Final post of the class & Portfolio

Well the semester has come to a close. I really enjoyed this class and keeping up with my blog for this class. I had a great time reading other students blogs, especially those within my house. Also it was great to see all the different ways that technology could be incorporated into the classroom. I found this class very helpful in reaching out in different directions for bringing technology into the classroom and integrating it with the basic lessons that are taught. There are so many different ways to do things and technology is really a great tool. I wanted to post my portfolio to my profile just in case there was something wrong or the FrontPage would not load. So here it is. I am proud of my portfolio and did work hard, but there is always room for improvement. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Candice

Candice's Portfolio

Differences between blogs, wikis and websites

After finishing most of this class and testing out all the different types of mediums we have done within the labs, I have found many differences in each. I think that blogs are best for wanting to get your own opinion and personal message across on what you are discussing. I also think that blogs are a way to look at other peoples ideas on things and current topics. I also have found that it is a good place to see how different teachers (if they have blogs) in different areas teach their classes, or run their lesson plans, also how the students react to the lesson at hand. Personally, blogs are my favorite type of pln just because they are so personal without the other effects of websites. I am not sure yet how I feel about wikis, but I think they are something that would be extremely useful in a classroom setting when working on homework or a class project, if there were a class wiki. For that type of thing, I believe a wiki would be the best venture, not a blog or a website. This is because for a wiki you can add and change things whenever you want and for a project this would be perfect to adding and changing information that could be useful to all students within the classroom. I also think wiki's such as wikipedia are interesting because there is so much information that can be put on them by many different people, each having a different take and therefore being able to see different views and perspectives in the same place. As stated before, I think a wiki is best for using a group project, or classroom wide project over a period of time, also for posting and checking homework by the teacher. Then for the blogs, I find the best way for posting information about classrooms for all teachers possibly within the school and even teachers at home to be checking in on classroom information posted by the teacher of that classroom. As for websites, I think these are important as well. I think they are an important part of the pln, and can again be used many ways within a classroom and for personal use. Websites can be used for personal use, stating information about themselves and their resumes and also any lesson planning or lesson plans that you have done posted on there as well. I also think similar to a blog you can have a classroom website. A site devoted just to the classroom students, curriculum, and things going on within the classroom at that time (projects, parent volunteers, field trips) these things that used to be sent home on paper, can now be viewed via the website. Personally, I think I would use a website for my classroom information and everything that could be sent home on paper being put up on that website. I think a blog could best be used for the teacher or students views on certain things going on within the classroom, the school and even the assignments taking place. As for a wiki, this would best be used for projects. In a previous blog post that I posted, I thought a really good assignment for a wiki project for the entire classroom could be about plants growing. Watching them over the course of a few weeks in the dark or the light and seeing how they are growing, and posting on the wiki every few days or weeks with the progress that the plants are making. This way all the students could see the difference in each others plants and their growing habits. I think that all three of these mediums are good and can be used different in each of their own ways. I find that you have to find one that you like personally and use it in a way that you think would be best. I think that all three of them can be used in a classroom and each can be successful in each of their own ways.

Wikipedia Page

Updating of Wikipedia website:

I added information to the East Lansing elementary page on Wikipedia. This page contained all the different schools within the East Lansing area and I added information to the Marble Elementary School section. I added that there are many elective subjects for the students to take such as art, music and gym. I also took a screen shot of what I added to the page

Click on the image below to make it larger:

My wiki site

A link to my wiki page (a work in progress)

my wiki

Wiki's in the classroom

Within my classroom I think it would be wonderful to have a wiki page. There is so much that can be done with something like this within a classroom relating to almost all different kinds of projects and activities. I think it would be really helpful with the older elementary grades (4th-6th) to use a wiki because that way it can be used outside of school and it requires the internet. An example of what a wiki could be used for within a classroom setting could be a science project on growing plants. Similar to how our wiki is set up with the gallery, each student could have a part of the growing process, or reproduction patterns and watching the plants over time and observing, could update and post information onto the wiki. This way, all students would be able to see everyone else's work, as well as the information uploaded would be useful for the project. This way all the students are collaborating on the same thing together, but updating and editing with information along the way. I find that this would be extremely successful with the students because they are the controllers of the website and the information. This is just one example that could be used with students all working together but there are so many more they cannot be listed. Even what we use with the gallery is extremely helpful because everyone posts on different topics, and each week there is something new to look at. Even for a classroom daily homework questions or topics could be posted on a wiki for all to look at, and then learn from as well. That is what I think is the most important thing about a wiki, being able to learn from others and see what others have done. This would have to be monitored within a classroom because this could be used as a medium for cheating or copying off one anothers work and not posting their own original work, but that would have to be monitored. For instance the teacher could be able to go through on random checks to look over the wiki and make sure that everything is being done with honesty and no plagiarism. Another thing that a wiki could be used for as working together for the students within the classroom would be uploading homework. This could be really helpful to the teacher because him or her would just have to go to the wiki page, and click through each post/link and grade it. Overall, I think the best way to use a wiki within the classroom is with a project, and all the students gathering different information and posting it on the wiki page for all to see. It allows the students to work together and give feedback as well. I will most likely be using a wiki in my classroom once I become a teacher if I am in the upper elementary.

PLN learning

During the course of this class I have learned a lot about a personal learning network. I have learned to put myself out there through different mediums and in return sometimes get some feedback. I enjoy the blogs and think they are a great way to discuss your personal feelings on topics and a great way to get ideas from other people in the same field as you. I have this blog, the webpage, google reader, and gmail. I also have a facebook and a twitter. This things are mediums in which it is great to network with other students my age, as well as meeting people who are already teachers and administrators in the job. I like using twitter a lot. I have found many different people to follow, and have people to follow me. Through this I have seen other peoples updates and interesting things going on or just information that is useful which has helped me expand my horizons and be able to put myself out there. I have a personal webpage through MSU but I would like to make a different one or just expand the webpage that I have right now through Google. I think this would be a great way to start a portfolio and be able to use for interviews when I am applying for jobs. I would like to do this so I could put on there lesson plans I have done and information about me, what my accomplishes are and things like that. I have not had any big problems with the PLN. I think it is just a great medium for establishing yourself in the Internet world. Company's and people who hire you are almost always going to "Google" you or go on your facebook to make sure that you are who you say you are and you are a good person. Having a PLN say for a web page, gives them one place to go with all your information that they need or want to look at. I think this is a good part to add to this class, because even if it is not something that you are really interested in it makes you explore it anyways and then you may change your mind and come back and use it in the future. Overall I have had a good experience establishing my PLN and am glad you brought it into the course. I think that you should continue to keep it in the course so more people can establish their own PLN and also I am going to be able to use this in the future, or at least some of the information I have learned in how to establish a PLN for my future teaching career.

