Day 20: Zero Hour

The wrap up... surveys, pot luck, sharing, CEUs, was good feigning inability to allow another student to show the class how to add everyone elses blogs to your own blog. We shared a google hang out and off to the completion awards ceremony... Unforgettable, that's what this is...

Day 19: One more to go, show what you know...

Us teachers teaching teachers stuff we learned here at GAETI... Thought about taking pictures again but will take 'em on Monday for our graduation ;) Everyone shared, that was present, a gift of our subject matter knowledge. Fascinating how we were all given free range to create our own lesson and not one lesson was duplicated. Everyone had a unique lesson and a creative lesson plan. Prepping for a long weekend to wrap up on Monday. Was gonna stay out here this weekend but I think I'll make a dash to the pad after all and return on Sunday. Why have an electric bike if not to enjoy eliminating the dependence on gas.Here's something for the teachers to enjoy this weekend...

Day 18: The End is Near...

Finished up with our Art presentations, er'body did their thing and seemed to be proud of their work. We visited the student disability center across the street and learned of the opportunities afforded to physically challenged individuals. Very encouraging to see the sort of technology available for people who may not have otherwise been able to express themselves. Earlier in the morning we discussed accommodations in the classroom and spent a few hours finalizing our lesson plans. Decided to provide more of an overview type lesson since the plan is for the span of a week. I've uploaded it to my weebly page Also uploaded my school presentation sheet we worked on in session. Quite the productive day but it's becoming clearer by the moment the end is near...

Day 17: Infographics, audio, copyrights, web portfolio and art finalization

camscanner, mde.k12.ms.us, classflow.com were the last bits of the show and tell. Useful Infographic sites and my created infographic from our learning session using information provided: https://magic.piktochart.com/output/2246438-tv-households https://magic.piktochart.com http://www.easel.ly/ http://infogr.am/ Audio sites: http://www.fotobabble.com/ https://audioboo.fm/ My audioboo intro: https://audioboo.fm/boos/2281683-self-photo-intro Copy right law (began as 14 years, then life time, then lifetime + 70 years... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo&feature=kp Rule of thumb discussed: How used (education), amount used (5%-10%), commercial v. private use, any devaluation of the work? Spent the remainder of time building on my lesson plan then it was off to art to finish my masterpiece. Masterpiece was done pretty swiftly affording a few additional moments of lesson planning. Dr. Bracey stopped by to check on her babies she luvs ever so much and Dr. Lee lookin' like he gonna miss us tomorrow... We grow on people like that... Fun when teachers become students sometimes, thas the life of a life long learner... https://sites.google.com/a/ms-meca.org/2015-exhibitors/home

Day 16: Show n Tell, Canvas, PPT & Art...

www.zachary-jones.com www.makebeliefscomix.com Holt McDougal U.S. History textbook: http://my.hrw.com/apps/alchemy/editors/display.jsp?cid=6B07B4B728AE20CCC5D19EF9F3ABAA81&display_mode=preview ClassFlow http://classflow.com Lanyuy suggests deep immersion into the subject matter (watching videos, acted scenarios in person, on the phone, www.laits.utexas.edu Off to Alan Hall to work on the Canvas LMS (learning management system). Did well, kept up with the discussion, created my page, etc. Prior powerpoint experience with Dr. Lee made today's presentation very easy. Then it was off to art... OK got a pretty snazzy idea for my powerpoint I've completed... Now I just need to get my rubrics up and ready for this lesson demo rapidly approaching...

Day 15: iPad, Prezi and Art...

Due to transportation issues I arrived later than desired BUT thankfully I'm a 21st Century teacher! While at the hospital I was able to log into my canvas site, find out what the group was doing today, watch the same video they watched and prepared my prezi assignment. When I arrived I was right on course with the rest of the group. The cohorts expressed little enthusiasm about the iPad and Prezi presentations. The copyright presentation was cancelled due to poor weather. Finished up another stage in my art assignment. I project to be done with it by Wednesday. Going to keep this one short today, need some rest and after all that talk about True Blood, I STILL haven't seen it! Weekend was horrific but such is life, I made it to see another day... Oh, created a web page for our group project: http://historygaeti.weebly.com Ok time for some eat and sleep!!!

