A. Leef

2012-01-23T21:07:00.001-05:00

Platform Game Tutorials by Jeremy Reed....Awesome!

Folks....recently the Globaloria teacher at Spring Valley (Jeremy Reed) posted platform gaming tutorials for the educators. These tutorials were easy to follow and Jeremy did an excellent job of explaining the process, the action, and each line of code. As another educator noted, we both plan to allow our students to work through these same tutorials during our classes to let them see new things they can accomplish in FLASH.

Cudos for Jeremy!!

Technology Integration in the Classroom

2011-11-21T11:20:00.001-05:00

Do we practice and teach what we preach? Today's classroom can be a very interactive environment that nurtures learning while partnering teachers and students in the endeavor to learn and use technology tools. Read over the attached article denoting how technology should be invisible in integration yet very visible in results and technique. It is the classroom I strive to achieve.http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

You Gotta Laugh....

2011-11-03T20:31:00.002-04:00

In the continuing saga of the GWHS remodel, this week proved to be just as exciting as any other. As we started the week off with cold temperatures....my room stayed about 55 degrees because the heating unit that supplies my classroom has not been installed yet. The reason it hasn't been installed yet is that the portion of the building where it is to go hasn't been completed yet. I guess the contractors do not realize that winter is coming? Of course everything is great now because multiple small heaters have been passed around the classrooms in my area to fix the heating situation. YET....now the GFIs and outlets in my room keep kicking because of the load created by the heaters. Hmmm....hopefully my computers and printer won't get fried because of the electrical issues.

Looking on the bright side of things, I am currently getting the computers updated to CS5 with the county technology group's help. Hopefully on Friday my students will be able to work through the mini game using CS5. We shall see....who knows....anything could happen.

Mixing Globaloria and Chemistry

2011-10-30T22:37:00.000-04:00

So far, the students in the class this year have been very enthusiastic and entertaining. I have seen everything from Chuck Norris to elephants in their wiki uploads and Flash programming. Although they have just started the mini game, we should be able to finish the project this week (hopefully no interruptions this week). We had gotten a good start but did not get to upload any of the files yet. WE WILL GET THAT FAR THIS WEEK....at least this is my goal.
To mix the two curricula for November, I am hoping to help the students study practice ACT tests. December is the deadline for ACTs and Promise Scholarships. We will practice and blog and flash ACT "stuff" and see how it goes.

Introducing Flash

2011-10-26T19:46:00.003-04:00

This time around, flash has come a whole lot easier and has been hilarious to help students. Although I have a small class this year, they are very enthusiastic and ready to jump into anything on the wiki, flash and even in blogging. Yes, you saw it here...they actually like to blog. I hope this doesn't change tomorrow because I have left the students several blog assignments because I cannot be in class with them. On Thursday I have to administer the ACT Plan test to sophomores and thus cannot attend my Globaloria class. This also means they will have to go to another teacher's classroom. In doing this, students will not have access to Flash. We had just gotten started in the mini game and were beginning to make progress by the end of the last class but ran out of time before we could do any of the student uploads. I have left my gracious seniors with several wiki and blogging assignments that they will hopefully get to work on while in the other teacher's classroom.--We shall see!

Slimy Globaloria

2011-09-28T22:14:00.000-04:00

The crew of students I have this year have been a blast already. They are enjoying the solitude of the class atmosphere and they don't seem to mind the work involved in getting going in the curriculum. It is awesome to work with these guys and gals and be able to integrate their needs into the class and even add the fun of science. The other day they made glow in the dark slime....even though I explained how the reaction worked and how the energy released by the zinc sulfide is what causes the "glowing effect" they had a great time. I would like to get them started in flash next. We'll see how things go.Peace out!

Globaloria with A Smidge of Chemistry 2011-2012

2011-09-14T00:03:00.003-04:00

Okay! This is a new school year for Globaloria and there are new students. The class is growing across the state and now in other states. It is my hope to make improvements over the efforts made last year and even try new approaches this year to make things even better. As our school continues with the construction, there will continue to be issues with connectivity; however, we will try to overcome those by quality versus trying to hurriedly work through the curriculum. This program is too important to student growth and learning for us to rush along blindly. We will work together to ensure a great year!~~Mrs. Leef

Yeah! Summer!

2011-06-30T22:26:00.002-04:00

Summertime is here and it is time to refresh and regroup. This summer I have plans to work on the curriculum and get ready for a great year coming up. Stay Tuned!

Teacher, Educator...Who Am I?

2011-06-06T13:38:00.003-04:00

I have felt blessed to be in the teaching profession for these last four years. Teachers are those people that I feel can really have a make-or-break impression on their students. I want to be one of those teachers who helps students realize their learning potential. --This is no easy task...just ask a teacher.

Over the last year, there have been highs and lows for me in the classroom and beyond. I have struggled on days when I did not even have a classroom, running water, a bathroom, no access to lab supplies, no computer access, no internet, etc. There were numerous days when I felt I was really trying to help students and they just did not want to be helped or did not even express an interest in learning.

Although all of these issues can add up and really wear a person out, I would overcome my "pity party" and know that education, teaching, and learning are not about me. What really counts is helping the students. Even on days when students would be verbally disrespectful I would remind myself they were just children.

Of late, I have felt that I have no control over my educational surroundings. I keep asking myself, "What am I doing wrong?" "Am I not seeing the big picture?" "Are my expectations unreal or too high or not high enough? Why do I feel like an alien in amongst other teachers, administrators, and educational leaders? On occasion, I have sadly questioned my decision of going into the educational field and have second-guessed my decision to leave private industry. --I really thought I had something to contribute to our youth.

This year I took on a Globaloria class and tried to integrate it into my chemistry curriculum. I have had good days and bad days; but for the most part, I am still hopeful that I have learned from my mistakes and am looking forward to jumping into the curriculum even harder next year. I do not make excuses, even though this year I spent months without a classroom, continually lacked laboratory access, and even spent days without computer and internet access. Of these issues, I really know that I can overcome and do better once the school is back in order. However, I felt that my sincere efforts were somewhat under attack for some unknown reason. I could not believe that other educators would be against enhancing student learning and not remember what it was like to try a new curriculum for the first time.

I guess this is my "downer" blog day. I do not want to get discouraged and say, "Ok, I give up, I surrender, I will teach like those others do who follow the curriculum blinding, to the letter and NEVER try to take the students to higher levels of learning and accomplishment." --This statement may sound harsh, but this is how I (and have felt for quite some time). I don't think this is what education is meant to be like. I know I am not the greatest teacher out there; but, I feel like I try to work very hard to be a good educational influence on every student who I have in my classroom.--Comments are welcome and requested!

Highs and Lows

2011-05-30T23:36:00.003-04:00

Globaloria for my second year has still proven to be an evolving curriculum. When I finished my first year I couldn't wait to try the class on my own. As I finish my second year, I reflect on what I think worked well and what did not work well in the class. Although some would not like a curriculum that could possibly be different each year, this is what really makes Globaloria a great classroom curriculum and experience for both teachers and students. --It is really what you (the teacher) and students make it!

After two years, I can honestly say I really enjoy teaching the curriculum and I REALLY enjoy the challenge of making the class better for the next academic year. Although the platform or footprint of the curriculum is well-established, the classroom environment can direct the class in different directions. Their can be classes that run with flash, those that run with wiki development and research, and those that really run with the blogging. This does not mean that learning does not occur in one area more than the other, it just means that the type of students in each class can really direct the emphasis and/or outcome of each class.

