Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thank You
I just want to thank all of you for a GREAT semester! I really enjoyed working with each and everyone of you as well as getting to know you personally. Each of you have unique gifts and talents that you contributed to our learning community. At the beginning of the semester I was concerned about whether we would be successful at blending the two sections of 205 but through a variety of experiences and encounters I believe we made it. I have learned so much from you this semester and I hope you learned more about becoming an Effective Educator Committed to Professional Growth and School Reform this semester. Good luck to you as you head into blocks III & IV and I look forward to connecting with again in block V.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Social Event
If you would like to celebrate the end of the semester on Tuesday, May 5th from 4-7 pm Dr. Pratt's band Common Denominator will be performing at the Crossroads Lounge in Westville. You must be 21 to attend the event.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Congratulations Block II
On behalf of SEA, I want to congradulate BLOCK 2 for winning this year's Penny War competition by a landslide!!!
Block one= 0.00
Block two= POSITIVE $21.93 WINNER
Block three= -.15
Block four= 5.76
Block five= -.44
Staff= -11.55
Pre-block= -4.47
Total Raised: $71.58.
SEA will be sending adding a few extra dollars so that we can send an even $75.00 to the Outreach to Teach Committee. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING!!!
Please Contact Michelle Ossmann at mossmann@pnc.edu in regards to having a spot in the display case dedicated to you!!!
Thank you again,
Tracy Wylie--SEA President
Block one= 0.00
Block two= POSITIVE $21.93 WINNER
Block three= -.15
Block four= 5.76
Block five= -.44
Staff= -11.55
Pre-block= -4.47
Total Raised: $71.58.
SEA will be sending adding a few extra dollars so that we can send an even $75.00 to the Outreach to Teach Committee. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING!!!
Please Contact Michelle Ossmann at mossmann@pnc.edu in regards to having a spot in the display case dedicated to you!!!
Thank you again,
Tracy Wylie--SEA President
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
PLAYCE Needs Volunteers
The PLAYCE (Purdue Learning About Young Children in Education) club is looking for volunteers to help with a project they have designed for preschool children.
On Monday, April 27 they are having a Safety Carnival from 8:30 am - 4:00 p.m. for preschool children here at the PNC campus. If you can help by volunteering for a part of this day please contact Sandy Chambers at schamb00@pnc.edu and let her know what time you can volunteer.
All volunteers will need to wear their PNC ID.
People are needed for various duties:
popcorn machine
DJ
moonwalks
face painting
games.
On Monday, April 27 they are having a Safety Carnival from 8:30 am - 4:00 p.m. for preschool children here at the PNC campus. If you can help by volunteering for a part of this day please contact Sandy Chambers at schamb00@pnc.edu and let her know what time you can volunteer.
All volunteers will need to wear their PNC ID.
People are needed for various duties:
popcorn machine
DJ
moonwalks
face painting
games.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Response to Intervention (RtI)
Kappa Delta Pi will be conducting an Orientation Meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 5-6pm in Tech 134. Come and find out what Kappa Delta Pi's education club is all about.
The meeting will also feature a presentation by Professor Pratt and student teacher Karen Rolfe on Understanding the Elements of RtI.
Hope to see you there.
The meeting will also feature a presentation by Professor Pratt and student teacher Karen Rolfe on Understanding the Elements of RtI.
Hope to see you there.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Best Practices in Writing
Based on the feedback from Agnieszcka and Laurel's presentation on Best Practices in Writing they have supplied us with the youtube link for writing. I have added it under video clips or you can access it from this post http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=099AAE0AB5AC9182
It is called Peer Review for Writing.
