Discovering Dargatz #151 - School Projects

A new initiative in my district or project-based learning. By not means is this a new movement as I was a rare exception in my elementary school; I was THRILLED to do projects. As you're about to see, my creativity and effort may have been called into question in my elementary school projects career.

In kindergarten, I won the create a cover contest for our school play focusing on a talking robot named Colby.

By second grade, I was so motivated by our study of animals that I spent summer days creating animal presentations. My favorite was my research on the alligator, crocodile, caiman, and gharial family.

In third grade, I procrastinated on creating a project for the science & art fair so I spent the night before scrambling to create my teenage mutant ninja turtle illustrations packet.

Procrastination hit again in 4th grade. Rather than re-creating a TMNT book, I made two craptacular sports collages from pictures I cut out of sports magazines. One focused on hockey and the other on Shaquille O' Neal.

In 5th grade, I thought I would be being innovative by adding music to the background of my cassette-recorded book report on Dear Mr. Henshaw. I guess Beverly Cleary and Pray by MC Hammer weren't a great mix.

By middle school, I moved on to written reports.I still cherish the two battle-themed reports on The Battle of Saratoga and Hiroshima that grace a desk in my father's basement.

Maybe I'll muster up the courage to upload these gems one day. . .

Discovering Dargatz # 150 - Reading Shmeading

In elementary school , I remember our monthly trips down North Avenue to the Wauwatosa Public Library. We would begin in a presentation room to see the latest and greatest in children's literature before exploring the library for our own interests. one certain time. I came across the book that changed everything: Where's Waldo? It wasn't exactly a reading book but it was a change from my usual comic strip books of Peanuts, Beetle Bailey, and Hagar the Horrible. From that point on, not only did I take a closer look at the books in the library, I paid attention to books at other places as well. My summer trips to Mayfair always included a trip to the bookstore. Sure, I still spent a good chunk of time in the humor section, but I also meandered through the non-fiction and the fiction series areas. I cherished my weekend trips to Half Price Books to pick up anything and everything that interested me. I couldn't wait for the monthly Troll Book Order to be handed out by my teacher so I could make a wish list. That Where's Waldo? moment it inspired a love of reading that is stronger than ever.

A Readers Review

The 18th completed book of 2015 was rather quick because of how engaging it was. Basically, it was a  guide of organized, kid-friendly science activities that an be done around the house or outside. It could easily be transferred to the outdoor classroom and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Classroom Zoo #31 - Rendezvous

Every now and then, I am reminded of and reminiscent about me days teaching 4th grade. With the social studies curriculum focusing on Wisconsin history, I was truly entertained and excited about continuing to learn more about the Badger State so I could impart that wisdom (or at least attempt to) on the students in my class. I had an affinity for the fur trade era and one of my favorite moments to share with the kids was the rebndezvous.Basically, this is where fur traders and voyageurs got together to trade and celebrate the end of a hard season of toil and tribulation. Ultimately, this was a fur trading party. But kids learn better when they experience the learning, not have it spewed to them. For one afternoon, we were fur traders. We endured a voyageurs river race, suffering unimaginable and unexpected hardships in order to get to a trading post where maybe, just maybe, you'd find a willing trading partner to help you reach your end goal: the acquisition of certain goods. It was not an easy task, but when they made the trade, the educational payout was so much more important than the pelts or tools they received.

Discovering Dargatz #148 - First Pitch from The Kid

The Sluggers had just returned from the Wisconsin State Special Olympic summer games as softball gold medal champions. Invited to a local college baseball league's home game, the athletes were excited to get to be on the field during pregame festivities and get announced to the crowd. As their coach, I was equally excited to be able to throw out the first pitch.

Was excited. . .

That excitement quickly transformed into nerves as I was told that I would be throwing said first pitch to one of the owners of the team who just happened to be a major league Hall of Famer and childhood here, Milwaukee Brewers legend, "The Kid," Robin Yount.

As gametime ticked closer, the heartbeat ticked faster. The walk to the mound was short, but agonizing. I know they announced my name, but I didn't hear it. I just wanted to avoid making a fool out of myself, something I am quite prone to do.

The time had come. I reared back, let'er fly and threw a straight pitch that grazed the upper edges of the strike zone and safely into "The Kid's" mitt. That autographed ball is now safely tucked away in my basement. Play ball.

Classroom Zoo # 30 - Math Champions

Sometimes, the best ideas come from small situations. In this instance, a trip to a resale shop ended up being the start of an exciting and addicting educational activity.

I regularly browse the local resale shops looking for fun and useful additions to my classroom. Sometimes, I know how an item will be used right away. Other times I buy first and come up with an idea later. When I saw the item in question, I knew in an instant that this would not only be used, but be popular.

And I was most definitely correct.

The replica wrestling championship belt is our Math Champions traveling trophy. Every day, we wrap up math with a song and dance and a round of math championship. And if I ever forget, the kids are sure to remind me. 

Whether it is counting by 2's, 5's, 10's, or backwards, the random selection of cards makes this championship a combination of both luck and skill. The final student standing is the champion.  their prize?  Holding the belt the next day during Math class and being added to the Wall of Champions.

Every child gets to be champion and WOW, has their counting improved dramatically. 

Dadventures #23 - Start 'em Young

Being married to a sports enthusiast and being  a gigantic fan myself, it was guaranteed any child that came into this family was sure to be exposed to sports. Whether attending a game, watching daddy play or coach, or checking out our favorite team on television, my daughter has had ample opportunity to fall in love with sports.

And she has fallen hard.

Giggles of glee every time we drive past Miller Park. Squeaks of delight whenever we come across one of our mascot friends. But my favorite is her random chants and cheers.

While watching a Brewers game on TV, she claps along with the crowd. She breaks into a random Go Bucks Go during basketball games and is quick to throw up the touchdown sign anytime football hits the screen. When given her choice from a variety of hats, it's the Brewers one that is usually the pick. She even seems to be OK with me watching "daddy's game" when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on.

As time goes on, I sure hope she sticks to being a sports lover. Based on her genetic makeup, I'm confident she will. Regardless, she will definitely have plenty more sports opportunities.

Discovering Dargatz #147 - Nothing in Life is Free. . .especially in Vegas

With three cousins graduating college the same year,  the family opted for one big vacation to Las Vegas. Some members of the family had been there before. My cousins came for Star Trek conventions. My aunts came for relaxation. My uncle came for. . .well, what most men come for. It was with that uncle that my male cousins and I learned an important life lesson: Nothing in life was free. We walked Fremont Street and came upon an adult entertainment complex with free admission. A group of 22 year olds entering a strip club is pretty normal. Doing so with their nearly 50 year old uncle felt a bit odd. That environment is not really my scene, so you can imagine my hesitation when a scantily-clad server led us to a table with our very own gyrating woman. An uncomfortable feeling spread as the cousins all whispered requests of departure. However, not wanting to upset our fearless leader (who was loving it) we ordered the old standard, Miller Lites. When she requested $27.50 for each small glass, we knew why there was no cover charge. We promptly walked out, much to the chagrin of our much more Vegas-experienced uncle.