As I reflect on this year, I quickly note highs and lows for this year's effort. I did not feel that I was able to cover the Chemistry II portion of the class to the level that I would have liked; but I feel that the students were still able to achieve a great deal in spite of the obstacles they had to get over (school construction, lack of enough laptops for most of the year, etc.). With this in mind, I am up for the challenge of achieving more next year knowing what worked well and what did not work so well. I am looking forward to beginning again to see what my students can do this next year.--Bring it on! (Of course, with a slight break over the summer....)

..It Aint Over....'Til Its Over, Right?

2011-05-10T23:33:00.003-04:00

I have been looking over the students' wikis, team pages, blogs, etc. and have found some thrills and sadly some disappointments. I have yet to master the art of showing students the importance of personal motivation. How do I get students to "want" to learn or wrestle through something so that they can really learn how to do new things? I am no flash expert, but I realize I cannot get better at it unless I am willing to spend the time wrestling with it!--I actually like the challenge of doing this; but am at a loss as to how to translate this "thrill" to my students.

I will continue to see the merit and worth of Globaloria in the "big picture" of student learning. I sometimes worry that the central focus of learning (students) has been lost to the educational arena. When I begin to think of this I work harder at trying to show the value of all the skills that Globaloria offers. To me, Globaloria is a key factor in the hopeful evolution of future education. I just hope that the educational arena and students come to realize the importance of education being student-centered, student-focused, student-motivated, and ultimately motivating to students.

How Often Do We Say, "Thanks"?

2011-04-19T08:14:00.003-04:00

As the students and their teams work down to the wire on their games, demos, and teampages, I wonder how many times they have had to reach out to the Globaloria Help Desk? I know I have done so for myself and my students numerous times. With that in mind, I would like to say thanks to those unknown and invisible "Globaloria Guardian Angels" who give us their undivided attention...on the spot.... and right now! I say this because if we think about it, how many of us get really into a project and hit a snag knowing that we can get instantaneous help? I know the last couple of times I have asked for help on behalf of one of my students, the "Guardian Angel" quickly noted the problem, explained the error, and offered several ways of fixing the problem (as a good teacher does). The person also showed interest in the progress of the student's work beyond just the small window of "help" provided.

--We should all take the time to thank them for their efforts.

Thanks!!

Angie Leef @ GWHS

Future of Education?-Bring It On!!!

2011-03-17T23:40:00.003-04:00

As I was racing through my "normal" day, I came across an email from a fellow teacher and chuckled at the comments he made about an educational video on TED.com. I have watched videos on the site before and made the time to go and see what he was talking about. When the video started, I thought to myself, I have heard that voice somewhere before. As I watched, I realized I had actually used some of this guys videos in my classes. If you get the opportunity, please watch the video. What this guy discusses is AWESOME! One of the issues he discussed was students setting the pace for learning and utilizing the benefits of peer tutoring. I have almost screamed that there should be peer tutors. Our education system under utilizes the abilities of upper class men. Instead of letting seniors take "empty" classes or becoming school aides as fillers, many should be doing exactly what this video talks about. Check it out!

Mud, Excavators, and More Mud

2011-03-16T21:21:00.002-04:00

Man! I gotta laugh...
Today, I thought I was being buried alive in my classroom. An excavator started piling muddy rocks and dirt up against my window as I was trying to keep teaching classes. I tried to go home after school and the door leading out of the building opened to a fence....trapped?!! I had to go downstairs in order to leave the building then I had to wade through mud to climb a bank leading to the muddy pavement in order to get to my car....just gotta laugh (especially since I did not fall in the mud on the way)!
Having fun? Yeah, right! Try to find a bathroom in our building (there are none)...trek through to the other buildings and one set has been closed down...so you have to trek upstairs toward the gym to find a restroom...good thing my kidneys have not killed me yet!

Anyway, steady as she goes on the Globaloria front. Students are starting to upload more graphics and are working on their team pages. I just need to push a few of them harder to get them into the "Flash Pool".

to be continued (I'm sure).

Level Two?

2011-03-08T22:29:00.002-05:00

Having an idea about your game is the easy part. Being able to convert the idea into moving action is another. How do you stay away from the "quiz game" trap? Do you choose a variation of the famous (or infamous) "bunny game"; drag-and-drop; or ...? It is down to the wire and a decision must be made. Choose wisely and let the games begin!!!

That Was Then and This Is Now

2011-03-06T23:49:00.002-05:00

Where has the time gone? The Year is flying by and it seems like my class is just getting into Flash. In trying to get caught up, students are going back to make sure that all the info on the team pages is caught up. Several need to complete questions, some uploads, and some all of the above.

I am glad I have had Corey's help this year. He is good at showing students how to really get into Flash. With his help, my digital projector and the Smart Board, the students are able to create buttons, create animation, create animated cursors, and even merge their team mate's scenes into one flowing Flash file.

Last week students were asked to go back and update all the "stuff" they missed on their team pages and start to create the first level of play in their game. I am still wondering how a couple of the games are going to develop (or if they can develop). The Trandon Berrys are working on a cool drag-and-drop periodic table and hopefully aspects of the drag-and-drop can even be used on the game being developed by the DumDum Football Players.

All in all, progress is key!

Button...Button...Who has the button?

2011-02-13T22:52:00.003-05:00

If you have played in FLASH, you know that buttons can be pesky and sometimes uncooperative. This past week Corey has been trying to work with the other students in class to show them how to do buttons. We have even had members of Mrs. Neal's class come and join us. However, as things go at GWHS, we have been unable to finish the tutorial/lesson because of interruptions and distractions. We were on a roll Friday when the fire alarm sounded. Thinking we would be back shortly, I did not even take my coat with me.--MISTAKE! We stood out in the cold for about an hour. Maybe we can try again on Monday.

New Year's Resolution...What Can YOU Do to Make Globaloria Better?

2010-12-30T20:00:00.002-05:00

I have had a blessed and peaceful Christmas Holiday this year. This week has allowed me to get caught up on things at home; slow down to enjoy my family; and start to ponder what is coming up this new year.

In the last few days, I have read numerous educator reports with their triumphs, failures, and worries over their classes and students. Many of the reports seem to mirror each other. Some students are doing a great job and some are missing the mark. I ask myself, "Why?" As educators and students, what have each of us contributed to Globaloria this year? I know we are not supposed to treat the program like it is the center of our lives, but when I think about what I want for my kids, my students, and for the whole educational process, Globaloria is the only program out there that is even attempting to meet the needs of our modern-day students.--I'm not kidding and I'm not just blowing smoke.

What do we want for our kids? What kid of education do they need and deserve? If we think the status quo of our current educational system is meeting our children's needs we are sadly fooling ourselves. I, for one, am not fooled and am disgusted with what we are offering our kids. Globaloria might be different, it might be a lot of work, it might require we teachers to become dedicated learners, it might require us to allow our students to help and/or teach us....but this is where true education needs to go. Face it folks...our educational system is broken and Globaloria stands the chance to help us create a new model of hope for our well-deserving kids to become global and SUCCESSFUL learners. Unless we all invest in this model and try to integrate it into our classrooms and our schools, we stand to stagnate and remain the sad "status quo".....break out of the pathetic cycle and determine that YOU are going to be a part of the Globaloria revolution and help change the platform and foundation of our students' education....this is my goal...using Globaloria as a role model and branching out into every aspect of my teaching "tool box". Bring on 2011!

Great Job Tracy!

