EDED 4310 Discussion 15

Compare the features and instructional applications of GIS and GPS tools. How can educators use GIS and GPS tools to enhance student learning?

GIS stores a variety of info in a database about geographic locations. GPS is a worldwide radionavigation system.
GIS can record large amounts of geographic info,update and customize maps and can compare or analyze different info. Gps is radionavigation, and calculate position on Earth and receiver is connected to mapping software.
GPS and GIS can help in Science and Social Studies. It can help study different locations, distance and mapping which can be customized. Sometimes maps on paper are not always the best visual tool. Bringing something life on a digital screen can make a difference.

Book Series Profile

There are series for the young . This start can be the beginning of a life long love. The thing is getting them started.

Mary Pope Osborne http://www.marypopeosborne.com/

For the adult/young adult and maybe even teen there is the Twilight series which is a big hit.

Many can enjoy these series and not put the books down.

There are four in the Twilight Saga and I recommend all four. http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Author: Stephenie Meyer

If you're like Ms. Pickett than you'll love the Stephen King's series. Adults can get hooked too. Don't give up on a student. If you plant the seed of reading eventually it will flourish. I was a late bloomer when it cam to reading. I love series book and it keeps me reading.

Some of his series:

The Dark Tower series

and he also has an American Vampire series

http://www.stephenking.com/index.html

Chp 13 Literature Circles

This chapter really ties chapters 10, 11 and 12 together. Pickett has always expressed her love for literature circles regardless of age. She also mentions to be eye to eye, sit at there level. Let them know you are part of their group and listens to their responses. Like I said this chapter goes over the points previously covered, Bringing Literature Alive, Shared and Guided Reading, Independent Reading. This is in you as instructor. Take into consideration what you have read and personalize it. We need to enjoy what we are doing and reading circles is where we display the love of what we do. Get involved and don't be shy because students will smell fear a mile away.

Chapter 12 Independent Reading

To be able to create a love for reading where the student reads on his or her own is wonderful and possible. I come across so many little ones that love books and somewhere along the way the stop. Why? As instructors we must be able to instill the love of reading and how we do it is important. We can start by setting up our classroom library with a variety of books. Our text recommends about 10 books per student. That can be pricey but be smart and save now. Also visit your local bargain book stores which always have great prices on gently used books. Have students start a reading log so you and the students can keep track of their accomplished reading. Set time for them to read silently in class depending on age. Allow them to share their book and talk about it. It may cause excitement and others may want to read them. One great reading tip I have seen in other classrooms are read and feed. They get to choose a book and bring a few snacks for a special reading day. Have fun with reading and I believe if we can get them hooked on a series of books they just may not stop.

Author Profile

Seuss is to me one of the perfect examples of chapter 11. I think it would be fun to teach the rhyming words and just have fun.

"The Cat in the Hat came to play one rainy, nothing-to-do afternoon. His hilarious antics are "recommended for all libraries."--(starred) School Library Journal. "

"A toe-tapper babies will love--the classic Seussian book about opposites: "Wet foot, dry foot. Low foot, high foot..."

"There's a Wocket in My Pocket is filled with bizarre creatures and rhymes: the nupboard in the cupboard, ghairs beneath the stairs, and the bofa on the sofa! "

"Theodor ("Ted") Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Though Ted's road to children's books had many twists and turns, The Cat in the Hat catapulted him from pioneer in children's literature to definitive children's book author illustrator, a position he has held unofficially for many decades since.

http://www.seussville.com/lb/bio.html

Chp 11 Shared and Guided Reading

This chapter is (to me) breaking down the book being read. Each part of the book is discussed and even the words that make up the story are under close observation. Things to watch for are high frequency words, rhyming words, and pronunciation to name a few. Look to make gentle corrections and be aware of reading abilities. Steps that were mentioned when reading a book would be first to introduce the book by reading and covering each part of the book. Second reread the story. Third go over in small groups and allow groups to act out or personal way for them to communicate or share their book. Allowing the child to reread the book allows the child to build fluency and to writing too is very important. Give the child a chance to write the story from another characters view can change everything. Let them use their imagination and they just may get hooked.

