tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27375352908299673952024-02-20T08:16:16.290-08:00Learning to ShareMy Inner Ramblings About TeachingTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-29507255402464253092011-02-07T14:44:00.000-08:002011-02-07T15:07:30.691-08:00Less Teaching More LearningI have noticed that the less I "teach" the more learning my students do. <br /><br />I don't think that this is because I am a bad teacher, in fact, I know that I am a good teacher because my students are learning. <br /><br />The more Project Based Learning that I do in my class, the more I can visibly see that learning is in fact happening in my classroom. Sure, it has it's down sides too. Students are more likely to be off task instead of working on the assigned project because they are given more freedom that sitting listening to a lecture, but they are also learning time management and how to work in a social environment, life skills that they will need for the rest of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> life. Sure my students are going to run into problems that they are not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">equipped</span> to solve, but that is where being a teacher means that I am supposed to step in and lead them to find the answer. Sure the project may be a failure, but in life people have way more failures than they do successes. Sure they have fun when they are learning things, but THEY ARE HAVING FUN WHEN THEY ARE LEARNING THINGS! (I didn't know this was an actual objection, but one that I have recently heard from a parent. I quote, "My Child can't possibly be learning in here because they are having to much fun." Really? Really!) This type of work in class is creating such an amazing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">environment</span> to work in, teach in, and be in each day. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thoroughly</span> enjoy coming to work. The less time that I spend lecturing, the more close relationships that I am able to create with my students. The closer our relationships the more of a mentor I am. The more of a mentor I become, the more respect I have from my students. The more respect I have from my students, the less <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">discipline</span> problems I have. The less <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">discipline</span> problems that I have, the more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBL</span> we can do. The more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBL</span> that we can do, the more learning that happens. <br /><br />More Learning. Less Teaching. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBL</span>. Can you tell I'm a fan? What are your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experiences</span> with Project Based Learning? Successes, Failures? Questions? Comments? All are greatly welcomed and appreciated.Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-5636922709883666462011-01-25T09:26:00.001-08:002011-01-28T11:53:13.749-08:00Doodle for Google<a href="http://www.google.com/doodle4google/">Doodle for Google</a> is an art contest held by Google each year to encourage students in the field of drawing. Students design <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Google's</span> homepage for a day. This year I am going to have our students participate in the Google Design Competition. We are already working on our Rodeo Art Competition, but already the students are extremely excited about this new project. I think it's because it relates to a product that they are familiar with and instantly recognise as being "cool". The fact that they may be able to create something that would be shown world wide to all other fellow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">googler's</span> is extremely impressive and exciting to them. I don't think I've ever had my students this instantly excited about anything before. I'll keep you posted on how it's going...<br /><br />Have a Blessed One,<br />Miss TabithaTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-69979127933886310902011-01-24T09:42:00.000-08:002011-01-28T11:52:48.074-08:00Creative Commons and Copyright LawsI was just posting a comment on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QiO_H0-ok8"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Edublogger</span> Teacher Challenge</a> and it was becoming so long that I decided I should make it into a post to help those that read here too.<br /><br />I recently became very aware of Copyright Laws because I took over the Advisor Position on our School's Yearbook. It was an extremely daunting task to take on and I had to learn laws very fast, and be able to turn around and teach them. I was extremely overwhelmed. What is Copyright? What is Fair Use? What is this Creative Commons thing I have heard about? Is it the same as Fair Use? I had no idea. I started in with research of my own and soon the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">legalise</span> was so far over my head that my brain felt like mush. I called our yearbook company representative to ask where I could find out information with out all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">legal</span> jargon and she pointed to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> website that was somewhat helpful, but not really. Then I just started with a Google Search. I should know by now that this is somewhere I should always start because the information always seems to be much more abundant and I am able to get a quicker and more clearer answer (even if it's where to do more research at) than anywhere else. I came across these 3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Youtube</span> videos: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QiO_H0-ok8">Copyright, What's Copyright?; A Fair(y) Use Tale</a>; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io3BrAQl3so">Creative Commons, Let's Get Creative</a>; that helped me learn what these things are, as well as help <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">me teach</span> the concepts to my class quite easily. My students picked up the concepts and ran <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">with it</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> own after watching the videos, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in fact</span> they are still singing the copyright song months later.<br /><br /><br />Have a Blessed One.<br />Miss TabithaTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-45945782678938943322011-01-24T09:17:00.001-08:002011-01-24T09:26:19.240-08:00It's Just One of Those DaysYou know the kind, where everyone is tired and you just want to stay in bed? That's the kind of day we are having here in Houston. It's gross out, I don't know how people in the North West US do it every day....is it really like this all the time? It's cold, it's wet, there is a perfect white noise coming off the freeway cars as they travel by on the wet roads.<br /><a title="Rainy Day by twaguespack04, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58556763@N06/5384474763/"><img alt="Rainy Day" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5384474763_964dddc2fa.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />If you live in the North West, or anywhere else that has this kind of weather for that matter, how do you stay productive on days like today? How do you keep your kids motivated and awake, especially when you yourself just want to crawl back into bed?<br /><br />On a side note, I am going to start looking into using <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> in the classroom. If anyone knows of ways to do so, ways to get your administrators on board, lesson plans used to incorporate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> into, or how to connect your blog/website and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> together, please let me know! <br /><br />Have a blessed one!<br />Miss TabithaTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-62565977205185561632011-01-21T10:59:00.000-08:002011-01-21T12:11:47.048-08:00Lesson Plan: Prehistoric ArtThis is one of my favorite lesson plans. I really like it because it is a great way to combine technology and art, not an easy task to accomplish when art is all about being hands on. Then I thought about it, technology <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">integration</span> should have a purpose, not just be there to be there for the sake of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">integrating</span>, but to give students more of an understanding.<br /><br />Duh! I know.<br /><br />So in order for my students to better understand Prehistoric Art, I thought what a better way than to use technology to help transport us back in time. (Hey I think I may have just found found my niche that others have written about...how to incorporate technology into an art curriculum...let me know what you think.)<br /><br />When students walk in the door, I have all of the lights in the classroom about and on the wall I am projecting a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1nu_8IQd78&feature=related">YouTube Video of fire</a>. The students walk in and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">instantly</span> know something different is going on today.<br /><br />I start by having the students close <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> eyes and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">imagine</span> that they are back in time. I tell them the story about them playing in a pasture that is surrounded by woods. They are playing with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> dog, throwing the ball playing fetch. Then I tell them that this is how Lascaux cave was discovered. Although there are many accounts with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">varying</span> details <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">about</span> this, I would suggest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">googling</span> "How was Lascaux Cave Discovered", read through some of the accounts and you'll get a general feel for what happened.<br /><br />Once you have told the story under the light of the fire talk to the students to open <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> eyes (while you are telling the story start opening this website: <a href="http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/en/02_00.xml">http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/en/02_00.xml</a> It is a digital recreation of the cave. They should open <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> eyes just as the cave is starting to show. There are tons of ooh and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">ahhs</span> at this point.<br /><br />With your students start a discussion about what is on the walls. What is important to the cave artist. Also talk about the scale of the paintings etc.<br /><br />Now you can have your students create their own cave art. You can do this in many ways. We often crumple up brown paper and have students go outside to find "paint brushes" that they will use to create <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> painting. They then use natural colored tempera paints.<br /><br />There are also other cool ways to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">develop</span> this project even more. You could try painting on actual rocks (if you live in an area that has flat rocks this might be an great idea.), create your own paint using egg and dirt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sediment</span>.Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-73579434057469338642011-01-21T10:39:00.000-08:002011-01-21T10:58:34.807-08:007 Things You Don't Need To Know About MeWhile reading through many other posts on from the <a href="http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/feed/">Edublogger Teacher Challenge</a>, I keep coming across this type of post and I thoroughly enjoy reading them so I thought I would post one of my own to help my readers (thank you for the 3 of you!) learn even more about me. I am still struggling to create an About Me page on Blogger, so if anyone knows how to do that comment me and I'll get on that ASAP!<br /><br />7. I have been in a dating relationship for 7 years to a wonderful man named Derek.