EDRG 3344 Objectives Using Bloom's Taxonomy

From lower to higher order:

Remembering- The student will list the capitals of the
fifty states at 90% accuracy.

Understanding - The student will collect and label
backyard insects at 85% accuracy.

Applying - The student will demonstrate how to make
clay from simple ingredients with 85% accuracy.

Analyzing - The student will survey classmates to find
what they think about the current immigration issues
with 85% accuracy.

Evaluating - The student will develop a persuasive speech
on why the U.S. government should or should not give
illegal aliens amnesty with 90% accuracy.

Creating - The student will create a short film emphasizing
high school education in America with 90% accuracy.

EDRG 3344 Star Trek Darmok Episode

The Star Trek episode that was shown in
class was very enlightening. By depicting
a people who spoke in metaphor and not
understood opened my eyes to the
importance of effective communication.

It was very frustrating just as a viewer
to see someone speak and not understand
a word that was said. I was able to put
myself in the position of someone from
a foreign country who does not under-
stand our language or vice versa.

I believe that Captain Pricard learned
not to jump to conclusions too quickly.
When there is a language barrier,
sometimes body language can be
deceiving. It is imperative that we
as a civilized society take the time to
learn about each other's culture,
customs, and the languages of
our neighbors.

ERG

The Sun (MGP Descriptive)

(not final)

Shining, golden, bright
Creeping through the tree

Daily when I awake it is you
That my weary eyes see.

Silently powerful you sit in space,
What can move your from your place?

Sparkling light descends from on high,
Evening approaches, time for good-bye.

How to Make Sun Tea (MGP Expository)

I plan to use a power point for this part of the
MGP. It's titled: "How to Make Sun Tea"

This is a simple demonstration of how
we can use the sun's heat energy for
our own benefit. The following is a recipe for
making sun tea.

First, get about 4 large tea bags.

Then you place the tea bags in a 4 quart glass (or
clear) container and fill with water. Try not
to overfill the container.

Next, you add the tea bags into the water filled
container and seal it shut (not too tight though).

After this, take your sealed glass container or
pitcher outside to the area that gets the most
sunlight during the day and leave it there at
least 2 hours.

When the 2 hours are up, take your container
inside and sweeten the tea to taste and add lemon
if you wish.

Finally, pour your tea prepared by you (and the sun
of course) into a glass with ice and enjoy.

As the Sun Turns (MGP Persuasive)

Setting: A few of the planets in the solar
system have gathered for a meeting.
Their chief complaint is against the Sun.
Since they are all rotating around him,
they have grown weary and obstinate. Mercury is
the first to speak up.

Mercury: "What is sooo special about the Sun any-
way? Why do we all have to orbit around him? I'm
tired of spinning around him all these million years."

Jupiter: "I nominate myself. After all, I'm the next
largest planet."

Sun: "Wait a minute! You think I enjoy just being
stuck out here looking at you guys all the time?
I know you feel you don't need me, but just ask
Earth- I'm pretty important to her."

Earth: "What's wrong with you guys? The Sun
is so very important, at least to me. I don't know
where I'd be without him. Without the Sun's
power radiating as sunlight one very important
thing would not be available on me."

All planets: "Well, what is it?"

Earth: "It's food. The Sun's power makes it
possible for all the living things to have food.
Photosynthesis is the process through which
all green plants make their own food, and with-
out the Sun's rays - no food."

Sun: "Wow, I didn't know I had such an effect
on you!"

Earth: "Talking about 'effect'- the way that you
just warm me up is known as the 'greenhouse
effect,' and it's great!"

Mars: "Okay, so the Sun warms you up, provides
food and light for you and all your inhabitants.
But I agree with the others, why should we keep
going around in circles? What's in it for us?"

Sun: "Hey, I'd be glad to move to another galaxy
and go with planets who would appreciate me."

Earth: "No, Sun, I truly appreciate you, and so
do all my people."

Mercury: "We don't have any people on us, so why
should we need the Sun?"

Venus: "We don't need him!"

Uranus: "Wait, if the Sun is benefiting the Earth
and it's 93 million miles away from her, maybe
the Sun's good for us, too."

Saturn: "So, you want us to think of reasons that
the Sun is good for us too?"

Uranus: "That's right! You know we don't all have
to be the center of the universe."

Until the next episode 500 years from now...

