Sara The Belles

Today I have said good-bye to my beautful black Havana rabbit named Sara The Belles. Some people may think it silly, but I don't. She gave me joy when I was sad, and jump around the house with such zest. She was the pet I always wanted. Yes, I cried very hard because she has been a blessing to me for several years.

I will miss her very much, and I am so glad that she was a part of my life. Now she will hop in heaven and run through the gardens without barriers or pain.

Thing #23 - Summary of my Journey to the Wizard of Blog

I have finally reached the Land of Blog, and most importantly, I have seen the Great Wizard of Blog! My journey started late due to summer school, and I took each step and followed the yellow brick road until I arrived to the Great Wizard of Blog.

My favorite discovery was 2.0 Award List which gave oodles of tools to experiment, select, and download. This list is something every teacher should try and use in her classroom. I spent countless hours with this list. I enjoyed the different categories that were formulated, and I did not even know that this list existed.

I had to get out of my box in order to work on library2play, and build my confidence in the world of technology. Yes, I was afraid, but with each completed task, I had to enthusiasm to go forth and reach the Land of Blog.

This program was formulated with "the end in mind". Library2play planted a seed and it is up to us to nurture our journey by continuing to blog and write. Imagine if every teacher had the experience to work with library2play, our classrooms would be booming with students learning and enjoying coming to school.

The only improvement I would make is to allow more time to play and experiment with 2.0 Award List. As I said before, this part brings together all of the steps and tasks that were experienced before this step.

I would certainly take library2play again and again! I learned so much by doing and built a wealth of knowledge as I moved from step to step. This sure does beat sitting in a large room with oodles of people on Saturday morning. I was able to take my time and enjoy the learning.

Library2play allows teachers to learn via hands-on while building a wealth of knowledge to use in the classroom! Kuddos!

Thing #22 Nings

Nings are tools that would be great for teachers. Several things I liked about TeacherLingo: share photos, connect with other in a teaching community, it is also divided into categorical levels: elementary, middle, high school, and college. Of course there are other areas.

I like TeacherLingo because it's a community that I can feel comfortable and partake of the advice and ideas. I have joined this community, and I will visit it freguently!

Thing #21 Vidcast

This project took some time and muscle grease to go step at a time. This vidcast did have music when I did this. I know somewhere in the Land of Blog the music plays softly--"Theme from a summer place".

Thing #20 Teachertube

I selected this video because pictures are worth so much to students. This video and others that I have seen are so important in linking concepts to the "real thing". This video will show the processes involved in a lunar eclipse. I know I will hear the "wows and cool" from my students.

In science, or many other subjects, there are so many times that introducing the concept and letting the children watch a short video will make learning fun. Imagine letting the students watch this short video and allowing them to jot downa few notes. Presto, you have an anticipatory set!

Thing #19 2.0 Awards List

Wow! What a list to choose from! There were so many to play with; however, I chose Lulu. Why? With teaching as a profession, I have so many stories to write and publish to show to my students how writing is fun and a form of sharing thoughts. For schools, Lulu offers many parts to publish, sell, or buy.

Someday I would like for the school that I work for to have each teacher contribute a special story about their lives and make a compliation of these stories--a calvacade of experiences! The students would be able to see how creative teachers are, and yes, teachers do write. This would be a perfect "kick off" to fourth grade students who will take the TAKS writing portion. Wow! This would open up the perfect way to see leads, endings, and most importantly the content.

For me this is a way to allow my students to see the different genres that I have composed. This is a point of departure---a way to "open" the eyes of my student. I wish I could have had Lulu three years ago! Well, this will allow me to write and publish!

Thing #18 Google Docs

Google Docs were interesting to me because of the many templates, ideas, or how it can be used. For example, I would say that team meetings would be an advantage to using Google Docs. Why? When an agenda is made, everyone can look at the agenda, make corrections, or add items to the meeting.

Another advantage of using Google Docs is to make schedules for Specials or in lesson planning for library use or research. Google Docs are portable and very easy to use. I am glad that I had the opportunity to look at the different uses.

The only disadvantage I can see is that the teacher/student is limited to the middle or high school. I know I can use a spread sheet for other things that elementary teachers have to keep up with. I would like to see the templates for DRA, OS, ARLAS, and other forms.

