Monday, May 18, 2009

Interview with Mr. Keohler

Originally, the price was $7,000 but lawyers bought the property and would only sell for $200,000

2004 Property was bought for $200,000.  Through the community, received $100,000 from community.  The Rotary and Library borrowed $100,000.  Land had to be cleared, environmentally.

Whitewash stone walls, hazard, this clean up was $75,000.  Stone is as good as it was when it was built.  Roof is bad, had no attention.  Great walls, doors are exactly as when it was left.

Previous owner took a lot out of the building, even copper wiring.  

Brochure was created for information about the Steelworks.  Some metal taken down, eventually there is hope for a cable to go back and forth. 

Mauch Chunck Trust is the backer of the money for the project.

Layfayette University came to draft ideas for the Train Works

Women painted the wood pink so it would lighten it up.

The Black Creek (Hazle Creek)was black with coal.  Sulfer made the creek orange.  This water would heal wounds and poison ivy!

The pictures Mr. Koehler has are wonderful history.  Koehler's Krossing!

Theodore Roosevelt's wife's dress silk was made here in the Silk Mill in Weatherly.  The library on the right, and the Post Office, historical pieces from Mr. Koehler. 

Old railroad pits. The water was good in the front, but there is oil in the back wells near the building.

Steam Engine 4037 was donated but some of the Weatherly Council did not want it.


CFF Network Meeting May 14, 2009

CFF Network Meeting

 

Get Superintendents on board

 

Get CFF teacher one more prep per day to help other teachers

 

Joanne R check who

 

Blended courses can the district make it a requirement.  Dave, professional development

 

Make classes a bit larger so that the CFF teachers can have the extra time for the next embedded learning course.  Use the stimulus funds.

 

Pay teachers for training through title 1 money.   Snow day make-up.

 

Virtual Summer courses/free/Act 48 credit.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Best Practices

Best Ideas

 

Online Newspapers

  • iWeb Park Forest Middle School, check this out (articles are archived)
  • wiki
  • blog

 

Podcasts

 

Literature Podcasts Choose section of book to read, match pictures with their reading.  Freeplaymusic.com has lots music.

 

Google Sites to create a website

 

Google Apps for education is free. Check this out

 

Alumni book club?

Eno

Eno Board!

 

Has magnets on back to adhere to whiteboard

Can write on with dry erase marker

Magnetic and interactive

 

No Cords, cables

Blue tooth connection.  All connections through the pen (has AA battery) Pen has cap to save battery and with no use, saver mode

No electrical outlet required

Forever warranty on board, 10 year on border, 2 year on pen

Blue tooth connector included

Three additional felt tips included

 

Made of recyclable material, leads to

 

 

Portable Magnetic strip

 

Go to their website, more has been added.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Dynamic Formative Assessment Strategies

Taking assessments to another level.

Studywizspark.com

Another Project

Main things to consider:
Driving question, then Bloom's taxonomy
Engage 21st Century Skills:   www.metiri.com/features.html
NETS

To differentiate:
Look at the readiness, interest and learning profile

Getting started:
BAckward Design, what skills am I evaluate? Concepts? essential questions.

RUBRIC
TAsk, rubric (be very clear and  concise), into to talk, students brainstorm (here is the goal, you pick what to do to get you there.

Enjoy the 
1.  Creativity
2.  Enthusiasm
3.  Engagement
4.  Growth (thinkers and producers of their own work.)

Give students the rubric to fill out, then teacher does rubric.  If there are differences, have a conference with the group.

Integrating Creativity and Innovation into Core Subject Areas

Singapore - Chasing innovation, also China, etc.

Thomas Friedman "Code Green" Hot, Flat, and Crowded

"Who's Your City" by Richard Florida talks about a creative economy

Creativity & Innovation is our greatest strength, 2nd is entertainment.

The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil "Transcendent man Film Trailer: at some point computers will be going faster than humans. It will happen during the time of the children we teach.

Physics of the Impossible Michio Kaku

How do empower students?

Software for Science:  
Phun!
Logo, Squeak, Scratch (Grades 4-8)

Social Studies:
Gapminder.org
GIS links to study "Place"

Math:  
visualize & build in 3D:
CSG: POV-Ray, AOI
Mesh/Polygon:  Wings3D
animate: Blender & POV-Ray

"Art of Illusion"