<br /><br />6. I love watching sports. This is a very good thing too since sports takes up a huge percentage of my life. Derek is the athletic director at the <a href="http://www.quilliancenter.org">Quillian Center</a> and we do a lot of sports ministry. This includes youth basketball games, coaching, youth flag football, and going to many, MANY, many sporting events in Houston.<br /><br />5. I was extremely lucky to be able to represent the United States when I was 14 as a People to People Sports and Education Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. <br /><br />4. I love architecture. I actually was an architecture major in college for two years before I switched my major to education. I love all aspects of design (which I guess is why I really like being an art teacher) as well as architectural and cultural history.<br /><br />3. I am still working on my degree. Gasp! I know! I am so ready to be finished with it but teaching and going to school to become a teacher slows down that process some.<br /><br />2. I love to travel but don't get to do it very often. One of my life's goals is to get to travel to a huge list of places (if your there I would love to know, also let me know what I should go see! Any good local spots to check out?) Rome(and all of Italy really), Washington State, California, Oregon State, Washington DC, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia (I know I've already been, but I would really like to go back!) and SO many others. (If you live somewhere really cool or have been somewhere really neat, let me know, I would love to add to my list.<br /><br />1. And the number one thing that you don't need to know about me is....I love to cook. I mean I really love to cook. At times I think I should have gone into a profession where I make more money so that I can buy more ingredients that are from exotic places that I can learn to cook with. I love tasting new things, which is probably why I like to go to new places so much.<br /><br />Well, I hope that gives you a little better idea about me. I hope you subscribe (and don't forget to leave me a comment and your link so that I can follow you too!)Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-74398928048369031432011-01-18T09:20:00.000-08:002011-01-19T09:20:42.881-08:00This was easy!In Drawing class today (just one of the 12 classes I teach)the students had light bulbs going off today! One of the students even remarked, "This is the easiest thing we've done all year! Why couldn't we have started with this?" Well dear student, if we didn't start where we did, even though you whined and pouted to do other things all year long, you wouldn't be where you are now, where this is so "easy"! I love teaching, especially on days like today. Comments from students like this one make it so worth it. When the students see that they are learning and are seeing the improvements that they are making in leaps and bounds it is so amazing! Have a blessed day, I pray your students have light bulbs go off for you today too!Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-6549502077700625572011-01-13T13:19:00.000-08:002011-01-13T13:30:57.227-08:00Edublogger ChallengeSo, I decided back in December to take the <a href="http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/2011/01/13/kick-start-activity-2-%E2%80%93-beginner-%E2%80%93-effective-and-engaging-blog-posts/">kick start your blog challenge</a>, but when it started, I completely forgot about it. Good news is, it only started yesterday...so I was able to catch up. The second challenge is to make a post, simple enough...but I'm kinda stumped as to what to write about....<br /><br />Today at school, I have been starting the kids on a new art contest project. Unfortunaltly our school is so small that we cannot actually participate in the huge <a href="http://www.rodeohouston.com/">Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo</a> contest, so we hold our own. <a href="http://misstabithasclassroom.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2945750-rodeo-art-winners">Last year </a>the kids did an awesome job and really enjoyed the competition between one another, this year I opened the constet up to our older students too and I am allowing them to work in any medium they choose, so far I am extremely impressed by what they are deciding to do. I have several students working in 3D mediums, creating wire sculptures, bead art, and I even have one student working in duct tape! I am actually really excited to see his final project.Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-14084270774790064392011-01-03T12:34:00.000-08:002011-01-03T12:41:39.206-08:00SabbaticalI know I just started this blog, but before starting the blog, I had been blog "stalking" for ages. Since I teach I had a two week break and I decided to take a two week "sabbatical" from all things techonology related. I did so very successfully (minus my cell phone) and it made me realize two things. Being disconected is very relaxing, it took away so much stress and I was able to focus on things that really mattered, my friends and family, and being present in my life. It was so nice. But, now that school starts back tomorrow, I feel so behind and like I have a million and one things on my list to do. Technology helps out so much, but it is also extremely time consuming. Here's to 2011, hoping I am able to find the balance between my online presence and my real life. <br />Here's to a great new year and many blessings to you and your family,<br />TabithaTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-1678131107891654882010-12-15T14:06:00.001-08:002010-12-15T14:19:06.939-08:00Project Based LearningMy previous post was a note that I wrote back in August and posted on my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> Account to several of my friends and relatives that are also teachers. I was just browsing my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">PLN</span> and landed on Richard <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Byrne's</span> site <a href="http://www.freetech4teachers.com/">Free Technology for Teachers</a>. I was glancing over his most recent entries and this video by <a href="http://www.commoncraft.com/">Common Craft</a> was posted and deals with Project Based Learning (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBL</span>), a teaching style I've been learning and working with my students on more and more. You can watch the video below. Thanks to Richard <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Byrne</span> and Larry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ferlazzo</span> for the heads up and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">BEI</span> for commissioning the video! This is an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">excellent</span> source that describes exactly what I am feeling in my post below and how I feel, teachers should teach! Thanks! <a href="http://www.bie.org/tools/">Here</a> are some free resources for you to start using <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBL</span> in your classroom!