Script

Here is the script I'm going on. Like I said in a few posting back. If the teacher isn't going to give us a heads up (since she is suppose to be checking our blogs) as far as direction when all is said and done, I don't think there is a wrong way to do this pod cast. I think we should each, individually, follow the Module....so, 1 - 2 minutes long. We are acting like teachers addressing parents about how we plan to "obtain a classroom pet" We are to include aspects from our project, is what the module says. We are to choose 2 completely different parts from the book (each) to discuss in our pod cast. Then there's all the other crap about how to create a pod cast. Erin, if you want me to assemble this project together, please let me know. If anyone wants to discuss this verbally, give me a call 269-599-7780. Here is the script that I put together. It's only a page long, but remember, it's only suppose to be 1 - 2 minutes - according to my film professors, "a page in screenplay format is like a minute on the screen" I know this is narration, but not too different considering a lot of films have voice over at the beginning. Anyway, here's the script I put together:

Throughout the course of the year, all students in class will be given many opportunities to experience different activities it takes to obtain and care for a classroom pet. Some main points for this project will be in helping your children gain a better appreciation for their own family pets, gain team building skills with other classmates through communication, and help them gain skills they wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. The project for obtaining a classroom pet will help strengthen various aspects of math, science, and language arts they are learning through their normal class work. Obtaining a classroom pet your students will learn valuable skills using technology that they will be able to take with them outside the classroom and use in real world situations.

One way your child will use technology to obtaining a classroom pet is through creating their own facebook account (if they don’t have one already) where they can share ideas and communicate with other classmates about what they should consider when obtaining a classroom pet. I’m one of three teachers who have already been collaborating through a blog site our own ideas to obtain a classroom pet. My hope is that when students communicate with each other about the possibilities and considerations for having and taking care of a classroom pet they will become proactive in coming up with their own solution through a method called problem-based learning.

Other useful skill students will gain in obtaining a classroom pet and taking care of that classroom pet will be in developing time management skills. Students will be given opportunities to take the classroom pet home with them and create a video log about the time they spent taking care of the animal. They will then teach other students as well as their parents something they’ve been studying in class by using their footage and creating a script. They will put together a video presentation to edit during and (if needed) after class to join their script with the footage each student took. This will be an ongoing project for about a month allowing every student to take their class pet home with them.

Okay, I am so confused on this project. So we all make our own script and then send it to one person? It says we need music.. do all of us need music or just at the end when we add them all together? And for mine, I have pretty much just been talking about different types of pets like mammals and certain things about them like cold blooded/warm blooded because my topic has been Choosing a pet, so is that what I talk about?
SO confused!!!!

by the way if you need it Erin tinacrtn@gmail.com

Question

I am sorry for the dumb question but this podcast are we talking about our own progress for this semester, or are we talking about the actual lesson plans we have been doing and talking to the kid's parents about what their kids will be doing?

We also need to get a move on. i thought I would be way behind being gone on this one, and you would all be waiting on me. If I understand Erin is doing this. We have to get our finished to her. She has to put it all together and then send it back to us finished so we can individually submit it. Take it from someone who knows (Erin has kids in case you did not read the intros). kids get in the way when you have deadlines, especially when there are others counting on you.
Okay that sounds really harsh. What I mean is something tends to always happen (hope I am not jinxing). Trust me I LOVE my three, as it turns out I have now been told by two doctors I should not have een able to get pregnant with them at all. God has truely blessed me.

My ideas for my Script

Okay...I finally come to some sort of conclusion with this project. Kind of need to settle on something when you write a script. Sometimes, I don't think I was given 2 weeks to complete a project like this when I was in my film classes, so you can call me a slacker for finally coming to some conclusion. It's summer....plus working and being tired afterwards (not really an excuse, just using it as one) hasn't really helped me make progress on this.
We are to use two concepts...different from someone else. Please let me know if I'm stealing anyone's ideas for concepts from the book. One of the concepts from the book talked about "Expressing ourselves, Sharing Ideas, Building Community" and students using myspace to do this (this is located in Chapter 3). I was thinking about using this concept to talk about some of the projects I've already been working on.
The other concepts I wanted to use is was on using time manage skills for students who are working on a project. I was thinking of how I can incorporate my little video project as one way to use time management skills when creating your script, shooting footage, and allowing enough time to edit for the finished product. Of course weather plays into that as well when you are shooting exterior shots. Time management skills/deadlines can be found in chapter 5.
Just let me know if I'm stealing anyone ideas for creating my script.
I'll write my script and hopefully record it today....?
If not, I'll be done with it tomorrow. I need to get done with stuff fast because I'm going to be pulling in 9 days in a row of work this next week and after! Yikes, but fun!