Day 14: Show n Tell, Wiki, Webquest, mind-mapping, collaboration & Story telling

Added everyone's show and tell to my scoop.it site making scoop.it a bit more useful. We did a shared assignment on wiki and webquest was a nice collab. project among the teachers. Used padlet.com and popplet.com to to do some mind mapping and collaboration. For story telling we used storify.com. Using storify, we created an easy to build story about a topic of choice, mine being the significance of Black history beyond American history. Essentially it was a matter of choosing a topic, providing 3 areas of interest about the topic and using the search scroll on the right I added corresponding links. Very simple process. Learned how to cut glass in art class today. We have our weekly evaluation and then it's back on the road again to Clarksdale sippi sippi... Teresa said her husband didn't believe I make that trip, she told me, well guy, I do and I have an embarrassing sunburn on my right forearm from when I did it w/o covering up once day. Been peeling all day (I know, anti-sexy). Lunch was DA BOMBAY at the cafeteria: watermelon chunks, corn, potatoes, fried catfish, blackened catfish w/ rice, strawberry ice cream root beer float. Got my grub on so tough I literally lost track of time but still made it back in time to get it going. Got an internship for this summer class I'm simultaneously taking and meeting w/ Dr. Lee after we're done to finish up a project I owe him. Start my internship tomorrow, no rest for the weary... OOOOH, and True Blood, the final season kicks off this Sunday, gotta check that out some how, hoping it wraps up on point! Get turnt up for my fellow GAETI participant... The Teresa, Mildred, Sawyer, Brewer and I group smashed through our quest project by the way giving us a nice advantage for next week and one less thing to worry about this weekend. Also added my motorcycle route from MSU to home, putting miles on this machine!

Day 13: Common Core (CCSS), Dr. Lee presents, and cultural art

www.docsteach.org http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/11-12/ OK, gained a better understanding of Common Core as it relates specifically to 11th grade history. I had a convoluted conceptualization of the program up until this very moment. The facilitator shared a lesson that covered all of the CCR requirements in less than 8 minutes. The thing is to be able to justify the usage and application of the common core requirements in your lesson. Dr. Lee introduced us to https://canvas.instructure.com, search engine options and Scoop.it. After the break it was on to the art room where I'll continue to build on my art project where I move a little further each day... Although, not much is being posted today, plenty was done and achieved. Dr. Bracey left us today and said she won't be back until next week so it appears Dr. Lee will be baby sitting us in the meantime and that's basically what I learned today. Music video for today...

Day 12 Grants, a techy lesson plan, art and a music filled international hang-out....

National History Day www.nationalhistoryday.org Student Cam www.studentcam.org Kids in need www.kinf.org NEA Foundation www.neafoundation.org fundteachers.org teacherscount.org grantwrangler.com george washington teachers institute Institute of Museum and Library Services http://www.imls.gov/ Mississippi Arts Commission http://www.arts.ms.gov/grants/project-grants.php Scripps Howard Foundation http://www.scripps.com/foundation/programs/jgrants/jgrants.html Digital Wish www.digitalwish.com teachingamericanhistory.org www.edutopia.org gatesfoundation.org http://www.awesomefoundation.org/ https://www.thankamillionteachers.com/ The Federal Reserve https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mII9NZ8MMVM http://cte.unt.edu Genetically engineered food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJfLw2XXdBU#t=173 Quite a few resources for grant information, the federal reserve, came up on some shredded money, and putting the lesson plan into effect just before art where even there I'm making progress on my design soon as Ms. Latham is done with my circles. We got onto google hang-out to speak w/ "Edith C" in Taiwan. Trying to use my blog as a perpetual resource for myself and possibly others, in case you hadn't noticed. Hall says she saw my post about the funky snitch and said, wasn't her and that she agreed that as adults people should step to each other. Life goes on, so such is life. The google chat was nice, great experience.

Day 11: School Policy modifications, Teacher Professionalism, E-Portfolio prep, Lesson Plans, Taiwan culture and ART...

Lesson plan development: Choose content strand/competency/objective: Global Affairs (3f ~ Analyze and evaluate the causes and effects of the United States‘ growing involvement in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf) Choose a MS CCRR/CCSS competency: 1185-1385 Law and Islam in the Middle East http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QE5LYU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000GB5MWE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1V9WZ2NM7QXBX7VM76BR 1350 Mass Media in the Middle East http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Media-Middle-East-Comprehensive/dp/0313285357 1340 Political Chronology of the Middle East http://www.amazon.com/political-chronology-Middle-Political-Chronologies/dp/1857431154 1220 Transfer of Arms, Leverage, and Peace in the Middle East http://www.amazon.com/Transfer-Arms-Leverage-Peace-Middle/dp/0313263000 1360 W.CCR.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. SL.CCR.5 Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations. L.CCR.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate. R.CCR.3 Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. http://www.teachingthecore.com/ccr-anchor-standards/ C10 Reading Anchor Standards •Key Ideas and Details (R.CCR.1*, R.CCR.2, R.CCR.3) •Craft and Structure (R.CCR.4, R.CCR.5, R.CCR.6) •Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (R.CCR.7, R.CCR.8, R.CCR.9) •Range and Level of Text Complexity (R.CCR.10) 10 Writing Anchor Standards •Text Types and Purposes (W.CCR.1, W.CCR.2, W.CCR.3) •Production and Distribution of Writing (W.CCR.4, W.CCR.5, W.CCR.6) •Research to Build and Present Knowledge (W.CCR.7, W.CCR.8, W.CCR.9) •Range of Writing (W.CCR.10) 6 Speaking and Listening Anchor Standards •Comprehension and Collaboration (SL.CCR.1, SL.CCR.2, SL.CCR.3) •Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas (SL.CCR.4, SL.CCR.5, SL.CCR.6) Determine how all competency mastery can be assessed: Develop activities to address the content and objectives: Develop lectures to teach the content: Ensure that all lectures/activities/assessments are aligned: Create specific objectives: OK folks, as you can see this Blog is a work in progress regarding the big lesson plan we all have to put together. Today we discussed making changes/improvements to our school policy and effective ways of bringing those changes into fruition. We then shifted gears to teacher professionalism, MSTAR, Organizational involvement and we added two pages to our weebly.com site. The above is the sketch of my lesson plan and the areas I intend to focus on within the lesson. Found a helpful website that I'm sharing here that simplifies the common core CCRR/CCSS requirements in a language even I can comprehend. The Global conversation w/ Taiwan didn't happen but Dr. Beriswill did share a little of her insight on the country. Finishing up my cut outs with cultural art and we received a free language game for both French and Spanish... Tres bien!!! OK kiddies, I'm out like a scout on a new route until manana (man-yah-nah)... PEACE!

Day 10: Flippin the Class Script while gettin' techy w/ it...

Plenty of tech tools for teachers to bestow upon our students. Resources include: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/ http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/the-22-digital-skills-every-21st.html http://www.donorschoose.org http://www.aurasma.com "Augmented Reality" A prep discussion on developing a technology plan for the upcoming school year whereby the facilitator, Kimberly Lane aka askatechnogirl@twitter/gmail.com, agreed with my idea to have students complete all website sign-ups during the first week of school. The presenter was very high energy my exhaustion was mainly due to my ride back to school. Ok, I finally established a charge plan that will get me to MSU in a timely manner without being stranded on the highway pushing the motorcycle up the hill in the rain, cold, or heat. From Clarksdale 1st stop = Burger King in Greenwood, next = McDonald's in Winona, next = Hospital in Eupora all going an average of 30 MPH BUT from Eupora to MSU 65 MPH!!! This conserves energy up until I get to my last leg of the journey and as of today it has been proven to work 100% in spite of the wind and many many hills along the way. Going back to Clarksdale may be similar but instead of stopping in eupora I'll stop in Winona, then Greenwood, then Webb and on home from there. Looking forward to the beginning of the end of True Blood this upcoming Sunday. Mentally planning a few lessons for my students in my meta-cognitive state of mind and looking forward to eating dinner tonight! Making progress with my cultural art project, Mrs. Latham came by and expressed her approval and a few of the teachers came by to take a look, I suppose that largely had to do with them mainly seeing me walk around the room the first few days. They didn't understand or realize I was organizing the art in my mind on a meta-cognitive level and not being lazy or avoiding the task at hand at all. My journey to MSU began around 2PM Sunday but the long charging sessions drug it out whereby I didn't arrive until 5:20AM. You already know I'm looking into getting a quick charge unit for the bike... OUT!

Day 9 Shared resources, 21st Century Students, Highway Safety, and Cultural Art

The teachers in the institute had an opportunity to take the stage and share a few of their valued resources like edmodo.com that were very beneficial. Dr. Bracy helped bridge the gap between Common Core and 21st Century program. After lunch we all had some interactive fun with the highway safety demonstrations (order up, google sobriety tests, think about it green house, lost a toe and finger in an imaginary seat belt exercise figuratively speaking. the bulk of the teachers appeared to truly enjoy this presentation, very lively. Group project: Identify a problem Explain how your project will solve problem 2 teachers of 2 different subjects 2 21st Century Skills (minimum) Service-oriented purpose 1 technology component (minimum) 1 reflection component Partnered w/ Ms. Mildred. We came up with "Last Meal" for young persons under the age of 18. Everyone else paired up, it was a good session then we moved on to the art lab. Not a major art fan but the instructor is high energy and very pleasant so I keep trying to get my art on. After that, it was off to the homestead.

Day 8: Information overload!!! To much good stuff at once!!! Economics, financing, video conferencing...

We began by re-examining the meaning of economics followed by an appreciation of an "Alternative Spring Break" for students and the community then a quick break. Next we differentiated Service Learning from Community Service. Odom and I spiced up the personal finance practices and resources section by delving into the cyclical/generational welfare lifestyle as an economic comfort zone for some. Dr. Shaffett redirected the conversation and wrapped up the discussion. Our first video conference with James Wilcox was enlightening in the subject of preventing elder investment fraud ad projecting a way to improve fraud protection for the elderly. Becky Smith returned to have a debrief session with us then evaluation and pre-lesson planning. Got a gang of resources for the kiddies, my former students might be jealous but they'll get over it since they're seniors this year, ain't even thinkin' bout me... Brother is hoongrey, must feed... lunch was catered and sandwiches were cool but we were basically cooped up in this cold room ALL day. Had to steal away like the slaves of yesteryear and get a good 6 minutes out in the sun shine. Man, Today is a lovely daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, a lovely daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day...

Day 7 Games, the "Magic Square" and back to Art Therapy...

Games, games, games... Saw the game my brother played when he visited me with his then pregnant girlfriend, son has been born and living a happy healthy life. We integrated with a class in session with whom we share the computer lab. Games like Civilization V, Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego?, Civil War simulators, etc. were made available. Was fun for something spicy for the kiddies to do in both my STEM and U.S. History classes. I think my former students may be jealous of the activities my new students will experience. Making a game using EXCEL was unique and a worth while experience dependent upon regular usage and application (if you don't use it, you lose it!). The instructor is quite knowledgeable of the many tricks and short cuts for successful game making.Earthcam.com very cool site that takes you to various locations around the world and you can see live people/events as they take place. Making more progress with my "artwork" today w/ Mrs. Latham. Not feeling very artsy but if we were doing some computer graphic design I'd be all up in that piece runnin' the show, you know how WE do! Everyday is pretty good useful information and thankfully it's warming up outside so I'll take the motorcycle out for a spin around Starkville. Earlier today an instructor asked me about being at Wendy's yesterday. I was like how'd you know I was there? She said my motorcycle gave me away... People even take pictures of my bike with their cell phones when I'm parked for too long. Ok so wrapping up today as far as games and simulations, I think they can be helpful supplements but not meat of instruction, more like dessert. Creating games isn't as extremely complicated as one might think. If you're patient and determined and creative you can come up with some snazzy stuff ;). As far as things that are readily applicable to teaching, I'd have to say excel game making, especially since most game templates can be found online for FREE! The other would be the Earthcam site as a means of readily exploring different parts of the world as they currently thrive. Comparisons and contrasting can be made in a matter of moments. The learning just don't stop here in GAETI land... See you tomorrow for more info. Ms. Huang gone today we'll see who coming to teach us sweathogs tomorrow...

Day 6 Scaffolding, TBL and Tech tools (dipity)....

