The good news is, teen alcohol use is not an inevitable rite of passage. Research shows that addiction begins (and can be prevented) in adolescence: "A child who gets through age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using illegal drugs is virtually certain never to do so." (Joseph Califano, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2006) Parents can make a powerful difference in their child's decision to remain alcohol free by learning and applying the research-proven skills of BONDING, BOUNDARIES, and MONITORING. (Click here to go to the Parental Tools section.)
Amazing article about teen drinking. This is just the very end which I found powerful. Read more at Parents Empowered
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Technology in Classroom
I used Stellarium in my guided reading group because we were reading the first chapter in Poppleton: Everyday the sky. It talked about Poppleton and his friend Hudson watching the sky and how Poppleton could not focus on just one star because there were so many in the sky. They looked at our own night sky and how hard it would be for us to focus on just a small one.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
iPhone, Blackberry and the Rule of Law
Mistrial by iPhone: Juries’ Web Research Upends Trials
My first reaction was disbelief, not that the jurors were looking things up, but that there was a controversy over it. I have long believed that those picked for jury duty in this country tend to be on a much lower end of the spectrum of well informed-normal US Citizen. Not to say they are horrible... but there is a reason why they are on a Jury- neither lawyer objected to them. And as we know that lawyers want what is best for their client (aka, uninformed, unbiased or biased TOWARD individual/company involved), they will choose people who fit that spectra. A normal US Citizen would never serve, seeing as they at least glance over the internet and tend to have many experiences.
If we are talking about law, would we not want our juries to be as informed as possible? But as I think continued reading, I started thinking a bit more. Where are the juries getting this 'insta-info' from? The answers being Google, Wikipedia and news outlets. None of these sources is unbiased, and they can unfairly sway a jurors decision.
My solution. Ban Iphones. Ban Blackberries. Ban all internet capable machines. Keep tabs on the juriers. I know this sounds a lot like martial law, but we are relying on our juriers to uphold our laws, they can deal with tigher security. Especially if it saves us millions when the trials go to appeals court because of the technology use of the jurors.
My first reaction was disbelief, not that the jurors were looking things up, but that there was a controversy over it. I have long believed that those picked for jury duty in this country tend to be on a much lower end of the spectrum of well informed-normal US Citizen. Not to say they are horrible... but there is a reason why they are on a Jury- neither lawyer objected to them. And as we know that lawyers want what is best for their client (aka, uninformed, unbiased or biased TOWARD individual/company involved), they will choose people who fit that spectra. A normal US Citizen would never serve, seeing as they at least glance over the internet and tend to have many experiences.
If we are talking about law, would we not want our juries to be as informed as possible? But as I think continued reading, I started thinking a bit more. Where are the juries getting this 'insta-info' from? The answers being Google, Wikipedia and news outlets. None of these sources is unbiased, and they can unfairly sway a jurors decision.
My solution. Ban Iphones. Ban Blackberries. Ban all internet capable machines. Keep tabs on the juriers. I know this sounds a lot like martial law, but we are relying on our juriers to uphold our laws, they can deal with tigher security. Especially if it saves us millions when the trials go to appeals court because of the technology use of the jurors.
Technology in the Lesson
I had my students write rhyming words that fit in with the book Silly Sally. Sometime this next week I hope to be able to pull them into the lab to type them up on the computer. I do not know if it will happen though, because our mornings are crazy!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Technology in the Classroom
I do not really think about technology when I'm thinking of elementary school. They're so kinesthetic that I find it hard to have myself use technology for very long. This inventory made me really focus on what is available and automatically I thought of several ways in which I could use the technology.
One of the strangest things is that in my school, Sprucewood, there are no TVs in the classrooms. Once upon a time there was because the holders for them are there, but there are no TVs in them. It is just this big empty... thing hanging there. I'm also curious about how our Facilitator said there were digital projectors, because I have yet to see one in my classroom, nor have I seen anyway to use a projector. It is very strange to me.
One of the strangest things is that in my school, Sprucewood, there are no TVs in the classrooms. Once upon a time there was because the holders for them are there, but there are no TVs in them. It is just this big empty... thing hanging there. I'm also curious about how our Facilitator said there were digital projectors, because I have yet to see one in my classroom, nor have I seen anyway to use a projector. It is very strange to me.
