Bobcat Pride

Bobcat Pride has concluded for another year. Day two was a big success, aside from the buses arriving 30 minutes late. On the second day, we take the kids to a wilderness camp where there are high ropes courses setup. Throughout the day, kids work in groups to complete each challenge. By far the biggest challenge of day two is climbing a 40 foot tall tower. It isn't simply a set of stairs to walk up, but a maize of ropes, foot holds and poles to scale; like a climbing wall only tougher and more complex. When they reach the top, students are connected to a zip line that is about 60 feet long that will take them to the ground. At no point are the kids in any danger, as their are always two teachers at the top of the tower helping them up on the platform, and to the zip line. While climbing, other teachers (one of them being me) are belaying them so that if they happen to let go, they only fall a few inch rather than to the ground. It's a really intimidating challenge, but when they finish it, the kids feel great about themselves.

First day of Bobcat Pride

Today was the first day of Bobcat Pride. Not quite sure what Bobcat Pride is? At Northeastern High School, all incoming Freshman are extended an invitaiton to join about two dozen teachers for a low and high ropes orientation. For those who want to particate there is a fee of $20 which includes lunch the first day, two Bobcat Pride t-shirts, a water bottle, and a Bobcat Pride visor. The morning of the first day, students participate in a few workshops that are meant to aid in the transition to the high school. After lunch, we run ten low ropes challenges in which they work in teams to complete.
Today went wonderfully. Our numbers were down a little, but everything went really well. The weather was beautiful (last year the temperature was pushing 100 and the kids weren't very receptive to the ropes challenges) and the kids were really into the challenges. For me, it's nice to get to know the students, in a less formal setting, before they show up in my class.

Congrats Douglas

I'd like to start off by congratulating Mr. Douglas on completing his Masters plus 60 credits. Today he is wrapping up his last workshop and will be at the top of the credit later. The bad news is that Miller and I now need to find someone to replace Douglas with. It won't be easy. Congrats again Lloyd, and thanks for the donuts.

Web Site Thoughts

Today in my workshop we began working on websites. My thoughts were to create a web page for my graphics students to use. On this site, I will catalog all of the class documents, probably as a PDF file, so that students can access the files from home, print out a new handout if lost, and eventually even view video tutorials on how to do each assignment. I am really excited about the idea. But it is going to be a lot of work.

Mid Summer Thoughts

As I sit in one of the three workshops that I am taking this summer, I can't help feeling a little overwhelmed. Between taking three workshops, preparing for my wedding, and honeymoon, and moving into a new house, summer has been a blurry. I finally have the house in order enough that I am comfortable, and am over the halfway point of my final workshop, but there is still so much to do for my Graphics class. Through my workshops I have gathered a large amount of resources to sift through and include in my course. Over the next few weeks, here is a list of books that I plan to pick up.

• Designer's Color Manual: The Complete Guide to Color Theory and Application
• Color Harmony Workbook: A Workbook and Guide to Creative Color Combinations
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marketing, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
• Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
• Amazon.com: Graphic Design as a Second Language: Bob Gill (Hands on Graphics): Books: Bob Gill

Pretty heavy considering that there are only six more weeks of summer. If there are any other books that would be of use for teaching design, I am always looking new items to incorporate into my Graphics courses. It won't be long before September 4th is here.