Transitions..

I recently transferred from a Direct Instruction 5th grade classroom to a "Metgot" standard based school. The transition from a 'textbook' driven curriculum to one with more "freedom" has been a challenge. I am currently establishing a teaching routine for the year. I currently have access to a wide variety of 'tech' tools in school, from projectors to a full internet ready computer lab (which is currently unavailable, but operation at this time).

I am currently teaching a 2nd grade class and I am taking this course in hopes of finding other innovation ways to incorporate technology into my class. I have started a reading routine for my children to incorporate more structure, but i would like to utilize more visual presentations presented in various ways to stimulate my students. I am thinking of various slide presentations to text to speech applications.

Integrating Technology in my class

In my classroom, I suppose I've been more traditional in my style of teaching. The students are familiar with the routine of reading the agenda on the board, and participating in the discussion of the lesson. We are in a block schedule so I try to get the kids involved as much as possible. I may have them do problems on the board, read problems out loud, answer my questions, etc.
I would like to have more technology in the classroom. My ideal classroom would have a computer in front of every student. I feel technology would be very useful for math classes. I could take them to websites that have videos that teach them concepts, like fractions, for example. High school students are very weak in basic math skills and most have a hard time passing Algebra 1.
Presently, I am teaching Precalculus. I'm teaching them how to use the graphing calculator but I don't have the technology to display what I'm demonstrating on the screen. So, for now, when I demonstrate on my graphing calculator, I have to put it in front of each student so that they could see what I've done. I definitely need technology in my classroom!

New horizons

Image via WikipediaI think one of the best things about teaching is that every day is different. I can't imagine being in a job where you have to repeat the same task over and over. In a way, though, that is precisely what many of us do.


The problem is when teachers get tied to textbooks and other materials; they present the curriculum the same way year after year. Yes, it can be efficient and save time in preparation, but the curriculum doesn't have to be presented identically each year. Technology allows an infinite number of resources for you to enhance your instruction and engage a greater spectrum of learners.

The problem I wanted to address in math was the apparent futility in assignments. Students aren't particularly thrilled to hear that they are learning a concept so that they can perform another concept on the following page. I'll spare you from my full rant, but suffice to say that I wanted to provide students with relevance and disassociate math with pencil-pushing.  I don't want students to feel that their subject is bound between the covers.  Certain traditional elements of instruction are important, but they don't define the subject. I use technology to present math in a different way and in a manner that accommodates a wider range of learning styles. Technology allows me to take students away from the textbook and shows them problems where they really exist. I rotate some of the material that I use so that I'm not using the same thing every year and I'm constantly looking for more ways to do things differently.   I feel technology enables me to consider the differences in my learners and avoid cookie-cutter instruction.  I can adapt assignments more easily and alter my methods of assessment.  

I'm not saying it is easier for the teacher; it takes time and effort, but I feel energized in what I do and that I am proactive in my profession.  The textbook is not the number one tool for the 21st Century learner.  Cut yourself free and explore what's available with technology.

Conflicting Speech

Here's another StoryCorps 9/11 animation.  One thing to consider when you share YouTube with students are the text comments that follow the videos.  You wouldn't think anyone would have anything negative or profane to say about the video below, but sadly you'd be mistaken.
Even though this video is embedded in the blog, a viewer can connect to YouTube by clicking on the YouTube icon in the lower right.  Many terrible comments are posted with the most innocent videos by people called "haters".  My belief is that most "haters" are teenagers.  Perhaps, instead of avoiding these comments, we should address them with students.  Freedom of speech is a protected right in the United States, but it's sad to think that our service people are dying for thoughts like these.

9/11: Dedicated To Those Who Protect and Defend Our Lives

If I had only a few minutes of life left to live and could make a phone call, I would make a phone call to the ones that mean the most to me.  I would call home to my husband, my six children and my grandson.  To my husband, I would tell him that he has given me the best years of my life and that I he will eternally remain "my love" even when I am gone.  To my children, I would tell them that they have always been the number one driving force in my life, my motivation and my most proudest accomplishment.  I would want them to know that God never closes the lines of communication between children and parents, .... I would tell them that I will forever love and be with them.  I would stay on this life line just hearing their voices, ......... for as long as I could.

I dedicate 9/11 and this section to those who protect and defend our country, our freedom and our lives.  Most especially to my husband and my son who bear the United States of America uniform who uttered the most selfless words:  "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Organic Act of Guam against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear the true faith and allegiance to the same.  I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the governor of Guam and the orders of the officers appointed over me,  according to law and regulations, so help me God."  Their promise which embodies the attributes of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage is the epitome of "putting others before ones self".

I dedicate 9/11 and this section to them because without such selfless people, I would probably loose sleep thinking about scenarios such as "what if I had only a few minutes of life left to live and could make a phone call...."

Tribute to 9-11 and soldiers

It was a sad day for the world. We remember the ones who died and the ones who are fighting for us. We've got to keep strong and pray for those in battle.

Thank God

Two more days for this Gateway!

9/11 Guam

As for 9/11, I can only recall the morning call from my mom telling me to turn on the televison. I could not believe that could happen to the United States. It has never been done before. It made me realize that this time it was real. This is not some movie to make you think what if this happened.

My son was in elementary at the time - 1st grade. He made a poster describing his feelings. He was sad about the people who were jumping off the building.

I am glad that we remember and are able to express our feelings no matter what age.

In Memoriam

I remember being abruptly awaken at 3 a.m. It must have been an emergency since I wake up at 4. My friend, Grace, from FL was crying, asking me, "Where's your sister?" I said, "Home, in D.C. -- no wait -- she's on a plane. Why?" She had told me about the twin towers, and told me to turn on the T.V. I said I had to call my parents. First, I called my sis' home phone, then, her work nos., then, her cell. All dead. Finally, I called my parents and asked if my sis had called. It was then that I cried. They said they hadn't heard from her yet, as my sister religiously calls my parents in the morning and in the evening, local time. My parents assured me that they would call as soon as I heard from her. I told myself that if she didn't call by 6 a.m. here, I won't go to work. Just before 6, I got that call. The first thing she said was, "I hear you want to talk to me." She was so nonchalant about it that I thought I was being silly. She told me she was in a conference with her colleagues in a hotel. Once the towers were struck, my sis and her group had been sequestered in that same ballroom -- all communication lines blacked out. There was frenzy in and out of the hotel. After a few hours, everyone was able to call their loved ones. My sis told me, at the last minute, she decided to drive instead of fly. She promised she was okay and would call later, as she always did.
Later when she called, I found out that my uncle was at The Pentagon. He had just said his goodbyes to his colleagues and was riding the shuttle to the Pentagon annex. Minutes later, he heard everyone scream and point at the building; it had just been struck, as well. He started to cry: the side that had just been hit was the area of his old office. More importantly, he had literally just said his final goodbyes to his colleagues and friends.
As the cliche' goes, "Life must go on." A week later, my parents were on a plane to D.C. to see my sister, as scheduled. Three months later, I was on a plane to NYC en route to Paris to meet up with my best friend. She had suggested we meet at Ground Zero, which I flatly refused to do. I had seen the OK bomb site in '95. "We'll just meet in Paris, as we're supposed to do."
My parents told me after 9/11, just before leaving to see my sis, "If it's our time to go, we'll go. No sense in delaying the inevitable."
However, the people in the World Trade Center and its vicinity didn't have to go. For this, we will always remember them.

It probably an event that would never be repeated, at least in our life time.