Performance Pay

Today in one of my education classes, we had a discussion about Performance pay. We had a structured "debate." We counted off by one and two so there were two groups who would be debating whether or not teachers should be paid more or get bonuses based off their students standardizing tests. To me, I was placed on the side that did not agree with teachers being paid off of how well their students perform on these tests, for example, the MEAP. I am still not exactly sure how I feel on this subject. I think that it is extremely hard for teachers to be judged solely off of their students test scores. There is so much more that goes into those tests. Such as students emotions and feelings. How they woke up that morning. If they are coming from a positive back ground,etc. This list can go on and on. I wonder though, why then these standardized tests are used to measure teacher performance. Consider a situation where a teacher is an amazing teacher, works super hard and tries his/her best to teach the students and for the students to learn. What if her students just are not good test takers? What if they get nervous and do not do well on the tests? I personally am a horrible test taker, but that does not mean that I do not know the material, I do know it. It is just hard for me to take tests like that. What then? What about that teacher he/she is just not good enough? I just feel there is so much more that goes into it that is not being taken into consideration. The government is making these changes and I believe they are going to happen sooner then later. As someone who will be entering the work force within the next few years, this makes me a bit nervous. I want to make sure that my students get the best education they can be. I want to be the one to give them that education. I think that it should be not about the money off the students but the teachers desire and the students desire to learn. How is this nation supposed to move forward if there are so many teachers and students who are not being considered into this situation. There is a lot to think about and I am sure much more information that I am not aware of (yet) but I am going to continue to educate myself on this situation and hopefully see what is going on and just try my best that I can. Teachers (most) do not go into teaching for the money, they go into it because they want to, it is something they want to do. So now that all this money is being "throwed" around, it seems everyone is worrying and doing this or that. I just think everything needs to be taken into consideration on a topic like this. Hopefully the government does just that.

Technolgoy Explored- Smart Board

The technology that I wish to explore for this week is a Smart Board. I have chosen this because I was unable to attend the technology information meeting on Monday in Erickson. I am choosing this because I did some research of my own on Smart Boards and found that this tool is very, very beneficial to a classroom. There are so many ways that this tool can be used and improved upon that it is almost hard to fit it all into one blog post. I think that having a Smart Board within your classroom gives you the opportunity (similar to using an ELMO) to really get the students to be hands on with what they are learning. It is more then just showing pictures and taking notes. It is writing on the board, possibly over an Internet site that is pulled up. Over a power point presentation that is pulled up or even over a student's assignment that is pulled up on the Smart Board. Also now that many students and schools are becoming very technology savvy this is a great way to be able to have access to personal school websites during the day at school and then as well at home. I think this would also be a way for students to take notes and use basically everyday. This board is so cool! I find it so interesting because it allows you to literally "write on the white screen" with the special markers and erasers that it comes with. I just find it so fascinating. I did a little simulation and with this board, it is like a computer screen that you can use your hands with. In one of my previous classes we used this board and talked about it a lot how we could use it in our classrooms. Everyone in the class wanted to get a chance to try it out. At that time I wasn't able to use it then but I wanted to. Watching the other students may ideas came to me during this time. I find that one of the best uses for the Smart Board is the students involvement. If I as a future teacher find the Smart Board so interesting, the students will for sure as well. Just being able to come up to the board and write on it while also learning and teaching a lesson using the Internet for example. Pulling up a chart and having the students walk up and fill in the chart. This can be used for all different subjects even. Going on field trips, etc. One thing that just came to me is also between the teachers being able to share material over the Internet and then bring it up on the Smart Board and save a lot of time. This sheds down to having more time for other things, giving the students more time to think and learn instead of worrying about not having enough time. Also that way all students in the grades are getting introduced to something like this and sharing a common idea. A great basis for students to take off and really apply themselves and learn. I believe Smart Boards also can be used for school meetings, staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences. It is so versatile and allows for great interaction. I think that is what I like best about the Smart Boards. The fact that the interaction is more then just a teacher standing in front of the classroom talking and lecturing off a power point or the board. But writing and asking questions and putting this right out there for all the students to see. I think this will also get those certain students who are more shy then others to come out of their shell and try out the technology.

South Africa

With the holidays coming up and this first semester of school almost over with, I am a bit overwhelmed! I find the best way for me to relax is to just get all my school work done and watch my favorite shows. I am looking forward to break also. I am going to be traveling to South Africa this up coming summer for a study abroad trip. I am extremely excited about this. I will be working in a school with a host teacher who I will also be living with. I am really interested in seeing the different cultures. But especially seeing the different the different way school is ran and the technology. I have been told that some schools have computers and Internet and some don't. This will be such a good experience for me to see how school is taught without technology. I fortunately was raised in a school district where all my years at school I had computers and Internet (Internet started when I was in 4th grade for me) and just lots of different ways to use technology (over head, etc.) I am really looking forward to this culture change and working with different students. I love teaching and think that this will be a great way for me to expand my knowledge and just learn new things. I am hoping to keep a blog while I am there (depending on when/if I can get Internet.) It will most likely be this blog, so if anyone is interested in how my trip is going and the schools, I will try to post as often as I can. Like I said I am really looking forward to seeing the difference in technology. We are fortunate where we live, but I think people are just as fortunate who live without technology because then they aren't dependent on sitting on a computer but exploring and having conversations. Best of both worlds seems the best way.


This is where I will be staying, Cape Town.

Classroom Communities

I wanted to post about how different students within the classroom all feed off of each other and really make the classroom a community. Today at my field placement I was laughing almost the entire time. The students within this class are so funny and really have fun, but learn as well. I find a lot of things really funny, and sometimes I tend to laugh at inappropriate times. I have learned to control this in most situations but sometimes the students are just so funny that I cannot help it but to laugh out loud. I noticed that the students within the classroom are all friends, and I think this is extremely important. School can be a scary place for many students and them being scared can prevent them from fully reaching their academic level. My teacher within this classroom has somehow created this community where all students help each other and really be there when a student is in need of some one's help. This counts with school work, home work and technology as well. The students take about 20 minutes a day to work on keyboarding. They play games on the computers but are learning how to type and key correctly. They have so much fun doing this and are always looking forward to it. I have noticed that the students encourage each other during this time. Sometimes some of the students get frustrated and want to quit, but the other students encourage them to keep going. I want to build a classroom like this and make sure that all students are comfortable and feel good about themselves to want to learn. To many students chose not to participate because they are uncomfortable or are scared of what the other students are going to think of them. I used to be one of those students, but then I realized that I had to get over it if I was ever going to succeed and be taken seriously. I think having knowledge in technology and things that other students your age can relate to, allows the foundation of building a classroom community and giving each student a chance to be comfortable, and share. Going back to how the students make me laugh, I really am going to have to work on that because when they notice that I am laughing, they usually say something like "oh the teachers laughing" and then they think it is okay to laugh like that. It is totally okay to laugh and have fun during school, but at the right times. Sometimes students can think they are being laughed at for something they did, versus something funny that happened. I want to make sure that I never make a student feel like I am laughing at them. Let's face it, kids say the darnedest things is so true. They just lay it all out there and it is great. I hope to bring my classroom to the place where my teachers classroom is right now.

