tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61889414000249571022024-03-13T12:12:39.566-07:00A Midwestern Gal's Reflection of Life This blog contains entries from a college course I took called Gender and New Media, my experience to complete my Master's praxis project on teaching an adult literacy class, and my reflections on life post-graduate school. Hope you enjoy!Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-75333266681265641912012-08-19T22:34:00.000-07:002012-08-19T22:35:09.181-07:00Partnership in LifeNEVER EVER make someone a priority in your life when you have zero importance in theirs, especially after years. If their actions reflect that they don't give a shit, accept it, and move on. It is wasted time and energy when there are plenty of people in the world ready to make the commitment to be an actual partner in life, and want more than just surface relationships. The term "partner" can be applied in different ways. Partner as in friendships, romantic relationships, colleagues, peers, etc. Actions speak louder than words. Promises are just forms of "verbal rhetoric" when lacking any follow through. The people close to us reflect our inner-selves and help shape us to be better people in our future. Never stay in something that makes you feel worthless, degraded, unintelligent, belittled and/or uninspired, even if it's comfortable. Find people who uplift you, prioritize you, love you for you, listen to you, take interest in your life, and can actually be supportive. Life will reward you with new, fresh, hellos for saying good-bye and walking away from unhealthy baggage. Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-14483944812789003442012-08-19T22:18:00.003-07:002012-08-20T07:45:46.132-07:00Loosing or Gaining? 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family:georgia;">Funny how certain songs come on right when you are in midthought about things, people, places, events, etc. that the singular song would make you think about. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Today, I was looking at old photos from my past. Photos with old friends and people I used to be very close with. While doing this, the song “You and Me” by Lifehouse comes on my Pandora station. I haven’t listened to this song in years. This was my ex-boyfriend and my “song” in high school. Sometimes I think the universe drops these things into our lives to make us reflect on our past and move in the right direction for the future. Reflecting back, it sure is funny how certain songs, lyrics, and music in general bring everything back to you as if it were yesterday; sometimes for the best or the worst.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Life Questioning : How do we move forward, while holding onto memories, while not being stuck in the past, but looking towards the future and living in the present? What a doozie, I know. I am sure if we had this answer a lot of us would have an easier time living in the now, reflecting on the past but not holding onto it, and having a positive outlook for the future. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I had never truly lost something/someone super important to me until the past year. I don’t even know if I want to use the terminology “lost” because it’s not that it is lost, it just wasn’t good anymore. People grow and change and life ebbs and flows. I don’t know if “lost” is a good term to use for the ending of relationships either platonic or non-platonic. So here’s the question in the making - How do we hold on to the wonderful memories, heal the hurt, trust again, and build intimacy with others when sometimes the hurt from the past takes over? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am sure each and every one of us has lost someone we valued and trusted very much. We have all experienced breaking up, growing apart from friends, and loosing people due to death. This process of “loosing” is something every human can relate to but it seems like a lot of us do not want to write, discuss, or listen about the topic. Do we fear loss? Do we want to hold on tight to comfort? I don’t have the answers, but I have been pondering it lately. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Recently, I have been reflecting on how to navigate loosing people in life, growing and learning from hurt without letting bitterness take over. I used to be such a care free soul before my long-term relationship. I now feel like I have twenty walls up with a mote around me with tons of alligators in it. I am an extrovert and love chatting with people, BUT actually, I mean actually letting people in seems so much more difficult now than it was in the past. As we age and experience hurt, do we build more walls to keep people out? How do we let people into our inner-selves and how do we develop intimacy after intimacy has been damaged?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I think as humans we learn and grow from everything we experience. I have been trying to navigate how to let go and move on from the past in a healthy manner. Life goes on and as Bob Dylan said, “keep on keeping on.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:georgia;">Some quotes :</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>"Be Soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, You still believe it to be a beautiful place."<br /><br />"After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. And you learn that love doesn't mean security, and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises. And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open. With the grace of maturity, not the grief of a child. And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you can really endure, that you really are strong and that you really do have worth. And you learn and learn and learn with every goodbye you learn." -Veronica A. Shoffstall</i> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Just some relationship reflection for now..... </span></p> Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-43011154280467756152011-10-23T19:11:00.000-07:002011-10-23T19:33:48.867-07:00Thursday, October 20On Thursday, October 20 we covered the drill for after lesson 21 and lesson 22. We are almost through the first binder of lessons, and I only have 11 classes with my students due to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bums me out, these students have really touched my heart, and they all hold a place near and dear to me.<br /><br />Thursday was a gloomy, nasty, rainy day, and only three students ended up making it to class. A lot of the students have troubles with transportation when the weather is bad due to public transit and lack of transportation/vehicles.<br /><br />We began our day with blending sounds. We read together and then each student had to read an entire section individually.<br /><br />id rid grid<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ip</span> lip flip<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">isk</span> risk frisk<br />in int <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rint</span> print<br /><br />an and band<br />en end bend<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ip</span> rip trip<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ot</span> pot spot<br /><br />in int mint<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">un</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">unt</span> runt<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">af</span> aft raft<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ef</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">eft</span> left<br /><br />We then practiced final blends by utilizing the same method.<br />bast best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bist</span> bust<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">dast</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">dest</span> dist dust<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">rast</span> rest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">rist</span> rust<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">tast</span> test <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">tist</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">tust</span><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">bant</span> bent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">bint</span> bunt<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">mant</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">ment</span> mint <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">munt</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">hant</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">hent</span> hint hunt<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">sant</span> sent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">sint</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">sunt</span><br /><br />bask <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">besk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">bisk</span> busk<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">nask</span> nest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">nisk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">nusk</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">pask</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">pesk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">pisk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">pusk</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">vask</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">vesk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">visk</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">vusk</span><br /><br />land lend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">lind</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">lund</span><br />hand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">hend</span> hind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">hund</span><br />sand send <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">sind</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">sund</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">mand</span> mend mind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">mund</span><br /><br />After working on blending a dictated words. My students had to echo the words and tell me the vowel sound in each.<br />pent spent trump <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">blend</span> rust mint crust flip task blunt<br /><br />We then practiced full sentences. I had each student come up the board and write out a sentence for me.<br />1) Rex went and fed his pet pig.<br />2) Greg sent help to mend the tent.<br />3) The tan box will rust in the damp desk.<br /><br />In lesson 22 we covered new concepts.<br /><br />We started with the alphabet and sound system We worked on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">alphabetizing</span> by the third letter, and worked out of our student worksheet. We then worked with alliteration.<br /><br />In new learning, we learned long vowel a, e, and i and practiced our coding - "A vowel in an open syllable is long, code it with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">macrion</span>."<br /><br />We learned that long vowels say their name.<br /><br />Key words - long vowel a = apex, long vowel e = equal, long vowel i = iris<br /><br />We then worked on spelling by orally listening and spelling. We then worked on writing and the plural rule of adding suffix s to a base word.<br /><br />drum -- drums<br />tab -- tabs<br /><br />The procedure for spelling derivatives is:<br />1) listen and echo the whole word<br />2) say the base word<br />3) spell the base word aloud<br />4) name and write the base word<br />5) add the suffix and verbalize the rule<br />6) code and read<br /><br />I had a student who is from Africa and is going back to visit his family for three months. His last day in my class was Thursday. It was so touching to talk to him. He gave me a big hug and told me to keep in touch and that I was a great teacher. It is moments like this when students tell you they really appreciate what you do that makes it all worth it. I know when I have a career, I need to be doing something that impacts people in a positive manner. Pay it forward everyone - Happy Sunday :)Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-36570488037952876032011-10-14T16:22:00.000-07:002011-10-14T16:49:50.498-07:00Thursday, October 19<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ww1A4O6w0/TpjEtBGBJdI/AAAAAAAAAH4/nnuUNsCqbuE/s1600/edson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663492809085232594" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ww1A4O6w0/TpjEtBGBJdI/AAAAAAAAAH4/nnuUNsCqbuE/s320/edson.jpg" border="0" /></a>A card one of my students bought me because he cannot return to class due to his job<br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Thursday, October 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> we covered the drill for after lesson 19 and lesson 20. In the drill we worked on initial blends and final sounds.<br /><br />I read words to my students, asked them to repeat the word, and then drop the initial sound.