Review of the "This I Believe" Project

The process of creating my "this I believe" project was not an easy one. I was instantly terrified of the assignment. I admit it wasn't as painful as I expected, but I still did not really enjoy myself. I was unsure of what direction to go with it. The thought of having to video myself reading my essay was not appealing to me at all, but I did it anyways. Now that it is done, I know that it's not that bad, and I could do more with it in the future. I learned a lot from it, and think there's even more to learn.

OER

From the moment I read the definition of an OER I liked the sound of it as a student, learner, and potential teacher.  As both a student and potential teacher, I particularly found ACE School Management and Leadership: Develop a portfolio to demonstrate school leadership and management competence, would someday benefit me greatly.  It is mafe to assist you in compiling a reflective portfolio with evidence of your competence in school leadership and management.  I struggle trying to put together portfolios and resumes, so this will be of use to me. 


I also felt like the Open Course Library would be really useful for me now as a student and learner. 
Its main purpose is to lower textbook costs for students, and that could only help me in the long run.

As a future teacher, I felt I would use 10 Video Websites That Are Like YouTube for Kids quite frequently.  It offers ten of the best online video websites that will help and entertain kids, while being child appropriate at the same time. 

I believe that teachers should try to instill confidence in their students, and provide support and encouragement.  Growing up, I suffered from severe anxiety.  When I began school, the extent of my anxiety grew out of control.  I was still very young, but I would obsess over the smallest details, over- analyze the simplest things, and was unable to handle any criticism.  For being so young, I stressed myself over the most insane things.  I recall crying almost every morning at the thought of going to school because I was afraid my teacher would find errors in my homework.   

However, when I entered the second grade, I was given a teacher with the name Ms. DeLair.  She was an exceptionally tiny woman, four foot eleven to be exact, but possessed an enormous heart.  She noticed the nervousness in me and, in a way, took me under her wing.   Over the course of my year spent with Ms. Delair, she helped me to develop a confidence in myself that I will forever be grateful for. 

It did not take long for Ms. Delair to see how anxious I almost always was.  She acknowledged my desire for perfection, and began to focus her attention on me.  She found the smallest ways to help me feel more comfortable and relaxed.  She often would encourage me, give me compliments, and help me when it was needed.  These sound like tasks that every teacher takes on, but Ms. DeLair went about it in an entirely different way.  She let me explain my worries, and would always know how to calm me down. Though most of my concerns were completely irrational, she never once laughed or took my thoughts lightly.  She genuinely cared about her students, and wanted to help me.  She was able to be silly and fun, all the while teaching me in the process.  She had a special trick of ridding students of their hiccups where she would take us in front of the class, plug our ears, and make us hold our breath while she sang a song.  I was initially horrified to even be in front of the class, but Ms. DeLair changed me.  I would often fake hiccups just to get the chance to participate in her hiccup remedy.  It was these quirky techniques that helped me gain more confidence. 

 My anxiety did not completely go away, but it definitely subsided.  I give complete credit to Ms. Delair. It may seem unusual that a second grade teacher could leave such an impact, but Ms. DeLair did just that. I recently went back to visit Ms. DeLair. I assumed that she would not remember me, having been almost ten years since she had taught me.  Yet, I wanted to let her know she had inspired me to become a teacher.  As I entered her classroom, she stopped what she was doing and looked me straight in the eye.  She said, “I remember you”, and continued to stare right at me.  After a few silent seconds she said, “Victoria- You grew up to be a beautiful young woman”.  It was a very powerful moment in my life.  Knowing that she remembered me made realize I may have impacted her in the same way that she did me.  I left my final meeting with Ms. DeLair with a sense of comfort.  Though I was so young, I feel she helped me at a crucial time in my life.  I give Ms. DeLair so much credit, and hope she knows the positive influence she has had on me.  She’s inspired me to teach, and I want nothing more than to someday affect a child in the way that she has affected me.  