It is called Peer Review for Writing.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Maymester
If you are considering taking a Maymester course I would like to suggest the following courses:
EDCI 27000 This class meets from 10:00-11:50 MTWR and is taught by Dr. Pratt
EDCI 27100 This class meets from 8:00-8:50 MTWR and is taught by Dr. Pratt
EDST 20000 This is a hybrid class and will meet online TWR and on campus each F
EDCI 27000 This class meets from 10:00-11:50 MTWR and is taught by Dr. Pratt
EDCI 27100 This class meets from 8:00-8:50 MTWR and is taught by Dr. Pratt
EDST 20000 This is a hybrid class and will meet online TWR and on campus each F
A Great Deal
PNC will host it's 3rd annual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, April 25th. This year's theme is Everyday Wonders. Any student that would like to attend the conference can get a 50% deduction on registration fees by volunteering 2 hours of their time to help out at the conference. I would encourage all of you to attend the conference and show your commitment to professional development.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
An Inclusive World
I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and I have to say it is a must read. Greg Mortenson is a living example of someone who possesses the philosophical perspective of a social reconstructivist who believes in an inclusive world.
Three Cups of Tea is the story of a failed American mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, who ends up in an impoverished Pakistan village. (There is an adult version of the book, a young adult version of the book, and a picture book all available.) Moved by the kindness of the inhabitants he makes a promise to return and build a school for the uneducated children of the Karakoram village. As of today he has built 78 schools.
Mortenson describes a situation where he is trying to get funding for the school project and sends out 580 letters to celebrities. He only receives $100.00 from Tom Brokaw but somehow a group of elementary school children from River Falls, Wisconsin hear about his project. These elementary students begin collecting pennies for the project which they named Pennies for Peace and donate $623.40 which then inspires adults to begin making donations.
This is what teaching children about an inclusive world looks likes in a classroom or a school. It is children learning empathy for others and making a difference one penny at a time.
Visit http://www.threecupsoftea.com/ to learn more about this incredible story of social inclusion in action.
Three Cups of Tea is the story of a failed American mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, who ends up in an impoverished Pakistan village. (There is an adult version of the book, a young adult version of the book, and a picture book all available.) Moved by the kindness of the inhabitants he makes a promise to return and build a school for the uneducated children of the Karakoram village. As of today he has built 78 schools.
Mortenson describes a situation where he is trying to get funding for the school project and sends out 580 letters to celebrities. He only receives $100.00 from Tom Brokaw but somehow a group of elementary school children from River Falls, Wisconsin hear about his project. These elementary students begin collecting pennies for the project which they named Pennies for Peace and donate $623.40 which then inspires adults to begin making donations.
This is what teaching children about an inclusive world looks likes in a classroom or a school. It is children learning empathy for others and making a difference one penny at a time.
Visit http://www.threecupsoftea.com/ to learn more about this incredible story of social inclusion in action.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Extra Credit Opportunity
The monthly The Brownbag Series on Diversity is in LSF 144 this Wednesday, March 25, at noon.
Jodi James, the Disability Services Coordinator at PNC, will present "Diversity in Disability," which will look at the diversity of characteristics and effects caused by various disabilities that are seen in higher education classrooms. Students within various disability categories have unique characteristics that follow them into the classroom. Jodi will look at these effects and how they can be accommodated so that a student's knowledge is not filtered through their disability. Students and faculty both can learn why certain students are accommodated and how these accommodations work to bring students with disabilities to the same level as their peers.
This extra credit assignment is worth 10 points.
Jodi James, the Disability Services Coordinator at PNC, will present "Diversity in Disability," which will look at the diversity of characteristics and effects caused by various disabilities that are seen in higher education classrooms. Students within various disability categories have unique characteristics that follow them into the classroom. Jodi will look at these effects and how they can be accommodated so that a student's knowledge is not filtered through their disability. Students and faculty both can learn why certain students are accommodated and how these accommodations work to bring students with disabilities to the same level as their peers.
This extra credit assignment is worth 10 points.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Portfolios
The education department recently made a decision to discontinue the portfolios. You will not need to create a portfolio or add to your portfolio if you created one in block I.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Have you filled out your FAFSA?
