As a person, I have tremendous compassion for others. I may have met someone for a short time and haven't seen them for years only to find out something horrific has happened in their lives. I immediately feel compassion for my friend.
It is easier to feel compassion for the people we know....but what about people we don't know or have ever met? I am thinking about the recent tornado's that swept across the southern Midwest states. They know they live in "tornado alley" but we must feel compassion for these people as their lives and homes were swept away in moments.
The memories that were lost. The history and historical landmarks that were lost. The lives that were lost. People from the other side of the city that they may not have known are all under the same shelter finding relief as they try and sort out what they are going to do.
Compassion.
Next I heard that there are people going to help the victims. They will go and help willing to do whatever they can to the people and towns destroyed by natures forces. One must have compassion for tragedy like this and many have stated, "We will start over". With that attitude and knowing there will be hard work ahead of them, creates a possibility when it seemed like it was all over. This is one event and there are things happening all around us in our neighborhood, town, or state almost everyday that one digs deep within themselves and feels something for others......compassion.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Games
In one of our classes I attend at my local college, we play games. One would ask...you pay all that money to play games. No silly! Our professor uses games to create additional activities in the classroom. These games can be tied to a lesson or played to open classmates personalities at the beginning of the year.
We played gestures, apples to apples, word puzzles, spelling bee, and even acted out a word!
All this took teamwork. I could not nor could anyone do these alone. This brings in the understanding that I must work with my teammates if we wanted to score. (Of course we wanted to win!!!).
I feel that at times, a teacher can incorporate games into the classroom. I was observing a 4th grade class and while I was there they had their own spelling bee and multiplication & division bingo. They students all engaged in the game and with the proper classroom management they all had a fun time.....while learning!
We played gestures, apples to apples, word puzzles, spelling bee, and even acted out a word!
All this took teamwork. I could not nor could anyone do these alone. This brings in the understanding that I must work with my teammates if we wanted to score. (Of course we wanted to win!!!).
I feel that at times, a teacher can incorporate games into the classroom. I was observing a 4th grade class and while I was there they had their own spelling bee and multiplication & division bingo. They students all engaged in the game and with the proper classroom management they all had a fun time.....while learning!
Season Changes
I am so fortunate to live in the climate that experiences the four seasons. We enjoy the current season we are in but anticipate the next season approaching. I may be overemphasizing the word enjoy because when we had over a foot of snow.....I was looking for spring but it was still so far out of reach.
I feel like the world snuggles in under the covers sipping hot chocolate during the winter. Some people choose outdoor sports but in my neighborhood many just come and go from their garages. The excitement of the first snowfall wears off by March when the snow is muddy, dirty, and once again gives us hazardous road conditions.
But then.....Spring arrives! The chirping of birds. The thunderstorms. The fresh new buds on the trees and lovely spring flowers poke their heads out of the ground. People are out in the neighborhood more. Lighter jackets have replaced heavy coats and it doesn't take so long to warm up the car.
Summer is always welcoming with the trip to the beach and "no school"! Summer brings families and friends together as they vacation, grill out, walk and jog, and jumping in the lake. Peoples spirits are higher in the summer as we have longer days to enjoy. A good book to read while swinging in a hammock is my choice of summer activity.
Fall brings the end to summer but displays a beautiful masterpiece as we gaze out our windows. The color splashed on the trees are priceless. The cooler evenings around the campfire and children are buzzing back and forth to school and their activities.
I love the four seasons!
I feel like the world snuggles in under the covers sipping hot chocolate during the winter. Some people choose outdoor sports but in my neighborhood many just come and go from their garages. The excitement of the first snowfall wears off by March when the snow is muddy, dirty, and once again gives us hazardous road conditions.
But then.....Spring arrives! The chirping of birds. The thunderstorms. The fresh new buds on the trees and lovely spring flowers poke their heads out of the ground. People are out in the neighborhood more. Lighter jackets have replaced heavy coats and it doesn't take so long to warm up the car.
Summer is always welcoming with the trip to the beach and "no school"! Summer brings families and friends together as they vacation, grill out, walk and jog, and jumping in the lake. Peoples spirits are higher in the summer as we have longer days to enjoy. A good book to read while swinging in a hammock is my choice of summer activity.
Fall brings the end to summer but displays a beautiful masterpiece as we gaze out our windows. The color splashed on the trees are priceless. The cooler evenings around the campfire and children are buzzing back and forth to school and their activities.
I love the four seasons!
Resources
Resources has a new meaning to me. The resources I am speaking of is from a teacher's standpoint. When I grew up in school, our school was limited with computers. The internet wasn't available and the school library wasn't a "cool" place to hang out. I found myself walking blocks to the local library.
I love entering the library. With the love for literature, I found a second home. I couldn't believe all the resources they had available for me to use. One thing.... I had to sit and type or hand write information I found. I could not "copy" and "paste".
Resources can be found all over the internet. I still love the library and go often but with one google click.....
I can find not only one resource at a time but sometimes hundreds. When finding resources for a lesson I plan to teach to my students, I look for credible sources and visual aesthetics. Finding resources with meaning, clarity, and visually pleasing opens more ideas for me every time I hit "search".
