Monday, Any day, All Days

So another Monday is almost "under our belts." What, exactly, does that mean? Does that suggest that it is below our waists? Or, perhaps, trapped inside the space between our trousers and our belts? And what about those of us who do not wear belts: perhaps suspenders, straps, or nothing at all? Could this day be lying furtively below a belt somewhere in a drawer waiting to jump up and strike us without warning? And, although as I write this it is Monday, it is already Tuesday in China and other locales similarly situated. And with that "one hour later" thing going they may already be into Wednesday.

So, maybe Monday is not almost "under our belts" but almost "behind us." Okay, let's all take a deep breath, turn around, look carefully, and see if we can spot it! Is that it lurking behind the woodpile? Maybe it is silently lurking in our Day Planners, aching for the chance to remind us of all the things we planned to do today, I mean yesterday, or whatever.

Maybe "Monday, [is] Monday" or "Sundays Will Never Be the Same", given that they are also Tuesdays and perhaps more similar to the other fine days of the week than we think. Then, of course, we must deal with "Monday Morning", "Manic Mondays", "Tuesday Afternoons", "Ruby Tuesday", etc., etc.

Open Air Seating

Today, I was finally able to provide open air seating in my car. No, I did not purchase a brand new Mustang convertible, or other fine sporty vehicle. I chose a more mundane, less expensive, and "premium" means of effecting this event: I left work with my cell phone (a Blackberry if you are curious) sitting comfortably, but insecurely, on the roof of my Jetta. Even the fine German engineering and Sirius/XM radio could not cure this owner's faux pas.

I did not realize what had happened until about half way home. I immediately went to my cell phone provider, suspended service, and went home to order a new phone through the insurance provider. I then got a call from my daughter (who lives 650 miles away) who told me that someone had found the phone on the street (a major 4 lane road), found her number and called her. My daughter directed the good samaritan to my employer to return the phone - which he did. (By the way, this individual reported to my daughter that this was the third phone he had found in the last few weeks.)

So - much thanks to the good heart and effort of a stranger. And maybe a lesson to me - if I am going to engage in open air seating, perhaps I should get a car that allows its passengers and electronic devices to experience that breeze INSIDE THE VEHICLE!

A New Me - A new relative

Not really, just a new content. I realized that this Blog was started in April 2010 and I have done nothing since then. Although I originally expected to use this for a specific education-related purpose, I intend to use this as I did my "old" blog, on the now departed vox.com: simple, silly, and sometimes stupid observations and comments about things.

My nephew adopted his wife's daughter officially today after many months of legal, bureaucratic, and systematic mayhem. Congrats to the two of them and the entire family. But also, congrats to ME - I have a new "official" relative. That doesn't happen every day - especially since there was no birth or marriage.

Maybe a minor thing, but still significant.

Thing 3

Well, I am both excited and a bit overwhelmed. In reading about the many ways blogs can be used in the classroom, both as "learning" tools and a means of communication, I immediately began thinking about how I could begin with my students. I guess the first steps will include sharing with my colleagues and brainstorming. We need to determine the optimum means of planning and implementation, always keeping in mind any limitations we may have (hardware, software, school policy, etc). I think this can be best accomplished by working closely with our Technology Coordinator so that we are all on the same page and can do a needs analysis that is realistic and practical.

I am also certain that my ideas will crystallize as I do more work with the 23 Things, become more familiar with the possibilities, and have more opportunity to reflect and share.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

As things go, these Things were very interesting. I was particularly impressed with the breadth of tech use discussed in the article and the "common sense" urgings of the video. Educators, no different from other professionals, often resist change and we can cling to ideas and methods that exist primarily because "that's the way I have always done it." The incredible growth in information technology is impossible to miss or ignore. I feel that failing to use technology would be as foolish and counter-productive as, for example, (1) forcing a student who scored 100% on a spelling pre-test on Monday to do exercises on the spelling words throughout the week and then take the "real" test on Friday; or (2), asking students to do 50 math problems on a concept they already know how to do with high proficiency.

It is exciting to begin to learn about what is "out there" and how we can use it. It also seems imperative that everyone "buy in" to the concepts to ensure proper and continued educator training, appropriate hardware/software, administrative and parent support and participation, and appropriate and meaningful assessment protocols.

In short, the whole "thing" is very exciting and energizing!

Genesis: In the beginning ...

Okay. Blog is created (only about three weeks late)! I am about to delve into the "23 Things" and look forward to the experience.

In my "other" blogging experience (songman.vox.com) I tend to make observations about things that amuse or dismay me. Those of you who know me realize that I tend to talk a lot. Unfortunately, the same is often true for the "written" word.

In any event, I look forward to sharing my experiences and benefiting from every one's insights.