Miss Tori

The Beginning of Internship

2008-08-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

I am already getting frustrated. I just read the e-mail from Pat... it seems like there is a lot we are suppose to already have done... but we are only hearing about it now. Why do we need to get our fingerprints done again... and why were we not told about it when we had to get them done the last time. We could have done them all at the same time. I also think that it would have been nice to have a schedule of what events and classes we are responsible for before the UAF semester starts.

I don't mean to complain and there are some really good things that are happening... like having the mentor/intern orientation on Thursday, is AWESOME. That way we all know what we are suppose to be doing and preparing for, for the first few weeks. I also like that with the placement we got to know who else was interning in the same school as each of us, that really makes going into the school more comfortable.

I am hoping that everything turns out well... I think this is all a little unnerving because things are being given to us with so little notice and not enough explanation.

Pumpkin

2008-05-28T18:46:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin 2008
Originally uploaded by Family Girl - Tori

This is Pumpkin, Jamie’s newest member of her family. He has given us much amusement and joy. His favorite toys being stuffed mice, the bugs on the ceiling, magnets of the refrigerator, and not forgetting pens you leave on the floor, boxes and plastic bags. HAHAHA!!! He loves water. Yes, I said water. He will follow us into the bathroom and play with the water coming out of the facet as we try to brush our teeth. There are times he simple goes crazy running and pouncing around the apartment and onto anything he can find on the floor. He likes his chin and tummy rubbed. He is sweet and so much trouble. Like all cats, right?

Our Trip to Heart

2008-05-28T18:44:00.001-07:00

Trees damaged by Hurricane
Originally uploaded by Family Girl - Tori

As we went down the dirt road to the missionary training camp, there were these trees around. Jamie and Linda who were in the front of the car informed me that these were the dead trees from a hurricane a couple of trees ago. There were many of these trees around. Also dirt roads are different here then in Alaska. These had some hard dirt spots but they turned into sand. It was funny; Jamie kept thinking that her little car was going to sink. We made it in and out. But not without some sun, this turned into one of the hottest days while I have been here. Linda, Debbie and I tried to find as much shade as possible. We finished off the outing by going to Debbie’s house for lunch.

I'm On Vacation

2008-05-28T18:40:00.001-07:00

Lakeland Country Side
Originally uploaded by Family Girl - Tori

Hi, you all.
I know I haven’t made a post since the end of the semester, but that really wasn’t that long ago. I am now in Florida on vacation. I am visiting a friend. The weather has been beautiful. We have had a couple of really hot days, but Memorial Day was perfect. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the lovely day and relax. I have been going a lot of reading and sleeping in, which is just what I needed after the long semester. Last Saturday we drove out to the outlying areas of Lakeland to get a tour of a missionary training center. This picture shows how flat Florida, but it so green. I love the different kinds of trees; they are so different then in Alaska.

I can't believe it

2008-05-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

I just got the news about Nick Sorum. I still can't believe it. I was in three classes with him this spring and he was awesome to be around. We had fun and he always worked hard. He seemed excited and I was looking forward to going through internship with him and the rest of the group. He had such creative ideas and would have made a great teacher. He had such a connection with his audience and really loved his field. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Voice Thread Project

2008-04-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

I like this... I am not a person that likes speaking in front of large groups, I find it uncomfortable. Although I will say I have gotten better at it over the years. This application was great, because I could record the story without being embarrassed or feeling like I needed to perform.
Now that I have recorded the information I want to get comments and see what everyone has to say. I feel confident that I can use this application successfully and teach others how to use it.

Students in the classroom would love this application. It would be a great way to communicate with another class, in a village, different state, or even another country. The children could give their personal stories and tell about their community as well as learn about another place in the world. It could easily be integrated into a geography and history unit. There are lots of possibilities for this kind of application. I especially like the idea of the interaction the student can have with each other and the photos by giving the comments.

Today........

2008-04-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

I just found out that my english class was cancelled. I am disappointed, I love that class and was looking forward to talking about the stories we read to discuss. In some way I guess it was good because I didn't get the paper done that was suppose to be due today.
Now I have an extra hour and a half. I could just go and work a extra hour, but I really don't feel like doing that. Maybe I will start that paper I was suppose to turn in.

Isn't is amazing that we only have two to three weeks of classes left. I can't believe it, I will have to chain myself to my desk to get everything done. I have at least three papers due, a project, and two final exams, I think. That seems like a lot in the next couple of weeks.

