Phillip's First Fishing Adventure

While this post doesn't conform to the objective of providing information about the Junior High, many of you occasionally indulge me about what is happening in my family. Before I returned to work on Monday, July 21, I was most fortunate to spend three weeks at Lake Oconee with my family. I thought I would provide just a taste of what we enjoyed doing there, as well as an example of what I learned to do in my class this week (see post below). Click on the post title above to see a short video of Phillip's First Fishing Adventure.

Wikis, and Podcasts, and Blogs, Oh My!

During the mornings of July 21, 22, and 23, I participated as a student in a Center for Teaching Summer Institute with the title above. In short, the class was fabulous. Taught with genuine expertise and enthusiasm by Chris Bishop and Jere Wells, the institute offering explored various Web 2.0 technologies. The content foundation for the class rests at a wiki which one can reach by clicking on the title of this post; the site is a remarkable self-learning tool. In addition to learning richly about Web 2.0 technologies and better equipping myself to be an improved technology and pedagogy resource for my exceptional faculty, I found the experience of being a student again to be invaluable. What better way to remind myself about the complexities, conditions, and conquests of learning than to put myself in the student role. As I sat beside Angela Jones, I became even more excited to imagine how she might utilize all that she seemed to learn during our three days of instruction.

JH Permanent Art Collection Installed

On Tuesday, July 22, Mary Cobb and I completed the third annual installation of over 50 pieces of student artwork into the Junior High Permanent Art Collection (JHPAC). To date, the collection contains about 180 pieces of student art. The JHPAC was inaugurated when the Junior High School moved into its new building in 2005. When the building was designed, the hallways and commons spaces were intended to be used as "mini galleries." What a blessing to see the dream of a JHPAC come to life. Better still, how wonderful to see the student art recognized and hanging for all to see. Thanks to Mary Cobb, Director of the Junior High Permanent Art Collection.

2007-08 Adams/Hansen 8th Grade Homeroom Leadership Project

Since 2006-07 the 8th Graders have engaged in a new and exciting component of the curriculum currently known as the 8th Grade Leadership Project. During the course of the year, homeroom advisement groups develop a service project to address a major global issue. In 2007-08, my homeroom created a "public service announcement" to raise awareness about child homelessness in Atlanta.