Presentations April 17, 2008

I can not believe the impact all the projects had on me the rest of the week.  I am glad I had computer trouble the night of the presentation.  I have had time to reflect and really to use some of the information I learned from other people.  As I was moving some chairs in my sister-in-law’s garage, I noted that the chairs seem to be in the best position for lung function.  I would not have a clue without Kari’s presentation on the Cure Cottages in N.Y.  I told several people about Elvis being a twin and dying his hair and they were just as stunned as I was, thanks to Christy’s presentation.  I have listened to my Christian radio station and thought about Tony’s interpretative dance.  I think that took real courage and know that I do not possess the talent or the guts to do something that artistic in front of others. 

I thought it was great how they were all so very different.  The topics, presentations, and feel of the project really seemed to reflect the individual.  I really enjoyed the personal history of Mary and Kari.  They were really touching and made me think of my own history.  I really do know a great deal about my family history and have a quilt from my great-great grandmother. 

Holly peaked my interest in Lord Byron and now I want to learn more about him.  I loved that she just wanted to prove the stereotype of girls not being good in math are not true to her students. 

Amy did a great job of teaching me something about racing, but also “gearing” her project toward her classroom.  I loved the games she made for her students and also the books that they made and now get to look at in their reading station.  Nicole also wrote her Poe project so that her students could learn from it and increase their interest in the study.   I found him to be an interesting topic and wish I could have read her chapter book.

Sonia and I both chose our projects based on our curriculum so that we may use them in the classroom (Others may have too, but I do not know their curriculum).  I loved Sonia’s fluttering facts about butterflies and heard several that I did not know.  I think that children would love making the expandable caterpillar too. 

Heather’s huge leather back sea turtle really made a great first impression.  Her love for the turtles was very evident and a passion always makes the subject more personal and exciting. 

I learned a lot from my project but I took back some great ideas for my classroom and new general knowledge about other subjects I did not have before.