We traveled by bus two hours out into the farming country to a boarding school for 6-7-8th graders. The students had left for their winter break, but some high school students were there having a camp. One unique thing about this school is that the kids live there and see their parents about 3 times a year for a month break.
The school has it's own farm, they grow many vegtables, and have chickens running loose around the school grounds, as well as two ponds where they raise fish. The food the school does not need for students is sold to others. I think this is a great idea.
The sleeping arrangements are interesting a 3-tiered bunk bed room that sleeps a total of 48 boys or girls (depending on which dorm it is)in one large room. No closets, just a small cubie about the size of 18x18inches for all their personal belongings. Do you think this would be a good way to get your education? What if your family had almost nothing to provide a good life for you, would this be a good solution for education?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Day 4 Spent in Pangani-Working with teachers today
Everyday we ride the bus for about 30 minutes to an hour to get to our school. The traffic is crazy; cars, carts, bicycles, vans, buses all squeeze together to try to get to where they are going. There are no lanes. Tonight it took us one and a half hours to get back to our motel because of an accident. Pedestrians weave in and out of traffic across the streets. I can hardly look out the windows, I'm afraid that we will hit someone.
I spent the day in six classrooms and then spent the afternoon sharing ideas with their teachers. The people are very caring and eager to share about their challenges and joys in life.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Day 3 in Kenya
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Today was Christmas at Mabatini, Mission of Hope School. We had 340 children rotate through activities, that included a craft, music, story, and recreational games. I spent the previous day at this school in several classrooms working and teaching alongside the teachers. Later in the day, I spent time working with two head teachers (one from this school and one from a neighboring school) to talk about new strategies they could use in the classroom.
In their school the children stay in the same room and the teachers rotate. That would eliminate the need for lockers or passing periods. Do you think this would work in our schools? Much of their work is done orally, that means that they all memorize the same information and repeat it together. Each level has a test that must be passed before you can move on to the next level or grade. One other think I enjoyed was the way the students greeted their teachers. The said in unison, "Good morning to you. We love our school, we love our teacher, I will work hard and stay strong to learn my lessons."
This was their last day of school and we had a graduation celebration at the church for the younger students advancing to the next level. We climbed the hill to the church, past a large pile of rocks that blocked the road, beyond the ever-growing pile of garbage, through a herd of goats to the ceremony. Complete with graduation cap and gown, cake, songs and poems performed by the students, pictures, and even a short congratulatory, encouragement speech from Mrs. Mar. The community was very welcoming and receptive to our interactions with the school, and thankful for the food baskets we had spent the afternoon preparing for them to take home over their break.
Our team had raised money from many caring people who live in Wichita to be able to provide food baskets that contained food for about 1 week for the children while they are on their school month long break. Many of these children get one balanced meal a day from their school. So they were very happy with the gift of corn, green maze, rice, flour, sugar, and oil. The children were overjoyed by the cake at their graduation. Each child had one small bite. Yes, bite.
The poverty is unlike anything you can imagine. The traffic is absolute chaos. I will talk with you when I return more about my experiences. Perform to excellence in my absence. Until next time. Love Mrs. Mar
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Flight to Kenya
28 hours from Wichita to Nairobi, from airport waiting to plane riding. Sitting for two 9 hour stretches on a plane is like reliving a dream that you can’t awaken from. One of those dreams where you feel as if you are in a state of falling and can’t wake up or finally hit the ground, just lingering in limbo. Feeling as if I’m neither here nor there, just being, in a zombie-like state.
Once on the ground in Nairobi joy overcomes the lengthy, lethargic, lingering hours on the plane. While darkness greets our arrival, I am overcome by the faces of multiple races blending together, the languages of the earth blending together in song with the vans, cars and taxis that await weary travelers as they venture into the city.
Tonight sleep in a bed, not airplane seat is what I am looking forward too. Tomorrow our team will be introduced to the city and we will plan our activities while here with our hosts. I look forward to getting into the schools to meet the teachers and students I will be working with over the next two weeks. Until I can write again, treat others kindly, peace and love.