Introspective sharing.... Got here extra early with cheese, JUST before the rain (winning!) charging up my bike and ready to learn. Found out I have to relocate the bike elsewhere, so got a new location in mind to use the parking permit from the institute. Very informative sessions today thus far. The scratch sheets from the TBL are nice but I am not a fan of materials like these I wonder if the scratch offs can be digitized? Probably so... dipity is a good polling site along with polleverywhere.com. Added a few basics to my weebly page in accordance with the instructor and continued working on Ms. Latham's art inspired project. Yesterday I had to choose between to of my designs (Suspect or 13 Ghosts). Chose Suspect and plan to work on that for the duration. Will attach a photo of the design here. I'll make it abstract but hope to capture the essence of the design with my project by the end of the institute. Enrolled in summer school also and have to jump on those classes today as well... BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! No rest for the weary but these are the sacrifices we make for a brighter tomorrow, right? Two things I found most helpful today: 1. dipity.com and the "Prove It" method I shared with the class today, both I can use with my classes for ongoing assignments or a few short assignments. Prove it is a literacy strategy that gets to the core of an article and affords the student an opportunity to prove an essential statement made by the instructor based on the reading. I'm incorporated a bubble gram I created today that was used by our instructor to illustrate how the "Prove It" method works. I can see myself using it when applying it to both primary and secondary reading assignments... As Ice Cube said, "Today was a good day..."

Day 5 Intro to Huang and our inner Artist

Our instructor Ms. Huang gave us useful tools (i.e www.polleverywhere.com, gaeti2014.blogspot.com, www.croodoc.com, www.wordle.net, bubbl.us, www.weebly.com, etc.) essentially providing us with useful teaching tools and methods to be more effective history teachers. This morning, prior to arriving on my motorcycle I was soooo proud of myself for making it to Starkville BUT just 3 little miles away from campus and a torrential rainstorm kept me from getting to my desire destination. Literally drenched to the bone, soaked socks and all, just as I was preparing to head to campus around 7 it started up again and I met the owner of the BMG here in town, very decent fellow. Two helpful things for today, website resources and concept mapping. I'll apply the weebly to my lesson plans for all my students not just my STEM students. That way all work can be uploaded to each student's webpage. Art was very informative and the hands on experience is always a plus for students. Our instructor is a very high energy up-tempo person who really enjoys the art therapy she provides her students and hopefully the same energy will permeate through us al when we share our lessons with students who may be a bit apprehensive about being artistic. Overall a grand academic day good job GAETI... Oh, and True Blood comes on in 2 weeks not this past weekend.

Day 4 Archaeology and Civil Rights

OK, stating my reflection before the day has begun. After reading the agenda, I think I'll spice up the debate and conversation on Civil Rights today. I think that in this situation with a majority of non-Black teachers at the institute, there are certain concerns that Black teachers/people have that often go ignored. Not that this expression of Blackness will dramatically impact each and every non-Black educator here at the institute but at the bare minimum food for thought in a constructive, yet high energy manner, that will hopefully be a memorable experience. I will raise my voice, I won't cry, I will be confronting and I will not be pacified. Premeditated educational experiences are great as a teaching tool. Objective: Inspire sensitivity and a willingness to learn more about Black people in America. It will be during civil rights time... Class has begun! OK, we did an archaeology "dig" which was a nice, "get out of the classroom" exercise followed by the tissue timeline, both I'd probably break students into groups opposed to a large one mass class activity for accountability and organizational purposes. The museum was also revealing to see some of the authentic pieces along with the replica pieces. Civil Rights discussion went awry. My bad. Kicked off my discussion and had everybody talking. No group activity which was supposed to be the division of us all into 3 groups. Never happened but Murphy explained how it would have been. Was good to keep the convo flowing, I did my part today to spark some conversation. Lots of unique shared stories, experiences, and thoughts. Reading writing exercise was very creative and group centric, I think it really moved a lot of the teachers here. Lots of people seemed to really like it, including myself! We used a sample article from "A Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Session of the State of Mississippi from the Federal Union." Called "Found Poem". Great exxercise. Next was about the discovery of a Mexican skeleton. Next we completed a very helpful political cartoon analysis which would help students identify parts of a political cartoon (symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony). We wrapped everything up with Icivics (https://www.icivics.org/games) and an end of the week survey. Great week got a busy weekend but plan to be back on Sunday, doesn't True Blood come back on???