<br />stump (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tump</span>) frog (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rog</span>) pride (ride) trash (rash) brush (rush) cramp (ramp) smith (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mith</span>) blush (lush) crest (rest)<br /><br />I think gave them more words, and told them to drop the last sound.<br />steep (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">stee</span>) strip (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">stri</span>) send (sen) grand (gran) hello (hell) test (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tes</span>) enlist (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">enlis</span>) left (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">lef</span>) work (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">wor</span>)<br /><br />We then worked on a student worksheet and practiced words with the same initial and final sounds but different short vowel sounds.<br />Example - brat, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bret</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">brit</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">brout</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">brut</span><br /><br />We practiced spelling by looking at how many sounds were in certain words, then looked at how many letters are in each word. I had each student come up to spell on the board.<br />doll, cliff, fret, grip, grid, bliss, flag, stub, plot, fed, Fred<br /><br />We utilized another worksheet to practice the Floss Rule<br />ff ll <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ss</span><br />off dull hiss<br /><br />I had each student come to the board to spell the following words : still, stress, gloss, blot, trap, twist<br /><br />We then practiced difference sentences<br />1) We had a bell, a box, and a grill.<br />2) Six men fell on the brass step.<br /><br />I assigned my students a homework worksheet that included sentences with missing words that could be found in the word bank. They had to fill in the blanks in the sentences with the proper words.<br /><br />In lesson 20 we covered the alphabet by orally reciting it. We then practiced <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">alphabetizing</span> by working on a student worksheet. We practiced final sounds by isolating and changing the final sounds in words to create new words.<br /><br />Change the final sound to g:<br />pen - peg<br />rub - rug<br />lot - log<br />bid - big<br /><br />Change the final sound to m<br />sat - Sam<br />bus - bum<br />dig - dim<br />gut - gum<br />hen - hem<br /><br />In new learning we worked on making words plural.<br /><br />Base word + <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">subjunctive</span> = <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">derivative</span> (plurals)<br /><br />We practiced by making singular words into plural words by adding on the suffix s.<br /><br />In reading we practiced the daily reading deck, names and letters, key words, and sounds. We reviewed high frequency words and read off a student worksheet that focused on high frequency words. To practice reading context we worked with high frequency words: just, must, tell, get, list, last, spell and learned words: one, two, could, should, would.<br /><br />We worked on making words plural on a student worksheet where the students had to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">identify</span> singular naming nouns, and add s to them.<br /><br />To practice spelling, we orally spelt words and wrote out words. We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">focused</span> specifically on adding s to words to make them plural.<br /><br />I had my student spell log - logs and band - bands.<br /><br />One of my students, who was dedicated to learning and attending class, had to tell us he can no longer come to class. He bought all the instructors cards and explained that his boss at work will not let him miss since it is starting "Christmas" season. This is an issue that arises for a lot of students from out of the country or living in a lower socioeconomic situation. He explained to this boss that he was enrolled in a literacy class on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it first began, and his boss now told him he can't miss work. It happens a lot with our students, they are dedicated to coming, but work interferes.<br /></div><div></div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-67675975110530760472011-10-14T15:13:00.000-07:002011-10-14T16:34:33.984-07:00Thursday, October 6th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze_1oWJodbw/TpjG_vdCS8I/AAAAAAAAAIc/R3NoLGqhkPs/s1600/300013_10150319278227698_337671112697_7834684_1222620439_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze_1oWJodbw/TpjG_vdCS8I/AAAAAAAAAIc/R3NoLGqhkPs/s320/300013_10150319278227698_337671112697_7834684_1222620439_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663495329790708674" border="0" /></a>On Thursday, October 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> we covered the drill for after lesson 17 and lesson 18. During our drill we practiced blends.<div> </div><div>I gave the blends fl, gr, tr, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">sl</span>, bl, pl, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">br</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span> and every one of my students had to say a word that begun with each blend. </div><div> </div><div>Next, we worked on initial sounds and blends. I said each word, and my students had to give me the initial sounds in each and the blend.</div><div>flake, sprite, stun, bland, proof, grief, blouse, crutch, slippery</div><div> </div><div>We then practiced blends on a worksheet, which included words with the same vowel and final sound but the initial and blends changed. Each student had to read <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aloud</span>. </div><div> </div><div>We practiced short vowel sounds. I dictated the following words to my students: tram, cud, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">stip</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">heb</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">pris</span>, blot, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">mog</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">sav</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">hox</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ven</span>. My students had to identify the vowel in each and give me the sound of that vowel. We also used a worksheet, I dictated words and then they had to decide which vowel sound was in the word. </div><div> </div><div>To practice spelling we worked with rhyming words, dictation, and sentences. </div><div>I gave my students the words : rob, clap, bend, miss, time, bell, hand, nick </div><div>They had to come up with words that rhymed with each of these. </div><div> </div><div>I dictated the following words : clam, dram, flit, split, drop, prop, club, stub, wet, and fret. I had my students identify the vowels in each and spell them on the board. </div><div> </div><div>We then practiced sentences including:</div><div>The pink cross cost six cents.</div><div>Mom sent Bill to trim the grass.</div><div>My dog will sniff to find scraps of food.</div><div> </div><div>I also assigned my students a homework sheet where they had to match two words with the same meaning to practice definitions/context. </div><div> </div><div>In lesson 18, we practiced the alphabet and alphabetizing. We used a worksheet to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">alphabetize</span> words in columns. We had two columns of words. The first column we did together in class, and the second was assigned as homework. </div><div> </div><div>To practice the sound system we worked with alliteration. Students were given three words that started with the same letter, and then had to produce two more words that began with the same letter. </div><div> </div><div>pot, pan, pat</div><div>best, book, blue</div><div>see, sat, some</div><div>two, toes, touch</div><div>can, come, catch</div><div>house, hen, help</div><div>rain, ranch, race</div><div> </div><div>**<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Alliteration</span> refers to the repetition of the same initial sound of several words in a sentence or phrase. </div><div> </div><div>In new learning, we learned that s makes a (z) sound when voiced. The new key word is nose (z). </div><div> </div><div>My students completed a worksheet to practice the voiced z sound. </div><div>Rule: (V) s = (z) (V)<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">ss</span>=(s)</div><div>Vowel with one s after makes z sound</div><div>Vowel with two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">ss's</span> after make s sound</div><div> </div><div>Note: letter before the s determines if it is s or z sound</div><div> </div><div>To practice reading, we did our daily reading deck, naming the letters, key words, and sounds.</div><div> </div><div>We also practiced short vowel drill focusing on e and i, and completed a student worksheet focusing specifically on e and i (reading words with short vowels e and i in them)</div><div> </div><div>We practiced high frequency words : is, as, his, has </div><div>learned words: oh, was, with, you, put, do, Monday, why</div><div> </div><div>We worked on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprise</span> sentences and used two student worksheets to find them and label them. We practiced the four different types of sentences:</div><div>1) telling </div><div>2) asking </div><div>3) command</div><div>4) surprise </div><div> </div><div>To practice spelling, we spelled orally first and then wrote out words. We also learned the Floss Rule and spelt the words stiff, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">frill</span> and spill. </div><div> </div><div>Floss Rule: vowel in a closed syllable is short, code it with a breve; 2 like consonants - 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> code silent</div><div>Example - stiff (second f is silent)</div><div> </div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-27618168952439758122011-09-29T11:35:00.001-07:002011-09-29T12:00:53.676-07:00September 29<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIItcvmTJ54/ToS6nYqhlII/AAAAAAAAAHw/VUc6igoWnIY/s1600/2011-09-22%2B13.17.33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657852217682662530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIItcvmTJ54/ToS6nYqhlII/AAAAAAAAAHw/VUc6igoWnIY/s320/2011-09-22%2B13.17.33.jpg" /></a>Today, I instructed class and taught the drill for after lesson 15 and lesson 16. </div><div> </div><div>In our drill we covered the "l" blends including: pl, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sl</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">gl</span>, fl, bl, and cl</div><div> </div><div>We utilized a student worksheet to read blends. We used our reading skills to blend consonants together. We also worked on hearing blends. I read particular blends and instructed my students to echo and spell the blend.</div><div> </div><div>Blends we practiced:</div><div>bl, tr, gr, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sl</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>, cl, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">br</span>, fl, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">cr</span>, fr, pr, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">gl</span></div><div> </div><div>We practiced spelling by instructing students to echo the word I said, identify the initial sound, and say the letter that spells that sound.</div><div>sleep, flat, prince, crude, frog, grace, travel, bread, clue</div><div> </div><div>I think had my students write the entire word</div><div>cub, slim, flat, glad, trot, plug, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">glit</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">clet</span></div><div> </div><div>We then practiced writing sentences:</div><div>1) Slim Jim had six flats.</div><div>2) I am glad he did not slip.</div><div>3) Jan set a trap for the twin pigs.</div><div>4) We had clams and plums.</div><div>5) Set the drum on the log.</div><div>6) The crab and the slug slid on the rug. </div><div> </div><div>In lesson 16 we practiced the alphabet and sound system, new learning, reading, spelling, and review. </div><div> </div><div>In the alphabet and sound system section we reviewed the initial, medial, and final positions. We went <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">through</span> the alphabet and identified the before, after, and between missing letters. We also practiced rhyming with our plastic alphabet letters.</div><div> </div><div>We used the letters: A, M, N, T, V, D, P, R, F</div><div>We spelled the word man and then we had to spell other words that rhymed with man.</div><div>a color (tan)</div><div>a large vehicle (van)</div><div>a man's name (Dan)</div><div>a cooking utensil (pan)</div><div>the past tense of run (ran)</div><div>a device that blows air (fan)</div><div> </div><div>In new learning we practiced vowel concepts. We went over that a vowel sound is always voiced and open, every word has one vowel, and they make more than one sound. We practiced all 5 vowels and their short vowel sound by using a student worksheet.