Lesson for my Wranglers: What styles of figurative language can you find in my writing?
Friday, November 25, 2011
Nearing the time to leave
About 8 hours and counting until our flight is scheduled to leave Wichita enroute to the Mathare Valley, Niarobi, Kenya, Africa. I can't believe it has been 5 months since I said yes to going on this trip. In the midst of pain and sorrow I found a calling to extend myself for the sake of others regardless of cost to me. I am trusting that my going will be an encouragement and help to others.
This holiday weekend has been a time of reflection over the many blessings I enjoy. Friends, family, 3 meals a day, shelter that keeps me warm/cool/safe, and the ability to freely express my ideas. I will be working with kids and their teachers who have far less resources than we, yet somehow I wonder if we will have much more in common that I might have once thought?
I hope to have time and internet connection availability to share my journey with you in the upcoming days. Stay tuned.
Feel free to post a comment or question, IF YOU ARE MY STUDENT use initials and your class hour only, do not put your name! This is for your safety, I will know who you are. I may not have time to respond to each comment.
This holiday weekend has been a time of reflection over the many blessings I enjoy. Friends, family, 3 meals a day, shelter that keeps me warm/cool/safe, and the ability to freely express my ideas. I will be working with kids and their teachers who have far less resources than we, yet somehow I wonder if we will have much more in common that I might have once thought?
I hope to have time and internet connection availability to share my journey with you in the upcoming days. Stay tuned.
Feel free to post a comment or question, IF YOU ARE MY STUDENT use initials and your class hour only, do not put your name! This is for your safety, I will know who you are. I may not have time to respond to each comment.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Emerging technology - game reviews
1. http://www.quia.com/hm/80390.html
I previewed a Hangman game found on gamequarium. This is an online version of an old favorite. I found that it was effective in presenting review for my content area, while not extremely engaging or entertaining. Students receive feedback for both positive and negative actions. It is easy to use, and the goal is to recall figurative language terms by use of a clue. Students love the challenge of this game even though it may not have all the “bells and whistles” that other video games may have.
2. The Nobel Prize game site was very thorough, especially the science games. I enjoyed the extra information and attention given to the literature games, although fewer than the science games, students could benefit from the information about the author. I played” Lord of the Flies” a game that required recall from book elements.
The aim of this game is to introduce some basic analytical aspects of the book and to challenge the reader's memory through play. The game is interesting if you have read the book. It is an excellent character analysis, and student can reach the goal by trial and error if he/she does not remember the character/story well. I feel this would be a great review for students after reading the story and could be used in my class. It was fun, if you had read the book, the graphics and sounds pertinent to the topic, with the goal being to analyze character and plot, by moving objects or quotes from the story to elements of characters and plot.
"Lord of the Flies". Nobelprize.org. 24 Oct 2011 http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/index.html
3. WordStash “Half flashcard, half dictionary, and full awesome!” http://wordstash.com/
As a language arts teacher, I found this the most intriguing game, as it may or may not be called a game. This site provides teachers with a free account, where you can create word lists and flashcards with your students or search for lists to copy and use. I found a list of figurative language terms that I can use tomorrow in my classroom. This is going on my favorites list.
Students can find the definition, practice with matching and multiple choice games. It even has a learning mode that can be set to remember what you need more practice on. It is engaging, and gives student feedback by way of further practice for missed words. It has a time component that counts up. I especially liked the Waterfall game that had fill in the blank, which is a quick comprehension element. Students can monitor their own understanding, and take charge of their own learning of content words and their meanings. It also had an audio feature that would benefit esol students.
I previewed a Hangman game found on gamequarium. This is an online version of an old favorite. I found that it was effective in presenting review for my content area, while not extremely engaging or entertaining. Students receive feedback for both positive and negative actions. It is easy to use, and the goal is to recall figurative language terms by use of a clue. Students love the challenge of this game even though it may not have all the “bells and whistles” that other video games may have.
