Much to my surprise, the group project assignment is going better than I thought it would. I was very skeptical as to how we would function as a group when we never saw one another. We have managed quite nicely. We have had some communication problems, but we have been able to work through them and handle the assignments well.
My role within the group has included writing, proofreading, and researching. I wrote the memorandum and those in my group read it and offered suggestions. Kimberly wrote the proposal and then e-mailed it to the group and we added suggestions and comments. The same was true for the website. I am sure we drove Mitch crazy with all of our changes and suggestions. Kaitlin and I have handled the writing of the final report, meeting at the community college in Perkinston, so that neither of us had to drive a significant distance from home. The only problems we have had have been caused mainly by miscommunication and waiting to hear back from outside sources. For instance, Kaitlin and I are in a holding pattern with finishing the final report because we have yet to hear back from the director of our organization. She is supposed to look at the website and give us her opinions and ideas so that we can incorporate those into the final report and possibly change up the website, if need be. I have had the most contact with Kaitlin regarding the project and she has been a terrific leader. I feel I have contributed significantly to my group and I have tried to remain available and open to anything that they wanted me to do.
This has really been a group project in most senses of the word. We have tried to remain open to each other’s ideas and opinions. This has called for diplomacy and flexibility. We have held several online discussions and, with one or two exceptions, we have all been in attendance.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Blog Assignment 7
To the Editor,
I recently received a request on Facebook to join a cause that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from joining the social networking site. As a mother of two, I think this is a wonderful idea! Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are extremely popular with adults, but they are even more popular with teenagers and younger children. I did some checking around and found a document published by the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Idaho. In the document it states that “according to NetSmartz.org, 61% of 13-to-17-year-olds have posted a personal profile on a social networking website.” That is an astonishing number and it is unrealistic to attempt to stop teens from accessing these sites. Most of the sites do have filtering software that keeps young children’s profiles from being visible, but there are ways around these filters, and teens, as well as pedophiles, are using them. Even if all parents had the best of all possible precautions in place, it does not guarantee that a predator will not find their children. Most of us parents do our very best to protect our children, but these social networking websites bring the pedophiles right into our own living rooms. There is nothing and nobody there to stop them. Looking to the sites themselves to stop this from occurring is also impractical. Yes, they have security in place, but teens can, and do, lie about how old they are, and, adults can, and do, lie about how old they are, making themselves younger in order to lure children into “friending” them. Even those adults who do not lie about their ages are still gaining access to kids by simply striking up a friendly conversation and gaining their trust. What would appear to be the best possible solution would be to prohibit convicted sex offenders from obtaining access to all social networking sites. I know many will say that these people have rights just like all of us. I counter that with this thought: do we explain to a young girl, raped, brutalized, and forever changed because an adult that she met online, who had been convicted before, was allowed on the site simply because HE HAD RIGHTS!? By restricting access of those adults whom we know have preyed on children in the past, we are avoiding serving our children up on silver platters to the exact people who seek to harm them. I would ask that anybody on Facebook who receives a request to join this cause, support it, and pass on the information to everyone they know. For my family, we will be supporting this cause wholeheartedly!
Description of Rhetorical Situation
Timing: With social networking sites being as popular as they are right now, the issue of keeping our children safe on these sites is very socially relevant.
Context: The context of this request is as is stated above; I received a request to join a cause that would ban convicted sex offenders from being on Facebook. I was especially motivated to take an interest in it due to my son wanting to be on Facebook.
Target: My target audience is primarily families with children, but absolutely includes anybody who has any kind of interest in protecting our youngest citizens from harm. This issue is not restricted just to those without children, but includes many people who have no children. Every teenager I have met in the recent past has a profile on at least one of these social networking sites. My own nine-year-old son wants a profile. We have an obligation as a society to protect our children from those who wish to do them harm.
Intention: It is my intention that many others will take an interest in this problem and support the cause of eliminating this threat from a public forum. I am hoping that with luck and enough support, those who are responsible for making and enforcing our laws will step up and take whatever actions are necessary to make this happen. Kids cannot always be expected to do what makes the most sense; therefore, as adults, it is up to us to do what we can to protect them.
I recently received a request on Facebook to join a cause that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from joining the social networking site. As a mother of two, I think this is a wonderful idea! Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are extremely popular with adults, but they are even more popular with teenagers and younger children. I did some checking around and found a document published by the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Idaho. In the document it states that “according to NetSmartz.org, 61% of 13-to-17-year-olds have posted a personal profile on a social networking website.” That is an astonishing number and it is unrealistic to attempt to stop teens from accessing these sites. Most of the sites do have filtering software that keeps young children’s profiles from being visible, but there are ways around these filters, and teens, as well as pedophiles, are using them. Even if all parents had the best of all possible precautions in place, it does not guarantee that a predator will not find their children. Most of us parents do our very best to protect our children, but these social networking websites bring the pedophiles right into our own living rooms. There is nothing and nobody there to stop them. Looking to the sites themselves to stop this from occurring is also impractical. Yes, they have security in place, but teens can, and do, lie about how old they are, and, adults can, and do, lie about how old they are, making themselves younger in order to lure children into “friending” them. Even those adults who do not lie about their ages are still gaining access to kids by simply striking up a friendly conversation and gaining their trust. What would appear to be the best possible solution would be to prohibit convicted sex offenders from obtaining access to all social networking sites. I know many will say that these people have rights just like all of us. I counter that with this thought: do we explain to a young girl, raped, brutalized, and forever changed because an adult that she met online, who had been convicted before, was allowed on the site simply because HE HAD RIGHTS!? By restricting access of those adults whom we know have preyed on children in the past, we are avoiding serving our children up on silver platters to the exact people who seek to harm them. I would ask that anybody on Facebook who receives a request to join this cause, support it, and pass on the information to everyone they know. For my family, we will be supporting this cause wholeheartedly!
