Hola Readers!
I had a super exciting weekend filled with professional development, cultural exploration, AND a few minutes to sit in the sun!
Through the Jr/Sr Scholars program, I was introduced to the ACI Teacher's Academy. This group provides conferences on Friday evenings every other month or so that introduce teachers and preservice teachers to new techniques and research for their classrooms. I attended a session about assessment, and we started off with a “quote museum” which is when there are multiple related quotes set out, everyone browses the quotes, and then selects the one that they believe to be most true. I selected a quote that discusses how some of the most important content that must be taught cannot be assessed. The experience of seeing everyone’s perspectives about assessment was incredibly interesting for me. Many NCC students attended the conference, and to see everyone’s ideas and experience demonstrated how NCC teaches us to think on our own while implementing instructional strategies. Overall, the conference was an awesome experience that I would not have had without NCC!
After the conference, I attended the dance in Kaufman that worked to raise money to donate to Japan. I made my first paper crane! I think that everyone made over 200 paper cranes by the end of the night! The DJ was fun, there was great company, and many snacks! Seagerville knows how to throw a good party! :-)
On Saturday, I attended a Latin Film Festival in Lincoln Park. I saw the film Anitta. It was incredible! Thankfully, there were sub-titles and I could read along. The story was one that had never been told before, which I loved. After, the group that I went with attended a restaurant with Argentinean cuisine. We at SO well! The different foods and flavors posed a learning experience beyond what I have ever experienced before. The picture above is of Josh and me. I think I was about 10 lbs heavier just after the appetizers!
Then, on Sunday, besides working in the evening and getting my car fixed, I sat on my deck at home and read for homework. I was outside for about 45 minutes, and definitely got some UNEVEN color! It was nice to be outside in the fresh air, though.
Now, I charge forward to Week 3. Life has already been crazy. The craziness started two weeks ago! Hopefully the rain/gloominess will hang around a little while longer. 1) I LOVE storms/rain, 2) it’s less tempting to go outside and play!
//mg