Welcome Back!

I know for many of you it seems as though we just left this building, and yet here we are once again starting a new year.  I am sure you had some amazing summer days, and had a hard time getting out of bed this morning.  I hope you are excited about 7th grade and all of the great things we will be doing in technology this year.  The technology will not be limited to the two times a week you come to class with me.  You will be using technology in all of your classes.  We have some exciting things planned for this year and you will play a very important role in how things happen.  So get ready to experience an amazing year!  I can't wait to see what you have to teach me!!

Passion....

Welcome Back!  I know you have so many things on your mind today, and I hope one of them is wondering what we will be doing in technology this year.  We will start our class off by watching “A Day Made of Glass.”  This will give you a peek in to what the near future holds for us.  It is pretty cool stuff!  I will share the basic outline for our course and then ask you to switch gears.  I am going to ask you to think about your “passions.”  “What does passion have to do with technology?” you ask.  If you had asked Steve Jobs this question, I am sure his answer would have been lengthy.  Passion and learning are definitely connected.  If you are passionate about a topic, you are more enthusiastic in regard to learning more about it.  We will take a look at the clip, “TheAuthentic Swing” from the movie Bagger Vance.  You may not have seen this movie, but I think you will recognize the actor. You will then be given a note card and asked to list at least 3 of your passions.  Remember, these do not have to be school related, but do have to be school appropriate.  You will finish class by creating a word cloud  with your personal definition of passion, the things which you are passionate about, and your name.  Please use this google doc, Passion Assignment, to prepare the text for your WORDLE.  These WORDLES will be hung around the classroom.  I plan on using your passions when designing my lessons for the year.  You will be using your passions when we start blogging.  I want you to be passionate about what we are doing in class this year!

Unplugged and Recharged

     This may seem impossible, but it is truly what I have done this summer.  I must confess I have not completely unplugged myself, but I have certainly limited my “on screen” time.  Spending my time on the ocean in the fresh sea air has helped me prepare for the up and coming school year.  I stepped away from my blog to collect my thoughts and am back and ready to go!  As the new school year approaches I am riding the same roller coaster of emotions as I am sure many of my students are riding.  Excitement and anticipation are coupled with some anxiety and a bit of sadness.  As I say hello to new students and new lessons, this means I will be saying good-bye to my time on the water, and the people I transport to and from their boats in Cotuit Harbor.  

          I must admit though I know I will miss the great outdoors and the feeling of the sun warming my mind and spirit; I am so excited to discover the passions of my new students.  I cannot wait to introduce them to the world of blogging as they continue to create, manage, discuss, research, and publish.  I know the year 2012-2013 will be filled with so many opportunities for me to continue learning alongside my students.  I can't wait to get started!!