Kevin Henkes
www.kevinhenkes.com/



I love his book Chrysanthemum! I would read this book to my daughter when she was younger. It always opened the door for conversation on being happy with who you are. Great classroom subject.



"When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. "I'm named after my grandmother," said Victoria. "You're named after a flower." Chrysanthemum wilted."





"I became an author-illustrator when I was nineteen years old. I flew from my home in Racine, Wisconsin, to New York City with my portfolio, hoping to find a publisher. And magically enough Susan Hirschman at Greenwillow Books made my dream come true. My first picture book, All Alone, was published in 1981.







Other Great Books by Henkes

Bringing Literature to Life Chp 10

My group was actually in charge of this chapter. We found it interesting on how big a role our imagination will be in reading. As instructors we can make or break a story. Children must be engaged in the book to keep them from distracting others around them and to learn. I noticed in Pickett's lessons she mentions how a book walk is important and timing is everything. Also allowing the child to speak because it is through their comments and involvement that literature is coming to life. If we stop them from communicating and taking part we are stopping the process of learning. Also we thought of props; if you know the story before you read it. Be prepared to show and take part in the role you reading. Reading is fun and we need to show this to our student.

Graphic Organizers and Nonfiction

At times students tend to gravitate towards fiction. They have the illustration and it tells a story. Nonfiction is a little harder to read for some. it has so many facts and if students are taking AR test they may not do as well due to the amount of info. The boys i have noticed love the science books. The books which are about frogs and bugs. These books have pictures usually taken by a camera. They can be illustrated but usually have more of a factual feel with a photograph. I recently purchased three books for my son and they are nonfiction with a fiction feel to it. The pictures are illustrated and they are about cowboys, castles and pirates. They have fun facts and cartoon pictures children love to see.

http://www.theusbornebookstore.com/

These are books boys may be interested in but there are also nonfiction books for girls. Reading them out loud is a great way to get them involved. These books are also great for early readers to use for research. They can use graphic organizers to present the facts they have learned instead of doing a book report. In class we used pictures and colored; it was a fun way to get information out of what we have read. The children will love this hands on approach to reading and writing which should be used together to make better readers.

My Favorite Fiction

Karen Kingsbury

Fiction is described as experience in narrative. That is exactly what an individual feels when they read a great book. Pickett asked for us to blog about our favorite fiction book. I must say I was never a reader growing up until the past few years. Karen Kingsbury opened the door for me to start reading. She has the Redemption series which is fabulous. There are about five in the Redemption series and is followed by the Firstborn Series and then Sunrise series. Recently she has added Above The line series. All these books are about the Baxter family and the people in their lives. They are heartwarming stories and faith based. Karen Kingsbury is a christian author which puts life in her books. She is terrific. The redemption series started me reading but I loved her 911 series. I love the love story she includes in each book and even though they are fiction you end up connecting with them. Try reading them and you will get hooked.

My Favorite and I couldn't put it down

She also has children books-

http://www.karenkingsbury.com/

Author Profile- Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Born in New York in 1929

Lived most of his in Germany but eventually moved back to the US.

He returned in 1952 with only 40 dollars and was hired by The New York Times. He was approached by a writer and was asked to illustrate a book he had written. Eric Carle agreed and the results were

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This is one of my favorite books. I love the pictures and bright colors. His illustrations have a 3D feel to them almost as if pieces were layered to create a picture.

Eric Carle is known for Hungry Caterpillar

This lovely book has reached the hearts and the tiny hands of many young children.

It is a cherished book and is celebrating its 40 year anniversary.

http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html

EDED 4310 WK 11

Some educators feel that distance technologies will greatly improve education; some feel education will suffer if they are overused. What are factors you can cite in support of these positions?

I personally am in support of distance technologies used in education for college students. I absolutely love my online classes. I thought I was going to struggle and I never wanted to try but I am glad I did. It has made taking classes much easier due to the convenience; it is ideal for the non-traditional student. CMS (course management system) is a tool used to make distance courses. A perfect example is the WEBCT. I must say A&M should do a better job in offering online classes and really work on the blackboard system. This is my first year using this; previously at Palo Alto their system was user friendly and they are only a junior college.