Deadline: March 10, 2009
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) is a form that students (and their families) can complete online, and is used to calculate their eligibility for financial aid. While certain types of federal aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.) can be included in a student's financial aid package regardless of when the form is filed, there is a deadline to maintain eligibility for certain Indiana aid programs (Frank O'Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholars, etc.). These State grants, which do not need to be repaid, could amount to as much as $6,012 for the 2009-2010 academic year (approximately 30% of the total cost of attending PNC), depending upon a student's need.
Last year, only 35% of PNC students filed their FAFSA before the Indiana deadline. Essentially, two-thirds of PNC students passed up "free money" from the state, relying instead upon either off-campus employment or loans that will represent a lingering debt whether they complete a degree or not.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) is a form that students (and their families) can complete online, and is used to calculate their eligibility for financial aid. While certain types of federal aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.) can be included in a student's financial aid package regardless of when the form is filed, there is a deadline to maintain eligibility for certain Indiana aid programs (Frank O'Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholars, etc.). These State grants, which do not need to be repaid, could amount to as much as $6,012 for the 2009-2010 academic year (approximately 30% of the total cost of attending PNC), depending upon a student's need.
Last year, only 35% of PNC students filed their FAFSA before the Indiana deadline. Essentially, two-thirds of PNC students passed up "free money" from the state, relying instead upon either off-campus employment or loans that will represent a lingering debt whether they complete a degree or not.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
EXTRA CREDIT Opportunity
If you would like to earn 10 extra credit points here is an opportunity for you.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tech 214
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Watch block V students do reader theatre performances. Provide the performers with feedback by completing a feedback form and sharing your opinion of their performance.
Please leave your name on this post if you are interested in this opportunity.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tech 214
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Watch block V students do reader theatre performances. Provide the performers with feedback by completing a feedback form and sharing your opinion of their performance.
Please leave your name on this post if you are interested in this opportunity.
Mid Semester Celebration
Come celebrate making it half way through the semester!!! Let's show our support to Graham Smith, Dave Farris and Dr. Pratt other wise known as Common Denominator- Sunday night March 8, 2009 at 6:oo p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings in Valparaiso- show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the basement.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Behavior Contracts
I have included some websites you may find helpful in creating or deciding on a behavior contract that you might use as a classroom teacher
http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/behavcontract.htm
http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sample_Classroom_Behavior_Contracts
http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/interventions/behavior/behcontr.php
http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/createcontract.htm
http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/behavcontract.htm
http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sample_Classroom_Behavior_Contracts
http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/interventions/behavior/behcontr.php
http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/createcontract.htm
Sunday, February 22, 2009
KDP Event
Who: This meeting is open to all interested education students.
What: Co-President of Kappa Delta Pi, Elizabeth Falbo, will be giving a presentation on how to effectively use a Mini Economy in the classroom. Snacks will also be provided.
Where: Tech Room 134
When: Thursday, February 26th 5:00pm – 6:30 pm
If you can, please RSVP to farrisd@pnc.edu. If you do not, still feel free to come. Snacks may be limited however.
What: Co-President of Kappa Delta Pi, Elizabeth Falbo, will be giving a presentation on how to effectively use a Mini Economy in the classroom. Snacks will also be provided.
Where: Tech Room 134
When: Thursday, February 26th 5:00pm – 6:30 pm
If you can, please RSVP to farrisd@pnc.edu. If you do not, still feel free to come. Snacks may be limited however.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Online Class for Tuesday
After reading Chapter 11 in Including Students with Special Needs respond to the poll and the following questions.
Indicate what some of the tools are that we have as teachers for evaluating students' progress.
What accomodations can be made for students before testing, during testing and after testing?
What are some practices in report card grading that can benefit all students?
What do performance-based assessments measure?
When using portfolio assessments what two skills would you need to teach students with special needs?
Read: Making Accommodations When Evaluating Students with Special Needs on page 437 in the Including Students with Special Needs book.
Select 2 of the four questions to respond to. Indicate (by the number 1,2,3, or 4) which questions you are addressing.
See you all on Thursday.