Technolgoy Explored

The technology that I explored is an ELMO. A digital projector that is a way of incorporating technology into the classroom. Luckily I have had experience with using an ELMO the past few weeks in my field placement. It is extremely helpful and really allows the teacher to move around the room more but still have the information up on the board and not have to be writing. For instance, while reading students a book, it is sometimes hard for everyone to see especially if one of the students has problem with their eyes, or they cannot see because the people in front of them. This way, but putting each page under the ELMO the book is projected onto the screen in the front of the class, and all students can see. This even allows for students to read or go up to the board and point things out, etc. I have noticed that students pay a lot of attention and are less distracted when the ELMO is up and they are looking forward and paying attention. I find this technology to be very inviting and gives the students a chance to explore technology as well, and it being incorporated into the lesson they are learning. An ELMO is expensive and this could be a problem for many schools and teachers because funding is just not there right now. For those who are not sure what an ELMO is, it is just a digital projector, similar to an overhead projector, but there is no need for transparencies, you can use any kind of paper. This gives much more flexibility and can even be used similar to a Smart Board. If you have the projector projecting onto a white board, you can have the information on the white board and then write on the board as well, showing what you want. I have noticed that my teacher within my classroom uses the ELMO and even has the students write on the white board with what they are working on. For instance, they were correcting their math tests, the test was projected from the ELMO onto the white board and students would correct their mistakes. No one was bored, all the students participated and everyone seemed engaged in what they were doing. This just brought the energy level of the classroom at a place where all students felt comfortable and relaxed. This day in age all students usually have computers at home or some type of technology that they are familiar with that they can apply to using this ELMO.


An ELMO can be used for just about anything that you want all students to see. I believe that an ELMO would be most beneficial in an upper elementary classroom. Just because students that age have more experience and would be able to appreciate it more than those in the younger grades who might look at it as just a toy, and not a learning material as well. I have found that using the ELMO is fun for me and the students. I would love to have one in my classroom one day. It is just a great way to have student/teacher interaction, as well as student/technology interaction. Most of the students that we teach are going to be growing up knowing what a "text" is from when they are one year old. So why not bring it into the classroom as well.

Transportation, digital story

The video that my group and I made on transportation for a digital story.

Digital Storytelling, a yes!

Doing this digital storytelling was very fun and got me in the creative mood. I wrote a short-quick few sentences story on going to the Britney Spears concert with my friend. I used pictures that we took while we were there and also added some captions to the slides. I had to do this for another class of mine, I am going to post that video on my blog as well. It was for my TE 401 class and we worked in groups doing something called a digital storyboard. We went to the Michigan Historical Museum and had to take pictures on a certain topic. My groups topic was transportation. So we had to make a digital storyboard using pictures of different kinds of transportation and how it had developed over the years. We had a lot of fun making that video as well. I believe that this is a great tool for teachers to use with their students. It for one is a great way to get students involved with technology and become hands on with a subject within school. I learned a lot about transportation in Michigan simply by doing this assignment because you had to work on it and know the information. There are many things that teachers could do with this. Including projects and assessments. It allows students to take a part in creating the lesson. If this were to be done in an elementary school classroom the students could be put into groups and then share their videos with the class. Allowing all students to learn different topics but be masters at one topic. These types of things allow students to also feel very good about themselves. It brings out the creative side of you and makes you the "director." You decide how you want the storytelling to go, what music or audio you want to use, and what pictures or videos you want to use. I liked the medium I used, it was called Slide. I liked it, it was very easy to put the pictures up and add text. The only thing that I did not like about it was that I could not add music or audio. It was a silent storytelling. I don't find anything wrong with this, it is just a different way of doing it. Although sometimes adding music and audio is a great way to get students attention if they are bored by just the pictures and text. I looked at a few of the other sites as well and found that each one was different. A few of them I could not add text to, but I could add music, or vice versa. I think it is almost easier to make these digital storyboards on a computer-type program. Such as i-movie. I have a lot of experience with i-movie and that program is easiest for me to make a digital story. Using pictures, music, voice recording and text. Although the ones that we looked at through the workshop were very helpful as well. I find that this would be a great tool to use for students as an assignment and they would really enjoy it and get a lot out of it. I did as a future teacher and would be very willing to implement this option in one of my lessons.

Week 9 Digital Storytelling

My powerpoint with audio!

Marine Mammals

View more presentations from clpistolesi.

PLN

Developing a personal learning network so far has been great. I think it is a great way for teachers and future teachers, or anyone really who is looking to expand their network and start networking with other people. Developing your own blog, web-page, a cite where you store your favorite or bookmarked cites. They are all great ways to keep your connections and networks all in one place that is easy to find and work with as well as letting others see what you have. I think there are many potentials to having a PLN which mostly include the networking and new ways of discovering things that can help you with whatever you are working on. Having a PLN also gives you access to cites and information that you can store together and allow others to see who may not know what those cites are, or even what a PLN is so this way it just forms new people and new networking. I also think it is beneficial for classrooms because if a teacher has their own PLN than students and parents within the classroom can look at the web-page, or whatever the PLN contains and find out information about who will be teaching their children and a little bit about them in a positive light. There are a few limitations in developing a PLN, simply because there is just so much information out there, it is hard to condense it all into an easy to read and find PLN. This means that the person who belongs to the PLN needs to keep there cites clean and organized, also to update them regularly. If the cites or PLN network is not kept up at least a few times a week, or what not, it really is not worth it to keep. These things need to be updated to keep it alive and running, or a network is not a network with no effort put into it. PLN's are great and although there are some drawbacks, as always having to keep them updated and having others look/find them they are great ways to network and put yourself out there!

URL for presentation

Lets Learn About Mammals

My google doc presentation

blogs + classroom

Looking at all the teachers blog sites that I added on my google reader (teachers from grades k-6) I have found lots of ideas and new and interesting ways of doing things that I had not know before. One of the teachers who teaches second grade has a very detailed list of what the students do each day within the classroom. So she starts off saying what was done, what was sent home to be brought back the next day, and what is coming up for assignments as well as school wide activities. I think that is a really great way to save paper for one, and also keep the parents informed of everything that is going on in the classroom via the Internet. I know as a teacher I am going to be having a lot of parents asking questions, complaining, etc. Doing something like that I think really relieves some of that pressure that parents can sometimes provide on the child for due dates and bringing things home etc. By having the blog postings, it just states exactly what is due when and what is going on. It also allows problems to be resolved sooner than later. This teacher also included things that were going on within the school and outside of her classroom (ice cream socials, etc.) Also a spelling list for the week. I am just so AMAZED at this teachers organization and time spent on doing this for her students and their parents. It really brings the classroom together and keeps things up to date. I love it! Technology is such a great tool to be used every single day within the classroom and this is just another example. I hope to follow in this teachers footsteps and be able to do what she is doing with her blog and classroom.

