Friday, April 17, 2009

Knowledge is Power

I have been working on a service project. This week I meet with my parent to let her know what was going on and to introduce myself along with my partner. With every ones busy schedule we had to find ways to make this all work. So that was why my partner and I both meet with the parent and then Maryann went in and help start a blog . He was excited because he knew his mom has one. I went into his school and recorded him working on Spanish sounds. He chose the ones he felt comfortable working with and went from there. Although I was having some technical problems we were able to put this video together. You really have to know to have the power to work with technology. I believe that technology is not a simple task to learn, but i am only speaking for myself. it is something that I have to really mess with. I enjoyed this because when iIdid mess around with it I saw the work in progress. It was also great to see that child worked was also very into getting this project done. Well the children are the future and I hope he takes this new technology with him.


Here is the finished product
http://voicethread.com/#u352282.b449489.i2389456

Here is his blog that he started
http://marcel-lettersoundsinspanish.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 10, 2009

Lady Montessori

I have had the opportunity to experience a whole new way of education. At the beginning of my technology for teachers class we were introduces to a way of learning that I did not understand to well, the Montessori way. I took a tour at a Montessori school and I was so impressed with the way things were. I knew when I first stepped into the school I was going to see something new and I did. It was completely different to any other school that I have ever stepped into. It was very peaceful, quite and welcoming. I was given a tour by the principle and I did not know at first that this was here title. I say this because everyone loved to see and great her. That is not so common because kids usually try to avoid the principle or at least I did. She told us a little about the school and took us into a few rooms. I notice so many things that I loved. This school has a three “R” rule. Respect yourself, respect others and respect the environment. How great is that? Another thing was it is a hand on school they have many resources to find education out on there own. They find out life on their own. They work at there own pace and are not held back from moving on if necessary. They don’t have some one else telling them how to think. Instead of just giving them answers they are given was to find answers. One quote that I saw was by Mari Montessori, children learn by discovery. These quotes are painted all along the schools with work from the children. Another great thing that was mention was that each room has a peace table. Mari Montessori believes so heavily in peace. If the students have a problem with each other they learn to work it out on there own. They sit and talk out there feelings. There mascot was the dove symbolizing peace. This is just such a great school and I sooo glad that there are actually schools out there like this one. I enjoyed visiting this school and hope to be apart of the same kind of community.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

service project

I am a little nervous here. I have to start this service project where I will show off all that I have learned in my technology for teachers class. All that i know about the project is it has to do with Spanish voice sounds wanting to incorporate a VoiceThread of close-ups of the mouth while kids make up alliterations alongside. I have just looked up what alliterations means and what I understand it is kind of like a toung-twister.

I have yet been able to start this project because i have not meet with my student and the parent. I have attempted to email my parent and I have also email ed the other student that i am working with to see if they have had any contact with the parent. My teacher suggested to make a hand written note which i did not think of but i am going to do and drop it off where she works which is in this same building. along with emailing her again.

I will be taking a tour of the school that this child goes to and I have asked to meet with the students teacher so that maybe she can activate my mind on what she has in mind about the project. i hope to be well prepared for when i meet up with my parent. this sounds like a fun and interesting project. when i do meet with my parent ad student i should show them how tho start a blog along with showing them a kwl chart and log them into their own voice thread. I would probably ask them to get started on think of some of the different sounds of Spanish and what are some items that make these sounds. although i did not know what the definition of alliteration was i would ask them look this word up and jot down some ideas.