Internet has been a major use in distance technologies. The classroom is no longer trapped in four walls. It has the freedom to go beyond and teach. Virtual tours, on-line science labs, and communication with other students open up for students to expand their way of learning. White boards are used in classrooms to bring the Internet and technology in a classroom. It is like a huge screen which allows every child to see and experience what normally would have been described or read about in a classroom.

With every positive not far behind is a negative. Distance technologies can be problematic. Sometimes blackboard or WEBCT can be down and the students come across difficulties. At times the systems may be slow due to high use.

With anything there is positive and negative sides it just depends if you are willing to work with it or not.

Chapter 7 Picture Books

I thought it was interesting to find out Picture Books are a form not a genre. What is great about picture books is the illustrations and they are great extension of the words. This can be hard to do. Picture books are hard to write. To get a a whole story in about 32 pages can be tough.
In class Pickett mentioned when she read to her daughter some of her of her favorite books as a child. She said she can think back of the time she read them. I find myself feeling and thinking back to when I was a kid when I read to my children too. That is one of the great parts of any story; it takes you back to a time you can remember and it opens up good times or bad times. The cycle continues and one day my daughter or son will feel the same way when they read to children.

EDED 4310- Chapter 15

Describe issues related to training Special Education teachers to use technology.

Teachers tend to have problems in technology due to minimal experience. Teachers who have been teaching for years have little technology experience maybe because they didn't grow during the technology stage we are in now. Soon to be teachers are required minimal amount of technology hours. Since the requirements are low and usually entry level technology, future teachers struggle with being prepared for their future teaching. Time is another major issue. Even if the desire is there, time isn't. Time to learn and put the hands on to learning the equipment is difficult to fit in.

Give examples of no-tech, low tech, and high tech solutions for special students.

No tech are ways to use the body in a different way to make the best of their abilities. The textbook gave the example of using one hand to type. The use of one hand may be slow but the student is still able to type.

low tech is non-electrical. Keeping the student organized by using highlighters or maybe word lists can be a way to keep the student on task.

High tech - are complex electrical devices. The items can be electrical wheelchairs or voice activated controls.

Being aware of these different tools or strategies can be beneficial to the student. Staying up to date will be important in being an effective instructor.

April

History Wars-EDED 4310

History Wars are whether to teach civics or take broader approach in this subject. Technology has so much information in any subject. History already has a load of information which is one of the problems. Teachers complain there is too much information to cover in a short period of time. Teachers are also concerned such information will cause less need of teacher. If the information is in their fingertips then why need a teacher? The problem with contradiction of textbooks is an issue as well. I personally feel history should include the basics but include cultural history from the area you teach in. Also I would hope teachers are creative enough to think about combining lessons. Teach writing but write about a history topic. If art is a subject covered learn and create a artifact from the past. We must combine lessons in order to cover things they don't have time to cover.

Mattie the Poet

http://www.mattieonline.com/

We need to stop.Just stop.Stop for a moment.Before anybody Says or does anything That may hurt anyone else.We need to be silent.Just silent.Silent for a moment.Before we forever lose The blessing of songs That grow in our hearts.We need to notice.Just notice.Notice for a moment.Before the future slips away Into ashes and dust of humility.Stop, be silent, and notice.In so many ways, we are the same.Our differences are unique treasures.We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts To nurture, to offer, to accept.We need to be.Just be.Be for a moment.Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,Like children and lambs,Never judging or vengeful Like the judging and vengeful.And now, let us pray,Differently, yet together,Before there is no earth, no life,No chance for peace. September 11, 2001© Mattie

I thought it would be fitting to pick a poet for my author choice of the week. Mattie passed away in 2004 but five years later his words still live in the hearts of many. To be so young and full of creativity is amazing. God gave him a true gift of sharing, inspiring and loving. I think students may feel a connection with this brilliant young man because they share the gift of youth. If we teach our students to dig deep inside and find the words to describe those feeling then they will accomplish the gift of writing. Like Mrs. Pickett said in class, we can't say a students personal feelings about themselves can be wrong. This is what they believe and should be shared and accepted not rejected.