It is easier now a days to find resources. I can find and search for a person, place, or thing that I cannot reach or go. I can travel through the country and even around the world. I can find books, articles, journals, pictures, events, and even an old classmate.
Resources are such an asset. I was teaching a lesson on space exploration. I was able to show the students right in class the take off of Apollo 13. They loved it and with technology, resources, and shooting off their own handmade rockets......brought authentic learning.
I love entering the library. With the love for literature, I found a second home. I couldn't believe all the resources they had available for me to use. One thing.... I had to sit and type or hand write information I found. I could not "copy" and "paste".
Resources can be found all over the internet. I still love the library and go often but with one google click.....
I can find not only one resource at a time but sometimes hundreds. When finding resources for a lesson I plan to teach to my students, I look for credible sources and visual aesthetics. Finding resources with meaning, clarity, and visually pleasing opens more ideas for me every time I hit "search".
It is easier now a days to find resources. I can find and search for a person, place, or thing that I cannot reach or go. I can travel through the country and even around the world. I can find books, articles, journals, pictures, events, and even an old classmate.
Resources are such an asset. I was teaching a lesson on space exploration. I was able to show the students right in class the take off of Apollo 13. They loved it and with technology, resources, and shooting off their own handmade rockets......brought authentic learning.
Motivation
How often have we been excited about a project or task that we do? Behind the excitement we usually find something called motivation. Motivation is a powerful action carried through a task with a driving force to accomplish our goal.
I have been around people who are not motivated. They have the philosophy of whatever will be will be. They approach a task with the "I have to get it done" attitude. I find that sometimes they do the bare necessity to complete their work. They don't seem to have goals and their attitudes are sometimes dull.
I am drawn and love to be around motivated people. I am motivated myself and find joy in life even when there are obstacles in my way. I smile and jump right over them. I feel like a group of motivated people can not only accomplish a task but their enthusiasm and their will to succeed outweighs the outcome of the project/task. Most people feel "pumped up" around motivated people. I have witness friends come out of their shell and become that person they want to be by hanging around motivated people.
The question is does a motivated person stay motivated all the time?
I have been around people who are not motivated. They have the philosophy of whatever will be will be. They approach a task with the "I have to get it done" attitude. I find that sometimes they do the bare necessity to complete their work. They don't seem to have goals and their attitudes are sometimes dull.
I am drawn and love to be around motivated people. I am motivated myself and find joy in life even when there are obstacles in my way. I smile and jump right over them. I feel like a group of motivated people can not only accomplish a task but their enthusiasm and their will to succeed outweighs the outcome of the project/task. Most people feel "pumped up" around motivated people. I have witness friends come out of their shell and become that person they want to be by hanging around motivated people.
The question is does a motivated person stay motivated all the time?
Reflection
How do you reflect? Is it a brief passing thought or is it something you contemplate for awhile.
I have reflected on things and events in my personal life.....with smiles and sometimes tears. I also as
a teacher reflect on the day and the lessons I teach to the students. I don't casually think and move on
but I think deeper and apply meaning to the way I reflect. I question myself about the lesson and how I
taught it. I also think about possible ways to reteach or add on to a lesson that may be more effective.
I find that when I reflect about the students I take extra time. Did they understand the objective of the
lesson? Did I present it in ways that all learning styles gain from the lesson? Did they connect with the
lesson and interact? Was there any feedback from the students while I myself continue to learn along
with them?
I feel reflection is a very important part to guide tomorrow. We must take the time to reflect and to
be honest with ourselves of how events/lessons are viewed and received. Reflection is a life long "tool" that
can benefit not only ourselves but the people around us.
I have reflected on things and events in my personal life.....with smiles and sometimes tears. I also as
a teacher reflect on the day and the lessons I teach to the students. I don't casually think and move on
but I think deeper and apply meaning to the way I reflect. I question myself about the lesson and how I
taught it. I also think about possible ways to reteach or add on to a lesson that may be more effective.
I find that when I reflect about the students I take extra time. Did they understand the objective of the
lesson? Did I present it in ways that all learning styles gain from the lesson? Did they connect with the
lesson and interact? Was there any feedback from the students while I myself continue to learn along
with them?
I feel reflection is a very important part to guide tomorrow. We must take the time to reflect and to
be honest with ourselves of how events/lessons are viewed and received. Reflection is a life long "tool" that
can benefit not only ourselves but the people around us.
Possibilities with Disabilities
On campus I attended an event that will forever be in my mind. Local men in our community challenged the students and staff of our local college at wheelchair basketball game. I was amazed at the arm strength of these individuals! One man would shoot from the three point line and swish.....3 points! The attitude of the men and the atmosphere of the event left everyone on an even plane.
These men could have chosen to sit around and pursue any sort of interest but instead used their talent despite their disabilities.
Is there possibilities with disabilities. I say yes!
These men could have chosen to sit around and pursue any sort of interest but instead used their talent despite their disabilities.
Is there possibilities with disabilities. I say yes!
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