Thing #3

How can a blog be used in a classroom setting?  There are so many possibilities.
1.  It can give both students and parents insight to the teacher.  Allow them to get to know each other better.
2.  The blog can allow parents to ask questions about what their student is studying or about a specific assignment.
3.  Teachers can setup websites, worksheets, books, etc as reference for any work being done.  
4.  Students can use their real names or a be anonymous. Being anonymous would allow the students to discuss topics that they would not normally want to or ask questions they may think are embarrassing.   It could also be a way for students to inform the teacher of issues or concerns for themselves or fellow classmates.
5.  You can setup special assignments (ex: 23 things)  or even extra credit assignments on the blog that will encourage the students to check in once a week or even daily.
6.  Set the blog up for a specific year so everyone can look at it later.  It can also be a good reference tool for the future blogs.   A way to compare how it was done in the past to the current blog.


I plan to teach P.E and Health.  I look forward to challenging myself to be creative and find a way to use it in both areas.   I want my students to embrace learning in all avenues.   I also look forward to this semester and learning what all you can do with a blog.   Thanks for reading and I look forward to posting again soon.

Have a great day!

Thing 2 -Create a Blog, Add a Post and an Avatar

I created a blog tonight and an avatar.   It is my first blog and I am excited about the experience.  I am not experienced in the blogging world.  I have only read a few and they were mostly about recipes.  As I said before, I am excited to see where this project takes me.
I just used my name as the posting name because it felt right.   I wanted the title to be classroom friendly and appropriate.
Creating the blog was relatively easy.  Learning to navigate the system was also.  It just takes time to figure out where to go to do what I want or need to do.  Now the trick will be remembering it next week when I need to do the next assignment.  Haha!  :0
The avatar is as close to me as I could get.  I have dirty blond curly hair and blue eyes.  I love the color Blue and am a huge University of Kentucky fan.  I am a jeans and shorts kinda girl and I typically wear tennis shoes or flip flops.   Check back,  she might change her appearance.

Thing #1 - Lifelong Learning

I read Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners today and recommend that you do also.

The hardest thing for me is begin with the end in mind.  Setting Goals and maintaining them has become a challenge in the past six years.  I start really strong and then get knocked off the road by life.  I sometimes accomplish the goal, but  not in a timely manner.   I recognize that it takes 21 days to make a habit and that somethings need to be a priority to change.   I need to not let life sidetrack me and when I do get knocked off the road, to get right back on the road and start again.   I will challenge myself this year by going back to college while taking care of the house, bills, kids, etc.  I can do this, I have done the juggling before.   I will stick to the plan and look forward to the rewards.

The easiest thing for me was to play.   I love to take the kids to new places to learn new and interesting things.   We love to ride dirt bikes, ride horses, go out on the boat, visit the zoo and the science museum.   I love to try new things, arts and crafts, play sports, etc.   I need to do better about creating me time.  I look forward to having some more me time and great adventures with my children.