2010-12-28T15:47:00.002-05:00

It was brought to my attention that Globaloria is at Liberty High School! You didn't know? The Beckley paper had a full page story on the students and Ms. Tracy and the great job she is doing with her students at Liberty. I hope Tracy kept a copy of the article for her class. Pat yourselves on the back ladies!!

I am thankful....

2010-12-16T16:51:00.003-05:00

The snow we have been having lately has brought back memories of my childhood. Those days when the snow blower could not get through our little country road....the good old days! In those same days I remember Christmases that were lean but still happy. Though we never had much, my parents instilled in me to work hard and always strive to do better. Maybe that is why I am so passionate about driving my students crazy?

At our school, there may be numerous students with humble home lives like I had. BUT, in our school I see LOTS of potential from the students who are capable of rising above their humble beginnings to do anything they would choose. As a teacher, I have set this as my goal. Do I want them to learn my class curriculum, yes. BUT, I feel it is more important that I give them the ability to work hard, learn how to learn, and determine their destiny for themselves. This means not even considering their current living situations in their 'Big Picture' of life.

I truly count myself blessed and I am thankful for my short window of time (and maybe good influence) with each and every student that I am allowed to teach.

Entertainment or Torture?

2010-12-14T20:16:00.004-05:00

Yes, I am thankful for the snow days that we have had. I have been so behind in my classes and grading that I used every second I could the last two days to get caught up. Yippee!! I thought I would never get to the bottom of that 2-ft thick stack of papers. My grading is done and grades have been posted.

...In the meanwhile, my two boys are at home tormenting our poor dog. Of course the boys haven't been too bad. They have kept the driveway plowed and done a few chores here and there. BUT, in their spare time they try to figure out ways to suction-cup bologna to dishes to see the dog try to figure out how to get it off; they put a blanket over her head to see her wandering around trying to get out from under the blanket; and they put their flappy-eared hats on her and take pictures. I think it is time for them to go back to school to give the dog some peace and quiet.

....hee hee....she got the last laugh, though. We set the trash out to be picked up this morning and she got into it (because the trash collection folks never showed up...grrr). The boys had to chase down trash that had blown into the neighbor's field.---Who's laughing now?

Quality or Quantity?

2010-11-18T22:25:00.003-05:00

In my "past life" I dealt with Quantity over Quality on a daily basis. What does this mean? It means that I worked in a world where environmental data was quantified to very finite concentrations and documented using very strict regulations, quality control, precision, and accuracy. Now, in my current "life" I have found that I cannot approach my students utilizing these same criteria. I actually have to do the complete opposite: Quality over Quantity.
Now, why would this be important or even make a difference in the educational arena? In the time that I have been associated with a classroom environment I have decided that it is more important to give students the skills that will allow them to be learners rather than be students who know every minute detail of the class material that I expose them to. To me, it is more important that the students develop the skills to be able to research, write, speak, problem-solve, etc. If they can do these things, they will be able to succeed in ANY and EVERY educational endeavor that they pursue. One of the few arenas that makes this experience possible is the Globaloria classroom. A "completer" of this program becomes a "turn-key" learner and a well-equipped global competitor. What other curriculum allows the students to be exposed to literacy (reading, writing, interpersonal skills, public speaking, and research), problem-solving, critical thinking, design, engineering, success, failure that leads to success, and so much more?

Having been exposed to both arenas, I'll take Quality over Quantity any day!

The Good Samaritan

2010-11-08T14:43:00.004-05:00

Unlike most folks, I am a creature of habit. I rush around taking care of everything going on around me so that I can get ready for the weekend. And, as most weekends go, I have my ritual rendezvous at WallyWorld on Saturdays. Have you ever noticed that when you think you can just rush out to the store on a Saturday and "quickly" get groceries that everyone else has the same idea?--Go figure!
As Saturday's go, I made it to WalMart around mid-morning (should have gone earlier)and wrestled through the crowds and muscled my way toward the check-out lines. As I rounded the produce section I noticed this lady eye-balling another person's shopping cart. She wasn't just looking at it, she looked like she was about to take it or pounce on it for some reason. At first, I thought what in the world could be so interesting in another person's shopping cart until I looked for myself. Now, mind you, I am a people watcher and tend to notice odd situations going on around me...this instance qualified as "odd". Within seconds, the "crazy lady" moved over and stood behind the shopping cart and just watched. As I looked over her head I noticed this small child working his way over the top of the cart on his way to possibly falling out on his head. The parent, however, was totally oblivious to the child as she dug through sale items piled near her cart.
Hmmm, I thought to myself, now I see....the "crazy lady", none other than Vicky Cline had noticed the child's possible peril and had quietly stepped over to guard the child from falling out of the cart until the parent noticed what was going on.--There are still Good Samaritans in this world! Thank you Vicky for looking out for all our kids in Greenbrier County (especially on this one occasion)!!

"Right Turn, Clyde!"

2010-11-02T21:27:00.002-04:00

Any Clint Eastwood fans still around? I am sitting here trying to do my homework, update my Globaloria pages, check on my mentees, plan for class tomorrow, and I'm watching "Any Which Way You Can" out of the corner of my eye. MULTI-TASKING to the MAX!
I spent most of my day today trying to move parts of my classroom to the hallway while moving chemicals from one room to my store room. I selected what I needed to move to my "temporary" classroom and the contractors grinned and said I only had room for my textbooks. Now I ask you, "How am I gonna teach my chemistry classes and Globaloria in a room that barely fits desks, has no lock on the door, and no room for the computers needed for my Globaloria students?"
What to do.....what to do....to be continued....

Suspended Animation

2010-09-30T23:15:00.003-04:00

The natives are getting restless! My students are getting restless, anyway. We have been limping by using my classroom laptops until we get a few new computers from which students can begin their "Flash" experience. Therefore, we are in a state of "Suspended Animation"....pun intended!

Hopefully, on Friday, students will be able to get access to Flash and move onto the big ole bad BUNNY Game!! I cannot wait to move on myself so I guess I can understand their frustrations and boredom at this point.

Hurry Up.....and Wait!

2010-09-30T01:16:00.002-04:00

My students are very "active" this year. Some days it is hard to get them to land. Thus far, we have made it through all the modules prior to introducing Flash. Hopefully, our computers will arrive and I can throw everyone of them into the deep end of the pool (I'll get to catch my breath before I have to jump in and help them learn how to swim!).
Overall, I am really enjoying the excitement that the students are bringing to the class. Some days, they really keep me on my toes trying to stay ahead of them. It is my mission and goal to jerk the rug out from under them to keep them challenged....good luck to me! At this point I can only imagine some of the things they are going to design in Flash...I think I should be scared at this point.....

Keeping Up with Everything

2010-09-20T23:00:00.003-04:00

Ever wonder how some people keep up with everything they do? Me too! Today was one of those days where I didn't know what to do first or even what not to do. I don't do well with chaos and clutter (both of which my classroom and school have an abundance of right now). There are so many things I need to do, so many things I would like to do...so many things I really do not have time to do. One day at a time, one class at a time, and even one minute (or second) at a time is all I can deal with at any random time during the day. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

How do YOU cope?

