Here are a few things that we can learn from puppies:

• Explore – Don’t be afraid! The world is the limit, and that’s how you learn.
• Elimination – Sometimes it’s necessary. Just let go of those things that you no longer need.
• Play – Play a lot!  Chase a ball, pick up a stick, just to see what happens.
• Snow – 16 inches of snow to a 10-week-old puppy at first seems overwhelming, but soon it becomes one more thing to investigate. Go ahead…jump right in and see what happens. There is always someone nearby to rescue you should you find yourself unable to climb out of the snow drift by yourself.
• Nutrition – Feed your body and your mind. Keep yourself growing by learning new things.
• Chew on that – Sometimes you just need to take time to think about new technology and other tools and how to best use them in your classroom.
• Chase your tail – Feel like you’re running in circles? Stop! Take a break. Turn off the computer, call a friend, create a special meal, do something for yourself.
• Accidents – Realize that accidents happen. Accept the consequences and learn from your mistakes.
• Greetings – Greet your friends and family with love and excitement, even if they’ve only been gone a few minutes.
• Rest – Take naps, and get plenty of rest.
• Affection – Thrive on attention and let people get to know you. Everyone can use extra hugs!
• Simplicity – An old sock can become a favorite toy. Delight in the simple things of life.
• Help – Before you get too frustrated with a task, let others assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

I’m sure that those of you who own pets can relate. If you have additional items to add to the list, please leave a comment!

How will you integrate technology into your curriculum today?

Merry Christmas!

So, I spent a lot of time, along with Tina Coffey, training and working with our new student information system (TEMS)…trying to get everything ready for the beginning of the school year in our elementary schools. It was different for me to work quite a bit during the summer, but it was time well spent.

Those of you who know me well are aware that I enjoy traveling for a couple of weeks each summer too. In July, I went with a group from Grand European Tours to Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, and Budapest! Because of my music background, visiting the land of Mozart and Strauss and many other composers was very special. Highlights included a Mozart concert in the opera house in Vienna and an opera in the concert hall in Prague where Mozart himself conducted. Traveling through the land of my favorite movie, The Sound of Music, was another highlight.

Traveling through countries that were controlled by communism just a few years ago was very educational and made me appreciate even more the freedoms we have always had here in America.

So, what did you do for fun this summer? Did you spend special time with your children and grandchildren? Did you pursue a new hobby or enjoy an old one? Did you travel either locally or far away? Please leave comments below and share your fun times with others!

We begin next week, and I feel very confident that everyone involved is ready…maybe a bit anxious, but definitely well prepared and competent. So, to help alleviate some of that anxiety, I have compiled a list of fun sites on the internet to take your minds off of testing for a few minutes.

I found a stress test on the internet, so please begin here to assess how stressed you may be. If, after taking this very scientific test, you determine that you are moderately stressed, check out some of the following links and have fun!

Virtual Bubble Wrap
Go pop some bubbles. You know you want to!

Cute Overload
cute pictures and videos of a variety of animals

JigZone
If you love jigsaw puzzles, this it the site for you

Virtual Paintball
Whack some smilies in this office, or just “decorate” with the paint

The Red Square
Move the red square so it doesn’t touch any of the blue rectangles

Blobs
Think Chinese Checkers with frogs

Free Rice
Practice your vocabulary skills

Net Disaster
Select a web site and then throw cream pies at it…and other goodies

OK, those links should get you started. I’m sure that you have your own favorite sites that you visit once in a while just for fun. Please share them in the comments so all of us can enjoy them!

I added Kerpoof.com to my Delicious bookmarks back in September, but I have only recently begun exploring this fun site. It’s a kid friendly site, and it’s fun for kids of all ages. You can draw, mix and paint with virtual watercolors, create drawings with stamps and backgrounds, and even create videos.

Here’s a link to a simple, silly movie that I just created.

I don’t know about you, but I can get completely lost in a site like this! Those of you with artistic talents will really enjoy playing here, and your students will too. The nice thing is, you do not need to register to play around here, and the files that have been shared have also been approved, so it’s safe for kids.

There is a link for teachers and an archive of newsletters with ideas for using Kerpoof in the classroom.  Check it out!

Thanks for all you do every day, even on the days when you feel like this!