Interstate Toll Road 185 – Greenville, SC

After reading this article:  Councilman: Deep in debt, Interstate 185 toll road is holding back Greenville's development, I was very concerned!

Taxpayers should not have to pay for the toll road! I was opposed when it was being constructed and some of my friends lost valuable property against their wishes for this road to be built. I don’t even use this road and I don’t plan on using it.

When it was being built, my husband and I thought that sometime in the future, they were going to try to stick the cost of this road onto the taxpayers and the future has arrived. I had hoped that we were wrong back then, but I guess we weren’t.

Now they want to do away with the tolls and make the taxpayers pay for this road! This will cause an increase in our taxes which are already too high. Elderly people are already strapped on fixed incomes and will be burdened by yet another tax increase!

I am asking that anyone who has the power to vote on this, to please vote NO! Please stop raising our taxes!!

Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 12/7/18

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

Yo Teach! – great way to have a backchannel for a class. Students can ask questions without interrupting the speaker. The shyest students who are afraid to ask a question publicly will be able to ask their questions without worrying about any negative feedback. (L:G; SA:T)

Netsafe – teaching about internet safety (L:G; SA:A)

Vocabulary – “Ditch the flash cards and stop memorizing definitions. Vocabulary.com teaches you words by systematically exposing you to a wide array of question types and activities that will help you understand all the meanings and nuances of every word you’re learning.

Even after you’ve achieved mastery, we’ll continue to reinforce what you have learned to make sure that it all stays fresh in your memory.” (L:G; SA:A)

Become a Mystery Skype Master – “Mystery Skype Master Course Objectives -

This course is designed to fully develop your understanding of how educators can use this simple yes/no game to develop skills in students by:

·      Understanding how the 'regular' version of the Mystery Skype game works

·      Learn how you can find other educators to connect with for Mystery Skype

·      Learn how you can assign roles to students to ensure all are engaged

·      Learn how you can play this game in conjunction with Skype in the Classroom Bingo

·      Learn about the other variations of the game that teachers have developed

·      Learn how to use Skype translator to connect with classes speaking another language

·      Learn about all the resources available to support student learning around this activity

·      Learn about points and badges you earn as you virtually journey around the world

·      Learn about awarding certificates based on student achievements” (L:G; SA:A)

Draw and Tell – iPad app; “storytelling for kids” (L:E; SA:LA)

Original photo by Pat Hensley

Happy 99th Birthday

Tomorrow will be my father’s 99th birthday. I’m so thankful that he is my father and I started thinking of all the good memories I’ve had with him and wanted to share them with you.

I remember:

·      Going grocery shopping at Pathmark on his one day off a week.

·      Taking me to accordion lessons on his day off.

·      Teaching me how to ride a bicycle.  

·      Sitting in the recliner with him on Saturday and watching old western shows.

·      Watching John Wayne movies on TV.

·      Taking me to the movies to see the newest James Bond movie.

·      Going deep sea fishing on a boat with his friends.

·      Driving me to church and picking me up after it was over.  

·      Driving me to West Islip High school when I didn’t want to ride the bus.

·      Working together at Mei Ting restaurant.

·      Driving to SC in the summers for vacation.

·      Going camping in the camper.

·      Driving me to Furman in the camper.

·      Giving me cooking lessons in your kitchen.

·      Going to the dog track.

·      Buying turkeys for Gary’s restaurant at the grocery store and telling people arriving in the parking lot the store was giving them away!

·      Visiting him at the different country clubs where he worked as a waiter.

·      Going on cruises with him and my stepmom.

I really enjoyed going down memory lane and I look forward to his journey to his 100^th year!

Original photo by Pat Hensley