SORRY

Sooooooo sorry guys. When I checked out it was only supposed to be until Thursday at the latest. I had some things that had to be taken care of that could not wait any longer (still not done too many interuptions). I also had to plan my son's birthday party, and study for the exam in my other class.
What actually happened was:I had a chance to confront my father who hasn't spoken to me in five years about the fact that I found out he has cancer and it does not look good. I spent a day in the ER and then 1/2 day with a follow up doctor visit only to find out that instead of taking classes the second half of summer I will be having and recovering from sugery. My grandma had a stroke Friday so I was going to go to Petoskey today to see her. On my way there I got a call one of my twins was on the way to the doctor's office with an allergic reaction and his eyes swollen shut so I came back. He is ok turns out he got sunscreen in his eyes.
I will read up and catch up. Sorry again. I am just glad this turned out to be a two week project.

yeah so i also read over the module and am really confused about the whole book part. Any ideas of what we want to do with that?

podcast

So I was reading through the module and I was wondering what other people are planning on talking about. What types of concepts from the book is she looking for? I figured we better plan out what each person will say so that we don't repeat ourselves and so our final collective podcast doesn't repeat itself.

Re. To Tina

Web Casts are just a way to gain information about something. In the Fall last year we got extra credit for writing a paper after listening to a pod cast of a few guys who stuttered. It was for a Communications Disabilities class. All we are doing is creating a script. I think the module just said we are to create a script that we can use to help teachers understand how we will use technology in our classroom and incorporate lesson plans using the technology that has to do with the core values of Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, etc. Basically I get the impression we are creating a pod cast to tell what we've been doing all semester long, however gear it towards telling parents. This could be a pretty fun little project. Once everyone has their little pod piece put together, then you send that file over to the person who is organizing all the audio files into one large track using Audacity. Audacity is a easy to use open source Audio mixer/editor you can download for free. Then once the master track is finished, it is mixed down into a MP3 file that will be posted somewhere, much like our video assignment was posted.

Hopefully I understand the instructions well. I'll read through the module again to make sure I'm following things clearly.

MIA

Guys sorry have been MIA and will be for another day maybe two.
Drew if anything you sound too knowlagable (or is it I am too much in the 20th century?). I have no clue as to what all the stuff you said was. By the way I need to read the module but what is a podcast? This class is my technology experience if you guys have not guessed that already. You have also been VERY helpful to me. Thankyou so much.
By the way I probably sound bad too.
I will do the next concept map. As far as having you post it as I said earlier I figure the more places we post it we are bound to hit the one she wants. I did get the grade fo rboth finaly. Waiting on my movie grade now. I am just curious about that one because This one was a completely new experience. The others I had at least sort of seen someone do. Very long story there for a blog.

Pod Cast

I read through the module too. It sounds like one person has to take what others have put together and position them accurately using Audacity. It's a cool Open source program, however I really haven't used it. First year I took film classes an instructor told us about it, but the school had even more professional audio production tools (pro-tools) to work with, so we didn't use Audacity. I use linux so I have it on my linux system, it seems like a pretty basic editor. I also have Adobe Soundbooth which is someone simular to Pro-Tools or there is Ardour for Linux that is very much like Pro-Tools. It looks like Audacity is a pretty easy to use quicky audio mixing program with very few plug-ins or control. It would probably be a great program to use for this project. Erin, if you need help with any of the audio mixing, let me know. Also if you want me to test my knowledge (since I wasn't an audio major, so I don't know everything with the other programs) with more professional software, just give me a hollar! I'll just be recording my script using my TASCAM DP mixer (not my computer). Then will you need me to send you it in MP3 or WAVE? I don't know if Audacity is frigidity if our audio is compressed or not. Some production software programs want uncompressed audio or video so they can work their magic with the files!

Oh yeah, My mistake. we have 5 weeks left of this class...this module will take 2 weeks to complete. I'm still processing thoughts for a good script to write/read.

