Autumn in Wisconsin

Autumn is my favorite season in Wisconsin...
The brilliant blue, cloudless sky, the dancing leaves, change is in the wind. Soaking in the warmth of the sunshine and storing it up for the endless winter days ahead. God speaks under the canopy of leaves that reflect the beauty of His creation. Walking and reflecting, missing, yet knowing He is in control. The seasons change, but beauty can be found, and His love is constant.

Loss

I have a band director's heart, and in that moment the sense of loss was so profound that I experienced real heart-ache.
The change in my teaching position was presented as a "done deal" last spring, so the loss was known before it happened. The loss was anticipated over the summer. The loss was keenly felt as school started, and I began my 22 class section elementary music schedule. The loss hits with sudden tears at unexpected times.
I knew that seeing the band in the parade would be hard... I just didn't anticipate the jolt of pain or the "out of step" feeling.

I Remember...

This decal from a fast food restaurant, which I think cost me $1 has been on our front door for the past ten years.
I remember that day vividly. I was subbing in a 5th grade classroom in our brand new intermediate school. The principal came to the door of the classroom and asked to speak with me. She told me that America was under attack and that when I had free time I may want to stop in the library (where the only working tv was....the school was THAT new!) and catch some of the news reports. She asked me to keep things as normal as possible for the students.
At lunch time I did join other staff members in front of the tv and we watched in stunned horror.
As a mom, I really just wanted to hold my girls. As a wife, I was glad I could talk to my husband, whose company was immediately put under heightened security, and so thankful when all four of us were together at home that evening!
As a believer, I prayed and cried out to God, and prayed more.
As an American citizen, I saw our country pull together in a way I'd never seen before, as the images which were imprinted on my heart were replayed over and over on the news.
Love for America, mixed with the horror and disbelief, a hurting heart for those who lost loved ones, and for the loss for us all of the sense of security we had taken for granted.
I remember boarding a plane for our family vacation less than two months later...the first flight my daughters would remember, glad for the increased security measures, but still feeling very anxious.

This morning I was awakened by sounds of airplanes and felt eerily chilled. I remember.... it is good to remember.

Celebrating Brittany

19 years ago Brittany Jan Kellen came into my life! I remember wondering how I could ever love a second child as much as I loved my first, but she quickly captured my heart just like her sister!
So many memories , so much laughter, Brittany is a bright, colorful, BIG personality!
This birthday celebration will be different (at her request)... no Cat cake, or special dinner at home. We had a wonderful time celebrating, though, at Bluefies' for dinner and Gigi's cupcakes! I'm hoping this is an amazing year for Brittany at UW Madison... so excited for her!

Auditing DAE

Normally I haven't audited in back to back months, but auditing DAE exceeded my expectations and resulted in a project that will make things easier for me during the first week of school. I decided to present my music room rules and procedures in my flash project so that I could be sure all 22 K-2 music classes received the same consistent information. It was great to reconnect with Lisa Smith, and my biggest take-away is that now I know how to make short animated flash to use in videos!

Music Room Rules and Procedures

My Schoology Adventure

The idea took shape over Chai Lattes in our local coffee house. My friend Angela was asking me about my EMDT experiences and wishing out loud that her young teens had more technology training at their school... I knew that I'd be auditing Learning Management Systems and Organization with Dr. Reo McBride soon... What if I could design a summer enrichment technology course in Schoology while auditing and then teach it to Angela's children? We both became more excited talking about the possibilities, and what components I might include... the adventure had begun!

Dr. McBride introduced me to Schoology and I found that to be a perfect fit for my course, "Exploring Web 2.0 Tools". My objectives for my students were to explore, experience, create, reflect and respond. I drew on my EMDT experiences in Rena Hanaway's and Kathy Craven's courses to include the creation of a personal learning environment, exploration of Web 2.0 tools, blogging, and digital storytelling as course activities. I enjoyed creating the tutorials and other media assets. My excitement was building as the implementation phase drew closer!

Because this was largely an experiment, I scheduled five "face to face" meetings with the students. Parents were involved in setting up accounts and the unveiling of the the course.
Heather, 14, and Justin, 12, were enthusiastic, and I was amazed by their exploration and creation throughout the month. Their unique personalities were very evident, and confirmed my intent to allow for their individual interests and needs to be met. Their final project digital stories blew me away, evidencing creative and critical thinking, organization, and skills they had gained! They exceeded my hopes!

I asked the students to write a blog post as a culminating activity reflecting on their experience.
"I just completed my technology course for the year. I explored web tools like Prezi and Stencyl. I learned about digital stories. I made a movie with Windows Movie Maker. I had a great time and I loved the course. It is one of those things that I would do again."

"I liked being able to steer the course towards things which I am interested in and good at. This course can take many different directions depending on the projects you decide to do for each assignment. I have learned many things this summer, and I think that was the best part of the course!"

In my own reflection, I consider this adventure a great success and am excited to see what path it takes in the future. I have already had a request to offer the course to a home schooling family during the school year, and will most likely offer a similar one to my "pilot" students next summer. I will definitely cut down the number of "face to face" sessions and rely more on the grading and feedback options that are built into Schoology.

For me, the passion and life changes that began with my EMDT year just continue to grow!

Magnetic Force Effect

I was thinking about the magnetic force effect that some people in my life have on me. This image came to mind as a way to visualize what I'm feeling: