I was Playing in the Connection Center in Israel on Math Night

Instead of just listing things that will be in my post, I decided that I would put it all in a sentence. There are a couple of you that may be disappointed because let's face it...this would be a sweet post if I was really in Israel playing in the connection center on math night. However, this blog is devoted to getting into the connection center, my presentation on Israel, Math Night, and the Play Symposium I went to today.

This past Wednesday was our first Lifegroup in the Connection Center. This place is awesome! There's a store where you can buy resources (I got a Bible for $5 and the original price was $25), a cafe', a huge auditorium for worship, basketball courts, and rooms for all groups to meet. Tonight was also special because I had Josh Shelley and Andy Roberts come and give their testimonies. They both did a great job, and I think my group got a lot out of it. It's always great to see how God is working in other's lives.

I had a presentation on Israel in my Middle Eastern Geography Class. This past Thursday was actually the last day the class was meeting on campus, so it was somewhat bittersweet. For our presentations, we were highly encouraged to bring food. I brought some Challah Bread and some fig and honey spread (figs, honey, cooking wine, and cinnamon). My presentation itself went well...I think I was the only one that used actual music in their presentation. Basically before I set it up, I put on "Der Bosfer" which is a song played by the Klezmer Conservatory. It set the mood for the presentation very well.

From 1:00pm - 8:00pm, that was dedicated to getting ready for and presenting at Math Night. My board had a complex problem on it, and it was supposed to be geared toward 4th grade. I had about 10 students come and see it, and a lot of parents actually liked my board too because it was a challenge for everyone. For those of you that are interested the problem was basically, "You have three buckets of water: 8 cup, 5 cup, and 3 cup. Make exactly 4 cups of water using those three buckets (there is no estimating)." It's basically a 6 step process, so they had fun doing it :-)

I just got back from the Play Symposium. Basically this sums up the 3-4 hours, "It's important for kids to play outside, be active, and have both structured and unstructured activities in order to enhance their development." So...yeah. I did enjoy it though. It made me want to go outside. Although it's raining, so it kind of defeats the purpose.

Well, that's about it. Take care, and I hope you have a great rest of the day!

Maus, School, and other stuff

I hope that everyone is doing well! I know that you were thinking to yourself, "When is Scott going to update again? I am on pins and needles here!" Well, there is no need to worry! Because here is an update with what is going on in my life.

I ordered a couple books on Amazon. One was Coraline which I haven't gotten yet, and the other was a set of graphic novels called, "Maus I: My Father Bleeds History" and "Maus II: And Here my Troubles Began" This graphic novel is by Art Spiegelman and..."it is about his father, Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe, and a cartoonist who tries to come to terms with his father's terrifying story, and History Itself." The Jews are represented by Mice, the Nazis are represented by Cats, and the Polish are represented by Pigs. I got the books today, and I read the first book front to cover. It was very exciting, it flowed well, and it was very moving. I got interested in getting these novels when I heard about them in my class last semester. These books are a great way to get Upper Elementary and Middle School (Even High Schoolers) interested in reading and a better grasp of the subject concerning the Holocaust. I enjoyed it, and I am excited to read book number II (By the way, this is also a 1992 Pulitzer Prize Winner).

On a different note, school is going well. In Practicum I teach a small group of four 1st graders and I teach the whole class twice. I did my first lead-teaching yesterday on George Washington's Teeth. For those of you that think it was made out of wood, it was not! It was actually made out of Hippopotamus Ivory. My next lead teach will be about Abraham Lincoln, so it should be fun.

I enjoy playing raquetball (even though I'm not that good) and math methods is....giving me a lot of good materials. I am enjoying the two classes I am taking for fun. I'm learning about the Middle East and I really enjoy learning about PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). I actually use a webcam and record comments on papers I write for this class. The cool part is my professor responds to me through his webcam so it's like we are having a conversation. I am glad I am taking this class.

The only real issue I have been having with classes has been...creativity. I have had to do several projects that involve arts and crafts and expanding my mind relating to such things. Now, I was never good at arts and crafts. I don't like arts and crafts. When it comes to decoration, I don't know how it should look or why it should look that way. Needless to say...I am at a loss when it comes to these things. Because of this, I am happy if the professor/teacher says that the work is acceptable. I know I am not going to get a, "I have never seen such beautiful work," but I am okay with that.

That's about it for me. I hope you all have a great rest of the day!