My Fiance' is leaving to go back to Nome, tomorrow. I am sad about that, but I will be able to get more school done. He has been in town for three weeks on vacation. It has been so nice, I will miss him. He will be back in three weeks, but it just isn't the same as having him here. But I still get to spend time with him today. Hopefully, he will get a transfer this summer and then we can learn how to live in the same town together all the time. I now that it will take time to balance out, but it will be to nice to work on it. Just to see him everyday, or several times a week - every week. What a concept...it has been two years of him being three weeks in Nome then one week here. It was good for us in many ways, but I can't wait to have him here all the time.

I know this is childish, but I want school to be done without having to do the rest of the work... Wouldn't that be nice? I am looking forward to school being done, a few days after finals are over I leave for Florida. YES!!!! For three weeks...sun and a wonderful visit with my friend that moved down there a couple of years ago. I can't wait to see her and spend time, laughing and talking. And of course (ERICA) shopping is always fun too. I have been saving money all this school year so that I could go and shop. It should be fun.

Panraven Storybook

2008-04-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

Panraven Storybook is really interesting. It wasn't until the end that I figured out that I could change some of my page layouts which was really helpful. It would be fun to play around inside this application. In the short time I have used it, I found limitations as well as some really cool feathers. I like the ability to write text and the idea that it looks a lot like a scrapbook. The options are a little annoying, there are options but not really enough of then, for instance the backgrounds. There are several categories but there are not that many options within the categories. Overall, I like this application of the photos.

I think that this could be used in the classroom. Students could use it in a genealogy project to explain they come form. It would also be nice for geography lesson, like doing a report on a place they want to go. The only thing that I would have to figure out would be how to get photos of the place available to put into the storybook. It would also be a good finishing project for a field trip, so the students have to give some explanation about what they saw. It really could be use in many different ways. I can't wait to see what everyone less comes up with.

Comments on Flickr Slidr Project

2008-03-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

I like this Slide Show idea for personal use or maybe even for teacher/parent/class communications. It would be great to be able to take pictures of a field-trip and then have them accessible for the parents to see on a blog. This application would let the parents feel involved and have a starting point/reference point to talk about the activities with their children. Plus children could have a reference to remind them of the place and what happened while they were there and what they learned. That way they could remember it before they did a journal entry or answered questions about what they saw. It would be a good jumping off point.
It would also be good for the students who were sick that day or didn't come to school, it would let them see a little of the field-trip and have a reference to ask other students about the trip.

The one thing I don't see is the application for this slide show for the students. Why should I teach my students how to make one of these slide shows? All I can see is personal use. I see much more application and educational value for the Comic Poster then this slide show project. What is it that I could assess by using this slide show application?

As I was doing this application of the photos, it took only a few moments. Most of the work is done in flickr: creating the set and ordering the photos the way I wanted. And making comments on the photos so there was some information. The process was not hard and I could easily do it again own my own.

Flickr Slide Show

2008-03-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my Slide Show, I wish I could give more information and story to the pictures.
I think this is really cool and such an easy process.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Sense of Place Poster

2008-03-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

I loved this project.
I could play with the Comic program for hours and I have. As I worked with my pictures, I started to realize I needed to take more pictures in general.
I have become familiar with this program and I think I would be able to teach my students how to use it. I love this project so much - I really want to buy the program, but I need to look into it.
My thought was that I could use it to create a really nice wedding book for my wedding next year, and then I wouldn't have to pay someone else to make the book. That would be less costly and much more fun for me.

With this project the program is so accessible to general people that children will not have any problem with making posters or create stories. I think that this program is pretty easily self taught. Kids would love to just go in and play with it by themselves.
This would be a great way for students we relate their reading to real life. After reading a book instead of a book report they could act the story out with a group of kids and take pictures, then retell the story in a comic page. It could be the whole story or just on scene... just about anything.
The comic pages would also be a good way to show a process, anything from how electricity works to how to line up for lunch. The comic program would be great for those students who hate reading and writing but love to read comic books. They would be writing because they would have to tell the story and maybe if the students did other comic stories on a regular bases there could be a whole library available for the students to read. That would allow those who were into the comic books to have something they wanted to read.
There are so many possibilities and I am very excited.
I can't wait to take more picture and play.