SMC site

Exploring the Social Media Classroom website I came across Participatory Pedagogy. Similar to what we learned last week in the PTACK lesson. A way of getting students to learn from each other and in different ways than just notes, lecture and discussions. It is easier for students to feel connected and engaged when they are all working with the same thing under the same media outlet, for example computers or Google Docs, Google Earth, anything that all students within the classroom can participate in and feel good about discussing. A great for teachers to also get lesson ideas and see how pedagogy can be implement within a classroom and what it really means to a students education within technology. As they will be growing up with technology in their veins, it cannot be avoided, so why not embrace it.

Google Apps within the Classroom

Within my classroom I think that using Google Docs would be a great choice, and there are lots of things that can be done within the classroom with this application. Similar to what we are doing for week six, and uploading something to the Google Doc and then invite others to look at it and edit or what not. This would be great for a lesson in language arts. I know there is a lot of writing that goes on within all the different grades of elementary school and this would be a great way for students as well as teachers and even parents to view others work and comment, etc. This way it would be sort of like a clipboard for students to feel comfortable with other people looking at their work. They could also set it (sorta like we did) up with the groups and then just have those people be able to view and edit. Many options for students if they are not comfortable with the entire class/etc. viewing their work. Another way of integrating Google Docs and other Google Apps into the classroom is just really using them and introducing them to the students. Also with the Google Docs you can have spreadsheets, and presentations. A great and different way to lecture or teach a lesson with the students not being bored with the traditional talking and writing. For Google Sites, that is a great way to possibly have those within the classroom who have a blog, they can all be posted together, or a class website. Many things to incorporate technology into the classroom with each unit and lesson. I believe it also gives the students more confidence within their work because they have much more hands on and feedback using Google Docs and Apps like these. There even is a calendar which can be used as the class calendar that can have all the assignments, tests, quizzes, projects, etc. A good way to save paper and allow students to check it whenever they can at home, also great for parents. As with most things with Google, the things that can be done are almost endless, as a lot of the lessons can use technology at any state.

Task 2- I chose Google Earth!

For task 2, I decided to research Google Earth. I have this on my computer. I never really thought that it would be useful to me in terms of working with it within my classroom. I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND! I think this is going to be a great technology tool to use within my classroom as well as plan units and lessons around. I am very excited! With Google Earth, the software (easily down loadable) allows you to get an entire look at the planet from space. You use your mouse to move the earth around and find the area you want to see, all taken from satellites. You can even look for your own house! (Of course I did this, my parents house in Novi.) To me this is just a great playground for me as a future teacher. This allows me to show my students exactly what our planet, different countries, oceans, etc. look like from a point of view that far away and yet still accurate. The affordance of this item (Google Earth) will require the teacher to have a computer of course because that is where the program is. I also think Google Earth would be MOST beneficial if the students could view it in a LARGE format. For instance the computer is hooked up to a screen where what is on the computer screen is seen on a pull down screen in front of the classroom. Controlled by a box that usually is on the ceiling within the classroom. This way students can see it close up and personal. Not having to crowd around a computer. There are a few constraints with Google Earth. For instance if you are having problems with it and it is not working, or just other technical issues that can occur. The many strengths to having Google Earth available within your classroom include students being able to be "hands-on" with learning about our earth and different areas on earth. By being able to control the movement themselves or with the teachers help. Using Google Earth would go great with using the Smart Boards. That would really be AMAZING. As you would be able to write and use the Board with your hands all in front of the class. As well as allowing the students to be hands on with this and write and find places on earth. I would for sure use this technology with specific content in mind. Such as geography (maps) Social Studies (countries, cities) science and discovery (oceans, plates, mountains) As well as astronomy (rotation, moon, 24 hour days, etc.) The list is really endless with what you can do with Google Earth. I really could use this to incorporate students learning and raise excitement with what they are learning, versus just taking notes and looking in a book. Not a great way to spark students interests, especially elementary grades! TPACK is great also with using Google Earth. It is using technological content and applying it with pedagogical ideas and all using this to teach content with technology as the component. I LOVE IT. With Google Earth 5 ( I don't have that version..yet) you can look at the ocean floor and data from marine experiments. There is so much you can use with that to teach students (science, social studies) great way to inform/teach great content with real-time images. Something that will really draw in the students in a way like never before. As well as being able to record for Google Earth and for touring it. Great way for students to apply their learning. As well as for the teacher to prepare a "trip through____" before class starts with their voice recorded. SO COOL!

blogs-teachers

For one of the tasks this week Greg wanted us to be subscribed to about 12 blogs for our RSS feed. I am subscribed to a few within our class and then I subscribed to a teacher from each grade (K-6th). I did this because I do not know exactly which grade I want to teach (really wherever I can get a job) although I would like to have a preference. So I am hoping by following a blog from each grade will give me a chance at looking at different teachers, different grades and different perspectives. Both female and male teachers as well. Also how they incorporate technology into their classrooms and the effects it has.

website- social media

I found this really cool website, I believe it just came about, so it is pretty new. Its about social media in the classroom. I thought I would post it just in case others are interested!!

Also it is helpful to us teachers and information on how social media effects the classroom and technology and all that.

http://socialmediaclassroom.com

Animals

Although this does not have anything to do with technology, it is my blog so I can post whatever during this time to..I hope. Anyways this is extremely random but I have been reading some tweets on Twitter from random people and everyone seems to be talking about their dogs or puppies or that they just got one! It makes me miss my dog so much! I do not have a dog up here at school where I live, but my family does at home and she is the best dog. I am obsessed with her. I recently was watching a show on Animal Planet where these poor dogs and other animals are suffering at the hands of their owners. Chained up with no food or water for weeks. It is awful what some of these animals go through and it really brings me to tears. I just hate to see them suffer like that for no reason. I also am trying to slowly come off eating animals. I know some of them are bred just to be killed and then eaten so they don't really suffer but lately I am not really okay with that either. I am slowly trying to eat less meat and less meat because I just feel so bad for those poor things. I have completely stopped eating anything that comes from a pig. Cows I am working on and I do still eat chicken. I do not like anything that swims though or comes from the ocean, yuck! Anyways it just was so sad to see these poor helpless animals suffer like that, when it doesn't need to be done. I feel like if you cannot afford to take care of an animal the RIGHT way, do not get one! It is as simple as that people. Also because I am really into animals and keeping them around at least trying to (there are way to many on the endangered species list) I could also incorporate that into my classroom. Through projects and getting involved. That would be a great way to get the students thinking about other things that can be related to school and saving the planet. Well after this rant, here are some pictures of my dog and my uncles dog (who I am also obsessed with and want to keep)

This is my dog, Maxey.