POETRY

Guys, I can't say I understand everything a poet writes but I do like trying to figure it out. I feel like there is a hidden meaning usually and it is different for everybody. I think the text makes great points in helping instructors include poetry in the classroom. It can be tough to understand and have the courage to write one. Usually we think it has to rhyme but it doesn't. I think kids may have an easier time writing a poem if they can use words they feel I their heart. I also love the idea of using shape. Words forming shapes or swirls, I love the creative part of expressing as well.

EDRG 3321 Author

I usually prefer children's picture books but today I decided to go a different direction. I think this is a great author and holds a lot of potential. I heard him speak this past Friday at a library resource. Matt de la Pena has two books out and one should be released soon. He has a great story which allows young teens/adults to relate and may encourage reading. I have not read his books but bought two and will start reading soon. I'll keep you posted and let you know what I think. His personal story allowed me to connect with him. I think it is great to see the struggles of a Hispanic young man turn to triumph and become a great role model for young Latinos who have many similar struggles.

Matt de La Pena

http://www.mattdelapena.com/index.html

"A sad, sweet book about a young foster kid growing up on basketball and the streets." --Newsweek

Ball Don't Lie is now a motion picture and should be released soon!

"In this first-rate exploration of self-identity, Danny's growth as a baseball pitcher becomes a metaphor for the conflicts he must overcome due to his biracial heritage. Dialogue written in a coarse street vernacular and interwoven with Spanish . . . starts to feel familiar and warm, and their subtle tenderness becomes more apparent. This book a great pick for reluctant readers." --School Library Journal

EDRG 3321 Chp. 4

Responding to Literature held many truths. Our influences trigger the way we will respond to what we read. Many times our students may not have the background knowledge to connect with the book. It is vital on our presentation, the information we give to setup the story. As professor Pickett mentioned in class just giving them a book to read without a reason will not encourage a child to read. They have to have a reason or maybe a connection. I think it is also important for there to be commitment by the reader. Many times, especially middle school or high school, don't finish a book. I meet so many young students read part of a book and turn it in before they finish it. Why? I went to hear an author speak and he said give a writer a chance. Every writer is different and you should give the first 20 pages to get use to the style of writing. I also notice we stop reading to the kids after 5th or 6th grade. I think they need us the most at that time. We should be the example in our reading and continue to motivate them. The author I heard speak also mentioned adolescent do not want to work hard to picture what is in a book. They are use to the TV doing it for them. They have to learn how to get involved in a reading where you imagine every single character and the settings. The mind is beautiful and better then any movie director.

EDED 4310 Is Writing a Thing of the Past?

Call me old fashion but I will never think writing and reading will be a thing of the past. Regardless if technology continues to advance there will always be a need for reading. Writing I think may be a preference but in order for it to become obsolete; I think years and years will need to pass. Reading on the other hand is a must. How can anyone read what is on a computer screen? How will research be done? What about instruction based manuals for computers? In our textbooks it states expanding the definition of literacy not minimizing it. Yes, literacy is changing because new alternatives to communicating and educating is changing.
Technology is the main contribution to a change in literacy. We must be able to read, write, and be computer literate in order to function well in this world. To remove computer literacy will hinder an individual but can still function. If you remove writing an individual will really struggle but an individual can still mark an X for their signiture. Never to be taught how to write or spell is truly sad. To miss out on expressing ones views or feelings to another by writing is to be robbed. If reading is removed than individual will be lost and will always need to be dependent on another individual. I can't imagine not being able to read. To miss out on picking up a book and reading to your child is a bond which can never be replaced.
If one chooses to type instead write is an indviduals choice. To not allow an individual to choose is an injustice. To not require an indivdiual to learn to read is death of knowledge.

