Very Random Notes from the Sandwich Life
1. I WILL get through this week. I WILL get through this week. I WILL get through this week.
2. Owen's math teacher, Mrs. Boggs, is trying to raise funds for activity tables/fitness balls for her classroom. I think this is really cool. I can see this helping Owen to focus...really interesting. I haven't been the biggest financial supporter of the schools (other than my taxes of course) so I am going to try to donate a little. This is the info from DonorsChoose.org:
My Students
When students sit on stability balls, their brains are engaged in keeping their bodies centered on the balls. Students are able to focus more on learning. Not only is the brain better for processing new info, young minds are also better able to concentrate on exams, note taking, classwork, etc.
My students are a very active, diverse group of 8th grade mathematics and AVID students. I teach 100-120 students each day. Our student population each year is 60-80% free and reduced lunch with 30-40% of them working toward being first generation college students.
My Project
With these tables and stability balls, my students will be able to work collaboratively and learn with movement.
A study published in the October 2003 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that students with attention challenges, such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, tended to focus better when using stability balls instead of chairs. The study revealed that students behaved better and that language skills improved, and that students and teachers preferred the use of stability balls in the classroom instead of chairs. Fidgeting helps children with ADHD concentrate, and just a little movement on the stability balls can meet their demands for expelling excess energy. Teachers who swapped out traditional chairs for stability balls and even stationary exercise bikes noticed a change in posture, enthusiasm for reading and other desk work and paying attention in general, according to a 2010 article in Education World. -Livestrong.com
Students will be able to improve their focus, incorporate movement, work collaboratively and get excited about being in math class because it will be different from all their other classes.
My students need 6 tables and 24 fitness ball chairs to foster positive movement and teamwork in the classroom.
3. The yard, well, and the house, is a disaster but when the morning glories are blooming everything seems better.
4. Leo is involved with starting a new Trainz forum...there's all sorts of political and technical backstory that I don't totally follow but I'm proud of him. Unfortunately high school does get in the way with his work, but he has updated his blog accordingly. My sweet pea.
5. Owen dug a box out of the garage and found all sorts of old posters and music magazines. It's a treasure trove but Owen was particularly tickled with the Abba poster.
6. And on a totally different note....any one know how to connect a Fender Passport 150 PA to a laptop? update: never mind---figured it out!