This is my Uncle's Dog, Beau.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

I really enjoy having a Twitter account. I had an account before I started this class and I really enjoyed it then as well. My thoughts on it so far are really this- it is a way to see what other people are doing, discuss things that are happening currently whether in the news or pop culture. It is also a way to connect with others and find interesting topics you have with others (#_____) whatever you want to discuss. I will admit that I do follow many celebrities on Twitter and it is interesting to read their updates on what they are doing/where they are, etc. That sounds really creepy, but they are celebrities! Within the classroom I think it could be a very useful thing. Also just within the schools. If many of the teachers within the schools had Twitters there could be status given, you can tweet at one another possibly about a field trip, something with technology, etc. The possibilities are endless really. Overall it really is just a tool to communicate with others. It allows you to talk/post/read/write about yourself and/or others. Tweeting at someone and then having a conversation is very simple and easy. The only drawbacks I see to Twitter thus far- it can be addicting as well as creeper. Sometimes I find myself looking at these tweets and I feel like I am a stalker! HA. Also I just think it can be hard for some people to get used to it and understand it. At first it is a little hard to understand exactly what you are supposed to do on there and how you can communicate with others. Although, once you get the hang of it, it is hard to stop! I also think by the time I get my own classroom most of the students within the classroom will have a Twitter account and we could have class discussions after school is out if there are questions, etc. I think it is a great tool to have within the classroom and would help in all those ways.

Photoshop.com Album

Week Four Photoshop Express slideshow!

ABOVE

Week Four Lab- Creating a slide show in Photoshop Express. I have created a slideshow of a few different images I have uploaded off my computer that I have taken over the past year. I enjoyed this lab very much. I feel it will be very helpful to me in my future teaching career. Say I went on a vacation or went scuba diving and took lots of pictures of animals, nature, the ocean, etc. I could then upload them to a site like this, create a slideshow of each subject of the pictures that were taken and then post it so my students in the classroom could see. Through this there could be projects, homework assignments, etc. They could even show their families and feel good about what they are learning about through techonolgy. What a great idea! Here is the slideshow that I created, again these pictures are random and just over the past year. (with all the requirements of course)

creative commons image and post

I believe that a great way to incorporate images into the classroom is to just add images about what you are teaching for explaining. I think it is important for students to be able to create their own images in their head when reading a story or using their imagination. I also think it is important to provide images to students to help them understand things and feel good about what they are learning. I think certain images that are important in the classroom are positive posters, images that provide encouragement to students as they are learning during the school day. To incorporate images into the curriculum that I will be teaching would be to pair images with things we are doing, again. So for example when talking about a history lesson or something within in social studies, provide an image of what is happening or ask the students to brainstorm and draw what they think the image would present. I have found an image that I feel would be beneficial to have in the classroom, a positive image that encourages students to feel good about themselves and think about others. I feel this would be positive for the students to look at each day of school. This image is a poster from a company called The Equality and Diversity Shop Ltd. They sell posters, books and other images for classrooms to provide positive feedback to the students. I found this image by searching the Creative Commons website and this image was something that was licensed to be able to use within a blog post such as this. This image came from the website of http://tedsonline.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27_1_12





Candice's Photobucket page

website

I found a website that I have in my RSS feed (which I do not yet have working on my page on the class ning, but it will be up shortly) on education and lesson planning with technology and how to incorporate technology with the students within each lesson. They also have templates on the websites to follow and ways to see how technology really is useful within the classrooms no matter what grade.

In response to Dean Shareski's article

After reading "Student and Teacher Blogging that Succeeds" I found it very interesting. I think that all the points there were raised within the article are very prevalent and understanding. Blogging does need just as much time with writing the posts as it does with reading the posts. Also relating to how students make friends and do things in real life to their blogs is a good way to get students to understand exactly what blogging is, and how it is beneficial to each person that blogs. Dressing up the blogs and adding each owns personal flare really allows the students to connect with that they are writing and reading and feel positive about that they are doing in the blogging world. I think that teachers are doing a great thing with introducing blogs into the classroom. At the higher elementary ages I think it would be important for homework assignments, sending messages, group projects, all connected over the blogs. As many people in the world have blogs, why not bring the classroom into it as well. This article should be read by all teachers and those who want to become teachers in order for them to understand what and how blogging will be the most beneficial to the students within the classroom, and also in their future education.

technology integration

Currently, I am not placed in a school yet, but I will be later in the semester. Last spring though, I was placed in a school. The technology within that school and within the classrooms was different then what I had growing up in my school district. Although in the school I was in in the spring had about three computers in each classroom and the students were allowed to use them only when they were done with the work for that hour, or if the assignment involved typing or searching information. The students (at least when I was there) were not given a lot of instruction on what to do on the computer or how to do things, they seemed to just already know, as this was a 6th grade classroom. I will say that the teacher and student interaction with technology and the computers was lacking, there was none. The teacher used an overhead to put notes on the board, but really that was all besides the computers. This was an inner city/urban setting. Most of the students had access to a computer and Internet connection at home and they seemed to use social networking cites (twitter, facebook, myspace, etc.) although not for classroom/school relation. I know previously though in classroom I have seen smart boards used. Which were a great way to include the students in a hands on lesson and the students seemed to respond very well to being able to touch a "computer screen" on the wall. I feel the more students are included in technology within the classroom, the more they will find it fun and interesting and apply themselves to what they are really learning.

In response....

I have decided to make a blog post about ALL of my group mates blog posts :)

each of us seems to have a different background information for technology and what we know. With this said, it seems that each of us has something different to offer and have learned over the years little by little, or in some cases, a lot by a lot. I feel it is a good opportunity for us, each coming from different places to feed off of each other, ask questions and possibly learn more from different people. Technology in the classroom is extremely important, as now everything is online and done online that schools need to be caught up. This is a good opportunity for us all to learn how to be the best teachers we can be to our students through technology.

heatlhcare in schools?

After catching up on the news this weekend and watching some interesting television. I realized that political topics, also effect the classroom. For instance, national health care that is being discussed within the government. I was thinking about it and realized that there are going to be many different types of children within each classroom. Some with more privileges than others. Included in this is those whose families have health care, and those who do not. I am not sure why it has finally clicked, but it has. I think this would be extremely beneficial for many of those within the urban districts and schools. Because it is an area of lower income there could be many without this health care. This means that when their children get sick, they do not have the means to care for them through a doctor or something else. Yet, if they had health care that was affordable, their children would not have to miss school or fall behind simply because they do not have health insurance or coverage. There is obviously much more to this debate, but I feel it is important to take schools into this because without students, there would be no teachers, and therefore, no schools.

Week 1- What I know about technology and what I want to learn

My background in technology is about average. I use the computer for networking, homework, projects, etc. I know basically the "simple stuff" just at the surface. Many things within technology confuse me a little, but I am wanting to learn more. I also know PowerPoint in ways of creating a discussion or sharing information. From this class I would like to learn just more about what I can use within the classroom involved with technology. How using technology within the class will help students further their education and why it is important in this ever changing world. I also hope to just become more enlightened on technology and education and how the two connect.

