Happy Birthday to my Husband

Today is my husband’s birthday! He is the love of my life and I can’t imagine a day without him! 

Happy birthday!!

Access to the Right Tool

“The NVIV (Next Vista Inspiring Video) series of posts are written by Rushton Hurley and designed to provide students and teachers with fascinating discussion prompts.”

In Access to the Right Tool, Rushton features Jehiel Oliver. He started Hello Tractor, Inc. in Nigeria to help farmers get access to tractors. This helped farmers do in one day what would normally take 40 days to do manually.

Rushton gives the following prompts to accompany this video:

“Do you know people who work hard, but are missing something that would allow them to be more (or much more) successful? What challenges do you see in your community? If you identify a need, would you take time to brainstorm with others interesting ways of addressing that need?”

It is so important to have the right tools for the job you are doing. It is always amazing when technology can help people have a better life. I think about how much this will change the lives of so many people in Nigeria. It would interesting to have students brainstorm ideas for their own community.

Please check out the video and think of other prompts you might come up with. Please share. 

Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 02/24/23

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

Writing Prompts - Use a spinner to pick a writing prompt. (L:T; SA:A)

Curipod - “Generate lessons with AI. (L:T; SA:A)

Focusable - “ The fitness tracking app for your mind” (L:G; SA:A)

Using #ChatGPT for Differentiation - “I decided to test the limits of ChatGPT when it came to offering differentiation ideas — something that can really be time-consuming for teachers.” (L:T; SA:A)

Adventure Learning - “Establishing a sense of community within physical education classrooms is essential to developing students that are open to trying new activities and experiences. The OPEN Adventure module offers students an opportunity to connect with their classmates, build trust, and problem solve through a variety of fun and engaging activities. The activities can be grouped together as shown in the block plan for an Adventure Learning unit or can be utilized individually as an instant activity for any lesson. The activities within this module develop and reinforce responsible behaviors, while sometimes stretching students beyond their comfort zone. All participants are given the opportunity to contribute to small and large group activities through social engagement and building connections with their classmates that extend beyond physical education.” (L:M,H; SA:PE)

Original photo by Pat Hensley

5¢ Opening of Japan stamp

The 5¢ Opening of Japan stamp (#1021) honors the 100th anniversary of Commodore Perry’s negotiations with Japan. It was issued on July 14, 1953, in Washington DC. This negotiation opened Japan to trade after 200 years of isolation. This stamp features Commodore Perry’s ships in Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji is in the background. A portrait of Commodore Perry is in the upper right corner.

On April 10, 1794, Matthew Perry was born in Rhode Island. His father was a navy captain so he was accustomed to navy life. At the age of 15, he became a midshipman aboard the USS Revenge under his brother’s command. Perry also served on the USS President where he was an aide to the Commodore and took part in a battle during the War of 1812. He served on other ships in the Mediterranean and was even offered a commission with the Imperial Russian Navy but he declined the offer.

Perry took command of the USS Shark in 1821 and sailed to Key West, FL in order to claim Key West as a US territory. After that, commanded the USS Concord. He served as the second officer of the NY Navy Yard and then became Captain. He believed that naval education was extremely important and pushed for an apprentice system to train new sailors. He also created the course of study at the US Naval Academy and is called the “Father of the Steam Navy.” He commanded the USS Mississippi during the Mexican-American War and led the force in taking San Juan Bautista.

Perry’s biggest accomplishment is when President Millard Filmore sent him to Japan to open relations. On July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry led four steamships into Tokyo Bay and the Japanese were very impressed with these giant steamships. The Japanese had never seen these ships before and called them “giant dragons puffing smoke.”

After arriving in Japan, Perry demanded that he be allowed to present the President’s letter to the emperor but his requests were denied. Perry opened fire on several buildings with his cannons and when the Japanese realized they couldn’t fight these weapons, they allowed Perry to land. He gave the emperor many gifts including a steam locomotive model, a telegraph, and a telescope. He hoped that these would show the Japanese how superior American culture was and encourage them to be open to trade.

The next year, both countries signed a treaty establishing peace between the US and Japan. It also called for opening two ports to the US, help, and protection for US ships stranded in the area, and allowing US ships to buy supplies, coal, and water in these ports.

Classroom Activities:

• How many states made up the US in 1794? Draw a map of these states.
• Describe one of the following ships and draw a picture of it: USS Revenge, USS President, USS Shark, USS Mississippi,
• What caused the War of 1812? Draw a poster or a brochure sharing these causes.
• What caused the Mexican-American War? Draw a poster or a brochure sharing these causes.
• What do you think President Millard Fillmore’s letter said? Pretend you are President Fillmore and write your letter to the Japanese.

References:
https://www.mysticstamp.com/Products/United-States/1021/USA/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Matthew-C-Perry

Self Care

I have seen too many people apologize for taking care of themselves. They feel selfish and unfeeling toward others. Over time, I think we are taught to feel this way whenever we try to take care of ourselves. I agree that if we are constantly only thinking about ourselves with little regard for others and it interferes with our relationship with others over time, we may be too self-centered. Yet, taking care of ourselves is as important as taking care of others. When we are given safety instructions on an airplane, parents are instructed to put their oxygen masks over their own faces before helping their children. If they don’t, they may not be in a position to help their children.

Nutrition: I believe that we need to eat healthy foods in order to keep our bodies in good shape. Students don’t automatically know what are healthy foods so they need to be taught this. It is important to look at labels on food to see how many calories, salt, carbohydrates, and sugar are in the foods. I also point out that the more ingredients that I can’t pronounce, the more I avoid these foods. I try to eat more fresh or frozen vegetables and avoid canned vegetables. I also limit the number of carbohydrates and sugar I eat every day.

Exercise: I try to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. If I have a choice of stairs or an elevator, I choose the stairs. When parking at the store, I park as far away from the door as possible ( not only for exercise, but it makes it easier to find my car!). I also try to get up and stand every hour. When I’m watching a movie on TV, I walk in place during the commercials.

Meditation: I spend 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of each day to just quiet my mind. I put on soft music and do some deep breathing exercises. This helps my whole body relax and re-energize. It helps me prepare for the day.

Attitude: I also start each day with a positive attitude. I think about what I’m thankful for. I avoid any negative thoughts and say some positive affirmations such as:

• It’s going to be a great day!
• I feel great!
• I’m so glad to be alive.
• I can face anything that comes my way today.

Hobby: I try to work on one of my hobbies at least once a day for an hour. I have several hobbies so I can choose whatever I’m in the mood to work on. Some people call this “me time” but it is very important for our overall health. I like to knit, crochet, spin yarn, read, garden, hike, play my accordion, and do digital scrapbooking. I’m learning how to play the ukulele and also learning to paint with watercolors.

I think self-care is as important as caring for others in order to be successful in life.

What do you do for self-care? Please share.