Comments for kids 4-6

My C4K # 4 was a child from Mr Stephen Wolfe's class in Birmingham, Alabama. This is the closest child that I have commented on so far. I'm not sure it the children wasn't allowed to use there name but I never found a name on the blog. The blog was sad because the child was having a bad day and nothing was going the way that it should. The best thing about the blog was the teacher was paying attention and read it and told the child sorry for making the day worse in math. Even children have bad days where it seems everything just goes wrong and as teachers it is our responsibility to try and engage that child in things that will change the day and make it better if possible. I responded and said that I too had bad days sometimes and no matter who we are or our age that we all have our bad days, but it's how we keep our head high and work through them that matter the most. I tried to use encouragement to brighten the day!

My C4K #5 was Bobbie Grace in her 8th year of school at Pt England School in Mrs. Nua's class in classroom 20. Her Blog was about how to put a tent up and she went through every detail of how to do it. I responded to her blog telling her how she inspired me because in my Edm class I also had to teach someone to do something. Being nervous about the project seemed silly after I saw that she could do it and was brave. 

My C4K #6 was Micaela in Mrs Ms. Engalhards class. Micaela wrote a story called Zannaiahs journey and it was incredible. She wasn't finished with it and the way she ended it left you hanging but wanting more. I will be sure to go back and read it. Below I will share it with you because its just that great and she deserves more comments. I commented and let her know how much I enjoyed her writing and how well I thought she wrote. I also encouraged her to never stop writing because it will open many doors in the future. 

Zanniah was staring at a tall, shadowy figure.  “Zanniah,” she said, “You must travel to five of the ten dimensions to save them.  You are their only hope.  Even I cannot go beyond the border of this dimension.  Only you can save the world.”  Then she began repeating ”Only you can save the world.”  That was the last thing Zanniah heard before the mysterious person vanished into nothing as she awoke from her sleep.    That was the fifth night in a row she had had that dream.  She knew she had to do something.  It was a Saturday morning, when Zanniah was awakened from a sound sleep by the early morning sunshine.  She blinked as the golden light glinted in her eyes.  Then she scrambled out of bed and raced to her dresser to put on clean cloths.  She couldn’t wait to go outside.  She had been digging a huge hole and was eager to work on it again.  As she scrambled down the stairs and gulped down her breakfast, she thought about finally, after a whole week of dreams, getting her hands on her trusty shovel.  Then she told the mother she never had that she was leaving as she dashed out the door of the broken down house that she lived in.  She had no parents and the only thing she liked to do with her life was dig holes.  She didn’t know why, but she felt like the holes were the answer to the dreams.  “If there is something I have to do, this must be it,” she thought.

She ran all the way to the wash and started digging.  After only half of an hour, her shovel punched through the dirt into hollow space.  Quickly, Zanniah dug out the rest of the earth covering the hole.  Then, without a second thought, she jumped into the hole.  It looked like an ancient mansion, but it was not crumbling or falling apart.  She walked down a long, angular hallway that was painted a color that Zanniah thought didn’t have a name.  It looked sort of like mustard, only a tad bit more golden.

As Zanniah pause to consider these things, a huge wave flooded into the hall.  It swept Zanniah up and plunged her under into it’s current.  Zanniah was gasping for air, flailing her arms and legs against the current, but it was useless.  Just as Zanniah thought she would drown, the water flowed into another room, leaving her near a doorway.

Zanniah crept through, and then she saw that only a few feet away, was the top of a beautiful water slide that looked just like a river with a water fall.  It ended in what looked like island paradise.  Zanniah couldn’t resist, she slid all the way down the water slide, feeling the cool water slosh against her body.  She could hear different song birds twittering peacefully.  It felt purely wonderful.  When she was at the bottom, she stepped out.  After only a few steps, she was greeted by to by two boys bouncing with energy.  The taller of the two looked about her age; the other looked about six years old.  “Hi,” said the older boy,”My name’s Matthew, and this is my brother Andrew, but you can call us Matt and Andy.”

“Let us take you to our mother,” said Andy.  I don’t think she’s had any visitors since before my brother was born.  I’m sure she’ll be glad to have you here.”

Zanniah was totally taken aback, but she followed them nonetheless.  When the group reached the boys’ mother, Zanniah stared.  Their mother was the most beautiful person she had ever seen.  Her hair was wavy and black as the night sky.Her brown eyes twinkled in the sunlight.  She looked to be in her thirties.  She indeed looked glad to see her.  It looked like she might fall over.  After she got herself together, she said,”Hello, my name is Agitha.  Come with me, there is something I must tell you.”

Stay tuned to find out what Agitha has to say.

