From the Ridiculous to the Sublime...

So much water under the bridge! More than a year after my last post, here I sit in Myrtle Beach slowly adapting to all of the changes that come with retirement. I believe this is something I must "learn"....how to be retired. I want to jump into all sorts of things that I've kept in the closet (No, not THAT closet) for so many eons.
The last year of work as an instructional coach was the most challenging of all. I'm still processing all that happened, both in the topsy-turvy world of public education and in the individual world of Bobbi. My thoughts on that will remain in percolation for now; I can't put things into perspective yet.
All I know at this moment is that I have the most delicious feeling of freedom - I grin as though I have a secret that is demanding to be shared. People look at me funny. I am probably quite annoying to everyone who gets in my immediate vicinity. I am not sorry.
I remember the first months of our marriage, way back in 1968. Bill was sent to a training in Arizona, while I was left nervously alone in our little ramshackle summer cabin in Salty Shores, NC ($75 per month). It was evening, and the area was eerily quiet, as most temporary summer residents had gone home. I wandered about the place, looked at the waterway, put on shorts, wondered what to do with myself. Then it hit me like a water balloon. Somewhat reminiscent of Mrs. Mallard in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" (but not for the same reasons; yeah, I know - she dies!)) who realizes for the first time in her life she is "free.....free....." I was suffused with joy. What to do with this new-found freedom? I made myself a baked potato - because I could! Then I made mysef a second one - because I could! I answered to no one; I did as I pleased and there was no one to whom I had to answer, explain, justify. Funny, but that moment has stuck with me for all these years. And now the feeling is back. Wonderful, delirious, unexpected, undeserved freedom. I wish this for everyone. There is nothing like it.

Long Time No See

Getting It Together

While it appears as if I've been incognito for over 4 months, I really have been "around" the schools, doing my thing, visiting classrooms, writing newsy articles, etc...just haven't been blogging.

I did have an extended absence through Christmas and the month of January due to back surgery, but that's behind me (no pun intended) and I'm feeling great. I've pulled back from some of my Globaloria activities, preferring a back seat as the teachers and students definitely are well-equipped to continue the course on their own.

Hope to see some good presentations in the spring. I enjoyed accompanying our secondary coordinator to West, and was in attendance for Maitrey's visit to West last month. Wonder what this quarter will bring?

Hang in there....

The Spartans Do Globaloria

I couldn't wait to see what East's group was up to last Friday when I finally was able to pay them a visit. This class, co-taught by Abbie and Jim, is unusual in that its teachers are from English/Journalism/Drama and Music backgrounds, demonstrating the versatility of the Globaloria program and its adaptability; these two teachers and their students are proving that 21st century skills can be exciting for anyone from any curricular background. I know I would have enjoyed this "break" from traditional teaching when I was in the classroom. Now I have to enjoy the teaching and learning vicariously as I visit and peer over the shoulders of the teachers and kids.

Taught on an alternating block schedule, the students meet every other day for 90 minutes, giving them a good chunk of time to "play" with their ideas and focus on their Flash drawings. They have completed their initial idea-gathering and their paper prototypes. Knowing I was coming for a visit, Jim had the video of their game pitches ready. It was great to see their smooth presentations and well-thought-out game plans - I must admit, they were better than most of what we teachers were able to "create" in our summer sessions. (OK, better than what I was able to create - I won't lump everyone into my portrayal.) The best part was watching the kids and teacher enjoy the video as much as I did.

After the video, I wandered about talking to the two teams, looking at their drawings, and listening to their explanations of the games they're working on.

TEAM GERM-N-ATOR, inspired by their senior English teacher (yay!), has a Beowulf concept with various monsters at-the-ready to devour the Anglo-Saxon hero. (The cross-curricular possibilities are endless.) While I don't remember a cyclops in Anglo-Saxon England, in the GERM-N-ATOR's world of revisionist history, creativity is the word and creative license is encouraged. This game has excitement and humor, both elements of successful game play. It will be interesting to see what other "monsters" representing human threats come after Beowulf.

The GERM-N-ATORS at work:

TEAM FIERCE-KUNG-FU-LLAMA-KOMBAT-RANDOMNESS is working on an original concept also. Some highly skilled character drawing adds to the game's attractiveness. I think they're out to wipe drunk and/or impaired driving off the map, but I'm not positive that's all they're up to in their game concept. Their game has the unusual offering to a player to take on the role of either the pursuing police officer or the impaired driver - guess who wins!

