Train Wreck - No Pictures, Please

Today was our first day back to work. It was an inservice.

We kicked it off with some collegial conversation:

How was your summer?

It was great! Too short. What about you?

Oh, just hung out with the kids and went to blah…

Ok, you get it.

We started out with these cards that had a theme of battle and simple machines. We had to kind of discuss it and make a quick story using the words. It led to us building simple machines to launch water balloons.   You know, team building, problem solving and fun.  It got pretty intense with drills and duct tape.

My team lost. Our balloon actually went backwards. I wish I had pictures. At the end, there were a lot of water balloons left over. We were taking a staff picture with our simple machines and everyone was to throw their balloon as the picture was being taken.  I was squeezing mine and I guess it was a little weak because it popped. Next thing I know I get smashed with 20 balloons. Needless to say, I was soaked. My co-workers are kind of great. Now, I just need to get that caseload and classroom together.

The rest of the day was discussion about our school-wide project.  We are doing water conservation.  The plan is to raise money to have a well put in in Southern Sudan. I’m kind of excited.  Projects like this sometimes make me think I would like to be a gen ed teacher…