</div><div> </div><div>Ex: map, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">mep</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">mip</span>, mop, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">mup</span></div><div>Students had to fill in the vowels and pronounce the words. </div><div> </div><div>In reading we covered our daily reading deck, the names of the letters, and the key words and sounds.We worked on high frequency learned words and used another student worksheet to find the high frequency learned words. </div><div>January, February, March, April, May, June</div><div>America, United States, New York, Texas</div><div>Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday</div><div>Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year</div><div> </div><div>We then practiced our learned words : school, where and which. We used another student worksheet to find the learned words in each sentence. By utilizing this same worksheet we practiced proper nouns, and students had to find the proper nouns in each sentence. </div><div> </div><div>For spelling we worked on the spelling deck and the vowels. We worked on the short vowel sounds only and written spelling. We worked on when k is in the initial position and practiced when to use c or k. We used another student worksheet that had exercises for when to use c or k. </div><div> </div><div>In our review, we touched upon the main topics covered in our lesson and the idea of common and proper nouns.</div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-66312805078860800852011-09-23T05:57:00.001-07:002011-09-23T15:58:09.576-07:00Thursday, September 22<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_oIoESDrM3k/TnyCdIpupqI/AAAAAAAAAHo/WkdYMWkbjU0/s1600/2011-09-22%2B13.18.00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655538669120824994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_oIoESDrM3k/TnyCdIpupqI/AAAAAAAAAHo/WkdYMWkbjU0/s320/2011-09-22%2B13.18.00.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">Two of the flipcharts on the wall in our classroom</div><div>On Thursday, September 22, I instructed our class. With graduate school starting, I went into work feeling frazzled, then on the way to work my breaks went out. I was not feeling very positive or inspired. After instructing my class, and interacting with my students all of that changed. I can't explain/put into words how much this experience is impacting my life as a teacher and a person.</div><div> </div><div>We covered a drill for after lesson 13 and lesson 14.</div><div> </div><div>In our drill we focused on a short vowel review by using a student worksheet. I read words aloud, and asked my students to give the sound in each closed syllable and then to read the syllable.</div><div><font id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">baf</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">diz</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">fod</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">han</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">jez</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ket</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">lum</span></font>, nib, med, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">rup</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">pov</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">zog</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">tep</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">suf</span></font>, lab.</div><div> </div><div>To work on listening, I read three syllables aloud, and each student was asked to circle the syllable I read. They were instructed to pay close attention to the vowel sound.</div><div>1) fib, fab, fed</div><div>2) pom, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">pem</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">pim</span></font></div><div>3) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">sil</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">sel</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">sul</span></font></div><div>4) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">maf</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">mof</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">muf</span></font></div><div>5) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">niz</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">nez</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">naz</span></font></div><div>6) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">vit</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">vut</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">vot</span></font></div><div> </div><div>To work on writing, I read allowed three syllables, and asked them to write them.</div><div>1) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">zog</span></font></div><div>2) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">nup</span></font></div><div>3) <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">teb</span></font></div><div> </div><div>We worked <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">independently</font>, and then worked <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">together</font> on the board.</div><div> </div><div>To work on contrast reading we <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">utilized</font> a student worksheet.</div><div>The worksheet had words that shared the same initial and final sounds, but different vowels. We read together for the first couple of columns, then each person had to read aloud <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">independently</font>.</div><div> </div><div>lid, lad, led Dad, did, dud ten, tin, tan pig, pug, peg rod, red, rid bet, bat, but, bit </div><div>bed, bad, bud, bid beg, bag, bug, big ham, hem, him, hum pet, pat, pot, pit Dan, den, don, din</div><div> </div><div>To practice spelling, I read syllables, asked my students to echo then, identify the rowel sound of the word, and to spell the vowel sound, then spell and write the word.</div><div> </div><div>let, lug, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">mab</span></font>, gob, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">rab</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">fim</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">tof</span></font></div><div>hum, lam, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">tim</span></font>, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">kib</span></font>, lob, <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">siv</span></font></div><div> </div><div>We then read <font id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sentences</font> and wrote them out.</div><div>1) He ran to get the mad pup.</div><div>2) Get the bug out of the jam!</div><div>3) Rip the hem of the bib.</div><div>4) The fox had its cub in the den.</div><div>5) Don his a tin can in the hut.</div><div> </div><div>We then covered lesson 14.</div><div> </div><div>In lesson 14, we practiced alphabetizing, and rhyme. We alphabetizing five words together on the board. We practiced rhyming by hearing two words and then creating three more words that rhymed with them. </div><div> </div><div>We then learned about Consonant Blends, which are : two or more adjacent consonants whose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sounds</span> blend smoothly together.<br /><br />the "r" blend family = gr, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">cr</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>, fr, tr, pr, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">br</span></div><div> </div><div>We practiced our letters with our reading deck, naming the letters, keywords, and sounds. We emphasized on consonant blends and utilized a student worksheet. We learned more high frequency words : run, end, left, help, next and more learned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">words</span> : from. America, Texas.</div><div> </div><div>I also introduced the students to commands which gives an order. It always begins with a capital letter and ends with a period. </div><div> </div><div>We practiced spelling by writing out words and focused on k and c in initial and medial position. We practiced with another student worksheet.</div><div> </div><div>Rule : K before e, and i</div><div>C before a, o, u, and any consonant.</div><div> </div><div>Observing my students communucation skills are very interesting. Also, the interpersonal relationship and connection I am building with a lot of them is awesome. After class, I usually stay to talk with them about their lives and what is going on with them. Having these students has been an amazing experience.</div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-44131200402220689732011-09-22T05:52:00.000-07:002011-09-23T05:56:51.183-07:00Tuesday, September 13<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99okeX8M-fM/TnyB6RI5v5I/AAAAAAAAAHg/2GmCey8SfFM/s1600/2011-09-22%2B13.17.33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655538070103637906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99okeX8M-fM/TnyB6RI5v5I/AAAAAAAAAHg/2GmCey8SfFM/s320/2011-09-22%2B13.17.33.jpg" /></a>On Tuesday, my co-instructor Walter taught class. I assisted with our students and helped out throughout the lesson. After the lesson I stayed after and worked with one of our students, and also created flip charts for our class room. I have been creating flip charts with all the important information/details from each lesson and hanging them up around our classroom for our students to better understand/to reinforce the topics covered.<div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Walter covered a drill for after lesson 11 and lesson 12.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">In the drill the students practiced listening. Walter gave a sequence of sounds, the students were then instructed to listen and write the letters that made those sounds in the correct sequence.<br />Example - (p) (n) (i), (f) (u) (a)</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Covered these.<br />(m) (t) (b) (k) (z) (o) (j) (i) (g) (u) (r) (b)<br />(a) (h) (y) (w) (e) (i) (p) (l) (o) (t) (s) (m) (u) (g)</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Next, they worked on reading short e, and used a student worksheet. The worksheet involves words that include the same vowels but have different initial and final sounds.</div><div align="left">Example - fed, men, get, peg</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">They then practiced words that had different vowels, but the same initial and final sounds.<br />Example - lag, lug, leg </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">They practiced 26 sets all together. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">To practice spelling, they covered different words and had to spell them.<br />jib, nap, sep, log, pab, elk, asp, gag, luz</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Each student then had to write out these sentences:<br />Ed had ham.<br />The red rat ran up the pot.</div><div align="left">Can I sit on the bin?</div><div align="left">The hog is at the bed!</div><div align="left">Jan fed the cat in the den.</div><div align="left">Ten men had a bet.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">To work on structure and accent, the students were read words and asked to accent them.</div><div align="left">remark, program, permit, remember, student, dictation, regret, practice.</div><div align="left">After - students were told that each of these words had more than on syllable and which syllable had the accent.</div></div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-79140853404778102282011-09-12T15:55:00.000-07:002011-09-12T16:40:50.983-07:00September 6<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPV9Xkutis/Tm6Yc0oNS6I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/KTyCNl-003I/s1600/remember_911.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651622203327597474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPV9Xkutis/Tm6Yc0oNS6I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/KTyCNl-003I/s320/remember_911.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#009900;">Tuesday, September 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span></span> was an exciting and challenging day for me as a facilitator/instructor. It was the first day for me to conduct a drill with my students. A drill covers all the topics we have gone over in the lessons before hand.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I was teaching the drill for after lesson 8, which included everything from the previous lessons. When doing the drill, you do not have the video tape, and you teach with a small amount of notes. I tried to prepare the best I could before class and think it went pretty well.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">In the drill we covered the three vowels a, i, and o. I instructed my students to echo the word I said, and then give the vowel sound. After this, my students had to give me the actual name of the vowel. We used the words : <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">mon</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sab</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">rog</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">tim</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">vik</span></span></span>, lat, dis, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">fal</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">hin</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">bon</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">hak</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">pob</span></span></span>.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">After this short drill we worked on a reading worksheet and moved to spelling. With the spelling drill I instructed my students to echo and write each syllable after I said them. The approach we use always uses the technique look & listen, echo, name & write. The words we used were : <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">fam</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">fim</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">fom</span></span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">nop</span></span></span>, nip, nap. Each of these words helps to sound out and name the three vowels we have learned so far in our lessons.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Next, I dictated sentences and instructed my students to echo and write them.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">The three sentences were:</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">1) Hop to the mat.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">2) The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">gam</span></span></span> is in the bin.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">3) Dan bid on the pot.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">4) in the pot.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">This exercise uses our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">learned</span> words and syllables.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">This drill also included a homework sheet to practice the short vowels a, i, and o.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">After our drill, I facilitated lesson 10. In lesson 10 we went over letters in the Missing Letter Deck. For example, l, ,n. Which letter should go in the middle? -- m. We also covered accent, and accenting the missing letters.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>An accent is the stress or emphasis <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">given</span> to a syllable.</em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;">A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.</span></em><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">We then covered <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">multisyllable</span></span> words, and practiced removing/dropping the last syllable. We used the words : ac(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">cept</span></span>), gal(lop), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tenness</span></span>(see), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">tele</span></span>(scope), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">calen</span></span>(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">dar</span></span>).</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">In New Learning we covered new consonants x, y, and z, & their key words, box, yacht, and zipper. For the auditory discrimination section I read different words, and my students had to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">echo</span> and identify the position of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">different</span> sounds as initial, medial, or final.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">(x) = box, hex, fix, next</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">(y) = yak, yoke, yawl</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">(z) = <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">zag</span></span>, zeal, zest</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">For reading, we covered the daily reading deck, and my students named the letters, key words, and sounds. We focused on words with the new consonants x, y, and z. We used a student worksheet to code and read syllables together and learned next high frequency words and learned words.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">high frequency : I</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">learned : to, do, of, you, put</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">We also covered the difference between telling and asking sentences.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>A <strong>telling sentence</strong> gives information. It beings with a capital letter and ends with a period. An <strong>asking sentence</strong> asks for information. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a question mark.<br /><br /></em></span><span style="color:#009900;">I was in Salt Lake City, Utah and missed September 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, which included drill for after lesson 10 and lesson 11. Walter, my co-instructor conducted that class. He will also be teaching tomorrow, on Tuesday, September 13<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, and I will conduct class on Thursday, September 15.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I would like to take a moment to remember all of the innocent people lost in the September 11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> terrorist attacks 10 years ago, and use this blog to spread positivity and inspiration to people going through hard times in life. 9/11 - never forgotten, always remembered.</span>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-17981420618814572632011-09-06T13:08:00.000-07:002011-09-12T15:54:59.786-07:00September 1<div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649342029311515394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuNnIM1YdSQ/TmZ-pOfMGwI/AAAAAAAAAG4/vzHlZgRcKfI/s320/2011-09-06%2B13.33.06.jpg" /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong>Our classroom</strong></span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">I conducted my first class independently on Thursday, September 1st. I taught both lessons 8 and 9. We had a pretty full classroom, and it was exciting and nerve-wrecking to conduct my first class, on my own, for the first time. In the end, it all turned out okay and was a successful class.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">began</span> our class with lesson 8. In lesson 8 we covered the alphabet, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">multisyllable</span> words, and producing the final syllable. The tape and I would say a partial word, and the students would complete it by adding a syllable. Examples : <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">helicop</span> = helicopter, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">motorcy</span>(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">cle</span>), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">escala</span>(tor), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">alligat</span>(tor), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">celebra</span>(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">tion</span>), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">televisi</span>(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">sion</span>), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">dictionar</span>(y), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">eleva</span>(tor), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">thermome</span>(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">ter</span>).<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">We also covered and learned new consonants j, v, and w, & their key words jungle, vest, and web. We covered how the write the letters and how to pronounce them. We practiced echoing and identifying the sound in initial position by utilizing the words : jasper, wicker, valid, joust, vellum, and weep.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">To learn and practice reading we went over our daily reading deck and practiced reading words with our new consonants j, v, and w. We utilized a worksheet and also covered some high frequency and learned words.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">High frequency words : if, big, will, got, not, on, off, man, ask, go, no, so<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Learned words: of, to, do</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">We also practiced spelling out words and isolating sounds in syllables. We used our colored blocks to represent sounds. The students listened and echoed each word, isolated the sounds, and represented each sound with a different colored block. We went over the nonsense words : <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">rog</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">bon</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">dosp</span>, flop, mom, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">stog</span>.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">In lesson 9, we split the alphabet in two and went over the two different halves. A - M and N - Z. The students named and indentified which half of the alphanet the letter belonged in. We then covered the sound system and syllables. The students were given words, and were asked to count to the syllables. Words used : blowout, Dracula, equator, patriotic, individual, mosquito, swamp.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">They then practiced isolating the first syllable with the words : (ze)bra, (dim)ple, (bi)cycle, (vol)cano, (mocca)sin, (luna)tic, (thun)der.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">We then went over a new letter, short vowel u, and the key word umbrella. To practice reading we went through our daily reading deck, named the letters, key words, and sounds. We practiced reading words with the syllables u, a, o, and , and we covered a student worksheet.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">We learned the High Frequency words but, up, us and the Learned words you, and put, and covered the definition of a sentence.</span><br /><br /></span><em><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.<br /><br /></span></em><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">To practice spelling we wrote out words and practiced echoing, isolating the final sound in words, and writing them. We used another student worksheet and covered the words : tint, bab, tisp, gad, nog, and gam.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">Moving along in the lessons, I can see the progress of our students. After teaching my first lesson I felt pretty confident, but I know it's all a learning process. One of my students told me she really enjoyed class with me, and it melted my heart. Giving back, and helping others is one thing I know I want to be doing for the rest of my life. Knowing that my students are learning English and literacy skills is so amazing. I can only hope that this class helps them function outside of classroom, in their personal and public lives. </span></span></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-30642051954626705342011-09-01T14:18:00.000-07:002011-09-01T14:45:19.603-07:00Day 8<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcIEXdu2dz4/Tl_3SI13VrI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tedVMSzARMI/s1600/308102_2028492277992_1414620271_31981401_2792138_n.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647504348729005746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcIEXdu2dz4/Tl_3SI13VrI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tedVMSzARMI/s320/308102_2028492277992_1414620271_31981401_2792138_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"> <strong>ABRP Instructors - Kim Galati, Walter Pierce, & Myself</strong></span>
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<br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">
<br />August 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> marked the fourth day of class. We did our first drill and covered lesson 7. The drills we have cover and summarize topics we learn in the lessons before hand. So before the 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> we covered lessons 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 5 so on the 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> we did the drill for after lesson 6 and lesson 7.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">In the drill for after lesson 6, we covered what syllables are, and why we need vowel sounds. We also discussed and practiced different kinds of syllables and vowels.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">The exact drill was - "I will say a syllable, you echo, isolate the vowel sound and then tell me the name of the vowel that makes that sound. (Do the first dew as a group, then call on individual students.) Syllables practiced = <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">tif</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">lin</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">taf</span>, bid, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">tav</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">lan</span>, pit, tap.
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<br />A</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">fter the drill we covered learned words, which are words that are not pronounced as they are written. (a, the, of)
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">For auditory practice the students were instructed to listen to a series of sounds, and then were asked to identify them as same or different. We utilized the colored blocks for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">multisensory</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">approach</span>, and used different colors to represent each sound.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">We then practiced <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">initial</span> sounds by saying a word, having the students echo the whole word, then saying the sound we hear in the initial position. After this, we went over the letter that made the sound. Words practiced = run, nut, mouse, date, toy, sent, page, kitten, pin, axe, book, bike</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">We then practiced the final sound by doing the same thing for the initial sound. Words practiced = stump, mud, Jim, putt, hook, smell, step, flat, pig, roof, half, round, can
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">We covered reading by utilizing a worksheet that allowed the students to read down and across the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">word list</span>. Each <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">student</span> was assigned to one row.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">The last thing we covered in our drill was dictated spelling and single syllables. Students were directed to listen to a word or syllable, echo it, and then say the vowel whose sound they heard in the medial position of the word. They were then directed to listen to a syllable echo it, and write it in the blanks provided.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">This drill covered all the topics taught in lessons 1-6.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000099;">In lesson 7 we practiced isoltating the first and last syllables, listening and echoing multisyllable words, and we introduced short vowel o with the key word octopus.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000099;">It's so wonderful to see the students picking up on the langauge, engaging in the video and the lessons, asking questions, and expanding their english literacy skills.</span></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-62115074096346660692011-08-30T11:25:00.000-07:002011-09-01T14:16:39.161-07:00August 23 - The Day I Turned 22<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flYHNkqU9BE/Tl1gTNkW1-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/ZjPsyNMzMi4/s1600/adult_literacy.bmp"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646775390968403938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flYHNkqU9BE/Tl1gTNkW1-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/ZjPsyNMzMi4/s320/adult_literacy.bmp" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">August 23 marked the second day of class, it also was my birthday.
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<br />We had 10 students show up for class and we covered two lessons. We covered lesson 3 and 4. In these two lessons we went over many literacy topics including: the alphabet, the before position, reading left to right, sequencing plastic colored letters in alphabetical order and reading them each out loud, counting syllables and defining monosyllables and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">multisyllables</span>.
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<br />We also learned new consonants including n, l, and d, and identifying the initial and final positions of sounds in words. We defined what closed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">syllables</span> are and how to determine what a short vowel is. We also covered high <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">frequency</span> and learned words including: it, in, and did, and used our colored blocks to determine same and different sounds. </span>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">We covered the 3 units of sound which are, sounds, words, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">syllables</span>. We introduced short vowel a, and covered the high frequency and learned words the and a. </span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">We always follow the order of:</span>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">1) look & listen</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">2) echo</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">3) name</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">4) write</span>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">From lessons 3 and 4 we can conclude that:</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">monosyllable is a word with one syllable.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">multisyllable</span> is a word with two or more syllables.</span></span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">high <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">frequency</span> and learned words are the most commonly used words. high frequency words follow the regular rules. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">learned</span> words are pronounced differently than their letters <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">indicate</span>.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">a phrase is a group of words that do not express a complete thought (a verb or noun is missing</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">)</span>
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<br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#660000;">Our students seem to be picking up and catching on quickly. It is so inspiring to have them participate, come to class, and be engaged. It is very gratifying and humbling to be able to serve such people in our community. I am very thankful for this opportunity and am learning a lot about myself and teaching. </span></div></div>
<br />Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-58621168122112385402011-08-22T06:26:00.000-07:002011-08-30T11:25:39.026-07:00Day 6<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XFU-dxGyDc/TlJcunGt7mI/AAAAAAAAAGg/xktjAfLvsmg/s1600/oneoutoffive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 261px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643675238889549410" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XFU-dxGyDc/TlJcunGt7mI/AAAAAAAAAGg/xktjAfLvsmg/s320/oneoutoffive.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last Thursday, August 18<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> marked the first day of class. Students began arriving around 10:00 because class started at 10:30.
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<br /></div><div face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </div><div face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">It was so nice to meet everyone and get to know new faces and names. We had 11 students total, some people repeating the class, and others fresh beginners. Everyone made their way into class, and we all introduced ourselves. Once, we were all settled we began our lesson.
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<br /></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">We covered two lessons in our session which included: the alphabet, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">identifying</span> same and different sounds, syllables, coding vowels blocked by a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consonant</span> with a breve, short vowel i, and consonants t, p, and s.
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<br /></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lesson</span> is a video and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">multi-sensory</span>. The students use a plastic alphabet and colored blocked to determine same and different sounds. The approach is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">multi-sensory</span> so the students are using more then one sense to learn these literacy skills. I observed the first lesson, and jumped in to help students who seemed behind or struggling. I will be observing and slowly beginning to teach lessons this upcoming week.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-9808241016373409722011-08-02T17:37:00.000-07:002011-08-04T12:18:17.695-07:00Day 5<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyxoLAlgnQ/Tjia7hOESjI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9qltISWJYg4/s1600/adultstudents.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 185px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636425280974506546" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TyxoLAlgnQ/Tjia7hOESjI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9qltISWJYg4/s320/adultstudents.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;">Today was an exciting day at work. We had a screening session for another one of our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ABRP</span> classes. I got to work and got started preparing for the screenings.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;">Around noon, people started arriving. During the screening I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">administered</span> the Gray-Oral Reading Test. We give four tests including a Diagnostic Decoding Survey, the IOTA Word Test, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gillingham</span>/Child's Proficiency Scale, and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gray</span>-Oral Reading Test. Each of the people must take each of these tests and from here we can see which class they should be in.</div><div face="verdana" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;"> </div><div face="georgia" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-family: verdana;">After we screening all seven students, I learned how to grade the tests, and completed all grading. From these scores we can accurately place these students in the correct class ASAP.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">One student was especially inspiring today. She told me how she does not want to work dead-beat jobs anymore and how she is so motivated to get an education. She also explained how she was raised in the "hood" and how her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Ebonics</span> is flawed because of that. She explained how she wants to be able to speak in her neighborhood and also be able to speak in a professional setting. It was interesting to see intercultural communication and code-switching play out in real life. We then discussed the term code-switching, and she said she wants to be able to do it in her everyday life. She also told me she was VERY excited to be in this class, and is excited and determined to learn.<br /><br />It was a very gratifying and honorable moment. It's so crazy to interact and really reflect and learn from our students.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-91633328523274545642011-07-28T11:57:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:48:14.397-07:00Day 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6d9sRt5Xmc/TjG2wxEWx9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/FZ8T04jky90/s1600/literacy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6d9sRt5Xmc/TjG2wxEWx9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/FZ8T04jky90/s320/literacy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634485557738784722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >As I sat at work today, I felt feelings of nervousness and excitement. August is just around the corner, this means that my class starts soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Today I sent out letters to the students I called last week about our next screening on August 2nd. It really amazes me how many people in our community are in need of literacy assistance. Not having the skill of literacy would be like trying to navigate a dark room without a light. Think about your everyday life, and how many times you read something. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Try this exercise for the day:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Take a small pad of paper and a pen along with you for the day. Every time you read something, anything at all, put a tally mark on your pad of paper. At the end of the day, count all your tallies. This will really make you realize how many times you utilize your reading skills, and how much literacy and reading skills impact people on a day-to-day basis.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >After I stuffed the envelopes with all the information about the screening, I watched more of the lessons I will be teaching, and made a phone call to a potential adult student. Not only will I be obtaining pedagogical skills during my time here, I am also gaining organizational and leadership skills.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> it is the only thing that ever has."</span> -Margaret Mead</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-12701780216211505712011-07-26T15:07:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:39:42.832-07:00Day 3<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWJoirjz6gU/Ti89NYLveUI/AAAAAAAAAGA/vs41HzTW42Q/s1600/495px-MKGandhi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 265px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633788958903073090" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWJoirjz6gU/Ti89NYLveUI/AAAAAAAAAGA/vs41HzTW42Q/s320/495px-MKGandhi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Today was a good day! I woke up feeling energized and excited. Got to see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bon</span> Iver in concert in Indy last night, it's amazing how much music can impact the soul and ignite passion.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I arrived to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LNGC</span> and got to work. I put together the letters to my students to mail to them, and burn each lesson onto <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">CD's</span> for the other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ABRP</span> instructor to have. After I sealed all the letters, and got all the 45 lessons burnt onto <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">CD's</span>, I called the other students on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ABRP</span> waiting list.</div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">People call our Literacy Link <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Hotline</span> (513-621-7323) if they feel like they need help with literacy skills, of if they know someone who needs help. From these calls we can gather people's needs and either help them through out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">services</span> or refer them to other locations in Cincinnati who provide literacy and other educational classes.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I had about 25 calls to make to see if people could make it to our next screening.</div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Before a student enrolls in a level 1 or level 2 class, they must attend a screening session. At the screening we administer four reading tests to see what level they should be placed in. From there, they are either placed in the level 1 or 2 class or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">referenced</span> elsewhere<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Our next screening session will be held on August 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span>, with three sessions at 1, 2, and 3pm. Out of the 25 phone calls, I got 10 confirmed students.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Making the phone calls and interacting with the students is one of the most eye-opening experiences. It was so great to speak with students who are eager and ready to get class going.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">On my drive home, I was reflecting on my life, and thought "DAMN, how great it is to help others." Then I thought, if everyone in the world would just pay it forward, and help one other person daily, we could make some BIG changes.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"We need to be the change we wish to see in the world."</span> -Mahatma Gandhi</div><div> </div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-9143244342013224492011-07-21T15:46:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:31:33.840-07:00Day 2<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-3FQFGBqhE/Tiiu4W5NRrI/AAAAAAAAAF4/LfsDlAIY8cQ/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 270px; height: 170px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631943617268238002" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-3FQFGBqhE/Tiiu4W5NRrI/AAAAAAAAAF4/LfsDlAIY8cQ/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">During my adventure at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LNGC</span> today, I worked with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ABRP</span> coordinator to get the ball rolling on our classes. It is very exciting to think that I will be conducting and teaching my first class ever in the next couple of weeks.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">We concluded on a start date (which will be August 18<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>.) I got my lesson plan together, and have every lesson set up from August 18 until January 19<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. Once my lesson plans were complete, I edited our students info in our database and made personal phone calls to each of them to let them know when class is starting. It was such an interesting task to make phone calls to our students, because some are foreign, a lot have disconnected phones, and others use their relatives or grandparents phones to make calls. Coming from a middle-class family, it really opens my eyes to see how people in lower social economic status situations function and communicate. It makes me realize how many things I take for granted in my life, including a simple technological tool such as a cell phone. Talking to the students on the phone is not only a challenge, in some situations, but very gratifying. It is interesting to talk to them and hear in their voices how excited they are for class to start, and how much they urge to learn.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Next week we will be sending out letters with all the class information to our students, and will be creating a contract for our students.</div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Until next week, happy weekend! :)<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-style: italic;"> </div><div style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"He who opens a school door, closes a </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">prison</span><span style="font-style: italic;">." </span>-Victor Hugo</div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-90475949824983056032011-07-19T15:19:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:29:18.377-07:00Day 1<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlNjbogKAQ0/TiYGQSz0qsI/AAAAAAAAAFw/AMe1XZO47Yw/s1600/14145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 306px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631195261070256834" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlNjbogKAQ0/TiYGQSz0qsI/AAAAAAAAAFw/AMe1XZO47Yw/s320/14145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">So, today marks my first day back at LNGC. I worked in Communications at LNGC in 2010 and 2011, before returning to become the Adult Literacy Services Associate Instructor.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Today, I arrived to the classroom, and watched some of the videos of the lessons I will be teaching to our students. The ABRP classes will start in August and will be conducted twice a week for two hours each session. The classes will go on for 5 1/2 months, and we hope the majority of our students will graduate. I will be teaching the level 1 ABRP class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I am projected to have around 21 students. While sitting and watching the ABRP videos, I was thinking about all the adults in our country and in the world who are illiterate or struggle with basic literacy skills. It amazes me that people can be passed through school when they obviously are not reading at grade level. I am very excited to start this pedagogical journey and learn from my students.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </div><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">After watching some of the lessons and familiarizing myself with them I sat in on a tutoring session. The tutoring session was very eye-opening. The program coordinator of ABRP worked with a woman from Somalia on the alphabet. It is so eye-opening to realize that many people in our country do not even know simple things such as the alphabet, and how it is even more of a struggle for people from other countries to learn our English language. Having the opportunity to meet her and spend an hour of my day with her was so gratifying. We got to talk about her life, her job, her family, and her children. It's so great to interact with and learn about different kinds of people and to really get the interpersonal communication going on. I think if we all just tried to be a bit more empathetic, or tried to "walk in someone else's shoes" maybe the world would be a better place. It's just very wonderful knowing that just maybe what I am doing twice a week is and will impact someone else's life in a positive manner. I think this is an important aspect of life people forget about a lot of the time while trying to function, live, and just "make it" in our fast-paced society. I look forward to many more experiences and learning more not only about teaching, and my students, but also about myself.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"The true aim of every one who aspires to be a teacher should be, not to impart his own opinions, but to kindle minds." </span>- F. W. Robertson</div></div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-20919233757354956792010-07-13T08:02:00.000-07:002010-07-13T08:35:06.947-07:00Wrapping up my Barbie World Experience!<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I have really enjoyed my online virtual world experience. It was interesting to see what occurred in Barbie World and also to read about what my classmates were experiencing. I had never participated in a virtual world before so it was interesting to actually create an avatar and participate in the world. Even though Virtual Barbie is more for young girls I could still examine identity, race, gender, and sexuality. It was very intriguing to see what the Barbies talked about and discussed with one another. I kept thinking what this virtual world was teaching young girls in our society the entire time I was in there. It’s so interesting to see that these younger girls already truly valued things like appearance, beauty, materialistic items, and clothing. The world pretty much reinforces every stereotype of what “feminine” is in our society. Young girls are learning ideologies of what is accepted in our society by just participating in a virtual world.</span><br /><p style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" class="MsoNormal">People who participated in other virtual worlds of course experienced different things compared to me. I know a lot of people who were in Habbo Hotel and Second Life experience many sexual things while I did not see any sexual acts or nudity. As I mentioned in my Sexuality post sexuality was still present in Barbie World but no sexual acts were performed (that I saw). In other worlds my classmates saw nudity and many people experienced occasions associated with sex. I think the topics of examine identity, race, gender, and sexuality can be viewed/observed in any situation or virtual world. The degree of these topics varied from each person’s virtual world experience.</p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" class="MsoNormal">I learned that we are all automatically socialized through our cultural mediums like the internet, TV, movies, books, etc. Even though I participated in a virtual world for younger girls they already knew how they should look/act to be beautiful and accepted into “womanhood.” The image of the “perfect, thin, beautiful body with boobs” was all the young girls could be in this virtual world. From reading other classmates posts I think it is prevalent that the idea of the “perfect male or female” was present. I know in World of War craft the female avatars were curvaceous and skinny while the male avatars were muscular and “manly.” People create avatars in these online worlds and the stereotypes and images of what is accepted and viewed in positive light in our society is reinforced. One question I am left wondering is if there are different virtual worlds that pertain to one area/country in particular? For example, there are some areas that view larger women in a very positive light and having fat on your bones is beautiful. I wonder if there was a world just for an area/culture like this if the avatars would only be larger. The hegemonic ruling class and what is viewed as “beautiful” in our society is just reinforced in these virtual worlds. I think this was obvious in Virtual Barbie and also in World of War craft and Second Life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Overall, the topics of identity, gender, race, and sexuality were present in all of our virtual world experiences. It was very intriguing to read about others experiences and observations compared to my own. I learned a lot about how these ideologies are being created and reinforced in our society and also to analyze what messages mass mediums in our society are sending to not only myself but the people around me. I think it would be nice if we had more messages of accepting and owning your body and not trying to adjust it to be skinny and thin. I don't know who came up with the idea that skin and bones was beautiful but I personally know that is not healthy. I think we should all start to analyze how not only ourselves but our younger generations are being socialized and try to change some of the ideologies of our society.