What Would Happen If EVERYONE Cared?

What would happen if everyone cared? This is a question posed when introducing Challenged Based Learning today. Mrs. Morrow stressed to students that even though we are 8th grade students in O'Neill, NE, we really can make a difference with our writing. Students will look for problems they see in our school, community, and society in general, then choose something they are passionate about to focus on. They will then try come up with solutions for how to use their writing to make a difference with this problem. This will be an ongoing project students will work on throughout the school year. Take a look at Mrs. Morrow's website for more information: http://www.challengebasedlearning.org/challenge/view/163 In other news, it is Homecoming Week and today's dress up day is Polka Dot Day. We are so glad that Lauren CARED enough to show her school spirit and dress up today! She earned the 8th grade class 10 points that will go towards the Class Spirit Award.

Back to blogging!

It has been a L - O - N - G time since I have blogged! I'm fired up about our class blog and all the way cool blogs my students are putting together. Leave it to my inspirational team teacher, Mrs. Morrow, to get me excited about this! It was her idea to have students use the blogs as a place to share their writing with a wider audience; I love this idea. Now I'm trying to be a good model and commit to my blog, too. I've been working in my classroom this evening thinking about our 8th grade English class. I've been looking at plans and looking over the writing forum we will use to post and respond to writing, but I'll tell you more about that later. For now, I just wanted to share this picture of the bulletin board Mrs. Morrow put together in my room. It's a first page print out of each students' blog! It makes me happy every time I look up to see it!

My last day in Florence

I spent my last day in Florence at Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace


Boboli Gardens


Boboli Gardens


One last sunset over the Arno


I sat on a bridge over the Arno to listen to music by Claudio Spadi - he was awesome! This lady was really getting into it! She was hilarious!


Goodbye! I'll miss you!


The heart of Florence at night

Back to Florence - Hotel Gioia

The staff was wonderful!

The last few days of my stay in Italy were spent in Florence. I stayed at Hotel Gioia. Here is the review I wrote for their website:

My stay at Hotel Gioia was exceptional. The staff was friendly and helpful which was important to me as a single female traveler. I felt like they kept tabs on me and gave me advice about the city that was invaluable.

My room was basic, but had it's own bathroom. It was just what I needed and was very clean.

The hotel is located in the heart of Florence so it was easy for me to get around by walking.

I would recommend this hotel to any friends visiting Florence. I'm so grateful to the kind people who work there that made my stay wonderful.

http://www.nozio.com/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/Florence/Florence/lodging/Hotels/3_three_stars_hotels/Hotel_Gioia.htm?review=outstanding_16339


My room


My bathroom that included a bidet!

Goodbye Vitorchiano

Here I am touching the belly button of the Moai in Vitochiano for good luck. The Moai statue is the only one located outside Easter Island.

Tenuta di Santa Lucia Pictures

Tenuta di Santa Lucia

On the last night of my stay in Vitorchiano, Linda and Sergio took Sandy and I to Tenuta di Santa Lucia for dinner. Once a place for silkworm breeding, it’s now a gorgeous guesthouse and restaurant. This property that has been in the Trua family for over 200 years is now a draw for agritourism. On their 2-1/2 acres, they raise Chianina cattle and grow crops of grain, hay, olives, and hazelnuts. They have even begun to cultivate lavender. I had never heard of agritourism or “agriturismo” before, but according to what I have learned it is popular in Italy. I believe people get tax breaks if they use the meat and crops they produce to sustain a business – in this case a B&B and restaurant. As you can see from the pictures, the place is lovely! I would have no objection to spending some time here and the people there were kind and helpful. Our meal was excellent and the atmosphere was inviting. I will attach the link if you want to learn more about Tenuta di Santa Lucia – I encourage you to check it out since their pictures are much better than mine!

http://www.tenutadisantalucia.com/eng/index.html