Before I even read my “innovative” page, I was already thinking of ways to help my students in the classroom.  It’s freaky how I was thinking about this and then was assigned the page for it.

Here’s what I would do:

At the beginning of the semester, I would have students find a history topic they want to explore and research.  Then I would have them keep up with the research, using footnotes and bibliographies of course, and then have them turn it in at the end of the first quarter as a rough draft.  Then I would have students make their revisions and turn in their papers for the final draft.  I would grade their final drafts and then make sure their work was completely edited.

After all of this, I would compile all their works into a pdf file and send it to www.lulu.com, an online self-publishing site.  Since the books would cost about 5 dollars a piece, I would ask students to donate money for their published piece.  Beforehand, I would subscribe to lulu and make sure we could get the book before the end of the semester.

Publishing books benefits students because it gives them a chance to learn how to write historically for my classroom, but they are also learning the importance of publishing.  Their work can be published and then distributed online for other historians’ benefits, which adds to the historical conversation.  Perfect idea for a classroom activities.

I am soooooo close to finishing this semester’s projects it’s not even funny.  All I have to do in this class is finish my PLN, which is an online vita for when I graduate.  I’m really excited about it and I think that once this project is complete then all I have to do is touch up work on everything else in all my other classes.  I can see the light at the end of this tunnel!!!  Anybody there with me?

The Guess Who, once a famous band from the 70s, wrote and sang a song entitled “Rain Dance.”  I used to listen to this song when I was a kid and listening to my dad’s 45s.  Last night, I found the MP3 on Amazon, so I bought it and listened to it for the first time in about ten years.  While I was listening to the song, I thought about a couple of things:

1. I thought about diversity and how I, as a history teacher, can utilize this song into a history lesson

2. I was thinking about the videos we had watched; particularly on Bill Gates.  Even though Bill Gates was talking about malaria and mosquitoes, he touched on the point of accessibility; information and medicine.

As a teacher, I would do a plan like this:

-Have the students listen to the song and ask them to compare the ideologies of “cowboys and Indians.”  Have the students contrast the famous line, “Where’d you get the gun, John,” to how the Native Americans must have felt.

-Have students find images and also “Jing” a few articles or journals on the subject to incorporate them into a slideshow using the song.

-Have students make a slideshow presentation and present their findings to the class.

I think this makes the lesson more student-based rather than me lecturing on how terrible the Indian Removal Act was.

As far as podcasting goes, I found the article informative because I would like to use podcasting in my final project.  I would like to have an historical pedagological podcast in my vita to explain my viewpoint on how History should be taught in a classroom setting.  Step number two is finding one and getting it on my page, which will take a little help.

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:200%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:12.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; line-height:200%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> The Guess Who, once a famous band from the 70s, wrote and sang a song entitled “Rain Dance.”  I used to listen to this song when I was a kid and listening to my dad’s 45s.  Last night, I found the MP3 on Amazon, so I bought it and listened to it for the first time in about ten years.  While I was listening to the song, I thought about a couple of things:

1. I thought about diversity and how I, as a history teacher, can utilize this song into a history lesson

2. I was thinking about the videos we had watched; particularly on Bill Gates.  Even though Bill Gates was talking about malaria and mosquitoes, he touched on the point of accessibility; information and medicine.

As a teacher, I would do a plan like this:

-Have the students listen to the song and ask them to compare the ideologies of “cowboys and Indians.”  Have the students contrast the famous line, “Where’d you get the gun, John,” to how the Native Americans must have felt.

-Have students find images and also “Jing” a few articles or journals on the subject to incorporate them into a slideshow using the song.

-Have students make a slideshow presentation and present their findings to the class.

I think this makes the lesson more student-based rather than me lecturing on how terrible the Indian Removal Act was.

As far as podcasting goes, I found the article informative because I would like to use podcasting in my final project.  I would like to have an historical pedagological podcast in my vita to explain my viewpoint on how History should be taught in a classroom setting.  Step number two is finding one and getting it on my page, which will take a little help.

sorry about the last post.  My computer keeps kicking me off the internet, so I haven’t been able to post things lately.  As a matter of fact, I typed up this wicked-sweet post about the videos and about how my computer needs to be burned, and then as I hit the “Publish” button, my computer locked up and shut down.  Sara, if you’re reading this, I did watch the videos and I have been trying to post.  For everyone else (and you too, Sara ) you get to hear my argument.  This time, though, I’m really breathing fire!!!
I did like the videos.  Here is what I managed to salvage from my previous posts:

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:200%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:12.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; line-height:200%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

I liked the Ken Robinson videos.  At first, I was thinking he was just some comedian trying to be cute; but after a while, he started talking about students’ abilities and talents.  I think Sir Robinson had a great way of speaking his message.  He proves the point (I think this is his point) that students are individuals, obviously; but students are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.  Also, any student who faces some sort of challenge or adversity can overcome in their own special way, which is rewarding to see in person.

Normally, I don’t like to hear about Bill Gates.  I don’t think Bill Gates really understands how people such as myself live.  It’s easy to look at life on the bright side when you’re the richest guy in the world.  However, he makes a good point about malaria (even though he set a case of them free in the auditorium).  I was interested in his graphs and charts plus his ideas of technology in the classroom in order to rise above medical problems and economic situations.