Final Project Post

                                                Candice Pistolesi

Final Project TE 448

                Upon starting this project I was not sure what to expect or how it was going to go. At first I was not sure what diverse group I wanted to do my project on, and finally I picked transgender to be my focus. I was at the library for a good hour plus some trying to pick out the books I was going to use for the project. I had a very helpful Liberian who helped me find about 10-15 books to chose from. It was hard for me to choose just three books because they all looked like books I would find interesting as well as beneficial to read. I ended up choosing Luna, Parrot Fish and Grl2Grl. These books have opened my eyes to the world of transgender teens, a world that I never knew. Each book was similar, but also different. Each character was transitioning, but each in a different way with different circumstances surrounding the story, such as parents approval, acceptance at school, friends, their future, etc. The literature I have found on transgenders, I believe are good pieces of literature. Even for those who are not transgender to relate to because they experience the same thing most young adult’s face, just in a different context. Each book taught me something different about transgenders, how they feel inside, what makes them feel this way, how they go about changing themselves, etc. Each book allowed me to fall into the life of these teens and feel compassion, feel hurt and feel anger for them. The way they were treated, the way they felt about themselves, simply because they felt they could not be themselves. The books each contain characters that are relatable to anyone who is struggling with their identity. Each character is going through something different, but all focused on becoming and being free from themselves and being a transgender. Within the books I have read, I noticed each had similar strengths; they all portrayed the character becoming transgender in a positive light, where they had support from at least one or more person’s surrounding them. I liked that the books were written this way, because even though they were shed in a positive light, there were still negative aspects they had to face. I felt this was realistic, and instances that actually occur. Making it easier for readers to understand and relate. Some areas of weaknesses within the books I noticed were they seemed to be focused toward only young adults, but within the books the characters knew from a young age that they were transgender or belonged to a different identity that the one they were born with. So I wonder if that is included in these books, should there be some pieces of literature aimed towards those of a younger status?

 I am so grateful for reading these books and know that one day I would like to have books like this within my classroom depending on what grade level I have. They are diverse books that many students can understand and relate to, because we all go through tough times, and we all question who we are in one way or another. One part within one of the books I chose, Luna there was a ‘scene’ that I felt was all too familiar for many. Luna was upset and felt the world could not accept her, so why should she accept her, why should she go on and almost ended her life. Many young teens have felt or feel this same way and some have taken it all the way to ending their lives. This to me is 100% preventable, and if one person’s life can be changed by reading these books, than that is something, because I know that mine has.

 

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

                Luna is a book about a girl whose brother is becoming a female. His real name is Liam and he has known he was a girl ever since he could remember. Growing up, he has tried to tell his parents that he is a girl and wants to be treated like one. Although, this story is told from Regan’s point of view, Luna’s younger sister. For Regan it feels like her life is all about Luna. At night is the only time when Luna comes out, waking Regan up night after night to put on makeup and try on dresses. She is two different people. A boy, Liam during the day and a girl, Luna at night. Regan’s life takes a turn as well when she catches the attention of a boy named Chris. They are lab partners and end up dating, although Regan is hesitant because she is afraid of what might happen to Luna. Luna’s secret though seems more then Regan can handle as she “checks out” often and people seem to notice, “My brother was a black hole in my universe. He was sucking the life right out of me. It seemed as if I was being pulled into this crater by a force I couldn’t fight. Liam was already down there. We were together at the bottom” (page 117.) Luna and Regan share a friend named Aly; she has no idea that Liam is really Luna, and has feelings for Liam. Liam decides that he cannot keep his secret from her any longer and tells her, much to Regan’s dismay. The relationship between Liam, Regan and their parents is a bit strained, they don’t have much in common and the conversations are forced rather than flowing. The mother who deep down knows Liam’s secret, pretends to not know, and ‘ignore it.’ While the father has no idea but senses something and begins pushing Liam to do things he does not want to, things that boys “should” do. Luna does take a stand for herself, and become who she finally wants to be, free. I enjoyed this book and felt that it shed light on every aspect of what a person who is becoming a transgender is dealing with. Told from the sister’s point of view we see someone who is on the inside, but really the outside telling the story. I enjoyed how detail was paid on what Regan was going through as well, but Luna was always the center of the story. This book fits in with diverse literature as it is a rare look into the life of a transgender. The story itself is very diverse as not many people are transgender, or open about it and this is a book that those experiencing this, can relate to. It is a book that opens your eyes to what it is really like for those who are becoming transgender, both physically and emotionally. I thought that the book ended abruptly and more information could have been shed to ‘wrap up’ the end of Luna. From an insider’s point of view Luna is a book that many can relate to. Even those not transgender because of the story line and different experiences that the characters go through; humor, embarrassment, excitement, love, many different and challenging emotions. There is a little bit of everything, it is after all set in high school.

Grl2Grl by Julie Anne Peters

                Grl2Grl, a book containing a collection of about ten short stories all focused on lesbian and transgender (female to male) relationships. Each story is different than the next and each one keeps you intrigued. Although even though the stories are each different from one another, they do contain some similarities as each story has a focus on one girl who is dealing with an issue or love, becoming a transgender or coming out. The stories are told on a deep and personal level, with intimate details and dark emotions that these girls are going through. One of the stories included some graphic material this was called, “Stone Cold Butch.” Other stories names include, Passengers, Can’t Stop the Feeling, After Alex, Outside/Inside, On the Floor, Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Boi, TIAD and Two-Part Invention. The stories each contained a girl who was trying to deal with her life either being lesbian or transgender in a way that made her happy, although at most times that was not the case, they could not achieve their  happiness in its entirety because of others disapproval, and their own self-esteem. As the character Cam reflects in the story, “Stone cold butch. That’s me. Dead. Inanimate. Object. You could take a sledgehammer to me, crack me down the middle, and all you’d find inside would be dirt. You wouldn’t want to get your hands dirty. Don’t break me” (page 118.)  This girl was feeling this way because she was transgender and being sexually abused at home, all aspects of her life were being affected. Many of the stories are similar to this in which we see what is going on with each girl, depression, love, first sexual experiences, changing from female to a male through clothes and/or ‘appendages.’ As well as how their lives and others are affecting who they are. This book was enjoyable to read, I enjoyed the collection of short stories, they were quick and easy reads but with powerful and meaning full messages. The characters seemed real and each dealt with an issue that many young adults deal with, honest issues.  This book is most definitely a piece of diverse literature as each story has a different person, a different reason for what they are going through, something that is ‘non-traditional’ or ‘ab-normal’ to most people. This book is one that many can relate to, even those whom are not transgender or lesbian. Because many young adults experience depression, as well as figuring out who they are and what that means to them. Especially for those who are trying to find themselves and be happy with who they are identifying with. One thing I question within this book though is why lesbian and transgender were placed within the same book with similar stories. I believe this might be because in some of the stories the girl was a lesbian and then came out as a transgender, sort of easing her way into her new identity, something that I believe each one of us has done in some form or another.

