I have neglected my blog

....and I am going to do it again today.

Stay tuned

New post tomorrow

World HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Do you use facebook, myspace, or twitter? I think today many of us belong to social networking sites. Today is World HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and http://www.aids.gov/ is recommending we all bring awareness to the crisis that is the spread of HIV/AIDS by posting the following as our status:

[your name] is facing AIDS for World AIDS day. To find a HIV test site, text your ZIP "KNOWIT" (566948) or visit http://www.hivtest.org/ . Join me and post this to your status today.

It is hard to believe we have been knowingly faced with this epidemic since the early 1980s in this country. Science has gone on to show that AIDS/HIV has been around since at least the early 1940s. 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV. Approximately 56,300 new HIV cases are diagnosed every year in this county. While HIV is not AIDS, it can develop into full blown AIDS over time. There is no cure for either HIV or AIDS. AIDS is fatal.

We as a nation, as a world need to do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease and to find a cure for those millions and millions already affected. We should be compelled to end the suffering of others and to prevent the suffering of the millions that will follow.

We all know the basics of AIDS/HIV transmission prevention:
1. Do not come into contact with body fluids of another person (blood, semen, vaginal fluids)
2. Do not share "dirty" or "used" needles.
3. Practice universal precautions.
4. Practice safe sex and use a condom EVERY time.
5. Know your HIV status and get tested.
6. Ask your partner to be tested prior to engaging in sexual activity.

While these are just a few guidelines there is so much more information you need to be aware of when it comes to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Please take the time to go to http://www.aids.gov/ and learn the facts. There are several links on the site and it provides a great deal of information.

Each and everyone of us should be concerned about the spread of this disease. How do you think each of us should respond or what could we do?

This is due Friday, November 7, 2009

After you’ve chosen your civics game topic, please answer the following questions in your blog: 1. What is your game topic (explain in detail) and how does it relate to civics? (150 words)
2. How will a player learn more about civics while they play your game? (150)
3. Where does your game topic fit into the Civics Knowledge Framework? Does it teach about an ideal of government, a function of government or about citizenship? Please explain. To answer this question first you must read:



Civics Knowledge Framework

Leading questions we ask ourselves regarding making Civics Games:

- What issues, themes and topics should Globaloria students consider to focus on in their civics games?

- What civics topics should Globaloria students explore, examine, learn, understand, and master while making their civics games?

To answer these questions, we conceptualized the Globaloria Program on Civics Games around three groups of content questions and related objectives:

1. Understanding Ideals: What are the key principles and values underlying US government? What’s their origin?
2. Understanding Function: How does the US government work?
3. Understanding Citizenship: How to be an active and effective citizen at any age?

Understanding these three dimensions or pieces of civics knowledge, and their inter-connectedness, has been established in the public education system as essential for 7thto 12th graders. These objectives and issues are also in alignment with West Virginia CSOs on social studies and civics and OurCourts.org curriculum.

The Globaloria Civics Knowledge Framework:

1. Ideals: What are the key principles and values underlying US government?
· Origins/history of key ideas and values
· Government systems (democracy, dictatorship, communism, monarchy)
· Majority rule
· Minority rights
· Separation of Powers
· Individual Rights and Freedoms

2. Function: How does the US government work?
· Local, state and national/federal levels of government systems
· Local, state and national/federal court systems
· The three branches of government (executive, legislative, judiciary)
· Role of citizens and outside groups (unions, lobbyists, media)

3. Citizenship: How to be an active and effective citizen at any age?
· Stay informed (locally, nationally, globally)
· Explore a variety of sources and perspectives
· Develop a position on local, national and global issues
· Volunteer and participate in community service
· Take action!
· Develop a strategy for achieving results on the ground
· Learn to use action tools: protest, petition, letter writing, town meeting
· Lead and/or support at different capacities and levels (student government, community, local, national, etc.)
· Vote


1. Rationale: What are key principles and values underlying the US government?


Existing Games about the Purpose of Democracy:
American Symbols Game: http://www.texaslre.org/asymbols/symbolsgameintro.html
Bill of Rights Match Game: http://www.texaslre.org/BOR/billofrights.html
Geography America: http://games.crossmap.com/flash_play/america.htm

Example Game Ideas:
- A game where the player must determine in certain scenarios if rights secured by the Bill of Rights are being violated.
- A game where you play from the point of view of a Founding Father and make decisions that will establish the groundwork for the future of the US.


2. Function: How does the US government work?

Existing Games about the Function of US Government:
Redistricting Game: http://www.redistrictinggame.org/
Branches of Government: http://www.texaslre.org/branches_game.html
There Should Be a Law: http://www.texaslre.org/HowAbill/index.html

Example Game Ideas:
- A Role Playing Game (RPG) where you assume the role of one branch of government and have to “combat” the others.
- A game where you play the media and intervene in abuses of government on behalf of citizens.
- A game where you must determine if a given conflict falls under the jurisdiction of local, state or national courts.

