Teresa Morgan's Blog (13)

I wanted a refreshing change and after having my hair cut when I'm trying to grow it out really disappointed me so I went for my "me in a bag" collage. You see a bit about me is I love s'mores, cooking, Target (where I must wear my glasses and blinders to avoid distraction), I can be a grinch from time to time, I hope to travel the world, family and kids are important and well you get the picture. It's all about me - - what items would or… Continue

Old dogs and new tricks, I remember Legos but not ones that moved on their own or with commands. After a two day training I am so excited about using them in my classroom. I called my mom and told her she shouldn't have ever stopped buying Legos for my brother, she said "I knew it was on the job training, but they just got too expensive." I had to realize quickly that she was right. Kits cost $250 each and they suggest to only have 2 students… Continue

A local organization offered grant opportunities for students interested in community service projects. My students completely surprised me with their interest in building park benches to replace broken ones near a local lake. And guess what, they were awarded funds to complete their project. I'm so proud of them.

I enjoy subscribing to Steve Spangler's experiments via email always offering opportunities for cheap and entertaining science exploration. This one involves a bottle of pop, and pop rocks. Use the small cute bottles of soda for maximum effect and it will either blow the balloon off the bottle or blow the balloon up rather large - either way you'll enjoy the effect and much less messy than the menthos.…

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The start of a school year is a new beginning, more than January 1 in my mind as I try to create atmosphere in the classroom and eagerly greet my new students as long lost family members. This year, I've decorated with inspiration from the Olympics. Paper lanterns and colorful kites. The colors are bold which help set the tone for the year of learning . . . bold learning opportunities.

With the end of May comes the ending of another year. I find myself making resolutions, plans and changes for the future both personally and professionally. This summer I'll be taking classes, making time for me and redesigning the curriculum to be more project based units of study. In the week that I've had off I've been helping with conference organization, proposals for speaking engagements and yes brainstorming. I've collected 57 ideas so far that need exploring, and hopefully I'll find… Continue

The science Fair is always interesting to see how the students come up with questions and their results. We had students who made home made lava lamps to twinkie burning. I really enjoy seeing their energy when talking about their projects.

Today, I'm away from the kids while attending KSDE Conference. Having called in 3 times so far I am discovering that even though I am gone the students are plugging away at projects and work completion as the year draws to a close. I am pleased to know that while I can be away learning and sharing with adults that they are doing their job of learning.

As I think about the year, my heart begins to tear.

The kids have grown, their knowledge shown.

In the technology projects that they do, we all stand up and say yahoo.

A job well done, their victory was won.



This year I was blessed and put to the test.

But I've passed and can say at last

Come August, we'll make learning a blast.



This year I knew would be no easy task, first of all I taught 2 grade levels 4 core subjects. Add to that the technology… Continue

Taking a field trip to a college campus became a new experience for me this week as my class visited the KState campus. We toured the Cancer Research Center, Nuclear Testing Center, Insect Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and more. Truly an experience that went beyond what you normally see on a campus.

With an unannounced visit local organization Thomas County Foundation brought a check to the school as a donation to be used for educational outings throughout the community. Accepting on our behalf was Alyssa, a proud member of TCA. After the presentation the students did a fabulous job of showing off computer skills in their project work.

U Scream, I Scream we all scream for UStream. That was my presentation title at the MACE conference in Manhattan, Kansas. My first speaking engagement. As a teacher you know you must speak to a crowd daily and so it should have come to no surprise but was I ready to speak about technology tools to others. This must be something others see in me, speaking publicly. The event went without a hitch. MACE is another great opportunity to become absorbed, inspired and ready to delve into the… Continue

I've been spending time this week with Kevin Honey . . . cutt and yes we've laughed, cried and learned much. I've come up with this prose to summarize my learning this week.

Google Sketch-Up where you can mock up
I've certainly caught on to the computer hold up
We can make movies with our green screen set up
My kids have enjoyed seeing Kevin crack up
Art Snacks really had the kids keyed up