</span><br /></p>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-17895636786453244502010-07-07T13:12:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:19:23.858-07:00Gender Identity.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDTgqQNlOJI/AAAAAAAAAE8/guhnksIurdg/s1600/20100203-tows-paul-kimberly-1-300x205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491260862182537362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDTgqQNlOJI/AAAAAAAAAE8/guhnksIurdg/s320/20100203-tows-paul-kimberly-1-300x205.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#ff0000;">It's so weird that all these things we have been talking about in class keep popping up on television shows I have been watching. Even if you don't like Oprah, her show today exemplified and explained the idea of gender identity and how people can feel trapped in the wrong gender/body. This show really opened my eyes to the concept of gender identity.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Click the link below to read more about Paul, a high school football star who later on in life became Kimberly.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Filmmaker-Kimberly-Reeds-Transgender-Transition"><span style="color:#ff0000;">http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Filmmaker-Kimberly-Reeds-Transgender-Transition</span></a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">VERY INTERESTING STUFF!</span>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-53592597702592539352010-07-07T07:33:00.000-07:002010-07-07T07:37:51.896-07:00That 70's Show.<span style="color:#330099;">I was watching That 70's Show last night and it made me think of our class discussion yesterday. Go to 3:18 in the video in particularly! I love Donna!! Funny, but interesting!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-HC-x6jmpc&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-HC-x6jmpc&NR=1</a>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-4773816836749920262010-07-04T13:25:00.001-07:002010-07-04T13:29:39.140-07:00GENDER!Well here's an update since my last blog -- I am now officially allowed back into Barbie World. I don't know if maybe there was a glitch or what? I no longer feel like a total creep which is good and now I can explore around more to truly examine and write this blog about gender.<br /><br />Happy 4th of July everyone! While exploring around Barbie World I entered a room where the Barbie who lived in the room demand everyone to wear red, white, and blue to enter. She blocked the entrance to her room with three red, white, and blue garbage cans. Here is a screen shot of my 4th of July look, and of the room with the red, white, and blue cans blocking the entrance. I changed my look and hair to see if people would communicate with me differently but as I am coming to find out the topic of communication is pretty lame in Barbie World. No one really talks and if they do it’s typically about clothes and physical appearance.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDubLkSc-I/AAAAAAAAAEs/nKmBAGN0N5A/s1600/fourthroom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490150096493507554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDubLkSc-I/AAAAAAAAAEs/nKmBAGN0N5A/s320/fourthroom.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDuW1zgOPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/UTPFOZB_bVg/s1600/fourth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490150021932267762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDuW1zgOPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/UTPFOZB_bVg/s320/fourth.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gender is defined as what is in between your ears while sex is defined as what is in between your legs. Gender has to do with the ideas of femininity and masculinity and what someone thinks of them self. Gender is also socially constructed by talking with others, and determining how others view you. Gender is overall how someone views them self in terms of being feminine or masculine. There are many biological males who feel very feminine rather than masculine and many females who feel more masculine than feminine. An example of this would be a cross-dresser or drag queen. They are biologically males but feel feminine so they dress in female clothing like dresses and skirts and wear makeup. Gender is a hard thing to decipher especially in Virtual Barbie. I cannot really talk to these avatars about how they view their own gender or what they think of gender in general and it’s hard to tell just from an avatars appearance.<br /><br />In Barbie World every avatar has to be female so there is no room for cross-dressing or gender changes. While adventuring around a lot of the world is pink and very feminine music is playing in the back ground. When communicating with other avatars I tend to find that they focus a lot on appearance including clothes and accessories. In one of the avatars rooms I visited they even had a mirror contest. The Barbies would take turn sitting in front of the mirror and then the other Barbies would say things like “you’re so pretty” and stuff like that. This is just implying that all females must be feminine and that if a biological female feels more masculine then it is not allowed/accepted. Many girls who enter this world are just learning that the ultimate idea of femininity is all about pink, butterflies, clothes, makeup, and ultimately girlhood. A girl who felt more inclined to playing sports and was a “tom boy” could possibly feel ashamed of her interests because it is nonconventional to what a “normal, feminine, girl” enjoys. I think this virtual world plays into the idea of ultra femininity, and that all girls have to be totally feminine and not at all masculine to be accepted. You can’t engage in physical sports in Barbie World and never come into contact with anything pertaining to masculinity. Virtual worlds like this can be sending messages to young children on how to behave based upon their sex when maybe their gender is telling them something different. This can lead to many unhappy people in our society. An example could be a male who feels like a woman (gender) but is trapped in a male body (sex). Learning what gender is supposed to go with which sex at a young age can lead many people to feel lost and unaccepted in the world.<br /><br />Here's a fun photo of an AWESOME chair I found in someone's room. (This has nothing to do with gender, I just thought it was nifty!)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDu4jEG4uI/AAAAAAAAAE0/bXmqQToJ0Hg/s1600/awesomechair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490150601017189090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TDDu4jEG4uI/AAAAAAAAAE0/bXmqQToJ0Hg/s320/awesomechair.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>CLASS QUESTION:<br />How do you think gender is portrayed in our contemporary media? Do you think we are exposed to enough stories about drag queens, gays, and bisexuals? Do you think that if our popular media included more gays, transsexuals, bisexuals, and cross dressers we would find it more accepting and in return not judge people who fall into these categories as much? Do you think people should be more exposed to the idea of gender, and what it actually means?</strong><br /><div></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-38158096659969701122010-07-03T08:15:00.000-07:002010-07-03T09:44:21.556-07:00Sex & Candy or shall I say Sex & Barbie?<span style="color:#006600;">While adventuring through the pink virtual world of Barbie I have been observing the other avatars around me. Each avatar has a curvaceous body with fully formed boobs. The image of "sex appeal" is present subliminally. We don't see avatars performing sexual acts in Barbie World but the avatars are fairly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sexualized</span></span>. The body shape of every avatar is the same and cannot be adjusted like I talked about in my Identity blog. This gives every girl a curvy, sexy avatar to call their own.</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9YGA88BLI/AAAAAAAAADk/qyElyZieC3Y/s1600/ballerina.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489703331145974962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9YGA88BLI/AAAAAAAAADk/qyElyZieC3Y/s320/ballerina.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9XcHiqjCI/AAAAAAAAADE/_hcF8iONXe0/s1600/sexy.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489702611360320546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9XcHiqjCI/AAAAAAAAADE/_hcF8iONXe0/s320/sexy.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> One thing I observed is that during the day the avatars look totally different than the avatars in Barbie World at night. The avatars during the day typically show no midriff and are fairly covered but some of the Barbies at night look pretty risky. Some avatars were showing their stomachs and others had tube tops on (as you can see in the images above). I guess you can change your outfit when you have VIP status because all the “sexier” avatars I saw had obtained VIP! Sexuality is prevalent in Barbie World but you have to search it out. When I was in Barbie World later at night I could access other avatar's rooms. I felt a little creepy but thought I should check it out. In these rooms avatars were dressed more scandalous but no talk/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">discussion</span> of sex went on. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9YB9nkCFI/AAAAAAAAADc/m2uPNNt9hvg/s1600/blue.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489703261531539538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9YB9nkCFI/AAAAAAAAADc/m2uPNNt9hvg/s320/blue.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;">Since the avatars in this virtual world are automatically so curvaceous and pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sexualized</span></span> this could be teaching girls that they must look the same way to be sexy/hot to impress other people. The VIP avatars could change their clothes and in one of the rooms the avatars would hold a “fashion show.” Two people would be the judge and then the other two would change their appearance (hair, face, clothing, etc.) and then they would walk around like a model would walk the cat walk. After this the two judges would judge who they thought was the best and that person would win the modeling contest. In these rooms the focus was on appearance and beauty not on characteristics or interests. This goes to show that the girls playing in this game have already learned that beauty/sexuality is an important thing in our society to survive. Of course I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span></span>’t see anyone having sex or taking their clothes off like in some other virtual worlds but the idea of sexuality is apparent. These girls already know that clothing, make up, and outside appearance is SUPER <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">important</span> to their popularity and to win contests. In another room we had a "couch party" where everyone just sat on the couch and then no one talked (that was pretty weird & really had nothing to do with sexuality). One thing I realized when entering into these other avatars rooms is that you can sit on couches if they have them but you cannot sit/lay on their bed. So yes, the importance of sexuality/appearance can be observed in Barbie World but sexual acts cannot be performed or observed. I think sexuality would be more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">prevalent</span> in the virtual world for adults rather than this world for young girls. I actually tried to sign into my Barbie World account today and I received a message saying I was banned? I don’t know why I would be banned but apparently I am? Maybe being in Barbie World at night allows for suspicion, I don't really know? I really just wanted to see the difference of Barbie World during the day compared to later at night. After seeing that message I felt like the ultimate creep when I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">didn</span></span>’t even do anything creepy? Weird….Maybe it’s a good thing – Barbie World was way to pink for me to begin with! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Haha</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>CLASS QUESTION!<br /><br />Do you think sexuality in our media is prevalent and impacting young children? If, so how do you think images of sexuality shapes children to view not only themselves but the people around them? Do you think that sexuality in our society has a positive or negative impact on young children including boys and girls? Do you think that images of sex/sexuality are hyper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sexualizing</span></span> children growing up in the 21st century?</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9eXUuY-yI/AAAAAAAAAEE/qfJxDXLru-s/s1600/couchparty.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489710225581210402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9eXUuY-yI/AAAAAAAAAEE/qfJxDXLru-s/s320/couchparty.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9exu4I33I/AAAAAAAAAEU/jGeXQYC_kv0/s1600/judge.