30
June
2007
Found Poem
When I was younger ready to climb the towering tree
I dreamed of one day becoming a princess
Ideas flew around inside my head
Weaving and weaving and weaving their web
Like wild roller coaster rides
Becoming a mother would change my life
The desire to protect and nurture
Has awakened my heart
An ordinary change
Of radiance and quietness tell
With invisible arms and sounds well known
Enveloping mist of laughter and sighs
You smile at me
Sweeping me through this majestic existence
Posted under Poetry
14
June
2007
I really enjoyed watching the final projects that people made with movie maker. It was interesting to see the diverse topics that people came up with and the massages that they conveyed – humour, sentimental, informational, etc. I could also see applications of voice, narration as well as the effectiveness of different transitions, timing, use of video and still images, songs, etc. I have tons of ideas flying around inside my head about projects I can make to use in my classroom as well as assignmnet ideas for projects that kids could make.
I found the group presentations to be very informative and useful. It is nice that we can all share ideas and information. The audacity software is definately something I would like to experiment with and use for myself and incorporate into the classroom. As I said before, I can see many uses of graphic novels / comic books as alternative forms of assessment for my students as well as ways for them to explore new information. The presentation on smart boards gave me lots of new resources for stuff to do in my classroom. Although I do not have a smartboard I may be able to make use of some of the activities because I do have a wireless mouse that I use with my computer projector.
Posted under Reflections, Uncategorized
13
June
2007
Today we learned about found poems. I created a list of gems or golden lines. I can really see how “borrowing” a few lines from the list can get a person motivated on creatively writing their own poem. I read through a few poetry books fro elementary and Jr. High kids. I think it would be really fun to start an after school poetry club for kids and work through some of the prompts and exercises in the books. Maybe I will start out this summer using it with my own children if they are up for it!
We also had a presentation of triadic writing. I had never heard of it before but I really liked it. On the Sill was a wonderful piece. I loved to hear the different voices as the writer told the story from different points of view. It was moving and wonderful. I enjoyed working through the exercise with the song – you are my sunshine. I can really see how this could be used as a “Gift of Writing” as we discussed in class that written mementos of writing can be a wonderful gift to share with a loved one. This might be something to explore more to work with myself or with some students.
I finished working on my “How I got here?” prompt and posted it as a page on my blog. It was fun putting in all the hyperlinks – I wonder if anyone will look at it?
Posted under Reflections
12
June
2007
We learned how to create digital projects using Movie Maker today. I only just learned a few months ago that this software came with my computer. I have had some experience with another video editing program that came with my digital camera. The software was very basic and limited in capacity. I can see that Movie Maker has some more options and a bit more potential and flexibility. One feature I am eager to experiment more with is the ability to shorten and cut video and sound clips. Also there are more video effects and options for timing of still pictures, credits, and captions, etc.
I would like to implement some video projects into my classroom. I think I will begin by allowing to be one option among several that students can choose from. I don’t think I am ready to take on an entire class full of technical questions. It would be better to ease into it a little. I would like to practise using the software by making a digital project from my family’s recent vacation to Florida. I’m sure may parents and in-laws will enjoy watching the final product as a DVD on their TV.
We also learned about using digital cameras in the classroom. I enjoy digital photography myself but have only implemented into my classroom through my own use. I frequently use my own photos in powerpoint presentations and I use my camera to record examples of student work. Students will use digital images as part of their science fair presentations to record their experimental set up. I think I would like to incorporate digital photos into a projects – perhaps combining it with digital novels or comic strips. Or even in with movie maker. I frequently use animations to illustrate scientific processes. Perhaps the students can create one themselves.
Posted under Reflections
11
June
2007
Reflection – To Blog or Not to Blog
I think there are many areas for concern when implementing blogs in the classroom. First of all, educators should ensure that student bloging assignments are targeted to an instructional purpose. It needs to be tied in with your curriculum goals – such as for reflective learning, metacognition, summary of research, etc. Don’t blog just for the sake of blogging. Don’t use it for something that is better suited for another form of communication.
Another concern with bloging in the classroom is safety. Students should not be exposed freely to the public domain. If you are using bloging in an educational setting you need to set stringent controls on access. Security and morality need to be high priorities.
Some ways to implement bloging that interest me are keeping track of class assignments, having a location to easily post extra information and website links, and occasionally as a place for students to post opinions on controversial topics in science.
Posted under Reflections
11
June
2007
Paint Chip Idenity
I’d rather be Luminous River Falls, than Static Chalk Gray.
I’d rather be Budding Green Delphinium than Gritty Shoreline Tan.
Maybe someday I will be Soaring Meadow Daybreak or Exalted Blue Sequoia,
But for now I know that I am Kindred Patchwork Symphony.
Posted under Poetry
