Gator Bites

Because I'm a real giving kind of guy, I want you to be aware of ALL your Lenten options for meeting the Friday abstinence requirements.

As decreed by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M Aymond (and approved by the US Bishops Conference), it's OK to eat alligator on Fridays during Lent.

This valuable information comes via the Catholic Herald (from across the pond). How I found this little tidbit of Lenten goodness would require a blog post all by itself. Let's just pretend that I'm well read and leave it at that.

What's New in Tech Class?

Have you been wondering what the tech class students have been doing as we roll into spring? Well - here's what's happening in the computer lab ...

The younger grades continue to improve their mouse and keyboarding skills.

The late elementary grades (3, 4, and 5) are beginning to put their typing skills to use by writing some short stories (some shorter than others). Example: the 3rd graders are writing about their favorite pet. I might have traumatized some of the 3rd graders when I related a story about my favorite pet, a chicken named 'Dinner'. I'm sure I'll hear from parents after that little bit of sharing.

The 6th graders are sharpening their Power Point skills (both creating and presenting). As a bonus, our pastor, principal, and visitors from Notre Dame University dropped by as the students were presenting their Saint Projects this week.

The 7th graders got to take a 'Virtual Vacation' to a destination of their choice. Their assignment: find a vacation spot and insert photos of themselves into pictures from their dream destination. Some students even needed to go off-world to get away.

While I can't share all the creative images with you, I've used my awesome technology skills to do a photo merge of the pixels from all their pictures. I was amazed when photos of the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, and sandy beaches all morphed into a Mt Rushmore look-alike (see image below). I was shocked when the faces of all 28 seventh graders merged into the character standing in the lower left corner of the image.

Last (but not least) the 8th graders have just about wrapped up work on the school yearbook. If you haven't ordered one yet - talk to an 8th grader (they'd be happy to take your order).

So Now You Know ...

"Bless me father for I have sinned, it's been two months since my last blog post."

I would like to extend a sincere apology to my dedicated blog followers.  I considered giving up blogging for Lent, but as you've noticed, I've already done that. Guess I'll just have to find another way to repent.

The good news is that this extended absence from blogging provides an illustrative answer to the question "Why did you go to engineering school rather than writer school?"

Hope Lent gives you the time for reflection and preparation that you need. More posts soon.

Shepherds, Wise Men, or ???

As you celebrate Christ's birth, take a moment and reflect on these words ...

"There were only two classes of people who heard the cry Christmas night: shepherds and wise men. Shepherds: those who know they know nothing. Wise men: those who know they do not know everything." - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Are we shepherds, are we wise men, or are we something else all together? How well do we truly understand and appreciate the gift that was given to each of us some 2000 years ago?

This shepherd wishes each of you a Blessed Christmas season.

4th Sunday of Advent

The Holy Family ??

While surfing the Wild Wild Web the other day, this image (and clever caption) struck a chord. I think it manages to illustrate how our sometimes hectic family life can collide with the quiet beginning of a new liturgical year. Stuff happens - deep breath - remember what's really important - and quietly move on.

 

"A rough trip down from the attic leaves us with a statue 

of Jesus, Mary, and St John the Baptist"

Image and caption pilfered from  Conversion Diary

Secrets of Effective Teaching

As I write this post, we are in the midst of a teacher evaluation cycle. We each meet with our administrative team and discuss our classroom skills and how we can improve (or in my case - how I can avoid being shown the door :)

I'd like to share one of my personal favorite classroom feedback techniques...

Blessed with an extensive collection of college math credits (and the head tilts it took to get there), I can easily mix a touch of vector calculus with a pinch of differential equations to determine how badly I've confused my students. What can I say - it's a gift.

I am thankful we don't live in earthquake country. With regular seismic activity, I'd never know if my class was riding out a magnitude 7 event or simply confused.

Stay nerdy