2. The Nobel Prize game site was very thorough, especially the science games. I enjoyed the extra information and attention given to the literature games, although fewer than the science games, students could benefit from the information about the author. I played” Lord of the Flies” a game that required recall from book elements.
The aim of this game is to introduce some basic analytical aspects of the book and to challenge the reader's memory through play. The game is interesting if you have read the book. It is an excellent character analysis, and student can reach the goal by trial and error if he/she does not remember the character/story well. I feel this would be a great review for students after reading the story and could be used in my class. It was fun, if you had read the book, the graphics and sounds pertinent to the topic, with the goal being to analyze character and plot, by moving objects or quotes from the story to elements of characters and plot.
"Lord of the Flies". Nobelprize.org. 24 Oct 2011 http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/index.html
3. WordStash “Half flashcard, half dictionary, and full awesome!” http://wordstash.com/
As a language arts teacher, I found this the most intriguing game, as it may or may not be called a game. This site provides teachers with a free account, where you can create word lists and flashcards with your students or search for lists to copy and use. I found a list of figurative language terms that I can use tomorrow in my classroom. This is going on my favorites list.
Students can find the definition, practice with matching and multiple choice games. It even has a learning mode that can be set to remember what you need more practice on. It is engaging, and gives student feedback by way of further practice for missed words. It has a time component that counts up. I especially liked the Waterfall game that had fill in the blank, which is a quick comprehension element. Students can monitor their own understanding, and take charge of their own learning of content words and their meanings. It also had an audio feature that would benefit esol students.
Monday, October 3, 2011
One of the difficulties I find in my practice is discouragement by others about using technology in the language arts classroom. Finding clear instructions and ideas for professional development is important in aiding "newbies" or seasoned teachers in feeling confident to try. I find that because of my age, and my efforts to share the technology that I am using in the classroom it helps others think that maybe they can try also.
The embedded video found on youtube is a good tool for reluctant or hesitant teachers to begin using in the classroom. It gives reasons a blog can be used in the Language Arts Classroom, and the benefits to students. This video is good in giving the listener/learner time to reflect on the ideas put forth. One idea that I think I could sell to teachers not currently using technology in the classroom is the posting of "Book Review" on blogs stating the ease of teacher reply to students. (Integrate Blogs in English-Teacher Professional Development, March 10, 2011)
The embedded video found on youtube is a good tool for reluctant or hesitant teachers to begin using in the classroom. It gives reasons a blog can be used in the Language Arts Classroom, and the benefits to students. This video is good in giving the listener/learner time to reflect on the ideas put forth. One idea that I think I could sell to teachers not currently using technology in the classroom is the posting of "Book Review" on blogs stating the ease of teacher reply to students. (Integrate Blogs in English-Teacher Professional Development, March 10, 2011)
Uploaded by Simplek12Team on Mar 10, 2011
Blogs In The Classroom - http://tinyurl.com/tlc-nowSunday, October 2, 2011
In Search of the perfect WebQuest
I am in search of a webquest to use in my 6th grade language arts classroom. My search is for an engaging lesson, that employs cooperative interactions while providing stimulating active participation in knowledge research, and has an end product that shows student success in learning the concept. Below find 3 reviews from my most current research.
I have rated each on a scale of 6 pts.