Again Erin, just let me know if you need any help on this project. I'll post my audio file somehow when I get it completed.

Yoohoo here too!

Drew- i don't think you have given anyone a bad impression, just one that you know more about all this technology business than any of us (or at least me). i know it is hard to have your personality come through on a blog!

Hey guys, since i have yet to put any of our collaborative stuff together, i will take up the task of putting together the podcast. i just recently read over the module so i am not sure of the specifics of my podcast. i'll have to getback with ya on that one.

Enjoy the weather! I love the summer!

woo Hoo!!!

Only Four weeks left! I can't wait. I feel like I've given everyone the wrong idea to my personality this whole semester...oh well, that is what to expect from something done online!

Concept map on blog, I hope

Okay, I hope this posts ok. right now I'm just looking at HTML language. Here is the post of our concept map...hopefully

post map on blog

Drew do you think you can post the map on the blog as a post like Kristin did originaly?

agree

I agree Drew. Apparently I am not also part of this blog. I am finding out new things but have no clue as to what she wants. The only problem is that this interferes with my moving on.
Anyway guys it appears I jumped the gun a little earlier. Sorry again. I did figure out how to erase the picture sort of. I do not know how to get rid of the one I did earlier.

repost of the concept map etc

I'm reposting a new thing on e-learn with the up-updated version of our concept map. I've constantly been trying to add the new concept map as my profile picture. It is my profile picture if I actually go and view my profile, but in the small area next to our names on the left of the blog area, it still shows my original picture. I don't know how to change that. I'm not going to worry about it too much. If the instructor would care to share with us some information on changing that, it would be most helpful! Otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it if she doesn't say anything to us.
Alright, you should see a new posting if you want to download those files...we also need to discuss who will be working on the concept map next, so I can send the project file over to them to use.

forget about my last post

drew-

i sent you an email with my new stuff on it.

additions to concept map

Hey Drew- I have yet to dowload kidspiration, so here are my additions. Sorry so late-I had to replace my keyboard due to a cereal spill-lol. Add these where you feel the would work out:

Money needed for class pet-
Fundraiser ideas
1. car wash
2. bake sale
3. rummage sale
4. class book

Also I am not sure if stuff that I previously sent Kristin was posted on the map. Could you send me it via email- erin.m.hoyle@wmich.edu

Thanks!

our new map

Sorry guys. I thought it would cover up the old IF I could get it to change. Looks like I did,sort of. I tried to make it my picture again but it did not come up as such upon viewing the blog. Because I still do not have points I do not know where exactly she wants it. I am just figuring to put it in as many places as possable and eventually I'll hit the right one to get myself(us) credit.

Where to find on e-learn

as soon as you get into e-learn go to the "Discussions" area. Find our area, "obtain a classroom pet". Go into it. I posted a note saying "Concept Map (revised)" You should be able to download the files from there. I exported the map as a JPEG and I also put it into a Word Document. Feel free to give me feedback through the blog. If you want to me to add anything else to is, please tell me. I'll check this again when I get home this evening. Hope you all are having a good Father's Day

Update on Concept Map

I'm in Kidspiration. I added a lot of different pictures and added a couple more sub-categories and ideas to the concept map. It looks a little more colorful!

I think I'm only getting ideas from Tina. I went through most of the blogs to see if anyone else posted anything. I'm going to my aunt and Uncles for Father's Day, But I'll post a file on e-learn for our group to be able to download the picture of what the concept map looks like. I don't have anyones e-mail address, other than Kristins...I think? Since I'm the only one who has kidspiration working right now, I'm the only one that can work on the project file. I will need to send it to the next person, whoever wants to work on it next

map

My additions are in earlier posts.
In an earlier lesson I did I had the students choose a pet and then make a list of the things needed for thier habitat. This lesson I was going to have the students gather all those list and put the info in excel. They were then going to decide what to buy based on what is used by most. (aquarium +). The students were then going to compere prices at different stores to get the cheapest. I will cut out the math stuff because I think it will be too close to yours. Sorry I forgot about your power point. I did not mean to step on toes. This is where seeing each others work would be helpful.

I was not trying to offend earlir. It seams that with the collaborative part of things apparently I am doing something wrong (exactly what I am still not sure, nor how to fix it). Any way I was making sure I had not misunderstood and that I was not doing the changes this time and trying to catch early enough to make corections if need be. I do not want to screw you guys up.