Game on!

Monday - GWHS Visit

Expecting a ho-hum morning with lots of teachers and students in a post set-the-clock-back haze, and a pre- election-advertisement bloat, I was proven wrong this morning.

I meandered into Vicky Neal's Globaloria class as they were setting up their computers and found the whole group present and focused on their games, Flash drawings and team conferrings. They were welcoming and eager to tell me about their game concepts and to show off their Flash skills, which already far surpass what I was able to achieve in several days of close instruction at Bridgeport.

Here's a recap of what I saw and learned:



Team ALIVAN is working on Mr. G-Raffe's Trivia Dress-up, a game of wide-ranging trivia, educational of course, where participants can dress cute figures of frogs and other animals if they answer questions correctly. Very nice Flash drawings and animation in progress, and a clear and focused paper prototype. I definitely want to play this game.














Team CHERENA is dabbling in history with their "Adventures of the Past" (working name) game. I like the idea of an educational game that incorporates fun as well as sequence lessons for the player. Time travel will be an exciting concept to work into this adventure. Nice Flash efforts, too.







ANIMATION DIEBE team is working with foreign language (German) in their game name (diebe is German for "thief," they informed me, so I received a language lesson, too.) They are working this name into a game that aims to take DUI offenders off the map; it involves an ever-increasing punishment for an offender's elevation of blood alcohol. Clever concept - great job in early efforts to animate. I can't wait to see this one.

Using a "shooting" concept is the CRAZY APPLES team. Use your imagination to envision the "Tobacco Sniper" as he takes out smokers but leaves little old ladies alone - if they are tobacco-free, that is. Very clever! This team is enjoying their work!



Team S---E---is looking to do some cleanup and recycling in their as yet unnamed game. There is timing involved: You'll have to work quickly for points as the amount of trash increases. Sounds like a challenge. Mrs. Neal suggested using the post-football game playing field as a picture background along with animation. Very nice paper prototype also - it can be viewed on the Wiki.




THE LORDS OF THE BLACK FLAME are working a shooting challenge into their "Gun Down Obesity" game. I think they could give a lesson on Flash - lots of tweening and impressive animation going on on their screens. A serious and well-organized duo!


While I realize this is an early stage of development, I can't help but be impressed with the progress made and the focus of these six teams. To have thinking caps on at 8:00 AM and to accomplish so much in a 45 minute period - Wow!

This is a model group, doing it all right. (And how many teachers would be seen climbing on tables to get just the right photos of her teams at work? Gotcha, Mrs. Neal!)

Ever Wonder....?

What will my students look like today?

Who will show up?

Alfred E. Newman...

Or a sleeping pup?

First Nine Weeks - Gone But Not Forgotten

Happy Happy Joy Joy It's Working!


Yes, we've made it through the first 9 weeks with only minimal loss of brain cells and some very fine accomplishments on the part of our excellent Globaloria staff.

Though not directly involved with EGMS's program, I've peeked in occasionally to see the middle schoolers as they work on their games. How do Lisa and Julie do it? I don't know how, but they are creating a fine learning community with those young (and usually squirrelly by 8th grade standards) kids.


At Greenbrier West, Vicky has established an enjoyable yet serious working environment for her Computer Assisted Art class first period and they are "into it" with gusto. Some work as diligently - or even more diligently - at home on their games. Some exciting ideas there. Laptops a'blazin'!


Abbie and JIm, Greenbrier East's teachers, have made much progress with their two teams, who are very competitive and secretive (in a friendly way, of course...so far). The TIS, Mary, was one of the chosen "clients" who viewed the game pitches last week. "Very impressed," she told me - and she loves the (anonymous - it's a secret!) game inspired by a senior English teacher's lesson. Interesting to hear about the dynamics between the two teams - one "expert" would like to share his expertise with the other team - they prefer to learn on their own. This is great!


I am so proud! Congratulations to the three classes and their dedicated teachers - I hear lots of positive statements from teachers, administrators and students about what's going on in the Globaloria classes.

And They're Off!

I'm noting a Red Letter Day.


The two high schools now have their laptops.


The classes are on their way to gamedom.


Let us rejoice and be glad!