I went to work yesterday while my students had the day off.  When I got to the Computer-Using Educators of BC (CUEBC) conference, I expected to get ideas about educational technology & social learning, and I did.  I did not expect to be thinking about the Olympics.  Most of you know that Vancouver/Whistler are hosting the games in February.  Preparations (and debate) have been intensifying over the last few years, but the games still feel distant and have not been at the front of my mind. 

West Vancouver Assistant Superintendent Chris Kennedy led a session about integrating the Olympics in classrooms, which I made a last minute decision to attend.  He is involved in Students Live, a program planning to have a group of high school students from the Vancouver/Whistler area attending and blogging on Olympic and Paralympic events (perhaps also tweeting and making videos).  That sounds like something interesting to follow, even if my students are too young to apply. 

It was also interesting to hear about the Vancouver Organising Committee’s (VANOC) sustainability awareness efforts,… which I was not aware of. With today’s world climate change rallies calling for us to reduce the carbon in the atmosphere, I thought the winning entry from VANOC’s video contest for youth last Spring offered a good example of the ways students can connect with the diverse issues around the 2010 games. Are the Olympic and Paralimpic Games on your RADAR?

We started pondering this problem today.  There is an interactive version from Mathemateg/Mathematics at http://www.dilan4.com/maths/ (scroll down if you go there to find it).  Any thoughts out there?

You have an unmarked 5L botle, a 3L botle and an unlimited supply of water.  How can you measure out exactly 4L of water using just these items?

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We've started looking at limericks just in time.  The excellent CBC science show, Quirks and Quarks, has launched a Limerick Contest.  As they say on their site, "How better to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy?"  All you have to do is write a limerick on an astronomical theme like planets, black holes, neutron stars, dark matter - anything to do with astronomy and space.  You can listen to the show by visiting this link.



Your assignment for class is to do just that; write a limerick on a space theme.  You must submit one for class, on paper or on your blog.  I encourage you to also submit your limerick to the Quirks and Quarks contest.  There is nothing to lose and they are giving telescopes away for the winning poems.  To submit your limerick to the contest, go to  the Contact Us link at the Quirks Web site.  You can include your limerick in the body of the message there.

Cole seems to be doing pretty well considering all he has been through.  He is beginning to find habits that help him think about his feelings and his choices.  He is beginning to find ways to respond to what he is feeling that help keep him on the right track, but he's also finding out that it's hard work.  What are some of the things he does that help him recognise his feelings, that help him think about where his feelings come from, and that help him decide to do something positive?  Do you have things that you do to keep your cool when you realise you are starting to get mad or nervous or feeling scared?

We have just begun to read Ben Mikaelsen's book, Touching Spirit Bear.  We've had a few anticipatory discussions already, but after the business of signing out books and some time to look them over, we only got throught the first few pages together.  Even at that, those few pages were enough for the main character, Cole, to make a big impression.  What did you think of him?  Can you point to something he did or said that helped shape your opinion?  

I'd like to try to get some discussion happening through comments to this blog.  You will have more to write later that will belong on your own blogs, but I will add to our class discussions with some conversation prompts here, so be sure to check in frequently and leave your thoughts.  Parents, siblings, and visitors of all stripes are encouraged to join in as well!  (If comments give away parts of the story we have not yet reached, I'll delay publishing them until we've caught up.) 

I make cards (notes) to give to my students on the last day of classes before the winter break each year, and I confess to using mail merge technology to make that happen when times are busy.  This year, I thought I’d do some experimenting with some other technology. Clicking the picture below will play this year's card.  If you'd like to leave a voice comment, you'll need to sign in to voicethread.com. Written comments can, of course, be left in the usual way bly clicking "comment" below.
Here’s wishing peace & joy to everyone and a year full of new learning ahead.

To all of my students, I send out this missive;
I hope you’ll each personally find it descriptive.
With ornament leaves earned through acts that we see
You’re showing our character, trimming our tree.
You accept one another for what you can do
And tolerate foibles - we all have them too.
You’ve read about character and came to see
Dear Edmund come ‘round to show integrity.
You’re giving respect for others and selves
By doing your work, keeping things on the shelves.
You say please and thank you and walk in the hall;
For good volunteers we have no want at all.
You’re fair and you’re honest, in word and in deed
We more than just say it, we live by our creed!
Responsible people do work and pay debts;
You’re managing money, some even bought desks.
We try to show kindness, no matter our ire,
To make families proud, those ones we admire.
Empathy calls us to first comprehend;
Solutions aren’t found if we don’t understand.

Some days can be hard, but we know life in fact
Is ninety percent made from how we react
Look ahead to the road; set your goals - make them GRAND!
Permit mistakes, learn from them. ‘Member that band?
Work hard, don’t sweat small stuff, let those pebbles go.
Make sure the sun finds you, let your best self show.

- Mr. Milloy
 

(I wrote the message I recorded, but cannot take credit for the snowflakes, which were made by an education researcher in Wisconsin.  You can see her photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/beautifulcataya/)