THING #12

I posted to the following library2play blogs: rouse's 23 things, firefly flight, Hardie's Happenings, Irma Palafox, and Michele Investigates. I enjoyed seeing some of the other teachers' blogs.

The ideas from the readings that I found most interesting were the discussions of the importance of commenting to contribute to a larger conversation and the discussion of whether to use an alias or your real name. Since I do live and teach in a small community, it would be helpful to be able to connect on a larger scale with other professionals.

As far as commenting on outside blogs, I first left a comment on Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries blog. It was actually very interesting, because I commented on a posting by her daughter regarding an article about Beth in Christianity Today. I had read that article earlier, and I really did feel as if I were contributing to a larger conversation. Then, for fun, I left a comment on one of my favorite author's blog, Laurie R. King.

I guess people really do enjoy receiving feedback and feeling appreciation, as well as giving me a chance to connect with other professionals.

THING #11

I absolutely loved this site. I think the best thing about it is the opportunity to enter titles and then have access to book lists by others who have enjoy the same books I have. I found myself clicking on some of them already and saw some new authors I want to try. I also like the ability to share some of my favorite authors - some of whom I don't think get nearly enough attention.

I did subscribe to RSS feed on this, so I am looking forward to being updated. I also clicked on groups relating to mysteries and Christian fiction, so that will be interesting to see what happens.

As far as using this in my classroom, I think sometimes I get so discouraged because so few of my students seem to enjoy reading for pleasure. However, there are those who do - and what a great gift for them if I share this website. I can think of several students who will love this.

It was great!

THING #10

This thing was fun. I looked at all the generators listed, and I was so impressed with all of their possibilities. I ended up posting a cartoon from the comic strip generator (www.comicstripgenreator.com) and a trading card from the trading card maker (www.bighugelabs.com). On the negative side, I did spend several hours trying to post a Wordle I created. I still don't know what I did wrong, and since I am here in the far-off land of the 2A school Tolar with no other players, I didn't have anyone to help me. However, I am going to ask our tech person when I get back to school to help me, because I am determined to get that on there!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I continue to think about all the ways I can use this in my junior English class to try and incorporate more non-fiction reading and workplace writing situations into my class. I know the kids would love doing these things. The key is for me to be able to apply them.

As far as literature, of course the kids could make trading cards for characters in a story or play, use them for review purposes, and create images to decorate our classroom or a portfolio.

Thanks for letting me see all this!

THING #9

I liked the Google Blog Search, because the format was so similar to search engines with which I am already familiar. I also liked browsing topix.net and technorati, because both had easily accessible news items. I guess I knew in the back of my mind that most newspapers today had feeds available, but I had never accessed any before, which I did through this system. This included papers from London (did you know the poor North Korean world cup coach was not only fired, but now has to work construction as a punishment for the team losing all its games? Wow!) I keep thinking of all the English TEKS that require students to read more non-fiction than I have done in the past, and I think this will be a great way to incorporate that.

I could never get the library logs link to work, although I tried on two different days, so that was frustrating.

One thing I am enjoying is seeing how one blog leads to another one which can lead to another one . . . all the topics in which I am interested can be researched much more easily.

THING #8

OK, I actually found this one a bit tricky. I am not sure exactly why. However, once I got the hang of it, I was able to add a variety of blogs and news sources, many of which I already follow. They range from local (my preacher's) to slightly embarassing (Hello Magazine - the UK equivalent of People Magazine). The best part, though,was when I search through Google Blogs, I found some blogs for English teachers and another for the Texas State Library Association, both of which I added.

I can see that just having a way to effectively search for and connect with other professionals would be very helpful. Also, it would help my students be able to do research, although, of course, that would also have to include a lesson on what makes a reliable source.

I can certainly see that teachers at my school could use this. I am thinking especially of our UIL teams such as current events and social studies as they keep up to date. My daughter will be on the current events team next year, so this will help her as well!