Tradition...

Tradition...hmmm. I have always thought of what my previous teachers have done and what I will take from them to my own classroom. The article that was read today just gave me an eye opening; what traditions will I take to my classroom that no other teacher (that I know of) has done before? What can I do to make my classroom and my teaching that special to my students. It is important to build a community in a room- I know that. But will I do something quirky? Something sentimental? Something every day/week/month/year? Hmmmm.....Tradition.

The End

I cannot believe the end of our first session is just two days away!!! I am excited to move on, but also scared because the course work is going to be more intense. I am ready to start decorating my classroom! I have been there a few times. I think I have all of the furniture moved to where I think I want it...although I will probably end up changing it about three more times befor students come. I have so any ides and so much to do before August 9th! Yikes! I know it will all come together- and that makes me really excited.

I have a lot coming up the next 8 weeks- 2 new CADRE classes, Lucy Calkins training, PLC conference in Chicago, report for meetings!! So many new experiences! Can't (and yet can) wait!

Article Review 3

I read the article on the UNOTechnology blog- Does Your Teen Need a break from all that technology. The article was fairly easy to read. I liked where they had the examples from real parents and also examples from experts. I know when I was a teenager I often did my homework or studied while listening to music. This way it wasn't so quiet that I couldn't stand it and it wasn't as distracting as having my family around. I think there was a good point made in the article- multitasking is a skill people need to have. There was also the other side of that fence- people need to know when and where multitasking is appropriate (example: don't text and drive).
Another good point to consider would be making sure the teen is doing his/her work accurately while they are multitasking. Parents still need to be monitoring their children as they study or do homework to make sure they are on task and getting the work done correctly if there is technology involved in the work. With the technology today, it is very easy to access whatever you would like- so monitoring time on the computer may be a good thing for parents to do. This article would be good for parents to read and understand that some kids can multitask and stay on task- while others need to monitor the time they multitask during homework/study/etc.

Article Review #2

I read the article that was posted on the UNOtechnology blog..."School turns page on technology with e-reader textbooks". The article was about a school in Florida that is taking books out of the curriculum and replacing them with E-readers. what I took from this article: I found that article to be a good idea, but I also have opposing views as well. It is a good idea because then students will have a lighter load to carry, but on the opposite side of things, kids break things. Has the school come up with a plan if too many e-readers are broken? What will they do when the funds run out? How have the students responded to the technology.

I agree with implementing technology into the classroom and learning about it, but I also learn better from a book. My eyes hurt when I read a screen to long, so I wonder if the students at this school are having any issues with that as well. I do the the positive side of the E-readers. If a student forgets a book at school, the problem would be prevented because all of the books are downloaded already. If student needs a planner and something that is always with them, again the E-reader would be there.

This article pointed out that they are the only ones testing this across the country and even in the world, so maybe then some of my questions would be answered.

Work Time...

Today's work will determine most of my grade for both of my classes thus far. I have a lot of time to work on my choice projects for technology, thank goodness! This afternoon and evening I will be working with cohorts to finish edit my lit review and finish my lit review. Tomorrow I will be both relieved and nerve racking at the same time. I will be relieved that my lit review is done for 3 days...and nervous to see what feedback I will get back! Either way, it will be a nice feeling! I still have a lot to do for my technology class, that will come Friday and Saturday I hope! Off to work!

Stranger Danger

Today we are working on iMovie...I hope we can finish it and it will flow together and look nice. It has been pretty funny to put together...mostly because I was named the "creep/stranger" in the movie...and it is EMBARASSING. So just a little personal disclaimer- I am not a creep and I do not bribe small children with lollipops and ice cream! But it was fun to creat the video and I hope you learn something...

Procrastination...

Procrastination...something I said I would NOT do...hmm. How is that going you ask? Well, I had set a goal in Char and Kelly's class to really work hard on NOT procrastinating. Some days I am very prepared and feel good...other days I am overwhelmed, today-both. Between work and exhaustion-I have to fit a paper in. I have two days to pump out my first master level paper, and well I'm not sure I am ready. I worry that it will not be to the level they are expecting it to be when it is time to get graded. A learning experience? Can we call it that...since this is the first, they can only get better right?

I took a break from my lit. review the other day and started working on my technology class assignments. I am glad they are just "due" the last week of class. It gives me a little sense of wiggle room. I have 3-5 mostly completed and ready to be graded. I have enjoyed making these things and really hope that I will be able to incorporate them into my classroom. After class today, I really would love a smart board! It generated so many more ideas and ways for me to think about using one since I have not used one before.

Back to the lit. review...NIGHT!

TGIF?

I am feeling excited for the weekend so I can have time to concentrate on my research...but I am feeling overwhelmed because I feel like I am behind. I am not sure where others are, but I feel unsuccessful with my research. So I have taken the advice from class, since I am frustrated I have asked for help! I am hoping to tackle a lot of this research today. I have gotten up early, feeling a bit tired, but motivated! Since it is storming out it is a perfect day to research :)

I can't believe that we're halfway through the first session! It has gone fast, but I think it will go faster on the homestretch! I think I am going to miss going to these two classes because I have learned so much already! But it is nice to look forward to classes with the same people. We have spent so much time getting to know each other so that will be nice.

Correct me if I am wrong...but I think we will ALL be ready for CADRE-itas next week!!

Research.

Boo.

Mooooonday

Last week was new and exciting and easy to get up, although classes are still new and exciting this week it is not as easy to get up! I try to get to bed early...but things seem to get in the way!

Classes have been amazing! I am loving all of the new information and ides from the professors and our cohorts. We created a group on facebook today that I think will be very beneficial to all of us. We are really starting to build that community we keep hearing about. One of my favorite activities has been the "Me Bags"! I have never seen that done before and I think it gives us such a glimpse into the personality and personal life of our peers and teachers...it's just a neat activity!

Tomorrow the research gets real...and we have to start digging up facts and information to write our papers. I am a bit stressed out about that, but hopefully I will be able to work it all out. Tomorrow is also Prezi! I have seen some pretty neat things done by Skip...he makes it look so easy! So we'll see how tomorrow goes :)

Night!

Week 2

Whew...the weekend has flown by! I am excited to start the second week of the program, I think the learning and intensity will increase...but that's ok I am ready for it!

Article Review

After reading the article, it ties in a lot with other discussions I have had with classmates. One thing we talked about was how technology should be a choice for teachers, and not forced on teachers. A veteran teacher has his/her own style of teaching, and learning all of the new tools and technology could be overwhelming. I am eager to learn more about technology and how to incorporate it into my classroom, but since I am not that familiar with all of these programs, it is even overwhelming for me as a new teacher. Although I do believe I am at more of an advantage coming into teaching while all of this great technology and resources are available!

About Me!

I am Laura Baines. I will be teaching first grade at Westmont Elementary in the South Sarpy #46 district. I am very excited to start CADRE! My first day of CADRE was interesting! It has me eager to be back in school, and I am very excited to start teaching in August. We have already learned many approaches to use in a classroom. Day one down...one year to go!