With the help of Mom and Dad Bulk we made our way from Kansas to California...with a few problems.
I know you guys haven't been able to sleep at night worrying about our trip to southern California. BUT, rest easy, we are here with all limbs accounted for.
I will spare the details of our apartment, city, etc (those will come in a later post). Here is a quick synopsis of what we like to refer to as National Jaynes Summer Vacation - or – the move from hell.
Day 1 (Friday)
The Purpose: Overland Park KS to Tucumcari NM (SHOULD take 9.5 hrs)
We leisurely leave KC excited for our mini-vacation in the days ahead. Jared and I were in the Camry, and my parents were driving Jared's truck. The trip seems great until the Camry decides to start shaking things up, literally. At any speed above 63 mph, the Camry shakes violently. This can't be good. After a few stops and phone calls, we decide to stop in Pratt, KS and get the car serviced. Two hours later, the Camry is fixed and we are on our way to Tucumcari.
On a simple gas stop in Liberal, KS the dog needs to be "restroomed". Since Liberal lacks grass, Jared finds a small greenish area behind a warehouse building. Soon, I look at him and he is slapping his legs and jumping around. He runs towards the car yelling "fire ants!?!" A rash spreads across his feet, and the poor dog has bite marks all along her stomach.
Thinking this would be the climax of the day, we press on to New Mexico. After passing a sign stating "No Service for 75 miles" in the desert panhandle of Texas, Jared declares "I didn't know it rained". Well it didn't. The "spray" Jared saw spewing from our truck was actually a thick cloud of white smoke. We pulled over…let the truck rest…tried to figure it out…couldn't…told ourselves it was the air conditioner…and kept going. Now, without the A/C, and driving at a speed of 50 mph. Somehow we made it to Tucumcari (four hours past original arrival time)…
Day 2 (Saturday)
The Original Purpose: Tucumcari NM to Flagstaff AZ
The New Purpose: Tucumcari NM to Albuquerque NM (to make sure the truck is ok) to Flagstaff AZ
We drive from Tucumcari to Albuquerque. We have to pull over about every 30 miles to let the truck "rest" and stop smoking. After one of the many stops, we were merging back on the highway, and a semi drove by – flung a rock into the air - landed on the Camry's windshield – and put a nice crack in it. Ugh. Anyways, We were lucky enough to get in at a dealership there, but had to wait 2 hours for the auto tech to call us and let us know what the problem with the truck was. The phone call came, Jared looked like he was going to cry, or punch something…$1200 was the price to get the truck running again. A leak in the intake valve of the engine. Worse news: wasn't going to be ready until Monday. This is the day the moving trailer would be dropped off in California – and had to be unloaded. We decided it was best to rent a car – we couldn't make it to California all in one car. Worse news: all rentals available HAD to be returned to New Mexico (26 hours round trip). Reluctantly, we rented a car and drove to Flagstaff. We made it, much later than intended.
Day 3 (Sunday)
The Purpose: Flagstaff AZ to the Grand Canyon to Fullerton CA
No major fatalities this day. Let's just say one of the parties traveling with us got bit by a major stomach bug. Several stops were necessary to avoid any "accidents". We will leave the person unidentified for embarrassment sake =).
Day 4 (Monday)
The Purpose: Move into the apartment in Fullerton
To try and summarize this day as best as possible – the trailer was late getting dropped off. The apartment did not have sufficient parking for the trailer. We may have had to walk our belongings several blocks! Jared struck a deal with the complex. They allowed the trailer to be dropped off in the fire lane one street over from the apartment. The catch: the trailer MUST be picked up by the end of the day. Easy enough – right? WRONG. The moving company had a shortage of drivers, and after several hours of phone calls, pleading, and moving our stuff out of the trailer faster than I thought possible – the trailer was picked up in time. We dodged our first run-in with the Fullerton Fire Department.
Exhausted and frustrated, the day just began for Jared. At 8 pm on Monday night, Jared packed up the rental car, and started his 26 hour trek to New Mexico and back (to get the truck).
Day 5 (Tuesday)
The Purpose: Operation pick up truck
Arriving in Albuquerque at 10 am on Tuesday (with a one hour sleep break). Jared turns in the rental car. Of course he gets the guy who goes over the car with a magnifying glass. There is one thing I didn't mention. About an hour after getting the rental car we hit a piece of tire tread that was airborne by another vehicle. Well guess what, it cracked the bumper, and cost us about $400. Jared, sleep deprived, just wanted the nightmare to end! He picked up the truck and excitedly left Albuquerque. 20 minutes later, he looks down and sees the check engine light flashing on the truck. He turns around and heads back to the dealership. After some trouble shooting, no problems can be identified. Jared was hesitant to try and make the 13 hour trek back to California, but he made it (going 60 mph). We have decided the truck will never leave Orange County!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
There is so much to know!
