One Step Closer

I received my first teaching job today! I am so excited. I'm doing third grade @ O'rourke. The subject said special instruction so I am really curious as to what exactly I'll be doing. I'm sure I will do fine. Just bein my first job, I wish it had said something general like science or math. On the other hand - maybe it will be something more fun than that sameold sameold. This job is just affirming in my mind what my ultimate goals in college are. I am on cloud 9 right now. Now you just don't rain on my parade. I'll be complaining soon enough. I promise. ;) I am genuinely just ecstatic!!!

Technologic

Ok......I know I did not unplug my pen drive incorrectly. Why is there NOTHING on it today? Wish I knew. I hope that when I get home and plug it up, everything will magically be right back in its place. Not to mention my website work, I had at least ten other documents that were important to me. I am freakin out man. Well, let me stop and remind myself that it is not the end of the world;I am known to overreact to situations. OMG Who am I kidding? not me. GRRRRR>

Its cold then Its hot...think I'm on fire but I'm not

Don't go to the beach when its cold. You will get sick. I caught two red fish and a sheephead though. i guess that made it worth it. Kinda... I was sick for the last half of my vacation and a week of school. Guess it wasn't worth it. There is plenty more fishing to be done before the season is over. When I have the ache to fish, it doesn't matter what temp it is outside. I got to go. Yeah its weird, I know. So I guess I caught fish fever. A fever that slammed me into a hellish delirium for a week. Anyways, as much as I love animals, you would think that I would not enjoy such a primitive sport. When I reel the fish in, I feel bad it has a hook jammed through its lip. I talk sweet and wait til it calms down before I gently and swifting pull the hook free. (I cant stand when a catfish swallows the hook. That kills me.) Then I take them to the water and hold them as I slowly flow the water back over their gills. When I set them free, they just swim away in a calm manner. Some won't forget to let me know they are ticked off by the whole situation with a swish of the tail. But to me it seems they are just happy to be back home with another chance at life. I'm not a psychologist so call Freud if you want a deeper theme or global connection. There is something there that I can't see either. Maybe that is why I enjoy it or maybe I was instilled with a passion when I was young. I don't know. Well, hope everyone had a great spring break!

its been a long time

so i have been slacking a few weeks...I hope I'm not the only one. I kinda let the Mardi gras partying get the upperhand of me and my house. Everyone has been coming over every night for three weeks. We had a lot of fun but I put my foot down last week when I got sick from no sleep and too much bad stuff. Im back on track now.

It doesn't matter when the bell rings, students can learn 24-7

These teachers have been using blogs in thier classroom in Frederick County, Md.

Check out this link :
Web Logs are the New Bulletin Boards

This has plenty of great examples of why blogs are useful to a K-12 Classroom. Students blogged their reaction to a field trip, displayed art projects, showed mathematical solutions, and gave feedback to the teacher quickly. I am enamored by the fact that they are low maintenance and that students will put more work into an idea because they it will be read by the teacher as well as their peers. Also, students mormally quiet in the class will come alive with a keyboard.

Here is another website giving great ideas about classroom blogging.
PBS Teachersource

Some teachers believe it is a good idea to leave the post anonymous. I'm not sure I agree with that, but it might be useful if problems were to arise. Discussing literature on blogs vs. in class would be much better in higher grade levels. Many more ideas could develop about symbolism, themes, etc. There are listed several programs that can be used to blog and links to useful websites. I love the idea of Summer Reading Blogs. That way you will know the student is comprehending the material and that they are actually doing the assignments.
Here is the man that taught me so much about reading and probably inspired me to be a teacher.I'm sure Levar Burton is pro-Blog.
Reading Rainbow was the Schiznit back in the day!
(Yes I am aware that I am a huge nerd).

Bla, Bla, Blog

I can't believe it's already February. I'm glad I got the opportunity to learn about blogging and actually participate in this. I can see blogging to be useful in the classroom. It would be a great tool to recieve feedback from students and parents. Being in a classroom all the time can be isolating as well. A blog is a great way to share teaching techniques and experiences.For a blog to be negative, drama and gossip queens might slander authority ; children could be immature on their choice of subjects. I checked out some other blogs and found out a lot of people love to run their yapper about all kinds of personal things. To use a blog when more communication is needed in institutions,such as schools, is a great thing. I believe it is the future. All I'm saying is ...I don't want to know about some girls' designer dog that poops on the floor and she's too wuss to clean it up.

Merging

I just want everyone to know that you must be going at least close to the speed limt when you merge onto the interstate. um...that would be at least 50mph. I came to a complete stop on the way to school today when I should have been going 65. I'm not really a big fan of road rage, but I had a few choice words for that freak. Ok, I'm done for today. Good Luck to all on your presentations!!

Whose Life is this Anyway?

Although I don't suggest throwing away your clocks completely, may be we should all realize that being responsible comes from the conviction within your yourself as to what is relevant. If its not a priority to you, then forget it. Who cares if someone thinks that is what should be important in your life. Its not going to work if you don't want it to. All that will do is create more problems for yourself. I hope someone will learn from this and take it to heart because I had to learn the hard way. And IT REALLY HARD. Take up for yourself and step on others people's toes if you have to. They will forgive you later. Being too nice shows ignorance and no one respects a fool.
If you haven't checked this out, go for it! You are missing out on hours of entertainment!
YOUTUBE

Tricking the Mind

I just don't understand why people set their clocks ahead of what time it really is. There is no point in freaking out for a split second before you remember, "Hey, that clock is fast... I'm not late " I have one word for this - POINTLESS! I do find it odd that you mind is so accustomed to clocks not lying to you, that it does actually persuade you for a millisecond or so. So the moral is, spare yourself the mental energies of a machine playing with your mind and simply just be punctual

Creating a Link

This is a link to the class blog.

Tues/Thurs 9:30 Blog

Newbie

Although I have been sucked into the myspace tornado, I have never posted a blog until now. I will not bore you with the outline of my week, but maybe just share some ideas with you. I have a feeling this is addictive...and like I need to spend more time on the computer! I am so tired today from Sealab 2021 marathons. I'm a night owl and Christmas Break has been great. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. Long Live Adult Swim