tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45179532771248205462024-03-19T16:19:04.381-07:00 Imagine ThatAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-624814808298511972016-03-19T17:54:00.006-07:002016-03-19T17:54:47.821-07:00SOL16 #19 Wanna Be<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The quiet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The loud scream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From my inner self</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't write</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I failed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yep, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a challenge </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To improve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Break bad habits</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Learn to write daily</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Climbing back on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't do it all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will just start here</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And try again</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm a SOLer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wanna be...really I am</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-21575894263845588152016-03-14T18:33:00.001-07:002016-03-14T18:37:17.920-07:00SOL 16 #14 Spring Sports Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://totalsportscomplex.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/baseball-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://totalsportscomplex.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/baseball-pic.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">Baseball Season </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">is</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">ALMOST</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;">HERE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Last week's weather gave me the itch to be outside. It won't be long until I am sitting in my chair feet propped up, wearing my team colors, clapping my hands to cheer for the kids on the field. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I can't wait! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">My son has dedicated some of his winter time to clinics to improve his skill. He is ready to be on the field using his new found skills and confidence. Let's play some ball, have some fun and build some memories.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">There is so much drama in Little League with the changes of age cut off dates. I've tried to let all of that go and let my son enjoy the game because that is the point. I hope others can do the same.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Pitchers and catchers have been working out for three weeks and opening day is three weeks away. Grab your mitt, get a ball, here we go!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-44616916302627429522016-03-13T18:33:00.001-07:002016-03-13T18:40:42.477-07:00SOL16 #13 Bridal Shower Blues<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today I attended a Bridal Shower for a cousin of my husband. This was the first shower I had been invited to in many years and I am aghast at how they have changed. There was one game, lifting the plate and seeing who had the groom's picture and two door prizes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were no get to know you games that helped the guests mingle and find ways that the knew the bride and groom. I know the games are hokey, but they are a way to make the day fun and possibly make a new friend. When I inquired, I was told that wasn't the way it was any more. I must say it was a snoozer of an afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to plan and execute a Bridal Shower in the early fall, the bride-to-be was at the bridal shower I attended to day we had the following text message conversations.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanR8gqfcTXacTqRrr1wkutj40v8kYwsN0DXu7uJerekAP5yXhzEzEaE6jE7-nn2DREV7b48X7n7djKlvKuhWRWGx36Hg0hBlPgkkbb2ao9IBqFCiahEBZU5tyc7N5hzctO0yEhhMu1gez/s1600/Text+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanR8gqfcTXacTqRrr1wkutj40v8kYwsN0DXu7uJerekAP5yXhzEzEaE6jE7-nn2DREV7b48X7n7djKlvKuhWRWGx36Hg0hBlPgkkbb2ao9IBqFCiahEBZU5tyc7N5hzctO0yEhhMu1gez/s400/Text+1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FEmpxBgQ3wsJEAypNpBnCSvUuaMnV7q6PUOCdh9laRBmkZgzyqOnMfGwENWPb9KLUI7YLFhi51jMHS_Gc1zOaNcsvltEIOOqjaUI9iqmL1lb6hTFcO83tU0GavRvOP3THuYiHWV19JiL/s1600/Text+Part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FEmpxBgQ3wsJEAypNpBnCSvUuaMnV7q6PUOCdh9laRBmkZgzyqOnMfGwENWPb9KLUI7YLFhi51jMHS_Gc1zOaNcsvltEIOOqjaUI9iqmL1lb6hTFcO83tU0GavRvOP3THuYiHWV19JiL/s200/Text+Part+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think she thinks I am kidding, but I am not. The idea of sitting at a table staring at the person sitting across from talking about absolutely nothing important, just seems like the waste of a day! She doesn't want to have a traditional shower, I think bowling would be a great way to have some fun and celebrate her! Really I do, I know you agree, right? Maybe a Zumb-a-thon</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-37350288433169562162016-03-11T18:59:00.003-08:002016-03-11T19:00:44.122-08:00SOL16 #11 Good Comes Out of Hard Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI8UVi-BWWklySi39SSsHMvy9p62EwNoKHsnW8FcHhUeiBDxJx3GMqzIW4d5UHdse9I5BEmNofaMKuYtyG2J5BrcHzOMQtOoJNpPK4xL_ReaVfkMpuPTElrqe2X8-wiDIyp2HGSO5A1yN/s1600/Town+Line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI8UVi-BWWklySi39SSsHMvy9p62EwNoKHsnW8FcHhUeiBDxJx3GMqzIW4d5UHdse9I5BEmNofaMKuYtyG2J5BrcHzOMQtOoJNpPK4xL_ReaVfkMpuPTElrqe2X8-wiDIyp2HGSO5A1yN/s320/Town+Line.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bill and I were having a conversation on Thursday. He had picked our daughter up after school, planned a playdate for our son, and still was able to get his work done. Having flexibility at your place of work is key to family survival these days.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not long ago, I remember having feelings of panic over this exact issue of how would we get it all done? Would I need to hire a sitter that could drive? How would we find a way to be flexible? Bill worked and hour away from our home and so did I. It just seemed impossible. Then in August 2009, Bill lost his job, at the time we were devastated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bill was out of work for two year before he made a decision to start his own business. Town Line Lawn Care was born and we haven't looked back. This job affords us huge amounts of flexibility for shuffling kids and letting the dogs out during the day. It sucks for having common vacation time, but that is a minor detail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've all grown into this well oiled machine and we have all learned to be flexible.</span><br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-35130329376900263652016-03-09T19:02:00.001-08:002016-03-09T19:02:47.724-08:00SOL16 #9 Small Giant Steps<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Small Giant Steps to Recovery</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve6RDcCoq4MMmyE2mdwCKnOMLphB40olV0dbqAZg5jW1NhyphenhyphenGfZoytbX21MHcwxKKgxgd9H4M6A5IsXIY-3JhP4sP1kqbQ22SxK8MnHWooVBlWfQXV7d42XkHpHo1gIFJlqrkmmYHeJaEe/s1600/Sam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve6RDcCoq4MMmyE2mdwCKnOMLphB40olV0dbqAZg5jW1NhyphenhyphenGfZoytbX21MHcwxKKgxgd9H4M6A5IsXIY-3JhP4sP1kqbQ22SxK8MnHWooVBlWfQXV7d42XkHpHo1gIFJlqrkmmYHeJaEe/s320/Sam+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been a week since I made that 500 mile trip, my sister and I have taken turns sitting next to his bedside so my mom can have time with her grandchildren before they head home. She insists on coming to the hospital everyday during the doctor's rounds to make sure she hears what they have to say. She is fierce when she listens, she peppers the doctors and nurses with questions. This isn't her first stent in ICU, she knows she won't get information if she doesn't ask. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The week comes to an end and my brother still hasn't woken from the coma, but they are going to move him to step down ICU because his vitals are stable. He has a feeding tube and they are pushing protein for food. I make the 500 mile trip back home with my kids wondering what the outcome for my brother will be in the coming months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I call or text daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally he is awake!, he is sitting up in the bed, he is eating real food. Such progress in a short time of three weeks. The doctors mention rehab, my mom isn't ready for that, but the doctors say that he is, so he move to a rehab center to learn basic skills. He learns quickly and in 8 weeks time they tell my mom he is ready to go home with lots of restrictions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mom and sister gather all of the sharp objects, put a special lock on the door to the basement, they gather anything that is dangerous and move it to other locations. It's been a long road since September 19th. He's been home recovering and he has made tremendous progress so much so that they think he will be able to return to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life changed that day and we will never be able to return to where we were. That is probably a good thing. Hopefully we have all become closer through all of this, the physical and psychological healing do not happen equally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">***There are a lot more details to this story, so many I thought it made it more boring than it already is at this length.a</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-84689222476931515832016-03-08T19:09:00.003-08:002016-03-08T19:26:08.349-08:00SOL16 #8 Tuesday's Rock<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Today is Tuesday, my favorite day of the week. I get to go to my favorite fitness class, Insanity. As I am working to make my fitness goals into habits, I find that taking a small rest is not a good idea. Last week, my 30 day challenges were on a small break. So I took advantage and slowed down a bit. The only thing I maintained was my Fitbit and walking more than 10,000 steps. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I paid for my laziness in Insanity, my push-ups were not as strong, my endurance was not as much as it had been in prior weeks. I guess the week off from the challenges are times that I need to use more wisely and make more physical Fitness habits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I learn something new everyday.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-27370225770216906502016-03-07T10:31:00.004-08:002016-03-07T10:31:39.229-08:00SOL16 #7 A Moment of Panic Turned to Brief Moment of Anger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP7COnPH4BZUxg8ZbpmjjVO7XI6_qRmASwkgxDGktSlixi43u4sTzV2urfFpaY5pinC1QFE2ln6X7p2Qv3C7xN7DJbaAtWFxq-q_qld-Pp3wihcTpJokncr4KH6CXoCXezefXyGl_8UKx/s1600/Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP7COnPH4BZUxg8ZbpmjjVO7XI6_qRmASwkgxDGktSlixi43u4sTzV2urfFpaY5pinC1QFE2ln6X7p2Qv3C7xN7DJbaAtWFxq-q_qld-Pp3wihcTpJokncr4KH6CXoCXezefXyGl_8UKx/s320/Sam.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> Panic Turned to Brief Anger</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I paused momentarily taking a big breath to spur myself down the
room towards my brother’s room. My mom says, "He has made progress,
they took him off the ventilator and he can breathe on his own."
This is her way of letting me know what I will see when I walk in the
room. We take a few more steps toward his room she continued "They have
him sedated to let him rest because they need his brain to heal. They did
not have to do surgery to control the bleeding on his brain. His brain is
not as swollen as it could have been." She pauses right outside a
room, a nurse sitting at a computer with a full view into what is probably my brother’s
room. The curtains are drawn so that only the nurse can see through the
window. My mom draws the curtain back, we step through them, I hold my
gaze toward the floor. Keeping my eyes Closed and taking a deep breath
before I look up hoping this is all just a really bad dream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finally raise my head and look at the
bed and there he is lying in the bed. Eyes swollen, black, road rash on
his arm and head. I release the breath I was holding and realize, he doesn't
look as bad as I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I look at mom and say, it's not as bad as
when dad was here. She nods her head in solemn agreement. I pepper her
with questions about the accident, about his prognosis and what the plan is to
get through this. She responded that the doctors aren't sure how bad it
is and they won't know until he wakes up out of a coma. Coma, I think to
myself and I say out loud, I thought he was sedated? My mom wearily
responds, "He is, but even when they reduce his sedation, he only thrashes
about, he doesn't wake up." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I fall into the chair next to her and I said to her, "What's
the plan? Are you going to move into the Family House or are you going to
travel back and forth?" In my heart, I know her answer, she will
find a way to move into the Family House and just like she did for my dad, she
won't leave his side." I think to myself, she is such an amazing
human, so self-sacrificing, I'm not sure I am her daughter. I realize at
that moment how angry I am at my brother for making my mother disrupt her life,
we were still devastated by the loss of dad and a grandfather. Life just
hurts sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-74847992137272465522016-03-06T18:33:00.003-08:002016-03-06T18:33:44.137-08:00SOL16 #6 A Long Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thehospitallocation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ICU-bed-950x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thehospitallocation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ICU-bed-950x480.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SOL16 #6 A Long Walk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finished my professional development with Teacher's College and headed home. My brother had made it through those three days and was still hanging on by a thread. There were still more questions than answers. I got in the car, kissed my husband, and drove the 500 miles to see my brother in intensive care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could say that this was the first 500 mile drive I had made to intensive care, but it wasn't. I made it safely to the hospital. I pulled into the hospital and found my way to the back elevator and the 4th floor. I didn't need to ask for help, I knew my way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I walked into the waiting room for intensive care and asked the volunteer at the desk if I could go back and see my brother. After giving her the information provided by my mom, I was asked to wait. My palms were sweaty. There were other people in the waiting room, but I didn't even notice a s I sat. I could hear every breath I took! My hands and legs shaking almost like a shiver. The door opened and my mom walked through the doors. She spied me right away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I noticed how tired she was, yet there she stood unflappable. She came over and sat next to me, as I spoke my voice cracked betraying my sarcasm. "We have to stop meeting this way, pretty soon, they are going to give us a room with a name on it." She responded,"Yeah, we know which days they have good food in the cafeteria." We both smiled and looked at each other, I hugged her. She whispered "He's in bad shape." I whispered back, "Did I come home to watch him die too?" How deeply she feels the sorry about the situation come through in the catch in her voice, "Only time will tell." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://thehospitallocation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ICU-bed-950x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She got up gave me her hand and we walked through the door hand-in-hand, just like when I was little. The distance from the waiting room door to the his bed seemed the length of a marathon.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-16717711958067657772016-03-05T06:13:00.000-08:002016-03-06T18:10:08.960-08:00SOL16 #5 Life-Flight and an ATV accident<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wboy.images.worldnow.com/images/8315870_G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wboy.images.worldnow.com/images/8315870_G.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2054165198"></span><span id="goog_2054165199"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brothers' (SMH)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Living so far away from family is always hard, but some days are worse than others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Get up! You need to call someone at your mom's house. I think there are pictures on Facebook of your brother in an ATV accident. It says he was life-flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not one to spring to my feet from a dead sleep. I get out of bed blink my eyes and say what? He impatiently repeats the statement. I reach for my phone and open Facebook, because if something has happened to my brother it will be the fastest way I get information. He was right. I opened Messenger and sent a Facebook Message to the cousin who lived near the crash sight. She responded quickly with updated information. They weren't sure if my brother was going to make it through the next day. He had a severe brain injury, broken collarbone, broken pelvis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I called my mom's cell knowing she would be at the hospital, texted my sister and waited. My mom called me back, stoic as always, not hysterical in anyway. She confirmed everything my cousin had said. I told her, I could leave the Teacher's College Writing Professional Development and come home. Her response, "No, finish your course, there is nothing you can do here!" I was a bit taken back at her response and she said, "Time will tell, his stats are stable for now, he is strong, he will pull through!" My response, "Are you sure?" She said "God has a plan and in my heart I know you aren't supposed to come home." I don't argue. I hang up the phone give Bill the details and get ready for the professional development at work. I check in with my sister almost hourly, she bares such burdens because she still lives near where we grew up.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-44889755036750362062016-03-05T05:43:00.002-08:002016-03-05T05:43:22.312-08:00Slice #4 Marching 4th Offering a Little Help<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Offering a Little Help!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are you a support staff? I am and if you are I know you know that moment you walk in a classroom, and the schedule has been changed. A student who arrives promptly on time is late and you call their room and their teachers says, "Soggy Paper" is taking a little longer than I thought!" The teachers looks at the clock and the look of dread comes over their face. The voice on the phone is panicked. I want you to know it's okay! I understand that a class with 24 young students can quickly go of course on days when special things are taking place or even when the kids are really into whatever is going on in the moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I ask you, if there is anything I can do for you, I mean it. I know how overwhelmed and busy you are with report cards, writing prompts, math check-ins, notebooks for everything. I kinda miss reviewing my own. (Don't smack me :)) If the student is supposed to come see me and you are doing something like "Soggy Paper", if I can come to your room to support you I will. I can teach reading everywhere, reading is in everything we do</span>. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-24451733133405604522016-03-03T08:58:00.003-08:002016-03-03T08:58:41.315-08:00SOL16 #3 Cheering on the Struggling Reader<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> My thinking when I see my struggling readers who have lost hope! We look at success often, but they need to be reminded about where they were and how far they have come!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIBW_MxBevLwGI2iLtweFuABdaKKZOn0vQ8_AQEHLbeKtE_Rg8bXmUVnNJtNX4C_5vCYoV4AbVVJ9wFyXQZqAGjp92m0hTKWG1ee0pMnc_Lgm6gI1yYxrF0piAg2CvqCQYFKHQuHf5f_E/s1600/Puppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIBW_MxBevLwGI2iLtweFuABdaKKZOn0vQ8_AQEHLbeKtE_Rg8bXmUVnNJtNX4C_5vCYoV4AbVVJ9wFyXQZqAGjp92m0hTKWG1ee0pMnc_Lgm6gI1yYxrF0piAg2CvqCQYFKHQuHf5f_E/s320/Puppies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reading pals in my room, because sometimes<br />
it is easier to read to something warm and fuzzy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Cheering the Struggling Reader</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you walk into the reading room, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe in you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know there are things </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You need to learn </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will learn them, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One-Step-At-A-Time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you walk into the reading room,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe in you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see you as a whole person</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You aren't just your struggles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are your successes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One-Step-At-A-Time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you walk into the reading room,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want to make you believe in you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know you make comparisons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see the furrowed brow </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You work hard at what comes easy for others</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are your hard work</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One-Step-At-A-Time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you walk into the reading room,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will one day see</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The amazing person</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who has discovered the code</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who can read their fill</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One-Step-At-A Time</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-85383140537873875062016-03-02T08:51:00.002-08:002016-03-02T08:52:22.040-08:00SOL16 #2 Motivation=Habit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.quotesvalley.com/images/38/motivation-is-what-gets-you-started-habit-is-what-keeps-you-going87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://www.quotesvalley.com/images/38/motivation-is-what-gets-you-started-habit-is-what-keeps-you-going87.