Almost Done

We can almost check off one more course!!  That'll be 4 courses down and 7 to go! 

We're also nearing the end of the 3rd marking period.  Summer is approaching quickly.  I can't help but daydream about summer and beautiful fun-filled days at the beach. 

Camping in Hatteras anyone?

A totally unrelated note

So I've been busy day dreaming a lot about summer recently.  You could probably already tell by my previous post about the cruise that my wife and I are going on. 
In direct opposition to Derek Sivers's talk about keeping your goals to yourself, I decided to list my summer goals so that you can all keep me accountable.  Before you read my goals, if you've never heard Derek Sivers's talk about goals, please click on that link.  From a psychological standpoint, it's very interesting, and it even mentions the psychologist Kurt Lewin (founder of social psychology).

After viewing that link, you better hold me to these...

Summer Goals:
1.)  Go on some rockin' trips with my wife
2.)  Attempt to learn Spanish via Rosetta Stone and talking with my wife and her family
3.)  Workout 5 days a week (Circuit training/Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu)
4.)  Purchase and train a Golden Retriever puppy!
5.)  Create some new innovative lessons for next year's seventh graders

If you're reading this and you have some suggestions for cheap trips, let me know.  We have a tent, so we're willing to camp, and we both love the outdoors.  We're also willing to drive pretty far if need be.

Oh, and let me discuss #4 in a little more detail.  We are driving out to Moongate Goldens in Tabernacle, NJ next weekend to hand in our application and discuss getting a Golden Retriever puppy in June or July.  This is all contingent on whether or not her dog is actually pregnant.  They attempted to breed her last week, but they are not sure if she's actually pregnant yet.  Needless to say, Michelle and I are praying that she is!

Personal Learning Theory

I have definitely really enjoyed our discussions and class activities about learning theories.  I certainly want to implement some of the different theories into my own teaching more often than I already do.  Specifically, I'd really like to try out a Synectics type approach for a lesson or two and see how the students respond.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for a Synectics math lesson, I'm all ears.

I did find this website that gives 40 ways to close a lesson.  One of the options uses Synectics metaphors such as: "Solving an equation is like eating an orange because...", or "Solving an equation is like driving a car because..."  And the students would have to fill in the information.  I thought this was a neat idea.

Snowboarding

So, I'm super excited!  Camelback Mountain in the Poconos just added this sweet 50 foot airbag.  I've always wanted to try sick tricks off jumps without fear of breaking my neck... and now I can!!!



Just in case anyone else is as interested as I am, here is Camelback's website.  Click on lift tickets and buy them online.  Enter the Promo Code: NJEA for a teacher discount!!   

Reflection

Class last week was definitely a little long.  I do have a decent grasp of what's going on now though.  I like that we debriefed at the end of class, I just wish we debriefed about 20 minutes sooner.  I'm excited for next class to see how the Behaviorism group does their lesson.  It'll definitely give us a better idea of what is to be expected. 

On a completely different note.  I just booked a cruise for this summer!  It won't be anything like my honeymoon, but I'm sure it'll still be a blast.  I just hope we get a better captain than that looney bin in Italy. 

Cruise Details

Well... I'm back... and MARRIED!!!!

So, I'm finally back to blogging.  Speaking of blogging... this is the wedding picture blog link.  Check 'em out!  I think the photographer did a pretty decent job.