I'm reading The Book of What If...? Questions and Activities for Curious Minds. "What If?" inspires a fun game for children of all ages. Yesterday my grand-daughters were playing "Would you rather...?"  Then I recalled the question from the book "What if You Could Teleport Anywhere?" So, assuming you could teleport, would you rather go to someplace on earth or somewhere in outer space?"  As a Science Fiction fanatic, I like to imagine the possibility of travel in the blink of an eye to anywhere in the universe crossing both time and space. While dreaming of the "What if", I thought of a short little glimpse of a place I would like to go. It is a place from my childhood. 

Last night I visited my childhood home by the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.  It looked to me, as I peered over the white picket fence, that the door was much smaller than I remembered. The weed-strewn path spanning the short distance to the house echoed the thoughts of childhood games and taunts.  I ran up to the door and peered into the window. The dwelling, empty and bare, transformed, like a spirit recollecting the memories of a simple childhood.  I opened the door, then, visions flooded back with the vibrancy of sunlight shining through the clouds after a summer rainfall. As the echoes called me back, I was likewise aware that time had changed the small house, it was unkept and bare. It was not the same. Still, I wanted to stay a while in that uncomplicated little place by the sea.

Would you rather visit a place where you have lived before, or would you travel to an entirely new destination? Please post a comment about that place.   

  

A few days ago, my daughter sent me something new... I am intrigued and enchanted! So, I want to share my new fascination with you... It's Hello, Ruby.  http://www.helloruby.com/
On the website you will find many ideas for children who crave challenging, fun, and worthwhile projects. In the process, children of all ages can learn about computers, technology, and programming. 
This is my favorite quote from Hello, Ruby: 
"The programmer, like the poet, works only slightly removed from pure thought-stuff.  He builds castles in the air, from air, creating by exertion of the imagination." Fred Brooks (1975 - Essays on Software Engineering)
Even though the book is not published yet,  It is available for pre-purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound. 
Enjoy!

Also, If you want to learn basic programming/computer code, check out the following site: 
/https://studio.code.org/

My students enjoyed making brush bots today.  They used a toothbrush, motor, and a battery.  Once they finished the basic design, they created and placed a character on top of the brush bot.  I hope you enjoy the little video.  

What are your thoughts about technology?

I learned something new today. I recently read the quote, "Knowing is not enough, we must apply.  Willing is not enough, we must do."  When I discover something new, I like to implement it right away.  It helps me transfer short-term learning into long-term knowledge. 

EDpuzzle provides a way for students to learn by doing.  In the lesson posted above, you will have the opportunity to write a response to a difficult situation.  I hope you enjoy the lesson.

I think the short video tells the story of my students much better than words.  Each week my students inspire me and make me smile.  They come to class excited about learning and that makes me strive to find interesting things for them to pursue.  This week we will be looking at how music affects us.  My lesson is posted on my "extras" page.  I hope you will explore this interesting topic.