3. Citizenship: How to be an active and effective citizen at any age?


Existing Games About the Role of Citizens:
Pick 12: http://www.texaslre.org/jurygame_intro.html
Play the News: http://www.playthenewsgame.com/portal/home.action
Bump the Birds: http://www.gothamgazette.com/games/ballotbump/

Example Game Ideas:
- A game where you play a community organizer and must achieve a civic objective with the tools available to you (petitions, protest, voting, etc.)
- A game where you must determine a position on a controversial issue and “fight” counter-arguments against it.
- A game where you must make wise choices in which news sources you select in order to stay informed.



This assignment is due by Friday, November 7, 2009~

Blog Topic

I have taken many suggestions for blog topics today. They have ranged from abortion to swine flu. I am picking the swine flu. I feel many of us are confused as to what the swine flu really is, what it means for our health, and how we should react to it. I challenge you to follow the following links and research the swine flu:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/swine-flu-faq-1

http://www.flu.gov/

After you research the swine flu I want you to answer the following questions:

• What exactly is the swine flu?


• What are the symptoms of the swine flu?


• Do you think it is a good idea to get the vaccine?


• What groups are at most risk of having complications from the swine flu?


• What are some things you can do(other than the shot) to help prevent catching the swine flu?


• Are you more or less concerned about the swine flu since you have researched it?
  
  
• Do we as citizens have any responsibilities to others concerning the spread/treatment of the swine flu?

Please be thorough in your answers.

Pay It Forward (thanks Jim)

I have so many things I want to discuss in my blog post today I find it difficult to choose a title. Speaking of blog titles, I have always wondered how do most people choose their titles. Many people choose titles based on the content of their blog, others choose abstract titles, some just add a date, and some do who knows what.

How do you pick your blog titles?







Today my students and I took the time to listen to President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his

"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international

diplomacy and cooperation between peoples"

This came as quite a shock to the world, but I think especially to President Obama. President Obama is the third sitting President to win this award. He was preceeded in this honor by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. This, I believe, was such a big surprise because President Obama is very early in his term. According to the Washington Times, "Rather than recognizing concrete achievement, the 2009 prize appeared intended to support initiatives that have yet to bear fruit: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change". I believe this is why many people were shocked and literally gasping in the room when the announcement was made. I believe this award to President Obama (whatever people's political views) can inspire all of us to strive for peace and change in the world. So many people in the world do not believe they can achieve change or their behaviors matter, but one person can start a chain reaction and bring about great change. Imagine if you could just affect change in the person next to you in class, on the bus, in the grocery store and they would go on to do the same for someone else and so on; it is quite literally the movie Pay It Forward.

My challenge for all of you for one week is to:

• 
  
  avoid conflict every day


• 
  
  do a random act of kindness for someone every day


• 
  
  and help resolve conflicts in others when you see the chance

Your assignment is to blog about your week of good deeds!

Guess who came to visit Miss Dionne and I today....

DAVID

David spoke to both of our classes simultaneously. I believe everyone in attendance learned quite a bit, myself and Dionne included. Our principal, Tracee was in attendance and seemed very impressed with many of the blogs our girls have created. I know I was certainly impressed with Ashley's blog and Chelsey had many good ideas. Heather posed an interesting question on her blog. Tara's blog continues to amuse me. I can see I am going to have to step up my blogging game to keep up with these ladies.

Back to the Grindstone

I have found that I neglected my blog as of late. It is funny how life's events such as illness, a full schedule, classes, work, etc will sidetrack you from something you love to do. Yes, I said I love to blog. Anyone that knows me knows I enjoy expressing my opinion and ideas. I am excited because my girls' interest in blogging and the wiki is increasing every day. They are learning a lot from each other. Everyone loves the Voki and wants to add one to their blog! Thanks to Jim and Bill for introducing it to me. I find if I give them time to customize their blogs and wikis they are more open to learning other things. I believe sometimes as teachers we forget to teach our students how to learn and just spew information out to them.

Okay, this is for my students:

We all read about the Fourth Grade Students in Las Vegas that were able to convince their state legislators to sign a bill making the Vivid Dancer Damselfly Nevada's Official State Insect. Your blog topic for Wednesday, September 30 is: If you had the opportunity, what new law would you propose to your state lawmakers? Why?

Good News

Our very own Lindsey has obtained her GED as of yesterday! Please stop by and tell her congratulations and wish her well on her college endeavors. I may have been just a little excited when I pulled her results up on the computer.

Much to Lindsey's dismay, not only did I dance as bad as Elaine, I had trouble containing my excitement. I kept grabbing Lindsey's arm and shaking it saying "you passed you passed". I was then politely reminded by Lindsey she may need her arm when she goes to college. I released my death grip. She still has her arm and I have calmed slightly. She has no idea how excited I will be when she finishes her civics game.

Student Blogging

My students have begun their journey into the wonderful world of blogging. For those of you (myself included) that may still be a little fuzzy as to what a blog might be.... click below:

BLOGS IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Some blogs are informative. Some blogs are fun. Some blogs are well....subject matter only a select few may be interested in reading. Blogs are all of these things and so much more. Blogs let us share any information with anyone willing to read it! Think of the things you can accomplish with a blog. I can tell you on my blog to make sure you click all the links throughout and you will learn about the universe, Playstation 3, and Rick Springfield. I have given you three very diverse and interesting topics (Rick is interesting....let it go).

