Some years ago, about four – I think, I had my writer’s circle students write a compilation of alphabet poems. There were six students in my group, each getting four letters on which to write a short, descriptive poem about what the letter brings to mind for each of them. I gave my usual, stay…
What is transparency? Throughout my involvement in different educational systems, institutions of higher learning, and other types of business ventures such as health care or non-profit entities, I have learned that transparency is something I highly value and look for when involved in a system. It is also something I aim to be part of…
Acrostic poems aren’t as easy as they seem. At the end of my last garden club meeting in mid-January, I gave the students a mini-lesson on writing acrostic poems. We had just discussed and planted flower bulbs and I wanted to incorporate some language arts into are lesson. The directions were simple, as I used…
Yesterday, I was on my way to grocery shop when I heard a local radio station announcer ask a question of the listening audience. It went something like this, “Today, 70% of children entering kindergarten can use a computer, but only 10% can do this. What is it?” Well, I am not trying to brag…
Today, I find myself in a quandary about what to write. I have a couple of ideas but both stem from irritations, one regarding education and one regarding sportsmanship. I really do not want to ruffle any feathers, which my words would most certainly do if I write what needs to be said. So, I…
I keep doing this – building something from nothing. This week I made a conscious decision to keep something I’ve built so I can continue using it with the freedom of thought and speech I’ve enjoyed since February 23, 2017. Can you guess what it is? It is writing my blog! But, writing my blog…
This morning I asked my son what day it was for week of special dress up days at the high school. I had seen that they had a theme for each day of the week this week, from the 17th through 21st celebrating the season. For example: Tuesday was Favorite Winterland Clothing Day. This meant…
If you read my post from a few days ago, you know I’m on a trip to visit a college with one my sons. There is lot to consider when looking at colleges. It is very much a personal decision governed by family values, resources, the student’s desires and preferences, and more. For us, it…
This weekend I am taking a trip back in time. I accompanying my younger son back to Western New York to visit a prospective college, which just happens to be the university my husband and I attended in the 1980’s. The trip also involves travel back to a suburb were we used to live. We’ll…
I left the theater Saturday night on a high note! Well, maybe not as high as if I’d been one of the piccolo players on stage, but still pretty high! My young adult son and I attended the Band Extravaganza at Iowa State University. It was the second time in six years I’ve been able…