About Me (MGP Narrative)

Well, I'm not used to talking about myself.
I've been around quite a long time, before you
were born, before your parents were born, even
before the Earth was formed. I consider myself
very giving even though I have a very strong
personality. You might think I'm very distant,
but I'm actually close to my family. I really care
about each and every one of them. I know I
shouldn't have any favorites but my daughter,
Earth is most special to me.
I know I'm far away from her, about 93
million miles away, but Earth's well-being
is my utmost concern. I guess it's because
she's the youngest of my children that I feel so
protective of her. Since I want her to be warm,
I make sure that the energy I radiate reaches
her. Her scientists refer to this as the "green-
house effect." This means that my energy remains
in Earth's atmosphere. Without my power she
would be -18 degrees Celsius. She would freeze
to death! The life on her also depends on me.
When my radiation reaches Earth's surface,
along with the heat I provide, plants make their
own food. This process, known as "photo-
synthesis," occurs when my power reaches the
plants. The plants with leaves trap my light
energy in their chloroplasts and turn it into
chemical energy to make food. I really don't
want her inhabitants to starve. What kind
of parent do you think I am?

The Importance of Talking in the Classroom

We are first taught to speak and as soon as we start going
to school, the teachers tell us to be quiet. Now, as future
teachers we are learning the importance of having a
classroom of talkers. Children learn so much from their
peers when talking is used in various ways. Talking also
helps students develop higher level thinking.

Through small group conversations, students are able
to practice strategies for conversing. They learn to take
turns, to listen to each other and ask questions. In grand
conversations, students are able to discuss a story that
they have been reading in literature. In instructional
conversations,students are able to talk about subjects
that they have been learning about and are able to work
on their academic language.
Children also learn when they dramatize stories,prepare
oral reports and participate in debates.

In the classroom, I plan to have the students prepare
scripts and learn to debate. It is essential that children
learn to speak in public since it will be done the rest of
their lives. I firmly believe that everyone will be put in
a position where public speaking will be necessary. Having
children practice in the classroom will prepare them for
their future.

I have benefited from talking in class enormously since
returning to college. No matter how many notes I take,
I always miss out on something. Hearing information from
my classmates and listening to what they got out of
something has helped reinforce many main ideas. There
have been numerous times before a test when I have
studied long hours, but upon arriving early in the class,
I have walked in on others reviewing. I remember these
conversations during the test. I am indebted to many of
them who unknowingly helped me pass my tests!

As Good as Gold

What's good as gold for me is my family.
They are what keeps me going. I'm sure
every newlywed can relate to walking into
a new home for the first time and thinking
"what did I get myself into?!" The first year my husband and I were our own little family.

My new life away from my mom didn't hit me that hard until I held my firstborn child 22 years ago. When I held that helpless little baby who was cooing ever so softly and had her eyes on me, I melted. To think that God had entrusted this little person into my care was such an awesome feeling. I wasn't sure I could do it. But 2 children later and 23 years of
marriage, I believe I did something right.

It has been hard, but worth it. They are as good (better) than gold for me.

Farewell, My Friend

R- diary
A- writer
F- e-mail
T - friendship
I really hate good-byes, so in honor
of one of my favorite past-times...

From: Diary
To: Teresa

You may not remember me, but I surely remember you.
There you were, your first day at summer camp when
you were nine, remember? There was no one to talk
to so you took me out of your little pink psychedelic
suitcase and poured your little heart out.

I was sure we had formed a bond that no one could
break. I was there when Rosemary (who called you
her best friend) slapped you, remember? You were
eleven years old. I still have the words that crossed
your mind, but couldn't come to say, locked away.
I would never, ever tell. I thought I was your best friend.

That was also the year that your parents divorced. Even
though it was a tough time for you. It was the best for
me. You let me know all your feelings daily. You hardly
put me down. That's what I was there for. I couldn't wait!
It lasted a couple of years. Then you became a teenager.
I waited patiently until you went through a tough time.
I knew you'd come back to me.

Then, you grew up, got married, and became a mother.
You took me out once a month. I was still waiting, patiently.
It wasn't until you got involved with someone else that you
totally disappointed me. You know who I'm talking about:
Mr. E-Mail. How could you?

He wasn't there when your then boyfriend proposed.
He doesn't even know how you felt when you held your
first child in your arms. I was there. How could you have
forgotten? Well, I'll be waiting. I'm still at the bottom drawer
of your mom's china cabinet, waiting.

