So very blessed

Sunset off Pentwater, MI. 

Yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to spend the day with some dear friends. You know, the ones you've known for more than 40 years? Wow.

I was lucky enough to grow up seeing this sort of scene on a regular basis. About a mile from beautiful Lake Michigan, the most troublesome thoughts being whether sailing all day would be an option. Blessed, though I wouldn't have called it that then.

My mom got sick and my folks sold that property so she could be closer to medical facilities, but we still lost her much too soon. So returning to this paradise can be bittersweet for me. 

When my long time friend sent me a message asking us to come up for a boat ride, we jumped at the chance, wondering how my emotions would handle it.

The sights, smells and textures of this place where I spent my adolescent years came rushing back as soon as we pulled down the driveway. It felt so very good to be back. We talked, laughed, ate and drifted up and down the coastline to our hearts content. Reminiscing about places we hung out, the things we did & our fortune at having this place to call home. 

Yet it was hard, too. I wish I had made a point of making sure my girls had the chance to experience this place like I did. It would have shaped them differently, I think. Don't get me wrong. I love my kids & they are strong, independent, wonderful people. But I'm not sure they have memories as deep as mine are from here. 

So here we are, 40 years later, laughing about the crushes we had and the rowing trips into town for our favorite treats. How could we have known that this ride into the sunset could have been so healing and renewing. Thanks Betsy, Al & my faithful Lou for helping me over the bitter to just make it sweet again. 

A mile wide and an inch deep

Does anyone besides me remember when this was how we were supposed to deliver curriculum? Expose them to everything, teach them not much. 

That is how I feel this summer. I have been to 5 tech conferences in 6 weeks. I have participated in numerous twitter chats, google hangouts and communities for conferences I could not attend. 

And now my head spins.

I know about GAFE & Periscope & twitter in the classroom & goformative & PBS learning media & &&.... I know about all these great tools, but I DON'T know how to use them. Much.

So as much as I love the learning. I have to stop. I need to focus. But how do I decide what to use? I have to figure out what I think will work best for me & my kids. So, here goes.

2 Focus areas (ok, maybe 3)
First, Class Dojo is my go-to for all things class management. Parent communication made easy. Documentation and data collection in a snap. Kids love it, I love it and I know this one pretty well. That's a comfort.

Next, GAFE. I have been working hard to get Chromebook funding for my students. I don't have enough (do we ever?) but I have some so I will concentrate on using the many fine apps to transform the way I deliver content and kids show mastery of that content. No small task.

Last, SMALL bits of screencasting, locating already produced content and student apps/tools for them to use as they dive into this digitized third-grade classroom. 

All the while knowing that what really matters is that they know I love them & believe they can do anything.