Digital Text

   I explored three different links for Chapter 2.  One, MediWiki which is the software that Wikipedia uses to run its site.  I could use this to create a wiki site for my classroom that can become a great resource. Second, I looked at Wikispaces which is the software that Dr.Theresa and Dr. Grace both use to manage their classes.  I can also use this in a similar fashion as Dr. Grace and Theresa and make it a way to manage my classes.  Also, I could use it to create a WebQuest.   Lastly, I picked this very site, Blogger because I have spent a lot of time on it between Dr. Grace's and Dr. Theresa's class.  This can be used to see how my students felt about each class and show what they have learned or disliked.
   MediWiki is easy to navigate.  It gives you a sidebar, links (or tabs), and user links.  The sidebar gives you easy of use to get up and down the page.  Links (or tabs) also make it easier to navigate on one page and even get to other pages.  User links is a collection of personal links on your own page. Wikispaces provides that same type of service except you can upload documents pictures, and video to it!  Blogger is easy to setup and use.  Yu can tag any post you want and the site will automatically keep track of which blogs have the same tags.  Its a great way to organize your thoughts and posts!  You can make it as public or private as you wish as well!

Parent Involvment

My parents were involved in my education.  They were a part of fundraisers, helped me with any homework as much as possible, and attended every parent-teacher meeting.  Any chance they had to be involved they were.  I am very grateful to have parents they were very active and involved in my education.  I don't think I can say I would have them do anything differently.  i thought they were perfect with the amount of involvement they participated in!

To This Day

I really like the "To This Day" video.  I was bullied a lot when I was younger.  It really hit home in more ways than one.  I believe we should do everything in our power to make sure bullying is coming to an end.  It's getting harder to deal with because you can't run away from it today.  It's in the classroom and online.  No one should be a victim of bullying.  Everyone is different in their own way and that should be admired not laughed about.

Chapter 10: Going Beyond the Classroom

    The main theme that jumped out to me was making connections.  Connect what students have taken initiatives of learning on their own and advance on it in anyway possible.  Also, relate material to things outside of the classroom to make it more understandable to students. 
    Literally go beyond the classroom.  Get outside and apply the learning that was discussed in the classroom.  Being able to see instant results of their learning is really gratifying to students.  Showing the meaning of lessons and that its not just a waste of time can really open their eyes and make them more open to learning.
    Conveying meaning of what is learned in the classroom and applying it to real life is something I will look to do often.  I don't want my students to sit there and say "Why are we even doing this?"  I want them to see the fruits of their labor in the real world and not just get used to seeing letter or number grades.

Chapter 9: When Things Go Wrong

     The clear message lies at the end of the chapter.  Don't give up.  A lot is going on in the lives of young teenagers.  They are trying to find out who they are and what they stand for.  Not to mention juggling class work with it.  It can be overwhelming and every person handles it different, but as teachers we can never give up on a student no matter the situation.
     As rebellious as teenagers can be, they want to get to know adults.  If you are real with you class then you will gain their respect.  If you are understanding of their lives they will do the same for you.  To get respect you have to give it.  Make it worth their while being there not just for academics, but for life lessons as well.  Be the role model everyone is looking for.
      I really enjoyed this chapter.  i think it is important to never give up on students.  Teachers and students will all have good and bad days.  But being there for one another through the good and the bad it what its all about.  Mixed in with some fun and interesting academic work, the school comes together as a mini community. 

Chapter 8: Teaching Teenagers Who Are Still Learning English

    Respect is the one big reoccurring word in this chapter.  A lot of ELD students have cultures that a founded upon respect.  They want to be respected and not treated like children trying to speak for the first time ever.  Just because they are from different background and can't speak English well doesn't mean they should be treated any differently.
    A lot of ELD students want to make friends, but don't know how.  If they attempt to talk to people whose first language is English they get laughed at or shied away from.  Teaching an ELD student is very challenging, but you can't hand them anything they didn't earn and they wouldn't want it any other way.  Sometimes, ELD students take higher level classes just to hear extensive vocabulary so they can learn the vocabulary and not necessarily the material.  
    I can slightly understand their situation.  i took Spanish for eight years and I had friends whose first language was Spanish.  I learned more from hanging out with my friends than I did in class.  I could learn five vocabulary words each class or fifteen from hanging around with my friends all day. 

Chapter 7: Teaching Difficult Academic Material

   Encouraging active learning to help break through barriers of difficult material.  Don't forget that everyone learns in different ways.  Even when new material is slowly introduced it can be difficult to understand if their learning styles are not met.
    First, don't assume students are total blank sheets on certain topics.  Find out what they know and the results might be surprising.  If the material is especially difficult then break it down as many times as necessary until everyone understands it properly.  Try multiple activities to teach to every type of learner.  Also, make connections between older material and new material.  Using examples of how it can be connected to everyday life is helpful as well.
    Breaking down difficult material until everyone understands it is necessary in my mind.  Even if that means you didn't cover everything you planned on I would rather have my students concretely understand everything they learned than have a vague concept of everything taught.  Presenting hard information in a variety of different ways can make it easier for struggling students to understand and not be left behind.