The Globaloria Epidemic

2010-09-16T13:50:00.003-04:00

It is amazing how fast germs can spread a virus. One day you have a cold the next, everybody in the school has a cold..and so on...and so on... Globaloria is starting to emulate these same symptoms (the spreading part but not the sickness part). I was at church a couple of weeks ago and a parent came up to me and asked if I knew what a program called "Globaloria" was. I said, "But of course!" and proceeded to explain my Globaloria experiences. A few days later I was helping that parent's daughter set up her g-mail account as part of her Globaloria class at Eastern Greenbrier Middle School. This past Sunday at our youth group meeting, this student brought in a friend who she had talked into joining HER class so that she would not be the only girl in the class. They are really getting into the class and wanted to ask questions about issues the newer student was having with her Wiki User Account.

You heard it here first, Globaloria is now spreading all over Greenbrier County...beyond the high schools...to the middle schools...wonder where it will go next?

Awesome Book: "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls

2010-09-12T00:04:00.007-04:00

During the Greenbrier County Summer Academy, one of the teachers from East loaned me a book called, "The Glass Castle"--WOW! If you would like to read about someone's experiences growing up poor, growing up in the rural coal fields of WV, and overcoming their circumstances to achieve greatness in spite of her hard life, then this is a book for you! I have since started reading Jeanette Walls' most recent book that connects "The Glass Castle" to Walls' grandmother. I have been told that I will not be disappointed in this book either.

Although I did not have some of the dire circumstances of Ms. Walls, I can definitely relate with her existance and the determination to rise above and do better for myself and my own children. I also feel that this book would be a great learning experience for ANY West Virginia student, especially in how the stories relate to the hard life that can be dealt to many of the youth in West Virginia.

This year Greenbrier County Schools are focusing on student literacy...this book would be a great piece of literature for a book study.--It would be cool to contact Jeanette Walls and see if she would consider coming to our school to connect to the students as they study the book.

Why It Is Great to Have Seniors!

2010-09-09T14:44:00.004-04:00

What a statement! I have a great group of students this year in Globaloria; BUT, I may have my hands full because they are a great group. They already are keeping me on my toes. A forty-five minute class period also makes things accelerate almost exponentially each day. Whew! What a time it should prove to be this year!!

A Better Example

2010-08-12T08:27:00.004-04:00

I have so much I need to get done today...but here I am trying to be a "better example" by starting my "blogging habit" before school starts. I am hoping to become more fluid, fluent, motivated, yadda, yadda, yadda. Writing like this is very difficult to me...BUT I want to stop whining and "get with the program". Chances are, no one will even read this but me...

This summer I have tried to slow down. --Let me back up a tad and explain where I am coming from. I have become one of "those teachers" who obviously doesn't do anything during the summer, so I am obviously available to take on all the projects every other "working" individual needs me to do...since I'm not doing anything anyway, right? I started the summer by taking our InvenTeam to MIT for a week in June, I got back and jumped into our church's Bible School (I promised I wouldn't do it this year and especially not all the crafts for all the kids classes...but when asked, I said, "OK"). From there I worked in the Globaloria training academy, then came meeting with a group of Cabell County teachers and taking them to a mining sight to show adverse/good aspects of mountain top removal and linking that to project based learning projects for students. Let me see, from there, I have been meeting with my InvenTeam students (dragging my boys as part of the team during their summer...)and restoring/working at a local community park. While cleaning and working at the park I have been training the kids about environmental monitoring/sampling by teaching them how to use Vernier Labquest units for pH, conductivity, temperature, etc, etc. As a sidebar, our team is planning a "Picnic at the Park" to invite our community to come and see what we have accomplished at the park and to showcase our invention that we demonstrated/presented at MIT.
In the meanwhile, I am trying to get caught up at home by "creating work" for my boys to help me with (that is how they describe it anyway). I just got back yesterday from the most recent Globaloria Academy (I really like the folks I'm getting to know and the mentees I have really seem to be excited about joining in). I am off this morning to see if my classroom still exists in the rubble of our remodeling project at school, pick up a copy of my upcoming class schedule, find out if I'll even have computers in my room and then run to the local store to pick up canning supplies so that I can make spaghetti sauce from the vegis I have ready in the garden (I believe I have enough tomatoes ready to do about four batches of sauce which translates to about 48 quarts of spaghetti sauce). My eldest son, Corey, took off this morning to help at the park (they are using welding/cutting torches to remove some metalworks out of the way). My youngest son (Morgan or Moe as I call him) will probably get stuck with me and have to help at home later...poor kid.

Notice my ramblings? At least I am getting writing on the page...now for later, yard work, groceries for cookout for my husband's employees this saturday at our house. We just had our driveway paved so the boys can play basketball in front of our garage...those guys are coming back today to finish and drop off more gravel...I need to put gravel in front of the new flower beds I just cleaned out (from which I got my latest batch of poison ivy)at the end of our driveway, I need to rip out the old landscaping timbers and re-bar (sp?) so that we can put in the new timbers (you know how hard it is to rip out re-bar with a spud bar on a hot day?!) And yes, I don't wait for help from others most days 'cause I am impatient and want what I want, RIGHT NOW! Hmmmm...one of these days I really plan to clean out all the cobwebs I see all over my house....I'm nuts, I tell you...just nuts....(I wouldn't trade it for any amount of money that I'm not even getting paid...hee hee)

And now you know why my boys say I am just like the dog on the movie "UP" that runs off on multiple tangents....SQUIRREL!!!!!

Squirrel!

2010-08-10T23:50:00.003-04:00

This video goes out to all the blog-rollers, non-cigarette smokers, cat nappers, and the good ole educatin' folks from WV. Vicky was kind enough to allow me to use her NetFlix this evening so I could enjoy this wonderful experience.....SQUIRREL!! Now I can actually relate and join in on the "Squirrel!" fest.

It also reminds me that we should stop and notice the squirrels sometimes. It's okay to make sure we are dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's"; but we should always entertain others opinions and ways of achieving the same goals. --Like some of my elders used to say, "there is more than one way to skin a cat!" (Either way, the cat is still skinned, right?)

...anyway, some of you out there know what I mean.

Smart Alec Kids!

2010-07-26T02:01:00.014-04:00

As is my usual, I jump into Flash, wrestle with what I am trying to create, look for tutorials on the net, and then try to come up with a working model of what I am trying to achieve. Normal learning process?--It is for me.

It is pretty easy to find tutorials and forums that discuss just about any idea a person wants to recreate in their own Flash programming. The Globaloria wiki has numerous tutorials and even links to other tutorials. I have also gone beyond these to some that have been helpful to me on-line ( Edutechwiki or Flash for Dummies Tutorials). Sad thing is, students may not have access to all these options due to the security issues under WVDE.

To add to the numerous options of "help" available, I have to also include "smart alec kids". Case in point: I have been working on Team: Reality Check's game the past few days and I recently got stuck on a very simple issue. (Simple for some but not for me at the time.) My son came up behind me and was watching what I was doing. He asked what I was trying to do, so I explained. (I am not gonna rat myself out because I CANNOT believe I had forgotten this very important design requirement in Flash!) He nicely (brat!) told me what I had forgotten to do...ending my 2-hour stand-still. Gotta laugh!--Now you know why I want to drag him back into Globaloria this year...LOL!

