"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming." -- Goethe

This quote is very significant to me because of where I teach. I think that we are all guilty of jumping the gun on some of students if they turn in work late or act up in class. Sometimes we don't consider how their day started or if something happened the night before. I know that I would need to take a step back at times and analyze some situations I have with my students.

Achieve It!

Photo:  image.google.com

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash

All too many times I see the negativity written all over my students faces and it is a challenge to erase such negativity since they are reminded by so many that “this is it”.  With the hope to diminish the constant negativity, I posted a bulletin in my classroom that reads:  “Conceive it, believe it, achieve it”.  

Motivated

"Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners." --Ken Blanchard

As teachers, we help motivate students to become better learners. Even though we sometimes don’t know it, but tutoring a student, helping them discover new things, giving them advice or just listening to their stories can be powerful motivational techniques that allow students to understand that they can overcome difficulties and accomplish difficult tasks.

Today in class I explored Google Earth a little bit more. I am still thinking of what to do for my geonarrative, but I’m leaning towards animals in different continents. Since my students are learning about the basic needs of animals, I might try to tie in Google Earth with my current science lessons.

Seeing the Light!

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you knock long enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody." Longfellow

This reminds me of what it takes for teachers to reach some students who have difficulties grasping the content and/or skills being taught. These students would need to be taught and retaught several times with different strategies in order for them maintain what they've learned. Teachers who have perseverance understand the needs of these students and are willing to do what it takes for students to achieve. If teachers continue to make the effort necessary to reach students, eventually the students will see the light!

In class we were able to see how to navigate Google Earth, put place marks, and provide descriptions. We were also fortunate to see samples of the Geo-Narrative lesson plans from previous ED638 students. This gave me a better understanding of what is expected for this assignment. Now I am ready to venture out into the virtual world!

Image by: JPEG Image

October 22, 2009

"The greatest sign of a success for a teacher...is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -- Maria Montessori

Recently, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I was visited by my former students who thanked me and expressed how proud they are of themselves for being able to write essays without me. 

Photo:  images.google.com

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”—Khalil Gibran

Most of what we do in our lives is impressionable. As a teacher, I find that giving my all in everything I do is a just reward for all the effort I put in. At times I found that "treats or rewards" were temporary and expensive. With constant praising, my students seem to respond better. When students see that their teacher is going all out for a lesson or activity, students get excited. They tend to "listen" to the teacher more. For me, this is where the magic happens. Students in turn give their best.

Clip art source: google.com

"I challenge you to make your life like a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk." -- Anthony Robbins

This quote is a personal challenge. There is nothing more I dislike than a hypocrite - so I need to be very careful about what I "teach". I have to be sure that I can live up to what I am teaching. If it is about being fair, then I need to be sure that I can exhibit the qualities of being fair, etc. This is not an easy challenge because it is often easier to just talk the talk.

I missed class tonight because of work responsibilities. I have been knee deep in trying to get the School Report Cards out before the end of the month when it must be posted on line. If any of you are teachers, make sure you have a chance to look over your school's grade. This task provided me with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Excel program. I can now create graphs, format graphs, edit graphs, and transfer them from one document to another. I also know how to take 3,000 + employees and disaggregate the information into a variety of categories such as gender, ethnicity, age, job location, job position, and more. I know how to insert worksheets, row, columns and how to hide and unhide the same. Because I missed class, I also missed out on learning about Google Earth so right now I am in the dark. I will however, endeavor to learn about it this week. Perhaps I can make up for late work by using Google earth to show you the places I went to in Greece. (Image by Faye - White Ginger)

Stay Positive

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash


I think sometimes there are times when we get high stress levels that affect our attitudes towards our profession and we eventually reach a plateau of ideas, but fortunately many of us learn to find ways to create goals and push ourselves to achieve them.

I am still working on my presentation for the conference. I am thinking about using www.factmonster.com for my presentation. As for Googe Earth, I have spent a little time exploring and learning the application

Image: http://fileserver.tinker.com/tinker/events/4/4331_main_image_1245252722.jpg

Crayola's new color is...

" It is the supreme art of a teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
- Albert Einstein

How many colors does Crayola really have??? There is about 150 -200 existing colors already. What should the new color be? Should it have a smell, a taste, or a different shape?

