Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts

5/02/2016

Do You Support Teaching Cursive in School?

This topic I have discovered is very controversial. Many schools in states have decided to remove handwriting from their curriculum because of technology. (41 out of 50) Before you make up your mind on where you stand on this issue, you may want to listen to this TED talk from Jake Weidmann that has totally inspired me as I listened. Never knew someone could become a Master Penman, but I applaud his talent or might I say, God given gift! Love how he has used it to the glory of God too. This is the article that I came across this morning while working: "Quickly Improve Your Handwriting with These Fantastic Resources". I found it on the makeuseof website under the category, SELF IMPROVEMENT. I think it is worth the time to read and consider your own stance on handwriting. I can attest to the fact that I (and many others) have to write things down, if you want to recall them. It is a tool for memorization even though I don't know all the facts surrounding this, I have been doing it for years. In fact, it is how I managed to graduate from college and acquire my Master's degree also. Don't know about you, but getting a handwritten note trumps an email, enote or ecard in my opinion. It means more to know someone took the time to write their message to you. Don't you agree? Check out some of Jake Weidmann's works. He has a great story to tell on how a tragic event led him to write and draw. He is such an inspiration to others, you can check his work on his website. See how he works in pen, drawing, and wood to create some amazing art pieces. His wood work allows him to create his own pens! My favorite drawing is the one he drew of Christ in one stroke! He has won me over and deserves to be called 1 in 11 master penmans! Kudos to you Jake!

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer. A man who works with his head is a craftsman. A man who works with his hand, his head and his heart is an artist.”


7/15/2015

Importance of Blogging

If I could have one wish for the upcoming school year, it would be to get all teachers on board with Blogging. There are tons of testimonies out there in various forms that share the importance of blogging. Here is a place to get started called Blog Basics and Blogging Tips for Teachers.  Personally, if you do not enjoy blogging or reflecting on your work, please make it a goal this year to allow and encourage students to blog. Teachers have many opportunities to use blogging in their curriculum with students. I can promise you, if you agree to try it for a month, you will have students hooked and who knows, you may see how it benefits your lessons. I love this visual on reasons to blog by Sylvia Duckworth. It came across on my Twitter feed.


12/19/2014

Have You Heard of Zaption?

What is Zaption? It is a tool that makes video come alive with engaging and interactive video lessons created by none other than YOU! (That is unless you only use the ones in the gallery). Don't take my word for it, Take a  Zaption Tour. They have a gallery to watch some of the created Zappy tours where you can take video, clip it to include what you need for a lesson, add in questions or reading prompts to get your students thinking. This tool is well done and so user friendly. It reminds me of the one called EdPuzzle.

If you don't check out Zaption you will be missing out on an incredible tool that is FREE for a basic plan! They allow a 30 day test drive of Zaption Pro (look for the Take a TestDrive button). Zaption even has Pro Campus for those districts who have $$ floating around LOL. They provide an extensive Help Center with Five tips on creating your own effective Zaption Tour. Here is aYouTube tutorial on how to create a tour:



As if the web version is not enough, they have the Zaption app also.

Here is a sample one that I found on the History of the Christmas Tree. Not because I thought is was the best one; but it is one that is relevant to the season.   http://zapt.io/tqr8u3wf

If ;you are sold on Zaption, please use the referral link below, for a chance to win an upgrade or even a Pro Campus one.












My referral link: http://zapt.io/ru72tq928