I hope you enjoy reading these strategies and tips for successful teaching. If you enjoy these, please encourage others to drop in and read them too because I feel that it is important for us to support each other and share ideas that work. Feel free to contact me at:
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
Questioning is an essential part of the learning process. Asking the right questions is also a great way to model for students how to ask questions. Students have to learn how to ask questions because many times they don’t know what they need or how to ask for it. Questioning helps students to:
Develop critical thinking skills. When students are asked to answer questions, they are forced to think critically about the material. They must process the information, identify the key concepts, and formulate a response. This helps them to develop their critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in school and in life.
Engage with the material. Questions can help to engage students with the material and keep them interested. When students are actively thinking about the material, they are more likely to remember it.
Identify gaps in knowledge. Questions can help teachers to identify gaps in students' knowledge. This allows teachers to provide targeted instruction and ensure that all students are on the same page.
Promote discussion and collaboration. When students are asked questions, they have the opportunity to discuss their answers with their classmates. This can help to promote discussion and collaboration, which are essential skills for learning.
Assess student understanding. Questions can be used to assess student understanding of the material. This allows teachers to track student progress and make necessary adjustments to their instruction.
There are many different types of questions that can be asked in the classroom. Some common types of questions include:
Fact-based questions: These questions require students to recall factual information.
Conceptual questions: These questions require students to understand and apply concepts.
Problem-solving questions: These questions require students to use their knowledge to solve problems.
Critical thinking questions: These questions require students to think critically about the material and form their own opinions.
The type of question that is asked will depend on the learning objective. For example, if the learning objective is for students to recall factual information, then fact-based questions would be appropriate. If the learning objective is for students to understand and apply concepts, then conceptual questions would be appropriate.
Effective questioning is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. However, it is a skill that is essential for effective teaching. By asking thoughtful questions, teachers can help students to develop critical thinking skills, engage with the material, identify gaps in knowledge, promote discussion and collaboration, and assess student understanding.
How do you teaching questioning in the classroom? Please share.
Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!
Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.
Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers
Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All
How rollercoasters affect your body - “In 1895, crowds flooded Coney Island to see America’s first-ever looping coaster: the Flip Flap Railway. But its thrilling flip caused cases of severe whiplash, neck injury and even ejections. Today, coasters can pull off far more exciting tricks and do it safely. Brian D. Avery investigates what rollercoasters are doing to your body and how they’ve managed to get scarier and safer at the same time.” (L:M; SA:H) Lemon Squeeze – The Lemonade Stand - “Everyone has at one time or another opened a lemonade or Kool-Aid Stand. What a great place to begin an economics lesson. Students can taste test three brands of lemonade and compare prices with taste – is the most expensive the best? Using a reader’s theater students will construct a supply and demand schedule and can create a bar or line graph to demonstrate market interaction between buyers and sellers.” (L:E,M; SA:SS,C) Why Are Wet Dogs Smelly?- “Squeaks and Jessi made a new friend, Cassie the puppy! They gave her a bath after playing in the mud, but now she smells even worse than before! Why do wet dogs smell so bad?!” (L:E; SA:S)
Lego Building Instructions- “A dump of all available building instruction booklet PDFs from the LEGO website (As of March 2023)” (L:G; SA:A)
Engageable - “Great teaching has always been about more than getting kids engaged, its about developing their ability to engage. We help you do this in a more mindful and measurable way than ever.” (L:T; SA:A)
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
I have used Project-based Learning (PBL) very often in my classroom. It is a way to make learning relevant and meaningful to my students.
Project-based learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge. PBL is student-centered, meaning that students have a significant amount of control over the learning process. They work in teams to research, plan, and execute their projects, which often result in a public presentation or product.
There are many benefits to PBL, including:
A deeper understanding of content: PBL requires students to use higher-order thinking skills to solve problems and create products. This leads to a deeper understanding of the content they are learning.
Increased engagement: PBL is more engaging for students than traditional lectures or textbooks. Students are more likely to be motivated to learn when they are working on projects that they are interested in.
Improved collaboration skills: PBL requires students to work together in teams. This helps them to develop their collaboration skills, which are essential for success in the workplace.
21st-century skills: PBL helps students develop the 21st-century skills that they need to succeed in today's world. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and communication.
If you are interested in implementing PBL in your classroom, there are a few things you need to do:
Choose a topic that is relevant to your students' interests and that has a real-world application.
Create a driving question that will guide the project.
Break the project down into smaller tasks that students can complete.
Provide students with resources and support as they work on their projects.
Allow students to present their projects to an audience.
PBL is a challenging but rewarding teaching method. If you are willing to put in the effort, it can help your students to learn in a more meaningful and engaging way.
Here are some examples of project-based learning:
In a science class, students might work on a project to design and build a solar-powered car.
