Dusting off the Old Lesson Plans

So, today I was looking at my lesson plans for next week and one of my co-teachers came across a fun website for kids. It’s at http://www.coolmath4kids.com. We’re doing a unit on Rockefeller, Carnegie, and the millionaires (yawn). :sleepy2: When I get bored with a unit, I KNOW the kids get bored. The last few years, we’ve done a business simulation where the kids would make and sell products using play money. It was fun, but it got a little out of hand with parents buying expensive craft items, despite our warnings not to spend any outside money. So this time we’re going to let them play the lemonade stand game where they have to vary the amount of lemons, sugar, and ice they buy–plus, they can regulate their own prices and try to make the most profit. Hopefully they’ll have fun, and it’ll be a much shorter unit, too! You can check out the lemonade stand game here. :dancingfool: There are a few browser settings you might have to tinker with, but it’s a neat game.

I’m still meandering around with the new book…it has now turned into 3 books. Book one is Lady Isolde and the Last Crusader, basically an Indiana Jones style romantic adventure set in medieval times. Book two is not yet titled, but I’m playing around with variations of Lady Warrior or something like that. The gist is a female warrior who raids a castle and conquers the hero…only to find out that she’s conquered the wrong guy. Book three is I Dream of Johnny a romantic comedy which is basically what happens when a contemporary heiress opens a whiskey bottle :drunk: and a sexy gunslinger emerges, ready to grant her three wishes. :rambo: It’s Paris Hilton meets Billy the Kid.

But all three are so much fun, I’m waffling around, trying to commit. I think I have commitment problems in the early stages of a book. Usually I piddle around, adding a page here and a page there (and with three going simultaneously, you can bet I have the equivalent of 20 odd pages). Then suddenly, one of them grabs me and won’t let go. :shark: That’s how I decide which book to write next. That, or if an editor wants to see it. I’m easy. :whistle: No word yet on that front, which is good news, I’m sure.

In any case, I’m savoring my last low-key days before the kids arrive on Tuesday. :bath: Everyone have a great Labor Day weekend, for those of you about to travel!