The teacher holds the key tot he success of the being taught. When a teacher is creative and makes learning fun and meaningful, knowledge is bound to take place. But if the lesson is taught in the old traditional method( I speak, you listen and I ask questions, you answer), chances of learning taking place will not be as evident.

So try using other methods and other means of presenting the lesson besides writing on the board and using worksheets. This why we are in this class, to expand our tool belts and to gain our new tools with technology.

Google Earth was pretty interesting, I found my house and school. But the only thing holding me back from saying that it was FANTASTIC was that it is not in sync with real time. I was hyped about being able to see the cars parked outside my house but bummed when I couldn't see people or cars in motion!

Image from:images.google.com

Stress Relief!

Googleimage.com
"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theatre."- Gail Goldwin

The past week as been personally stressful for me with grades due, assignments due, and trying to implement "10-minutes" of content area time! So during math time in the middle of teaching, I started to laugh!! the great thing about it, was my students didn't ask me why, they just laughed with me (or maybe at me)then we composed ourselves and went on with the lesson.

I have been trying to access moodle but the website is taking to long to upload the files for the class. I know that our effective literacy website is due today but I might be late turning that assignment in because I haven't finalized my write up. Anyone else encountering the same situation as I am?

"One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done." -- Marie Curie

I can relate to this quote in many ways, I always focus on the things that I have yet to complete and not what I have already accomplished.

Another post

We had to submit our literacy website #3 this week. I reviewed a website that I used in the development of the unit I used for my classroom management system, shel silverstein.com. I enjoyed navigating through it's ins and outs. That website is a lot of fun. Also, I had to play with google earth. That was fun as well. I downloaded an older version of it years ago and still have it on my computer so I used that version.

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

Albert Einstein

There is nothing more successful then when you're of value to someone or something.

Get it Done...

"One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done." -- Marie Curie

With the new position I am in, I am constantly looking for ways I can help students who are struggling with their subjects. I see that they are 'passing' their classes but I know that they can do better. What's done is done, we can learn from it, now let's see what else we can do.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I find that being in a class filled with brilliant minds is hope for the future. Some of us will go far in our careers, and advance up the ladder. In doing so, I believe that we gain not only knowledge, but a new found perspective on what it takes to be a professional leader. I hope that when that time comes, we do not forget where it is we came from.

Clip art: google.com

Imagination

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
- Albert Einstein

Please use your imagination and look at the picture carefully. What do you see?

Knowledge is something that continues but there us a certain point in where it stops. For example, our desire as educators to gain knowledge is incremental in where we get our BA, MA, and PHD. But after the PHD (education wise) there is no other step beyond that except to get another degree in an other field. Unlike imagination, there is no limit as long as there is a person, place, or thing to imagine about- which in reality, there ALWAYS will be something to turn the wheels of imagination.

Sorry, this entry was due last Thursday. I had completed my midterm and had failed to remember to publish my blog entry. :(

Image from: Google.com images

Flying High!

"High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations."-Jack and Garry Kinder

In the field of education, if the school community has high expectations for student learning there will be high achievement. Everyone involved in the students education is held accountable for the student's level of success. Although it may take some students longer to reach their goal, with encouragement and perseverence, they will eventually get there. Because there are high expectations in place for us in our ED638 class, I must make the necessary effort to attain that high level of achievement. If we aim high, we can fly high!

Image: artabundanceproject.com

Late Post

I apologize for posting my blog so late. I'm trying my best to catch up with all my work load that is currently piling up. I was able to complete my Mid-Term Reflection on time though, it's a matter of blogging and moodling ontime that I need to work on improving for the remainder of the semester. Does anyone else have the same issues as me? Personal Technology Blog is coming along, I have already selected the 3 sites that I want to post in my blog. So as a class have we decided what we are doing for the Language Arts Conference? Let me know, so I can contribute.

"It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted." -Linda Conway

Teaching can be a complex thing, you must ensure that what you are teaching your students stays rooted in their minds rather than poured in.

Why Dream?

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, we must also dream; not only plan, but also believe." Anatolie France

Image: eso-garden.com

My interpretation of this quote is that our plans for success in life can be accomplished if we have faith in ourselves and our ability to carry out our plans. Not only do we live day by day, but we need to look above and beyond, dream big! Having a goal to reach leads to a sense of achievement in life.

"Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." -- George Bernard Shaw

There are many lessons to learn in life. We must select the lessons that must keep the light burning.

The lesson on reflection is a light burner.

firstfriday.files.wordpress.com

I'm still learning

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis

As an educator it is a great feeling to see my students grow academically and hopefully down the road I see my students in the future continuing to pursue a higher education and become successfully independent individuals.

As I was writing my midterm self reflection it allowed me to reflect on what I had learned in this class so far. I have noticed that since I have enrolled in this class, I have grown as an educator and I plan on using much of the tools I have explored into my classroom within the next year. I hope that our schools' internet connection improves within the year so all of us can really incorporate all these wonderful tools in our classrooms.

Image: http://teachers.thelanguagemenu.com/data/uploaded/tools.jpg

Man's (or Woman's) Best Friend

I just came home from the vet. My dog Chica got hit by a car tonight. The doctor's diagnosis is a crushed pelvis and shock. She had to stay at the vet's tonight so that he can keep an eye on her in case there is any internal bleeding. If surgery is necessary, they will perform it as soon as possible. The good news is that the pelvis will start healing itself quite rapidly but Chica won't be in any shape to walk much for a few weeks. It's pretty miraculous considering her bones are crushed beyond recognition. The bad news is that it will cost a pretty penny. There goes all your gifts from Greece!
Aside from my dog crisis, I am working on finishing up my mid term reflection. So far, I think I am keeping up with all the assignments but I am a little bit concerned about the Language Arts Conference. I really want to be there but cancelling Greece is just not possible since I've already paid for everything in full. I need to know what I can do to help before I go in a couple of weeks. Whoever is coordinating the presentation, please let me know. (image by google images. but this is what Chica looks like.)

My quote for the day:

Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.

-- George Evans

This quote is as straight as it comes. I don't think we can add to this to make it better understood. We just need to remember it.

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller

I believe that you must always have faith and optimisim in whatever it is that you, doing so, allows you to become an openminded confident person.

This week Mid Term Self Reflection is due, it allowed me to assess my strengths and weaknesses so far into the class. Hopefully I can continue to strive to complete all my assignments on time and improve on the areas that I am not excelling in.

My other blog entry

"Everything should be as simple as it is, not simpler."

Albert Einstein

Keep it simple. Things are generally simple. They might not be easy but they usually are simple. However, if you over simplify things, the quality of the work suffers.

This week we did our mid term reflection. Its nice to take stock of where one is in terms of accomplishing the objectives of the class.

Short & Simple

"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired." -- Mother Theresa

I love this quote because it reflects a lot of teachers. We need to love teaching without getting tired of what we enjoy doing.

Short and simple but straight to the point!

Image and quote taken from: http://hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

We're Almost There!!

"One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done." -- Marie Curie

Homework comes to mind when I read this! After completing each assignment, I think of what I have lined up next! It’s all good though, it simply means we’re closer to completion.

The greatest sign of a success for a teacher...is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -- Maria Montessori

You know you have impacted a student(s) when they come into your class and know right away what needs to be done. They know the lesson, they understand, and come to you for guidance or clarification.

image source: http://hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

"Every time you wake up and ask yourself, "What good things am I going to do today?," remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it takes a part of your life with it." --Indian proverb

Every morning I wake up to get myself ready for work and the kids ready for school. Things seem so routine, so repetitious, that at times I forget to make my mark on the day. Whether it be to tell a joke, cry about something silly, or give an unexpected hug, we should all take the time to do something that will make that day memorable.

Clip art: google.com

Responsibility

"No one but us ourselves-no one can and no one way. We ourselves must walk the path, teachers merely show the way." Nancy Wilson Ross

This quote goes hand in hand with the last quote I chose about "walking the path." Yes, we as educators undoubtedly walk the path-we are role models for students. In terms of good character, we guide students by teaching them character traits, decision making skills, right from wrong, and about consequences for their decisions. Ultimately, students make their own decisions and must therefore accept responsibility for any consequences, positive or negative, that arise from their decisions! They must have the will to succeed in life!

image: theteachingpalette.com

I think I can! I think I can!

