By the time I finished 5th grade I had several accomplishments.  I had starred in a play when I was in fifth grade.  I played the part of Charlie Brown in the play, "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown".  The play was rather long so I shared the part with two others.  Funny that even though many of those students are still my friends I don't remember who the other two were.  In fifth grade my parents signed me up for music lessons.  I started to learn to play the trumpet.  My parents even bought me a new trumpet.  That must have really cost them a lot of money.  Even though I was learning to play the trumpet in Taiwan the music instructor ordered her instruments from the USA.  My Olds trumpet was made in the factory that Olds had in Fullerton, California.  Though I had no idea where that was, since I was from Scotland, I always wondered about Fullerton.  Many years later, I attended university within 5 miles of Fullerton.  I also survived fifth grade and was on my way to Jr. High where I would attend a whole new school with new curriculum.  So, starred in the school play and learned to play an instrument, survived fifth grade.  By the way, I still own that trumpet that was new in 1975 and still play it, as does my son, who started music when he was in sixth grade.

What are some of your accomplishments?

My favorite movie changes sometimes even though I find it hard to beat some of the old classics.  I still enjoy "Murder By Death", "Blazing Saddles", "Roman Holiday" and "Princess Bride".  What is your favorite movie?

Sometimes the best stories contain a little truth and a little exaggeration.  Those stories have a ring of truth and make us wonder if it really could be so.  Tell me a story that is a little true.

Most days when students see a substitute teacher in their class they think it will be a mixed up day.  Some students will take advantage of the sub and some will try to help.  I have never been a substitute teacher and it has been a long time since I was in an elementary or high school room as a student.  Tell me about the most interesting substitute teacher you have had.

Summer is full of different feelings.  These are usually different from the feelings I have during the school year.  I'm usually more relaxed and less worried.  I have time to think about what I want to do when school starts again.  What is different about summer for you?

Summer school starts on Tuesday June 20th.  I have two goals for summer school.  First, I want my students to increase their understanding of how technology can help them learn on their own and how technology can help them create products which will grab other people's attention.  Secondly, I want to learn from my students what best meets their needs.  During the summer I will be blogging about my progress.  

To begin with I made a big purchase today that I have wanted to make for a long time.  I purchased my own domain name.  That means that I no longer have to point my students to long web site addresses that they usually can't remember.  It is now just, www.mraitken.org!  I'll add details about the process as the summer goes along.

What are your goals for summer school?  List two and describe them.