I just tried to get back into kidspiration which is where I made the first concept map and it told me that the program has expired. I hope the saved version I sent to you Drew, comes through ok since I will no longer be able to get into the program. You might have to download the one I posted on the blog before and work off that one.

map

Drew, I sent you the concept map to your gmail. I hope it comes through. Let me know if it doesn't. thanks!

E-mailing Project File

Kristin...I posted a comment on one of your postings as far as how you can e-mail me. I don't know if you were able to read it or not. But you can e-mail me at deward.drew@gmail.com. I check that e-mail the most, so please please please e-mail me the project file from kidspiration that you used to start our concept map, then I can continue on with it.

Concept Map and stuff

Yeah, I was planning on updating our concept map. I need, however, the project file...whoever has that, so I can get working on it as quick as possible. As well as anyone else's input on what they would like to improve in it or change. I'm sorry I finally logged on today to check this out. I should have logged on earlier, but was working on my car all day.

I think I'm going to do my Database on creating a list of costs for having a classroom pet. kind of like how I did my little math lesson for the power point presentation. You know the cage/bedding/food/ect. that has to be accounted for in purchasing all year long. I'll create and excel project based on that. If this is stealing what someone else is doing, please let me know. I can think of something else to create my excel project on too.

Please get me the concept map project file ASAP so I can start working on it. Thanks!

concept map

I was looking for the new concept map. I am under the impression that Drew is dooing it this time. Let me know if I am wrong. I just want to make sure we can all get it up as our picture in time. And if I am the one supposed to be doing it I am behind.

Hye everyone! Sorry ive been MIA all week.. i started my second job so ive been working 8 to 9 everyday... but I will be doing my lesson plan on the same topic I have been doing everything else on! Hope thats okay with everyone!!

Thanks

Thank You Erin. I was having a mental block for some reason.

Concept map

DREW OR KRISTIN-

could one of you post the concept map on the blog so that i can see where we are at with it? or you can send it to me at erin.m.hoyle@wmich.edu

TINA-

an idea i quickly thought of for habitat for this lesson plan could be comparing prices between different stores for materials needed in the habitat or you could compare habitat costs between 2 or 3 different class pets to see which one is a more realistic price for what the class wants to pay. hope these can help you out in some way!

concept map changes

Drew did you see my earlier thoughts on additions to this?
Also to add to that with the diet. Can we get specific food( ie fish food) or does the pet require a suppliment as well? ( ie- fruits or vegetables along with pellets)

I am having a difficult time with an idea for this one. With my topic being habitat what kind of things can you really gather information for? Help please.

PLease look for comments. Also just let me know when to get on inspiration.

Drew

If you want to make changes to our concept map this time, that is good. I will send you the first draft... how do you want me to do that? Just to an email address??

video post

oh yeah, if you wanted to see the video I made here's the url http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_31-YkYlMt4. I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to these things (I know it's nothing professional) but I've been re-editing and posting the new edit on facebook. I've been trying to recompress and make it look better while still keeping the bitrate low, I added in some room tone and ambient sound throughout so that the audio doesn't sound too choppy. But yeah, check out the url. Also, if you plan on doing more video projects sometime here is a great site for open source music you can use without getting in trouble with copywritten information www.archive.org. A film professor I had told us about this sit. But now you can pretty much google royalty free or open source music and there are tons of sites out there to use.

Concept Map

Kristen, I was wondering if you could send me the file for our concept map. I tried to save the image from my blog account, but everything seems so distorted after I blow up the image.

If you want, I can use the inspiration program and continue on with the map. Now that everthing is working again on my computer I shouldn't have too many technical difficulties with things. I don't think I'll mess around with my computer till after this class :).

I really don't know what I'll do for this lesson plan. I've been trying to be original for all our past lesson plans, so I might just have to pull from something I've already done and work with it. I'll look at other people's posting and see what their planning on doing. Hopefully I can do something of my own. You can definately run out of ideas when your just focussed on one area.

Anyway, I really hate communicating online. I think I already made the instructor upset with misinterpretation in communication.