My Man: "Gamaliel"

2010-07-24T13:29:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite folks in history is a dude named Gamaliel. He was a very educated man of his day and witnessed numerous uprisings and "discussions" pertaining to controversial issues of the day. In his wisdom, he did not encourage wiping out the opposition (literally); but he said if the "opposition" was wrong, they would be fleeting. Yet, if they were in the right, they would not be overrun. I try to follow this type of thinking and wisdom when I am faced with views of others that I do not necessarily agree. I feel it is my responsibility to educate myself to hopefully find myself in "the right" and be able to persevere. Yet, I try to educate myself in the view of all possible perspectives so that I can hopefully make the best judgement; especially when it comes to educating our youth. I feel that it is my duty to provide all avenues to the students and let them decide what is best for themselves. Sometimes, we adults mean well, but forget to educate impartially. We need to all strive to present all the facts and keep our opinions to ouselves. I personally find that I am a minority in the educational arena. By this I do not typically share the 'popular' view that most folks do. I must be one weird lady, I guess. When I do share my opinion, I feel like I need to apologize for offending someone else (I do not apologize for my opinion, just for offending others, which would never be my intention). Am I the only person who feels like a lonely person in the crowd? I would really like to get others views on this.

Got It?!!

2010-07-08T23:53:00.005-04:00

Ok, everyone has had two FULL days of training and "refreshing" we should be ready and rarin' to start a new school year. --Right?
All I can say is, I'm glad I have a year under my belt and have a slight clue of what is going on. I can chuckle and sympathize with the "newbies"; but not chuckle too much, 'cause I still remember what it was like when I started my first training session/semester (a training session behind). --I don't recommend that experience for anyone.

Advice? Sure!--Ask questions and continually check out what everyone else is doing so you don't get behind and don't get overwhelmed. Grab the Globaloria Bull by the horns and get ready for a wild ride---yeeeeeehaw!!

Did You Say Favorite Beatle or Beetle?

2010-07-08T00:21:00.010-04:00

Although I enjoy the music of the Beatles, I cannot honestly say I have a favorite Beatle. May there be Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon; there are also Beetle Bailey, the VW Beetle, and don't forget the famous, and essential dung beetle.
Now you can say what you want, but none of the musical beatles can come close to the coolness of the critter pictured here. And, might I add, this dude would command your respect if you came upon him versus those "here today and gone tomorrow" singers.

"Clean up! Clean up! Everybody, Everywhere..."

2010-06-01T08:43:00.004-04:00

Students are spending the next couple of days in Globaloria dotting their "i's" and crossing their "t's". When you get busy concentrating on deadlines, you can quickly get behind trying to keep everything else caught up.
Overall, this year in Globaloria has been a learning experience and an enjoyable time for me. I can already see numerous possibilities of how, when, and where Globaloria can be integrated into a chemistry class. It will be challenging, but what is the fun in life without challenges, right?!

Opinions on How Students are "Tested"...

2010-05-23T21:08:00.004-04:00

"How representative is the WESTEST as a "measure of success" in the classroom? All you folks out there taking tests this week...let me know what you think. Are students tested too much, not enough, or just in the wrong way? What do you think?"

This was my most recent post to my blog. As I was checking this evening, Shawn had left me a comment that I praise him for and I TOTALLY agree with...please read Shawn's response and make further comments...

Shawn wrote, "In the wrong way. My opinion may seem pretty radical, but I believe that we shouldn't test how much the students remember or don't remember. John Taylor Gatto thinks standardized tests are a useless indicator of ability, wishing students to be assessed strictly on performance

"Institutionalized schooling seeks to quantify the unquantifiable – human growth."

In Deschooling Society, Ivan Illich calls for the disestablishment of schools. He claims that schooling confuses teaching with learning, grades with education, diplomas with competence, attendance with attainment, and, especially, process with substance. He writes that schools do not reward real achievement, only processes. Schools inhibit a person's will and ability to self-learn, ultimately resulting in psychological impotence. He claims that forced schooling perverts the victims' natural inclination to grow and learn and replaces it with the demand for instruction. Further, the current model of schooling, replete with credentials, betrays the value of autodidactic education. Moreover, institutionalized schooling seeks to quantify the unquantifiable – human growth. For Illich, creative, exploratory learning requires an individual's own initiative to truly impact the learner positively. He calls for learning networks that would allow people with similar interests to communicate and explore problems together. The Internet makes his dream eminently realizable (Illich, 1970).

-source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_education#Criticism
You should read it. Interesting stuff! "

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2010-05-11T21:22:00.002-04:00

I was just scanning through some of the student blog postings and I came across one I am particularly proud. Ms. Sarah noted how she realizes that progress requires hard work; especially if a person wants to stay caught up! She also noted something that we can all take note of: We need to be aware of what goes on around us and be considerate and thankful for the "atta boys" and "good jobs" we get. Pats on the back are really important to us as productive human beings. Never take these for granted! Way to go Sarah!!

Monday, Monday

2010-05-10T15:07:00.002-04:00

Globaloria students are making progress! Of course, as EJ's blog stated, today is senior skip day....why are there so many juniors absent??? Students worked diligently this morning fine tuning and putting things together. I have also noted several blog entries. Not a bad day for a Monday.

What Should 12 Years Get Me?

2010-05-04T20:44:00.007-04:00

Can you remember your first day of school, middle school, or high school? Do you connect certain songs with favorite or not so favorite memories? Who has had the most influence in your life?--These are all questions I can easily remember and respond to, even at my old age.

As a student in high school, young folks should be able to reflect on all these questions as well. Sometimes we run through life not realizing that the world is shaping and molding us. We can control our "worlds" or let our "worlds" control us.

I believe that my years in school (through high school) have led me back to teaching. I have fond memories and memories in which I struggled. Both types have molded and made me who I am today. It is from these memories that I am almost driven to help and guide younger folks in positive directions. Somedays I feel I succeed and others I know I have failed. When I feel that I have failed, I become disappointed in myself. Students see me as being "grumpy" but I just feel sadness at not succeeding in giving them another small piece of the puzzle that may make up the "big picture" of their lives. A positive picture that someday they would consider a fond memory they have collected over the last 12 years.

"Forgive me Globaloria, it has been two weeks since my last posting..."

2010-04-26T09:03:00.003-04:00

All right, all right! I am behind as usual. Today is Monday, I am running behind, things to do...things to do. AHHHHHHH!
..................................................................................................................................===.................****>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.....................................................................................................................................

Ok, I am back. I wondered off for a while. You ever do that? I noticed Derek's great work is being acknowledged by the Globaloria folks. Goooooooooo Derek! (On a side note to Globaloria, Did you have to go and do that? Now he'll be wanting a signed contract for his band with royalties! Lol!)

Well, this is all you get for now....back to the funny farm...

Cool Things Are Happenin'!

2010-04-13T21:50:00.006-04:00

I was snooping around over the last few days to see the progress of the West students. As I snooped, I saw an office infested with "zombie" office workers (...any different from normal office environments?--Who knows!) who were being chased by a dude with a wicked "health" syringe; cool work being done on the Madagascar penguins (favorites of mine); and a scene right out of HG TV with Sheena's "room to room" house with "electrical" fixtures. Our guys are making progress...and how!

I am always a worrier when it comes to deadlines, but so far it looks like our guys are doing very well. I can't wait until they make Mrs. Neal and me look REALLY good for the Globaloria "mgnt"....hee! hee!

Accessory to Necessity

2010-04-04T15:17:00.002-04:00

This past week my "world" came to a stand still, I almost cried (several times), and I kicked my self for not taking my own advice. Can you guess what happened to me? No...the incident wasn't life threatening; but to someone who has come to know a computer as a necessity of life and not just an accessory, having my laptop crashing this week came pretty close!