Monday, March 2, 2009
David O. McKay Computer Lab
I am sitting in the David O McKay building (which, for those of you who do not know, is the building dedicated to education type majors) in the dedicated computer lab. And as I look out across the lab I cannot help but see the difference between this lab and every other lab on campus.
In every corner there are small groups actively talking about different projects. Computers are engaged in may different activities, but a common thread is the making of lesson plans. There are people eating while they have papers spread around them. Truly, this is a cooperative learning environment. The lap has been set up so that groups can easily work together, as well as allowing for individual work. The desks are roomy enough to allow for papers to be spread out, as opposed to the normal computer lab set up which shoves as many computers as possible into as much room as possible.
The lab provides materials needed for students to be successful and there are enough lab assistants to help everyone in a timely manner. The computers have both Mac and PC platforms so that students can use their preferred type of platform.
To the BYU education department- full props for building a room where education majors can truly get their work done in the manner in which it should be.
In every corner there are small groups actively talking about different projects. Computers are engaged in may different activities, but a common thread is the making of lesson plans. There are people eating while they have papers spread around them. Truly, this is a cooperative learning environment. The lap has been set up so that groups can easily work together, as well as allowing for individual work. The desks are roomy enough to allow for papers to be spread out, as opposed to the normal computer lab set up which shoves as many computers as possible into as much room as possible.
The lab provides materials needed for students to be successful and there are enough lab assistants to help everyone in a timely manner. The computers have both Mac and PC platforms so that students can use their preferred type of platform.
To the BYU education department- full props for building a room where education majors can truly get their work done in the manner in which it should be.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Stages of Water.kmz
Stages of Water Google Earth Tour
This tour will take you to some sites that highlight the different stages of water, with a focus on the difference between potable and nonpotable water.
This tour will take you to some sites that highlight the different stages of water, with a focus on the difference between potable and nonpotable water.
Monday, February 23, 2009
On Students and Professors
As I know schedules are busy, I would like to take just a moment of your time to talk about a two pronged issue which has recently come to my attention. This issue first came to my attention from a New York Times article on February 18, 2009. It was called, Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Dispute. Much of this can boil down to one word: entitlement
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines entitlement as “a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract”. I would like to highlight one particular word, which is ‘specified’. Now, this word states that for entitlement to be true, then one can feel entitled to something if they fulfill the specifications for that something. In this case, we are talking about grades. If one fulfills all of the requirements for a class at or above the level which the professor sets (keep in mind that the professor sets that level, not the student) then that student is entitled to the grade which the professor deems that level of work to be worth. The bare minimum is not enough if the professor has set that bar higher.
Some of the blame can fall back onto the public education system, and parents in general. In our efforts to do away with cruel punishments for children, some of us have swung back to the other extreme, which is to praise when no praise is required. This generation has grown up with people telling them that the bare minimum is all that is required, and that even if one tries they will get by. But the truth of the matter is that effort is no longer enough. When it comes to college, effort plays a part, but the quality of works also matters. If a student spends twenty hours on a paper, but the paper does not meet the expectations of the professor, then that student’s effort is entitled to the grade that best fits the quality of work.
Before people start yelling though, students do not have to throw out completely their sense of entitlement. When students enter a college, they have every right to feel they are entitled to a proper education. Professors that are disorganized, lazy or focus their teaching as if they were teaching to their peers rather then students, are no longer fulfilling the specifications that their students require. I am talking about the professor that comes in, lectures, gives stock tests, and leaves again without ever truly finding out what his students need to learn. I understand that in a large lecture class there is little time or room to do this, but even taking a moment before class to talk to students about what they are and are not understanding will give the professor a good idea of what they need to cover.
To illustrate my point, I wish to refer to an example of a teacher who felt it appropriate to email his students with a very large assignment (it was a review for a test) and asked them to complete it for the next day of class. Here people would normally say, ‘well, that is not fair, but doable.’ The clincher though, is that he did not send this email until 7:00pm, thus not even giving his students 24 hours to complete the homework.
