Currently in my Language, Literacy and Learning course we have been working on video poems. My group decided to do our video on "Alone" by Edgar Allan Poe. We spent time filming shots and attempted to act to the best of our abilities. Most recently we have been editing our footage, adding in the text and special affects and incorporating music.
Dr. Kist and Dr. Bruce have given us a lot of time to work on this project. I have enjoyed working with my group and being able to express ourselves. Current English teachers may not find this assignment related to their job. It might not be the most traditional assignment, but I have learned so much from it. Video poems teach students how to work with others, use time management, interpret a poem or excerpt and use technology. By doing this project I have learned poetry in a different way. I think it is a great project and I look forward to seeing every one's videos.
Even though we are not literally writing, we are taking the same steps as writing a document. When composing a paper, you have to brainstorm ideas then organize your information and sources. Writing and editing come next and this process continues throughout the work. The video poem was done in the same context. Our group chose a poem, we discussed our interpretation of it, brainstormed possible shots and the rest followed. It might not come across as similar, but they definitely are.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Future of Education in America
The upcoming Presidential Election is important to me because I am concerned about each nominee’s goals to help improve education in America. I am thinking about working in an urban school district and I would like to make sure the candidate I vote for wants to help inner-city schools. Often students enrolled in these types of schools come from underprivileged neighborhoods, with limited health care and from homes with low property values. This affects the funding available to the schools and I would like to know how the future President will handle this dilemma.
Go to this link to hear Obama and his plans to help this situation: Obama and Education. This is a collection of short excerpts from his whole speech. If you do not want to go through the nine minutes of clips, listen between the minutes 6:30- 8:00 and this will specifically address education, but I suggest you listen to the whole ten minutes of clips from the full speech. If you are interested to hear the full speech go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxOSEj_sQM. The whole speech is not focused on education, but a lot of the factors presented in the speech affect race in American. If anyone else is interested in starting a career in the same type of setting, I suggest you watch this speech.
Go to this link to hear Obama and his plans to help this situation: Obama and Education. This is a collection of short excerpts from his whole speech. If you do not want to go through the nine minutes of clips, listen between the minutes 6:30- 8:00 and this will specifically address education, but I suggest you listen to the whole ten minutes of clips from the full speech. If you are interested to hear the full speech go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxOSEj_sQM. The whole speech is not focused on education, but a lot of the factors presented in the speech affect race in American. If anyone else is interested in starting a career in the same type of setting, I suggest you watch this speech.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Teaching Teachers: Three Perspectives on Becoming an Educator
Recently I found a great clip about the bond between a student teacher, her cooperating teacher and an education professor. The discussions and their thoughts are going to be similar to how we are going to feel next year during our student teaching.
The short video also discusses the frustrations an educator may face when a lesson does not go the way they intended. This clip may help bring your confidence back up and let you know it is okay to keep trying. You might fail a few times, before getting things right. These instructors let you know it is okay to struggle at times, if you are trying your best.
I hope everyone enjoys this short five minute video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yotqmsjd4AQ
The short video also discusses the frustrations an educator may face when a lesson does not go the way they intended. This clip may help bring your confidence back up and let you know it is okay to keep trying. You might fail a few times, before getting things right. These instructors let you know it is okay to struggle at times, if you are trying your best.
I hope everyone enjoys this short five minute video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yotqmsjd4AQ
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Virginia Hamilton Conference
Hello again! Last Friday, April 11, 2008, I went to my first educational conference and it was a beneficial experience. It was The 24th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference at Kent State University. Going with other INLA students was extremely valuable to get their perspective as well.
The day started out with two key note speakers, Mr. Jerry and Gloria Jean Pinkney. Jerry is a successful illustrator for children’s picture books and Gloria Jean writes novels. They both discussed their inspirations for their work and their presentation was excellent. I actually would have liked to hear them speak some more, but the day had to go on. Soon after, a noted author, Russell Freedman, received an award for his outstanding work in literature. He gave a short speech for his gratitude.
Then the workshops began! Each workshop was broken up into about an hour slot and would be held in two different time sessions. Every attendant got to choose three out of ten workshops that seemed most interesting to them. My first workshop session included an author, an editor and their relationship. They discussed the things they had to work out in the process of writing a novel and the obstacles they have to face to create a great story. The author is Andrea Cheng and her editor is Louise May. Even though it was not a session that can easily be incorporated into a lesson plan, I still found it beneficial if I ever wanted to become serious in the writing field.