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">SOL#2 Motivation=Habit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Writing and physical fitness fall in the same category of not my favorite things to do. They are however things I need to do. For me it is all in how I measure success. In writing, it's if my piece is as good as someone else's and in fitness it's the dreaded scale. One of Ruth Ayres articles she muses about ways to make writing a habit. She used a quote from Jim Ryun to start her article: <em>Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. </em>Then she goes on to compare writing to running: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"This might seem as overwhelming as running a 5K for 30 straight days. But what if it is possible to develop a writing habit? Unlike running for an inexperienced runner, writing isn't something we have to build up to. You can decide to start writing, and there will be no physical pain."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Both of these areas require sustained focus. One hour at the gym and it takes me forever to write something I feel is publishable. One day a week, TUESDAY, there is this instructor who is really into fitness, not just for himself, but for his wife, family and everyone he meets. He is MOTIVATED and it's a HABIT. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I met him about a year ago because I had the courage as an unfit person to walk through the doors to of all things an Synergy class where he encouraged me to try his Insanity class at the local gym. I fell out of that new habit I was trying to form. Each time he saw me, at the grocery story or at a school function he engaged me in conversation, he had such patience. I reflected about what was getting in my way. I think I am a bit afraid of being fit. I haven't been fit for a really long time. It took me a while to make a decision because I don't want to fail or be a nuisance. Now that I am back on track building new fitness habits, I am part of his challenge groups, and now doing the 21-Day-Fix. I can hear what he says in my head when I am working out on my own. Planning my meals. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No Excuses. Walk Through the door. Find your Focus. Get to the next level. Reach your next goal!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I can do this writing challenge. I like to write, I need to find time. That is always the excuse. So I will alter his words above just a little and fight my way to the end of my March physical fitness challenge and the writing challenge. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No Excuses. Open the Computer. Find your Focus. Get to the next level. Define your Writing Goal!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Steve, if you read this, I did a total of 36 Jumping-Burpee-Jacks last night with both legs going out from the plank each time! Thanks for all you do!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#ihavetodoitmyself #havetogetoutofmyownway #findingphysicalandmentalfitness</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-77756756165133595162016-03-01T18:55:00.001-08:002016-03-01T18:55:55.684-08:00Slice #1 A 30 (+1) Day Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">30 (+1) Day Challenges...I'm Ready</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's that time of year where I pick up on my blog again and participate in the "Slice of Life" challenge hosted by the "Two Writing Teachers" blog. I like that this is a 31 day challenge. I'm into that type of challenge for 2016. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So far this year, I have successfully completed the 30-Day-Plank Challenge in January, Squat Challenge in February, and I'm thinking L</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">unge Challenge in March (I'll let you know). I do well with adding one thing at a time so that I don't become overwhelmed. I am trying to take the no excuse approach to exercise and writing this year. So I am raising a glass, of water, to toast the beginning of a new 30 days in fitness and writing! Cheers !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-9349389654291623082015-03-08T20:51:00.001-07:002015-03-08T20:51:05.856-07:00Slice #8 Woebegone Kind of Day<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Missing You!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_-yH0Q9lEyWf4shNXVE_B44Q9VrEir2aGK-UykcVm5nYE6iifuJOfgZ8DhB-ozZ1AhUKDQyych1U41aX4a4e_9mywXv9QnaS1eH_fpGUDwU55tvGT1OW82qaFph2sW5uWGBYJ3_2DOjN/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_-yH0Q9lEyWf4shNXVE_B44Q9VrEir2aGK-UykcVm5nYE6iifuJOfgZ8DhB-ozZ1AhUKDQyych1U41aX4a4e_9mywXv9QnaS1eH_fpGUDwU55tvGT1OW82qaFph2sW5uWGBYJ3_2DOjN/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've avoided writing
this all day! Sifting pictures for something else I came across these two
shots. I do not remember taking these pictures. The little guy in
the picture doesn't have a real gun, it's a toy. I know this is controversial
him having a gun, but where I come from it's a rite of passage. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I
spent time today just looking at these pictures and thinking about the
conversation that they were having. Thinking about how much that little boy
love his pap. I’ll never forget the time he walked away from me on the farm and
headed up the hill. I think I found him
in the same spot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wish, he was still here
just for you. If I could cry enough
tears to build a staircase, I would!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Love and Miss you Dad!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7iEwfz0MdEV6ZTG1GkdqxV1iBIUbShQ6sIIQOZyZkeq4q9WmNNkHShgmWLMmeEaBGuZwf2fijLos9vF3vbmEkfJL9VVwVyYrcpkgS7URjQKnOhGe7waCLFvKh70fc9_GCJ5u-Wa0W1hZ/s1600/IMG_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7iEwfz0MdEV6ZTG1GkdqxV1iBIUbShQ6sIIQOZyZkeq4q9WmNNkHShgmWLMmeEaBGuZwf2fijLos9vF3vbmEkfJL9VVwVyYrcpkgS7URjQKnOhGe7waCLFvKh70fc9_GCJ5u-Wa0W1hZ/s1600/IMG_4107.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss your Tuesday night call</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one else likes NPR like you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one cares that I heard an interesting story!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While I don't have mushy memories of you hugging and kissing me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I do have great memories of political debates </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How much you valued my opinion or just listened anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then offered your thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss your confidence in that I could succeed </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No matter what I wanted to try. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You encouraged failure </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First one to teach me how to laugh at myself </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not take myself seriously</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I do have memories of walking behind the tractor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throwing hay bales just like the boys</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You even let us drive the truck, the mini-bikes, and the tractor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids miss you too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Especially Aaron, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who desperately wants to learn to ride </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four Wheelers and drive the red Jeep!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Devin is learning to play the piano, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think she got your talent, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope you can hear her in heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wish we could hear your voice </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> one</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> time!