How many times can you try to reboot, try to get to safe mode, get to a "blank screen" and reboot again thinking, "It will get there this time, this is not really happening...every shred of data I own is on this hard drive...ahhhh!" Sounds funny now but it wasn't so funny at the time. Thank goodness for partitioned hard drives! Yes I lost all my software and email but had sense enough to save all my data on the second partition so I was able to retrieve it when I had to "gut" my 1st partition during the reboot and rebuild process. What do I do now?---BACK UP MY DATA!!--(Yes, I ignored my own advice and kept putting this operation off, 'cause I had the best laptop in the world that was indestructable....hmmmmm!)

So, now I am trying to rebuild my address book and all the software I lost. I hastily reinstalled Adobe/CS3 so that I could at least have the "bare necessities" over the break. How did I become so dependent on a "gadget"...dear old laptop, I didn't mean this last statement...you are the greatest "accessory" I ever had! LOL!!!

Where Has the Year Gone?

2010-03-21T23:27:00.004-04:00

As I was preparing my lesson plans for this week I found myself making a table of the items I wanted to cover over the next few weeks and realized there aren't that many weeks before we slam into WESTEST II and Semester Exams. --Where has the year gone?

Two of the most important learning tools I have gained over the years include learning to budget my time and to always be organized! At this point in my life, chaos freaks me out. In order to function, I need to have definitive goals and time frames set for every second of my life. I know many folks who seem to gracefully float through life and not worry about time...these folks do not compute to me. As Ingrida noted in the Third Quarter Progress Reports, all the educators should have contingency plans for achieving the Globaloria goals. This year that would entail denoting how to make up lost time due to snow days.

West students are currently and diligently working on their games for the next few weeks. I have enjoyed reading their postings to the wikis and blogs. Progress is learning!! I have myself gotten back into the swing of things by hitting the keys to update my blog and even playing in Flash. I never thought I would say I like working in Flash...the only problem I have now is HAVING ENOUGH TIME! LOL!! Any comments from the blogging world?

Do as I say and not as I do?

2010-03-01T00:06:00.004-05:00

Being new to Globaloria this year, I have learned lots of knew and cool things. It has been (and still is) difficult for me to get used to writing down and publishing my thoughts pertaining to the program and student progress. It is not difficult to comment on someone else's work but no fun for me to just sit down and start banging on the keys. So, it has been a few weeks since I have written anything in this blog. (I feel like I have gone to a priest and said, "Forgive me Father for it has been 3 weeks since my last confession)--No disrespect intended, but you get the parallel?

As a teacher, I should be a leader and example to my students. But if there is one thing (of many) that I have learned during my few years of teaching is that I continue to learn everyday and continue to get caught up in things that help me sympathize with my students' lag in keeping up too. Therefore, I must make sure I lead by a "good" example and thus gain justification in griping at them for not keeping up...right?

Greenbrier West High School Sports And Athletics News | iHigh.com - America's High School Sports Network

2010-02-18T09:58:00.000-05:00

Greenbrier West High School Sports And Athletics News | iHigh.com - America's High School Sports Network

A light through yonder window breaks! No, it is ONE FAT Squirrel!

2010-01-26T20:49:00.004-05:00

The last couple of mornings while getting ready for school my son Corey has yelled for me to "Come upstairs quick" or "Mom, he's back again!"

As you can see from the slideshow above, Corey's bedroom window looks out onto a large tree in our backyard that is a favorite hang out of birds and squirrels. Of course, our critters eat well ranging from bird seed to peanuts and even cracked corn. The cracked corn is a favorite of the fox squirrel you see in the photos (you can click on the slideshow to make the photos bigger). This hambone comes every morning to get his fill of the corn and show off his 'beefy' physique. It is comical watching him chatter and flash his tail to the neighborhood. At one point, I know he saw me sneaking photos. He came to the edge of the feeder, sniffed at me, flashed his glorious tail, and went back to eating the corn.

He is soooooo coool!!!!

The Blind Side

2010-01-17T20:07:00.008-05:00

After church today, my family decided to go watch the movie "The Blind Side" at the recently restored theater "The Ritz" in Hinton, WV. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the theater, and especially, the movie. I can admit that I laughed and cried interchangeably throughout. While watching, I would catch myself getting caught up in the environment of the movie. There are so many similarities of "Big Mike" to my students. There are probably numerous of us associated with education and Globaloria that can relate to our youth as compared to Big Mike.

I can also further comment on and agree with Jim Allder's blog on motivation that he wrote this weekend. Of course, I wish I had the drive of Leagh Ann to make things happen. I was initially upset at the portrayal of the teachers at the school, but in all honesty, we have and know teachers within our schools who want to be considered teachers but they don't want to really get their hands dirty by trying to connect with the students. I want to be like the biology teacher who helped change the other teacher's first impressions of Big Mike and help him become such a success.---Talk about inspiring and motivational!---If you haven't gone to see the movie, you must go. Also, if you miss the small town nastalgia of a small theater, the Ritz in Hinton, WV is a great place to visit!

The Enigma Machine

2010-01-16T08:11:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite subjects in school has always been history (in particular, history of WWII). The expression, "history repeats itself" is really true. For example, there are so many parallels that can be drawn from historical events to the modern day Globaloria student in WV (I will elaborate on this later in another blog).
To get to the point....one of my favorite movies about history is U571 in which the US and Allied forces are chasing down the coding machine of the Germans called the Enigma Machine. The Allied forces knew the secret to winning the war was in getting this machine along with its code book. My parallel: I feel like Globaloria can take the role of the Allied forces, and we educators are the Allied Forces furiously seeking out the Enigma Machine and code book that will help us "break the code" of the modern day student. And to draw my parallel to a close, we educators need to furiously seek out and break that code!
How do we break the code? We have to get in the trenches with the students and teach (and learn) by example. We have to work furiously with our Allied Forces to constantly monitor our "ahha" and "wow" moments. In doing this we not only help our students we even nurture a growing (and hopefully productive) community that can help us "Win the War"!

January...Daggone! Where has the time gone?

2010-01-12T23:30:00.009-05:00

I just finished reading Mr. Dorsey's "New Year's Resolutions for 2010". Although, I typically am not a "frequent" blogger, I will comply with Mr. Dorsey's request and comment on Globaloria's effect on me now and what I see coming up at GWHS ...

(...what to write...what to write...) 2010, thus far, has brought snow, cold, and snow days at GWHS. Our school is currently looking at bypassing semester examinations in order to keep the flow of education going. Of course for me, the snow days allowed me to get caught up on grading and (believe it or not) time to work in FLASH (my nemesis!). My educator teammates (Larry and Natascha of "The Guy and the Dolls") and I have really worked well together trying to put together our "game" for Globaloria. Of course, we know we will not be signing contracts with any of the big gaming empires. Yet, we will stand proud of our efforts none the less!

When considering where Globaloria will go this year at GWHS, I can only guess at this point. Vicky did a great job with the students last year and I am still impressed with the game presentations of last year's students. With this in mind, I know in the "Grand Scheme of Things", that the students at West (this year) will achieve success on multiple levels. Not only will they gain Flash programming skills, they will gain verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills, and the abilities to work well independently and as members of any productive team.
Finally, to "pay it forward" for Mr. Dorsey, I ask that students at GWHS post to their blogs as I have done here. Tell us what you think of Globaloria so far, how it has affected you, and where you see yourself in the "Globaloria Scheme of Things" at the end of this school year.

Teamwork!

2009-12-31T00:02:00.006-05:00

Technology is the coolest thing! I spent the evening linking up with my Globaloria teammates, Larry and Tascha. We are running down to our crunchtime of getting our game put together so that we will be ready for our "check-in" meeting with Shannon this week. Are we ready?--We sure do hope to be!