Indicate what some of the tools are that we have as teachers for evaluating students' progress.
What accomodations can be made for students before testing, during testing and after testing?
What are some practices in report card grading that can benefit all students?
What do performance-based assessments measure?
When using portfolio assessments what two skills would you need to teach students with special needs?
Read: Making Accommodations When Evaluating Students with Special Needs on page 437 in the Including Students with Special Needs book.
Select 2 of the four questions to respond to. Indicate (by the number 1,2,3, or 4) which questions you are addressing.
See you all on Thursday.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
1st Grade Tutoring Position
Looking for an education student who would be willing to be a tutor a first grader in Language Arts and Math! Please contact Carrie Walter at:
cwalter@union.k12.in.us or 759-2544 ext. 4128!!
cwalter@union.k12.in.us or 759-2544 ext. 4128!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
YUMMY Bake Sale
As a community let's support one of our members Sandy Chambers, a club officer for PLAYCE and stop by the PLAYCE (Purdue Learning About Young Children in Education, Early Childhood Club) Bake Sale outside LSF 144 on Wednesday, February 11 between 11:30 and 1:30! Show your support and purchase some yummy treats!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Response to Intervention RTI
After learning about RTI share how you feel about the classroom teacher being responsible for implementing interventions at the Tier I level.
Weather
I hope you all made it home safely. The conditions were extremely bad. What usually is a 12 minute drive to get home took Dr, Pratt and I 1 hour. There were times we couldn't see at all. It was a complete white out. I am glad to report that we did finally get home safe and sound. Share any of your harrowing experiences of trying to get home from campus.
Volunteer Opportunity
Handley School in LaPorte has an after school program for kindergarten through 5th grade students. The program is offered Monday - Friday from 3:15 - 6:00 p.m. They are looking for volunteers who can help with homework, provide remediation, enrichment, snack, recreation, and special programming. Flexible schedule. If interested contact Tara Wiltfong, twiltfon@pnc.edu or 785-5305 for more details.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Another Job Opportunity
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY: Lead Teacher for Summer Program & Teacaher Assistant for Summer ProgramChildren aged 6 years to 12 years (Up to 30 children)Job Qualifications: At least two years of coursework inElementary Education. Significant experience in the fieldmay be considered in lieu of education. Applicant must beable to work full-time for eleven weeks of the summer(June 8, 2009 – August 21). Requires planning someactivities. Some other requirements include: CPR & 1st AidCertification, TB screen, drug screen and criminal & CPSbackground check.Apply in person at:IMAGINATION STATION CHILDDEVELOPMENT CENTERMs. Deborah Chubb, Executive Director1200 E. Coolspring Ave.Michigan City, IN 46360(219) 872-6723
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Service Learning Projects
Let's begin sharing how you are doing with going into a classroom of your choice to work with student(s) who are not considered typical learners. These students are any child the teacher believes would benefit from working with an adult one-on-one or in a small group setting. They are typically the students that do not respond well to whole group instruction.
Keep us posted how the experience is going for you. Please do not identify the child or school by it's real name but use ficticious names. How often have you been visiting? How are you managing your time? What do you think of the school? Tell us about the child/children you are working with. Ask any questions you have about using this experience for the Design Your Own Case assignment and the Teacher Work Sample assignment? As a community we will grow from your experiences and we can also provide support and encouragement to you along the journey.
