Word Crimes

Communication is essential to be taken seriously!

Today's blog is about writing. 

Many of you have heard the Weird Al Yankovic video parody called Word Crimes.  It may hit quite close to home for many of you. 

One thing about writing, with practice, you can always get better.  Spelling and punctuation are important components to the overall writing process.  In this class, you will be expected to read well, write well, speak well, and think well.  They are all connected.

As a future teacher, you should be working on your communication skills every day.  Your written word should reflect your spoken words and thoughts.  Understanding what you are reading is vital to how you write answers and how you respond.  When you read and understand what you are reading,  you will expand your horizons and open up new worlds to yourself.

Your first blog is to write about why you want to become a teacher.  Check your spelling and grammar.  Follow the rubric and use good writing conventions. 

This is the rubric you will be using for all of your blogs this year in class.  This blog is due by the end of class on Monday, Sept. 8. 

Let's Write!

Hello Second Year Interns!


I am so glad you are back.  We have a great group, a dozen to be exact!  The blog this week is for second year interns only!

Edutopia is one of my favorite and useful teacher sites.  I get lots of my ideas from this site.  It is funded by George Lucas, you know Star Wars fame?

I recently read this article Does Spelling Count? from Edutopia. I want you to read it.  Some of you will really like and agree with the thoughts of the author.

After you have read it, you will need to create a blog that addresses the authors point of view.

Your blog is due by the end of your class on Friday, Sept. 5.   As always, follow the rubric for the best possible score.  Remember, this blog assignment is for second year interns, only.

A new year

Welcome back to school.  I hope you had a great summer.

This summer my sweet grand baby Hattie was born.  She is precious and beautiful!

I am so glad you decided to take my class.  We will focus on things that will make you a better student while preparing you for a career as a teacher.  After this year, you should be a better reader, writer, thinker and speaker.   I am looking forward to a great year.  

Get involved and stay involved.  Enjoy the journey...

Thank you!

No, you don't have a blog assignment!

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed being your teacher.  Education and Training is a unique classroom situation, I like to think we become more like a family than in most classes.  You made it fun for me to come to work each day.  Oh, there were times when I wasn't having having any fun, but you made me laugh and I love to laugh!

For the seniors, I hope you achieve all you wish to achieve.  You have a great start, just keep going.  Some of you I had as students for three years, some two years, and some only one.  You all made an impression in my heart.  I hope you know I am just a text, email or phone call away if you need help.



Your notes were the icing on the cake for a fabulous year.  Always write notes.  It means a lot to people.  Write your parents or someone who has made an impact on you a heartfelt note from time to time.  It is worth more than any gift you can buy them!


Thank you for the awesome blanket.  I will take it to OSU games this fall, but until then, I will leave it in my classroom for those cold natured people that shiver through my class.  Some day you will figure out why teachers keep their classrooms cold!

The flowers are beautiful and I am enjoying them! 

And last but not least, the Sonic card…  What can I say, I have an addiction and it is Sonic Diet Coke with lime - not just any Diet Coke will do, I only drink my Diet Coke from Sonic.  The secret is in the ice.  I will enjoy Sonic Happy Hours all summer.  

I will see you Seniors on Sunday at graduation, I am so proud of you!  Juniors, some of you I will see back here next year - can't wait to pick up where we left off, and for those that won't be back, I certainly hope our paths cross during the year.  Have a great summer and keep in touch!  I love you and I can honestly say this has been a year to remember and one of my favorite teaching experiences!  

Happy Trails to You!

Susan Stevens

2014 was a great year!

Now that you have finished your Animoto video.  It is time to embed your video onto your blog.  It should be called "2014 The Year in Review". 

Be sure to embed and not just paste the hyperlink.  It will cost you!

It has been a great year, remember it with your video!

Two Blogs in One!

This blog post is actually two blogs.
# 1 is ThingLink
#2 is Rules
Read carefully.  It will be two separate blog posts.


You have all now watched The Ron Clark Story.

• Blog # 1 - ThingLink Blog 
•  I will give you a ThingLink code in class. Use your ThingLink login code and create your own ThingLink image.

1. Click here to go to the ThingLink website.
2. Click on EDU at the top of the page.
3. Use your Email and Password that I gave you to log in.
4. When you are logged in, click on Create.
5. You can use Google Images to find images pertaining to Ron Clark- the teacher.  Select a photo from Google Images and drag to your desktop.  It should be different than the one I have on this blog.  Extra points for a photo that isn't overused by classmates.  
6. Link at least 6 different links onto your image.  You should have at least one photo, one video and one text. 
7. When you have finished, embed on to your blog.
8. This is due by Monday April 28.  You must meet all of the criteria above to receive maximum score.

• Blog # 2 - Rules - Write your own…

Keep the following guidelines in mind

Refer to the following when considering writing your rules.

Teaching Today

Ten Activities for Establishing Classroom Rules

Establishing Classroom Rules

Ron Clark - The Essential 55 

1. Rules are a big part of classroom management.
2. Ron Clark had 55 Rules, in most cases this is way too many.
3. Try to have more than five and less than ten rules. 
4. Make rules you can keep.
5. Rules should be broad and attainable.
6. Rules are different than routines.
7. Create rules that will apply to your own classroom.
8. Obtain a copy of your own site teachers classroom rules and compare and revise.
9. Follow the rubric guidelines for maximum score.
10. This blog is due by Friday, May 2.  

Fear of Failure

Either click Here or scan the QR code and read the following article, "How to Help Kids Overcome the Fear of Failure" by Vicki Zakrzewski. 

Michael Jordan once said, "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."  

Personally, I learn more from things I fail than from things I succeed doing.  When I fail, I strive to master the concept until I know what I did wrong.  If I succeed, many times it was just luck that was part of my success and I don't continue to strive for mastery.  

Your post should include answers to the following.  Your answers should be thoughtful and truthful.  

1.  How do you view failure as a student?  
2.  How do you view failure as a teacher?  
3.  Do you think grades are a true indicator of your knowledge?
4.  Do you think being unsuccessful can give you perspective and also encourage you to try harder?
5.  How do you handle criticism?  

Follow the rubric for best results.  Due on Friday, April 18.