During our training session in November, teams were formed to allow the "newbies" a chance to experience what our students are currently doing in class. Our team, "A Guy and the Dolls" survived the information overload provided us during the training (leaving with a somewhat "deer in the headlights" look) in Charleston and have since been working solo and together via the team project pages and gmail. This evening, we were able to link up using gmail and skype. We discussed our progress, wow moments, and moments of frustration. As a result, we have put our gameplan (pun intended) together and hope to have at least one game level ready for our session with Shannon next Thursday. ---For such a small person, who would think Shannon would merit such a presence (like a trip to the principal's office? LOL)!

Overall, the process has been fun (no pain, no gain, right?) and VERY enlightening. I have learned a lot by working HOURS on just keyframes, sound, and tweening...grrr! Without the Christmas break, I would not have had the time needed for me to get as far as I have. I am also thrilled to note that our team has found areas we are comfortable in working on so that we can optimize our team work and progress toward a working "game". Now I keep checking our project page to check what has been uploaded so that I can do my part and then allow my teammates to do theirs. I feel like my face is glued to my monitor!

Being Thankful

2009-12-24T13:32:00.003-05:00

This year has been extremely active and hectic so far for a lot of us. The Globaloria class at West has been very interactive and Ms. Neal and I have learned from each other as well as from the students. Of course, Bill Dorsey is always somewhere in the shadows ready and willing to help whenever we need him. He has been a great mentor and friend! --I have looked for his green circle in my g-mail on numerous occasions when I needed a boost or advice.

Although I am not a fluent "blogger" like Jim @ East, and I am not a "wikimaster" like Derek @ West...yadda, yadda, yadda, I have learned to be a Globaloria Team Player! Globaloria provides a great platform and sounding tool for many unsung teachers, gamers, programmers, and just plain students/people. Globaloria is essentially what each of us makes it! It can be our voices, our artistic expression, or even our sounding boards.

What is to come this year? Who knows! My hope is to break down my nemesis, the FLASH monster....grrrr! Maybe I will also figure out some diabolical plan to erase all of Derek's points...hmmm...sounds like a very interesting prospect and goal for me to work on!

Merry Christmas to all and my wish is that you all say a kind word or do an act of kindness for a friend or stranger during this great time of year!

You CAN have fun at school!

2009-12-10T08:40:00.004-05:00

The students in Globaloria @Greenbrier West are a multi-talented bunch. Derik is the "WikiMaster", Xavier is the band geek, Eric is the graphic designer, Cheri is the motivational director, Sarah and Sheena are the artists, Caitlin is just plain smart, EJ and Shawn are the FLASH Gordan's, Ellie is the fashion expert, and Autumn multi-tasks in several areas (doing most of this on her own time).
Phew! I can easily brag on these folks 'cause I'm really proud of them and their versatile, and CONTINUALLY evolving abilities. And, as a sidebar, I have been privileged to watch these students in other endeavors beyond Globaloria.--This is where I think Globaloria should be pushing students and teachers. "Global" includes giving the students the ablility and encouragement to use their talents in other areas of their educational growth and not just focusing on Globaloria.

I emphasize these thoughts by showing you the two Tasker brothers giving new meaning to multi-tasking....by multi-task(er)ing!!

Go West go!!

Why?

2009-12-01T17:09:00.006-05:00

"Back in the day" when my boys were younger, I used to hear, "Why" continuously. "Why is the sky blue?" "Why do I have to eat my vegetables?" Why do I have to go to school?" Yadda, yadda, yadda. As parents, these types of "deep" questions can be frustrating. But oh, do I miss the good ole days! I sometimes feel that students have somehow been reprogrammed into not wondering or questioning, "Why?" anymore. As parents and teachers we should be thrilled when students question. This is the key ingredient to learning. As teachers and parents, we should strive to teach our young folks to not be afraid to question. As young folks, you should never just accept "...because it just is..." or "...because I said so...".

Students you do yourself a disservice by not considering the whys and hows. Especially in your teenage years when you start to form your own opinions of the world as you see it! It has taken me years to realize that it is okay to not know why, yet be ready and able to find out why in order to know for myself!---What about you???

Let's Go.....Mountaineers!

2009-11-27T21:51:00.002-05:00

The turkey is leftovers and the Mountaineers are in the middle of the backyard brawl! Of course, I am trying to get back into the "school" mode. --This is not an easy thing to do.
HOWEVER, I have been snooping around in other blogs and wikis catching up with all the other Globaloria teams/classes. (Gotta keep up with the Jones'!)
I am seeing lots of cool and creative stuff throughout the Globaloria universe. I especially enjoyed looking over the most recent blog that Jim Allder wrote pertaining to student assignments.--Go....Jim!

Do you believe in me? I SURELY believe in you!

2009-11-16T17:26:00.002-05:00

Folks;
I first watched the video I have here on my blog page at a conference for math and science teachers. This child's "testimony" really hit home for me and expresses how I feel about teaching, about education, and about EVERY student I come in contact.

Students; My challenge to you is to watch the video....respond back on your blogs about how the video made you feel. And, finally, do you believe in yourselves? I definitely believe in each and every one of you. Remember this when Mrs. Neal and I both seem to be so hard on you. ---This is because we DO believe in each and every one of you!

Respectfully,
Mrs. Leef

My Epiphany!

2009-11-14T23:48:00.006-05:00

Oh to do the unthinkable! I used Wikipedia to verify my definition of an "epiphany".

Have you ever had an epiphany? I seem to have them all the time. To me these are the "aha" moments; whether pertaining to me personally or when as a teacher I see the light go on for one of my students. Alas, the latter epiphanies can sometimes be far more rare! Throughout my life I have experienced too many "great moments" to be able to single out just one. I have been blessed with great associations and mentors. As examples...

...I can describe the invaluable life-lessons I learned in my youth from working with 3 older ladies who taught me how to deal with hateful and rude customers. To these ladies, I owe my ability to interact and speak to just about anyone I come into contact without intimidation!

...I owe my problem solving, technical speaking and writing skills to my old boss (a brilliant PhD Analytical Chemist). From him, I gained the ability to endure professional criticism and high levels of "red ink" as a result of working with him for 17 years. He was a great mentor who taught me "how to learn".

These epiphanies (and innumerable others) are why I finally decided to go into teaching. There are few rewards possible that can beat the look a student gets when they finally understand something they have been wrestling or struggling with during class. These are the "wow" moments that make teaching worthwile for me and assure me this is where I can contribute the most to "my fellow man".

Instant Replay?

2009-11-14T00:09:00.008-05:00

The events of the first day of the November 2009 Globaloria Academy went by as "fast and furious"! We covered numerous aspects of the wikis and blogs and jumped into the game playing toward the end of the day. Our assignment was to play the various games and review two games from two different genres. My chosen games were:

Genre 9 (Quiz Game: "Rice Game") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiz_game ;
(http://www.freerice.com/

Genre 4 (Strategy Game: "Jury of 12") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategy_game

http://www.texaslre.org/jurygame_intro.html

Of the games I attempted to play, these two games were more interesting to me than the interactive, button-pushing-type games. However, the broader audiences (students) of today would probably not share my viewpoint on this. Other educators played and reviewed a wide variety of the games cataloged in the library. Of course, having this variety is necessary for the educational appeal of Globaloria to be successful in our diverse classrooms.

Are you getting what you want out of education?