Parrot Fish by Ellen Wittlinger

                Parrot Fish is a book about a young girl who is transitioning and becoming a male, he is a transgender. Her birth name is Angela. Since becoming a male she changed her name to Grady, explaining that it is a name that can be either a male or female, “It’s a name that could belong to either gender, I said, Also, I like that gray part of it- you know, not black, not white. Somewhere in the middle” (page 6.) As Grady goes in his new life, many things change. His once best friend only talks to him outside of school because of his change and thinks that this is okay and Grady should understand that this is because he has become a transgender. His mom, sister and brother are having trouble adjusting to Grady’s new change, but Grady’s father is supportive of his new life. He has changed to be who he wants to be and walks into school expecting everyone to call him Grady and to treat him like the boy he has always been. The book is not over dramatic at all, no parents that throw their child out or disown them, somewhat of a ‘utopia’ with this change with no super dramatic scenes, no one being beat up or bullied excessively. Although I think that this is refreshing and a book that those who are transgender can relate to and feel good about themselves after reading, even though their society might not be at this level yet, it gives hope to those who feel one day they can be accepted without any ridicule. Grady makes new friends after his transition. Friends he thought he would not have anything in common with, especially the school “geek” who enlightens him on how a Parrot Fish changes gender when they need to. This really brings him to a new place in his life, and what he is really looking for when he finally becomes who he has always known to be. For many who are looking for a book that does have a happy ending in a world where most transgender’s  hide their true self their entire life because of what the world will say, this is the book for you. A book that is a diverse piece of literature, a book that many will find they will not be able to put it down, I know I had trouble. This book is a good piece of literature, a good piece of diverse literature, and although there is a ‘utopia’ feeling for the book, there are still instances where Grady feels alone and that being himself is not okay, this is relatable for many young adults, even those non-transgender.

 (Rethinking) Gender; A growing number of Americans are taking their private struggles with their identities into the public realm. How those who believe they were born with the wrong bodies are forcing us to re-examine what it means to be male and female by Debra Rosenberg.

                Finding this article was a challenge, but I finally found one that I felt fit perfectly with this project. Transgender and Gender Identity go hand in hand. They are both terms that describe a person who feels mentally, even without surgery that they are a different sex from what they were born. I learned this from reading the books I choose for this project as well as from reading this article. Gender is not an “issue” but an identity, and those struggling with this identity are transgenders. This article focuses on gender identity and those becoming transgender. For someone who has no idea what gender identity is, or transgender this article answers many questions, a quote I found to be powerful, “To most of us, gender comes as naturally as breathing. We have no quarrel with the "M" or the "F" on our birth certificates. And, crash diets aside, we've made peace with how we want the world to see us--pants or skirt, boa or blazer, spiky heels or sneakers. But to those who consider themselves transgender, there's a disconnect between the sex they were assigned at birth and the way they see or express themselves” (Rosenberg, 2007.) As well as explaining transgender and gender identity the articles focuses on some people who became transgender, either male to female or female to male. All different types of people, including race car drivers, teachers, newscasters, journalists, etc. This article enlightens you as to what many transgender people must go through and how many states and companies are now stepping up to protect them and their rights within the work field and society. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill including gender identity within the hate crime prevention bill, as stated in the article. I felt that this article included very useful information and instances where people transitioned from their gender they were born with to what they felt and knew they always were and that this was a good way to fully understand transgender and gender identity. I enjoyed reading the article; each new paragraph gave me new information on gender identity and transgenders. Information that is critical to I believe all the in world, so we realize that people who become transgenders are dealing with it from the inside, and this information being known could prevent many negative connotations that people associate with transgenders. Strengths included the information and cases presentenced, allowing the reader to really learn and understand gender identity and transgenders. Weaknesses included not including those who were used as cases and examples within the story, their personal feelings or what they went through could have been useful to the readers. Overall this article was very enlightening and pleasant to read. I have learned so much and this article allowed me to fully understand what gender identity is, and what transgenders really mean. They are the same as everyone else and deserve the same treatment and that is both inside and out. 

reflections

Well, I have finished my final project and I must say, I feel like I have learned so much. I had seen a few specials on television on transgender and stuff like that. I watched things about the pregnant man, but I never really understood how they "got that way" or why some people felt that way and some didn't. After reading the books I choose and reading the article, I feel so much more knowledgeable about this topic. I just understand now what they go through and how they become transgender. They frankly are born that way. Outside a certain sex and inside a different one. I could not imagine what it must feel like being born in the wrong body. I would say that if I could experience it for a day, I am not sure if I would want to simply because I think it would be so hard to deal with. I really have a different outlook on those who are transgender and everyone included in the LGBTQ community. Especially with all these recent deaths for those who felt they could not be themselves, this just really shows how important it is for everyone to accept everyone else, no matter if you don't agree with their "choices" or what they do, they are human just like us all and everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. I hope my project will be interesting to others and I hope that those can learn like I did from what I have read. 

terms

So, I know in class last week we were discussing LGBTQ. I know that a few of us were confused on what transgender is, or transvestite and what not. Well, I have found my scholarly article and it clears up that confusion. Here it is:

Transsexual- a term that usually refers to someone who wants to use hormones/surgery to change their sex

Transvestites- "cross-dressers" or those who occasionally wear clothes of the opposite sex.

Transgender- an umbrella term that includes anyone whose gender identity or expression differs from their sex of their birth, whether or not they have surgery.

So that is what I have found so far within the article and that cleared up some confusion for me and I thought others might be interested as well! 