In a history class, students might work on a project to recreate a historical event.
In a math class, students might work on a project to design a new game.
In an English class, students might work on a project to write a play.
PBL can be used in any subject area and at any grade level. It is a versatile teaching method that can be adapted to meet the needs of your students.
Students can be more successful in the classroom by completing project-based activities.
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
Teachers develop objectives to help them plan their lessons and assess student learning. Well-written objectives are clear, measurable, and achievable. They should also be aligned with the curriculum and the needs of the students.
There are a few different ways that teachers can develop objectives. One common approach is to use the ABCD model:
Audience: Who is the target audience for this objective?
Behavior: What is the desired behavior of the learner?
Condition: Under what conditions will the learner demonstrate the desired behavior?
Degree: To what degree of mastery must the learner demonstrate the desired behavior?
For example, an objective for a math lesson might be:
Audience: Students in 2nd grade
Behavior: Solve addition problems with two-digit numbers
Condition: Using a number line
Degree: With 90% accuracy
Another approach to developing objectives is to use Bloom's taxonomy. Bloom's taxonomy is a hierarchical model of cognitive skills, ranging from simple knowledge and comprehension to more complex skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
When using Bloom's taxonomy, teachers can develop objectives that focus on different levels of thinking. For example, an objective for a science lesson might be:
Knowledge: Identify the different types of clouds
Comprehension: Explain how clouds form
Application: Use a cloud chart to predict the weather
Analysis: Analyze the factors that affect cloud formation
Synthesis: Create a model of the water cycle
Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of different methods for predicting the weather
No matter which approach they use, teachers should make sure that their objectives are clear, measurable, and achievable. Well-written objectives can help teachers to plan effective lessons and assess student learning.
Here are some additional tips for teachers when developing objectives:
Start with the end in mind. What do you want students to be able to do by the end of the lesson?
Be specific. What exactly do you want students to know or be able to do?
Use action verbs. What are the specific actions that students will take to demonstrate their learning?
Be measurable. How will you know if students have achieved the objective?
Be achievable. The objective should be challenging, but it should also be within reach of the students.
Align with the curriculum. Make sure that the objective is aligned with the learning standards for the grade level.
By following these tips, teachers can develop objectives that will help them to effectively teach their students. Objectives need to be realistic and attainable in order to help students be successful.
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
One of the best things to do during the summer is Networking. Too often, teachers want to hibernate during their summers but this is the best time to network. Without the pressure of lesson plans and parent/teacher conferences, there is time to network with other teachers and educational professionals who can help in so many ways. Networking is an important part of being a teacher. By networking, teachers can improve their job prospects, stay up-to-date on the latest teaching trends, and grow personally and professionally.
Networking is important for teachers for a number of reasons, including:
Job search and career advancement: Networking can help teachers find new jobs, get promoted, and take on leadership roles. When teachers network, they meet other educators who can provide them with job leads, offer advice, and write letters of recommendation.
Professional development: Networking can help teachers stay up-to-date on the latest teaching trends and learn new skills. When teachers network, they can attend conferences, workshops, and online courses. They can also share ideas and resources with other educators.
Personal and professional growth: Networking can help teachers grow personally and professionally. When teachers network, they meet other educators who share their interests and values. They can also build relationships with mentors who can help them develop their skills and confidence.
Here are some ideas for networking for teachers:
Attend professional conferences and workshops. This is a great way to meet other educators and learn about new teaching trends.
Join professional organizations. This is a great way to connect with other educators in your field.
Volunteer your time at local schools or organizations. This is a great way to get involved in the community and meet other educators.
Use social media. There are many social media platforms that can be used to connect with other educators.
Reach out to your former professors and colleagues. They may be able to help you find a job or offer you advice.
Here are some additional benefits of networking for teachers:
Access to resources. When teachers network, they can tap into a pool of resources that they might not otherwise have access to. This includes things like lesson plans, materials, and professional development opportunities.
Support and collaboration. Networking can provide teachers with a sense of support and collaboration. When teachers know other educators who are facing similar challenges, they can feel less alone and more confident in their abilities.
A sense of community. Networking can help teachers feel like they are part of a larger community of educators. This can be especially important for teachers who work in isolated settings.
If you are a teacher, I encourage you to start networking today. There are many ways to do this, so find a method that works for you and get started!
While this is not about a specific stamp, this is a topic that might interest stamp collectors. Those that collect World’s Fair stamps or are interested in the post office might find this story interesting.
H.H. Holmes is considered to be the first known serial killer in the United States. He was born Herman Webster Mudgett in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, in 1861. He was a gifted student and attended medical school at the University of Michigan, but he was expelled for stealing cadavers.
After leaving medical school, Holmes traveled around the country, working as a doctor, pharmacist, and businessman. He was also a con artist and a thief.