A college education is a two pronged endeavor. The students must be willing (and able) to perform at the level demanded by the professor, and the professors must be willing to meet their students in a mindset that they are there to teach so the students can learn.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines entitlement as “a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract”. I would like to highlight one particular word, which is ‘specified’. Now, this word states that for entitlement to be true, then one can feel entitled to something if they fulfill the specifications for that something. In this case, we are talking about grades. If one fulfills all of the requirements for a class at or above the level which the professor sets (keep in mind that the professor sets that level, not the student) then that student is entitled to the grade which the professor deems that level of work to be worth. The bare minimum is not enough if the professor has set that bar higher.
Some of the blame can fall back onto the public education system, and parents in general. In our efforts to do away with cruel punishments for children, some of us have swung back to the other extreme, which is to praise when no praise is required. This generation has grown up with people telling them that the bare minimum is all that is required, and that even if one tries they will get by. But the truth of the matter is that effort is no longer enough. When it comes to college, effort plays a part, but the quality of works also matters. If a student spends twenty hours on a paper, but the paper does not meet the expectations of the professor, then that student’s effort is entitled to the grade that best fits the quality of work.
Before people start yelling though, students do not have to throw out completely their sense of entitlement. When students enter a college, they have every right to feel they are entitled to a proper education. Professors that are disorganized, lazy or focus their teaching as if they were teaching to their peers rather then students, are no longer fulfilling the specifications that their students require. I am talking about the professor that comes in, lectures, gives stock tests, and leaves again without ever truly finding out what his students need to learn. I understand that in a large lecture class there is little time or room to do this, but even taking a moment before class to talk to students about what they are and are not understanding will give the professor a good idea of what they need to cover.
To illustrate my point, I wish to refer to an example of a teacher who felt it appropriate to email his students with a very large assignment (it was a review for a test) and asked them to complete it for the next day of class. Here people would normally say, ‘well, that is not fair, but doable.’ The clincher though, is that he did not send this email until 7:00pm, thus not even giving his students 24 hours to complete the homework.
A college education is a two pronged endeavor. The students must be willing (and able) to perform at the level demanded by the professor, and the professors must be willing to meet their students in a mindset that they are there to teach so the students can learn.
Viritual Tour Activity
| Location | Activity | Google Earth Content |
| Sylvan Lake, Colorado | Students will discuss and come to an agreement with their partner at the type of water located at this location. | Panorama |
| Atlantic Ocean | Students will discuss and come to an agreement with their partner at the type of water located at this location. At this location, students will predict how much of the Earth's water is stored in the oceans. They will note this on their organizer. | Ocean Layer- State of the Ocean. Locate the Valse ocean bouy, and follow the link to the NOAA website. Click on Explore Oceans |
| Antarctica | Students will discuss and come to an agreement with their partner at the type of water located at this location. Students will explain why ice forms at this place in the earth. Is there any reason why there would be an over abundance of ice here? | Arctic Sea Ice Extension |
| Ben Nevis, Scotland | Students will discuss and come to an agreement with their partner at the type of water located at this location. Answer the following question- Ben Nevis is known as one of the cloudiest places on Earth. What makes up a cloud, and predict how it affects this area. | Wikipedia- the section about 'climate'. |
| A Polygon Tool |
Fourth Grade Science-
Standard 1: Students will understand that water changes state as it moves through the
water cycle.
Objective 2: Describe the water cycle.
c. Identify locations that hold water as it passes through the water cycle (e.g., oceans,
atmosphere, fresh surface water, snow, ice, and ground water).
- What is the content you’ll be using in your lesson?
I will be using information about the different stages of water. This includes ice, vapor and liquid. I also want to differentiate between potable and non-potable water. This lesson will rely heavily on student's prior knowledge as it will be an introductory lesson to the water cycle. - What is the pedagogy you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content?
I will be using self-discovery. The students have enough information to get bored quickly, but I want them to see if they can learn more then what they already to. My questions (as part of the activities) have them stretching their knowledge. I hope to scaffold them so they are ready for a unit on the water cycle. - What is the technology you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content and pedagogy?
I will be using Google earth. This is a good fit because it will give students a better idea of all of the stages of water, and how it occurs over the entire world. It will help them experience more.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Refugees in Utah
If we just do what we can do, then we have done enough.
http://education.byu.edu/media/viewvideo.html?id=242&d=bb
Amazing presentation. It really makes you think.
http://education.byu.edu/media/viewvideo.html?id=242&d=bb
Amazing presentation. It really makes you think.
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