My Top 10

10. http://steelers01.blogspot.com- I chose this because I feel it could really benefit my students struggling with math. 
9. http://bridgit-walters.blogspot.com/ I chose this because it's a really convenient way to get access to cool worksheets for my potential students. 
8. http://helffrichtyler.blogspot.com/- I chose this because you can interact with other colleagues from your school district, and gives others the opportunity to contribute to your classroom
7. http://sasyouregonnahearit.blogspot.com/-I picked this because it's a way to incorporate fun into the classroom, and I think the students would get involved more. 
6.http://angelasedu183.blogspot.com/  -I chose this because I am an English minor, and I really like that teacher's could use it to find discussion questions and activities pertaining to English and Literature. 
5.http://jonathangreer8.blogspot.com/ -  I chose this because I think its a cool and innovative way to allow students to get their information from a different source. 
4.http://ladylancer.blogspot.com/ - I would use this in my classroom most definitely.  It would be awesome to have different printouts and website sources at my convenience. 
3.http://ashleyeducates.blogspot.com/ - I chose this because it's a really interesting tool that would extremely helpful in the classroom.  It'd be great to have my lessons recorded for my students benefit. 
2. http://kailamatlock.blogspot.com//-I chose this because I think it is what SEDU 183 is all about.  It's a way to incorporate technology in to the classroom for both students and teachers benefit.  I would use this in my classroom. 
1.http://carlyc11.blogspot.com/- I chose this as my favorite tool because I know how it feels to struggle with math.  The website could be really beneficial for my students who may need extra help. 

Cool Tool For School

Library of Congress

The resource I think is the most beneficial and would use in my classroom is called the Library of Congress.  When I first found the website I was unsure what exactly the purpose was.  As I looked more into it, I realized I had access to the actual library.  Wanting to find information that pertained to the age group I plan to teach, kindergarten, I clicked on a link leading me to information that related to my state's standards.  From there I chose my preferred age group and subject, language arts, and was shocked to find a complete detailed list of all topics the PA standards recommended.  The website provides lesson plans, presentations, and detailed guides with pictures.  I was able to find this information about anything from Abraham Lincoln to the origins of American animation.  I feel like this would be extremely beneficial in my classroom.  If I was struggling to come up with ideas, this would be the perfect tool to use.  There's even an opportunity to ask the librarian questions.   I could get advice, or tips on creating my lesson plans.  I believe this to be a great tool to have at my finger tips. 

Mainstreaming

Mainstreaming has been a popular topic in terms of today’s education system.  Mainstreaming is the process of educating children with special needs in regular classes.  Some believe in mainstreaming, saying that allowing children with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers will help create tolerance and understanding among the students.  Others feel that children with special needs benefit from having their own individual classrooms to get the attention and help that they need. 

Mainstreaming does offer a lot to children with special needs. It has shown to be effective in increasing student’s academic skills and therefore increases the abilities applied by students in a general education setting.  Mainstreaming also can provide special needs children with high self- esteem.  By being permitted to learn alongside non-disabled children, they will become more confident, and believe that they should not be treated any differently. 

However, there are major disadvantages of practicing mainstreaming in schools.  A mainstreamed student may very possibly require more attention from the teacher than a non-disabled student, leading to a potentially disastrous situation.  Time would be taken away from the rest of the class, and everyone would fall behind.  Mainstreaming could also lead to social issues among students, which could lead to bullying.  Some students with disabilities may feel more comfortable in an environment where most students are working at the same level.

We can see an example of the bad side of mainstreaming in 'Mainstreaming' Trend Tests Classroom Goals. However, we can see the positive side too in the following video,  Hold Fast to Dreams: Helping All Students Succeed. 

Twitter

I will be the first to admit I am not a fan of twitter.  I understand the benefits of it, and I know tons of people use it.  However, I can't bring myself to like it.  Now that I finally made a twitter account, I am attempting to make the best of it.  After we started following five educators, I saw a lot of ways I could use twitter in my potential career.  The educators I am following have tons of awesome ideas that I could use in my classroom someday.  It's interesting how teachers, even for elementary school kids, can use technology to help their classrooms.  I also feel like twitter will be able to help me communicate with others in my SEDU 183 class.  If one person tweets an idea or question, it might be able to help all of us.  I am hesitant about using twitter, but I'm trying to be open-minded and hope it will benefit me in the end. 

