done done done, but not really

finished

but not really

look for a real post later today,

it's my 10 yr. old's turn on the internet,

and i must keep my word

comments and critique are welcome

good evening readers. i now officially have 2 followers, though one is my husband, and i think his is a pity follow... :(

anywho, i have just returned home from a resume writing session at our university's center for life-calling and leadership.

here's where i need feedback; does the resume REALLY need to be kept at 1 (one) page?

how much should i elaborate on volunteer work?

what about my community work? I served on our local public library's board of directors until i returned to college 2 years ago.

I've also been volunteering at our elem. school with the high ability classes...

anyway, these are all things i've thought of since returning home, and now am unsure about the resume altogether

crock-pot applesauce

Earlier this fall, during my student teaching experience, we ventured to Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie, Indiana for a field trip. One of the highlights of the day was getting hands-on experience using a manual cider press/mill. The students each got a turn pressing their own apple, then we all sampled a sip of fresh cider. Delicious.
To capitalize on their learning, and to make connections to prior knowledge, we made crock pot applesauce a few days later (in the classroom). Students watched while I wedged apples and dropped them in the pot. We shared discussion throughout the day as the fragrance of cooking apples wafted through our classroom. Later we constructed an order of events recipe poster to reinforce the concept of first, next, etc. Finally, everyone had the opportunity to taste the applesauce. All but two students loved it! A few of the students came back for a second helping.
The field trip gave us the perfect springboard for multiple learning activities such as journaling, cooking, and descriptive writing using the 5 senses.

student success and encouragement

This semester I have been tutoring some students at our elem. school. As I reflect back on each day's progress, I begin to wonder how much encouragement children receive at home. Considering the time and effort the teachers, aides, and volunteers invest in students on a daily basis, and the praise and encouragement we (should) give them, I wonder if this extra effort is rewarded at home...Which led me to an idea:
As I keep anecdotal records from each tutoring session, make a copy for the teacher (save one for me), I should have notes of encouragement ready to send home to the students whom I tutor...Is it safe to assume that students who receive extra help at school are working extra hard? Are they receiving any more praise at home for this work? It is my responsibility to give them that extra boost so that they will be inspired to keep working, and proud of their progress.
I would love some dialogue/feedback on this post! :)

Favorite Picture Books...#1

This is the first of my top 5 picture books, and how I have used them in the classroom to facilitate learning through making connections, life lessons, illustration samples...and just good reading!

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

I will post (tonight or tomorrow) how I have used this book in the classroom to facilitate discussion with my students. The first time I read this book, I bawled my head off!

still trying to get the hang of this bloggging gig

I am in the process of uploading some artifacts from my student teaching experience...
learning as I go, so this may be a bumpy ride for a few days...

Tallies and Graphs

We Love Cookies!

Students placed a sticky note in the column of their favorite type of cookie. After tallying the results, each student shaded in a bar graph to indicate the favorite cookies of their class. We discussed that bar graphs are a quick, efficient, and easy way to compare amounts and numbers. We can immediately see which cookie is the favorite without actually counting one by one. By identifying the column with the most names in it, you can determine the favorite cookie.