F.Y.I about Flickr

2008-03-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

I know we were talking about this the other day, but I just found out more information.

When you sign up for a free account on flickr, this is were you don't have to pay.
There are several things that you should know.

You can only upload 100 MD of picture each month.
Or there is a limit of 200 photos period, once when you reach that 200 they start replace the oldest photo with the new one you uploaded.
You can give them titles, descriptions, and tags (there are like the labels we use on your posts in blogger)
You can divide your pictures into two or three set, no more.
You can look at other people's photo and comment on them.
You can send photo directly from Flickr to your blogs.
You control who can see your photo: Public or private.
There are groups you can join.
And any other things that I don't know how to do. (smile)

I think this tool is great and I can't wait to learn more about how I can use it.
I think I will plug for buying the Pro Account - it lets you to upload an unlimited amount of photos and you can make as many sets as you want as well.
It is only like $25, a year - which isn't too bad.

Hope everyone has a great time, with these next few tasked.

Spring Break.... it is almost over...

2008-03-16T01:54:00.001-07:00

I can't believe the break is almost over, so much for having time to get things done and finish projects and everything else I was suppose to do. Oh, I don't know, like sleep and relax.

Okay, Okay.... so is wasn't that bad. The Lord is good and always knows that too much free time will just get us into trouble. After all, we are college students and that by definition means we work well under pressure. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

I was able to get a project done, but I still have several Engl. stories to rewrite tomorrow. OH, I was able to get some pleasure reading in. For those of use who are teachers.... now that was just silly, you all are teachers...... Okay, can anyone tell I am writing this at 1 am? I am reading the book: THE FREEDOM WRITIER'S DIARY by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell. It is a totally, amazing and awesome book. There was also a movie made based on it, called THE FREEDOM WRITERS, if you haven't watched it, you should. Absolutely AWESOME. And true to the book amazingly. Every teacher should watch it, if you are not motivated to make a difference in your student's lives before you will be after you finish the movie.

I am also happy to report that I got my Girl Scout cookies and am enjoying every bite.
Okay, my mind just went completely blank... so I am going to be done for now.

Digital Video

2008-03-16T00:56:00.000-07:00

YES!!!!
I have finally finished my movie.

Making this movie has taken much more time then I originally thought it would, I think I have spent over five hours on this project. Choosing a topic and finding the photos were the easiest parts of this movie for me. But when it came to music I hit a brick wall...figuratively. The last work day in class I was able to come up with the theme song for the video, but I later found that I would need other songs to fill in gaps and give the effect that I was looking to create. While trying to fit several songs into specific places and for certain photos I was getting frustrated and realized that I was making it way to completed. So, I started to try to find other songs that fit nicely together and then carved them to flow smoothly from one to the next before putting them with my photos. Before I was trying to put the songs disconnected right in with the photos and that got me bogged down in the details before I could even make it sound good. After having a soundtrack that was longer then my movie and then combined with my photos, I started to move my pictures around and change the length to work with the music. It was actually kind of fun when it started to work. There are a few spots that are my favorite, but I am sure that is true with all creators. I learned a lot from this project and I am proud of my end product.

This is the first time I have used the Window Movie Maker, and I am impressed with the versatility of the program and how user friendly it is. I am becoming more comfortable with the way it works, and after much trial and error I now can manipulate the photos, transitions, text, and music comfortably and with confidence. I think I could teach someone else how to use this program, like the student's in my classroom.

I think that making movies would be a great way to get students interested in their learning and in the world around them. To be able to present their knowledge in this way, is really a cool and educational idea. Every kid wants to be in a movie or be able to direct one, in this way teachers have another option for assessment and a end project for a lesson. This is one tool that can make school more relevant to the students lives and give them a real life application for their learning.
Some really fun ideas, would be for each student to narrate and made movies instead of reports of important figures in history. This application would give new life to the boring idea of writing a paper, the people in history would come to life and the students could find pictures and record their own narration. It would make the project much more interesting for both the students to make and for the teacher to grade. There could even be time-lines the student have to create and then scan them in so that it can be part of the movie... there are so many activities and meaningful learning opportunity that can be combined with making a movie.
Other idea is for the students to take movies of their own lives, inside and outside the classroom. In going this they would be able to learn how to use technology and creative skills as well as be able to document they school experiences and their lives. This idea of being able to know where you were and then seeing how far you have come, is something that makes personal documentation of your own journey really valuable.