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-34562994668505332762015-03-07T18:23:00.001-08:002015-03-07T18:23:47.559-08:00Slice #7: A Year Ago<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Year Ago:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYj51gEeJyXJAp2klg6ifzTsYnIHR79y2qOBcYtxTLyqefuFW1k00g9Lp077y3g-7lJlqE7-o5kO9bDc5Jtbh4z-obDYHdzElv1PhNMxv7V98Juk2bKsFMrE_XyjuCp1gRFNbF_Q4T71Y/s1600/Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYj51gEeJyXJAp2klg6ifzTsYnIHR79y2qOBcYtxTLyqefuFW1k00g9Lp077y3g-7lJlqE7-o5kO9bDc5Jtbh4z-obDYHdzElv1PhNMxv7V98Juk2bKsFMrE_XyjuCp1gRFNbF_Q4T71Y/s1600/Bella.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I began my journey as a Slicer, I reread my slices from last year because this year I feel uninspired. A year ago, <a href="http://imaginethatcrystalbrooks.blogspot.com/2014/03/sleep-interupted-its-two-am-and-house.html" target="_blank">I wrote about our new puppy Bella who was still settling into the routine of our home.</a> When she first arrive, it took her a few days to realize it was okay to sleep in our bed. When we went to bed, she went to her crate. The other members of the canine pack wasted no time getting to their spots on the bed or on the dog bed beside of ours. Now, she comes easily to our bed and snuggles up behind my legs. She occasionally sleeps with one of the kids and I miss her on those nights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Out of all of our dogs, she is the love. The others are sweet, but Bella is just mushy and obedient. She hangs on my every word and is completely submissive. I've never experienced a dog who completely bows to me as the pack leader. The others need a reminder. She is a welcome member of our 'Pack'! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-30873508327863431432015-03-05T20:23:00.003-08:002015-03-05T20:23:40.496-08:00Slice #5 Insanity....not what you think<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyone else do the INSANITY workout?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBTDKOFTQ6tIzGBGALqzsrfEdGGXGJrhQhF284VyYnZHrReX4Xjls_aEiEzGM8rYUitHIvr168Eknwia-RowPjozuuy_wX4h2LLV6uyZW8MkJKE1D_d_hrciILVNFJM1ih76mRfbhIFbP/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBTDKOFTQ6tIzGBGALqzsrfEdGGXGJrhQhF284VyYnZHrReX4Xjls_aEiEzGM8rYUitHIvr168Eknwia-RowPjozuuy_wX4h2LLV6uyZW8MkJKE1D_d_hrciILVNFJM1ih76mRfbhIFbP/s1600/photo4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've come to the conclusion that I'm missing out on being fit. I'm in the process of trying to remedy that by participating at the local gym four nights a week in INSANITY workouts and SYNERGY360. These workouts are giving me a reality check of how unfit I am, but I am attend each week. I want to feel strong again and feel like I can conquer the world. Most of all, I want to do an adventure park with my kids this summer. Last summer they did one without me and I hated every minute of the waiting. I felt like I missed out on something really fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hate that I can't do the steps at the highest intensity level, but I am being patient with myself. I feel stronger when I walk out and I feel so mellow after doing the workout routine. I'm trying hard not to focus on the scale and instead just focus on getting stronger and feeling fit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This summer I hope to complete my first 5K and my first Adventure Park course. Wish me luck!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-53374364741099135172015-03-03T19:49:00.002-08:002015-03-03T19:49:31.069-08:00Slice #3 Mixin' it up!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's see who will be truthful.......</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_Vnjnt_0vtMV0ef0wxqgBuH3EsmkBVhk6UsK2sd7h9VsyBL_hskES5vKfvhq7nLpsGK3Mio2sH0l5sFHrqXEvV17eviFkPGGrfaXmI1BTf7uMJWAbvxKDwiuHqRD5lwIjAKmL7JiLXNE/s1600/Mix+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_Vnjnt_0vtMV0ef0wxqgBuH3EsmkBVhk6UsK2sd7h9VsyBL_hskES5vKfvhq7nLpsGK3Mio2sH0l5sFHrqXEvV17eviFkPGGrfaXmI1BTf7uMJWAbvxKDwiuHqRD5lwIjAKmL7JiLXNE/s1600/Mix+tape.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go ahead and raise your hand if you made mix tapes or cd's when you were younger. I'm sitting here feeling absolutely stoked that I can say...</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made mix TAPES</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made mix CD's and now</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I make mix PLAYLISTS</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The good ole days of mix tapes takes me way back. Sitting in front of the boom box or stereo with a blank tape in the tape deck just waiting to hit record at just the right time. No internet to grab the song off of YouTube, to easy. I loved the challenge, I enjoyed sitting there shushing anyone who dared enter the room while I was recording my song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why did I make the mix tapes? It wasn't for my true love or even friends. I selfishly made them for myself to listen to as I did my homework or stared at the ceiling daydreaming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still do this, kind of, I make playlists just for me.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To workout </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To listen on long drives</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To help me get dinner to the table</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To help me get my graduate school work done</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Thank you Apple for the iTunes store where I can purchase music for my mixed playlists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you make mix-tapes? Who did you make them for? Go ahead tell your story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-24533454483954671222015-03-02T19:58:00.001-08:002015-03-02T19:58:13.236-08:00Slice #2 Enervation<span style="font-size: large;">I love words, my ears really perk up when I hear someone say a word I've never heard before. I will hear the sentence over and over the word enunciating itself in the sentence. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember a conversation with a former principal, who used the word 'usurp' in a conversation. Once she said 'USURP', I didn't hear anything else in the conversation. I'm pretty sure what she said was important, but I didn't hear it. I remember jotting down the word on a sticky note, gathered my young students from their special and headed to the classroom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember looking around on the shelved for a dictionary. My eyes only found a Scholastic Children's Dictionary. I was beginning to feel desperate to know, but that wasn't going to happen. See this was before computers and Internet access were common place. I had to wait until I get my hands on a dictionary.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was the beginning of a ritual for me, I now write words down in a notebook. I realized I love words. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-91530555862979597532015-03-01T19:35:00.003-08:002015-03-01T19:35:28.227-08:00Where to Begin?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many of the teachers that I work with will tell you, I've been selling the 'Slice of Life' challenge since January. You see I didn't want to 'Slice' alone again. I wanted others to feel the power and failure I found as I went through daily slicing.Writing everyday requires me to dig deep, slow down, and ponder what I can turn into something interesting for others to read. All of which are challenging for me to do during my day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not sure what I will write about during this challenge, I'm currently in graduate school and learning about New Literacies vs new literacies. Yes, they are different. Then there is always my Universal Design for Learning class, which I find absolutely fascinating and could spend my entire day designing curriculum that includes as many learners as possible. I'm sure I could keep you entertained with my journey through 'Statistics & Research Methods' course. (Who just went to sleep? Me too)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could keep you in stitches with the antics of my kids and three dogs, but that might be to cliche.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe I could dazzle you with how I'm a teacher who moonlights as a technology integrator, getting adults to see curriculum through a technology lens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've gotta find a way to entertain and be interesting. I guess I gotta slow down and think about you, because you are important. Yes, that's right you are my audience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's to 30 more days of less mundane writing.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-38299522691660122062014-10-20T18:29:00.005-07:002014-10-20T18:29:48.991-07:00#CECACASL2014 or #CECACASL14: Initiate-Investigate-Innovate<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Re-Energized</b></span><br />
