What I Learned This Week - Part One

Fifty + one ... one week that is.

I couldn't have predicted what I have learned during this first week of being 50.  Of course, I don't suppose I could ever have known in advance what I was going to learn in a week.  If you know what you're going to learn, then do you already know it?

Anyway, this week I learned all about a bunch of different topics.  My second grade daughter's class held a Prezi night.  If you're not familiar with Prezi, it is a web-based presentation software.  Each student in the class used Prezi to present material from an "All About (fill in the blank)" book that the student had written earlier in the year.  This week the students had the chance to share their All About ... books via a Prezi.

So, I learned All About a number of things.  Each student was allowed to pick a favorite topic  Here's the list from our Prezi night:

     Tape               Tennis               Candy                 Horses
     Geckos            Money              Singing               Cats
     Brothers         Bikes                Guinea Pigs

I must admit that my favorite topic from this list was tape, mostly because it was my daughter's topic.  The girl makes some great stuff out of tape, especially duct tape ... it really is one of her favorite things.  But, honestly, she could have written "All About Ketchup & Mustard" and it would have been my favorite ... and anyone who knows me knows that I don't like ketchup or mustard.  What's a dad to do?

While I probably don't realize all that I learned that night, some of the lessons include:

• Wow, what kids can do with technology is amazing (and I'm in the technology business).
• I'm thankful for teachers who find ways, such as using the Prezi tool, to help students grow, not only in the use of technology, but also in preparing and presenting a speech.
• There is always something new to learn, so I need to be looking for new topics to discover and new ways to learn.
• There is always someone new who can be your teacher.  As an example, one of my daughter's classmates is blind.  She memorized her presentation and, with just a little help, gave it almost flawlessly.  She is one inspirational kid!
• I need to look for new ways to present what I've learned and be willing to share that knowledge with those who want to learn.

Next week I'll share about some lessons I learned from an adventure with my other daughter's class, but enough about me and what I'm learning ... what have you learned lately and how?  Share something in the comments.  And, if you can't think of anything to share, challenge yourself to learn something new this week and then come back to share it.

John 1:16 "For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."