In 1888, he moved to Chicago and built a three-story hotel, which he called the "Murder Castle." The hotel was designed with secret passages, trapdoors, and rooms that could be locked from the outside. The "Murder Castle," was located in the Englewood neighborhood, a few miles west of the fairgrounds.
The World's Fair was a perfect place for Holmes to operate. The crowds and the chaos provided him with the perfect cover, and he was able to lure and murder his victims with impunity. The hotel was designed with secret passages, trapdoors, and rooms that could be locked from the outside. Holmes lured his victims to the hotel, often by posing as a doctor or a businessman. He would then murder them and dispose of their bodies in a variety of ways, including burning them, dissecting them, or burying them in the basement.
The exact number of Holmes's victims is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 20 and 200. He was eventually caught and convicted of the murders of Benjamin Pitezel and his three children. He was hanged in 1896.
The Murder Castle was demolished in 1938, and a post office was built on the site in 1939. The post office is still standing today, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Holmes's victims.
There are a few different theories about why the post office was built on the site of the Murder Castle. One theory is that the city wanted to erase the memory of Holmes and his crimes. Another theory is that the city wanted to take advantage of the location, which was close to the World's Fairgrounds.
Whatever the reason, the post office is now a reminder of one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. It is also a reminder of the dark side of human nature.
Here are some additional facts about the Murder Castle and the post office:
The post office is located at 611 W. 63rd Street in Chicago.
The post office is a modest, yellow brick building.
There are rumors that the basement of the post office is haunted by the ghosts of Holmes's victims.
Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!
Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.
Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers
Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All
Return of the Cat Mummy - “Return to life as a cat mummy & help save the pharaoh's journey of eternity” (L:E; SA: LA.SS)
Fact Check Explorer - “The Fact Check Tools consist of two tools: Fact Check Explorer and Fact Check Markup Tool. Both tools aim to facilitate the work of fact checkers, journalists and researchers. Google does not endorse or create any of these fact checks. If you disagree with one, please contact the website owner that published it.”(L:G; SA:A)
Some Like It Hot - “Learn about the science of hot wings—from the Scoville Scale to capsaicin we zero in on how our bodies react and process sensory information. Then, students test their sensory perception of temperature.” (L:G; SA:S)
Build a Solar Oven - “An engineering Design Challenge to design and build a solar box cooker, and test it out to see if it works well enough to make S ‘mores.” (L:M,H; SA:S)
Make Your Own Sundial- “Squeaks broke his watch! Luckily Jessi knows of a handy way to tell time, with a sundial!” (L:E; SA:S)
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
Mentoring is a powerful tool for supporting and developing teachers. It can help new teachers transition into the profession, improve their teaching practice, and build a strong professional network. I think it would go a long way to helping teacher retention also.
Here are some of the benefits of mentoring for teachers:
Support and guidance: Mentors can provide new teachers with support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of the profession. They can offer advice on classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment. They can also help new teachers develop their own teaching philosophy and style.
Professional development: Mentors can help new teachers stay up-to-date on the latest teaching practices and research. They can also provide opportunities for new teachers to learn from other experienced educators.
Collaboration: Mentoring can help new teachers build a strong professional network. They can collaborate with their mentors on lesson planning, assessment, and other teaching tasks. They can also learn from other teachers in the school or district.
Retention: Mentoring can help new teachers stay in the profession. When new teachers feel supported and well-prepared, they are more likely to stay in the classroom.
If you are a teacher who is interested in mentoring, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
Become familiar with the school's mentoring program: If your school has a mentoring program, take some time to learn about it. This will help you understand the program's goals and objectives, as well as the expectations for mentors.
Reflect on your own teaching practice: Before you start mentoring, take some time to reflect on your own teaching practice. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher? What are your areas of expertise? What are you passionate about? This reflection will help you identify the areas where you can be most helpful to a mentee.
Be patient and supportive: Mentoring is a process. It takes time for a mentor-mentee relationship to develop. Be patient with your mentee and offer them your support throughout the process.
If you are a new teacher who is interested in being mentored, there are a few things you can do to find a mentor:
Talk to your principal or other school leaders: They may be able to match you with a mentor who is a good fit for you.
Ask other teachers in your school or district if they would be willing to mentor you.
Look for mentoring programs in your area: There are many mentoring programs available for new teachers. These programs can connect you with a mentor who is experienced in your subject area or grade level.
Mentoring is a valuable resource for teachers of all levels of experience. If you are interested in mentoring or being mentored, I encourage you to reach out to your school or district to learn more about the opportunities available. Mentoring can help new and struggling teachers be more successful.
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
I really believe that focusing on my students’ learning styles is important to teaching effectively. If I don’t understand what their style of learning is, then I’m wasting valuable time and they will be struggling to understand what I’m teaching.
