Interesting

I was able to attend the GAETC conference last week and attended some GREAT sessions, including a few from favorites like Steve Dembo, Tony Vincent, and David Warlick. (One teacher asked me if I enjoyed David Warlock's session I was in. Didn't know David Warlick added that title to his name!)

You can listen in by visiting the podcasts here. Although, sadly, Steve Dembo chose not to podcast his sessions.

Anyway, when I got home I found a letter that was more than 15, maybe 18 years old. I honestly thought I threw all high school letters away when I moved, and I'm not sure how this particular one found it's way to my pillow of all places. I asked, and no one could honestly say where it came from. Strange.

I thought maybe I was suppose to find the author and reconnect. But the name is so common (Robert Murray) that I'm hitting a dead end. Plus, he moved away from the school before graduation. Tips on where to start?

Eco Challenge

Dear Danielle,

The Lexus Eco Challenge is an opportunity for you, your 6th–12th grade students, and your school to make a difference in your community and win a share of $1 million in grants and scholarships!
Click here for entry details and to read the official rules.
What’s new in 2008–2009?
3 Challenges: Compete in as many as three Challenges (Land, Water, Air/Climate), for three chances to win and to qualify for a Final Challenge!
Exciting Prizes: Win larger grants and scholarships in the three Challenges.
Easy Entry Submission: Submit your Action Plan online with MS Word.
Customized Team Info: Edit your team’s profile online.
More Time: Take advantage of the extended prep time to complete the Challenges!
New Lesson Plans and Activities: Inspire students to get involved.Mark your calendar. Click here to see the dates for each Challenge.

Sincerely, Scholastic and Lexus

Random, Random, Random

During trainings I use either a random number picker or a random name picker to give away doorprizes, depending on the size and mentality of the group. (I did the fruit machine with one group of high school people and got the strangest look!)

With Classtools.net I have variety of tools, graphic organizers, and timeliners at my disposal. My favorites are the Random Name Picker using the fruit machine and the countdown timer. I once even had my son tell me all the punishments he thought was fair for his very bad behavior and then we let the random picker select his punishment. He stood in timeout for 10 minutes that time because the computer told him to and mommy was no longer the bad guy. I have also used the counter. Joey loves the music to race against. I use the A-Team and grant him an extra 9 seconds when we only need a minute.

The Randomizer.org site is dry at first glance, but there's a lot here. The flipping a coin can be fun, especially if you select an antique coin. I use to use the random number picker here. We used the dice once when I couldn't find the dice I needed for a game (I forgot them at home actually).

Today I used the randomizer to pick the Florida Lottery numbers. Should I really go play them? Hmmm.