Through the course “Building Your Technology Education and Skills”, I have learned several things from, blogs – podcasts - RSS feeds, to how youth today views the internet. However, this course has taught me I am not done learning and will need to forever maintain my technology skills in this dynamic time.
I have a blog. This is something I never thought I would say. I do not consider myself a writer. I did not see the need to publish my thoughts for others to read. Since taking this course my feelings towards blogging have changed. I do not currently use my blog for personal use, but for class assignments. However, after learning that a blog can be an essential classroom tool, I am planning and looking forward to incorporating one into my classroom next year. I would like to maintain a class blog where students have access to their own blogging. The blog would primarily be used for parent/classroom communication and for students to use as their journal.
Podcasting is another new territory for me. I am excited to better understand podcasting, and look forward to being able to figure out how to post my podcasts to my blog. Podcasts are an area I want to use more, but am having difficulty coming up with useful ways to incorporate them into lessons.
The book used in the course, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, provided excellent examples of activities that can be used with a variety of technology. The book discussed software, websites, and tools that can be used to enhance instruction. I was familiar with several of the software programs mentioned, but appreciated the example lessons provided. The book reminded readers of the numerous helpful tool programs, such as Microsoft Word offer. I learned how to track changes, use word as a search engine, and identify the reading level of my student’s typed papers.
I think the biggest eye opener during this course came from viewing the Frontline videos: “Growing up Online”. These videos made me more aware of the number of teens using the internet. It made me question my fourth grade students and the frequency of their use of the internet. After viewing the videos, I know we need to move forward with technology in the classroom to keep up with the student’s interests, the times, and the speed in which they’re accustomed to doing things. Kids/teens also seem to learn more quickly from the use of technology. They are using the internet as a resource and taking advantage when possible. What may take an adult several attempts to learn, takes students only seconds. After just learning a lesson on the software Inspiration, I observed my fourth grade class take off and in seconds begin an activity with very few questions. The kids had the activity complete and personalized with their style within thirty minutes. This activity, previously hand written, would have normally taken them two class periods with numerous questions and finished products all looking the same.
I hope our schools continue to invest in technology updates. I would like to see them make more of an effort in supporting staff education with new products, software, or example lessons that can be done with existing tools.
I have a blog. This is something I never thought I would say. I do not consider myself a writer. I did not see the need to publish my thoughts for others to read. Since taking this course my feelings towards blogging have changed. I do not currently use my blog for personal use, but for class assignments. However, after learning that a blog can be an essential classroom tool, I am planning and looking forward to incorporating one into my classroom next year. I would like to maintain a class blog where students have access to their own blogging. The blog would primarily be used for parent/classroom communication and for students to use as their journal.
Podcasting is another new territory for me. I am excited to better understand podcasting, and look forward to being able to figure out how to post my podcasts to my blog. Podcasts are an area I want to use more, but am having difficulty coming up with useful ways to incorporate them into lessons.
The book used in the course, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, provided excellent examples of activities that can be used with a variety of technology. The book discussed software, websites, and tools that can be used to enhance instruction. I was familiar with several of the software programs mentioned, but appreciated the example lessons provided. The book reminded readers of the numerous helpful tool programs, such as Microsoft Word offer. I learned how to track changes, use word as a search engine, and identify the reading level of my student’s typed papers.
I think the biggest eye opener during this course came from viewing the Frontline videos: “Growing up Online”. These videos made me more aware of the number of teens using the internet. It made me question my fourth grade students and the frequency of their use of the internet. After viewing the videos, I know we need to move forward with technology in the classroom to keep up with the student’s interests, the times, and the speed in which they’re accustomed to doing things. Kids/teens also seem to learn more quickly from the use of technology. They are using the internet as a resource and taking advantage when possible. What may take an adult several attempts to learn, takes students only seconds. After just learning a lesson on the software Inspiration, I observed my fourth grade class take off and in seconds begin an activity with very few questions. The kids had the activity complete and personalized with their style within thirty minutes. This activity, previously hand written, would have normally taken them two class periods with numerous questions and finished products all looking the same.
I hope our schools continue to invest in technology updates. I would like to see them make more of an effort in supporting staff education with new products, software, or example lessons that can be done with existing tools.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Podcasting
Wow! The world of podcasting is more complicated than I first suspected. The materials are all common and easy to find, it is the work that goes into the script and preparation that surprised me.
I can see this generation and ones to come really enjoying the capabilities of podcasting. It incorporates everything we have discussed so far in this course; technology. Kids love and use it everyday. I can see a use for it in the classroom, replacing traditional book reports, doing weather announcements for a month long weather unit, and including it in on a class blog or wiki, sharing information the students has research. It can also be implemented in the library as a way to provide a book review. The Spanish teacher can post lessons to the schools website so students can have extra practice. I personally could utilize it to record a lesson or lesson demonstration for sick classmates to view.