There are many different learning styles that have been identified, but some of the most common include:
Visual learners learn best by seeing the information. They may prefer to read textbooks, watch videos, or use graphic organizers to help them understand new concepts.
Auditory learners learn best by hearing information. They may prefer to listen to lectures, participate in discussions, or record themselves reading so they can listen to the material again later.
Reading/writing learners learn best by reading and writing. They may prefer to take notes, write essays, or create stories to help them understand new concepts.
Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing. They may prefer to participate in hands-on activities, experiments, or role-playing to help them understand new concepts.
It is important to note that most people do not have a single learning style. Instead, they may have a combination of learning styles. For example, someone might be a visual and auditory learner, or a kinesthetic and reading/writing learner.
There are many ways that teachers can accommodate different learning styles in the classroom. Here are a few ideas:
Use a variety of teaching methods. This could include lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and group work.
Provide visual aids. This could include charts, graphs, diagrams, and pictures.
Use audio recordings. This could include lectures, discussions, or stories.
Encourage students to take notes. This will help them to process the information and make it more memorable.
Provide opportunities for students to practice what they have learned. This could include hands-on activities, role-playing, or writing assignments.
By understanding different learning styles and using a variety of teaching methods, teachers can help all students to learn effectively.
Here are some additional tips for teaching to different learning styles:
Be aware of your own learning style. This will help you to understand how you learn best and how you can adapt your teaching to reach different learners.
Get to know your students' learning styles. You can do this by asking them to complete a learning style assessment or by observing them in the classroom.
Use a variety of learning activities. This will help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a way that is comfortable for them.
Provide clear and concise instructions. This will help all students to understand what they are supposed to do.
Provide opportunities for feedback. This will help students to track their progress and identify areas where they need additional support.
By following these tips, teachers can create a classroom environment where all students can learn effectively. Students will be more successful in the classroom.
How do you find out your students' learning styles? Please share.
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
I don’t believe that students automatically know how to be kind to others. They have to learn this and over time, it will become a habit.
Here are some tips on how to teach students to be kind:
Model kindness yourself. This is the most important thing you can do to teach kindness to your students. Be sure to use kind words and actions in your interactions with them, as well as with other adults and children.
Talk about kindness. Have conversations with your students about what kindness means, why it's important, and how they can show kindness in their own lives. Use books, videos, and other resources to help them learn about kindness.
Create opportunities for kindness. Plan activities and projects that give your students a chance to practice kindness. This could involve working together on a group project, helping out a classmate who's struggling, or doing a random act of kindness for someone in the community.
Reward kindness. When you see your students being kind, be sure to praise them for their actions. This will help them understand that kindness is valued and appreciated.
Celebrate kindness. Take time to celebrate the acts of kindness that happen in your classroom or school. This could involve creating a kindness wall, giving out kindness awards, or simply acknowledging kind acts during class meetings.
Here are some specific activities you can do to teach kindness in the classroom:
Have students create a kindness contract. This could involve listing specific acts of kindness that students will commit to doing each day or week.
Play kindness games. There are many different kindness games that you can play in the classroom. These games can help students learn about kindness and practice being kind to each other.
Read books about kindness. There are many great books about kindness that you can read to your students. These books can help them learn about the importance of kindness and see how it can make a difference in the world.
Start a kindness club. This is a great way to get students involved in promoting kindness in your school. The kindness club could plan activities, create projects, and spread kindness throughout the school community.
Teaching kindness to students is an important part of creating a positive and supportive learning environment. By following these tips, you can help your students learn the importance of kindness and how to show kindness in their own lives. This is a skill that will help them be more successful in the classroom and in life.
(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It can be especially beneficial for educators, who often face high levels of stress and burnout. I have been journaling for years and it really helps me clarify my thoughts and develop a teaching philosophy. Journaling can help teachers to:
Process their thoughts and feelings: Journaling can be a safe and confidential space for teachers to express their thoughts and feelings about their work, their students, and their personal lives. This can help them to better understand their own emotions and to develop more effective coping mechanisms.
Reflect on their practice: Journaling can help teachers to reflect on their teaching practices and to identify areas for improvement. This can lead to more effective teaching and learning for their students.
Set goals and track their progress: Journaling can be a helpful tool for setting goals and tracking progress. This can help teachers to stay motivated and to achieve their professional goals.
Glean insights and inspiration: Journaling can help teachers to gain insights into their own teaching and to find inspiration for new ideas. This can lead to more engaging and effective lessons for their students.
If you are an educator, I encourage you to give journaling a try. It is a simple and effective way to improve your professional and personal well-being.
Here are some tips for journaling as an educator:
Find a quiet time and place to journal. You will need to find a time and place where you will not be interrupted. This could be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed.