Blog Post # 9

What I've Learned This Year By:Mr. McClung

Mr. McClungs blog was what every aspiring teacher needs to read. There are so many truths in his blog that I already know from teaching a 4-K class and Sunday school. The thing that I can relate to him the most on is patience. Wow what patience we have to have as teachers and not only with our students but with fellow teachers and even ourselves. We have to learn that everything won't work out the way planned. That leads me to the quote he stated. No lesson is ever perfect. The lesson you teach and the one you plan are always different". That quote speaks so much truth because no matter what you plan, practice or write down you will think of things as you are presenting them. Just like if I wrote this blog again it would never be the same. This morning as I taught Sunday school my lesson turned a different way and had a different outcome than I had planned or ever expected. As teachers we have to strive to open up a door to our students and let them help teach with their ides, their imagination and their help because you never know what will come out of that. I think that it is awesome that Mr. McClung shared with us what he has experienced as a teacher so far and would love to keep in touch and hear more from the classroom. As a future teacher I am nervous about many things and need all of the inspiration that I can get to help me through the initial stage. 

Blog Post # 8

Richard E Miller This Is How We Dream Part 1 & 2 By: Richard Miller

Richard Miller, an English teacher at at Rutgers University was inspired at an early age by his home being filled with books and he loved reading them. His lecture emphasizes the speed of technology in our world today. As teachers we need to wake up and realize that change is appraoching fast and it is our job to keep up and learn all that we can to pass on to our students and classroom. The more we learn the more we can give back to our classroom. Just the fact that in three days his video reached nine thousand views is proof that technology is being used more now than ever.
Am I prepared to to write with multimedia?
Before I started this class I would say No. But now I would say that I am almost there thanks to EDM 310. I am now on board with technology and have worked up the courage to try and learn more and dig deeper. I can't teach my students to do something unless I know how to do it. So Yes I am now ready and excited to learn more.
Will my students be able to do this?
Yes they will because I am and I will do what it takes to pass it on to them. Kids are now introduced to so much technology at an early age so they are more adapt to learn faster. It also takes imagination when using it in the classroom. Our jobs as teachers is to present the new technology in a fun and interesting way so they will be ready to learn.
Miller inspired me in many ways by showing us how much technology is changing and it is only evident in EDM that this is true because we never open a book and have learned so much.

Chipper and EDM 310 for Dummies By: EDM 310

Chipper is a student that argues that procrastination is when you can still turn your work in late and still get it done. After watching the entire video you can see that Chipper completes nothing in life because of this. We have to work for what we get in life and this class is a great example of that. EDM 310 requires nine hours so the syllabus states. I can assure you I spend more time than that in this class and still feel like I sometimes don't do a great job. It's amusing how Chipper wants to be taught so she doesn't have to learn but wants to be a teacher some day. Wow! You have to continue learning throughout your career to be able to teach and give back to your students. The video was a great idea because it really made me think of how your life really does follow you so we have to strive to do things right and set an example. 

EDM 310 For Dummies is a book that we all need in this class and the video was exactly how me and a few of my group members have wanted to act about the class. I love how the video suddenly changed to the things that EDM has taught through all of the confusion. This is so me I have been so overwhelmed by life and work and school and assignments in this class but when I have done them and it's time to turn them in I feel so good and know that I now have something to offer my students that I wouldn't have before the class. In order to graduate we all have to take this class so we need to put forth our energy and do the best that we can and let it help us for our future in education.I am thankful for EDM 310 and Dr. Strange and all of the lad associates that have helped me make it this far. A special thanks to Anthony Capps who is always there lending a hand and giving us encouraging words to make it through. He has motivated me so much to finish my assignments and keep pushing through when things seem to get tough. Thanks EDM for helping me adapt to the new age of things. 

Learn to Change, Change to Learn  By: The Pearson Foundation


In this video many different educators share opinions on one similar idea and that is technology in our children's lives. " We have a classroom system when we should have a community system", is one of the many quotes used in this video and it really stood out to me. Our kids live as a community texting, chatting, emailing, facebook, myspace, youtube, and many more. But the school system takes the community out of learning. There is so much that we as communities can teach each other. Our students love technology and use it at home. Why not give it to them in the classroom. Instead these things are banned in the classroom.
Technology is not choice we have to have it now because the world revolves around it.
In EDM 310 I have had to change to learn and learn new things and from that I have learned so much. Change is not always bad it can be good and can be a learning tool in life no matter what change we have to make and as teachers I believe that change will be something that will face us forever. So let's all change to learn together and be better equipped teachers of the future.









