Blog Due Friday, December 19, 2014

Confirmed or Busted?

Were your expectations of the Mythbusters exhibit confirmed or busted?  Identify one thing you thought went extremely well on on Monday's field trip.  Then describe one thing in which your expectations were not met.  This could deal with the exhibit, the facility, the field trip plans, procedures, or any aspect of the trip.  Do not complain about something out of your teacher's control.

Next, identify your three favorite activities in the exhibit area.  Give a brief description, and follow with what was to be learned from the activity.  If you aren't sure, you may want to visit the exhibit website.

Holiday gift:  You do not have to include media sources on this blog, unless you want extra points.  

Ex. Credit:  Link to Kallas blog, link to Mythbusters exhibit, related pic, or related video.  

Blog Due on Friday, December 12, 2014

Humor

Read this article about infusing humor into your classroom.  It is from theGoTeach! FEA magazine.

Think about the article and some of the examples in it.  Have you ever had a teacher that made class more interesting by being funny?  Have you ever had a teacher that had a humor tumor and made things unnecessarily uncomfortable or boring?  Write about something funny that a teacher has done or said in one of your classes along the way.

Look at some of the technology sources suggested and linked in the article like Blabberize - try them out. Link one website or an APP in your blog this week that you think would be fun or humorous in a classroom.  Find a funny picture. cartoon, quote or meme with captions that would be appropriate for your site school classroom and insert the image in your blog this week.

Your blogs should reflect conversational style writing, not just answering the questions.  Your writers voice should come through on your blogs.  Check your hyperlinks and make sure they are linked.  Pictures make your blog more interesting to read.

An example of an educational meme:

Note:  Blog rubric will be used for grading.  Must have link to humor-related website or app.

Ideas for media (Link to Kallas-thenics blog, FEA magazine, sources in article.)

Blog Due on Monday, November 10

Title:  Mirror, Mirror . . .

Wow!  What at weekend.  Over 2/3 of our chapter competed in the events at the TAFE Region XI competition on Saturday, November 8.  You all did a great job and should be proud of the fact that you carried out what you set out to do.  In addition to competing, many of you were willing to jump in and help where needed.  The BCTAL group looked and acted like a class act?  I was specifically proud of the BCTAL - Birdville/Haltom chapter! As is typical with an event of this nature, some moments were hectic and stressful.  Others moments seemed to lag while waiting around for others. And, there were a few hiccups along the way.

The most difficult part is over.  Now we have to be patient and wait until Friday for the results.    In the meantime, reflect on the following and evaluate your performance!

1. In what event(s) did you compete?  OR What event did you work on in class?

2.  The planning/preparation process:  Discuss what you did to prepare for carrying out your event(s) or in-class project?  What would you do differently in the planning/preparation phase?

3.  The execution:  How did your competition go?   If completing a project, how did this come to fruition, or what needs to be done, yet?  

4.  What did you learn from this experience?  Be specific.

5.  If you were giving yourself a numerical grade on a scale from 1 - 100, what would you give yourself at this point.  Justify your score.   

6.  The next step:  If you competed, let's assume you advance to State.  What do you plan to do by Dec. 15 to improve your project?  If you worked on a project, what will be your role in finishing it.  Be very specific.

Note:  Blog rubric will be used for grading.  

Ideas for media (Link to Kallas-thenics blog, TAFE contest link, pics from Region, TAFE logo)

Blog Due Friday, September 26, 2014

Title:  How to Thrive During Your Field Experiences

Read the article, "How to Thrive During Your Field Experiences," in the August/September 2014 issue of FEA's Go Teach magazine.

You are preparing to assist the instructional leader in a BISD classroom in a few short weeks.  How will the experience as a teacher be different from the roll you've had as a student for 10+ years?  What are some ways that you can make the most out of the experience you will have in your field site classroom this year?


Blog about this: 

• Of the tips offered to help you maximize and thrive at your field site, which ONE sounds like it will be the easiest for you to do?  Why is that?  Explain.
• Of the tips offered, which ONE will present challenges for you?  Why is that?  Explain.
• Discuss one concern you have about your time at your field site classroom.  What makes you anxious, nervous, or apprehensive about your upcoming experience?  Elaborate.

Remember to follow the guidelines for blogging that were reviewed in class.  The blog rubric will be used to evaluate your blog.

Rules for Blogging in EAT 901 - Comment Due 9/5/14

RULES FOR BLOGGING IN EAT 901
(Look for your assignment at the bottom)

POSTING:
You will create your own blog.  This is where you will POST a response to my prompt on your blog.  Here are some quick guidelines on how to make a good POST.  Expert blogger, Darren Rowse, offers ten tips that will help you become an expert blogger.
Ten Tips for Writing a Blog Post


COMMENTING:
Other times I will ask for a COMMENT.  You will comment directly on my blog.  A comment is exactly what the name implies.  It is short and to the point.  It gives your opinion in a short amount of words.  In many cases, it may be a sentence or less. 

GUIDELINES:
All posts and comments must be concise, contain meaningful content, avoid the use of inappropriate language or content, and make attempts to use proper writing mechanics - grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation.  

All interns will need to cite the reference material on which they are commenting.

All interns will need varied sources of media that include related pics, videos, links, etc.

Here is the rubric showing how you will be assessed.

Criteria	Points	Score
Quality of Writing, Organized Interesting style and voice Informative and reflective Organized	10
Writing Mechanics Grammar Punctuation Spelling Capitalization Construction	15 -1  for each error
Presentation Formatting Font Background Use of color Title	5
Multimedia - 3 different sources 1 should link to blog assignment 1 should link to reference article At least 1 pic, video, or additional link Adds perspective	10
Deadlines – Blog is posted by deadline (no late grades).	10
TOTAL	50

Assignment:
After you have read the linked article and reviewed the rules, make a comment on this blog.
Pick out the rule from the "10 Tips" article that you think is most important, and tell why.  Review the blog rubric and identify which area you feel you will have the most difficulty.

Blog Creation Due 9/5/14

Title:  Welcome to my Blog!

Set up your own blog by visiting blogger.com.  Blogger is part of your Google account.
To log in, use your Gmail user name and password.  Then select "Blog."
Set up a template that is professional for this class and easy to read. Show your page to Mrs. Kallas before finalizing.

Bookmark your blog on your computer.
Record your log in, user name, and password in your "secret" folder.

Create a greeting POST for your blog.  It should welcome readers and indicate what your blog is about.  Of course, your blog is designed to comment on issues and topics that are current in the field of education.  It is designed for you to think critically and respond intelligently to hot topics. Your greeting post does not have to include media, but think about how you can use formatting and pictures to make it interesting.

HAPPY BLOGGING!

Get Ready to do Your Kallas-thenics!

Kallas-thenics is the official blog for Birdville ISD Education and Training Interns taking class in BCTAL 901.  Exercise your intellect through writing exercises that will challenge your mind.  Use it as a forum for you to express your thoughts and feelings about the world of education throughout your internship.

It is your responsibility to check this blog regularly so that you can meet all required deadlines. Blogs not finished during class time must be completed on your own time.