The next workshop I attended taught how to interpret multicultural texts through reader’s theater. The conductor of the session was Tony Manna and he was fabulous. He gave the entire group great ideas to help students feel comfortable expressing new ideas through multicultural texts. We did a lot of activities with poems and working in groups. He incorporated ideas that I will definitely use someday.
My final session was fantastic! It was held by Sherry Mooers and I want to validate Sherry for everything she does for her students! She is a very dedicated educator and I found her to be an inspiration. She works in a very poor, urban school in Mississippi. Mooers gave the entire room an abundant amount of lesson plan ideas. I am seriously thinking about teaching in an urban setting and she gave us low budget ideas that are really creative with great themes integrated.
Going to this conference was better than expected and I am now more excited then ever to attend the educational conference in San Antonio, Texas, next fall.
The day started out with two key note speakers, Mr. Jerry and Gloria Jean Pinkney. Jerry is a successful illustrator for children’s picture books and Gloria Jean writes novels. They both discussed their inspirations for their work and their presentation was excellent. I actually would have liked to hear them speak some more, but the day had to go on. Soon after, a noted author, Russell Freedman, received an award for his outstanding work in literature. He gave a short speech for his gratitude.
Then the workshops began! Each workshop was broken up into about an hour slot and would be held in two different time sessions. Every attendant got to choose three out of ten workshops that seemed most interesting to them. My first workshop session included an author, an editor and their relationship. They discussed the things they had to work out in the process of writing a novel and the obstacles they have to face to create a great story. The author is Andrea Cheng and her editor is Louise May. Even though it was not a session that can easily be incorporated into a lesson plan, I still found it beneficial if I ever wanted to become serious in the writing field.
The next workshop I attended taught how to interpret multicultural texts through reader’s theater. The conductor of the session was Tony Manna and he was fabulous. He gave the entire group great ideas to help students feel comfortable expressing new ideas through multicultural texts. We did a lot of activities with poems and working in groups. He incorporated ideas that I will definitely use someday.
My final session was fantastic! It was held by Sherry Mooers and I want to validate Sherry for everything she does for her students! She is a very dedicated educator and I found her to be an inspiration. She works in a very poor, urban school in Mississippi. Mooers gave the entire room an abundant amount of lesson plan ideas. I am seriously thinking about teaching in an urban setting and she gave us low budget ideas that are really creative with great themes integrated.
Going to this conference was better than expected and I am now more excited then ever to attend the educational conference in San Antonio, Texas, next fall.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Anxious for Future
Hello all! Welcome to my blog spot. My fellow INLA friends and I are very excited to have the opportunity to express ourselves in a new way. During the past three years at Kent State I have been picking up bits and pieces of information and advice to help me in my future career as an educator.
For the past two years I have been a middle school cheerleading advisor. The experience has been amazing and great way to work with young adults. Even though I am not chatting with students about their latest favorite novel, I have been able to gain an understanding of the factors you do not always think about when coming into the teaching business. Some aspects that I have learned to work through are cooperating with parents, listening to a troubled teen and handling the frustrations during "rocky" days. Even though there are bad days, the good ones always seem to stand out and make it all worth while. Coaching has given me the opportunity to gain a sense of fulfillment, help teach young adults something new, laugh and have fun.
My goal is to take my two years of coaching and apply it towards teaching. I am nervous for student teaching, but even with the butterflies, I am still motivated to make it the best experience for the future. It is just one more step to reach my goal of starting a career in education.
For the past two years I have been a middle school cheerleading advisor. The experience has been amazing and great way to work with young adults. Even though I am not chatting with students about their latest favorite novel, I have been able to gain an understanding of the factors you do not always think about when coming into the teaching business. Some aspects that I have learned to work through are cooperating with parents, listening to a troubled teen and handling the frustrations during "rocky" days. Even though there are bad days, the good ones always seem to stand out and make it all worth while. Coaching has given me the opportunity to gain a sense of fulfillment, help teach young adults something new, laugh and have fun.
My goal is to take my two years of coaching and apply it towards teaching. I am nervous for student teaching, but even with the butterflies, I am still motivated to make it the best experience for the future. It is just one more step to reach my goal of starting a career in education.
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