Final Thoughts

I have really enjoyed the Blogging 101 class.  Since I will be transitioning to English Writing next year, I can see many useful ways to incorporate a class blog or to encourage my students to create their own in my classes.   I think students and parents will enjoy visiting the blog for classroom information as well.

Posting pictures and videos is also super easy - I need to take my camera to school more often.  There are so many fun gadgets, and I have seen some fabulous blogs that my peers have created.  Learning from a variety of people has allowed me to become more creative by learning how to download templates from other online resources, and ways they will use in their blogs in the classroom.  Allowing student writers to incorporate other types of creativity into their writing may help them to enjoy it more - who knows?

My blog is definitely a work in progress and I have already created a separate one for my English class.

Outside the Classroom Walls - School Tour

At the end of the year, the Traveler team went to the Western Durham Heritage Museum and then took a walk over the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge.  At the museum, we viewed the Pulitzer Prize photo exhibit, toured trains, and most of the students enjoyed the concession stand which served coca-cola in "old-fashioned" glass bottles, popcorn, and candy cigarettes.

Students interacting with the bronze statues.

Inside an "old-fashioned" train.

The tour guide provides some an interesting facts about 19th century life in Omaha.

One of our students enjoying an exhibit.

Students have fun in the tepee.

The best part of the day was buying Coca-Cola in a bottle and popcorn.

We can be in Nebraska and Iowa at the same time!

Students walk the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge.

A view of downtown Omaha from the bridge.

The Travelers of Lewis and Clark enjoying a beautiful day and field trip.

Blogger note: 1) I am not good at taking photos while I am teaching, so I don't have any of our school.  2) Thanks to John Kawula for sharing field trip pictures. 

Student Activities

This last year seemed like one of my best years as far as getting to know my students.  My home life can be pretty demanding with my husband travelling, the usual kid activities, and the fact that I need some one to care for my 14 year old daughter with Down syndrome after school.  I have been able to tutor students on occasion, but some of my more athletic students have wanted me to attend their Lewis and Clark sports competitions.  I am proud to say that this last year, I finally made it to a track meet.  What an awesome event and I got to see my students from last year and this year compete.  When we returned to school, I went and spoke to each of these students to let them know I was proud of their abilities.  Thanks to Ann Feldmann for getting me to the track meet which by the way came in the middle of shopping for graduation parties.  Fun times!   One of the parents posted this video and in turn, I posted it to my Edmodo account in case students didn't know it was out there.  It sparked good conversation and promoted our Lewis and Clark cohesiveness.

Classroom Expectations - The Three "R's"

At the beginning of the year, my students have the opportunity to discuss the three rules that I have for my classroom, and determine "That's Okay, That's Not Okay" behaviors during instruction time, group work time, and individual work time.

1. Be Respectful.
2. Be Responsible.
3. Be Resourceful

I believe that when students are in control of their own behavior, classroom management is much easier.  So, I don't have a long list of rules that I create.  In groups, students discuss what the "Three R's" might mean, and then as a whole class, they create a poster of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Welcome to Mrs. Hudgens' Class Blog!

Hi, I am Mrs. Hudgens and I will be starting my 4th year at Lewis and Clark Middle School.  I have taught Broadcasting and Tech and Living for another school district, and Math 7 and Pre-Algebra for Bellevue Public Schools.  I completed my student teaching at Logan Fontenelle Middle School, teaching Math and Life Science.

I  have a degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Southern California, and a Middle School Education degree (Grades 4-9) from Peru State College.  I am certified to teach Math, Language Arts, History, Biological Sciences and Physical Education.

This next year, I am teaching three sections of English writing and two sections of 7th grade math.

My daughter Kirsten will be a freshman at Northwest Missouri State this year, and will play for the school volleyball team.  Kelli, my youngest daughter will be a freshman at Papillion La-Vista South High School.  My husband Jeff is retired military, so I understand the unique needs of military students and their families as well as special education students.

Please visit this site frequently to keep up with the daily, weekly, and monthly news!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at melanie.hudgens@bpsne.net.