Set aside some time each day to journal. Even if it is just for 10 minutes, try to journal on a regular basis. This will help you to develop a habit and to see the benefits of journaling over time.
Be honest with yourself in your journal. Journaling is a safe place to express your true thoughts and feelings. Don't be afraid to be honest with yourself, even if it is difficult.
Don't worry about grammar or spelling. The most important thing is to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Don't worry about grammar or spelling.
Experiment with different types of journaling. There are many different ways to journal. You can write in a traditional journal, or you can try other forms of journaling, such as freewriting, brainstorming, or drawing.
Have fun with journaling! Journaling should be enjoyable. If you are not having fun, you are less likely to stick with it. So, find a way to make journaling fun for you.
I hope these tips help you to get started with journaling as an educator. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Do you journal? Please share your web address so I can follow you.
Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!
Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.
Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers
Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All
Making a Solar Oven - “People all over the world use solar ovens. Campers use them instead of campfires. No risk of forest fires! No smoke in your eyes! No marshmallows! What? Okay, so solar ovens can't do everything. But, you can put your dinner in the oven and go for a long hike. The food cooks all by itself-no watching, stirring, or turning needed. And the food won't burn if you're an hour late getting back to camp. In Third World countries, wood is still the main fuel for cooking. Many families spend hours every day trying to find wood for the evening meal. As the trees disappear, their lives become harder and harder. And their land becomes a desert.” (L:M; SA: S)
Unpoppable Bubbles- “Jessi and Squeaks play with bubbles and learn how to make some that take a really long time to pop!” (L:E; SA: S)
How to Create Your First Quiz in Google Forms - “One of the most common uses of Google Forms is creating and giving self-graded quizzes. If you have never created a quiz with Google Forms, the tutorial that is embedded below will walk you through all of the steps you need to take to make your first quiz in Google Forms.” (L:T; SA: A)
Teaching with Historic Places - “Teaching with Historic Places offers a series of more than 160 classroom-ready lesson plans that use historic sites as a means for exploring American history. Educators and their students can work through these online lesson plans directly on the computer or print them out and photocopy them for distribution.You can browse lesson plans by theme, time period, and state.” (L:T; SA: SS)
Digital scrapbooking is a great activity to use in the classroom. It can be used to capture memories, share important information, or focus on a specific event. This would be a great alternate activity for book reports and even group projects. Here are some examples that I made in June. I use the website Gingerscraps for ideas and even free digital kits.
I’m still enjoying my Photo a Day project on Flickr. I find it helpful to look at other people’s photos and see what I like about them, what makes them stand out to me, and the composition of the photo. I believe these will help me take better photos.
We took a road trip to Minnesota in June for my Zombie Knitpocalypse knitting retreat. Our trip was wonderful and I was excited that I lost 4 lbs. during our trip. We were so busy that many times we didn’t go out for dinner. I’m a little behind on my reading and should have read 50 books by now but all of the other goals are on schedule.
1. Learn something new. - I learned Tunisian crochet to make a couple of dishcloths. I’m still practicing my watercolor painting and my ukulele.
2. Knit at least 1 sweater - I finished with my sweater. (Collins Tee)
3. Yarn - more out than in (use more yardage than I buy) – I hope I can achieve this goal but I need to get busy knitting! As of June 30:
● Yarn used - 5822 yds.
● -Yarn bought - 9009
3. Complete a shawl - I finished my Shawlography shawl
4. Try 4 new recipes. - I tried one new recipe involving Polska Kielbasa in June and Don enjoyed the meal.
5. Stretch regularly (at least 20 days out of the month) - We are walking and exercising regularly.
6. Create at least 2 scrapbook pages each month. - Made 10 pages for June (Total - 60)
7. Participate in the Photo a Day challenge – Completed through June.
8. Read the Bible every day. - yes
9. Read 100 books - Read 14 in January, 2 in February, 6 in March, 5 in April. 4 in May, 3 in June, (Total: 34)
10. Read 12 nonfiction books. – (total: 6).
- Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today by Valerie Bertinelli
- Prince William: The Man Who Will Be King by Penny Junor
I had an amazing time at the Zombie Knitpocalypse (ZK)! It was good to see old friends and make new ones.
We got there early on Wednesday and I helped pack up the goodie bags. For lunch, Don led 7 of us to the Mayo Clinic cafeteria where we had a healthy lunch. After lunch, I sat in the ballroom and knit with others until registration opened at 3 pm.
I taught a class on Thursday morning (Low Impact Exercises for Crafters) which was well received. At 11 am, I had my designer showcase session where I was able to show off the patterns that I designed myself. Before I showed them, I held a South Carolina trivia game where the winner won a free pattern of their choice from my shop. Then at 2 pm, Pam and I helped Susan with the Bingo game. There were 100 people there! In the evening we had the photo booth where my twin and I (we both knit the Collins Tee) took photos and my other twin, Pam (the PatPam duo) took pictures too. Of course, we had to get one with Susan too!
