The Flat Stanley Project

I designed this activity to revolve around the theme of “Island Life”. Since the students are writing to students in Japan, I wanted the content of their letter to focus on what life was like on an island. The students had to share information on their culture or family traditions, and at least one favorite thing they loved to do that they could do only here on Saipan. Another part of the activity, in addition to designing their flat Stanley and writing a letter was an art piece. The students had recently learned about crayon etching, and I just loved how the bright colors resembled an island feeling. So, I had the students design a postcard using crayon etching. The design had to show any aspect of island features. There were a lot of interesting designs the students came up with. Some drew tropical flowers, others drew underwater scenes, and many others did sunsets and beaches. This experience was a fun one. The students loved to share ideas, and were more than willing to share their cultures and family traditions in their letters. There weren’t any negative aspects that I can think of. However, next time, I think I would like to try making a life size Flat Stanley that the whole class works on to design. I just think it would be a lot more fun to do. After doing this service learning experience, I learned that it is very important to be creative with what you are trying to do. There might be one goal you are trying to accomplish, but there are many ways to approach it. The kids really loved the idea about sharing about themselves. Actually, it was their idea to do a culture sharing based letter. I think that the students got to learn a little more about themselves, and I’m pretty sure they’ll learn much more when they finally receive letters from the Japanese students. CHECK IT OUT AT: flat stanley at teachertube> http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=977ac619657ec2eb3ada

Online Resume

This project has exposed me to just another possibility of exposing myself professionally. I hope that sounds right.
One thing to note though, is that one problem I always face is, "What do I put on my resume or professional portfolio?" Honestly, I have always been limited to school only because of my parents. As a result, when I am asked about extra curricular activities or what clubs I've joined, I usually have nothing to put. It wasn't until the start of my college education that I'm actually able to make decisions that will allow me to take part in activities that I can add on my resume.
I plan on continuing this online professional portfolio, and hopefully one day it will be much more than it is today.
CHECK IT OUT...OR AT LEAST WHAT I HAVE...AT http://www.jocelynsresume.weebly.com

Flat Stanley Rubric

Since I have learned about rubrics, I have depended on them greatly to help me assess the activities that I prepare for unit plans that we have to create. It really puts things in perspective when you are trying to figure out how to grade a student. I mean what would you say when your student or a parent asks how is this an “A” or why is that a 90% and that one a 98%. Rubrics really do set clear expectations and explanations. Rubrics not only help me determine grades, but it can also be used to guide students through the activity. Most times, students are not always sure how to complete a task because they keep wondering, “What does she want me to do? What will I be graded on?” Rubrics prepare students, and puts them at ease when they know what to do.
Although rubrics may take time to think through and create, they are a big life saver at the end. It just makes grading easier for the teacher, and clearer for students and parents with questions.
The chose Rubistar to create my Flat Stanley rubric. I used to use something else, I forgot what it’s called, but I chose to use Rubistar because it allowed me to make my own rubric with my own words and so on. The other one that I use is also great, it’s just that you can’t create one with your words. The thing I do like about it though, is that it provides a lot of different types of rubrics, and if you’re not sure what your students should be graded on, it provides the possibilities for you, you just pick which one you want. It is a great rubric maker. However, if you like being original, and want to use your own words, Rubistar allows you to do that, and that’s one thing I like about it.
Check it out at http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=CustomizeTemplateDownloadFile&

Class Newsletter

Communication between parents and teachers –don’t forget the students as well- is very important. Communication is the only way we know what’s going on. When we don’t know the details, confusion starts. Communication is very important in daily life, and, when it comes to school, communication can play a key role in the success or failure of a child. When parents and teachers make the effort to stay in constant communication, the student has a bigger chance of succeeding. Think of it this way. When you let your parents know what going on, you have back up support because when your students gets home, the parent continues and supports whatever it is you informed the parents on.
I plan on using a variety of ways to communicate with parents. One way to communicate with them periodically on class events or news is by newsletter. I think that every teacher is required to provide weekly newsletters. I know it’s required at GTC, and I commend the effort. I plan on providing both a hard copy newsletter for students to take home, and also an online newsletter for those who can access it. However, the online newsletter might provide a bit more information since information can be added as soon as it occurs. As of right now, I feel that blogger, or any other blog generator is a good way for me to post my newsletter or classroom news. I also plan on using e-mail when it applies.
The software I used was Blogger. I chose this because it was something I was already familiar with, and it serves my needs for the newsletter activity. It is also very practical…at least for me.
You can check it out at http://www.jocelynsnewsletter.blogger.com