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Please share your experience so that we can all feel like we attended the whole CECA conference and not just small session portions!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Session I:</b> 7:30-8:30 I spent in the Exhibit Hall checking out all the cool stuff that I would not be able to purchase. Found some really neat things like <a href="http://www.bumparmor.com/" target="_blank">Bump Armor</a> , <a href="http://discovervideo.com/" target="_blank">Discover Video</a>, <a href="http://empoweringwriters.com/" target="_blank">Empower Writers</a>, CASL's <a href="http://www.nutmegaward.org/" target="_blank">Nutmeg Awards</a>, and <a href="http://roguebearpress.com/" target="_blank">Monster Hunt</a>.</span></div>
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<b>Keynote:</b> <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/jack-andraka-the-teen-prodigy-of-pancreatic-cancer-135925809/?no-ist" target="_blank">Jack Andraka</a> what an inspiring young man, who speaks for equal access to scientific research. <a href="http://education.mit.edu/people/scot-osterweil" target="_blank">Scot Osterweil</a> spoke eloquently on the importance of play. Both of these gentlemen were inspiring and made me feel less lonely in my thoughts about play and problem solving.</div>
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<b>Session II:</b> Programming for the K-3 crowd. The usual titles Beebot, Nano Robots, and Apps like Hopscotch, Kodable, and Daisy. The beginning stages of direction giving. I am sold on the importance of teaching students computer coding before high school, so this was a "Me Too Session".</div>
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In true teacher fashion, I grabbed lunch on the run, there were more interesting topics than wraps and salad.</div>
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<b>Session 3A:</b> Play Scot Osterweil, to listen to more ideas from him about <a href="http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/" target="_blank">games</a> and how we should think of them more as problem solving and mathematical thinking. He spoke about the MIT game lab with the potential to play. He also addressed his belief that not everything has to be online or in front of a screen. I walked away, thinking I just wanted to hear him speak more. </div>
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<b>Session 3B:</b> Makerspace: So I'm a newbie to the word MakerSpace, Kristin Fontichiaro really gave me hope that I could do this, it's not all just 3D printing. When I reflect back on my early years of teaching. Yarn crafts, needlepoint, creating from junk would all fit into this idea of MakerSpace! Exciting. Now how can we squeeze it into an already packed curriculum.</div>
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<b>Session 4:</b> <a href="http://edtechteacher.org/why-and-how-to-start-teaching-coding-in-school-from-kate-wilson/" target="_blank">Kate Wilson</a>, and EdTechTeacher representative expressed her thinking around coding and why it's important. She was able to give a person perspective. She shared her <a href="http://edtechteacher.org/slides/WhyCoding/assets/player/KeynoteDHTMLPlayer.html#0" target="_blank">presentation</a> and spoke genuinely about her experience as a student. </div>
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<b>Session 5:</b> Tom Daccord dove deep into "Flipped Classroom" he asked many essential questions about flipping and discussed with the crowd the tips and tricks of making that happen. Exciting stuff, mainly on a high school level. </div>
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Overall an amazing time, yup stayed for the drawing but didn't win. I still feel like a winner, thanks to CECA! Now to sift and sort to see what I can use tomorrow!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-52235892128122206092014-10-19T17:22:00.001-07:002014-10-19T17:22:19.517-07:00#CECACASL14<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Mohegan Sun and Teachers Galore</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so psyched that snow nor hurricane are in the forcast for this year's <a href="http://www.ceca-ct.org/ceca/_top" target="_blank">Connecticut Education Computer Associate (CECA) conference! </a> It's been two long years since I've attended and I am looking forward to being inspired. I've looked at the offerings planned my choices with Plan A and Plan B. I'm looking for conversations and learning about gaming and computer coding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Plan for #cecacasl14:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dress in layers, but comfortable</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Charge phones, tablets, and computer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grab an old fashion notebook and pen</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Review the schedule and have Plan A and Plan B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't freak out about where to park or how to find the conference center.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Start a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n18c5LpnHP5lrWFDgQO1mBV1OttpLkZdmxJNprJnF6M/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Google Doc</a> and tweet out to harness the power of the crowd.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can't wait hope to see some of my EdCamp friends there!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-22383032301741237792014-10-18T18:04:00.000-07:002014-10-19T14:54:15.038-07:00Too Many Theorist in the Classroom?<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">Do teachers need just one?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Theorist that is. I've been reflecting this week on the theories and
theorist that I have been reading about since July. Learning Theories,
why so many? Too many Egos? They are all men, yet I do know some
women with egos. Why does it feel like I need to pick just one? We are
quite lucky to have the internet and the access to history. Maybe that's
it, their world was much larger, ours is so much smaller and accessible. Each
learning theory holds some value. When I think about students, I don't think of
theories. I think about what that student needs to succeed, yet I am
influenced by the theories. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
week I read about Piaget and Vygotsky. The beginning of my teaching career was
spent in the early primary years. It is fascinating watching children begin
their formal education journey. Young children change and learn so
rapidly. Our days consisted of reading, writing, math, science, social studies,
and social opportunities. All done in an integrated fashion, we were
often doing more than one learning task at time, with lots of social
engagement. Then came the state standards, benchmarks, and assessments.
