Destination Procrastination!

Procrastination?

This is a repost of a blog from last year.  It seems ever so appropriate again this year!

This Blog is Due November 12

What is Procrastination? 

Have you ever procrastinated?

  I think I probably know the answer to both of those questions.  Do you?

Click on this link and read about Overcoming Procrastination.

The Title of your blog this week should be: Why Do Students Procrastinate?

1. After you have read the article, choose at least one of the bullet points under "Why do students procrastinate?" and address how it relates to you. If you have never procrastinated, you can use someone you know as an example, but don't use names. 

• Your post should be well thought out and you should use complete sentences.
• Less is more. I would rather read three well written and thoughtful sentences than three rambling paragraphs!
• Restate the chosen topic, then write your comments. 

2. When you have completed part one, look over the "How to overcome procrastination" suggestions. Choose at least one of the bullet points that you will honestly try and write your comments in your post about how you will try to overcome procrastinating. 

• Your post should be well thought out and you should use complete sentences.
• Less is more. I would rather read three well written and thoughtful sentences than three rambling paragraphs!
• Restate the chosen topic, then write your comments. 

Refer to the Rubric if you are in question of how your blog will be graded. This is the rubric that will be used every week. Click here to view blog rubric.  This Blog is Due November 12

Field Trips are Fun and Educational

Field trips are an important part of the learning process.  The experience of seeing something in person versus reading about it in a book is beyond comparison.  Due to budget cuts and an emphasis on testing, many school districts are cutting back on travel.  Students still need the experience of hands on learning, historical perspective, the existence of other cultures and new places - in other words, students need to broaden their horizons.

Blog assignment:  Due October 15

This week you will write about the best field trip you ever went on as a student.  What made this field trip memorable to you?
Use the blog rubric for maximum points.

Virtual Field Trip Assignment:  Due October 19

In addition to the blog, you will create a "virtual field trip" using Prezi and the provided links to field trip resources.

You will create a virtual field trip using materials and pictures you collected from the State Fair of Texas OR You can use any of the resources below.  Use the internet to find pictures, video clips and visuals for the project.

Before you begin the project, do your homework and consider the following.

1. What is the objective of the trip?
2. What is the projected outcome of the field trip?
3. Where does it fulfill the TEKS?  Is it age appropriate?
4. Obtain information, costs, times from the facility.
5. What is your budget?
6. Follow steps that are needed in order to get field trip approval
7. District requirements (number of students to chaperones)
8. Transportation requests
9. Parent permission forms
10. Correspondance to parents / other teachers... 

Resources to use or use your own.

• Why and how to plan a field trip. Before and after.
• Fieldtripfactory
• Ft.Worth
• Classtrips
• Apple field trips
• HUD
• Virtual Field Trip guide to Texas

Use Prezi as the platform for your virtual field trip.

When you finish your Prezi virtual field trip, you will either embed it on your blog or hyperlink it.  Give a brief written introduction to your Prezi presentation.  Follow the Prezi rubric for maximum points.

The Blog is due on October 15.
The virtual field trip will be due on October 19.

An Ethical Dilemma

Most of us know the difference between right and wrong.  

Sometimes things fall into an area that causes an ethical dilemma.  

Teachers are called upon to make ethical decisions on a daily basis.  Your blog this week will be about an ethical dilemma that requires you to use critical thinking skills.  Click here to read the ethical dilemma you will be blogging about.  Read all the way through the document before you begin blogging.  This ethical dilemma is one that will be used to qualify for the FEA National conference in Orlando, FL in April.  See how well you do and maybe you will be selected to participate and debate on the National level.  

This blog will be due on October 1, 2012.  It is important that you use good grammar, spelling, punctuation and good writing conventions.  The blog rubric is available by clicking here.  Always refer to the rubric for the best possible score you can get.  Use concise thoughts in your writing.  

When I grow up I want to be a ...

Have you ever said the words, "When I grow up I want to be a teacher"?
If you have, you are in the right class. If you are just wanting to see if education as a profession might be something you want to pursue, you are also in the right class. If you are one of those that thought this would be an easy blow off class, you probably made a big mistake.

Your blog assignment this week is to give me your reasons for wanting to be a teacher. You must spell correctly, use proper grammar, use correct punctuations and capitalizations and no little i's. You will be using your "new" blog.

Your blog will be graded according to the Blog Rubric that you were shown in class. Try! You will get better as the year progresses. The Blog Rubric for this week is on my class wiki page. You can open the class wiki by clicking here.

Don't be a Grammar Goofball

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Begin with the End in Mind

Begin with the End in Mind

To start the year off right, we will be establishing ground rules and expectations for the Education and Training class.  It is important that you start fast and finish strong.  I like to begin with the end in mind.  By the end of the 5th six weeks you will be expected to complete an electronic portfolio.  A blog is only one of the many technology tools you will be proficient with by the end of the year.  

Next week,  you will be setting up your own blog account.  Blog grades can be the difference in a C or an A in this class.  I feel good writing skills are important for teachers to possess.   Since written communication is extremely important for you in your career,  why not start now?  More information on blogs next week.  

We will be establishing student made classroom rules.  

This week, your blog assignment is to comment on my blog.  Your comment is due by Friday, August 31.  I will show you how and where to post a comment.  

You may either comment on either 1 or 2 below.  Sign your name to your comment.  

1.  Why is written communication important?

2.  Post one rule you feel every classroom should have.  

2012 in Review...

2012 in Review...