<br /><object style="WIDTH: 460px; HEIGHT: 268px" width="460" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LMCZvGesRz8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LMCZvGesRz8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="540" height="290"></embed></object>Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-90333118623404381052010-12-15T13:04:00.000-08:002010-12-15T13:35:05.079-08:00A Note To TeachersAs a teacher I am quickly (or is it slowly?) learning that students do not learn the things that I tell them, nor do they learn the things that I show them, but they learn the things that THEY do. As a teacher thinking back to being a student, I am realizing that the things that I learned, the things that actually stuck with me, are the things that the teacher made me do, not the things that told me or showed me, but the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experiences</span> that I have had.<br /><br />Granted I did learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, but I also know that until I had to put those things into practice I struggled with them- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span>. I know that my teachers often lectured me on the subjects that they were teaching, but I don't remember anything that they said unless I was being entertained. I remember my US History teacher in 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade acting out the Battle of Gettysburg for us and the class laughing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hysterically</span> at her acting skills. I remember making chili in my 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Grade Texas History class, although I'm not sure why. I remember going on Field Trips and actually learning about the things that were there (although at the time, I was more excited about being out of the classroom and getting to hang out with my friends), but each day in the classroom, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">meh</span>, not much there...other than what notes were being passed around, who I sat next to, and what class I was in (Math/Language/History/Science).<br /><br />This makes sense, because I don't remember "stuff" anyway. I couldn't begin to tell you what someone has bought me for Christmas or my birthdays, but I do remember who was there, what we ate, the smells, the laughter, the sounds, the things that I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">EXPERIENCED</span>.<br /><br />I am not on a daily conquest as to how to get my students to actually learn, what is actually important for them to learn, and what I want them to take away from my class. As an "Elective" teacher, I have a unique <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> in which, although I have to meet state standards, students are not required to "know" anything from my class to move on to the next grade. Yes, I still want them to learn in my class, and learn from things that they do in class, as well as continue to build upon things that they already know and are doing in other classes...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">yada</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">yada</span>...I'm sure you all know the foundation, house, roof scenario that I am talking about here...I'm not wanting them not to learn by any means, quite the contrary <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">actually</span>, I am wanting them to learn and thrive. I am wanting to know what is the MOST important thing for them to learn to be successful in the future. (And yes I know that was one of the worst run-on sentences ever, but I'm on a roll so hang in there.)<br /><br />When I start thinking about this, I have come to the conclusion that the most important thing I can teach them is how to teach themselves, or at least how to find out information for themselves. Additionally, I think that teaching them how to communicate what they have learned, not only verbally or through a test, but to communicate in ways in which others will remember what they have said (to give other people <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experiences</span>) is going to serve them far better than anything that I could ever teach them about art or technology. Yes, I could explain to them how to properly discuss a painting, but they can figure that out if they ever actually need that skill, they just have to "Google" it. Wouldn't it be better if I taught them HOW to figure out how to talk about a painting help them more?Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737535290829967395.post-2714838300180371822010-12-08T13:51:00.000-08:002010-12-08T13:58:54.787-08:00QR CodesI have been reading <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> about QR Codes from Jeff <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Utecht's</span> blog <a href="http://www.thethinkingstick.com/">The Thinking Stick</a>. I have taken his <a href="http://www.thethinkingstick.com/11-the-year-of-the-qr-code">QR Code Challenge</a> and hung a QR Code outside my classroom and am waiting for a student to figure out how to read it. I hung it outside my room one day after school and the very next morning it was causing quite a bit of buzz in the hallways...what is that black square thing?...some students even knew what it was, but still haven't figured out how to read it. They just said it was something that you read with a phone. I can't wait until they figure it out!Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02948200453042358180noreply@blogger.com0