While this isn't all bad, what was left out was the conversation about developmental
stages and needs of children. When I read Ormrod's take on Piaget, I mentally
made the “Me too!” sign, then I read Vygotsky and did the same thing. So
who is right? I don't want to choose just one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When
the state standards arrived, we forgot that the children in front of us would
learn at different rates. The standards
didn’t take into account the development of the learner. Students who didn't make the benchmark were
whisked away for intervention support. Vygotsky’s
Zone of Proximal Development, a learner does the actual learning </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufhTqp3Yy0BvD4iMBK9YyZGGhZL-65eM-nolN0OtUzU-XNyI_XChms_P_UnmQ0afpg9oUQl7zXmqF9LWVn1XaQeeDY2YlOy7Z4W66kJwxxqNw0rBpMfjBF_hLokWfcx2rp7Haq4cBP1Na/s1600/jaaj+vs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufhTqp3Yy0BvD4iMBK9YyZGGhZL-65eM-nolN0OtUzU-XNyI_XChms_P_UnmQ0afpg9oUQl7zXmqF9LWVn1XaQeeDY2YlOy7Z4W66kJwxxqNw0rBpMfjBF_hLokWfcx2rp7Haq4cBP1Na/s1600/jaaj+vs.JPG" height="200" width="181" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when minimal
support is provided. Piaget’s discussion about disequilibrium, a mental
discomfort or confusion, were tossed out the window. When this was brought up in conversation, it
was quickly squashed because the benchmarks for 6 year olds had not been
met. So what is a good teacher to do,
continue to learn, fight the tide, and change grade levels, where the
expectations for students were more in line with my own thinking about teaching
and learning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yet
I still wonder, is there just one single theorist who we should follow? Should we follow any of them? Are they actually educators or only
researchers?</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A little XtraNormal Fun. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><iframe height="315" src="http://devos.westonps.org/embed/watch?id=52d97a4d&t=1&w=420&h=315" style="border: 0px;" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axi7xctulbM" target="_blank">by Jordan Owens</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-65661455516031437992014-10-04T12:18:00.002-07:002014-10-04T12:18:47.801-07:00Information Overload, Time to Reflect<div style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">My Brain is Full! Time to Digest</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kMR3qRc6mMw8Xmw9-2gxayZBE-_2UI1aD4_FPLtepANVhrbsi7z7IV1PTSUZks7QPJy3OqAOJK-X4xQC1qgmzRcwRdL01wQ3MYaTSFjblxsW8EWrop9-TMFhv4zYXuNqsioDjh3o5oAr/s1600/ME_531_CognitiveLoad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kMR3qRc6mMw8Xmw9-2gxayZBE-_2UI1aD4_FPLtepANVhrbsi7z7IV1PTSUZks7QPJy3OqAOJK-X4xQC1qgmzRcwRdL01wQ3MYaTSFjblxsW8EWrop9-TMFhv4zYXuNqsioDjh3o5oAr/s1600/ME_531_CognitiveLoad.png" height="99" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://mimiandeunice.com/2012/11/15/load/" target="_blank">Found on Mimi and Eunice Cartoons</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cognitive Load Theory suggests that learners can engage and retain information
effectively only if it is provided in a way that it does not “overload” the
learners working memory (Ormrod,2012). Each learner comes to the learning
with their own personal schema, which are structures for the learner that help
them link what they already know to something they are about to learn (Harvey
& Goudvis, 2007). There are three types of cognitive load to
consider, intrinsic, extraneous, and germane.</span></div>
<br />
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</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">Intrinsic cognitive load
has c</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">haracteristic
level of difficulty related to a specific topic,the more difficult the task
the more the cognitive load will be experienced </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">Extraneous
cognitive load has non-relevant information that is difficult for the learner
to process, but isn't necessary needed for the lesson </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">Germane
cognitive load is the amount of learners working memory is devoted to the
processing, construction and automation of schema (Ormrod,2012)</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gaining a beginning
understanding of Cognitive Load Theory this week really resonated with me as a
learner and as a teacher of young children. Artino, states that the Cognitive
load theory assumes “that learning will be hindered if the instructional materials
overwhelm the learner, which will then limit the working memory resources
(Artino, 2008).” When I reflect on the
numerous conversation about what young learners are being asked to do and as
teachers we continually ask why these young student’s aren’t attending and why
they are wiggly. I wonder if we haven’t
provided them with the opportunities to build their schema, with authentic
learning environment. In my quest for knowledge on Cognitive Load Theory, I ran
across some interesting articles about technology integration and young
learners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ20C-0S58Jj_FIKCRLaUX4iACUNcjgwixeqUBVNIjZux0WVljAIeEHEZ7ZshuAYYvxG9FA6waKqOdLS-p4ZkRPltEuuMQIOKZcQIPtub3F9muyuUEQ1_61zlPy2Nt6wuoBwKDv0FdsXC/s1600/CLT+Cat+and+Mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ20C-0S58Jj_FIKCRLaUX4iACUNcjgwixeqUBVNIjZux0WVljAIeEHEZ7ZshuAYYvxG9FA6waKqOdLS-p4ZkRPltEuuMQIOKZcQIPtub3F9muyuUEQ1_61zlPy2Nt6wuoBwKDv0FdsXC/s1600/CLT+Cat+and+Mouse.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="https://neurowiki2012.wikispaces.com/Anatomy+%26+Function+of+the+DMN" target="_blank">NeuroWiki2012</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the assumptions
is that if we allow students to use the technology embedded into curriculum
tasks it reduces the cognitive load and makes the work more easily accessible
for students (Chu,2013). When I am in a classroom, I am an avid user of technology,
I had not considered that the Cognitive Load on students could be negative and
hinder learning. I know some in some of my Professional Development sessions
that I've hosted adults who are not familiar with the technology seem to reach
that I’ve had enough stage before students.