In my class we will be using our blogs to discuss class events, learning experiences, questions we have regarding flash programming, to answer questions we may have seen on each other's blogs, to find weekly assignments (yes, my blog will have your weekly assignments). A blog is a very powerful thing. A blog can inspire people to act, to think, to believe, to dream... If used in a positive manner a blog is a powerful and incredible tool.

My Growing Computer Lab

My computer lab last week:

Stay tuned for my computer lab next week! It will be better! I have it on good authority, plus 2 additional computers were delivered today with the promise of more next week.

I am excited

This may not seem like much to all of you, but....I have a new chair!!!! Crittenton green, but its new!

The Tortoise and The Hare

I remember being a child and hearing the story of The Tortoise and The Hare. At that time in my life I always wanted to be the hare. I knew he always lost by the end of the story, but I always thought I would be a smarter hare and change the end of the story. Most of my life I have aspired to be the hare, but that has not always been to my benefit. I have come to realize the tortoise was right in most cases. As we start our Globaloria classes my students and I are finding slow and steady works best.

So, be patient with us, we are working slowly and steadily.

New class with some recycled students

I am sitting in my classroom observing my students; some old (recycled) and some new. I am trying to decide how I can become a better teacher this year by looking at the students of the past, their needs, and the outcomes we achieved by the end of the year. One recycled student in particular has really grown and become a student any teacher would love to have in her classroom which was not always the case. Another recycled student just found out she will be leaving within a month and 1/2 so her mind is wandering quite a bit. I look at the new students whom thought the GED classroom would be easier than high school and find themselves in a state of panic!

I need to find ways to motivate the "short timers", calm and motivate the "shell shocked", and ways to praise, instruct, and utilize the "seasoned veterans". It is a very daunting task I have before me. That being said I find myself more relaxed this year:

As opposed to last year:

My hopes for this school year are that my students will become more than anyone has even expected of them (until now) and I will become :

Welcome to Globaloria

I know all of you are sitting here today wondering , "What the heck is Globaloria?" and "Melonie has finally lost her mind if she thinks she is going to make us program a computer game!". Globaloria is a social network for students and educators to learn and use social media to create their own games, wiki pages, and blogs. I know what is a social network? Most of you have My Space or Facebook, both of these are social networks. Globaloria allows us to connect with other students, educators, and professionals and become more technologically literate. Relax and keep an open mind and I promise you this will be not only educational, but fun. If you want to read more about Globaloria click here. At any time you can visit my blog and my wiki page. I look forward to visiting all of your blogs and wiki pages in the new future.

By the way Melonie lost her mind a long time ago and if she can make a game so can you.

Are you really paying attention?

I realize I have not been attending to my blogging or anything else for that matter the way I should. I would love to claim insanity, but I have used that excuse one too many times. I think I could give you a brief synopsis of my activities to date (yes, some are Globaloria activities). I guess you could say I am not paying attention to some of my duties these days. I have, however, been very wrapped up in family events.

Conner Family Reunion (the day after Summer Session I)

July 4th:

Surprisingly enough I did not burn down the neighborhood. Notice my the fire coming from my fingertips in the second picture. What is truly disturbing, however, is my 7 year old in the first picture seemingly unsupervised (she was).

Grandma's 88th Birthday (July 8):

A few hours later:

Paula and I enjoyed REO Speedwagon, Styx, and 38 Special!

Zach's Birthday on July 12th in lovely Columbus, Ohio:


Audrey's Birthday on July 20th:

Not truly a birthday picture, but somehow my moody 16 year old deleted all of those photos from the digital camera.




Last, but not least do not forget my every day adventures at Crittenton: http://www.florencecrittenton.net

Visit our website we really do great things at Crittenton!

See all of you soon!

For Rachel

Read the sign on the fence.

Blogs I follow

I may have worked a little late last evening on our assignment. My loving brother (look left) drove to town to take me out last night, so bear with me as you read this blog entry.

We were given the assignment to pick two blogs to follow and list why we follow these blogs. I picked three, yes, I sometimes have difficulty with direction. There are several reasons why I would follow a blog. I may follow blogs because they are entertaining, interesting, or out of fear of repercussions (not that I would be afraid of Denise at all).

http://www.sweetjessereed.blogspot.com/

I chose Jeremy's blog because it is a good read. You all know Jeremy is very entertaining.

http://www.coolhunting.com/

I chose Cool Hunting because this blog follows and introduces new technology and other cool stuff to the reader. I am fascinated with technological advances so this blog is a good fit. Let’s just face it this blog is cool as heck.

http://helpdeniseteach.blogspot.com/
You know I have to follow Denise’s blog because she is my mentor. Seriously, I know Denise has a lot to offer being a third year Globaloria instructor. I also figure if I follow her blog she will forgive me for all the times I was too ashamed to email her back with our lack of progress.

Summer Session I

See how happy I look? I am thoroughly enjoying my first day of class during Summer Session 1. It was nice to meet everyone, learn new skills, and eat good food!