My Three Mules

Campus Presentation - Reflection 09-20-08

     Campus Presentation Reflection

     On September 16th, I attended a SAC Lecture.  The presenter was Gary Tuerack; his talk was titled, Better Grades in Less Time.  Gary was an energetic speaker.  Actually, his rate of speech was so fast that I had to concentrate to understand him.  He was definitely a motivational speaker.  

   Gary opened with a simple game of "Simon Says."  Then he put on a Luther t-shirt that a student had given him following his 2000 presentation.  Of course the Luther students loved that.   His side show about the challenges that students face in college was entertaining.   I feel that Gary knew how to get his audience interested in his topic by relating to their current situation.

    Gary asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the significance of motivational strategies.  He had taped a long sheet of paper up high on the wall.  He gave the volunteer a red marker and told her to jump as high as she could and put a mark on the paper.  She did great.  Then Gary taped a ten dollar bill just above her red mark.  If she was able to jump up and mark the ten dollar bill Gary would give her a twenty dollar bill as a reward.  You guessed it, she was able to put a mark on the ten dollar bill, thus earning the twenty.  The moral is to set your sights high and to find something that motivates you.  Gary called this training your brain to push yourself to improve.

   The reason the CFL was filled with students is because we all wanted to learn how to improve our grades and do it in less time.  Gary Tuerack was the guy to teach us his methods to improving our reading speed while still comprehending the information.  He showed us a technique that uses two fingers or a pen to move quickly across the text, going along each line of print.  This keeps your body and mind physically active during the process of reading.  

Then Gary timed us for one minute.   We were to count the lines we read and multiply by ten.

The first time I read 230 words per minute.  Then he timed us again while we reread the same passage as we were pushing ourselves to go faster.  The second trial I read 300 words per minute, an increase of 70 words per minute. 

Gary explained that as we read faster we are able to see where the author is going by using contextual clues.  He told us to practice "not saying/thinking" every single word read.  Also, our brains read not our eyes.  As one reads their eyes move, then stop while processing information.  By practicing the speed reading we are widening our eye span.  Focus is the other vital aspect to improving your reading speed with comprehension.  

   Gary suggested that we practice this technique three times a day for fifteen minutes each.  Start with a mental warm-up on something that is easy to read, or go back to a previously read chapter in a text book and reread that as a warm-up.  He also explained what many top students do to get good grades.  They set a period of time for intense focus with no distractions.  If they catch themselves daydreaming, they stop themselves and use self talk to refocus.  Top students stop intermittently to stretch and get the blood moving again.  Some even power nap in between studying.  

     A few other areas that Gary stressed were food, note taking and using visual aids.  He stated that a persons memory increases 30% by taking notes and 40% by using visuals.  Gary believes that the kinds of foods and the when you eat plays a role in energy, memory and learning.

He strongly recommended no sugar and no caffeine before you study or take a test.  They both cause a quick burst of energy but then a crash that isn't supportive while studying.  Fresh fruit for breakfast and lean proteins such as beans, nuts and eggs were encouraged.  Never eat a heavy meal before a time when concentration is needed.  The blood and oxygen that your brain needs to function optimally is in your stomach digesting a heavy meal.  

     The final tips that are critical to having higher grades in less time are getting eight hours of sleep a night, reviewing notes within five hours of taking them and practice speed reading every day.  In summary I felt that this lecture was informative and beneficial for myself and the other students present. 

Lions for Lambs- Reflection, 09-16-08

As I reflect on the movie, Lions for Lambs, I remember feeling pulled in different directions.

The three scenes were interrelated yet worlds apart.  I felt scared for the young men in Afghanistan, angry with the Senator, empathetic for the reporter, proud of the teacher and frustrated with the college student.   All of these people had their own agenda.  They were all doing what they thought was best. 

The reporter, the teacher and the soldiers actually thought about history and questioned it.

They tried to use it to understand where they were now and how best to proceed.

The cynical college student and the Senator were more in the same place; being self-centered and shallow.

 The college student was too young to be so cynical and hopeless.   He was raised affluently and had a bad attitude.  Not caring about his own future or that of our society is irresponsible.  Hopefully, the teacher got through to him by challenging him to care again.

While watching the injured soldier fight the enemy I remember thinking :Please let them live and get back home.  These intelligent young people have so much potential and are the future of our county.  Their deaths do matter, but what they could have offered our society matters more.  It was sad to think of the loss of two people who had such strong convictions. 

Do we really "win" a war?

The end of the movie leaves us wondering what decisions the reporter and the college student made.  Since I am an optimistic person, I choose to believe that the reporter divulged the Senators propaganda and that the college student grew up to be a responsible individual. 

 

KIPP Schools, Reflection

I just viewed the video on YOU TUBE  about the charter school called KIPP 3 D's Academy.

KIPP stands for Knowledge IS Power.  The 3 D's mean desire, discipline and dedication.

Wow, these folks are doing something right.  These parents made a great choice to enroll their kids at KIPP.  It is a free school that requires a signed contract.  The parents must understand the mission of the school and the students must abide by the strict rules.

 The ultimate goal is college admittance.  

The "team" theme and theory that All Children WILL Learn is motivating to these kids.

They actually have 67% more time in school and studying than the average student does.

These 5th-8th graders are playing catch up to prepare for high school and college.

These teachers were an inspiration to watch.  Their energy and commitment were obvious.

As one of the teachers said, the door is now open for these students to open more doors.

Ed. Psych. Assignment- Acceptance Speech for Teacher of the Year Award

    Ed. Pysh. 220,  Acceptance Speech for Teacher of the Year Award.            Bridget Casper 

     I am honored to accept this award on behalf of myself, my students, their parents, my co-workers and my family.  Teaching is a group effort.

     I believe that my philosophies of life and my love for children have earned me this award.  I was taught by my parents to be positive, giving and accepting.   These are the attributes that I share with my students, their parents, my colleagues and my own family everyday.

     Waking up each day I am thankful that I have another day to share myself with others.  I respect myself as a worthy person so know that I have positive energy to share.  Teaching or modeling self respect and respect of others is the basic ingredient to a successful day.

     Sharing my knowledge of a subject and my passion for learning is what I give to my students.  Then they take that new knowledge and enthusiasm home to share with their families.   Having empathy in my heart helps me to accept all children.  Each child is a special person.  Each child has a parent(s) that loves them.  My students are all coming from their own unique home enviroment, which is not for me to judge, but to understand and accept.  

    Knowing that each child learns at their own rate and style is necessary in order to be an effective teacher.  For those gifted students I am happy and excited.  I want to encourage those students to soar to their highest potential.  I struggled with reading, thus learning, when I was young.  I can empathize with children who are having the same feelings about learning and school as I once did.  For these students I want to motivate and encourage them to work to the best of their abilities and to let them know that their hard work will be rewarded.  Look at me, my hard work payed off.  

    In closing, I am pleased with a job well done on my behalf, but mostly by the students that I have taught that have achieved their own goals. 

   

sept. 11 2008

Trial run.