There are good days and there are great days

I was trying to come up with something that I could involve the kids in, project wise, that was low on resources, but would allow for the design cycle and be suitable for their skill level. Yesterday I thought about using a small box idea, and decided to try it out today by getting them to start to design and create a small box to use for a pack of cards, this set the size and the evaluation criteria, allows for design ideas and theme for the box cover and folio. Creates a quick and simple net layout, so I cover some orthographics, design, nets, manufacture and planning all in one very quick and easy project - based over 4 lessons. Today was Lesson 1 and I have stressed they plan in class but they prepare the finished copy on PC and with that in mind we did a small sub plot on Plagerism.

So was it successful?

I had four Grade 8 (4th Year) classes and it was like giving them food when they hadn't seen any for weeks, they devoured it and where I had felt I was struggling to find a level that they could work at easily and not be held back by their relative inexperience - today was a 100% success only problem is now I feel I have to write the Lesson Plan to match the work.

Our computers are in and configured, the colour laser is up and running and the quality from it is excellent. If I can get the boxes created on PC and printed out on the colour laser the opportunity to display their demonstration work it will be amazing.

Today I had to ask Diana (Pleaded is probably the right word) to come with me to the bank as over the weekend I tried to pay a bill over the internet and managed to lock all my account access, internet, bank cash machine and maestro card !!! Fortunately Diana agreed and we went up to the bank and joined the Queue I now feel Colombian - you definitly cannot say you have experienced Colombia until you have Queued !!! It probably took 50 minutes to Queue and 5 minutes to sort the problem out. So once again I am indebted to Diana for her time and expertise in Spanish. She will probably be so glad to see me eventually leave just so she can get on with her life instead of living in my pocket every time I get something so wrong I should be put into a Nursing Home.

Today was definitly one of those land mark days where you realize WHY you decided to teach and even more so when you actually get the chance to teach without interruption, chaos or frustration. Tomorrow is Day 3 of Week 3 of the colombian experience (Honest I'm not counting really)and I have another 4 classes, 3 second year and one 4th year class. So will the 2nd year take to this project as easily as the the 4th. I do hope so as it is well within their ability, and is a good lead into their first wood materials project which is due to start in 2 weeks.

Finally over the weekend I bought a Hair and Beard Trimmer I now look like bowling ball instead of a mad professor and the Goatee beard that was almost long enough to TIE off, has returned to its more controllable designer stubble look. The kids were great every class noticed and were amazed I had had a haircut. Simple things amuse simple minds (Not the kids - ME !!)