Checking up on things-Thing 7a

Looking over the feeds is not difficult, just remembering to look at them is what's difficult. I know it's summer, but all I want to do is be a bum, that's what I subscribed to the comic feed, for a hardy chuckle. There also has to be some seriousness in my life, other then my own. I found a couple of stories from the New York Post about energy shots and student loans brought the more adult part of my life to light, that includes the bills. If you haven't seen these stories you should check them out and see what you think.

Make it happen-Thing 12

Am I dreaming? Looking at all these tools has opened my eyes. There are so many things that I can do with all of them, not only for my class but for personal things. I've looked at most of these tools and what they can do. I like the Gliffy and Jigzone. If you ever have to use chart or use charts on a regular basis, Gliffy is the place for you. Jigzone is fun, especially for those who want to take a breather. That's what I did, a couple of times.

Reaching for the sky-Thing 9

It is true what they say, "A picture is worth a sound words." This past year, I would put a picture and my kids were to write about what they saw in the picture. It took them a little bit but they were able to get it done. When I took a look at flickr, I typed the word family and I found several pictures that I would use. When this pictures popped up I had ideas bouncing in my head left and right. I knew which pictures I could use to explain different concepts that my kids need to know. I'm glad that flickr was introduce to me because now I know where to go when I need the right picture to explain what I'm trying to say. This picture represents my theme, reaching for the sky and walking on the clouds.

Let's get creative--Together! Thing 8

When I was in high school, I had a teacher that gave a project at the beginning of my senior year. She told me that ths would be the only grade I would get all year. I was kinda nervous about this project because I had never ever been given this type of liberty before, so I decided that I would go for it. She gave the One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez to read and I was to make a play out of it. I thought to myself, what the heck did I get myself into. First of all it was my senior year, I was supposed to be lazy, secondly I didn't like to read, third I had to read the book in Spanish and write it the play in Spanish. The next thing that I thought was whatever she was on I wanted some because it would make this project a whole lot easier and I was hoping she was still on it when she read my project. To make a long and great (tooting my own horn here-beep beep) story short I finished the project and received an A for my play. After reading my project she gave a packet on copyrighting and added I needed to do this for this play. I didn't really understand what copyrighting is and it was my senior year. Through out the years, I have come across many things that have the "Big C" on it and new what it meant, can't use this! I've not come across any thing with the cc on it, but now know what to do with it when I do see it.

OOOPPPPssss Thing 6

I'm just gonna say it. I'm nosey! Growing up I would listen at the door or on the phone when my sisters were talking to their boyfriends. Getting two phone lines in house just made it easier to listen to what people were saying. I thought that it was cool to listen in on conversations that my older siblings were having. I was like a spy trying to prevent a serious war or assination; or at least I thought so. The reader is a great tool to help me fulfill that need to be nosey. I have always been a plethera of useless knowledge, and this is another way I can find out more without having to leave the comfort of my own home. I enjoy the New York Post feed. It's awesome.

Making it. Thing 7

You know as I go through the course, I'm fascinated about all the stuff that is out there. I want to know more. As I go through all the other blogs and leave comments, I hope that I'm leaving some kind of mark, other then just the symbols that stand for words. I want to say so much but just not sure if what I'm saying is coming across the way that I want it. I think that as I go it will be easier. I hope. Who knows, I may be a top 100 blogger.

Blogging about the reader-thing #5

So I'm laying bed learning about the reader thinking to myself, how can I use this. Well I really don't know the answer. As I went through the reader and actually read through some of the blogs, it dawned on me that there are so many things that I can do. Hello current events. In my family we have this time where we discuss about how things are going in our lives. What we are not happy about, what tickles us pink and how the world effects us at that moment. There are so many areas where this can be applied. I wondered if I can get my kids to actually use this and apply it daily. That will be a feet it's self. Getting them to get in touch with the outside world open their minds and raise their own expectations for the year. I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it. I'm ambitious and have high expectations for all of my students. I know that most people do not get to experience the world like we would all like, however this tool can help us experience the world from own homes. I was reading the New York Times and saw many different stories that fascinated me. I read World Cup Strikes and thought to myself, "Is Africa really that far behind?". South Africa is a hub industry and fashion and they are first chosen in Africa to host an event like the world cup on the continent. Growing up I saw the world (on TV) played in France, Mexico, and the US. I realized how powerful this tool is after thinking that to myself. I just travel half way around the world in pajamas.

Ok here it finally is, Thing #4

On thing I've notice about blogg writing is how literal it is. You don't have to paint a picture for you to understand what is the author is talking about. It's funny, you tell your students to be more expressive. Let me see what you're seeing, help me put a picture in my mind. But blog writing is nothing like that. For example, Patrick's Update is what he's thinking and want's to accomplish not fantasy. I think the most interesting part is the realism of it all. How we see is how we write. After reading these post most, you realize that most will not be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize or the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature (if there is a prize). But you see what they want to say in simple, non-dramatic modern terms. It's simple what they are saying. One thing that I notice that you feel and see expression in simplistic feelings. Like musicians who want to express their feelings in the music and the lyrics of songsm these writers want you to see what they are seeing and doing by simple means. What I'm trying to say is that it's easy.

Things 2

Have you ever gone into a toy store and said to yourself, "Man I wish they had this stuff when I was kid." After watching the digital learners clip and the other clips, I was saying the samethings. Learning has taking a whole new direction, and we as teachers have to keep up. Watching those clips made me think of what I need to do to better prepare my students to be better learners in this world. Now a days these kids literally have the world at their finger tips. The can be in two places at once without having to leave the comfort of their own house. The can be in Hawaii watching Mt Kiliua erupt while being in the Indian Himilayas tracking a Yeti on Mt Everest. Yes this is physically imposibile, but learning is not. These kids are going to have a global culture at the touch of their finger tips. We need to catch them and us up to the world in order to compete with those nations that will have the man power to be successful in the world.

What do you get out of it?

Ok so let's see. Learing, we all have to do to it! That's my thought. No i'm kidding Learning is a lifelong process, we start from day one until our very last breathe in this world. We are constintly learning, no matter how we do it. The thing we have to remember is what we keep after our session is done. After watching the video for 7 1/2 habits, I've realized how fun this may acctually be. For me the thing that will be most difficult will be getting everything done. I will have to keep on target with everything and not slack off too much, just every once in while. I think I'll be ok if I just remember to do what I'm supposed to do. The easiest thing is most definitely be playing. I get to play on the computer, ond of all my all time favorite things to do. I liked how the video began with "Begin with the end in mind" It kinda goes with one of my favorite sayings, "To know where you going, you have to remember where you came from," just in reverse.