Engrade is a great tool. I’m not sure about what others think, but I loved it and I do plan on using it when I start teaching. I loved that it enables parents to access their child’s grade at their own convenience. I feel that it is also a great tool for me to use to keep track of student grades, but I think I still have issues trusting the internet a hundred percent. I think I would still have my own personal grade recording system, and use Engrade strictly for allowing parents to view their child’s progress.
I liked all the features I was able to use with Engrade. It fits my needs I guess. The grade book, the calendar, and the citizenship –I’m not sure what else to put. I also really like that you can create the grade settings according to your own personal weighing system or your school’s requirements.
I feel that this software would really be useful for a lot of classroom teachers. The one thing is that I know some teachers hate to conform to technology, and will oppose the whole idea if the administrator asks to have it done. All I know is that I would like to start this at wherever I work, and if any teacher wants to use it, I’ll be more that willing to point them in the direction. I think it’s something that every teacher should consider using. It’s great for teachers, students, and parents.
I’m pretty sure that parents who could access it would really love the idea that they could keep up with their child’s progress whenever they wanted to. Moreover, I’m sure that parents who are willing to learn how to access Engrade would also love the idea. I’m not so sure about the student’s though. I think it really depends on the individual. I’m sure a reason why some students won’t like it is because their parents can keep up with them, and I’m pretty sure that very many kids don’t like that.
My personal opinion is that Engrade is great for how I plan on using it.

Ocean Life Webquest

http://instantprojects.org/webquest/introduction.php?AuthorID=12487

The concept of this Web Quest, as you can tell from the title, is about discovering life in the ocean –more specifically, the waters surrounding the CNMI. Our group chose this topic because we wanted a project that is focused on local issues. Right now, there are a lot of conservation programs going on in the CNMI; many of which are focused on protecting our ocean and the life that exists within, and we felt that this is a great opportunity for students to learn more about their ocean area and how important it is to our community.

The purpose, once again, is basically for awareness. If our students are aware of what we have out there, they’ll have a greater sense of responsibility towards taking care of our sea-life. Overall, learning means awareness, and awareness allows us to make educated decisions. This Ocean Web Quest will surely improve student learning in many ways. First of all, they are learning about their own island’s ocean life. This Web Quest allows the students to not only learn about other ocean regions, but they get a chance to learn about their own since it isn’t offered in the textbooks. In other words, it’s a great supplement when considering local education. Another hopeful outcome of this project is that it will entice the student’s, and will hopefully create individuals who want to take up a profession in conserving and improving the CNMI’s ocean life.

The most important lesson I learned from this activity not only came from the topic we were working on, but I also learned something I think is very valuable. Doing the Web Quest project has given me another tool to help student learning. I realized how much you can do with a Web Quest, and how fun and informational you can make it –all at the same time. The only disappointment I had about this project was that the Web Quest generator we used didn’t offer us much when it came to graphics. I would like to find one, preferably free, that allows me to create a more visually appealing Web Quest. Besides that, the whole experience was great.

What About Me

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jocelyn, and this is my son. This is actually my very first time to have a Blog, and I must admit that it really is a very cool thing. I'm not used to posting stuff about myself on the internet so don't be surprised if my introduction has missing ends. For instance, notice that my description of this picture doesn't share my son's name. It's not unusual to be hesistant about sharing certain information over the net. Who would want to be a victim of identity theft or whatever other threat the net holds? We should all be smart about what we put about ourselves on the internet. It's a cool, but dangerous thing.

Oh, and this other picture is my favorite picture of my dearest fiancee and my one and only son. Yeah, and another little tidbit about me that I'm willing to share is that I'm adding one more son in this ever-growing family.

So with that, I end this introduction of myself. Actually, I should apologize about the lack of information of myself. At least I've shared my thoughts about the internet... maybe that would tell you a little bit about me :)