Paper Prototyping and Mandolin Music

Our student teams are divided and are working hard on the process of devising their paper prototyping. I have been going around to each team, watching the process and interacting in a non-instructional way. I've been trying to limit my interaction with them to the position of an interested bystander, who sees what they are doing and just asks questions of the process or "what if" type of interjections. It really is enjoyable to watch the thought processes of the students and to watch the personalities and the leadership emerge from the teams.

Weather has not been cooperating lately, but this is the first week it looks like we will be mostly in school for full days. Yesterday there was a two hour delay, but Monday was a normal day, and so is today. The big storm that has been hammering the rest of the country has missed our little valley here in West Virginia and we only ended getting hit with quite a bit of rain. It's warm, nearly 50, but the temperature is supposed to drop quickly this afternoon to well below freezing, so we shall see what the day brings us.

I'm siting here during my planning period and as I write, I'm listening to this beautiful recorded bit of artistry called Mandolin and Friends. Since 6:30 this morning, I have been looping endlessly a lovely song called Anna One. It is an old friend of mine. I first heard this collection as a home copied cassette given to me by a fellow mandolin player at a bluegrass festival in Columbus, Ohio in the mid 90's. It had no information with it as to players or songs, but I loved it from the first time I put in my tape deck. I literally wore it out playing it a number of years ago. Since then I have searched everywhere for it and could never find it. Last week, a bluegrass friend mentioned to me that he was playing this incredible CD called Mandolin and Friends and I about tackled him with excitement. It turns out it is was originally a Cracker Barrel CD, and is currently out of print. He was kind enough to make  a CD copy of it for me and I am a again getting reacquainted with this beautiful, all instrumental album.

I kissed my wife goodbye this morning in bed and got an early start here today. Looking forward to seeing my gamer kidz in 15 minutes. Life is a wonder.

PS.
Just as I finished proofreading the above, and was getting ready to publish, the bell rang and the game kids came in. I kept the music playing, thinking that I would elevate their ears and expose them to this beautiful melody.  Taylor, who sits right in front of my desk, came in, heard the music, looked around and said, "it sounds like Panera Bread in here."

Ah, the reality of my life among the teencreatures intrudes into my little early morning reverie.

I must go, they await.