The Secret Powers Of Time By: Professor Philip Zimbardo


Time is the secret to life for many reasons. We are always in a hurry and rush things when we should enjoy life. The first part of the video is so true people reflect on their lives in many different ways. People dwell on many different things in life and we have to move forward and not look back and create our own world.
I agree that our children especially guys are letting video games ruin their minds. I believe that there can be an unhealthy relationship with video games. I have a nephew that has no social skills and lives behind a tv screen and video game. I also believe that video games can be healthy as well and it is the parents job to monitor these activities. I still believe that technology in our classroom is a great addition to our school system.
The stats on family meals really surprised me. This is such an important part in family success. No matter how busy I get I will alway make sure that family time comes first.

Drive: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us By: Dan Pink

I am a firm believer that what we do for free to help others is much more important than anything that we do to for money. Sure being paid is great and we need it but knowing that we have made a difference in the world is worth more than money. I want to work hard as a teacher to make a difference in lives not just to make a paycheck. For an example, My major was nursing because I wanted to make good money but in my heart I longed to be a teacher and make a difference in a child's life. I quickly changed my major and let the better paying career go. 
I love when he said that people will work for free when they love what they do because they want to get better. They will also work other jobs for pay and do more work for free to do something that they think is making a contribution. In life we tend to be driven by doing good things for others. I know that I am. The above video is something I found that is similar to what Dan Pink was saying.

Smartboard Presentation

Project #10 1st Progress Report of PLN

I have set up my personal learning network and I was so excited to use it once I got it all working properly. I used symbaloo and found it to be a simple website. At this time I have added my EDM 310 blogspot, facebook, skype, gmail, youtube, cnn, google, twitter and will be adding much more soon. I have also introduced this site to friends and my teenage kids and they all love it. I will definitely use this tool throughout my teaching career in the future. 

Project #11

Comments for Teachers #2

                                                            http://blog.ischoolinitiative.com/
The teacher that I commented on was Travis Allen. He is a 21st century student that talks about how technology is improving education. In the first blog that I commented on he is talking about Ipads being a distraction in the classroom. He isnt saying that they are but he is telling how others complain about them.He uses the example that anything can be a distraction in the classroom and uses a pencil as a demonstration. Students doodle in all classes. On tables, papers, bookbags, desks, and even themselves. Everyone will get bored at some point especially if the teacher don't do his job to keep them engaged in class.
I commented and agreed because I myself find myself doodling in class if I get bored or drawing etc. We have to stay engaged in learning and that takes the help of our teachers. I believe with anything comes responsibility and if you choose to learn you will and if not then you won't.
His second post was about his first impressions of Ipads. It was a pretty short post but he had pictures and talked about how you can take notes.make flash cards and stay organized with the Ipad. I commented and said that I believe that having Ipads woul dhelp classrooms and how my daughter has her books in high school at home on the computer.

Blog Post # 7

Randy Pausch has a wonderful story and I encourage everyone to go watch this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo . He began his journey with the fact that he is terminally ill and has tumors and has only a few months to live. If he wouldn't have spoke a word of it I never would have guessed. His physical appearance would never give you that idea and the enthusiasm that he shows is not what you would expect form someone so sick. This from the beginning proves his passion for life and education. He began his lecture listing his dreams and I was thinking ok where will he go with this. He proved that we all have dreams and goals and no matter how simple they are all very important and even when we don't achieve the dream we do achieve experience.
This lecture really made me want to work harder as a teacher to add fun and creativity. I love what Pausch said about not giving up on someone. In my past no one gave up on me and thats a blessing because we all need people to keep us going and help us keep our head high. I want to be this type of teacher to always stay right behind my students and helping them along the way and who knows maybe in the future they will remember that about me. Pausch will forever remember his football coach because of this.
Pausch continues by telling how he said next I can help other children achieve their childhood dreams. I love how he not only worried about his dreams but also others. He was a teacher that pushed you to believe that the impossible can happen.
 He believed in surprising others and making other people smile so he began a class where students can use their imagination and technology and make people smile and laugh and get excited about things. Pausch said that the course helped in bonding with each other. He believed that the world was good if people were standing close to each other. This is so true and it made me think of how close our world is today. Our world has lost that bonding and many are all about helping themselves and I love how Pausch was the type of teacher to help others.
The creativity that Pausch believed in while teaching is exactly how I feel about being a teacher. I want to have fun and have creativity in my classroom as I believe that will help the student stay engaged and learn more. Dr. Strange I want to thank you for introducing me to Pausch because I now have a teacher to look up to and strive to be like him. I want to teach edutainment just like he did and have fun while learning. He was a man that taught about loyalty, fun, excitement, creativity and never giving up on yourself or each other. Another great link for the last lecture is http://www.thelastlecture.com/.
To know that you have a terminal illness would make many think about themselves and only themselves and their family but he didn't. He still believed in others and inspired them, even by leaving this legacy of his last lecture. To top it off he ended his lecture with a surprise for his wife. What a heart! Thanks Randy Pausch!