Right after I got home from the Math/Science Conference, the ASLA Literacy Conference started. I was helping out with vendors, the Meet the Authors night, and presented a session on Math Poems in Two Voices.
The vendors paid big bucks for their tables so there was a sense of entitlement (understandably). We worked it out, balancing their perceived needs with the reality of limited space and tables and I grew to appreciate a few of them due to their generosity, the respect towards teachers and the quick way they became part of a community. The only weirdness was that one vendor left all her leftover boxes in the middle of the Lathrop cafeteria for UPS to pick up. Unfortunately, there would be students in there the next day so I got stiffed- I had to move her boxes. I guess I'm glad she didn't sell out like some of the other vendors...she gets a C- for citizenship from me.
It's sorta odd being retired and still attending inservice and conferences. I saw Dinah Zike talk about foldable note-taking and Bob Williams (with his Tigger tie, not Eeyore) talking about math technology tools (try the free Google Sketchup and a calculator emulator). It almost made me want to try it out with kids, but no.
The beautiful Voyager Hotel on 5th and K.
The ASLA conference ended on Monday night and in the snowy darkness of 5 am, Paul and I went to airport to fly to Anchorage. He walked from downtown Anchorage to mid-town and back, visiting REI and Barnes and Noble while I attended meetings and audio conferences. Afterwards, we walked away from the inlet to the Lucky Wishbone for dinner. Hot fudge malts and white meat batter-fried chicken can't be beat. Shout-out to Leah (in Europe!) for introducing that place to me. We stayed at the modest but comfy Voyager Hotel retiring early to open the window and look out at the stars over Cook Inlet, followed by reading "Garlic and Sapphires".
The Lucky Wishbone and the lucky duck.
The next day, I went to the Turnaround Schools Institute. A turnaround school is one who was chronically underperforming (and we know one when we see one) that reverses the trend and begins to raise scores for at least 2 years in a row. While I'm not a big one on evaluating schools solely on test performance, low test scores are certainly a symptom of a chronic ailment. The treatment, according to this research is: signal the need for dramatic change with strong leadership, relentless and consistent focus on improving instruction, make visible improvements early in the process and build a committed staff. If it sounds intriguing, check out the What Works Clearinghouse.
I went to see Dr. Mavencamp today, my eye doctor. He dialated my eyes and checked out my starter cataracts. He showed me on his flip book that cataracts are cloudy fluid in the lens of your eye. Surgery actually sucks all the fluid out of your lens and replaces it with a plastic sac of fluid with just the right concavity to correct nearsightedness. He also told me that the viscous sac of fluid between my lens (right eye only) and my retina is slowly pulling away. That's not a problem unless it gets a tear (not a tear silly, a tear). My right eye is getting slightly worse, but not a problem yet. He's a great guy and we talked hiking, kids and his new Shih Szuh dog named Lucy. I placated myself with a latte and bagel from LuLus.
"At Your Own Risk Road" was in great shape today. The mudholes were dried up and the ground was frozen hard in the 25 degree temperatures. Still no snow that stayed. We dropped off some scrounged lumber and we'll be taking it back to the stack when we can.
I found out that hiking created "bunionettes" or "Taylor's bunions" on my feet. The little toe bone turns in towards the next toe creating a bony bump on the outside of the foot. It hurts when my shoes rub. No cure except surgery when it becomes too painful but it helps to get wider shoes. My guess is that my foot widened as I walked 1100 miles, but my shoes stayed the same size. I need to switch shoe brands- I think I'll try Merrell's- they were recommended by bunion experts (what a sad job!).
Blog Poem in Two Voices (read with a friend)
Blogging gives you voice Blogging gives you voice
To express
your thoughts
your opinions
your actions
your emotions
your politics
your foibles
Oh, sad day
When the internet is down When the internet is down
Fourth Ave in Anchorage the second week in October.
No comments:
Post a Comment