words

Today's class was very interesting. I think that this topic is a hot topic right now and something that we all need to fully embrace. After reading my books for the final project, I must say that my eyes have been opened ten times wider to what we are putting these people through and how they must feel breaks, just breaks apart my heart. To hide, to feel ashamed, to feel stupid and ugly, to feel all these horrible emotions simply because they are gay/lesbian or a transgender? To me it is extremely appalling. As we talked about today in class I am an avid supporter of Perez Hilton and I am checking his site all day, literally, every single day. Within the past few weeks there have been three different stories of a young male, about 11 years old, being bulled for being or thinking they are gay, and that young male taking their life. The mother of one of these young boys was on Ellen today and talked about what happened with her son. Tears were brought to my eyes over what this young boy went through. I myself was harassed and bullied everyday when I was younger in school for being overweight, and some days I thought about what it would be like if I no longer existed, just so the bullying would stop. I overcame what I was going through but the harm was done, and to this day I still am not completely healed. These young boys lives were cut short, because they could just not take the bulling for being gay. GOSH SO WHAT! so what if your gay!! I just cant understand or comprehend why it bothers people SO MUCH! It just makes no sense to me. As a teacher, when I have my own classroom I might have to deal with something like this. Within my classroom I am going to have a no tolerance for bulling, and I hope I can make a difference. I find bulling to be something that can be prevented, all these deaths could of been prevented. I find kids who bully kids who themselves have insecurities and whose parents have no idea what is going on in their children's lives. It makes me sick to think that these kids are the result of these young boys death. No child should ever have to feel unsafe at school, no child should be bullied and no child should ever have to even think about taking their own life for being homosexual. There is nothing wrong with being homosexual, and to me it seems the heterosexuals are the ones with the "issues" because they cannot accept others, they cannot see the happiness of others, and think that everyone needs to be like them. I hope that someday we can get past all these bullshit (sorry for the language) it just needs to be said, there is no excuse for any of this behavior and those who feel that others need to be punished because of their choices, are the ones who need to evaluate who they are and stop worrying so much about other people. I am hoping that through my final project I can connect more with this diverse literature and bring to others information that may be useful to them. Thanks, and if anyone reads this all the way through- thank you for listening to my venting! 

readings/class

Well I have not been on here in awhile and I need to update my blog! Well, I had my 21st birthday last week, and it was very fun. It is very different, the bar scene, something I am going to enjoy I think. I am glad to say that I have met all different people at the bar so far, all different races and cultures and I think it is going to be fun to meet even more people different from me. This class as well as 348 has opened my eyes to different races and culture in literature, as well as in everyday life. I have started reading some of my books for my final project, I have one book done and two more to read. I must say that this young adults going through this transgender transition, is something that I was very closed off to, and honestly knew nothing about. After reading this books I really feel for people who have become transgenders, I cannot imagine not wanting to be a female and be a male or vice versa, they struggle very much and I envy them for their courage to come out and be who they want to be no matter what other people think, if I could be that way with my life when it came to certain things, I think I would be a much better person. They have overcome so much, and I know a lot of people out there have as well, but this is something that is internal and they are fighting with everday until they finally let it out. I again wish I could be more like that. I am interested in reading Boy meets Boy and seeing how that story plays out. I have not found any articles that I thought were scholary enough for this project, but I am going to continue to look until I find one that I like when it comes to this topic. I am looking forward to class next week. 

weekend and readings

As I stated in my blog from the other day, this past weekend I went to Texas to visit my uncle who lives there, while it was an amazing weekend, there was one thing there that bothered me. Yes, my uncle lives in an area with many cowboys and although it is rural and city, in the little town where we did some shopping most of the stores are geared towards cowboys and cowgirls. In one particular store that was actually very nice and had many cute items, one thing stuck out to me. There was an Indian sitting in a chair, a 'fake' Indian man in an outfit just sitting in a rocking chair and the man told me his name was Bob. I was wondering why there would be an Indian just sitting in the store in a rocking chair near the food area. The man working there told me it is just to simulate that cowboys and Indians now get along. I wasn't exactly sure what to think, I believe it gave more of the impression that cowboys and Indians the game is still something that is considered okay. I was not sure how to look at it, but I did snap a picture of "Bob" and I will upload it to this post. I think that this weekend has allowed me to look at the topic for next class on "what does it mean to be American?" I think it means pride for yourself and pride for your country but being born here doesn't necessarily mean you are American, I think you can be American and be born half way around the world, if you believe in yourself and your country, ours being the USA, in my eyes your American, no matter what color, skin, ethnicity, etc. I have not yet read the readings for class but I am going to do that soon and see more about how I feel about what it means to be an American. 

Today's class

Today was a very interesting class. I liked the articles we read and I thought the discussion on Becoming Namio Leon was very interesting. Something that I wanted to say but didn't get a chance to say was this: I think that the book was well written and on many topics that were all brought into one, heritage, disability, addiction, coming of age story. That being said, I did not care of Skyla. She was not a mother that needed to be in these kids lives. Her addiction to achololwas stronger then her and she was not getting any better. She was two different people, one person while she was drinking and drunk and one person when she was not drinking. Although the person she was when she was not drinking she was a better person, but still a mother who really loves her children and cares for them would not want "only one" and I don't care what anyone says no matter how much the boyfriend (Clive) had to do with it, a mothers love for her child is UN breakable, and she was broken. I think the book opened up a lot of our eyes and I'm glad that we could all discuss this book with respect for one another with different opinions. I have started reading the books for my final project. So far I have read a book called "GRL 2 GRL" it was very interesting. It was a collection of different stories about girls who are gay and those who are transgender and the experiences they have gone through, all told from their point of view. I understand that we each have our flaws that we don't like and sometimes those flaws get picked on when in school or what not, but these poor women were tortured by others because they were gay or transgender and didn't want to be girls. My eyes have really been opened with this piece of literature and I hope that there are less and less people like that out there each day because we have to realize that we must accept people, even if we do not agree with things they do. Just like Skyla, I'm sure she had her positive moments, although those were not really seen in the book, she is person that needs help and I don't agree with the things she did, I do agree that she has potential if she WANTS to get help and if she really tried and wanted to, could be a good mom to BOTH of her children. I hope that the next few books I have to read for my project open my eyes even more. I will say that I have judged people before, and I don't like that I have done that. And through looking for the scholarly articles I hope to find more peoples opinions on literature of this nature and what it means to other people. On my last note, this weekend I am going to be in Texas for my uncles birthday, and I am going to keep my eyes open for anything that I can share during, "seen and heard." 

topics and tv shows.

So, I think I am going to change my final project topic to Transgender, instead of my original choice of African Americans. I think the reason I would like to change to this new topic because I realized that in class we have discussed African American literature, and I wanted to research something new. I have seen a few specials on TV about Transgender children, and I think it is a very powerful thing. I was really taken back by how confident these children were, and at such a young age with themselves. I think it would be interesting to see what kind of articles there are out there about this topic. On a different note. This morning while I was taking an online quiz for another one of my classes, I was watching Saved by the Bell. It was an episode about raising money for the cheer leading squad to get new uniforms. They held an date auction for the guys and the money raised would be donated to the cheerleaders. Well, this upset me at first because they had the "geek" as the show would label raise only 15 cents. Just because he is smart, wears glasses and spenders and walks with a hunch, he is a geek that is only worth 15 cents. Then the athlete makes about 50 dollars. And then it is Zach Morris's turn. He gets bet on by all the ladies, and the one that wins is an overweight girl who pays 100 dollars. This really ticked me off- after she won Zach looked stunned and had to be pushed next to her and his face was a face of disgust. This is sooo wrong! I don't understand why. The girl was cute, nice, funny, smart and the only reason he was upset was because she was heavy. What kind of message does this send to young female viewers watching? It is an issue of diversity because as we all know, overweight people are just as unaccepted as others. It just really ticks me off, because its so unnecessary. Anyways, those are my thoughts for the day-