Just A Thought - Inspiration

In this fast paced digital age a lot can be lost in translation.  Overwhelmed, digital immigrants like myself can feel abandoned, lost, left behind. As with any new venture you need a helping hand to get in the water when you feel like a fish out of it.  For many students receiving special education services, every day is like this.  It just takes one: each one, reach one, touch one to teach one and change one forever.

The Starfish -- Author unknown
An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn.  In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea.  As the old man approached the young man, he asked; "Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?"  The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun.  "But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish, exclaimed the old man.  "How can your efforts make any difference?"  The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said;        
           "It makes a difference to this one!"

The Book that Impacted My Life

The Holy Bible has greatly impacted my life. I haven't always understood the words therein but I have a wide variety of resources to help me gain knowledge and understanding.  One author is Stormie O'Martin.  She has published a series of books on the Power of Prayer. When my husband was in the hospital after having triple bypass open heart surgery, I at times could not find the words for prayer though I had the source.  Her book, The Power of a Praying Wife, put my heartfelt feelings into words.  Her notations guided me to the biblical references needed that helped me through 14 days on the hospital premises. Like the sparrow I did not want for food, shelter or clothing though we'd expected to be home in 24 hours.

Time spent in the word is time well spent. In a bad relationship, the solution is in the word. Don't know which way to turn. Guidance is in the word. At the end of your rope, the lifeline is is the word. As Lee501expressed, "it helps me to live contently no matter what my circumstances may be at a given time."

Five Special Things in the Room I'm In

The assignment was to make note of five things that were special to me in the room I'm in. Well, I am not alone in this room. My grandson has been bouncing around me, asking questions, hugging me, kissing me and feeding me pop tarts. He makes this room special.  This room is filled with his energy, his excitement for adventure, his joy of life, his affection, and his innocence.  In essence these five aspects of his spirit make being in this room special.  Yes, I am supposed to be focused on homework.  He makes homework less a chore and together we explore being.  I share his energy, excitement, zest, love and wholesome innocence of which he seems to have an unending flow.  How do I share space with him and not take notice? Within him are five special things of note plus more!

Five On-line Literacy Resources



Reading for the Record October 2010



These websites are for teachers, parents, volunteers, anyone interested in developing and enhancing literacy skills. 

Literacy Connections http://www.literacyconnections.com/

Literacy Connections provides information on reading, teaching and tutoring techniques, ESL literacy, and child/adult literacy. The resources recommended include the language experience approach, phonics, word study, word families, and children's literature. 

Starfall Starfall.com
Starfall began as a free public service using phonics to teach reading.  The program uses a systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice.  The target audience is pre-k through second grade.  It is also a good resource for students with special needs, who are home schooled or for whom English is a second language.

Handwriting Without Tears http://www.hwtears.com/
HWTears provides lessons that help students with penmanship, and writing skills.  The website includes lesson plans and other resources that including videos.  Though there are many materials for which there is a charge, the website is not limited to those resources only. The research based program improves writing skills, fine motor skills and creative writing in students.

Studenttreassures-Studenttreasures.com
Studenttreasures publishing program motivates students to want to write – building self-esteem and pride using a five step writing process.  Teachers align the publishing process with the curriculum by incorporating language arts writing standards, various teaching units, subjects, theme topics and genres. Project ends with full-color, hardbound, professionally published books.

Reach Out and Read  www.reachoutandread.org

Reach Out and Read providers distribute  early literacy and school readiness materials to families  and provides auxiliary resources to educators to increase literacy skills and school readiness in children by first grade.

Tikatok

Well, I try to learn something new everyday.  Today it was using tikatok.com to make a children's book.  I'm all for using this venue to enhance literacy.  Nationwide Publishing has a resource called Studentreasures that facilitates student authors.  That old school option would be a great precursor to using Tikatok.  It has lessons plans and shows teachers how to integrate usage across the curriculum. 

Often, student creativity had taken a back seat to preparing for State tests.  Tikatok and Studentreasures are resources that make learning real, useful and fun.

http://www.tikatok.com/view/book/best-friends-jimmy-and-joi

Money, Money, Money

I try to be a good steward of my finances.  However, inevitably life derails my best intentions to stay in the black.  Most of the time I have done without or overextended myself for my children. Lately, doctor visits and related costs are wrecking havoc with my budget: gas, yet another perscription, one more expert.  Lord, what would I do if I didn't have a job? I'd have to do without for sure.  Hmmm.  "The love of money is the rule of all evil." But you still need it in this world to survive.