Lesson Plan

btw, I will just do my lesson plan on the same topic that I have done for all of the other assignments! :)

Concept Map

Hey guys,
So we need to revise our concept map and I was wondering if you guys just wanted to post your ideas on here and then I can change it to our draft since I have it saved to my computer. (I didn't know if we ever figured out how others can add to the one that I posted.) It doesn't matter to me, either way. Just let me know what you guys want to do!

concept map

Okay you guys may laugh or call me crazy but I do have a few additions to our ideas, some of them coming from my having the tadpoles actually. Funny how the reality of things shows things not considered no matter how hard to try to cover all basis.
We do not have anything about diet, along with that does it stay the same for the duration of our having the pet or change (tadpoles eat plants in the water, frogs eat flies- tadpoles/froglets are now gone. I will not keep flies). The care of the animal may possably change- no need to feed(I made sure to bring the water plants too) to providing food.

For the aquarium pets: will they need it dry (snake), with water (fish), or a mixture of both (turtles)? Will we need tunnels (hampsters), or filters(fish)?
Cages: bird or other?

Yes the little frog and tadpole are gone. The froglet was down to less than half its tail size and would be needing land and flies soon. THe other tadpole still only had back legs. I did put them in a creek. Hopefully they will continue to be harty little fellas.

Are you guys still in inspiration or does one of us now have to get in? There was also more than just Kristin that got in and I do not know who of us is left that can.

lesson 2

I was trying to think of imformatoin gathering ideas but the thoughts come up so far would be stepping on others toes. Ex - vote on what fundraiser to do -Erin, or VOte on what pet to have -Lindsey. So far thoe are the only ideas I can think of but it is early yet.

lesson plan 2

hi guys. i am going to do my lesson on fundraising ideas again and comparing the costs of different types.

see each others

Hey we can finally see each others work. If you are interested mine is www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD1q6xW2ojY

Erin I could not get yours to come up.
Kristin I love the little hand washing video. :)

With Kristin's some others from I think a previous semester came up.

Was having crazy technical dificulties with my computer

Okay...I'm so sorry, I had the worst luck this week on my computer. I tried to install a new Windows OS on my computer and couldn't get wireless connection from my computer. I ended up formatting my hard drive many many time and had no luck. I went back to my original Operating System finally and am back and running. I hate it because I could have been working on other things much more important, but one thing lead into the next and I had to figure out how to get my computer fixed again. I'm so horrible! Anyway, I think I'm still going to do my video on the sun radiation and how we should protect our pets during the hot summer months from the suns ultra violet rays and keeping them inside or leaving enough shade outside for our pets that stay outside.

help

how do you get the URL for the video upload? It is there showing just a camera but I can not get to it with or know the URL.

grade

I do not mean to be personal but did any of you get grades for the concept map or blog? She says she has updated mine but yet those are not there. I am still confused on these I guess. Yes I "reflected" the URL.

On a lighter note. Our second tadpole has sproutef hind legs and the first now has front legs too. Man they are small. I do not know why but I expected them to get bigger before they gott legs. We will be getting rid of them soon. I am not keeping flies in my house for them. :( :)

profile picture

I see two of you figured out this already but you guys were the ones in the inspiration program. I was begining to think that was the only way we could have it up. I finally figured it out yesterday after trying ever since the anouncement. At the sign in part it shows a spot to edit profile picture. I clicked on that of course. What I had to do to get the concept map was to fist locate it in the blog, right click and "save as". It put it into the file with the sample pictures that came with the computer (PNG ?) Anyway in the edit mode where you get to the picture part I browsed to my picture file, chose it and then saved the change. It did not show on the viewed blog right away, but it did on the other part, and then today.
I am sure this is too late but I am letting you know as soon as I found out it worked.

my video

yeah- i'm just gonna stick with some ways to raise money like all of my last assignments. we'll see how this goes!

hey! so im going to do my movie on choosing a classroom pet, like my lesson plan and powerpoint! Just a heads up to everyone...Good luck!

I have recieved an e-mail from Kelsey as well as some grades. She has not given me grades for the module 2 stuff so I am still getting an E :(. I did get 100 on my power point :). I am not bragging, I am just happy because I have never used that before. :) There is hope maybe.

my movie

Ok well here are my thoughts on this week. I have done finding a list of what is needed for the chosen pet as the first lesson. My power point was a list of what and why things were needed for a guinea pig. All of these in reference to the habitat of course.
The assignment reads that this is supposed to be an introductoin to a lesson for a specific concept. Even though with my first lesson I said that at our read aloud time we would read " A House For Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle and talk about what a habitat is as an anticipatory thing I think that this could be an actual lesson on what a habitat is.
As far as how to go about this (making the movie part )I have no idea.With the other projects I had seen a little about them before. Nothing for this one.

