Pass Writing is 7 Weeks Away!!!

I am trying to think of ways to prepare, review, teach, reteach... Sarah Kajder suggests using interactive multimedia mini-lessons to review writing or content skills to customize student instruction and as an effective differentiation tool. Samples are posted on the web site for her book The Tech-Savvy English Classroom. It will take me a while to get one of those going because I teach all subjects. As for now, I can use the resources I have like Compass Odyssey which is a differentiated multimedia online program that is aligned with map data. I am very interested in building a class website. I have scanned over chapter 9 in the same text. I plan on coming back to this chapter in a few days to get started with a class website. I am sure it is not hard. I am aware that it does require upkeep and management just like my class room. In the mean time I will be thinking of ways to prepare, review, teach, reteach .....

Lesson Planning

I wish I had a penny for every minute I have spent planning lessons! Some times I feel that is all I do. If I am not planning, then I am thinking, talking, sleeping, or worrying about it. Although, I am lucky that my grade level works together to share the load of planning. Each person on my grade level plans a different subject and shares the plans. I am happy to report that I am responsible for the writing plans for fifth grade. :)

Currently, we are writing a newsletter article from a muckraker point of view from the progressive era. This will be published in their writing portfolio that is required by the district. The next requirement for their portfolio is for them to write a response to literary text with a focus on understanding figurative language. I was very excited when I found this lesson plan- Book Report Alternative: Comic Strips and Cartoon Squares. Students are invited to think symbolically to provide evidence of comprehension in a unique way. I am sooooo excited!!!! I think the children will enjoy the novelty of this assignment.

If any of you bloggers out there have any ideas, suggestions, or comments, please let me know.

Living my life as a blogger...

Great news! I have been living the life as a blogger for the past few days. I also live the life as a christian, wife, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, and student. In addition to the required reading for EDPD547 and the reading necessary to implement standards at school, I am reading Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah. He brings a message of hope and confidence that with God, we can live with confidence in this chaotic world. I am excited about reading this book and learning how to integrate the newest technologies in my lesson plans.

I will admit that I have struggled with some of the technological requirements for EDPD 547. It took me several times to get the hyperlink to work. I have not tried the skype thing yet. This is the second post I've written since the first class. I have commented on other blogs, but not my own. What won't kill me, will only make me stronger!

I have found the course reading very beneficial. I am already thinking of ways I can use the information in my classroom. I can not hardly wait to hear what other teachers are doing with the newest technologies in thier classroom.

Biographical Essay

Do any of you have trouble sleeping right before school starts especially after lengthy breaks? If so, we have more in common than you think?

My family consists of a husband named Jonathan and a cat named Bootsie. Jonathan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He is a showroom consultant. Bootsie likes to fetch and take naps on her heated blanket. She also had to be put in a squeezing cage the last time she was taken to the vet.

I enjoy spending time with family by playing games, camping, learning about history, football games, and eating wherever. It is fun helping with the Girls in Action (mission program) at church. We support local missionaries and local organizations through projects. I also take pleasure in anything therapeutic like shopping, crossword puzzles, cooking, and decorating.

My goals are to become the best educator I can be and become more technologically fluent.