Comment from pome lover

Exceptional

Rhonda - this is fantastic and so needed. Bravo for you!
You may think this is crazy, but why not present this idea to the White House? What could it hurt? Pres. Trump wants to improve our education system.
By the way, I live in SA, also a Southern gal (originally from GA.)
I'm sure your program is getting a lot of attention - as it should.
Good luck.
Katharine - pome lover

 Comment Written 18-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2017

Thank you so much, Katharine. It's funny, but I lived for quite a while in Georgia, and I was telling my District Science Coordinator yesterday when I was presenting this at a Science Convention, that I got a lot of my ideas for this from my early years in Georgia. I told her I didn't know what it was, but even waaay back then, the teachers there had the right idea about education. I told her they were ahead of their time.

I hope to present this at another conference in November for the State of Texas. I do hope it catches on, but am still in the developmental stages of it, and don't have any clue how to make it known any larger than Texas.

Thanks for your comments, and six star rating!! They are very helpful!!!

Rhonda

reply by pome lover on 19-Feb-2017

well, I wish you lots of luck!
Yes, I remember my teachers in Georgia and they were good and strict.

Comment from MelB

Excellent

I was terrible at Chemistry, Rhonda. But, this looks like a wonderful program and a great idea to try and keep students engaged. It does seem the intelligent ones can get bored easy and need something to keep them challenged.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2017

Thank you so much for the input. Yes, the bright kids often get into trouble because they'r bored. I am just trying to do something different to shake things up a bit.

Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from royowen

Excellent

It looks like you're developing a source of involvement and purpose for students, parents and teachers alike to form a governing set of principles to give impetus to motivation learning, not having been a teacher, I'm unable to offer sage advice or understanding, my wife might being a teacher, (still going in retirement) well done, Rhonda, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2017

Thank you so much for your comments, Roy. I have been working on this program for several months and am going to present it at a conference in a week and a half and wanted some input from all of you to try to get some more ideas.
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts on it.
Take care,
Rhonda

reply by royowen on 09-Feb-2017

Well done, clever soul,

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Wow, Rhonda, this sounds very interesting. Didn't know you're a chemistry teacher as well. What an opportunity for gifted youngsters to have a teacher like you for inspiration. All the best. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2017

Thank you, Ulla. Yes, I'm a chemistry teacher. I decided to try something new with the kids to help them get engaged in learning. Take care,
Rhonda

Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Excellent

A chemistry teacher. I am impressed. This sounds great. Had I have taken chemistry in high school, I think I would have really liked this. In my school, you had to take physics first, and I dropped out at the end of the semester. I really regretted that when taking the 8 semesters of chemistry and chem lab in college, LOL~Debbie

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2017

Thank you for your comments and review, Debbie. I did take chemistry in high school, but not physics and suffered while taking it in college. I do hope this makes the kids like chemistry more. It's a hard sell subject for most of the kids. So far they seem to be having fun, and their grades are definitely up.

Thanks again,
Rhonda

Comment from prettybluebirds

Excellent

Excellent. You're a chemistry teacher too? That is impressive and interesting, How do you find time to write and keep up your classes as well? Your course looks interesting, but who am I to say? I know less than nothing about chemistry.

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2017

I think chemistry is fun, but I might be in a minority in this world. lol.
I am always busy doing something. Farming, writing, teaching, sewing, whatever.
When I had the head injury last year, I was told to go on "brain rest", which meant I couldn't watch TV, go on the computer, read, or hardly breathe. I told them my brain didn't know how to rest. It was like a prison sentence.

Thanks for the review!!
Rhonda

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Excellent

I found this most interesting, Rhonda - something different that drew me in -
makes the mind tick over and sparks the imagination. It all sound rather challenging, but an excellent way to helping groups of gifted students towards their goal. I hope it's all a great success.

Blessings, Margaret

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2017

Thank you so much, Margaret. I seldom post true stories, and this is the first time ever for an essay type, but I was hoping for some suggestions. I'm having fun, and so are the kids, but we are working very hard. I had to make an audio recording of a lecture to post on their website to review. It turned out horrible, but I'll keep working on it. haha.

Thanks so much,
Rhonda

Comment from robina1978

Excellent

Lovely photo that complements the first part of your story very well. I see your intention to spread tech around more people. Original subject. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2017

Thank you so much for the wonderful review. Yes, technology is one of the focuses of the program, but self-reliance and thinking outside the box is another. Many GT students get lost in the shuffle because they typically don't do well with the traditional sitting in their seats taking notes style. I'm trying to get them to use their brilliant minds for something besides making my life miserable, haha.

Have a great week,
Rhonda

Comment from Heidi M

Excellent

Love it, Rhonda. I used a program called BizWorld with my sixth-grade math classes where they learned the basics of business and entrepreneurship by doing it, not reading about it. Students who have come back from college to visit comment on remembering the program and what they learned from it. Your program reminded me of it because of the CEO, CFO, CMO, etc. We used those in BizWorld and each job had specific tasks. The highlight for the students was when they 'sold' their finished products to the other students in the school. Kids who have/see tangible goals are going to be motivated.

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2017

Wow, Heidi, that sounds so much like this program! The kids are already selling their products to each other and their teachers. Granted a lot of them decided to make their business in the food industry. We got in trouble (not much) for the kids "selling" their food as we aren't allowed to sell anything not prepackaged or prepared in a "professional" kitchen. They sell to teachers, though. the coins are virtual, like on this site, but they have to present their company to the teachers, before they "buy" them.
Thank you for sharing your story!!
Rhonda

Comment from Alex Biasin

Excellent

This seems like an excellent idea to me.
I can imagine that your students will get a lot out of this, adding an extra layer to just the ordinary experience of class room learning.

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2017

Thank you, Alex. I just wanted to try something different! I appreciate you reading it!