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash

Taking this course is a great example of this. I know I use the internet already but that doesn't stop me from learning what else is there to do with the internet and how to use other means of lessons. This course is already showing and teaching me new things that I never bumped into in the last couple of years.
If there is more than one way to solve a math problem; or the old saying if there is will then there's a way. If you never try then you will never find out if you can do more. so do MORE and get involved.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming." -- Goethe

In the perspective of the classroom, if, we as teachers treat our students as if they will be sucessful, then they become capable of being successful. If we view our students as failures, then they will fail because that is our mind set and ultimately we will not give them the best that they deserve from us.

I have been working hard on my technology blog but it is hard to say whether or not I have reached target. I have submitted my blog to Dr. Rivera and hopefully she will be able to provide me with some feedback. How are you all doing with your blogs? As for the Language Arts Conference, have we decided what the presentation will be and who is taking the lead? Keep me posted.

Learning new skills

"A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank...but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child." -- Forest Witchcraft

I chose this quote because I believe that we as educators help children change whether it be behavior or academics and years from now I hope my students will remember my guidance and support for their educational endeavors.

In today's moodle session, I had time to reflect upon what I had learned in class so far. I've noticed that lately I have been visiting the sites from my newsletter as well as sites previewed in class such as teachertube. I've also noticed that since I have been visiting these sites, I have had many brainstorming ideas for activites and strategies to use in my classroom.

I am a little intimidated as to what needs to be done for the upcoming conference, like what Alan had posted on the moodle room, we have not had much time to discuss this assignment and like Alan I too feel hazy about it. However, I believe that we will all do well once we start working together and sharing ideas.

Image borrowed from: http://clarefamilylearning.org/media/Family%20Learning%20Photo%20-%20reading%20at%20home.jpg

"The greatest sign of a success for a teacher...is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -- Maria Montessori

This quote is truly a reflection of the impact I want to make in the lives of my students. I want to be able to wave goodbye knowing that my passion for education has left its mark.

Clipart: google.com

working student/teacher

"There are two kinds of people; those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there." -- Indira Gandhi

image: www.bing.com

This quote is all about me, I love to be part of a group that works well together. I feel a great accomplishment when the assignment is a succes! I don't care for competition and credit, (unless it's college credits):)

My Blog Entry

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

Albert Einstein

I thought I 'd change things up a little and go with an Albert Einstein quote. There is a very obvious similarity between this new quote and my usual Zig Ziglars and it doesn't have a thing to do with anything with how deep it is. If you guessed that it was the shortness of the quote that appealed to me, you'd be correct!

Basically the quote's essence is that exploration is where mistakes are made. It's only through exploration that we'll grow.

The day was spent working on various assignments.

4 corners.

"Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three." - Confucius

This quote is not only for teachers and can be interpreted in several ways. We are each given one task as teachers-to teach. It is up to us to figure out how to do it effectively-find out what the other '3 corners' hold.

"We learn by example and by direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction." -- Malcom Gladwell

image from www.flickr.com

Teaching of abstract skills are tough to teach learners with limited experience or exposure. Teachers need to find ways to bring the experiences into the classroom. Technology used the right way can make instruction more successful. We need to let go of our fears of getting out hands dirty and just jump right in.

Walk the Talk

"I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those who live what they teach, who walk their talk." Anthony Robbins

This quote is inspiring because it encourages people to hold themselves to higher standards. As educators we have high expectations not only for our students but for ourselves. We need to be a good role model for our students. As a counselor, I focus on teaching students "good character traits". If I expect my students to be caring, responsible, respectful, fair, trustworthy and good citizens I must set the example-Walk the Talk! My bar is set pretty high, and I'm doing my best to continue to guide students in their social development.

Working on my CMS assignment helped me to find more resources on the internet that will add to and improve my character education lessons.

Image: pawneeschools.com

Learners, Doers, and Teachers

"Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers." -- Richard Bach

Everyday is a learning experience for us all. Just because we are educators does not mean we know it all. We are all in this cycle: 'learners, doers, teachers'. I find myself constantly telling my students this, that I am learning just as they are. It teaches them that no one is perfect, knows it all, and it's ok to make mistakes because we learn from them.

Live Well, Laugh Often, & Love Much

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

To live, laugh and enjoy life for as long as we are alive is what I try do each day. We should always respect each other and find ways to make the world a better place to live in.

I really enjoyed class today though it was short for me. I wanted to stay throughout the whole time but I had to go no choice. Sorry for interrupting and leaving class early every one! It's just one of those times when I have to be there for my family. Hope you all don't mind me asking for your educational websites so I make take the time to actually view and utilize them in my class with my students. Thank you!


Quote and Image from: http://hubpages.com/hub/life-quotes-to-inspire-you

Be Optimistic!!

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller
Yo can always achieve what you set out to do with hope....and with hope, grows confidence.;)

If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.

Zig Ziglar

We have to adopt an attitude of learning for everything we do. If we learn from things, we'll grow as people. If we grow as people, we are successful.

Today's class was dedicated to the presentations of our course management systems. It was interesting to see how creative people were when it came to developing units. A few of us focused on eat, which was awesome! Only problem was that my hunger pains were a bit more intense then they usually are. Overall, everyone did a great job!

"It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted." -Linda Conway

The concept of "pouring" does not give the sense of permanency but rather of flowing and dissipation. Planting, on the other hand is more permanent implying that rooting will take place and something will flourish. If, as teachers we don't take the time or have the interest to really engage our students in learning, we will be like water being poured over them. But if we take the time to nurture with appropriate lessons, strategies, and attention, then we are like gardeners who nurture the plant with the right food to make it grow.


I really enjoyed the presentations tonight. Everyone had great lesson ideas with very good resources and activities. I would love to see these lessons actually being implemented. More than that, I would like to know that classroom teachers are really using the course management systems. I would, however, still like to be able to know how to maximize the use of the features of the CMSs like Hotchalk or Rcampus. Although Hotchalk was the easiest for me to manipulate, I particularly like Rcampus capability of uploading pictures and other visuals.
(image by google image)

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

If you were to ask anyone who their favorite teacher is, they would probably mention one who treated them positively. Likewise, if you were to ask anyone who their worst teacher was they would probably mention one who treated them badly. Sometimes we need to really think about what we want to say. Pausing before making a comment or stating an opinion is good "think time". Consider the fact that a majority of our day is surrounded by young sponges, our actions need to be louder than our words. Don't just say you care-show them you do.

Clip art source: google.com

Getting Involved

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin

I chose this quote because I believe it's true. We need to get involved with our students in order for them to learn and remember their skills. I've noticed that when students are involved in classroom activities they have fun and remember what was taught rather than just listening a lecture.

I thought today was a good class session as I enjoyed seeing how my classmates did their projects. It was fun to see how much work everyone put into their projects and I came out of class with more knowledge of websites I can use for my lessons. I would really love to use many of the online resources I've learned in class, unfortunately the internet service in our schools are not very good.

Image borrowed from: http://alphabit.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/time_cover_ben_franklin_5201.jpg

The never ending road

"No matter how he may think himself accomplished, when he sets out to learn a new language, science or the bicycle, he has entered a new realm as truly as if he were a child newly born into the world." -- Frances Willard

Learning anything new requires time, patience, and an open mind. I think that if you apply these traits then you can adapt to any new change in life and or technology. Teaching the students any subject would be as if they are just learning; that's why they are in school. So as teachers we need to encourage and guide them in the right path to cultivate their minds with the knowledge we have to share.

Thank you for all your magnificent comments and suggestions, I was extremely nervous speaking in front of all of you this evening.

I could not upload this video but please look it up. It is about a woman who learned English on her own through song. It may not be perfect but she had determination and the courage to stand in front of an audience to show what she has.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT18LZItBLA

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." -- Christopher Reeve

I think an ordinary individual who walks into a classroom and interacts with twenty children is a Super Hero, especially if they walk in everyday with the will to change lives for the better.
Our management system is a courageous step and obstacle to overtake in order to widen our children's horizons.

Class Presentations

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

Alot of times in the classroom, your students may not always retain all the information that you are teaching them but depending on the environment you create as you teach them that they will always remember.

I enjoyed all the class management presentations, it was nice to see how each one of us created something different for the type of learners we are teaching. Each presentation was very unique and serviced a different range of students. Kudos to everyone!




www.google.com