Is this technology replacing common practices in schools? Just like power point presentations started replacing the common written report, I think podcasting is the “new” thing. With power points students can add graphics to help explain the topic they are presenting. While podcasting is solely voice, a vodcast can go much further than a power point and include a live demonstration or more realistic visuals for students.
I hope to get a podcast up and running soon.
I can see this generation and ones to come really enjoying the capabilities of podcasting. It incorporates everything we have discussed so far in this course; technology. Kids love and use it everyday. I can see a use for it in the classroom, replacing traditional book reports, doing weather announcements for a month long weather unit, and including it in on a class blog or wiki, sharing information the students has research. It can also be implemented in the library as a way to provide a book review. The Spanish teacher can post lessons to the schools website so students can have extra practice. I personally could utilize it to record a lesson or lesson demonstration for sick classmates to view.
Is this technology replacing common practices in schools? Just like power point presentations started replacing the common written report, I think podcasting is the “new” thing. With power points students can add graphics to help explain the topic they are presenting. While podcasting is solely voice, a vodcast can go much further than a power point and include a live demonstration or more realistic visuals for students.
I hope to get a podcast up and running soon.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Learning Something New Everyday
Microsoft Wrod has capabilities past your basic word processing document and I recently found this out after viewing the "Microsoft Word Newsletter" video from Atomic Learning (http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/workshops ). I found this segment to be eye opening. I consider myself very knowledgeable of word and am often able to assist colleagues with questions they have concerning formatting and picture inserts. As I viewed the instructional videos I followed along implementing the suggestions in a blank word document. The lessons I learned out numbered the information they presented that I already knew. I especially enjoyed discovering how to format the page breaks. These always seem to cause me headaches. The learning series also reminded me to incorporate graphics in my newsletters. The graphics can be watermarks, clip art, pictures from files, or call out bubbles.
I email a weekly newsletter to all my parents each Friday. The newsletter I currently use I found on the internet. I have also been frustrated with my lack of control and being able to change the formatting.
I hope to take my newsletters to a new level and have students begin submitting stories. I plan on continuing to format the newsletter, but would like to see it more student driven. I will also post the newsletters weekly on the classroom blog (which I am still visualizing and hope will be up and running by the next school year).
I email a weekly newsletter to all my parents each Friday. The newsletter I currently use I found on the internet. I have also been frustrated with my lack of control and being able to change the formatting.
I hope to take my newsletters to a new level and have students begin submitting stories. I plan on continuing to format the newsletter, but would like to see it more student driven. I will also post the newsletters weekly on the classroom blog (which I am still visualizing and hope will be up and running by the next school year).
Monday, February 11, 2008
Did You Know?
The link below will connect you to a video on "You tube" called Did You Know?. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U&eurl=http://www.courses.bakeru.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_7565_1&content_id=_222197_1
The video resinated with me. It presents a significant amount of information I have heard in passing, but haven't taken the time to really contemplate. After viewing this clip, I thought of my classroom. I started asking myself if I was preparing my students for the world to come. Am I exposing them to a variety of technology? I am not where I would like to be in terms of technology use in my classroom. I would like to incorporate blogs, podcasts, wikispaces, and provide better communication with my students and parents, through the use of the web.
As educators it is our responsiblity to expose children to these new technologies. I look at this field as a part of the sciences. Although we do not have the extra time to dive deep into all the wonderful things the internet and technology devices have to offer, I do believe it is our responsibility to provide these opportunities to our students. Not only should we bring this into our classroom for the purpose of educating our students in this field, but technology is an interest of most students. We should be using it to engage our students.
Where do we go from here? In my classroom I hope to begin slowly adding internet based resources and blogs. We can only begin to do our part and change our teaching and when new advances are made, change our thinking again.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Useful Blog-3rd Grade Classroom Blog
When creating this blog, I knew instantly it would be for classroom use. However, I was unsure how I was going to utilize it in my classroom. I began brain storming and sketching out all the useful ways this blog could be used in classroom and at home by my students and parents. I decided I wanted it to be a hub for our classroom and events happening within. I hoped it would become (eventually) a place where students could respond to prompts, and have class discussions. I mention all of this because I have begun utilizing a great blog which encompasses all I hope my blog to be. This blog is mentioned in the text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works, written by Howard Pitler, Elizabeth Hubbell, Matt Kuhn, and Kim Malenoski.
www.mrwrightsclass.com come complete with updates, newsletters, and educational links for parents and students. It reflects the happenings in a 3rd grade class.
www.mrwrightsclass.com come complete with updates, newsletters, and educational links for parents and students. It reflects the happenings in a 3rd grade class.
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