On Friday, we did the 5K. At 11:30 I took the Flower Power class and learned a new flower stitch. I hope I can incorporate that in a future pattern. Then the Doodle Demo class was next and we were given a small kit to make cup cozies. During downtime, I went to the yarn truck rodeo and bought some yarn, and attended other people’s designer showcases. At 5 pm, we had the stitch marker swap and then at 5:30, we took the group photo. The hosts (Amy and Megan) took the teachers and the keynote speaker out to dinner at Victoria's. I had pasta with garlic and clams which was yummy! At 8 pm, Vincent Williams Jr. was our keynote speaker and he was great!
On Saturday, Don and I went to Pannekoeken for breakfast. Then the yarn market was open at 10 am for retreat participants. I bought more yarn than I needed but it was fun. 5:30 pm was the closing ceremony and I helped give out door prizes. Then at 8 pm, the hotel brought out desserts.
We left on Sunday.
I had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the activities!
Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!
Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.
Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers
Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All
Spacecraft AR - App designed for an iPad; “Created by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this stunning educational app uses native mobile augmented reality to bring spacecraft explorers from across the solar system to whatever space you’re in. Find a flat surface and view interactive 3D models right in front of you, scaled to table-top size or in their true-to-life proportions. Take pics with the spacecraft in your favorite environments, and explore detailed info about their fascinating missions.” (L:G; SA: S) Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kelvin explained in ten seconds - YouTube video explanation (L:M,H; SA: S)
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage- “...two resources that I've highlighted in the past to help students understand why minimum wage and livable wage are almost never the same thing.” (L:H; SA: C)
Flippity Flashcards- Use Google Sheets to make your own flashcards. (L:G; SA: A)
We left Rochester, MN at 8 am CT after eating breakfast at Cheap Charlies Cafe. First, we found the giant medical scooter and took a picture. Then we headed toward LaSalle, IL so we could go around Chicago. From that point, we went east to Elkhart, IN. The traffic was terrible even though it was a Sunday. We stopped at an antique store in Elburn, IL for an hour. Plus we crossed the time zone and lost an hour we reached Elkhart around 7 pm ET and stopped at Arby’s for dinner. We arrived at the Hampton Inn in Elkhart ($109). Don wasn’t impressed with the hotel and thinks it isn’t up to what used to be Hampton Inn standards. We were exhausted.
Monday, 6/26/2023: Elkhart, IN
We took our time getting up and had breakfast at the hotel. Then we got gas on the way to the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum. We got there when it opened at 9 am and enjoyed all the exhibits. When we finished with the RV side, we saw a man in an official shirt so I stopped him and told him that I didn’t see any Casitas in the model RV display shelves. Then we started talking to him and he was SO interesting. It has been about 6 years since we had been here last time and he said it almost went bankrupt. Luckily, he agreed to become President of this nonprofit organization and helped get it back in the black. I know we were keeping him from his job but he was so welcoming and friendly that we couldn’t help talking with him. After he finally escaped from us, we went to the other side of the building to see the Manufactured Homes exhibits.
When we left there, we headed to Dayton, OH. We took backroads and mainly stayed off the interstates. We ended up at an Arby’s for lunch. Traffic in Dayton was still busier than we were used but we found a Comfort Suites across from the Dayton Mall for $89. It was heavily under renovation but we got a handicapped room on the first floor which was pretty big. I think it was one of the newly renovated rooms. I’m not sure any of the other rooms in our hall were finished. After we checked in, we went to the Antique Village where Don shopped for 2 ½ hours. He found some treasures and then we returned to the hotel. Across the antique store was a Sam’s Club where we filled up the car.
Tuesday, 6/27/2023 Dayton,OH
After breakfast, we went to the Museum of the Air Force. The air quality was so horrible that the whole city looked odd in a spooky smoggy haze. We were at the museum for 4 ½ hours. When we left, we decided to head home due to the air quality. We both had headaches and Don was having trouble breathing. The traffic in Dayton and Cincinnati was horrendous and it wasn’t even rush hour! I thought we might spend the night outside of Knoxville but neither of us was tired so we continued on. We finally got home around 10:30 pm.
Tuesday, 6/13/2023: Collinsville, IL/ St. Louis area
Our adventure began at 6 am when we left home. Our first destination was tentatively Knoxville, TN. When we arrived at Knoxville, Don was still full of energy and wanted to continue but we did stop at McDonald’s for breakfast. We figured that since we were only 3 hours away, we could visit another time. So, our next possible stop was Nashville, TN and again, Don was ready to continue. Before Nashville, we entered the Central Time Zone and our clocks were an hour earlier. So, we headed to St. Louis. We used Hotwire to find a nice hotel room at a reasonable price ($68). So, we ended up at the DoubleTree in Collinsville, IL which is just on the east side of St. Louis.
