Digital Learning Day

In my first grade class, I could use animoto to teach a lesson. This tool enables you to turn your photos, video clips, and music into awesome video masterpieces to share with the class. Animoto is very easy to use and it is also free with the shortcuts that Mrs. Stevens has! (which is in every teacher's budget). I could use this in my class to present before we conducted a science experiment. I could include pictures of the materials we are using, and then find a brief video clip of putting all the materials together to perform the experiment.

2. On Wednesday, February 1, my teachers did not really use any technology out of the ordinary. We watched a movie on the computer that displayed on the projector and watched video announcements off of youtube. Other than this, my teachers did not use anything else.

Make It Happen 2012!

The new year brings about the perfect time to reflect on the past, and decide what changes need to be made. Here are the three main things I want to change to improve for the new year!

You must list the three things you want to change, how you will make this happen and what you hope the outcome will be as a result of your efforts. 

1. Get a Job: During the fall semester I was very busy after school with volleyball, however now I get out of school at 1:30 so I would like to spend my extra time making money to save up for college. I have started applying for jobs at certain places like The Children's Courtyard and Fitness 2000. The outcome of my results will be me landing a job and the beginning of the growth of my bank account!

2. Have a Positive Outlook: I want to have a more positive outlook on every situation I am faced with during this new year, even when I am overwhelmed. I will be disciplined with myself, and when I feel my frustrations and stress rising, I will turn to God in prayer. This will result in a more peaceful and joyful me!

3. Live in the Present: I want to enjoy the present situations that are to come this year, like all of the senior activities and new college experiences. I am going to focus on not wishing the rest of my senior year away, but rather just enjoy every minute because I know I will never be able to go back. This will result in me having no regrets and lots of wonderful memories to look back on!

My Ideal Classroom

The twenty-first century has brought about many changes, among these is the change of the structure of some classrooms. The "starbucks" style classroom that consists of lounge chairs and couches in a relaxed manner has become the topic of popular discussion. This provides a learning environment that is more peer taught, as opposed to lecture driven. I think this new classroom setting is beneficial, however I do not think it should completely replace the traditional style classroom. The "starbucks" style classroom is proving beneficial now, however, when this becomes the new standard, students will eventually get used to their surroundings and become disenchanted again. Therefore, my ideal classroom would consist of the traditional desks, but also have areas with more relaxed atmosphere to complete certain activities.

-inspired by this article