Day 3: Geocashing in w/ AmerIndians

Another day in the life of a GAETI institute survivor. Fun, informative and engaging. Geocashing was a fun way to utilize a GPS to locate "clues" to add to our breadth of knowledge about a particular topic all relavent to both the location and the question. I did notice a few items that should be cautioned with this activity: 1. Uniform GPS units should be utilized to ensure everyone is on the same page along with precalibration and clearing of sites used to eliminate cheating as an options (wayports should be cleared). Very fun interactive exercise, I think if students are broken into groups each person should have a specific task to ensure that everyone is engaged. Off to the library we learn of the evolution of music over the ages in the Templeton Museum and the growing U.S. Grant collection that had a lock of Frederick Douglas's hair. Doctoral candidate Ryan Semmes shared that I contact Meg Henderson (mhenderson@library.msstate.edu) to get the library archives to visit my school to share information with my students, good resource! Nick Timmerman spoke on the image of AmerIndians. Was good to see a fellow classmate in presentation mode, I invited him to speak w/ my students in the fall should his schedule permit. Google Earth, our final activity (Geographic Information Systems ~ Tool for performing geospatial analysis and displaying spatial data, a database, map information and a way to link the two), gave us all an opportunity to explore ESRI's implementation of GPS machines and the pros and cons of GPS systems. I consider it to be akin to a calculator in a math class. Many students don't know how to navigate a map or use a compass to locate places on a printed map. It is a great use of technology. Our assignment: locate 4 coordinates for a virtual class assignment. I'll use 4 points from the Freedom Riders: Washington, D.C. ~ 38@54'26N 77@2'12 Birmingham, AL ~ 33@31'14N 86@48'08 Jackson, MS ~ 32@17'55N 90@11'05W New Orleans, LA ~ 29@57'06N 90@04'16W Students love to prove teachers wrong, tell them one of the coordinates "might" be off but you don't know for sure which one it is and they will be quick to find that teacher mistake faster than their assignment not knowing it too is part of the assignment... win-win teacher! Hope this blog was more helpful and informative about the GAETI and not just my personal trials and ordeals but hey at least you got to learn a little bit more about who? Yours truly!

Using spatial data or maps in your class

1. Spatial data, also known as geospatial data, is information about a physical object that can be represented by numerical values in a geographic coordinate system.
   
   
    
   

   • Map
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   1. geographic diagram: a visual representation that shows all or part of the Earth's surface with geographic features, urban areas, roads, and other details
   2. diagram of stars: a representation of the stars or the surface of a planet, usually in the form of a diagrammatic drawing
   3. drawing showing route or location: a diagrammatic drawing of something such as a route or area made to show the location of a place or how to get there

   
   
   Essentially, spatial data is significant in the classroom, along with maps, if not for anything else, to prepare students for their state history testing. At a grander level, it would be nice to think such information may inspire a student toward a unique career path.  You never know which student you may inspire nor how you may inspire said student. On a personal note, last personal reflection sharing only because I was late once again and not loving that. So, I finally made it to my home this morning around 9am, bike ran out of juice just on the outskirts of Greenwood around 12:30am. Pushing a motorcycle w/ over 60lbs on your back is NOT a sexy situation compounded w/ the funk of forty thousand years infused in each fiber of clothing. Nope, not sexy... But it was my fault, I knew I was getting close to Greenwood and I pushed the speed it b/c I knew,  in my mind, that I would make it to the Greenwood Walmart (I finally did at around 4:30am). Mr. Whatley's son, a fellow biker, saw me on the side of the road, as I was tuning into my inner Zen to channel energy into the motorcycle enough to make it to a place to juice up. He towed me to said store, then hitched a trailer to his truck and got us on in to Clarksdale (I'd made it 2 miles just before hwy 8 prior to his helpful aide). Mainly done in the interest of time because I NEEDED to get back to MSU for this institute. Peeled the layers of funk off, showered and refreshed I placed the lovely motorcycle into safe storage and decided to gas up today otherwise I'd probably still be somewhere on the road en route to MSU, again, NOT sexy! Glad I made it in time to participate with the two youngsters I'm fortunate enough to sit beside and I appreciate that they didn't call me "stinky boy" based on how bad those clothes were smelling yesterday! Class was informative, Dr. Olinzock taught me a lot of the information Dr Morris shared but I liked the refresher. Looking forward to tomorrow's class session but to be honest, right now, a brotha is HONGREE!!!! Haven't eaten anything really qualified as a meal for a while, soooo I'm heading over to the MSU dining facility for din-din tonight and will eat until I am motionless!
   