Keep us posted how the experience is going for you. Please do not identify the child or school by it's real name but use ficticious names. How often have you been visiting? How are you managing your time? What do you think of the school? Tell us about the child/children you are working with. Ask any questions you have about using this experience for the Design Your Own Case assignment and the Teacher Work Sample assignment? As a community we will grow from your experiences and we can also provide support and encouragement to you along the journey.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Get Well Agniesczka
Please take at least a week to recuperate. You deserve it! As a teacher you must take care of yourself first before you can take care of others. Just like the procedure for flying in a plane. If traveling with a child in the case of an emergency put your oxygen mask on first and then help your child. Professor Pratt
Get well soon Agnieska!! We will miss you! Can't wait to see you back in class! Leah Goetz
Hope you're feeling better~ we'll miss you in class!! Take care, Ashley Medley
Agnieska, I hope you're holding up okay! Get well soon so you can come back to class because we'll miss you! =) -Heather Serles
Get Well Soon! Stay warm and get lots of rest:)! -Jen Mohlke
We miss you in class! Get well soon and enjoy a day in bed =] Caity Leverich
Please come back! Its so gosh darn boring here without you im practically sleeping. -Brian
Feel better! It is so sad...you are missing our first 'COOKIES' cookies! Get better by next week!!!~Kristen Strojny
I hope you get well soon! Feel better and we will miss you in class! - Mikayla Dyer
I miss seeing you. Please feel better soon :) - Traci Robertson
Agnieszka, get well soon!!!!!! come back fast?- Jacob HavnerHope you feel better soon. We need to drink some of those margaritas of yours! ;) Becky Baumgartner
Hope you get to feeling better soon! We miss you in class! -Kristina VanWaardenburg
Hope you are feeling better- sandy Chambers
I hope you feel better really soon and make it back to class. We all miss you! Lauren Conley
Take care can't wait to see you back. At least we have tough personal semesters together.Hopefully you are feeling a little better! Try to get some rest, and we will see you on Tuesday next week!- Ryanne
Get well soon Agnieska!! We will miss you! Can't wait to see you back in class! Leah Goetz
Hope you're feeling better~ we'll miss you in class!! Take care, Ashley Medley
Agnieska, I hope you're holding up okay! Get well soon so you can come back to class because we'll miss you! =) -Heather Serles
Get Well Soon! Stay warm and get lots of rest:)! -Jen Mohlke
We miss you in class! Get well soon and enjoy a day in bed =] Caity Leverich
Please come back! Its so gosh darn boring here without you im practically sleeping. -Brian
Feel better! It is so sad...you are missing our first 'COOKIES' cookies! Get better by next week!!!~Kristen Strojny
I hope you get well soon! Feel better and we will miss you in class! - Mikayla Dyer
I miss seeing you. Please feel better soon :) - Traci Robertson
Agnieszka, get well soon!!!!!! come back fast?- Jacob HavnerHope you feel better soon. We need to drink some of those margaritas of yours! ;) Becky Baumgartner
Hope you get to feeling better soon! We miss you in class! -Kristina VanWaardenburg
Hope you are feeling better- sandy Chambers
I hope you feel better really soon and make it back to class. We all miss you! Lauren Conley
Take care can't wait to see you back. At least we have tough personal semesters together.Hopefully you are feeling a little better! Try to get some rest, and we will see you on Tuesday next week!- Ryanne
Friday, January 23, 2009
Job Opportunities
Math Tutoring Position:
There is a 5th grade tutoring position available for a fifth grade female student at Westville Elementary School in Westville. The person who takes this position would set their own hours and fee. Licensed Professional Teacher Tutors receive $35.00 per hour. Please contact Lynette O'Neill @ 462-5178 if interested.
Summer Camp Positions:
The Wisconsin Lion's Camp, is a summer retreat program that is dedicated to providing a quality summer camp experience to children and adults with mild/borderline cognitive disabilities or that have a hearing or sight impairment. This non-profit organization is now accepting applications for its camp staff and they have many very interesting positions, which include:Cabin Counselors (leadership and guidance)Program Counselors (experience in working with children)Art's and Crafts DirectorCORE Director (Challenges in Outdoor Recreation and Education)Nature Director (environmental education)Program Secretary (accounting and customer service)Unit Director (supervision and leadership)Interpreter (deaf and hard of hearing)This is a 12 week program, that may meet field experience hours for a variety of majors. If interested place contact
Natalie Connors, Director of Career Development
LSF 27
nconnors@pnc.edu
785-5498
There is a 5th grade tutoring position available for a fifth grade female student at Westville Elementary School in Westville. The person who takes this position would set their own hours and fee. Licensed Professional Teacher Tutors receive $35.00 per hour. Please contact Lynette O'Neill @ 462-5178 if interested.
