Teacher Introduction

Article Debates

Sequestration cuts will shortchange students, universities say

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/03/02/cuts-will-shortchange-students-universities-say.html

This article discussed the issue of  across the board spending cuts. The government is planning on cutting millions of dollars from university’s fund that they usually receive. I believe that cutting money from universities is one of the worst possible ideas. Those places are where the future world leaders are learning everything they will need to know in life and we definitely do not want to take away from that.

K-12 student database jazzes tech startups, spooks parents 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/03/us-education-database-idUSBRE92204W20130303

This article discussed a new database that different school districts in the U.S. have given their students’ information to. The information is so personal that its scary to think about. We as teachers have so many limits on how to teach and how to act around students. We must get permission for almost anything personal. Many parents have contacted the school districts expressing their concern as well.

Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity

Ken Robinson made some very good points about why he thinks schools kill creativity in his speech. He believes that creativity is as important in education as literacy. He also believes that if you ar enot prepared to be wrong then you will never come up with anything original and by the time they are adults most kids have lost that capacity because they have become frightened of being wrong. We are now running national education systems where mistakes are the worst things you can make.

Picasso once said "All children are born artists." Ken believes we do not grow into creativity but we grow out of it. Growing up, children are constantly discouraged of creative dreams so naturally they begin to block it out in order to be accepted by teachers, parents, and their peers.

I agree with Ken because children are extremely creative and they automatically think outside the box. Most of the people that changed history were obviously leaders and took risks. They all obviously came up with original ideas with the possibility of being wrong. We are a better place because those people took the risk. I believe creativity builds character as well as helps a child discover who they are, which they can't do when learning math or science.

Dance ~ Concept Map

I.       Ballet

Ballet is considered a type of performance dance, which originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and later formed into a concert dance form in Russia and France. This genre of dance is very hard to master because of its high demands for technicality. Ballet requires much training and practice. Even though different styles of ballet have emerged over time, it is still viewed as a graceful and poised style of dance.

A.    Classical

1.    Plie- meaning "bent". Bending of the knees.

2.    Tendu- Meaning "stretched". The foot will extend from its position with a pointed toe.

B.    Contemporary

II.     Tap

Ballet is considered a type of performance dance, which originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and later formed into a concert dance form in Russia and France. This genre of dance is very hard to master because of its high demands for technicality. Ballet requires much training and practice. Even though different styles of ballet have emerged over time, it is still viewed as a graceful and poised style of dance.

A.    Irish Step Dance

B.    Rhythm Tap

III.    Jazz

Jazz Dance is a style of dance that takes on many different forms. Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. This form of dance was developed along with Jazz Music in New Orleans in the early 1900s. Jazz dance transformed from a vernacular form into a performance form of dance that required a highly trained dancer during the beginning of the 1930s and continued through the 1960s.

A.    Jitterbug

B.    Charleston

IV.    Hip Hop

Hip hop- hip hop dance is primarily performed to hip hop music. This type of dancing was created recently. Hip hop is a combination of many styles of dancing such as jazz, funk, street, and modern dancing. This particular style of dance is very popular today. 

A.    Popping & Locking

B.    Krumping

V.     Modern

 Usually referring to 20th century concert dance. Modern dance centers on a dancer's own interpretations instead of structured steps of traditional dance. The movement of modern dancers rejects the limitations of classical ballet and uses movements derived from the expression of their inner feelings. This particular style of dance is derived from a dancers feelings, thoughts, and creativity. It is a style of expression.

A.    Interpretive Dance

B.    Contemporary Modern

VI.    Street Dance

Street dance refers to any type of dance that evolved outside of dance studios in places such as parties, parks, the streets, schoolyards, raves, and nightclubs. Most of the time they are improvisational and encouraging of interaction and contact with spectators and other dancers.

A.    Break Dancing

B.    Folk Dancing

John Hunter's World Peace Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_UTgoPUTLQ

Questions:

1. What does John Hunter mean when he says, "I'm standing on the shoulders on many people." 
- This means that he is representing all of those teachers that taught him and how he is a product of all of their teaching.

2. Why did he use a game?
- I believe he used a game because that is the best way to get younger students to be involved in the learning process. It allows them to have hands on experience plus they will look forward to the lesson.

3. What are some of the positions or roles that the kids play in the game?
- Defense minister, prime minister, etc.

4. What did John Hunter call himself?
- John's role was to relinquish power.

5. What role did the condolense letter play?
- it just meant that they had to be prepared to write a letter to the family of a soldier that may die during the war

6. Describe John Hunter's Character.
- He is very peaceful, loving life, appreciative of life, and all knowing.

7. "Self Evident" "spontaneous Learning"
- If this type of learning were to happen in my class i would feel extremely accomplished and excited because I feel like the best learning cannot be tested.

Technology and Software Advice

I personally am not extremely familiar with the inside tips on technology. I know a little more than the basics but still struggle with the different codes. What I have found: Ctrl + Z= undo; Ctrl + P= Print; Ctrl + A= Select all; Ctrl + E= opens Explorer; Ctrl + Print Screen= screen shots.

Other Classmate Tips:
1) Ctrl + F = Find
2) Ctrl + 1 = Single space
3) Ctrl + S = Save
4) Ctrl + Z = Undo
5) Ctrl + Alt+ Dlt = Shut down programs, menu
6) Ctrl + 2 = Double space (no highlight)
7) Alt + Tab = Switches between open programs
8) transferbigfiles.com= transfer big files for free! Up to 2gigs
9) Ctrl + C = Copy
10) Ctrl + T = New tab in internet
11) Ctrl + V = Paste
12) Ctrl + B = Bold
13) Ctrl + I = Italic
14) Select hard passwords with letters, numbers, and special characters. Use different passwords for different things
15) Ctrl + W = Closes tabs
16) Ctrl +R = Right align
17) Ctrl + L = Left align
18) Ctrl + E = Center
19) Ctrl + A = Select all
20) Ctrl + U = Underline

Learning More About Software

1. McAfee
2. Access
3. RAM
4. Smart Board
5. Adobe In Design
6. Photo Shop
7. Anti Virus
9. Windows 8
10. Inspiration 9

Seven Technology Tips for Younger Elementary

After researching several articles that discussed the use of technology in a classroom of elementary setting, I came across an article that described how to introduce it rather than ways it is used. I believed this article was useful because it could be used as a guide to many teachers! This article gives 7 tips on how an educator can introduce technology in an elementary classroom. Apparently educators of lower grades want to bring technology into the classroom but are scared about the children not being able to understand how to use it. The a few of the tips are, before introducing a new tool, play around with it enough to figure out where you think your students will struggle the most, don't try to teach too much at one time, let students who master the goals quickly help others, and use your students as a resource. After each tip a brief description is given as well. I believe this article is useful because it can help teachers introduce technology to their students, who may be hesitant to do so because of different reasons. The link to this article is below. 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/technology-tips-younger-elementary