2pts. each for Overall Design, Ease of Use, and Useage of HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=109744
Preview of Holes webquest found on zunal.com:
While visually appealing to students with video and pictures from the motion picture by the same title, this quest designed to “broaden students understanding of the novel” falls short. Students are asked to make a copy of a word search and complete, take a multiple choice test then create a test for a peer, and write a short essay from a specific character’s point of view. It fails to require students to work cooperatively. I would not use this quest in my practice as I feel it did not challenge students in their thinking. While, as a writer I like the idea of students writing a point of view essay, no directions were given as to use of materials (paper or word processor). I give this webquest a score of 3. 1 for overall design, 1 for ease of use, and 1 for use of HOTS. (Higher Order Thinking Skills).
http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=107136
Preview of: Improving Reading Comprehension, Fluency, and Accuracy
The title of this webquest gave me hope that it might be beneficial to my students who are struggling in the area of fluency. Aside from practice reading passages, this quest did not meet my expectations. Students have opportunities to practice reading and then show comprehension by completing a multiple choice test to show accuracy. This page was the least appealing visually of the 5 or 6 that I looked at from the zunal webpage. It looked as if this was a cover sheet for a classrooms curriculum. Navigation was difficult causing students to search for the accuracy pages. It made me feel as if a new coat of paint was put over the old textbook activities. I would not use this in my practice. Overall score of 1. 1 for design, 0 for ease of use (difficulty knowing which passage and tests corresponded.) 0 for use of HOTS.
http://questgarden.com/104/00/2/100522123141/index.htm
Preview of: Figurative Language Museum
This webquest has it all; students are engaged in cooperative group and partner discussions. Students are given quality sites for research and practice sets to cement their learning. Then students work together to create a product for others to enjoy and learn from, while able to practice their own learning and exhibit knowledge skills in a carousel walk. I loved the story line that draws students into the quest. The colors and graphics were inviting and flowed with the theme of creating museum artifacts. Navigation was smooth and explanations and directions clear. A special teachers page included standards and a timeline for the project. I will definitely use this quest with my students, as we are just now beginning to work on figurative language. I am writing this one in my plan book today! Overall score of 6. 2 for design, 2 for ease of use, and 2 for use of HOTS.
I have rated each on a scale of 6 pts.
2pts. each for Overall Design, Ease of Use, and Useage of HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=109744
Preview of Holes webquest found on zunal.com:
While visually appealing to students with video and pictures from the motion picture by the same title, this quest designed to “broaden students understanding of the novel” falls short. Students are asked to make a copy of a word search and complete, take a multiple choice test then create a test for a peer, and write a short essay from a specific character’s point of view. It fails to require students to work cooperatively. I would not use this quest in my practice as I feel it did not challenge students in their thinking. While, as a writer I like the idea of students writing a point of view essay, no directions were given as to use of materials (paper or word processor). I give this webquest a score of 3. 1 for overall design, 1 for ease of use, and 1 for use of HOTS. (Higher Order Thinking Skills).
http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=107136
Preview of: Improving Reading Comprehension, Fluency, and Accuracy
The title of this webquest gave me hope that it might be beneficial to my students who are struggling in the area of fluency. Aside from practice reading passages, this quest did not meet my expectations. Students have opportunities to practice reading and then show comprehension by completing a multiple choice test to show accuracy. This page was the least appealing visually of the 5 or 6 that I looked at from the zunal webpage. It looked as if this was a cover sheet for a classrooms curriculum. Navigation was difficult causing students to search for the accuracy pages. It made me feel as if a new coat of paint was put over the old textbook activities. I would not use this in my practice. Overall score of 1. 1 for design, 0 for ease of use (difficulty knowing which passage and tests corresponded.) 0 for use of HOTS.
http://questgarden.com/104/00/2/100522123141/index.htm
Preview of: Figurative Language Museum
This webquest has it all; students are engaged in cooperative group and partner discussions. Students are given quality sites for research and practice sets to cement their learning. Then students work together to create a product for others to enjoy and learn from, while able to practice their own learning and exhibit knowledge skills in a carousel walk. I loved the story line that draws students into the quest. The colors and graphics were inviting and flowed with the theme of creating museum artifacts. Navigation was smooth and explanations and directions clear. A special teachers page included standards and a timeline for the project. I will definitely use this quest with my students, as we are just now beginning to work on figurative language. I am writing this one in my plan book today! Overall score of 6. 2 for design, 2 for ease of use, and 2 for use of HOTS.
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