Discussion Board

When we first discussed joining a chat room, I thought to myself "how will have time in the day to do that?" Now I look forward to checking in to see what's going on that day and/or getting feedback from others.

The discussion board that I joined is:
theteacherscorner.net

At first I found it a challenge to navigate through because their are so many topic areas that you can choose to jump in on but the more time I spend on it just going into different topics, the easier it becomes. I've always been such a focused and serious person when it comes to my work, but after chatting with others on the discussion board, I found that it is ok to take time out of your day to talk about the trials and tribulations of the job or about something completely unrelated to work.

My Technology Goals to impact student learning

Goal #1
2007/2008 School Year
My plan starts with implementing the use of scanner and a computer with CD burning capabilities in my teaching. The students will choose their best works to be included in their portfolio and use a scanner to scan these documents on to the computer. The students will then learn how to burn the information in these documents on to a CD.

Goal #2
2008/2009 School Year
The next phase of my plan includes teaching my students how to use a power point program. The culminating project will be to present their power point to an audience using the projector.

Goal # 3
2009/2010
The ultimate goal is to teach my students how to create their own web page. They can then encourage others to view their webpage and be proud of their accomplishments.

I'm so excited that I have learned and continue to learn new technology and that I'm now able to share these skills with my students and staff!!! Thanks Glenn!

Technology Grant Information

I was fortunate enough to co write a grant for the purchase of the Wildcat Coffee Cart in which we received $20,200. I had intended to share the organization information with you, however it is focused on the community of La Center.

Here is a great site that will give you tips on grant writing. http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html

This site offers grant information on technology for people with disabilities.
http://www.necfoundation.org/grants/

Check this out! Free computers!
http://www.computersfor learning.gov/

Technology and Education

I chose this as a topic because my whole motivation for learning more about technology was to be able to help my students learn more about it and to use it in school and/or in their daily life.

Please feel free to explore this webpage for more info. concerning this topic.
http://www.nea.org/technology/index.html

I especially liked this statement:
The technology environment of today's public schools should match the tools and approaches of the work and civic life that students will encounter after graduation. This will ensure that schools stay relevant to today's students, as well as equip them for success in life after school.

Crunch Time!! Grades

I've been working on getting all my grades entered for all of my students. In addition to the grades, there are those lovely comments. I just love the end of each semester. How about you?? I also had to do schedules for my students because my work experience program rotates students into new jobs every semester. Here's a poem to keep us all going!!

TEACHERS
Teachers
Paint their minds and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults
Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth
For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach
For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring

Poem by Kevin William Huff

Fondest Christmas Memories

It's too hard for me to choose one Christmas that stands out. Christmas is a time to make fond memories with your loved ones. It brings memories of passing down traditions to our children. The tradition of teaching them the family recipes passed down from generations and then sitting down to eat a feast that is enough to feed an army. The tradition of watching children open their presents and the excitement of getting something that they really wanted. The tradition of visiting with everyone after we have eaten so much that you can hardly move and the tradition of sharing memories of christmas past and present including the loved ones that are no longer with us. Family is Christmas!
I hope that this doesn't sound too mushy but that is how I remeber Christmas!
Karla K.

World Issue-Hunger and Famine

This is an issue that seems to get alot of attention around the holidays but as you all know it is happening year round in our country and in other countries as well.
It is frustrating to me that so many have to go hungry. The lack of nutrition has such a huge impact on children and their ability to develop their mind and body.
How does hunger affect children and families? Without adequate calories and a diverse diet consisting of grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins that provide the appropriate vitamins and nutrients, families become malnourished, with children and women being the most vulnerable. Children especially need an adequate diet for growth and development. Acute malnutrition results in significant weight loss or even death.
Chronic, or long-term, malnutrition, even at mild levels, can increase susceptibility to diseases like diarrhea, malaria, and measles. Chronic malnutrition contributes to the deaths of 6.5 million children per year around the world. Chronic malnutrition of children under two often results in stunting -- reduced height and permanently diminished physical and mental capacity. Stunting negatively impacts the health and productivity of current and future generations.

Feel free to visit this website to find out more info. or to sponsor a child in support of good health and happiness.

http://www.savethechildren.org/programs/hunger-malnutrition/hunger-and-famine.html