EDRG 3321 Chp. 3

Chapter 3 was fun in class. I enjoyed the group project in retelling the story. Comprehension is important to pick and can be tough. Children when first learning to read break up each word that by the time they reach the end of the sentence they have already forgotten what the read. I think this is the reason it is OK for children to read a book more than once. They become familiar with the words and understand what they are reading. We should want our students to feel comfortable and have feelings of achievement. Some books that are repetitive are nice because the first few words are the same but the last word in the sentence changes. The child will learn those few words and will recognize them each time they see them. A teacher once told me first we learn to read and then we read to learn.
Story maps, sketching, and writing to learn can make comprehension fun as mentioned on page 48 of the text. Allowing the child to express themselves in different ways is important to the type of learner they are. It also may encourage another child to read the book. It reminds of the show Reading Rainbow, which I loved, because they always had a child give a review of a book they read. Then they would follow by saying don't take my word for it. Reading needs to be enjoyed we should have the kids read and we should also read to them. We must be the example of how a sentence should be read and eventually they will mimic our expression when they read. Enjoyed the chapter and the tips.


FLY GUY


Synopsis
Fly Guy returns home to discover that Buzz has gone on a picnic without him! Sad and hungry, Fly Guy takes off in search of his favorite food. He gets shooed away from a hamburger, a pizza, a dog's bones, and even roadkill--leaving readers to guess what Fly Guy's favorite oozy, lumpy, smelly, and brown food could possibly be! Why, it's shoo-fly pie, of course! Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun. With an eye-catching holographic foil cover, this is the third in a series of four books.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Shoo-Fly-Guy/Tedd-Arnold/e/9780439639057


AUTHOR

Ted Arnold has a great series for early readers. These groups of books introduce chapter reading and allows for the children to get hooked on series reading. Fly Guy has a funny story line along with a lesson to learn. Boys love this series and they really feel like big kids because they are reading "chapter books".

http://www.teddarnoldbooks.com/

Synopsis
"Flies can't play football," says the coach. But Fly Guy and Buzz are determined to prove him wrong. New readers will experience both pride and delight as they read the simple text and look at the funny pictures of Fly Guy trying to kick a football, go out for a pass, and tackle his friend Buzz. In the end Fly Guy scores and gets to do his hilarious touchdown dance.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hooray-for-Fly-Guy/Tedd-Arnold/e/9780545007245/?itm=1&usri=h


Makes me want a pet fly!

EDRG 3321 Authors

After reading the chapters there were a few things I want to mention about the chapters before I mention some favorite authors. I must say the book looks really nice. I love the colors and all the cute designs. It makes it fun to read.
Chapter one really had some good points. I like the the whole examining your beliefs. I think we really need to know where we stand and think about the the type of teacher we are going to be. I think we'll probably change with time because knowledge does that. Just like parenting, there are things we learn as we go along and we tend not or do with our second child. I know I'm going to fail at times but I'm going to try really hard not to. If do I want to make sure I fix it.
I LOVE believing in the children portion. We can go no where if we don't believe in our students. Might as well not teach if this isn't #1.
Chapter 2 had something that I believe the whole book is going to have, an intro to authors and a pic of different children's book. It is great to learn about different books which can be used in the classroom. Chapter 2 also brings up a great point about bringing a diverse selection of books. I loved when my elementary teachers would read us books with recipes and then we would cook the food and EAT it! It was fun and we were exposed to different cultures.

So this brings me to my favorite picks. I love children's picture books. Here are just few:




Istvan Banyai


Has COOL books. Zoom allows you to think of the "bigger" picture. This can also help children think of their part in the world and we all play a role. This book is fun for all ages. It is colorful and no words. It allows the imagination to go wild.

Jaime Lee Curtis
She has such funny books. Kids love to see the silly pictures and of course they pick up on the message. It is ok to be themselves.
We are all different and we need to be happy with who we are.

http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/iglm.html

Jan Brett

Her books are beautiful. She must love animals because she uses them so much. Her

pictures are classic and the stories are heartwarming. My favorite book is The Hat.

http://janbrett.com/bookstores/hat_book.htm

Hope you enjoyed my selections

EDRG 3321

I have two classes which require blogging so I will title them with the course number. I look forward to a great semester.

EDED 4310

I look foward to learning great and new ideas. For all my fellow classmates I will try to keep all EDED discussions together. I'm learning as I go along so be patient; if it doesn't work I'll set up another blogger for my other classes.