Review of Blogs

The first blog I chose to review was a music blog.

http://portablerecorder.edublogs.org/

I chose this blog because music is one of my favorite things so I thought this would be a good blog to review. This blog was very well organized and had a lot of great links in it. It teaches how to create various notes. I also like the fact that in contains different podcasts. I couldn't really find anything that I did not like about this blog. I found this blog to be very helpful if I was a music teacher. I would definitely use this blog in my class. 

http://wpsreceptions.edublogs.org/

The second blog I chose to review was a blog from a class in South Africa. I chose this blog because it had to do with an elementary setting which is my primary grade range that I want to teach and I also chose this blog because it was from another country. I loved the fact that this blog talked about things this class does in their classroom. I really liked the fact that they used pictures on their blog. I could not find any real mistakes with this site. I would definitely use this blog in my future classroom.

http://upperhouse.edublogs.org/

I chose to review this blog for the main reason that it was a fourth grade class's blog and that is the main grade that I hope to teach one day. I really liked the information that was on the blog. They have news on their blog as well as homework that they do as well as different sites to visit. The only thing that I did not like about this blog was that it was not very colorful. I did not find it very eye-catching. Blogs should be eye-catching so other people will want to look at them, comment on them, and use them in their classrooms. 

http://mrlund.edublogs.org/

The honest reason for why I chose this blog was I just clicked on a random link and found it. However, I liked the blog from the minute I started reading through it. I love that it includes a class photo. It was neat to get to see other class's from different places. This blog was filled with tons of information that would be great to use in a class. I didn't really like the choice of font used because it wasn't really kid friendly. It wasn't something that children could really navigate through on their own.

All of these blogs that I explored are blogs that I will definitely use in my future classroom. I now know from completing this assignment that blogs are something that I can not wait to use in my class. I even think that a blog is something that I would like to create for my preschool classroom. I think the parents would really enjoy it.  

Infographics

I never knew what infographics were until I read an article I had to read for class. I had never even heard of the word. I created a powerpoint that discusses infographics and why they are important to use.

Infographics Powerpoint

21st Century Teaching and Learning

Teaching is this century is a lot different than teaching was when we were in elementary school. In today's day and age the majority of everything is done using technology. It seems like these days we can't get into a car or go to the store without using some form or another of technology. I mean don't get me wrong, I love technology. I spend time on the computer and on my cell phone with the best of them. This seems to be even more so true with children these days. Everything with them revolves around the TV, cell phones, or computers. I found a great video that talks about K-12 students today.

A Vision of K-12 Students Today

This video really helped me to see students today. Learners these days are visual learners. The majority of what they learn, they learn through the different forms of technology. We as teachers need to find whatever means we can to teach our students in order to engage them and as much as we may not like it, the best way is probably going to be with technology. What would you do in your classroom if you did not have technology to use? Would you still be able to engage your students?

Teaching in an Early Childhood Setting

Teaching is a tough profession. I believe that teaching in an early childhood setting is even tougher. You are basically setting the building block of these children's learning experiences and future. The following video is about the day in the life of a Preschool Teacher. I found this to be a wonderful video and really helped me realize that in being a preschool teacher, I am doing a wonderful thing.
A Day in the Life of a Preschool Teacher

Before I watched this video, I wasn't sure if I was teaching the right grade. I was thinking that this was just a stepping off point to my career. Since watching the video and spending some time teaching this grade area, I realize that I am doing what I am meant to be doing. What would you think after watching this video if you had to teaching in a preschool setting. Do you think it would agree with you?

My Life

Wow!! Things have changed so much lately. I graduated with my bachelors degree Early Childhood/Elementary Education in December of 09 and will graduate with my Masters of Education in May. I am currently taking a full load of classes, participating in my university's marching band, and teaching 3 year olds. Those three year olds can make a bad day better. They are hilarious and it is never a dull moment with them. I am constantly going and never stop. I wouldn't have it any other way.My mom lives in Birmingham where she is a nurse at a rehabilitation center/nursing home. I have two older sisters and an older brother so yes I am the baby. My oldest sister lives in Enterprise AL where she currently works at a daycare center but will soon be going back to nursing. My other sister lives in Birmingham where she is a Reading teacher. My brother also lives in Birmingham where he is an athletic trainer for a private school. My two nephews and my niece are my pride and joy. I spoil them every chance I can. The three most important qualities I think a teacher should have are compassion, love for teaching, and patience. Teachers should have compassion for their students because you are going to have a variety of students in your room with a variety of needs and we as teachers should be able to handle these needs as best we can. Teachers should have love for what they do because if you don't like teaching or don't like kids than you are in the wrong profession. A lot of people go into teaching because of the hours that is the wrong reason. You have to love teaching and you have to love your students. Teachers also have to have a lot of patience. Students, parents, and other teachers are going to try your patience everyday. We have to know how to handle them. Those are the three most important traits that I think teachers should have. I can now honestly say I know what it feels like to be an adult and I am not too sure if I like it very much at the moment!