Summer Camp Positions:
The Wisconsin Lion's Camp, is a summer retreat program that is dedicated to providing a quality summer camp experience to children and adults with mild/borderline cognitive disabilities or that have a hearing or sight impairment. This non-profit organization is now accepting applications for its camp staff and they have many very interesting positions, which include:Cabin Counselors (leadership and guidance)Program Counselors (experience in working with children)Art's and Crafts DirectorCORE Director (Challenges in Outdoor Recreation and Education)Nature Director (environmental education)Program Secretary (accounting and customer service)Unit Director (supervision and leadership)Interpreter (deaf and hard of hearing)This is a 12 week program, that may meet field experience hours for a variety of majors. If interested place contact
Natalie Connors, Director of Career Development
LSF 27
nconnors@pnc.edu
785-5498
Reaction Paper
After a few students have asked for clarification I thought I would post my response to the question on the blog.
For Reflection INTASC #9 on the rubric does it mean outside references are required?
It does mean to include references in addition to Ghost girl. When I put references on the rubric I thought that it was clear that references=other sources. However, I am discovering this is not clear. You can get outside sources from statistics you find online, in your textbooks, articles, other books, etc. Sorry for the unclear language. Ghost Girl would be one source but in addition if you want to receivea 2, 3, or 4 on the rubric you will need additional sources.
Please post how the language for Reflection #9 could be more clear.
For Reflection INTASC #9 on the rubric does it mean outside references are required?
It does mean to include references in addition to Ghost girl. When I put references on the rubric I thought that it was clear that references=other sources. However, I am discovering this is not clear. You can get outside sources from statistics you find online, in your textbooks, articles, other books, etc. Sorry for the unclear language. Ghost Girl would be one source but in addition if you want to receivea 2, 3, or 4 on the rubric you will need additional sources.
Please post how the language for Reflection #9 could be more clear.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Begin with the Brain
"Education is discovering the brain and that's about the best news there could be... Anyone who does not have a thorough, holistic grasp of the brain's architecture, purposes, and main ways of operating is as far behind the times as an automobile designer without a full understanding of engines."
Leslie Hart, "Human Brain, Human Learning"
As future teachers it is imperative that you learn about how learner's learn. To extend your learning beyond reading about Brain Development, and Memory Systems check out the Website links: Mind Matters and The Dana Alliance. Post on the blog something interesting you have discovered from these websites. Do an internet search and find a website on the brain/neuorscience that you discover as a good resource for educators and add the URL to your post.
When we meet on Tuesday, January 20th be prepared by doing the readings posted on the syllabus and focus in on Vygotsky and Piaget.
Leslie Hart, "Human Brain, Human Learning"
As future teachers it is imperative that you learn about how learner's learn. To extend your learning beyond reading about Brain Development, and Memory Systems check out the Website links: Mind Matters and The Dana Alliance. Post on the blog something interesting you have discovered from these websites. Do an internet search and find a website on the brain/neuorscience that you discover as a good resource for educators and add the URL to your post.
When we meet on Tuesday, January 20th be prepared by doing the readings posted on the syllabus and focus in on Vygotsky and Piaget.
Monday, January 12, 2009
EXTRA CREDIT Opportunity
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, Kappa Delta Pi is hosting an event at the Michigan City Library on Monday, January 19th from 10:00 a.m -2:00 p.m. All of the activities are planned. There will be five centers for the children which will include two crafts, wordsearch and coloring, MLK, Jr. Bingo, and storytelling. What is needed are volunteers to facilitate the learning centers. If interested please contact Chris Frank at cfrank@pnc.edu by Thursday, 1/15/09. Also post your intent to work on this blog post. 10 points extra credit will be given for your participation in this worthwhile event.
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