This had definitely made me think and re-think how I can use technology
more effectively for students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ20C-0S58Jj_FIKCRLaUX4iACUNcjgwixeqUBVNIjZux0WVljAIeEHEZ7ZshuAYYvxG9FA6waKqOdLS-p4ZkRPltEuuMQIOKZcQIPtub3F9muyuUEQ1_61zlPy2Nt6wuoBwKDv0FdsXC/s1600/CLT+Cat+and+Mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reference </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Artino, A. R. (2008). Cognitive load theory and the role of
learner experience: An abbreviated review for educational practitioners.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education Journal, 16, 425-439.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chu , Hui-Chun. (2013)
Potential negative effects of mobile learning on students’ learning achievement
and cognitive load: A format assessment perspective, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Search for Journal of Educational Technology & Society"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #005bc6; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Journal of Educational
Technology & Society</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="text-align: start;">. 2014, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p332-344. 13p.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #363636;">Ormrod,J.E. (2012)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #363636;">Human Learning: Sixth Edition.</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #363636;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #363636;">Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-53275107401633181012014-09-21T20:05:00.000-07:002014-09-21T20:05:54.931-07:00Google Sites and Social Learning Theory<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back! Hope you had an
amazing summer! It was so awesome to have thirty fellow teachers from all
academic areas interested in learning to build and develop a Google Site.
If you haven't heard this year I've headed back to grad school to learn
more about learning and technology. I have not been disappointed, there
has been much to learn about Instructional Design and Learning Theories.
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/westonps.org/technologyology/everything-google/google-sites" target="_blank">Google Sites Professional Development </a>that was provided in the context of Social Cognitive Learning
Theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Social Cognitive Learning Theory,
emerged due to the work of Albert Bandura. Social Cognitive Learning Theory emphasizes
that learning occurs in a social context and that much of what is learned is
gained through observing a model. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">There are five central concepts
in Social Cognitive Learning Theory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">People learn by observing models<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">People gain high self-efficacy by believing they can complete the
learning successfully and by themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">People learn to self-regulate by observing consequences of
acceptable and unacceptable behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">People
learn to self-monitor consciously thinking about when one is engaged in a
learning task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">People
also can change their behavior by self-reinforcement, getting a Twix bar once
my blog post is written.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I began to wonder if video
tutorials fit the Social Cognitive learning Theory and I think I am correct in
thinking that video tutorials are a way to learn through social context,
modeling, and observation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Teachers who came to the Professional Development for Google Sites
watched the videos and created at least two pages for a Google Site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As I’ve checked in with the attendee’s through email, in the
hallways and trolling the school website to see what has been created, all
thirty attendees have a Google Site with more than two pages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The attendees demonstrated self-regulating behavior by diligently
using the two hours to work on their school website, raising their hands for
help or speaking to their peers around them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">These were teachers on a mission, they wanted a viable Google Site
when they walked out the door. So they easily self-regulated and watched the
videos to build their Google Site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">There were two attendees who find technology challenging and each
time they completed a new Google Sites page they gave each other a high-five
and hip bump. It was quite entertaining for the rest of us.</span><span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In reflection,
I find that I learn well in a Social Cognitive Learning environment using
videos. I've taught myself how to knit, new crochet stitches, and new cooking
techniques. For me videos provide me with the ability to move towards
self-efficacy because I can pause rewind and watch again. I hope the attendees found the Google
Tutorial videos helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZcNI_w_JNFjmJuXzuLjf-TdMP0TOQmCiNgTTCqsCKAqNjvERDGCFv8kFKdRVhe7_Q8Pz9XA76Jy3H4BYVVmohQLFbnx_AdxSGPpgUAgO6ji2hNAQzv_6LGaVu9SPxQammtysxdYHwc7e/s1600/Pig+and+bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZcNI_w_JNFjmJuXzuLjf-TdMP0TOQmCiNgTTCqsCKAqNjvERDGCFv8kFKdRVhe7_Q8Pz9XA76Jy3H4BYVVmohQLFbnx_AdxSGPpgUAgO6ji2hNAQzv_6LGaVu9SPxQammtysxdYHwc7e/s1600/Pig+and+bacon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More modeling and observation needed to reach self-efficacy</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Omrod,J.E.
(2012) <i>Human Learning: Sixth Edition.</i>
Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Denler, H., WOlters, C., &
Benzon, M. (2014, January 28). Social Cognitive Theory. Retrieved September 20,
2014, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/social-cognitive-theory/<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517953277124820546.post-13996093084519516322014-08-14T07:23:00.000-07:002014-09-02T11:07:00.435-07:00Padlet: A Cool Way to Collaborate: PadletDo you like to collaborate to share ideas and information? Brainstorm with others? Do you want your students to be able to collaborate with other classrooms in your school? Around the World? Padlet might be worthwhile. I've experienced Padlet usefulness first hand. First in my Two Summers Class at <a href="http://padlet.com/uconnmike2000/q6gydbtfdu84" target="_blank">UConn</a> and again at <a href="http://padlet.com/edcampct/vt153gn4g6pv" target="_blank">EdCampCT</a>.<br />
<br />
It can be used as a way to brainstorm ideas across classrooms, do collaborative K-W-L's, Faculty meeting back channels, your imagination can lead the way here.<br />
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Have you used Padlet? Share your experience with other educators.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09519735949398226815noreply@blogger.com0