Getting to Know My Class Chart

Getting to Know the Class...

Social Networking for Children Under Thirteen??

Do you think people should be allowed to use sites like facebook or myspace if they are under the age of thirteen?

This has become a major discussion question lately among parents. They don't know whether they should allow their children to become a part of the Facebook phenomenon or not. In my opinion thirteen year olds are too young for Facebook. I understand some people disagree but just listen to what I have to say. First of all Facebook states that in order to create an account the user must be at least thirteen years old. I know for a fact that there are children younger than thirteen who have a Facebook. How do they have one you might ask? Simple, they lie. Already at a very early age children are lying about their age just to be part of Facebook. This is insane! Also, if it is that easy for children to lie about their age what do you think is stopping other people, older people, from lying about their age or other things? Nothing is. Children do not know all the dangers that are on social networks. They believe everyone is telling the truth and just wants to be their friend. In their minds there are no internet predators, cyber bullies, exposed language, or people impersonating other people. They have no sense of the dangers they might be getting themselves into just by accepting a friend request.

So my advice to those parents who allow their children to get a Facebook at a young age are these:

Ø  Make sure you have all your child’s information (password, username, etc.) so that you are able to keep track of what your child is doing.

Ø  Make sure no private information is posted anywhere (phone number, address, etc.).

Ø  It might be a smart idea to create an email designated for Facebook only.

Ø  ONLY add people you know!! Even if you know them be careful, there are impersonators out there.  

Ø  Lastly, supervise absolutely everything your child does or writes.

My Picassohead

How Schools Kill Creativity

     According to Sir Ken Robison creativity is just as important as literacy. As adults we are frightened to be wrong and make mistakes but what we need to be doing is preparing ourselves to be wrong. Today we are trying to change children to not make mistakes and taking away their creativity. As children we grow and educate ourselves out of creativity. The arts are always at the bottom of the teaching curriculum all over the world. People believe that the most useful things are at the top of academics. As teachers we need to rethink what we’re teaching our students, we must learn to educate a student’s whole being not just a part of it.

     The main thing that I believe will help teachers promote creativity is to step out of their comfort zone. I know that this is easier said than done but the overall benefit is worth it. Teachers will have to put a little more effort into their planning but if it helps the students get to know more about their creative side isn’t it worth it? We need to brainstorm and put our ideas to a test; if they don’t work then we try something else. Without trial and error we will never know what works. Teachers can also bring their own ways of learning into their classroom. They can show students what helps them to learn better and that may help the child to start thinking of ways that may help themselves learn.

     One thing that I wish my teachers had known about me as a learner is that I learn best when I am up moving and involved in an activity. I think this is true for a lot of people and students. I believe that students learn faster and remember more when doing hands on activities.

 

My Learning Style

I have learned from the learner style test that I am a kinesthetic learner, although my other styles are quite high as well. Some strategies for these learners should use in the classroom might be to chew gum. Kinesthetic learners are antsy and need movement which is why chewing gum or walking while repeating their notes would help offer a motion stimulus for students. Coloring their notes and maps is also a great way for students to be activity while learning. One last thing that can help kinesthetic students is re-writing or re-typing their notes, this helps them with memory. I believe this test to be moderately accurate. I have thought of myself as a kinesthetic learner multiple times because I normally learn better when I do hands on activities and am moving.

Kinesthetic Learner by Melanie Springer: "Picassohead"

Investigating Junk Mail Powerpoint

Investigating Junk Mail Powerpoint Link:
http://www.slideshare.net/melspri/investigating-junk-mail-ppt-7289330

Lesson Plan Link:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/investigating-junk-mail-negotiating-321.html

I just made a new Voki. See it here: