I Have a Dream...to Educate! ;)

Kahn Academy

        Kahn academy is a very useful tool in the classroom.  Depending on the grade or topic, one is able to find an educational video teaching the topic of choice.  I have been able to look at some of the videos provided for simple math.  I have been planning my lessons with the Kahn Academy in mind, and how I can implement it in my daily lessons.  The videos are very beneficial in that students are able to experience what is expected of them, their thinking, and ways to solve problems.

Allmyfaves.com

 

 

Ever since I learned about www.allmyfaves.com I have not stopped using it.  Not only do I use it daily, I have recommended the site to various people, who in turn have commented that the site is super helpful.  The site offers assistance in finding websites according to the topic.  For example;  travel, shopping, social networking; and my personal favorite language.  By selecting language I was able to see all of the most popular sites having to do with language.  This is where I discovered BBC language. 

                If you have not done so already, try the website, you are going to find it to be very helpful.

Lesson Writer

          Lesson Writer is a God send!  As soon as I laid eyes on it in class, I could not help myself but to blurt out "Niiicccccceeee!!"  What I like most is that the lessons are integrated using the new Common Core State Standards, and applies graphic organizers.
          The next day after class, the first thing I did when I saw my English Language Learner Director was bring the website to her attention.  I then text my Assistant Principal and asked her to check out lessonwriter.com.  Soon after; when I finally reached my classroom and settled down, my Bilingual Pupil Services intern walked in.  "Guess what?!" I blurted out, you must see this website!!"  I immediately programmed my smartboard and introduced lessonwriter on a big screen calling the attention of other teachers who were casually passing by.
          Lesson writer is definatley a software that I will be using a lot, it is perfect for the demands that my job asks of me.
          Please click on the video below to see an introduction to Lessonwriter.

Prezi

          I have never heard of the software Prezi up until now.  The first time I heard of it was in class.  As it was being introduced I was thinking about how it could be intergrated in an elementary school classroom interactively.  I have yet to get my creative juices flowing, I'd like to see it used in the classroom first, and I am pretty sure my creative juices will start to flow.
          However, coincidently I attended a workshop being held by the New York City deparment of Education on how to intergrate the new common core state standards in our lessons.  As the presentation unfolded I recognized the software.  What had initially called my attention was that the presentor mentioned "I hope you're not getting dizzy."  When he said that it reminded me of class, when our professors mentioned something to the fact of getting dizzy when using Prezi.  At the end of the presentation I asked it they had used Prezi (just to show off), and the responded "Yes!"
          I must say that it was fun to look at. The transitions from slide to slide were different and entertaining.  I could not help myself but to compare it to power point. 
          I have more to explore!

What is your Motto?/ What is your Perfect idea of Happiness?

What is your motto/What is your perfect idea of happiness?

What is your motto and What is your perfect idea of happiness?; are questions that I thought would be easy to answer, but are not.  Both questions are interrelated in that my motto is “Life is what you make it”; which is what defines my happiness.

            They’re not easy questions to answer because they are about myself.  Having to answer questions about myself take me time to answer, because I realize that I do not know the answer to most of them.  Therefore, this assignment was not as easy as I thought it would be.

So let me start by answering the question with the definition of happiness.  Happiness is defined as “good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy”.  However, what makes me feel good fortune, pleasure, contentment and joy?  Happiness for me is being spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy.  All three are interdependent of the other.  Without fulfilling all three I am not complete.

What makes me spiritually healthy is my religion.  My religion keeps me modest, humble, and always trying my best when things are at its worst.  Religion, for me is guide to my life and how to live it.  Physically healthy goes without saying, eating a well-balanced throughout the day and being physically active.  If I am not energized it is difficult for me to keep up with being a mother, a wife, a student and career person.  Which leads me to being mentally healthy; both physical health and spiritual help me keep my sanity throughout the year.

No matter what though my family is the nucleus of my happiness; making time for them is key.