PowerPoint As An Instructional Tool

2008-02-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

That was a really cool project. It really widened my view of the possible application for the PowerPoint program. Usually I have only used it for presentations while speaking and for visual aids. Making this interactive lesson for students was a fantastic idea and really opens up PowerPoint into an instructional tool that is effective and useful.
In general I am very comfortable with this Microsoft tool, I have used it many times for UAF classes and presentations. This project really showed me how much I didn't know about the program. It really has unlimited possibilities both for students and teachers.

Students can use this program as a tool for their own presentations, with visual aids for speeches. But I think it can also be used to explain processes like in science. PowerPoint used in this more interactive way can be used with language arts, with students recording stories or poems and having pictures and other elements that compliment the activities. I think it is great that PowerPoint can really be used as an assessment tool in this interactive fashion instead of just a tool for the students to use.

Now, I can incorporate PowerPoint as another way to assess projects in my lesson plans, plus it will give more options for differentiating the assignments.

Never enough TIME

2008-02-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

It is Friday! HURRAY!!!!
I am gone with all my classes for the week, every thing was turned in.
But................... now there is a new set of assignments and tasks to do for the next week that I need to get started on. It never ends.......

I have five classes this semester and one of the best schedules for school and work that I have ever had. I am so grateful that God was able to work it out that way. I have been able to keep up with my classes, which is nice and I hope I can keep it up. It is so cool, but I think I even like all my classes this semester. There are four ED class and one ENGL, but my teachers are great and my follow students are totally awesome. The way it worked out, I know at least one person in each class when I went in the first day... which has never happened to me before. Usually there is one class that you know someone, but not all of them. And if you are in my 422 or 410 classes, 3/4th of the class knows each other and will be doing their internship year together. I think it is really cool that we will have people we know and are comfortable with to support each other.

Good Luck EVERYBODY on the next week of stuff!!!

Why Not?

2008-02-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, this will be my first personal entry on this blog, but why not?

The last class was really cool and I have to say that the gadgets are really cool. Has anyone seen the movie Agent Cody Banks? I felt like I was in the at movie and the gadget were being shown to me one by one and all I could saw was: COOL! WOW! and AWESOME!

Each item has a spectacular range of applications. I think the camera microscope is fantastic, the idea you can take movies and put data right into graphs. These kind of applications really being meaning and real life application to teaching. Plus the students have a blast because they are creating their own learning.

Being an artist, my favorite was the the art pressure sensitive pad. This tool is the coolest and it can work on PCs as well as on Macs. There are so many specifics that can be chosen in the painting program that the pad comes with. These include medium, color, blenders, brush/pencil size and shape and well as more graphic oriented functions. These choices make it really well designed for instruction and texture.

My only caution I have about this tool is that when doing all the motions your hand is in the "holding a pencil position". And one of the things in painting and drawing you want to do is to use big arm motions. That way you get out of thinking with your left brain, like with the little details and analytical aspects of drawing. It is important switch more into the right brain, to create the line and shape of the object you are trying to represent on the paper. Of course that is only my opinion, but it is something to consider.
The other thing is that this program gets the students out of touch with the paper and the feel of the paint and brush.

But I can see the art pad as a great extension of other art lessons done in the real media, or a quick activity that you can all do much faster on the program rather than getting all the materials all out and the project take half the day.
Also it gives the students another way to see art. There are graphic designers and computer artist out there and some students might really connect with this kind of art. Where they balk at using water colors and such.
I would like it as an addition to the classroom, but not a replacement of all art.

Software Resources

2008-02-10T17:17:00.000-08:00

This activity was great. It is just amazing how many resources are available to teachers and students. I had so much fun looking for instructional sources and educational games. And of course playing the games was fun, too! I can't wait to see what every one presents on, Monday.

Here is what I found:

Software Title: National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Grade/Age level:K-12
Subject Area(s):Mathematics
Platform: Mac/Windows (download week long trial)
Purpose: This program allows the students to practice math concepts with manipulatives. I saw many of the manipulatives that we used in the Math for Teachers class, like geoboards, base blocks, and many others. This program does not explain the concepts, so the site would only be good of teacher examples and for the students to practice after they understood the concept. It is a lot of fun. If you want to buy it, you can. There is even an options to have it download to a CD, so that you can use it on multiple computers.