Once we checked in, we decided to go to Steak-n-Shake for dinner. We had a combo special for $8 each which included a cheeseburger, fries, a drink, and a chocolate sundae. Then we went looking for the Largest Catsup Bottle in the World and found it not too far away. It was a pretty cool water tower.
Wednesday, 6/14/2023: Collinsville, IL/ St. Louis area
We got up early and went to Waffle House for breakfast. Our breakfast was around $5 each (eggs, hashbrowns, and toast). Then we headed to Laumiere Park and my knitting friend, Cindy met us there. We walked around the sculptures and saw our favorite eyeball sculpture there. She had to go back home and back to work so we headed to the St. Louis Zoo which is free. Parking was $15 but we were able to find free parking on the side street. The Zoo was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed it. When we left, I was hot, tired, and hungry so we went to Imo’s for lunch. We each got the lunch special (pasta, ½ salad, and a drink) for $11 each. We could have gotten one and shared it if we bought another drink. After lunch, we returned to the park and walked around the children’s garden which was beautiful. Next, we drove around the park and decided we wanted to find the giant 33-foot alien at the Science Center. Our GPS kept sending us to the Science Center but no alien could be found. When I looked up pictures online, it said it was at the planetarium at the science center. Finally, we drove around until we saw the building in one of the pictures and found the planetarium and the alien! Next, we found the visitor center and enjoyed talking to the ladies there. They recommended that we check out the Missouri History Museum which had a World’s Fair exhibit. We went there even though we knew they closed in 30 minutes (5 pm) and I was able to buy a magnet and see one of the exhibits. The World Fair exhibit had closed down in April for refurbishment and would reopen in 2024. We were tired and ready to get a hotel room so tried Hotwire again. We got a room at the DoubleTree again but it was $77. We had a full day and really enjoyed ourselves.
Thursday, 6/15/2023: Springfield, IL
After breakfast at Waffle House, we hit the road and headed to Springfield. On the way, we passed a huge pink elephant and an alien ship. Of course, we had to turn around and go to them for pictures! They were in front of an antique mall. The mall didn’t open until 9:30 and it was only 9 but the lady saw us and opened up for us anyway. Don found some treasures there. We finally got to Springfield and booked a room at the State House Inn ($95) which was right across the street from the Capitol. Next, we went to the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. They were having a naturalization ceremony at 3:30 but they only had a few seats for the public. After that, we ended up at the Prairie Archives bookstore where Don found some World’s Fair memorabilia. Then we went to the Visitor Center where we took a picture with President and Mrs. Lincoln. The visitor center was in the old Lincoln-Herndon law office building where President Lincoln practiced law on the 3rd floor. At that time, the first floor was used as the only post office in Springfield. Then we went to the visitor center in Lincoln’s neighborhood to get a free tour ticket for Lincoln’s home. While we waited for the tour, we watched a 30-minute video which was very good. The tour took 30 minutes and it was very good too. I was thrilled to be walking in the same place that Lincoln had lived. We finally stopped to eat a late lunch/early dinner at Sapuros (a well-known Italian restaurant). We had the lunch specials ($11 each). After eating we walked to the Depot (where Lincoln took the train to DC after being elected President). Since we were tired and hot, we drove to Lincoln’s Tomb and got there in time to go inside before they closed. I found it interesting that Lincoln was actually buried 10 feet deep in a concrete vault because grave robbers tried to steal his body in 1876. The robbers were caught before they could succeed in their plan. It was a full and fun day!
Friday, June 16, 2023: Peoria, IL/ Moline, IL
We left Springfield and headed to Atlanta, IL to look for the Giant Paul Bunyon statue holding a huge hot dog. We found it and then continued to Bloomington, IL to the 316 Antique Mall. Don shopped for a couple of hours and found some treasures. I was able to sit and knit and talk to the owner. They were having a 4-day concert next door but we were able to get in the parking area to go shopping. When we left there, we headed to Peoria, IL to the Caterpillar Visitor Center. It was $6 admission for each person and we spent a couple of hours there. I really enjoyed that. We bought a magnet at the store and got a Veteran’s discount. After that, we walked along the waterfront and Don found a yarn store for me! Then we left there and headed to Moline. We got a room at the Wyndham Moline on John Deere Commons for $126. It was a very nice room with a sofa/sitting room and a small refrigerator. Many hotels were sold out in the area because of the Matchbox 20 concert. We finally found one in Geneseo so we went ahead and booked it for Saturday. Next, we walked along the river in both directions and then we walked across the street to the John Deere Pavilion and took photos. We were able to buy a magnet at the store. We brought our stuff to the room and then went back out to find this festival a lady told us about. A policeman told me that “Mercado on Fifth” happens every Friday from May until September. There were a lot of food vendors and the music was great.