Thing #17 Rollyo

My Reading Rollyo

This experience was a bit difficult for me. I had to take it step-by-step. I think adding links some times confuses me. I know it shouldn't, but new things are poping up on the yellow brick road to the Land of Blog. However, I did it! Very nice way to help students search for topics in social studies or science.

This way I know where they need to go, and I have guided the way to research. I know I will use this in my class. I wish I would have known about rollyo many moons ago.

Thing #16 Wikis

I added in the sandbox about my experiences with library2play. I have enjoyed learning about blogging and the many ways to use it in my classroom. At the beginning I was scared, but now I can see the benefits of blogging. Library2play has been an eye opener for me, and I have enjoyed experimenting and trying new things.

Wikis are great tools to use with students who are shy, but really have great ideas. Sometimes writing can serve as the vehicle for discussing and sharing ideas. Another way I would like to use wikis is for lesson planning within my own team. We can share(with the help of the road maps)what we are going to teach, materials needed,reflections, and how to differenciate with our work stations in the classroom.

Wikis can also be used with our own study groups on a particular subject, book review, and book discussion. I know that we have book studies, and there are so many times that I have gone and my mind is blank. After a day of teaching or tutoring, my brain is totally zonked, and I can't think. Wikis are the tools to come in the future, as with everything, there are going to be changes coming with wikis to allow freedom, but at the same time allow privacy from Darth Vaders.

Thing #15

I felt goose bumps as I read these articles and listened to the video. Change is coming---we'd better be ready! If it wasn't for this class showing me and telling me that times are changing, I would still be in that old mentality. What is alarming that many of our schools, and for the fact our classrooms, are not ready to meet up with what's coming.

Our children are surrounded with new connectivity daily, and I am still behind the times. I know that I will certainly have to jump on the band wagon, and change my teaching style!

The yellow brick road has manifested new things and adventures in order to get to the Land of Blog where the Wizard of Blog sits waiting for the day that change will unleash itself into our classrooms.

Thing #14 Technorati

Technorati is the thing to do when it comes to things like current events, lifestyle, and other personal adventures you might like to try. I really enjoyed looking and reading the various blogs about new gadgets-- that I might try soon.

Another thing I liked was the refinement of the articles or blogs that helped me to read and discover new media, news, and how to keep me up to date. I will certainly use Technorati during my personal quiet time to catch up on the news.

You really have to have time to explore and adventure on Technorati. The yellow brick read has many adventures to offer on my way to the Land of Blog!

Thing #13 Tagging and Del.icio.us

This task was an eye opener for me because I saw how tagging was an easier form to handle anything I wanted to keep, read later, or research. I also saw the additional tags from other people that can help find a particular subject or idea.

I know as a teacher there are many times that my mind goes blank on trying to make my delivery of concepts more vivid or just adding some lilt, and del.cio.us does that for me.

I will be using del.icio.us throughout the year, or if I need to research an item for my background knowledge. Brave for del.icio.us!

There is a shining beacon of hope on the yellow brick road to the Land of Blog!

Thing #12 Commenting on blogs

As I was taking my early morning stroll with my dog Hannah Banana, we passed this pond with all sorts of birds. There were different types of birds and a few ducks. Just beyond the small bridge, I saw a mother duck with her brood. She was taking care of them and guiding their swim on this pond. Case in point: Blogging is like that pond with different birds. Each of us has to share a common ground which is called decorum. Blogging and commenting can go hand in hand if we all abide by the rules of just being nice. After all, blogging is a time to read, think, write/reflect on any given issue.

It is also good to note that on my journey to Land of Blog there is a Wicked Witch of the East called Darth Vaders--or simple put--people who are just plain mean! I guess in every work of art, like blogging, there has to be a negative force. I know if I ever receive such a comment from this type of person/s, I will gladly hit the delete button, and it will be lost forever!I heard a famous man say, "Your time and energy are precious to you; don't waste this on people who are mean,callous, and rude." I agree with this man!

I also made comments on the 5 librarytoplay players. I liked their blogs! Moreover, I also made 3 comments(positive) on outside bloggers. I liked one blog that belongs to a bilingual teacher who is just beginning her career. I know what is going through--been there--done that! I reassured her that it will get better.

Another interesting blog I visited was commenting on a novel called "Watership Down". He analyzed this novel very well! I only added that as teacher I liked this book. I liked his perspective on the rabbits.

