Why Blog?

Blogging is just one of the inexpensive, semi-risk free technology tools that are available to us. We are constantly on the search for ways to include parents, and make them aware of what we are doing in the classrooms and this just seems like a simple way to connect the classroom to our community. Setting up a blog is quick and easy (and free), and I think the privacy feature allows a sense of security. With technology growing so rapidly we are doing a disservice to our students by not teaching and allowing them to explore on computers. I could see having a classroom blog and having the students be in charge of updating it. Just like there are classroom jobs like holding the door, or passing out paper, I think it would be a neat experience for 2 students a week to work together and write a blog on different things they learned that week, or experiences in the classroom that they had. It's exciting to thing of all the possibilities that technology in the classroom could allow.

Geoffrey Canada

As an assignment for our families class we were told to watch the videos of Geoffrey Canada when he came to Seattle to speak about Solid Ground (Building a Community to end Poverty). I found him very inspirational to listen to. To know that he came from poverty and is so determined and dedicated to his project/dream of ending poverty. It's interesting, you always hear that the children are our future, yet you never see people willing to do anything to change the path that we have been on for so many years. What is happening in education is obviously not working, although I think there are some great ideas and projects that have been attempted it just never seems like there is follow through. I think that the idea Canada had about starting the charter school in Harlem (The Harlem Children's Zone) was planned for success. The idea of being with the children from birth to college helps teachers guide the students so they don't get lost in the crowd shuffling from school to school. After reading Whatever It Takes by Paul Tough, it makes you want to get involved and make a difference especially for the students/families who are stuck on the poverty road. All it takes is determination (the rest comes after).

One experience that Canada shared in the videos was that he remembered the day his mom told him that Superman was not real. Even though he was living in poverty and violence, finding out that Superman wasn't real was scarier than anything else. It was a terrifying moment because he then realized that nobody was coming to save him. He lost hope that there was a way out of what he was living in. How sad! I want to change that, so children aren't loosing hope but being able to see that there is away out and that they are in control of their destiny.

Doris Day

Goofy Movie