C4K for November

Week 12 This week I had a little girl named Goldie F, an 8th grader from Iowa. She blogged about moving to a new area, with a new school, and new friends. It all seemed very scary to her at first and it was obvious from her behavior she described. She had an attitude with her mom and was very grouchy during her trip to her new home. Once the family was settled and school was in, the little girl had no problem fitting right in. I informed her on my comment to her that new places with new people take a little time to get used to, but it soon gets better after a little attitude adjusting. Week 13 This week I had the pleasure of reading another one of Goldie F's blogs. This week I read of a three way love triangle between a mother, the father, and a friend that plays both sides of the fence. Which can be dangerous on the 3rd party's behalf. Trinity is a mother and Shane is the father. I was not told the third party's name, but I know she talks bad about the mother to the father and talks bad about the father to the mother. There is a possibility that Shane is not the father and the unknown "friend" tells him because he/she likes him. Goldie's story is a story of scheming. It was interesting and can be a life lesson to others. I also had the pleasure of commenting on Marie Antoinette's blog as well. She showed great appreciation to the veterans for their service. I think this was an excellent gesture being that Veteran's Day just pasted. Week 14 I commented on a young student's blog that created a story of a deep sea diver named Tom. Tom went looking for treasure, when he encountered an octopus with the same desire for the treasure as he. Tom fought off the octopus and came out triumphant. When came back to surface he shared his findings with his friends. I commented on the story and told her how I liked her story and how brave Tom was. I thought it was nice that he shared his treasure with his friends and asked does she share like Tom does.

C4T Summary and Comment

Week 13
Student Tech Team: Student Leadership in Action This week I was assigned to comment on Kim Confino's blog on her formation of a Student Tech Team. The main focus of the team is student leadership. With this program students are able to share their expertise with others. With tutorial videos the students can continue to help students become more efficient and effective with technology. Also students learn about blogging, connected learning communities which has a positive impact on the growth, reputation, and skills set of the team. With supportive and helpful parents, Mrs Confino's leadership program has proved, so far, to be successful; and students have to opportunity to teach the teachers. They help teachers understand why they use technology the way they do and help teachers become more efficient and effective with what they do on their laptops.

I commented on Kim's blog and let her know that I thought her leadership program is an excellent idea that teaches students leadership, responsibility, and prepare them for furthering their education. I agree with her reasoning for coming up with the student program.

Last week I was assigned to comment on a teacher's blog who thought it would be a fun, exciting, and interesting thing to do to mix the harder subjects with the easier subjects. For example, Math would be a topic in Physical Education. I thought this was a good idea because it gives students a chance to take their least favorite subject and turn it into one of their favorites! I informed this particular teacher that I would like to learn more about the idea. Being that I absolutely hate Math, I thought this was something that I could use in my classroom with other subjects. Great Idea!!

Blog Post #11

First Graders in Mrs. Cassidy's Class

The video on Mrs. Cassidy's first grade class was amazing. These kids are doing the exact same thing that we as college students are doing. Skype, Wiki, Blogging, etc. are all things that EDM 310 are doing. I would have loved to already have been knowledgeable on the subject, but technology was not as big as it is now. The kids in Mrs. Cassidy's classroom are fun and excited about learning and that is what learning is all about.
I could not get the skype video of Mrs. Cassidy to load so I was not able to experience or see what she had to say.I would have loved to sit and listen to her experiences.

C4T Summary and Comment

My C4T last week and this week was Kelly Hines. In her post last week she presented bloggers with the idea of combining the subject of Math and Literature in order to create a easier method for students to learn. I personally thought it was a wonderful idea. I did not particularly understand how that would work, but it seems like a different yet unique way of educating the youth. Math is a hard subject so to combine that with a subject that I personally prefer seems like a great idea.
This week Mrs. Hines' post gave insight to a great way to celebrate and share your joy of the holidays. By sending out holiday exchange cards with the ones you love and care for the most. The holiday exchange cards also allows the class to talk and share with other classrooms via skype. I think this is a great way to spread the holiday cheer with peers. Technology has came such a long way that it only makes it easier to spread the good word. Thank you to Mrs. Kelly Hines and Jen.

C4K Summaries for October

Week 7 This week I commented on Autumn's Blog. She a student in the 9th grade that enjoys her "Quality of Life". She has a couple of concerns about the school's hallway traffic in between classes, but other than the minor problems, she is enjoying meeting new friends and raising her grades. She gives her definition of quality of life, which I feel is excellent wording for that bundle of words. Week 8 This week I commented on CourtneyAnn's blog on the presidential debate. She had a very solid and accurate statements about both parties. I like her post because it is unbiased. She states the point that each debater argues. Although only one came across as making sense. However, I do look forward to reading her next blog on the debate. Mainly because she pays attention to detail. In her blog she talks about body language, tone and settings. Week 9 This week I was assigned to Bradley's post. He gave a very detailed description of his stay at his Uncle Mike's house in Missouri. He and is friends/cousins played dodge ball. He seem as if he enjoyed himself. Bradley is a good writer. Week 10 This week I am assigned to comment on a 2nd grader's blog from Birmingham, AL. The name was not given, just the letter "M" so I chose Marshall's Blog. She gave key in site and descriptions of a black widow. I thought it was interesting and healthy for her to know about possible dangerous insects so if she/he ever encounter one, they are able to protect themselves.

Project #14 Smart Board Presentation

Project #11

Blog Post #10

John T. Spencer Comic Strip

The saying "A picture says a thousand words" is so true when it comes to this particular  comic strip. In my opinion, this picture is telling its viewers that cheap is not always the best deal. I personally, always choose quality over quantity. With economy as bad as it is, cheap seems to be the best way. When in actuality the cheap product breaks easily and the buyer ends up spending more money on the same exact thing they just bought.

Buying the more expensive products might not always be going through your mind or in your budget, but it proves to be more durable, made of better materials, and can possibly give you a better outcome.  So stop being so cheap!!

Why Were Your Kids Playing Games??

I get the idea that the writer of <a href="http://pencilintegration.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-were-your-kids-playing-games.html">Why Were Your Kids Playing Games</a> is trying to make. Not all of your co-workers or bosses will be on board with your teaching methods. Although, games are a part of the student's everyday lives and when education is converted into a game it could possibly help them with there lessons it is still a sort of distraction. Life is not a game, so be creative in your efforts to teach your students.

Mr. McLeod's Blog Post

Let me start by saying I totally agree with Mr. McLeod. I think all of this technology stuff is too much. Its a detraction from the real education of society. Technology only makes learning a game and life is not a game. I have stated in my blog post before that I am a fan of the old ways of learning. Paper, pen, textbooks, libraries, etc, and I see that I am not the only one in favor. Mr. McLeod made the comment of traditional learning vs. modern learning and he wants to see who is going to be ahead in the end. Well, I personally believe the people who can function and maintain after a power outage will lead the society.