Software Title: AAA Math
Grade/Age level: K-8 (It should be noted that there is reading, so the younger children would need help to read it.)
Subject Area(s): Mathematics
Platform: Mac/Windows (website - with links for downloads)
Purpose: This website is great! It is very basic. Under each category there are explanations and examples of the concept, which are great for review or just reinforcement. After the instructions there is a place to practice. There is a link for the game TIMEZ ATTACK that you can download. It is a multiplication game that is set up like a video game. COOL!

Software Title: National Geographic Kids
Grade/Age level: K-6 (That is my guess, the grade level was not given)
Subject Area(s): Science and Geography
Platform: Mac/Windows (website)
Purpose: This is a great site for science, geography and world news. This lets the students be connected to the world around them. There are games, experiments and videos for them to use as sources of information and practice.

Software Title: The Grammar Gorillas (FUN BRAIN)
Grade/Age level: 5th grade
Subject Area(s): Language Arts
Platform: Mac/Windows (website)
Purpose: This game brings up different sentences and the player has to identify the word that is a certain part of speech. This activity lets the students practice. However, it is also good for review because there is a section that defines each part of speech and the definitions are there for reference.

Extras: Internet 4 Classrooms

One to One Reflection

2008-02-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

I was fascinated with this video, I would have loved to see more of it. I was surprised to find that one of the girl in the photo class was someone I know. She is now going to the university.

Anyway, there were several things in the video about the Denali school that really addressed the concerns we brought up in the class brainstorming activity. One of the fears was that there would be problems with the social interaction with the students in the class. However, the photo class in the video proved that the social aspect was still there it simply took on a different form. I do think that to make this socialization possible the class has to be set up in a way to encourage it. So instance, there was a lot of talking and moving around. The teacher really needs to have a different mind set.

The other thing that we talked about with fears, was if the teacher would still be able to get the students' attention. The teachers on the video gave several different ideas on how to go about getting the attention of the students. On way is to give an announcement and than letting them have a few minutes to chat and get some of the excitement out. Letting the students unload their gear and work their way to their seats is done in most classrooms anyway. Another idea in the video was to tell the students to close the laptops when they would not using them. I think this is a great solution, I have even had college teachers who would use this strategy, it is quite affective.

The last thought I wanted to bring up was a hope when we talked but the video gave us cause to worry. In the brainstorming we talked about how we hope that each child having a computer would lead them to learn more computer skills. The students did learn more about how to use a computer and what it could do, but at what cost? The video raised the issue of handwriting. I had not thought about this skill much, but it is a valid concern. With the students and teachers communicating and going assignment on the computer, there will be less reason to handwrite anything. This issue is important and one that should not be overlooked.

I found this video interesting and thought provoking.

Personal Introduction

2008-01-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

My name is Tori,
This will be the third blog I will have started in the past year. The one before this was for my new puppy, but I didn't keep updating it. Hopefully I will be more consistent with this one.

I am 23 years old. I live with my family, Dad, Mom, Sister, two cats: Fuzzy and Tarbaby, and two dogs: Trek and Solo.
My sister's name is Ashley and we are both planning our weddings. Hers will be this summer and mine will be after my graduation, summer 2009. It is exciting and there is something to be said for letting your little sister go first. I have learned quite a bit from the plans she has already made.
My parents are the best. My dad work is in construction and my mom run her own daycare out of your home. They have always supported my sister and I in everything we strive for and continually provide for us.

My fiancee, Tracie, is working in Nome, Ak right now. This summer he will have been there for two years. He works as a Correctional Officer at the jail. It is a State job, so it pays well and has opportunities for him to grow. After the two year mark, he will be able to transfer to Fairbanks when a position becomes available, but there is no telling when that might be. We just keep hoping and praying it will happen before the wedding, but it is in God's timing.
Right now he spends three weeks in Nome and comes into town for one. So one in every four weeks he is here in Fairbanks. I miss him, but we are doing good and the long distance has made our relationship stronger.

School has been my life for the last four and half years and I have loved every minute. I like school and there are so many things I have learned and continue learning. I just love school. Right now I am taking five classes and getting ready for my internship year, which will start this next fall. I am excited, but scared too. But I have finally come to the point were I am confident enough in myself that I can say I am ready for the challenge. Now, I just have to finish the application paperwork. HAHA!