this project and Valerie Bryan, our Media Specialist for helping with giving out the laptops. It's been a great day! I mean how often is it that you get to give away 4 new laptops to 4 deserving students!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
I'm departing from writing about Drafting and Technology related topics for this time. I'm just too excited abo
ut this past weekend to not write about it somewhere and since this is my blog, I figure I can write what I want.My family has been a part of a community theater group called Christian Family Theater for years. This past weekend the kids put on 4 showings that were just amazing! I really am proud of all the young actors and actresses but especially my own children. My son Jon nails the portrayal of Joseph
, my daughter Jennifer is the Awesome Narrator, Joel does a splendid rendition of the calypso-singing Judah, daughter Janna is the handsome brother Issachar and then the younger daughters Julie and Janelle are in the children's choir.If you've never seen the musical by Andrew Llyod Webber or the movie starring Donnie Osmond, here is the description:
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and
humanity are continually challenged. He is purchased by Potiphar where thwarting advances from Potiphar's wife lands him in jail. When news of Joseph's gift to interpret dreams reaches the Pharaoh (wryly and riotously depicted as Elvis), Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Eventually his brothers, having suffered greatly, unknowingly find themselves groveling at the feet of the brother they betrayed but no longer recognize. After testing
their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-we
stern and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.You have TWO MORE CHANCES to see a great production of "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". The remaining two performances are a dinner theater with the food being catered by Maggiano's Little Italy in Buckhead. Awesome food and a great show for only $20.
This show ran last
weekend and received great reviews from ALL who have se
en it. Some that came more than once that did not have anyone IN the show. They just wanted to see it again because it was so good.Here are just a FEW of the many comments that have been made:
- You HAVE to see this play.it was WONDERFUL, AMAZING and so FUNNY. These kids were incredible! I was so impressed with the level of performance. My 8 yo daughter was totally mesmerized by the Narrator's performan
ce. That show got her thinking about what SHE could do if she tried. What a positive impact. ~Ena H. - FISH Moms Group ~ - Great job to Christian Family Theatre...and their cast and crew. They did an AMAZING and I do mean AMAZING job with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I sat there with my chin dropped. Would LOVE to have this show in Cedartown. If you have not seen them, you missed out BIG!!!! Way to go!! ~Pastor J.B. and Mrs. Kellie - New Hope Fellowship Church ~
- WOWEEE!!! I loved it you guys!! Great job! ~Arielle S.~
- Thoroughly enjoyed seeing the performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" last weekend. What a fantastic production! ~Kym & Shane D. ~
So if you live in the
Metro Atlanta area and want to give a great gift for Mother's Day!! Come and see this musical!Performance Location: Marietta Church of God, 1083 Allgood Road, Marietta, GA 30062
Call NOW to reserve tickets - 404-934-9937. We need to give a COUNT to Maggiano's by Thursday!
Email: tickets@chr
istianfa
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