Knit-A-Way Retreat Day 2

After breakfast, we drove north along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a lovely drive and we stopped at several places to do a short hike/walk. We visited the Linn Cove Viaduct, Julian Price Park, and Moses Cone Park. The weather was cool and a little breezy but it was a beautiful day. We had a late lunch at the Anchor Diner in Spruce Pine.

When we returned to the lodge, I knit until dinner and Don relaxed in our room (watching TV and reading). I got to know some of the other knitters better. After dinner, we had our nightly meeting.

I won a door prize from Twice Sheared Sheep (Idaho) which was a bag of yarn, a row counter, and a project bag. Next, we had Show and Share (like a fashion show) and I was able to show off the mittens and socks that I designed.

It was a great day and I was in bed by 9:30.

 

Sunrise

 

hiking to an overlook

 

Linn Cove Viaduct

 

Julian Price Park

Moses Cone Park

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Knit-A-Way Retreat Day 1

We had Day 1 of the retreat at Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland. Since it is only 2 hours away from home, we took our time on the way here. We left home at about 8:30 and stopped at antique stores along the way. We drove to Bakersville to find the restaurant we ate at last year (Bonnie and Clyde) which had wonderful food. Then we drove through Bakersville but there wasn’t anything there so don’t waste your time going there!

We checked into room 139 around 3:30 pm and even though the parking spaces were marked, people didn’t park in the correct space so we didn’t have a space. Don found an open spot to park in. Our room was nice with a min fridge, TV, and internet. Don watched TV while I knit and visited with people. I turned in my charity soap sacks and entered my camper blanket for the clothesline contest.

At 6 pm, we had dinner and sat with Betty Buck. Our dinner was very good (Ham, corn, wild rice, tossed salad, and peach pie with ice cream). Don went back to the room and I knit until our evening meeting at 8 pm. Some door prizes were given out but I didn’t win anything. I was in bed by 9:30

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Motivation

A streak can defined as “a consecutive series.”

I find that a streak can be very motivational.

Not losing my streak helps me log in my food in a food diary. One time I was up to logging in for 1025 days straight. Unfortunately traveling and camping interrupted that streak.

I have been logging in my exercise distance in a group challenge. I have been logging in for 1688 days.

I am also learning Spanish on Duolingo and I’m up to 675 days in a row.

I don’t want to lose that streak so it motivates me to keep going.

I think this would work for students too. Have them come up with a goal and keep track of it. Make a chart because visuals can help motivate also.

For example:

• Homework turned in on time
• Completed assignments for the day
• Stayed on task for 90% of the class time.
• Got along with peers.
• No referrals to the office.

I’m sure you could think of more about a specific student in your class. What would you come up with?

Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash

Stepping Back

I have been doing this blog for 16 years now and I think it is time to take a step back. I've been trying to blog Monday through Friday every week except for holidays.

Now I find myself really hunting for things to write about that might be relevant to new and struggling teachers. I don't want to write stuff that is just fluff for the sake of writing.

I'm going to continue writing in this blog when I feel like I have something I want to share. I might find an educational resource that is worth sharing or a technique that I find that others might enjoy learning.

I'm going to continue to write about our travels because I feel like traveling is part of my life-long learning.

If you have a question or need advice on a specific topic, please feel free to reach out to me and I'd be glad to write a blog post about it.

Even though I won't be posting Monday through Friday, I still plan on keeping a presence here. In the meantime, I want to continue traveling, reading, gardening. knitting, and learning.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Historical Hall of Fame

I found this idea recently in this blog post:

Who Has Influenced Mankind? Let Your Students Be The Judge Of That – The Historical Hall Of Fame

I think this would be a great big project for any class on any level. 

“The project centers around the students getting the chance to nominate someone they believe is worthy for induction into this Hall of Fame.  This can be anyone from any time and place.  The nomination should be someone they feel has impacted or continues to impact mankind.” 

Students pick a person and fill out a nomination form including an essay saying why they think this person is worthy of the nomination. Then they do research and come up with a 3-5 minute presentation that is presented to a panel of judges. 

Judges can be adults within the school or school district or even business people. 

Judges’ scores and student grades determine who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A ceremony can even be planned where students receive a certificate in honor of their nomination. 

I think this would be a fun activity and would incorporate a lot of different skills. 

Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash