Question of the day: "What are you tired of?"
This is not to be answered literally, but a way to get your voice heard about various organizations ranging from illnesses to discrimination, many of which, face our nation today.
There are global issues that touch us all, and make us want to advocate change, things like animal cruelty, world hunger and discrimination. These are causes you want to get behind, because witnessing the devastation, neglect, and violence is almost too much to bear. There’s so much to be done in the world. The big question is, how do we make a difference? OK, so we’re not Bill Gates or Angelina and Brad with millions of dollars to donate to our favorite causes and charities. Many of us work hard just to make ends meet. But, we’re tired…tired of global warming, cancer and heart disease. Yet, we just don’t know how our small contributions could possibly make a dent in changing anything. And because we all want to help in any way possible, this website (http://www.imtiredonline.com/) was created to do just that.
Their products? Well...100% recyclable material used, both Eco friendly and fashionable. The founders (Dan and Carrie)designed and created the bracelets out of recycled tires and metal. Last, but not least, the bracelets are completely made in the USA.
Remember: For every $10 bracelet you buy, they donate half the sale ($5) to important causes. You pick the cause and your bracelet and the donation will automatically be made on your behalf.
So what are you "tired" of?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, July 9, 2009
SMARTboard
I attended a great crash course on how to use and teach with a smart board. Not all school districts have smart boards in their classroom, but many schools are trying to get the funds to incorporate them into the classroom. They are very useful and a great way to bring teaching to life. Although it does take some time and lots of practice getting to know how to use this new form of technology, it is very beneficial and rewarding. There is a website that anyone can log-on to and try a FREE 30 day trial to get used to working with a smart board and also help you prepare a sample demo for the future...or a upcoming interview! Check it out: www.smarttech.com
Have Fun!
Have Fun!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Active Participation Ideas
Keeping children actively engaged during lessons is a strategy the teacher often has to face with his or her students. When children are actively involved in their lesson it keeps them motivated, engaged, and interested in learning more. It also helps children stay on track and gives them a chance to be a valuable member of their class.
There are many various forms of active participation strategies a educator can use. These strategies can be used for partners, groups, or whole class.
Partner active participation strategies include: Poems for Two Voices: when reading a poem, have the children pair to read every other line and a second strategy is Timed-Pair-Share: where students share with a partner for a predetermined amount of time, and then the partner shares with them for the same amount of time.
Group active participation ideas include: Talking chips: is when the teacher poses a question for the students in the group to discuss. each member is given a "chip" and the students each take a turn "talking" by placing their chip into the center of the table or basket. another idea is Team-Pair-Solo: students solve problems first as a team, then as a pair, and finally alone.
Whole Class active participation strategy include: Fish Bowl: this strategy provides students an opportunity to engage in formal discussion and to experience roles both as participant and as active listener; students also have the responsibility of supporting their opinions and response using specific textual evidence. Students are asked to engage in a group discussion about a specific topic- within two circles. Inner circle students will model appropriate discussion techniques, while the outer circle students will listen, respond, and evaluate.
There are many various forms of active participation strategies a educator can use. These strategies can be used for partners, groups, or whole class.
Partner active participation strategies include: Poems for Two Voices: when reading a poem, have the children pair to read every other line and a second strategy is Timed-Pair-Share: where students share with a partner for a predetermined amount of time, and then the partner shares with them for the same amount of time.
Group active participation ideas include: Talking chips: is when the teacher poses a question for the students in the group to discuss. each member is given a "chip" and the students each take a turn "talking" by placing their chip into the center of the table or basket. another idea is Team-Pair-Solo: students solve problems first as a team, then as a pair, and finally alone.
Whole Class active participation strategy include: Fish Bowl: this strategy provides students an opportunity to engage in formal discussion and to experience roles both as participant and as active listener; students also have the responsibility of supporting their opinions and response using specific textual evidence. Students are asked to engage in a group discussion about a specific topic- within two circles. Inner circle students will model appropriate discussion techniques, while the outer circle students will listen, respond, and evaluate.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer Fun 2009
Summer is finally here!!!! Although I will be taking several graduate courses, I will be blogging about interesting topics in regard to the courses I am enrolled in.I cannot wait to make it down to the shore as well to soak up the sizzling summer sun.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cinco De Mayo!!!!
Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Althought the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest.
Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850's. Years of not only fighting the Americans but also a Civil War, had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a brief period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.
The English, Spanish and French refused to allow president Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the true French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans). Napoleon III believed that if the United States was allowed to prosper indescriminantly, it would eventually become a power in and of itself.
In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May.
In the United States, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to be known as simply "5 de Mayo" and unfortunately, many people wrongly equate it with Mexican Independence which was on September 16, 1810, nearly a fifty year difference. Over, the years Cinco de Mayo has become very commercialized and many people see this holiday as a time for fun and dance. Oddly enough, Cinco de Mayo has become more of Chicano holiday than a Mexican one. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States than it is in Mexico. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate this significant day by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.
Source: http://clnet.ucla.edu/cinco.html
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