My three things will come together nicely for me and I hope for the group. It is hard to know since we can not see each other's work.I am definatly trying to keep up my end.

video project

ok, so I guess I will plan on doing my video on the same topic as before which is the importance of washing hands.

Video Project

Okay, I was thinking this through. I'm thinking about taking a break on our pet for this assignment mostly because I can't think of anything I talk about for a minute or so. But I could incorporate the care of your animals or pets into a the video I'm want to make. I will have to scout some location and maybe get permission from a couple people to shoot thing, but this may work. I was thinking about talking about the effects of the sun and the importance of wearing sunscreen. Then to incorporate pets into the video maybe I'll talk about how we need to protect our animals by finding shade for them to lay under during those hot summer days. I'm sure there will be a couple days this week that the sun will be out, so I was thinking of obtaining some new footage while I'm beach bumming ;)...and maybe get some other footage from around here. I know I'm kind of going away from total directions for the the project and will be incorporating moving footage (as well as slides/pictures) instead of just slides/pictures into my presentation. It's just when you get the creative juices started it's hard to contain them. I'll also try to play with some of my old footage that I took at GVSU and see if I might be able to use it. I know I took some real cool sun shots that I could probably time-lapse.
Anyway, just let me know if I'm stealing someone else's idea for this project :)

tadpole update

By the way 2 of the four tadpoles died last Monday afternoon. The other two seem to be going strong. One even has tiny little legs.

very confused

okay as posted earlier I have no idea how all of this is supposed to come together. I am having a hard time putting a unit together without knowing that. I also am not sure if we should be changing our concept with each assignment or sticking with the same one. All of her examples seem to be the same concept so my best guess is ours are too but, this is just a guess. What do you guys think? Help.

I am also VERY nervous about this next assignment. I have not the slightes clue. Do we use power point with this or is there another way to do those slides within the movie maker. By the way where is that?

Very little (and too late I might add) contact with the teacher does not help. I realize that family things get in the way as I have been there done that, but it does not make it easy for us. I am ready to give up. If I wasn't counting on passing to student teach in the fall I probably would. I am so done with this online stuff. Never again.


By the way I have been doing mine second grade.

contact

There was brief contact but the answers I recieved did not help my situation due to the fact they were after the fact. I do not know how that will play out. We tried calling each other but were both on the way out the door as we picked up the phone. Now I have lost contact again and really nothing has been resolved.

Hey Drew you commented that we all started out failing. I wonder if anyone ends up passing. My grade says I am still failing. She still has not put grades in for anything. This week however I am going to end up with my assignments in late. That will not help. I hate the writing assignments. It always seems I have time to do the research or reading but not the writing part. Did anyone else have trouble getting into any of the links for the research? For me on the distance learning they either would not open or appeared to be adds when they did. Did I miss something?

contact with kelsey?

I may be a little bit over zealous with the amount of emails to kelsey, but she doesn't seem to be answerng any of mine. has anyone else had difficulty? how's everyone doing by the way? i feel like I have been MIA all week.

Hey guys... so I tried to make the concept map the picture for the blog, but as you can see it kind of looks weird and is really small. Best I could do.. haha!

Changing picture

I changed my picture to the rough draft of our concept map, however it is not showing up under out stuff...maybe it will when it all kicks into gear. Anyway, I have no questions, just felt like commenting on that because I'm bored...:)

Sorry I've been out of the Element this week

I guess I took this weeks "break from 'Project-Based Learning'" Pretty Seriously and have kind of just been working on this weeks stuff and haven't checked the blog. I was able to read everyone's posts. Just like Problem-based learning, there was never any clear direction how to approach what we were working on. It seemed like Dr. Pillsbury just sat their and watched us do something. Of course most of his "problems" never had any clear solution, just things we could do to improve those problems. Umm...Project-Based Learning, I don't know if it is an attempt to start a project without a real clear ending or what? I'll try to keep up with everything a little more.
Later

