"Unless your name is google, stop acting like you know everything ;)"-Unkknown In January, I went to the Alice Keeler Training (see post here). After that day, I realized that I didn't know as much about Google Aps for Education as I should for my students. Thus, I added getting my Google certification to my life list. This week I finished both Level 1 and Level 2--and boy am I glad I did. Here are my 10 favorite things I learned:
10. Create and Host your Own You Tube Channel 9. Using the Explore Tool 8. Creating custom Maps for student learning 7. Adding Cards to Youtube Videos 6. Create your own learning adventures in google forms 5. Using the Unique Formula In Sheets 4. Conditional Formating in Sheets and Forms 3. Using Filter Views (and saving them) in Sheets 2. Appointment Spots on Google Calendar 1. Canned Email Responses I am going to take a break now from Google as school gets started. I think that I might try to finish the certified trainer course at a later date.
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"In order to create an engaging learning experience, the role of instructor is optional, but the role of the learner is essential." -Bernard Bull Online classes have been really hard for me to transition to. I tend to be a social learner, so the thought of interacting only with instructors via a computer seemed like too much of a shift for me. But this week, I have learned, that I can be successful.
As part of the Ed Tech Institute I am participating in, I have taken three different courses this week and learned a lot. The best part--I can turn my music on and enjoy while I go at my own speed. Now I wonder how to incorporate this in a meaningful way in my classroom. The success this week was enough to tip the scale for me to apply to the Tufts Online Teacher Engineering Education Program. I am excited to learn more about teaching engineering and can't wait to see how online learning can open up the world! "I think a guy who's had just the right amount of booze can sing the blues a hell of a lot better than a guy who is stone sober." -Charlie Rich Classic country. This is the best description for this album. Charlie Rich has rich lyrics and melodies to tell stories of long gone wrong. Although I would probably not buy this album, I did enjoy working on an online class as I listened to it. My favorite song on the album was "Behind Closed Doors"--it should be on every romance play list out there.
"As long as old men sit and talk about the weather, As long as old women sit and talk about old men." -Randy Travis Timeless is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about this album. From the initial like on "Too gone for Too Long" to the final cord on "We're Gonna Tear Down the Walls" old time country shines. The sweet melodies, great guitar licks and honkey tonk feel made me smile--this is a great album to clean too! So glad I listened through--my favorite is still this one: "Music keeps you eternally young. It just does."-Garth Brooks The minute this album came on, I was instantly transported back to middle school. The summer between 7th and 8th grade, my family built my parent's dream house. Each day we worked on the house with country music blaring on the radio--filled with the songs from this album.
I love every single song on this album. I could listen to it over and over. Listening to this old friend as a grown up, the themes of blessings and appreciating them really surfaced for me. "If Tomorrow Never Comes" reminds us of the importance of our people knowing exactly how we feel about them with our actions and deeds. I am confident that my family would know that I adore them if tomorrow doesn't come. "Much too Young" made me laugh. My hubby recently turned 40 and seems to be falling apart. I hope I don't start falling apart at 40! "She had not known the weight until she felt the freedom." -The Scarlet Letter Our trip to Cancun was filled with fun--and HUGE monster mosquitos. I have spent the past several days itching nonstop and today I just couldn't do it any more. As soon as we made it through security at the airport, we stopped in the duty free shop to buy vanilla. I also went to see what the pharmacy section had and decided to try Benadryl. And you know what? It was amazing. I stopped itching for the first time in days. What blessed relief!
"Everyone can rock a bikini, swimsuit, unicorn onesie...whatever floats your boat. If you wear it with confidence, you will look hot." -Iskra Lawrence Last time I went to Mexico with my kids, I was lame. I sat by the pool in my coverup and read a book instead of getting in. Why? I didn't like how I looked or felt in my swim suit. But, you know what? I missed the feel of floating and loving the water. So, when I made my life list, I said I would swim in the ocean. And I did....every time the kids got in the water, I was right there with them. I didn't worry about how I looked--I felt happy being with my kids.
"Where is that inner child that use to love life so much? It's time to reconnect...Happiness and success depend on the child that you still carry within." -Roxana Jones In February of 2016, Luke and I took a trip to XelHa, Mexico to relax. We spent the day traveling up and down the raft river. On each journey, I saw people jumping off of cliffs. It looked like a lot of fun, but I was scared to try it. I was too old and someone might say something. I am too fat. It might really hurt. So, each time we went down the river I smiled at the children doing the cliff jumping and wished it was me. This experience stuck with me and I decided that I wanted to cliff jump when I made my life list.
Today, that wish came true and I found my 8 year old self. My initial post about this shows my joy: "Found my 8 year old self today at Xelha. Jumped off cliffs, chased stingrays as we snorkeled, used a rope swing into a Cenote, and rode more zip lines than I could count. Loved every minute. (Tomorrow my 39 year old self may not be as happy)." Now that I have had some time to reflect, I realize that the reason I had such joy today was that I stopped caring about what others think and worried only about being my authentic self. I love to play in the water--it makes my heart so full and I can't help but smile. It was exhilarating to step off that cliff knowing that I cannot do ANYTHING else but let go! We jumped and jumped and then moved on to spending the WHOLE afternoon doing zip lines into the lagoon. It was beautiful and fun and I can't wait to feel that way again soon! "A family portrait is only complete with love to fill it's frame." -Wes Fesler I had a glorious time today with my boys. We jumped off cliffs, snorkeled with sting rays, and zipped on ziplines. At one point, climbing out of the water for what must have been the hundredth time of the day, I spotted a young mom with a baby and a toddler. And it hit me like a ton of bricks--my family is done. I no longer wonder "what if. we had a baby" or "should we try for a girl." We have a fabulous family and it fills my heart completely. And now I'm sure--our family is truly complete. (It only took 10 years after Luke had his vasectomy--oops!). I love that I get to travel with this squad through life and I can't wait to see what adventures we go on next!
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU." -Anne. Lamott Taking me time is something that I have worked on over the past few years. It is easy as a mom, teacher, wife, to spend all my time and energy giving to others. However, that does not work if the bucket it empty. So, half way through our vacation, I decided to unplug from all of it for a few hours. I used a few left over points from our time share to get a day at the spa complete with a massage and a mani/pedi. It was great to stop the world, stop my mind and truly relax. I loved how calm and peaceful I felt by the end. I need to add this back to my list so that next time I am running on empty at home I can refill the bucket there!
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AuthorAlmost 40 and tired of the treadmill, I am going to LIVE each day as a new adventure while finishing todo items on my life list. Mom, wife, teacher, geek! Archives
May 2020
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