2009-11-12T21:51:00.002-05:00

You know, all the educational arenas scream the terms, "Global 21", "21st Century Skills", yadda, yadd, yadda. However, are these endeavors realities in the classrooms? I sometimes feel like my hands are tied due to the educational bureaucracy. I do not feel like the needs of the teachers or students are being met to the fullest extent possible to attest to the marketing terms applied to classrooms in WV. Please comment on these few words and let me know how you feel.....peace out! Ms. Leef

Great Job Derek!!!

2009-10-06T23:11:00.003-04:00

It is amazing (and almost scary) how quickly students grasp technology apps and run with them! Derek was a good sport in demonstrating what he has learned in just 2-3 class sessions with FLASH. When we asked if he would show all the students in the class what he was working on, he quickly jumped at the chance and started from scratch in front of our Globaloria Flipcam! I have been slow in uploading the video (and my lack of filming expertise does not not do Derek justice), but anyone can quickly see the progress students can make in a short amount of time. Gold stars for Derek!!! ---Ms. LEEF

...Isn't this what Globaloria is all about?!

2009-10-02T23:51:00.002-04:00

You know, I try to read over the blogs and wonder what the students are thinking. Things seem so different for students of today versus my day. I remember enjoying academics and hating peer pressure. I remember being poor yet being determined to rise above my circumstances and hopefully have a better life someday. Yet, as I think back, my life wasn't bad. My parents worked hard and gave me good values that I believe have blessed me with the talents I have today. I'm no genius or expert, but I think my upbringing helps me relate better to my students. I really care about their present and their futures. I want to help them and sometimes drag them down roads that will help them build their confidence and challenge them to want more. I have good days (right Ms. Neal?) and some bad. Some days I wonder how in the world I got myself into the educational system; then I remember this is where I've always wanted to be. I will not give up and I will continue to push, drag, gouge, and hopefully challenge students (and myself) to strive for more....more...MORE out of life. Isn't this what Globaloria is all about?

...WebCam Fun in GMail

2009-09-30T23:34:00.005-04:00

I have tried to blog numerous times over the last few days, but cannot think of anything "productive" to chat about. The old adage of "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all" applies here. For some reason, I just can't get into the swing of things this year. What is wrong with me?????

On a better note, I have really enjoyed the interactions with the students this week. Some of the students have really run away with ideas and natural ability in using FLASH. Before we hit burn out and frustration, Ms. Neal is going to redirect students to go back to the assignments starting at the paper prototyping. All students of course are advancing at different paces and levels, yet ALL present are working very hard in class. Ninety minutes seems to fly by lately!

Lastly, I figured out how to get the Video/Chat to work in GMail. After downloading the software, I linked my laptop to my netbook using my gmail and my son's gmail.....TOOO COOL! Anyone out there in Globaloria Land with a webcam should check it out for quick and easy communication!

Hmmmm...finished on a positive note and it didn't kill me!

Reflections of A Madd Woman!

2009-09-20T00:36:00.010-04:00

This year has already proven to be a challange in many ways. Our school has gone to a "modified block" schedule, I have started my 3rd year of teaching, and scheduling has been somewhat of a nightmare. Many of my classes started out with over thirty students (I only have 24 seats in my chemistry classroom).--What to do? What to do?

I read Vicky's "thoughts" earlier and they hit me right between the eyes (students, smoodents, yeah right!)! Getting out of my "comfort zone" does tend to give me negative vibes. I really try not to, but it happens! I have finally been able to sit down for a few minutes by myself (at about 1AM, lol!). It is times like these that make me see things from the eyes of my students.

Globaloria is proving to be a great experience for me so far; and it really helps going to the "Progress Reports" page of Globaloria to see that I am not alone. It has been great to be in class with the students we have this year. Let me see. What are my impression of the students so far:

Ellie: Quiet, polite, sincere, bashful, and happy (she sounds like the seven dwarfs);

Cheri: Funny, helpful, "blossoming" in her personality;

Sarah: Smiles, polite, diligent, hmmm (I'm still working on this one);

Autumn: Quick, determined, (still working on this one too);

Eric: Grrr! Lots of potential, waiting on him to realize this, too;

Shawn: Quiet, VERY sharp and tech savvy;

EJ: Quick, sharp, friendly, hmmm, loves that "garbage disposal" music....lol

Derek: EJ's teammate? polite, friendly, likes what EJ likes...to be continued!

Sheena: Very quiet, yet very talented; great artistic ability; works hard

Xavier: cross between Eeyore and Oscar the Grouch, sometimes; VERY bright (even though he tries to hide it)

Caitlin: Ms. Caitlin is quiet, and doesn't feel well most days, but she always works hard. Great student in Globaloria and chemistry!

I hope to be able to do a better job of developing the students "profiles" as we learn together. I have quickly found the more I can learn with and from the students, the more they are willing to try on their own. Hopefully we can jump into the class and run with it!

...and as Cheri noted of a song the other day... "I Will Survive"!

"...the sky is falling!"

2009-09-10T23:55:00.004-04:00

The school year continues to race on at a fast/hectic pace. I told another teacher today I feel like chicken little running around screaming, "The sky is falling!" "The sky is falling!"

Anyway...I had a great time in class this morning working with the students and helping them set up their blogs. Ms. Neal is "gently" pushing me into the instruction process. Of course, she always makes things look and seem so easy when she does them.---I need to find out her secret!

I listened in on the FLASH webex. this evening. I was thrilled to see I actually understood what Rachel was doing (good job Rachel!). As I told Bill Dorsey tonight (as we chatted on gtalk), I was too intimidated to ask questions during the session, but learned a lot from the others as they worked through the session. I work slowly, but feel like I'm making progress.

Where has the time gone?

2009-09-03T21:20:00.004-04:00

Hmmmm! Words fail me in trying to describe all the activity of the past two weeks. Vicky and I have started a great year with Globaloria, yet the "paperwork" and "bookkeeping" is dragging us down. Even in a 90-minute class period, I never knew the time could fly by so quickly! This year our school has taken on a "modified block" and the process has yet to show promise for the academic year. Schedule changes continue to plague us as we try to get our class established. Grrrr!

YET, we will remain positive and hopeful (at least that is what Vicky keeps telling me) and that we will quickly get everything going. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, there's no place like home...there's no place like home.......

Welcome Back to Fun and Games!!

2009-08-12T00:37:00.004-04:00

In "real-world" situations, our futures are only limited by the effort put forth toward our success. Using this premise, you will be challenged to develop and use your 21st Century skills to...

Surf and research;
Blog and wiki; and
Game ...and game!

All your efforts will be interactive, hands-on, and your destiny and success will be directed by you and your team! Stayed tuned for further explanations and instructions for the 2009-2010 school year.

Mrs. Leef

Globaloria Summer Session 2009 (Day 1)

2009-08-11T22:20:00.007-04:00

Wow! Today proved to be very informative and very busy. Some of the "Highlights" of the day included:

Meeting the other teachers and mentors involved with WVGlobaloria.

Set-up and efficient use of the Wikis and Blogs.

Guidelines on getting students started during the first week of the school year.

Finalizing and presenting team games.

The enthusiasm of the teams/teachers when presenting their games was exciting and somewhat intimidating for me as a "rookie". I've got to do some catching up so I can be effective in the classroom!

Help the rookie...

2009-08-02T13:42:00.003-04:00

Folks;
I have briefly looked over the WV Globaloria blogs and note all of you are experienced teachers. I joined teaching "later in life" and really like it. If you could offer advice for someone like me; what would you offer? Can you tell me any of your "aha" moments? Why do you teach?