The week of exams is painful. Literally painful. Maybe not for everyone--goodness, I hope not for everyone! It just brings back past memories of failure, especially for me. I'm really good at giving up during the last few weeks of college. In fact, I have spent the last two years doing it repeatedly.
Before this turns into a blog about me, I should stop myself. I already have a blog for that. Actually, that is exactly the point I want to tell you about. Blogging. I hope I haven't written about it yet, but even if I have, this time, I don't want to talk about school related things. Kind of- but not really.
As a future English teacher, I just want to encourage people, especially young people to write. What better way to do that tan through a blog! Even if you can allow the students to journal through their blog, it is teaching them to get their thoughts and feelings out! Take it from someone who has bottled things up far too many times. Getting things off of one's chest can be a huge blessing. HUGE.
So encourage kids to blog or journal--or even just write ANYTHING outside of class. Give them extra credit if the curriculum doesn't have space for it. Not only does it allow the student to get things off of their chest, but it gives you a window that otherwise would not be there. Remember how that student came in tired? Or how that student was crying during class? Or why that paper never got turned in? Blogging can truly be a light into a place you could have never imagined. What better way to connect with your students than at their level?!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
FREE BOOKS!
The greatest thing I have learned about this semester is...
FREE BOOKS.
Free? FREE!!! Yes, I did say FREE! The only thing is... they are ebooks. What's an ebook? It's a book that you can access via many electronic devices. I thought that you had to have a portable ebook device in order to use them, but really all you need is a computer (Or crazy phones that have apps)! How awesome is that?
When I first learned about them, I was extremely skeptical. I already spend WAY too much time on my computer. But now, after thinking about it for awhile, I have become PRO electronic books. Not only do you save paper (yay rainforests!), but easy access and better yet, CHEAP! Because the publisher doesn't have to print the material, many older books are free or less than a dollar! Newer books, such as ones that have been released recently are still cheaper than if you would buy them in hardcover or paperback format.
As a book LOVER, I am such a fan of paper. I love the feel of it, I love turning the pages. I like writing all over the page. I love to highlight. Fold pages of my favorite quotes. Use bookmarks.
But I also love trees. Nature. I love reading books outside. And to think of a world without trees makes me want to cry.
Saving money.
Saving trees.
Saving gas to get to the bookstore.
So I think for Christmas, I'm going to buy myself an ebook reader. Until then, I'll just keep the books on my computer for easy access.
Places to go for ebooks:
www.amazon.com
(search for free ebooks)
www.nook.com
(you have to buy these)
www.google.com
(search for free ebooks)
www.half.com
(search for free ebooks)
FREE BOOKS.
Free? FREE!!! Yes, I did say FREE! The only thing is... they are ebooks. What's an ebook? It's a book that you can access via many electronic devices. I thought that you had to have a portable ebook device in order to use them, but really all you need is a computer (Or crazy phones that have apps)! How awesome is that?
When I first learned about them, I was extremely skeptical. I already spend WAY too much time on my computer. But now, after thinking about it for awhile, I have become PRO electronic books. Not only do you save paper (yay rainforests!), but easy access and better yet, CHEAP! Because the publisher doesn't have to print the material, many older books are free or less than a dollar! Newer books, such as ones that have been released recently are still cheaper than if you would buy them in hardcover or paperback format.
As a book LOVER, I am such a fan of paper. I love the feel of it, I love turning the pages. I like writing all over the page. I love to highlight. Fold pages of my favorite quotes. Use bookmarks.
But I also love trees. Nature. I love reading books outside. And to think of a world without trees makes me want to cry.
Saving money.
Saving trees.
Saving gas to get to the bookstore.
So I think for Christmas, I'm going to buy myself an ebook reader. Until then, I'll just keep the books on my computer for easy access.
Places to go for ebooks:
www.amazon.com
(search for free ebooks)
www.nook.com
(you have to buy these)
www.google.com
(search for free ebooks)
www.half.com
(search for free ebooks)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Let's get started!
As a student and future teacher, one thing I constantly hear from children and adults alike is that "reading and writing are boring." As a lover of both reading and writing, my response is often, "WHAA?!!! But WHY?!"
More often than not, the answer is because as children, we were forced to read and write about things we didn't care for or find important. Not only that, but we were taught in a fashion that truly made learning boring. But what if we could change that? What if we could make learning fun?
And that is where this blog comes in. Let me help! I want to make learning fun! I'll help teach you how to do things using technology and lead you to making learning (-and reading and writing) entertaining and engaging.
If you have any particular questions, ask me! If I don't know the answer, I'll either find out for you, or direct you to someone who does.
More often than not, the answer is because as children, we were forced to read and write about things we didn't care for or find important. Not only that, but we were taught in a fashion that truly made learning boring. But what if we could change that? What if we could make learning fun?
And that is where this blog comes in. Let me help! I want to make learning fun! I'll help teach you how to do things using technology and lead you to making learning (-and reading and writing) entertaining and engaging.
If you have any particular questions, ask me! If I don't know the answer, I'll either find out for you, or direct you to someone who does.
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