Thing #11 Library Things

I enjoyed this assignment, or shall I say adventure to the Land of Blog. I can certainly use Library Thing this coming year with my team members. Moreover, as a team we can share books to read, enter a forum, and make class lists of books for our students to read. There have been times that we, as a team, discuss books and there's always the "what does the book look like?". Now, it is easier to share and post. What a magnificent way!

Also, with my students, I can share what books I read over the summer, or make a list of books that they might like to read during the semester.

Thing #10 Comic Generator

Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com

I liked this task! I could use this comic generator for my students to use as a writing prompt. This will keep those students who cry out, "I don't know what to write about!" They will have fun as they create, write, and share without tears! I will use this one with my students. Great idea! Bravo! No more tears or complaints from my students.

Thing #10 comic generator

This is another way to introduce a concept, use as a sponge, or anticipatory set to pave the way for your delivery system. Another way I would use this picture is to write the objective and allow the students to quietly read the bubble and let you slide into the teaching process!

Thing #9 Blogs and News

I liked the goolge blog search becasue it was the easiest tool to use. I found this assignment rather confusing; the reason is because the tech jargon is new to me, and I find myself feeling like some of my students, when I am teaching them a new concept or refining it.

I also read The Cool Cat Teacher Blog which was quite enlightening to me. I think we all share a common ground in the field of education. I hope to continue this blog or road to Land of Blog.

One connection to this assignment was that many are on this road to the Land of Blog, or have met the Wizard of Blog. These people are very refine with their passion of sharing--or simply put "blogging". I hope to find or begin a Bilingual Teacher's Best Practices or A Passion of Dos Idiomas.

Each tool was also a connection to other feeds, blogs, and other areas of connectivity. I know that I have taken many hours to search, study, read, and enjoy where these feeds have taken me.

I really hope I find one blog, feed, or area for the bilingual teacher! We need one desperatly!

Thing #8

What a trip! The RSS task in our library2play is simply fantastic! As you probably know that I love to read about second language acquisition and how to improve TAKS strategies. I really need to share about the many strategies that I have invented which have helped my students to overcome their fear of TAKS.

I found a plethora of blogs on education, the role of oral reading in our classroom, the stamina building in TAKS, and I could go on and on. I know that I am weird because I spend countless hours reading about TAKS, and using my summer to engage in refining my strategies.

I certainly enjoyed newsreaders because current events are very important to my classroom and to me. I didn't have to put up with google commercials printed before reading the important information and/or news.

Thing #7 Cool Tools

This trip down the yellow brick road has been interesting! The google alerts, which I have signed up for will keep me posted on the upcoming elections and weather(hurricanes). Even if I want to keep up with the football scores of the Texans and my mighty Dallas Cowboys, I can have the score at my finger tips!

Google Docs--where have you been? As a teacher, this tool will help in presenting information to my students (TAKS strategies, writers notebook(CCP) ideas, open house information to parents, team meeting agendas, and tracking my students scores on each benchmark. I really love this tool--many possibilities! Another way is to have certain songs and poems for students to read and to use as a work station.

Google Calendar-- no more pencil and paper! I can track my appointments, meetings, staff developments, and when to begin my progress reports and report card documentation. This is really a teacher's friend! This tool is so "global"; I can see what is coming up in the next week or month.

The Land of Blog is embedded with upteen different tools and information which are very critical and necessary as a teacher. Can't wait for another adventure!

Thing #6 Part 2

Like my trading card? Another new adventure on the yellow brick road to the Land of Blog! What an experience! Lots to use with students this coming school year! Instead of wracking my brain--use some of the methods that I have learned in library2play. The Wicked Witch of the West will not win at all--I have overcome! Raise the roof!

You know, with school around the corner, I am going to implement this trading card for each student to make in my classroom the first week of school, and then print, cut out, and post in my classroom bulletin board. This is a great way to get to know other students, and for them to share about themselves without fear. Another idea is to have the students pair up and find each others trading card, and write (a quick write) about have they have learned about each other in their writer's notebook. Additionally, they could add this trading card to their writer's notebook. OR let them read my trading card to find out about me--their new teacher. Incidently, I will have to change and add new information to my card. OR vice-versa! I could read about the students in my class! Wow, I actually brain stormed this morning.

Thing #6

I enjoyed immensely the mosaic portion of this task. Wow! How doth the yellow brick road embellish the trip to the land of Blog! I can certainly use this for creative writing with my students. This will be helpful as I demonstrate the "how to" choose a sketch from the writing notebook via CCP and write a composition.