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489710679278018418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9exu4I33I/AAAAAAAAAEU/jGeXQYC_kv0/s320/judge.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> Here are two screen shots of the modeling and couch party!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9lUlME6OI/AAAAAAAAAEc/R6y5yy7Qi34/s1600/banned.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489717875042478306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TC9lUlME6OI/AAAAAAAAAEc/R6y5yy7Qi34/s320/banned.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> Here's the message I received making me aware that I had been banned from Barbie World!</span>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-49426335246811967212010-06-29T16:33:00.000-07:002010-06-29T21:15:33.196-07:00Race/ethnicities in a world designed for young Caucasian girls?<span style="color:#993399;">Webster’s dictionary defines ethnicity as “ethnic quality or affiliation <aspects>or a particular ethnic affiliation or group.” Race typically is grouped with the work ethnicity. Race is the color of one’s skin while ethnicity is the place where that particular person or person’s ancestors came from. An example of race would be calling me white while an example of ethnicity would be that I am German. Many people want to categorize others just based on their appearance (race) which is hard to do. I personally feel that categorizing someone based on their race rather than asking them their ethnicity is unfair.<br /><br />I am going to discuss my experiences with race in Barbie World since virtually I cannot explain other avatars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ethnicities</span></span> based on their avatars. When entering Barbie World you can other choose very pale to very dark skin. Overall, you can either be white or black in Barbie World which excludes many other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ethnicities</span></span> like Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern. I think this virtual world excludes other little girls from having an avatar to identify with. Characteristics of other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ethnicities</span></span> are left out in this virtual world and basically the only thing you can adjust is skin color. Over all, other races are not included in this virtual world and I think this can relate to their target audience. When Barbie was first created the target audience was particularly young Caucasian girls. Over the years though Barbie has created a lot of different dolls including a black, Hispanic, and oriental Barbie. I really don’t understand why they are not incorporating these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ethnicities</span></span> into their virtual world. It’s not fair for little girls who are oriental or Hispanic who want to be involved in Virtual Barbie. Like I said in my Identity post with little boys not having avatars to identify with the same goes for little girls of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ethnicities</span></span> other than Caucasian and African America. It is nice that Barbie World allows the gamer to adjust their skin tone and that not every avatar has to be white but I think it would be nice if they included other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ethnicities</span></span> of avatars just like they created other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ethnicities</span></span> of Barbie’s over the years. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">This made me think of white & black in our culture. Yes, these two races are the two races that are mostly discussed/considered in our culture. I honestly never see many television shows or read many stories including Hispanic or Middle Eastern people without negative connotations attached to them. Is the negative social stigmas attached to Hispanic and Middle Eastern people hindering them from prospering and living joyful lives here in America? Who created these negative connotations in the first place and is the reason why they are not included in this virtual world is because they are frowned upon/viewed in a negative light in our country? While adventuring around Barbie World I thought how cool it would be to be able to interact with Barbie avatars of all different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ethnicites</span> and to communicate with people all over the world. I think having more diverse ethnic avatars would allow growth and more communication to our young children living in America. People all around the world learn English and learn about our culture, but whose cultures do we really learn about? Maybe if we opened our eyes and our media portrayed positive images of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">minorities</span> and different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ethnicites</span> America would not be as judgemental and harsh. </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">On a lighter note...here are some pictures of Barbie avatars I came in contact with while adventuring in Barbie World. You can see how the skin tones range from light to dark and how the hair type can be altered but that's about it</span><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#993399;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#993399;"><strong>CLASS QUESTION:</strong></span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Do you think that many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">minority</span> groups/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ethnicities</span></span> lack representations in media outlets like virtual worlds, television, novels, films, and on the web? If so, why do you think there is a lack of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">minorities</span> represented in our popular media/pop culture and why?</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#993399;">OR</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Do you think that Barbie World should include other ethnic avatars such a Hispanic, and Asian or do you think the virtual is fine just the way it is only allowing the gamer to adjust skin color from pale to dark?</span></strong></p><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMO6g75EI/AAAAAAAAAC0/iZjBTNVhjok/s1600/AfricanAmerican.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488353283757827138" style="WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMO6g75EI/AAAAAAAAAC0/iZjBTNVhjok/s320/AfricanAmerican.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMfXSWs0I/AAAAAAAAAC8/oEKTOcETqo8/s1600/brownhair.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488353566359204674" style="WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMfXSWs0I/AAAAAAAAAC8/oEKTOcETqo8/s320/brownhair.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMAX8FfwI/AAAAAAAAACk/3izNZWlO37Y/s1600/white.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488353033958293250" style="WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMAX8FfwI/AAAAAAAAACk/3izNZWlO37Y/s320/white.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#993399;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqL3aOTUdI/AAAAAAAAACc/5iKSaFmjFVE/s1600/africana.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488352879952744914" style="WIDTH: 139px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqL3aOTUdI/AAAAAAAAACc/5iKSaFmjFVE/s320/africana.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqLwcmWA8I/AAAAAAAAACU/id-EYar-vi0/s1600/african.jpg"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488352760331371458" style="WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqLwcmWA8I/AAAAAAAAACU/id-EYar-vi0/s320/african.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#993399;"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488353131962916130" style="WIDTH: 104px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCqMGFCNXSI/AAAAAAAAACs/ufMCIDiMhl8/s320/pale.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#993399;"></span>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188941400024957102.post-65090685666254728662010-06-27T10:01:00.000-07:002010-06-27T22:58:00.745-07:00Identity Crisis in Barbie World?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCeEVof9qqI/AAAAAAAAAA8/d19zGCbpCMM/s1600/boy-playing-barbie-250-thumb-250x250.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487500178157841058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ImgBmjfHL0/TCeEVof9qqI/AAAAAAAAAA8/d19zGCbpCMM/s320/boy-playing-barbie-250-thumb-250x250.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ff0000;">When I first entered Barbie World I was asked to create my avatar, which was pretty fun but totally unrealistic. This brought up the idea of Identity in this particular virtual world. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">First I was thinking of the idea of sex. What if there are little boys out in the world that play with Barbies and want to play in Virtual Barbie? There are not avatars that are male or for boys to identify with. I know it is “Barbie World” which is typically associated with girls in our American society but why? Little boys should be allowed to play with Barbie if they please, and they should be allowed to enjoy the virtual Barbie world just like everyone else. There should be male avatars that encompass the male sex. Barbie World is pretty much communicating that only girls are allowed in this world and that boys who play with Barbie are not wanted or allowed in the virtual world.</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">This brings me to my second topic of avatars and identity in virtual Barbie. The avatars available to choose from are so unrealistic to real girls body types…who would have thought?!? (sarcasm) I mean this is “Virtual Barbie” could we really expect the avatars to look realistic. I once read that if Barbie was a real person her intestines would not fit in her stomach and her back would break because of the size of her chest. It’s interesting to view Barbie in real world compared to the avatars you can choose in this virtual world. The avatars kind of look like a mix between an in-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">larged</span></span> Polly Pocket and a strange Barbie. In Barbie World there is only one body type you can choose from which is not good for young girls joining the world. Not every girl joining Virtual Barbie is skinny and they do not allow adjusting of the body type. First, these young girls are buying Barbies which are not exemplifying a true scale of how a human body should be, and then the virtual world also creates a false image of a girl’s body. The avatars in Barbie World even have boobs and the majority of girls entering this world probably do not have boobs yet. I guess the question is: what are these images teaching young girls in our society about their identities?</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Identity shapes an individual’s personality and self-esteem. Our identities make us who we are, and how we view ourselves. In my own opinion I think Barbie and Barbie World are creating images for young girl’s on how they SHOULD look based on society’s standards not how they ACTUALLY look. In our society there is such a huge emphasis on being thin rather than being healthy. Maybe if we had better images for young girls to identify with we could change the view of beauty in our society. It is not healthy for these young girls to think that they need to be skinny to fit in and be beautiful. We should have more of a focus on being healthy and in shape rather than just being skinny. Girls should learn to be comfortable in their own skin and to be proud of what their mothers gave them, rather than trying to conform to a false identity to feel pretty. These avatars can be adjusted some to provide girls with a sense of autonomy and uniqueness but the physique of the avatar can not be adjusted for girls who are larger or skinnier.</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">In the future Barbie World should incorporate male avatars into their world and also create a tool so young girls and others entering the virtual world can adjust/edit their avatars to look more like themselves. I think if they made these changes more girls would feel better about themselves and more comfortable knowing that their outward appearance is accepted in both the virtual and actual world.</span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">CLASS QUESTION : In your own opinion do you think things like actual Barbie dolls and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">virtual</span> worlds like Barbie World impact how younger girls view their own identity and body figures? Do you think that the images of Barbie's physique can impact how young girls create their own image of what beauty is & how they should personally look to be beautiful?</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">OR</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">What are your own views/opinions of boys playing/having Barbies and girls playing/having GI.Joe dolls? Do you think that switching gender specific toys in children is good or bad? </span></strong></span></div>Krystenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554455397915025115noreply@blogger.com3