   

My Summer institute

Today is the first day at the GAETI training. Had a serious adventure just getting here like no one would believe. Took a Greyhound to pick up my electric motorcycle I kept talking with my students about in Atlanta, GA. Got a free t-shirt for this very pricey bike. Most everytime I stopped longer than a few minutes someone would ask about the bike. On the way, I was rained on in the we hours of the night/morning, went to a car lot and slept in a car that just happened to be unlocked, socks till soggy. I met a former(?) KKK member who joined the Tea-Party but says its "different from the Klan" and THAT was my cue to exit stage left! He's friend came by to admire the bike as well and when klansmen gather usually a brother's blood tends to splatter... Back on the road I decided there were 3 main places I'd charge up (restaurants, churches, and large public locations) for safety w/o my glock (of course I told the klansmen I am a member of the NRA and carrying!). I didn't b/c I took the greyhound to GA and didn't want to risk getting caught w/ it and it being a problem on the bus at all. That said I met quite a few very humane individuals. Overestimating my charge I ran out and had to push the motorcycle WITH the 60+ pound back pack with an ineffective solar generator (voltage was not in sync w/ the bike and would auto shut off). One guy helped me lift the bike on the back of his pick up truck and he dropped me off at a gas station, BUT they had no open outlet I could use, it was dimly lit and I was not loving the location which led me to the car dealership across the street. Just happened to feel on the right car door to keep me out of the elements and get some rest, bad thing was I still hadn't charged the bike but the rest gave it enough of charge to get to the bottom of a hill. Guy with a bleeding arm offered to drag me up the hill with a rope (he's white, I'm Black, this is Alabama) that thought ran through my mind, but I was like hey gotta live, so he hooked it up to his car and it work (took a mental note: Bike is an EASY tow*). Went to a church and met a decent minister, provided me w/ a root beer, internet and some rest while charging. His wife also teaches STEM who I met and the couple was very warm and inviting. He was the second person, in my series of persons I began to photograph. I started taking pictures along the way of people who would tell me, "I've never seen an ELECTRIC motorcycle before" so I'd have my bike in the picture with them and snap... Phone died before I could snap many more. Met a highway patrolman who followed me when the charged died when I was about 2 miles away from Fulton, MS. Decent guy, fellow veteran, we spoke about him coming to speak w/ my students as a guest speak and I told him about my motivation for getting the electric bike, he agreed to come or find someone else who would. Got to admit soooo much happened along the way I know I won't remember it all. One church along the way was my rejevenation church can't say much more than that BUT I am eternally thankful for that church. From Tupelo I went just a bit further to Pontotoc, MS where I came to my fork in the road (go home 1st OR go to MSU institute?) and I decided on the latter. Charged up the bike one more time in Pontotoc and headed to Starkville for the institute. It's about 4am and my stomach was doing some major flip flop skip drop kung fu fighting, felt like I had some food poisoning going on, had to make another church stop then a stop at the hospital in Pheba. 7:30am institute starts at 9 I think, bike was charging at the hospital so I knew I could make it to the college, no doubt. WRONG! I made it JUST 1 hill away from hwy 82 and 389 on 389. Found a strap on the road (re: getting a tow) and decided to keep it for life. Got another tow up and over the road to a gas station and charging up so I can travel approximately 2 miles to get to MSU, yup, just that close. Met Dr. Bracey when I saw the group gathering in preparation for a campus tour. Charged up my bike again. Soon as I sat down for longer than 5 minutes after all that driving, I was kinda dead to the world or at least in and out at best. Kinda sparked up when the person next to me pulled out the exact same Spanish textbook I used when I was in school. Dr. Bracey did too... I'm tired but I know the journey continues until I get home and begin again tomorrow..