podcast lesson

So I did a podcast lesson and it was great. I never ever teach the class that I did it with because it is a small class of 12 and they are my mentor's favorites. Anyways, I decided to ask her if I could do it with them because is such a small class. It ended up going very well even though they did not take it very seriously (they don't take the class seriously because no one ever teaches, it's more of a hang out hour). They actually did it and enjoyed listening to each other's podcasts. It was also great for foreign language because the students were able to self-assess their pronunciation and the errors that they made.

I would definitely recommend doing podcasts in your classes! Also I didn't have them use their phones in classes due to school rules. All they had to do was dial a number I gave them from drop.io and then leave a voicemail which later became their podcast. It was fun and easy! If you want to see a a preview of my lesson check out the Final posts of Workshops on the wiki and you can watch my video.

So the honeymoon phase is over haha. Last week I got super angry at one of the classes that I teach because they could not be quiet. I told them that they obviously had no respect for me so I might as well just leave because they don't need or want my help. Then they all started complaining about how they want to be in college and I told them that they would never make it in college if they could not be quiet for 5 minutes. Many of them took that very offensively and I realized I shouldn't have said that, but I continued to explain to them that college classes are based upon respect. Students respect the prof.s and the prof.s respect the students. I also told them that even in college classes with 200 students, you can hear a pin drop.

So I went a little overboard I admit haha. I apologized to them and told them that they will all make it to college I was just upset because I put so much effort into grading their papers and helping them, but they won't even listen to me for 5 minutes. The next day they were great hah. Except for the end of the hour when I was presented with a huge dilemma.... let me know what you think....

So half of the class was a "free day" for them to organize their binders and help each other. One of the girls was organized so she asked if she could go to another class to finish a test. I said yes, and she left her backpack on my desk. The other kids were walking around all hour and doing things. When the student who left came back to class there were only 2 minutes to spare, and she noticed that her ipod had been stolen out of her backpack. I had seen it before hand, so I knew she did not just misplace it. I made an announcement to the class and asked whoever took it as a joke to give it back, no one said anything. Then I was just mad.... I told them that they would not be leaving the room until someone gave it back, and I assured them that I wouldn't tell the principal or authorities. The bell rang (this is last hour), and ppl started to complain, I said that it didn't matter and they could leave when the ipod was returned. On the other hand my mentor didn't care so she opened the door 30 seconds after the bell and told me we couldn't do anything.

I was upset because she didn't even try to help the girl and she completely ripped any authority that I had away right in front of the class. I know that we couldn't hold the kids too long, but she didn't even try. I am not sure what to do if this ever happens again because the kids aren't even supposed to have ipods...... what do you think?

So this semester has really opened my eyes. I finally realize why we have been putting ourselves through this 8th layer of hell. Everyday although it is extremely difficult to wake up at 5:15, I am happy to drive to work. I find myself running around the room like an idiot answering questions because I WANT to make sure that each and every student understands the material. I go home tired, though with a feeling of accomplishment and happiness. So far my teacher hasn't really let me make my own lessons, though I'm sure when that day comes this process of becoming a teacher will be even more rewarding. I hope you are all feeling the same way and let me know some of your stories!

Lyrics to Webinar Rap (SeanShan Inc.)

Now with Sean on the hot track
Melt like it’s hot wax
Put it out, John Glenn
You know you can’t stop that
Leave a student with a thinking cap
Frontin’ like seanshan ain’t got tracks
-STOP THAT-

Nadie como yo la profesora guay
Les digo Romulus que yo soy fly
Maracas y piñatas, una fiesta mexicana
Hablo de tarea, no you don’t want nada

All my students gonna be smart, it’s an art
Hangin’ in the teacher’s lounge eatin’ pop tarts
Getting cheap notebooks at Wal-mart
Getting’ my start, leesons comin’ from my heart
Don’t wanna be a doctor or a lawyer
Uncle Sam’s gonna be my employer

We wanna be the ones que respetan
Español go head get your roll on
Tengo energia, alegria, no not modestia
Uh uh hago las reglas fair
Por ejemplo, debemos share

No nos empuje, porque estamos cerca del borde
Que no queremos perder la cabeza

No toman mi orgullo
No me imovilizan oh no
Continuo mover

techy techster

Hey guys,
I just wanted to express to you all how amazed I am with myself and technology this year. Due to this program I have found myself explaining techy things to people around me all the time! This has never been a part of me, and it seems to be coming to me fairly easy woo woo!... For example, when someone asked me how to make videos with effects and music in i movie I could explain it perfectly, and afterwards I realized that I figured all that out on my own. One step at a time I have been improving and very happy about it. I showed my mentor teacher how to play jeopardy on the computer the other day and she was super happy, which in return made me very happy. Thank you 504.. sean and I even made a rap video on garage band today which i have never used before, though it was simple. I am starting to love this stuff.

review games

So i just read a great edublog on review games involving technology (http://21csyers.blogspot.com/). The blogger explains three game show-esq games she plays with the class to keep all of the students involved. I recently played around the world with my class, which they enjoyed, though since not every student is involved at all times some loss interest fast. She explains these powerpoint trivia games in detail that force all students to be active participants. Another thing that I found very interesting was that at the end of the year for review she has the students make their own game. That way they are using the technology themselves as well as having fun and reviewing for the exam! I feel this would be very useful for all of us... check it out.

Suenos (Dreams)

Okay... am I going crazy or do you guys all have dreams about MAC as well? I recently had a conversation with a few of the group members who agreed that we just cannot escape from school, it even follows us to bed. At first I thought I was having a mental breakdown haha, but then I talked to one of my good friends at the bar last night about the LSAT. He randomly looked at me with terror in his eyes and said "Shannon, I think there is something really wrong with me, I cannot escape from the LSAT". He said that while at the bar he couldn't help but feel as though he should be home studying, and that everything people were saying reminded him of ?'s on the test. I laughed and asked if he had been dreaming about it, and he said "every night" with a sigh, hah. Somehow I managed to make him feel a little better with some inspirational words, and I ended up feeling better knowing that I wasn't the only crazy person out there. I then went home telling myself over and over not to dream about MAC, and you know what, ... it worked. Last night I dreamed about Romulus instead hahaha. I guess we will just have to ride this one out and except MAC as something being pumped into our veins for the next few months. With that, I would also like to tell you all that you are not alone, and we can do this!