HIstory repeats itself...

 I am ashamed to admit, but I want to be honest in saying that I don't like history. Never did......but maybe now I will. After reading the article Teaching for Historical Literacy, I couldn't help but use my own experiences and encounters in regard to my personal historical education. It's no wonder now as to why I did not enjoy or even try to understand what was being taught..... for my experiences included the conventional style of a history lesson, textbook reading, rote memorization of facts, and answering chapter questions upon completion of reading assignments. Let's face it, there wasn't anything glamorous about all that. However, this article has piqued my interest! As a reading specialist, I would love to see more content literacy happening in subjects such as science and social studies. It really could change the dynamic of the whole subject, and allow students that would otherwise be bored to flourish in a new way. Talk about making history come alive and have more meaning to the student while allowing for them, to get a real feel and understanding for what exactly happened on a wagon train, what it meant to be a pioneer and etc. The use of historical fiction is a wonderful idea and can be used in so many ways, such as comparing and contrasting, character/author point of view, and generalizations.
 Students are innately curious and providing them with these opportunities to gain information  in such a manner is truly refreshing.  That would never have been possible with the archaic methods of the past. I actually found myself thinking that maybe I could live vicariously through my sons and perhaps use their time to study history be my chance to finally "learn history" through their experiences. As a language arts teacher, I now see how I can utilize my lessons to give students the medium to think outside the box, have them draw conclusions, and discuss misconceptions through literacy and writing.
 As I have said, I never took to history, I felt a disconnect, a lack of interest. I can see the effects of that disinterest  because as an adult I really don't feel the need to have any strong political affiliations or follow issues of government we are all facing.  Now I see what history can and should be, and I am thinking maybe I have a second chance.....hoping this time history won't repeat itself!!!!

Left Brained? Who me?

 I chose to read the article Left Brain vs. Right Brain Teaching Techniques and will admit I was quite intrigued by what I read. First of all, I found out a few things about myself  and why I do the things I do. I had myself pegged as a right brain learner and after a self analyzing survey discovered that I was 52% left brained and 48% right brained. Interesting fact, indeed, to me and my husband, who predicted that I would be so far right brained......not so true, after all. Then, I got to thinking about the characteristics of my own children and what makes them tick, and how this brain research speaks volumes about each of our personalities and affects every facet of our lives.  Next, I pondered how in day to day teaching we are faced with the difficult task of enriching  the knowledge of the diverse group of learners we come in contact with each day. Just how deep this goes and just how difficult it is to get everyone on the "same page" continues to be a struggle for many teachers. Maybe, that is what is so challenging about teaching, how can we expect everyone to learn the same way, when none of us think exactly the same way. Perhaps, as teachers we need to be more cognizant of how we teach along with what we teach. These days the draw is towards how much content is covered or what test material needs to be regurgitated at this time, let's be honest, do we stop to plan and focus on how the students are receiving this information? I really enjoyed the article because it gave useful ideas and techniques to encorporate into daily lessons that will touch upon the needs of both right and left brain learners.
Lessons need to be a potpourri of presentations, discussions, manipulatives, music, maps & charts, a time for self-expression, along with note-taking and pencil/paper activities. This enriches the education experience and the learning process of each hemisphere of the brain.

The Wizard Of Blog...

 "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore"...it's not that I ever was , but in the fact that I feel
rather lost and out of my comfort zone for sure, as I try to figure out this blogging "stuff".
As I write, I feel like the analogy of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz would be rather apropros at this time. To further my comparison, I wish there was a wizard that could help me navigate the moodle site, heck I'd take a bunch of munchkins or even flying monkeys, at this point.
Just like good ol' Dorothy, I can relate to the other famous characters as well.
 For instance, the scarecrow wished for a brain, and honestly after having completed most of the assignments, I am still just as confused, so maybe I should get in line behind that bag of straw, too. As for the lion, he needed courage, and so do I , because I question my abilities and the knowledge I may
need to participate in this project. Lastly, the tinman, he wanted a heart, committing yourself to something takes heart, so that I will need to muster up, as well.
That being said, maybe I need to embark down that "yellow brick road" and see what I can learn along

the way...but wait, I think I'm forgetting something....Anyone have a pair of ruby slippers I can borrow?