Love Always,
Your Diary

Writing Process (EDRG 3344 T/R)

What makes a great writer? Author James Michener said, "I'm not a very good writer, but an excellent rewriter." Michener found his niche in rewriting, but have we found ours? As future teachers it is essential that we know the five steps in the writing process to help our future students develop their writing voice:

1. Stage 1- Prewriting- This step, which is overlooked many times, is when brainstorming takes place. A topic may be chosen and maps may be used.
2. Stage 2- Drafting- Here a student may put down ideas and make a rough draft or an outline.
3. Stage 3- Revising- In this stage, the writer may add/delete, share, and reread the rough draft.
4. Stage 4- Editing - This stage is mainly used to check for errors in mechanics such as misspellings, punctuation, etc. and correcting those errors.
   
5. Stage 5- Publishing - At the end of the writing process, the writer makes final copies of the writing and may make a book or share it with an audience.
   
   By making these five stages a part of our regular writing routine, writing will not be a chore for our students but another way to make their voices heard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christmas 1975
After giving the hoola hoop a twirl and failing miserably, I knew something

unexpected was about to happen. I was five years old and loved playing outside,
but I knew something was going on. My dad came home from work whistling,
"Jingle Bells." That's it! I followed him inside and started getting anxious when
he went to the attic and pulled out our silver-foiled aluminum tree and all the
red glass balls. Christmas, oh yeah, my favorite time of year. I was got so
excited. My sister heard me run down the hall shouting, "Christmas is coming!"
She ran out of her room and asked me, "What do you want for Christmas?" That
ended it. What do I want for Christmas? I thought in my mind, what, what, what, do I want?
The next few days I was filled with worry. Sure a five year old kid's dream
day next to their birthday is Christmas. But I could not figure out what I wanted.
I loved going to the candy store and buying all the candy I could get for five cents:
bubble gum, sour balls, red licorice. I couldn't make up my mind. Heading to kinder-
garten I thought my life would get easier. The teacher announced we would be
exchanging gifts and all I thought was, "I don't want to pick a boy." Sure enough,
I drew James' name and that was rotten! Good thing my dad bought him a red
fire truck because I didn't want to even touch anything that a boy touched ( I
might have gotten the cooties really bad and probably missed Christmas).
During Christmas break I figured I had to write down what I wanted for
Christmas, but forget it, I couldn't write yet. Well, I just drew a skinny doll and
hoped that my dad knew I wanted a Barbie. Things got worse for me when my
sister broke my record player. We only had one 45 and it was the Jackson Five's
"ABC, 123" song. How I loved jumping and singing to that song! My sister ruined my
Christmas.
When Christmas morning came and I smelled the orange spice that my
mom had put on the stove I felt a little bit better. When we ran to the Christmas tree
in our flannel pajamas and fluffy socks, the world was well. Under that beautiful,
enormous tree was a long skinny wrapped box with my name on it. It was a Barbie!
A shiny bigger box without a name was waiting to be opened and when my mom
said, "That's for you and your sister," I squealed with excitment! It was a brand new
white, record player! Yep, my world was a whole lot better.

What are Some Examples of Pre/Dur/Post Strategies? EDRG 3344 T/R

This week's language arts topic was about emergent literacy. As a teacher, there are many strategies that can be used not only to help children enter into the literary world but to get them enthusiastic about the words on a page. Books that are circle stories are very beneficial in helping children emerge into literacy.
Pre-before the teacher begins reading the actual pages, showing the front of the book and asking the students to predict what the story is about is a great activity. With the help of a large, poster-sized replica of the book it will be easier to capture the students' attention.
During-shared reading can be done while reading the book. Students can repeat the words after the teacher reads or they can join in when they can.
After- Children can create their own circle story or give their own account of what happened.
By observing and participating in the classroom where reading and writing is used, students learn how literacy works. Reading and writing abilities are developed at the same time that they experience literature. These strategies build the students' understanding of reading and writing by getting them actively involved with the literacy materials. If students are successful at the onset, their enthusiasm with literacy may last a lifetime.

How Do You Learn?-EDRG 3344.TR

I was so sure that I was a total visual learner. I learn best when I see things in color and that contain graphics. I also take lots of notes and then re-read them when I get home. When I took this current MI survey I was totally surprised. I had taken it two years ago and I was a visual learner. Now, I have a high intrapersonal strength followed by a high verbal strength. I know that I am intrinsically motivated. All it takes for me to get motivated is the desire to make an "A". The visual file in my brain must have gotten too big that it created some new files. Since returning to college, words seem to just be flowing out of me. This must explain where the verbal strength came from and since I like to work by myself, my intrapersonal strength has grown considerably. I attribute that to all of the college work that is due. (I wanted to finish my degree, so that's life)
Well everyone, have a good weekend and welcome back to school!
Teresa Rodriguez