After viewing these two videos, my Java, or whatever the heck I’m using, my computer shut down and now I can’t upload anything.  I will try to get the rest of the video project done and blog about it.  I’ll try not to be so bias against computers, but I will try again later.

does this thing post?

Well, I’m sitting in my fiance’s house and I’m thinking of my future classroom.  I have this feeling that I’ll be that annoying teacher that some student will want to punch in the face.  My methods for teaching are to be loud and boisterous, mainly because I’m that kind of person anyway.  I like to be sarcastic in a funny way, but then I got to thinking…those were the teachers I couldn’t stand in high school; what makes me think I’m going to be so great in that perspective?  I’m worried that students will be turned off by this and not want to participate in my classroom.  The reason I’m thinking about this is because of the projects from one of my methods courses and all the huge lesson plans associated with it.  Does anybody prefer a loud and boisterous teacher over a longwinded, monotoned lecturer?  Obviously, technology will help out with researching and visual aiding, but can the teacher provide both an entertaining and educational classrom without be loud and boisterous?

I took every post from my blog and set it up in a Wordle document.  It’s pretty cool! I like how the most used words are bigger than the others.  My Wordle is called History Teacher.  I hope you like it.

1.  I want to fish out at camp right now.

2.  Moreover, I want to go to the cabin in Minnesota and bass fish there for a while.

3.  I’d much rather fish than finish this semester.

4.  This semester is incredibly difficult with all the work and a computer that doesn’t function.

5.  I hate NMU laptops; I think I’ll buy my computer just to take it to camp and skeet shoot the stupid thing.

6.  My computer has broken down on me almost every semester at NMU.

7.  What’s interesting about the laptops is how they are built and why they act up.

8.  At least laptops are good for watching movies at Biolife.

9.  I used to be afraid of needles, but Biolife has broken me of that fear.

10.  Now, with an extra source of income, I can afford Katie’s wedding band.

11.  I can’t wait for the summer.  If I’m traveling, it’ll be with Katie in Minnesota and downstate.

12.  Besides traveling, Katie and I will be making all the big wedding plans like her dress, the hall, the marriage seminar, and invitations.

13.  I can’t wait for the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

14.  I student teach in September, I graduate in December, I quit my job here (!!!!!!!!!), I move to Rochester in January, I get a job there, and then I get married in July 2010!!!  It’ll be a whole year of good things instead of all the junk from before.

15.  Last summer wasn’t so great.  I lost my grandfather and almost lost my grandmother and aunt.

16.  The only good thing about last year is when Katie and I got engaged.

17.  For the record, I can’t wait until September of this year.  I’m going to try really hard to make the next few months worth it by not letting anything get me down.

18.  I like how everything will be played out for me this year.  It’s going to be a great year.

19.  When I get my job in Rochester, I’ll be the best history teacher I know how to be.  Maybe not the highest paid (haha) but at least I’ll have a good job.

20.  I’m hoping that funds and time will allow me to go to seminary in Plymouth, MN.

21.  The Association of Free Lutheran Theological Seminary (AFLTS) will put me in their Master’s program for a degree in theological studies and pastoral ministry.

22.  I’ve wanted to be a pastor for a long time.  I believe God gave me the gift of gab and public speaking, so this is how to show my gift and love for Him.

23.  At NMU, I’ve studied history and geography. In the study of history, I have done many projects within the theological, psychological, sociological, and political realms.  I have also done a lot in language studies such as Spanish, German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

24.  I’d like to further that education even more to the glory of God and the furtherance of His kingdom.

25.  To those who think otherwise, come to my church and hear the Holy Spirit speak through my words.  You may be surprised, but touched nonetheless.

Right now, I’m doing lots of observing at Marquette Alternative school.  What’s really neat is that I’m going to do my student theaching there and they have a large technology based setting within the school.  Students take online classes, use prjectors to play review games (which are teacher-made), and they even make music through special programs on the computer.  I really enjoy working with the students there because everybody sees an alternative school as a place where lazy students go to work.  Sadly, that is true in the high-end cases, but Mqt. Alternative students are very focused on getting work done so they can graduate and get a job after school.  Some of the students aspire to go to college and earn a degree.  One girl is moving towards a Sociology degree.  I love the ways the teachers teach.  It’s a first name basis and the students respect each other as well as the teachers.  There is no bigotry or problematic conversations; simply students being students.

Here are a few hyperlinks which the students utilize to further their education.  Don’t let the fact that some of them are games make you think they play all day long.

Who wants to be a millionaire online game

CreateDigitalMusic – I haven’t downloaded this onto my computer yet because the school actually has a (legal) way of getting it for free.  More details to come!

Trivia Games for Homeroom – During the homeroom hour, students either do a class project or they can do something fun and academic.  One way to do this is to have the class play as a team and do some trivia activities on this gaming website.  It works incredibly well and students learn to work as a team.

Websites like Yahoo or Google are only two separate things students use for class projects.  In one instance, students were asked to write a newspaper on some aspect of the Civil War.  Some went to Yahoo to get images of Lincoln’s assassination while others went to Google to look up Antietam.

Here is an outside picture of the alternative school.  It was found online, but I’ll try to upload a picture of the inside of the school so you can see how everything is run.  The man in the other picture is Tony Parlato.  He is the “Principal,” so to say, of the school and teaches there too.

The Alternative School

Tony Parlato