Powerpoint Project

              For my powerpoint project, I took on the task of teaching kindergartners how to add and subtract. I introduced the slide show with bright colors, and a link to a video that contained a song to remember how to add and subtract.  I then went on to give examples of addition and subtraction problems, using fun animation techniques on powerpoint. The slideshow was rather short, but I felt it accomplished my goal and was appropriate for the age group.
           After completing the powerpoint project, I felt a sense of relief.  At the beginning of the assignment, I was somewhat confused as to what exactly I was being asked to do.  Powerpoint can be overwhelming, but as time went on I began to adjust. I struggled with linking one slide to another, but eventually I caught on. I was hesitant about this assignment at first, but I enjoyed it in the long run.
         I learned a lot about powerpoint through this project, and feel more confident using it now.  As technology becomes more and more advanced, I feel it will be a tool I can use in my class room when I become an educator.  It's a good way to get kids engaged in learning and provide them with visual examples.  I liked seeing others projects as well because it allowed me to get different ideas and see how others approached the assignment.

Check out my powerpoint!

Adding and subtracting

View more PowerPoint from torii16

Chapter One

While reading Chapter One, David Wiley’s idea that six significant shifts are currently taking place in our society caught my attention.  First he acknowledges that we are moving from analog to digital.  Without even realizing it, “paper as a physical medium is fast giving way to the digital formats we create using technology and formats that are searchable, easier to copy and share, potentially collaborative, and more easily organized.”  Because I grew up during this period of technological change, I was unaware how dramatic this change has become recently.  Paperback books are rarely used anymore, and we are more concerned about how we can attain our information in the most convenient way.  At the rate we are headed, it seems like in the next few years, paperback books will be eliminated completely because we will be able to access every text online. 

Wiley’s belief that we are shifting from tethered to mobile related to my own life the most.  More and more people are switching to smart phones, allowing themselves constant internet access.  I recently switched to a smart phone, and admit that I am unsure how I accomplished anything before it.  It makes it possible for us to have any information right at our fingertips.  The potential is really incredible.  To most, laptops are a major innovation, but they are already on the verge of replacement. 

Another shift I can relate to is that learning is moving from being a fundamentally isolated experience to one that is decidedly connected.  It has always been easy to communicate with those around us, but “the global connections now available have created an expectation of collaboration and cooperation around learning that goes beyond our physical space.”  For me, this blog is the perfect example of what Wiley is talking about.  I am able to share my thoughts and feelings online, and people all over are able to read and elaborate on it. 

The shift from generic to personal is not one I experience as much, but I know it benefits many members of society today.  We are now able to find others with the same interests as us, which was not always easy.  I mostly use the internet for school purposes, only researching assigned topics or articles.  However, modern technology would make it plausible for me to find others who share my interests at the click of a button. 

Creation to consumption has given us the opportunity to not only consume ideas, but to share them as well.  Instead of just “reading, thinking and synthesizing ideas”, we now can turn them into creative acts.  I feel like this can only benefit society in the long run.  If people are willing to delve out of their comfort zones and look into trying new things, access is easily provided. 

Finally, Wiley touches on the shift of closed systems and ideas to open ones. This is one shift that I am unsure about, simply because “open content is becoming more ubiquitous; it is content created without copyright restrictions, freely published and shared, and available for others to use and reuse.”  It seems really interesting and could potentially be helpful, but the possibilities could be endless. 

These shifts have “huge implications for us as educators.”  Growing up with technology, I am accustomed to a lot of these changes.  However, I still feel a sense of discomfort, and understand what affect these shifts could have.  It really goes to show how much we are evolving, and what possibilities may lie ahead.

Decorating is a Piece of Cake

Quick Guide to Cake Decorating
Cake Decorating Techniques
Victoria Valletto


Wedding Cake

An Example of a Creative Birthday Cake

I have always wanted to pursue decorating wedding cakes. Although I probably never will, I still try at home to bake new and creative things. My aunt was a chef, and often let me watch her decorate cakes for all different occasions. 

My Introduction

My name is Victoria Valletto. I'm from a city near Pittsburgh called Butler. I am getting my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, and plan to attend graduate school. I am a member of the sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. I hope someday to be a teacher for elementary school children, preferably second grade.  I hope to use this blog to share my learning experiences, and to ask questions about others as well.