Well Prepared! Maybe too Well!

We'll as the arrival of our second child draws near, I've made preparations so that I would be ready to go out at a moments notice. I used a special tool that captures my screen and audio and recorded last weeks directions for assembling our short story animations. And for this week I created an interactive web page in lieu of lesson plans. I hadn't had my hopes up until Stacy, my wife, went to the doctors last week and he said that Zaden would more than likely be here by Saturday. Well, it's Sunday evening, and I have a new prediction. April 20th! Just back from break...I think that's the winning date!

As for class, we had a weird week. We had adjusted our schedule on Wednesday and Thursday so we could see "My Heart in a Suitcase". The play was rescheduled and off we went Thursday morning to arrive at a quiet and empty civic center. Apparently there was a break down in communication somewhere and while we were informed of the rescheduled date, the play was not rescheduled. So we went back to school and continued on our way!

The first part of the week we focused on getting as many pictures taken as possible. Some groups were finishing boxes and sets. The second part of the week we went over instructions for creating the movies in movie maker. All groups have recorded their audio and most have a good start or are finished working on their pictures. Check out the pictures, and depending on your internet speed, you can play the slide show and get an idea what their movie might look like. You can also listen to their audio on my website. Finished movies will be due the week after spring break. I can't wait to see them!!

Friday was a rough day. We found out that one of our students had lost his father in a car accident Thursday night. It made for an emotional and trying day in our close knit family. We started the day working on an Algebra quiz and short story animations before heading to the theatre to hear a couple Caldwell County Musicians perform.

I can't remember the first performer's name, but he played country and a little bluegrass. He plays regularly at Woodlands Barbecue in Blowing Rock (I want to say Wednesday and Saturday night). He talked a lot about how he learned to play from his father who played more blue grass to his country and southern rock. The last song he performed was about seeing his father in himself more and more everyday. He didn't know it, but that song had a very special meaning to all of us!

The second performance was from "Pop" Ferguson and his son, Clyde Ferguson Jr. They played and taught us about the history of The Blues! The two of them together were funny enough. Mr. Ferguson had to unplug "Pop" a time or two to keep him from playing right over the history lessons. It was a very enjoyable experience. There was a really cool article about "Pop" in the News-Topic not too long ago.

I really enjoyed both performances immensely. From there we went to lunch. The afternoon was tricky. We split the freshmen into two groups. While the first group went up to the third level to work on MAP testing, the other group had a chance to talk to some counselors about how to best handle the loss that occurred Thursday night. We all had a chance to make cards and write letters to show our support. We flipped the groups halfway through the afternoon. As students finished they worked more on their animation and Algebra test.

It was a busy and emotional week! I image this week will continue to be that way!