Sunsets and Summer

Sunsets and Summer

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Six traits word choice.


I am starting a writing course for young writers and the instructor was asking if anyone uses the six steps in writing. What do you know, I found this on watchknow!

I'm soooo tired!:(


Just when I thought I was finished and had a fabulous Xtranormal video, if I do say so myself! I spent, no lie, a total of six hours trying to make my digital footprint into a movie. Most would have given up and that is what I should have done but no. I'm a little stubborn that way. I think it was too long and that is why "ERROR" kept coming up. Oh well I didn't quit so that's a good thing. Once again 10:11P.M. Time to go do a little reading for my next class, a writing workshop for grades K-3. I was looking through the watchknow.org and I came across an eleven year old who is a published author and a seasoned presenter. Check out my next blog for more.:)

Saturday, January 30, 2010

You Tube and the Pic Pac


I showed this to the Pic-Pac. They thought the cell phone ringing was very funny. They are planning a veggie garden for this year and Matthew is going to turn off all the lights!:) They were very impressed that these students made this by themselves and would love to be able to do this as well. When given the tools it is amazing what can be accomplished!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Kim Cofino K12


I wish every child, person could have the opportunity to be immersed in a new country and culture. How exciting and educational would that be?!

Little Kids, Big Possibilities-K12


This conference gave a list of links to visit that would be a good resource for educators in Early Childhood Education.

You Might be a 21st Century Leader if...

A peek for a week in a Kiwi Classroom-K12


The Outsiders-Using Web 2.0 tools-K 12

I thought the instructor did an amazing job bringing his reluctant writers to the "Outsiders". Wikipedia brought them pictures of gangs and took the same journey as the characters did through the use of google maps and google street through Tulsa.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Still Here...K-12 Conference


I watched Kim Cofino: Going Global. When I first started watching I was trying to see where I fit in and the reality of this happening due to the economy, cut backs and budgets. It doesn't really make sense to take from our future, the children. They are our future and they are who we need to invest in, not bridges over Gillette Stadium. Well I guess I am getting off track. I really enjoyed the students views, the 3rd culture kids. I would love for my children to have the opportunities that they have through the International Schools. However our children can have similar opportunities by connecting with and collaborating with other classrooms around the world!

Ending tonight with Animoto.

I chose this song because there was a sign post with these words on it; Lost, Unsure, Confused, Perplexed, Bewildered, Disoriented and Unclear. These words describe how I felt after the first few classes. I was amazed by all that we were shown, I was frustrated and discouraged because I couldn't figure out how to do it! I couldn't figure how I got to places and then how to get back there! So here is an Animoto that I made to end the evening!:)

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

The"Light Bulb" just went on!


I wanted to use pictures other than the ones on the computer and I did it, ALL BY MYSELF!:) I am very pleased with myself. I have learned so much that I haven't been able to process it all. I was very discouraged and frustrated in the beginning. I am becoming more comfortable with the computer more adventurous! I know it has taken a while for my "light bulb" to turn on, and I think it may be one of the ones that shines brighter the longer it is on (energy-efficient) and that is ok. I must say I have been looking at some of the other projects and they are soooooo good, I get discouraged. I have the tools, I am still working on how to use them, properly!

Flat World...Web Cams...Google Earth...


Wow! This is amazing! My husband has shown me Google Earth and our town, street and even our house. That was amazing and also a little scary. Scary because who knows who is watching you!? Still it is very cool! When we saw the Flat Earth clip I was thinking of the second grade class and their very outdated social studies book with the picture of the "world" that they were looking at. How cool and exciting it would be if they could actually see the "whole world"...TODAY!? Click on the continents, a city, a town, an ocean etc. and GO THERE! Wow I hope that I can learn how to bring the world to my students!:) I choose the picture of Bora Bora because someday my husband and I would like to go there, for now we will just look at it!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Math Made Compelling...Kiva


Building a thought-filled curriculum serves the larger agenda of building a more thought-filled world–an interdependent learning community where people continually search for ways to care for one another, learn together, and grow towards greater intelligence. We must deepen student thinking to hasten the arrival of a world community…” (Arthur L. Costa, “The Thought-Filled Curriculm”, Educational Leadership, 2008) I wanted to use this quote because unfortunately, I don't know how many children are asked to think of others. President John F. Kennedy's speech comes to mind, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your county." Maybe students will start to think of others, by helping people around the world, and at home. This is a wonderful way for students to become actively involved in making their world a little bit brighter. To feel good about themselves!:)

Monday, January 18, 2010

In The Begining...October, 2009


I was very overwhelmed after the first class, actually I felt like I was entering a whole new world, a very foriegn world! I did cry when I got home, I didn't think I would make it. When I first started this course I could e-mail and sometimes I could send and e-mail and that is it! When I started as a Title I tutor at H.E.S. in 2008 I was added to the Staff E-mail, my very first e-mail and "password". We have four boys and that is what I have been focusing on for the last 13 years, raising polite, kind, considerate young boys (men). They are still our main priority, however the youngest ones are almost 7 and it is time for me to get back into the workforce. So 21st Century here I come!:)