Saturday, June 17, 2023: Moline, IL/Geneseo, IL
After breakfast, we drove to Sylvan Island Park which is a free city park. We walked across the bridge and hiked around. It was a very nice park. After that, we decided to drive over the bridge to Davenport to scope out where our tour will be on Monday. When we got over the bridge we stopped along the riverwalk on the Iowa side and took pictures of the old and new bridge. We had a nice chat with a local man. On Sunday they plan to demolish the old bridge. After finding the John Deere plant, we went to Costco and did some shopping. Then we went to Geneseo, IL, and found an outdoor festival. It was very nice and the local library was giving away free books. After the festival, we hunted for antique stores. We spent 4 hours at the C&S Antique Mall. Don shopped while I knit and talked. Then we checked into the Best Western Geneseo Inn ($125). Sunday, June 18, 2023: Moline, IL/ LeClaire, IA
We checked out of our hotel and headed to Moline again. We were too late to see the demolition of the old bridge but I got pictures of it before and after. I did see a video of it online though. Then we went to the Iowa side and rode around. We went to LeClaire, IA, and found the Antique Archeology store (from the American Pickers Show). Then we drove along the river. We found Dam and Lock #14. Then we went back to Costco to return some clothes that didn’t fit Don. After eating a hot dog lunch, we went back to the Wyndham in Moline where we had a reservation. The room wasn’t ready so we sat around for a couple of hours drinking free coffee and reading. Then we got our room and were lazy most of the day.
Monday, June 19, 2023: Davenport, IA/West Branch, IA/Rochester, MN
We headed to Davenport, IA for our 10 am tour of the John Deere Manufacturing Plant. We were sent an email telling us that we had to wear long pants, and closed-toed shoes, and leave our phones in the car. We couldn’t believe it when one couple showed up in shorts and she was wearing sandals! They made her go back to her car and change her shoes. Then they gave both of them long pants with elastic waists to wear over their shorts. The tour was amazing and well worth going! It lasted an hour and we rode around in a tram while the guide talked to us through headsets. We also had to wear safety glasses. The plant covers over 2 million square feet (roughly 37 football fields).
Then we headed to West Branch, IA to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum ($5 each for seniors). We watched a 22 min. video and spent about 90 minutes at the museum. We also went to see the President and Mrs. Hoover’s gravesite. Next, we went to look for the World’s Largest Nickel. It was on the side of the road and I took a quick picture and then we made a quick stop at Costco. We looked for a hotel to spend the night and didn’t find any suitable ones with good reviews at reasonable prices so we went on to Rochester, MN. We stayed at Hampton Inn Rochester South ($115). While we waited to check in, we were told that they were serving free chili for dinner so we had some. The room was nice and we will even get a free breakfast so we may stay here again tomorrow night.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023: Rochester, MN
After breakfast, we headed to Austin, MN to the Spam Museum. It was free and we spent about an hour there. After that, we headed to Buffy the Cow and then Oxbow Park Nature Center and Zollman Zoo (also free). It was really hot outside (85 degrees) but the zoo was pretty nice. Then we headed to Costco for gas and Aldi for junk food. We returned to the Hampton Inn (booked another night but it was $120) and decided to hop on the shuttle to the Mayo Clinic (downtown). We walked around to get our bearings before the ZK knitting retreat. When we got to the mall, we had to stop at Chocolaterie Stam and get a salted caramel gelato. We found the Hilton and the parking garage where we will be for the rest of the week.
June 21 - 25, 2023 - Zombie Knitpocalypse
I wrote a separate post on this in case you aren’t into knitting. Click here if you want to know more about our time at ZK.
Things I Learned:
If you are going to the St. Louis Zoo, go early so you can get free parking on the street.
Bring a bottle of water in a pack even if you think you aren’t going far.
Waffle House has a good breakfast for around $6 a person.
The people at Sapuro were not very friendly but the food was good.
It was fun to go through Atlanta, IL to find Paul Bunyon.
The 316 Antique Store in Bloomington, IL was worth going to.
The Caterpillar Visitor Center was worth visiting and I really enjoyed it. We spent about 2 hours there.
The John Deere Pavilion was free and took us about 30 minutes to go through.
Sylvan Island is a nice park to walk around.
It was fun to drive along the river in both directions in both states.
The dam and lock were interesting to see.
The John Deere Tour in Davenport was fabulous and free!
Herbert Hoover’s Museum was well worth the stop for 2 hours.
Today is the 4th of July in the United States. We celebrate Independence Day every year. Our town had a Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday which included a concert and fireworks. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday.