Hey guys, I read somewhere in my doing this project that one school had its students adopt an animal at the zoo at the end of their project. Maybe we can work this into our unit. Let me know what you think.

profile

I honestly don't know if there is a way that others can add to the concept map that I posted. I have been trying to figure it out but nothing seems to work. I'm hoping that if just one of us has it as our profile pic, that is good enough.

inspiration

okay Erin I have no clue. I have asked how I was supposed to turn in the concept map or if she will see it on the web even. This has yet to be answered and I do not have a grade for it. We are supposed to choose this as our profile pic each time. I do not even know how to do the profile picture thing. I thought I figured that out the other day but I am still a shadow. I am not sure how those of us who did not set it up are supposed to add to it at all.
???????????????

profile pic

did kelsey mean for all of us to have the inspiration as our profile pic or just one of us?

re-group

Okay I typed that last one before finishimg reading. I actually do not care what our class pet is although my last lesson was on a guinea pig. I do not know if we could change.

I have been trying to catch up on other stuff and have not looked at my e-mail or my class assignment yet. I am glad someone has heard from Kelsey.

Okay I did want to check on where we have been with our topic. I am not sure where the end result of all this is going. DO our units have to mesh together as a group and/or individally (which I hope shoud)? In the end do we have to have all the subjects covered group/ individually or at all?

Anyway I was thinking these things and thought I would recap what we have done.
Lesson plans
Drew- writing workshop and virtual pets
Kristin-pet diseases -science
Tina- What is need for the habitat. -Science
Erin- fundraiser- Math
Lindsey- Different options for a pet- Science
Powerpoint
Kristin- Germs and the impotance of washing hands-Science
Tina- What a Guinea pig needs for his habitat- Science
Drew- Class budegt spending wisley- Math
Erin- Fundraiser- Math
Lindsey-?

As it turned out my powerpoint ended up being an example of what I wanted the kids to do in the first lesson. Kind of wasn't planned that way but is what happened.

Make corrections, additions for more specific, fill in the blanks or leave it. Whatever floats your boat.

no frogs

I did not mean to have frogs for this. I was just saying what s coincidence this was. Boy do they stink. They may not be here much longer. Two died, and yes I removed them.

Frog OK

Frogs will be okay, but from an earlier post I sent out, I got some information from a girl I work with that is a teacher...she told me about some of the cons, one of them being phobia. Some students might have phobia because of a frog. Of course then there are all those damn state laws you have to work around. Of course after cutting open a frog in my 8th grade science class, I don't see why state laws would hold up anything about keeping a live frog. They pretty easy maintenance and you can freeze them and watch them defrost! Pretty cool!
Anyway, this next assignment looks like it's going to be a lot of reading...fun fun. And doing one of the things I hate most, writing papers. I think I'll refer to Dr. Pillsbury (of those who've had him, he's really cool...if you take the time to get to know him) Little Red Schoolhouse book on his theory about writing a good paper...LOL. I really think he just taught us how to write really good BS. At least I'll be able to do some of the reading while I'm at work.
Hope you guys are having fun with this course, it's interesting...I'll say that much

finally got a response from kelsey

kelsey finally responded to an email of mine. i gues she had a family emergency of some sort. she said shes gonna send out a mass email asap.

tina, i think frogs would be good for a class pet also. no allergies, low maintenance, and you watch their life cycle. i vote frogs!

frogs

okay this has nothing to do with our actual lessons but quite a coincidence.
Yesterday we went to a friends house. They live on a lake which has flooded and pretty much eaten up their backyard. They invited us over so the boys could see the tadpoles. There had to be at least 1000, and no I am not exagerating. Anyway we ended up bringing some home. I thought it would be cool to teach the boys the lyfe cycle of the frog first hand. Too little to maybe remember but it will be in there. Anyway as I was getting them I thought about the smell and just cleaning the bowl they are in regularly. I had to think again. I have city water no can do it will kill them. I ended up being able to teach a little habitat too. I got as much lake water as I could along with all the goop on the bottom. They were still alive when I left this morning.
I just thought it funny that as I was doing this kind of thing for school it happened at home.

other blogs

oops I ment to give you guys th e other blog names in case you wanted to look.
classroomtrip.blogspot.com
ourclasspetbunny.blogspot.com
schoolrecyclingprogram.blogspot.com