Video guide project

Tina and I met on Tuesday night to complete our video guide. We got finished with the whole thing within about 4 hours. I went to her house which is not far from mine, thank goodness, and we just worked until we got it all done! I'm glad we didn't wait till last minute to work on it. I had mentioned to her about working on it tonight since we both have presented our stuff for Dr. Cat, but I could she wanted to get it done early, which I'm glad about now. It is too pretty of a day to be stressing over school work! I'm getting spring and summer and no school fever really bad! I'm ready for a break. I think I'm going to enjoy taking classes in the summer and not having to worry about work. I will have plenty of things around the house to take care of like gardening! We just planted a bunch of stuff this afternoon. It's hard work, but it sure does taste good! Next Tuesday will probably be my last reflection. This class has really been enjoyable. I wish I was taking Dr. Nita again this summer. Hopefully I'll have her in the fall again!

Last few assignments

Well right now I'm working on finishing up my last literature circles for Chapter 12. My group did a non fiction science jungle book from the Eyewitness collection books. Then for chapter 12 we are doing What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? I'm going to read it tomorrow and start a chat for it. I fee like I have to chat first because if someone does it first then I may not know what to say or I feel like I may copy what someone else is saying.

I'm meeting Tina tomorrow to work on our video guide. Hopefully it won't take that long and we can knock it out this weekend.

I have class online Thursday for Dr. Cat b/c we didn't get everything presented before Spring break. I've done all of my stuff, so I will probably work on my video guide! Why not multi-task!

One project that we were suppose to do in Dr. Nita's class is our literature circles with the Australian kids. I think it really upset and frustrated Dr. Nita because we all took the time to read our books and the students and teachers had technology problems. I feel sortive relieved to not have to do another assignment, but it would have been interesting to connect with these young students in another country!

I'll probably make one final blog next week after class is finished. I can't believe we're at the end!! It is so near I can just taste it!! :)

Reflections on learning theories

I'm trying to remember all the info on the behavior theories. Looking back in my notes I think that my unit plan is closely related to behaviorism. I remember that someone in my group said that behaviorism is used in the classroom and with the 7 point lesson plan format. I also think it's about constructivism approach as well. The person that was in my group for this one said it is about action learning. The unit program that I did with the public library contains many crafts that relate to whatever the students are learning about for that week. The craft part is more on the constructivism side. The lesson part/ behaviorist part is the lesson it self and discussing and reading about what the topic is for that week. I had to research cognitivism and that is basically how information is processed. I'm sure the students are using this approach as well because each student processes the information that they are learning a little different. Some learn better with the listening and reading approach and some learn better with hands on crafts approach.

Online class

Last Tuesday we had to have class online because it snowed in Boone. Dr. Nita said she got 2 or 3 inches and it's the beginning of April! During the class we presented our books for chapter 8, poetry. Mine was Read-Aloud rhymes for the very young. It was basically a book that is filled with short rhymes to read to age 6 and below. All of the rhymes are about silly little things toddlers are familiar with such as kittens, puppies, bath time, bedtime, mommy and daddy.

We also presented our children's units. Everyone had some great ideas on this project. We want to collaborate them to have a children's unit book that contains everyones lessons. This project was kind of fun. I enjoyed working with the public librarian at Valdese Public library. My project was about the fall season for toddlers - 12 year olds. I had to find books and crafts for each of the age groups.

Our last project is making a teacher's guide for a video. Tina and I are going to do the Snowman by Raymond Briggs. I'll post more about this later!

Last class

Last class we shared our book choices from chapter 10. I enjoyed hearing everyones books on hsitorical fiction. I enjoyed this section. Others didn't enjoy it as much, but I like things that are from real life and that actually did happen.

After we shared our books we talked about the video project. I am pairing up with Tina on this one again! I think we're going to do the movie "The Snowman". I'll talk more on it later.

After that we had a case study to work on. We had to find a certain amount books for all the different genres that would be considered multi-cultural and would help break down barriers such as racism and opression. I believe my group finished with this in class. Thank goodness.

For homework we have to finish our Children's Units and get a book from the poetry chapter 8. I went by the library yesterday and found "Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very YOung" by Jim Trelease. I looks really cute. I'm not much on poetry though. So we'll see....

We're getting closer..

We're getting closer towards the end of the semester and I'm so in need of a break! I have really enjoyed this class though. I really love getting a chance to read fun and enjoyable fiction books! I usually take my time when I'm reading, but not I'm having to do speed reading. I finished my individual book the other day, Under the Blood-Red Sun. I came home early from school sick, so I just layed on the couch and read my book. It was very relaxing. I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize how the Japanese that were already living in Pearl Harbor were accused of being spies for Japan. This book is told from a young Japanese-American boy's point of view.

On Thursday I met with the public librarian at Valdese Library. She gave me an insight on how to do a children's program. I am going to do my program on the season of Fall. For four weeks students will learn about different things that deal with the season of Fall, such as, Leaves, pumpkins, apples, and scarecrows. I am going to do my write-up lesson on leaves for 3-5 year olds. I could really get in depth with this and I am a little unsure of how broad I should get. I have most of it finished. I am glad I went with the public library on this project so I could see how they do their story time programs.

P.S. My mother-in-law found my dog Cocoa this past Thursday too!! Now if I could get over this stinkin cold and start to feel better. Also I found out today that a dear lady from my home church died last night. This funeral is going to be a hard one...

catching up

Well since we had our last class it's been really hectic. I lost my dog last Wednesday. I think someone stole her right out of my yard. So I've been a little down and out. I'm not ready to get a new one yet, but I know I want one. Her name is Cocoa.

Anyways, back to school things. I read my group book this weekend, Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry. It was a really good book about the Nazi German Soldiers. I've actually talked to a couple of people on some of the things that I learned from reading the book.

I've also started my individual book. It's called Under the Blood Red Sun. It's set in Hawaii, 1941, during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I'm about half way through it. Pretty good so far.

I'm still unsure of what to do for the Australian literature circle. I've noticed the teacher on the zone, but I don't know what to do. Oh well.

I'm so in need of a break..