Description of Rhetorical Situation
Timing: With social networking sites being as popular as they are right now, the issue of keeping our children safe on these sites is very socially relevant.
Context: The context of this request is as is stated above; I received a request to join a cause that would ban convicted sex offenders from being on Facebook. I was especially motivated to take an interest in it due to my son wanting to be on Facebook.
Target: My target audience is primarily families with children, but absolutely includes anybody who has any kind of interest in protecting our youngest citizens from harm. This issue is not restricted just to those without children, but includes many people who have no children. Every teenager I have met in the recent past has a profile on at least one of these social networking sites. My own nine-year-old son wants a profile. We have an obligation as a society to protect our children from those who wish to do them harm.
Intention: It is my intention that many others will take an interest in this problem and support the cause of eliminating this threat from a public forum. I am hoping that with luck and enough support, those who are responsible for making and enforcing our laws will step up and take whatever actions are necessary to make this happen. Kids cannot always be expected to do what makes the most sense; therefore, as adults, it is up to us to do what we can to protect them.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Blog Assignment 6
Valley View - 1st Grade Teacher, Weber School District, Ogden, UT
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=14DF002360-103401-36546-31148-103401&xPos=1
Forks Elementary School- 2nd Grade Teacher, Quillayute Valley School District, Forks, Wa.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=B628382C97-102546-33605-31149-102546&xPos=126
Primary (Kinder or first grade) Teacher, Mabton School District #120, Mabton, Wa.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=A2AEF9C14A-100653-36039-31148-100653&xPos=101
Elementary teacher, Martinsville City Public Schools, Martinsville, Va.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=8A71DFDEC9-102428-35351-31151-102428&xPos=101
While the qualifications for teaching in any school district can be as diverse as they are similar, most seem to be looking for the following characteristics:
Highly Qualified or ability to obtain HQT status
Teaching license in that state
Maintain classroom organization and discipline
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to work in a collaborative/shared leadership environment
Knowledge of research based instructional strategies
Effective assessment practices
Communicates effectively
Utilize computers and technology effectively
Due to the nature of the program that I am in at USM, I will be Highly Qualified when I graduate. I will have obtained endorsements in English and Social Studies and will have a concentration in Reading. I will have a license in the state of Mississippi, but for out of state applications, I will need to apply for a license in that particular state. I have taken courses in classroom management, as well as having written an extensive classroom management plan. I also have, in writing, policies and procedures for my classroom to aide me with organization and discipline. Throughout my college career, and prior to that, in my professional career, I have been able to develop my interpersonal, communication, and group leadership skills by taking part in numerous group projects. I have also learned, and been able to utilize in a classroom setting, many different assessment techniques and instructional strategies that were research-based. I am computer literate and am able to use technology in the classroom in order to enhance my students’ learning.
The position that I am most interested in is that of 2nd grade teacher in Forks, Washington. I am particularly fond of this position for two main reasons. The first reason being it is a grade that I have always wanted to teach. I did one of my practicums in a second grade classroom and absolutely fell in love with the children. I have many activities that I have created that are research-based and geared specifically for the second grade so I would not be going into the classroom empty-handed. I loved the interaction with the students because most were old enough to read, but still young enough to have the wonder that seems to come so naturally to young learners. My second reason for choosing this position is its location. I have always loved the Pacific Northwest and would not mind relocating to the area.
In order to increase my chances of obtaining the position, I would mention in my cover letter that I am Highly Qualified and I have endorsements in two areas, English and Social Studies, as well as a concentration in Reading. I would also mention that I have taken courses in Classroom Management, Literacy, and Curriculum Methods. These and other classes, along with my experiences obtained while student teaching, have given me the adequate preparations needed to be a successful and positive addition to the school district in which I am applying. I would also mention that I would be coming into the classroom prepared since I have learning activities and assessments in place that are grade appropriate and would only need minor adjustments in order to be usable in my classroom. Another factor that I would mention would be my grade point average while attending USM, as well as my affiliation with Phi Kappa Phi. Of particular importance to the Quillayute Valley School District is the issue of diversity in the classroom. I would mention in my cover letter that the subject of diversity in the classroom was highly stressed in the teaching program at USM and I feel I am fully qualified to meet the challenges that a diverse student population would present.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=14DF002360-103401-36546-31148-103401&xPos=1
Forks Elementary School- 2nd Grade Teacher, Quillayute Valley School District, Forks, Wa.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=B628382C97-102546-33605-31149-102546&xPos=126
Primary (Kinder or first grade) Teacher, Mabton School District #120, Mabton, Wa.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=A2AEF9C14A-100653-36039-31148-100653&xPos=101
Elementary teacher, Martinsville City Public Schools, Martinsville, Va.
http://www.teachers-teachers.com/candidates/candidates.cfm?go=jobpostings&action=newpostings&jobload=8A71DFDEC9-102428-35351-31151-102428&xPos=101
While the qualifications for teaching in any school district can be as diverse as they are similar, most seem to be looking for the following characteristics:
Highly Qualified or ability to obtain HQT status
Teaching license in that state
Maintain classroom organization and discipline
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to work in a collaborative/shared leadership environment
Knowledge of research based instructional strategies
Effective assessment practices
Communicates effectively
Utilize computers and technology effectively
Due to the nature of the program that I am in at USM, I will be Highly Qualified when I graduate. I will have obtained endorsements in English and Social Studies and will have a concentration in Reading. I will have a license in the state of Mississippi, but for out of state applications, I will need to apply for a license in that particular state. I have taken courses in classroom management, as well as having written an extensive classroom management plan. I also have, in writing, policies and procedures for my classroom to aide me with organization and discipline. Throughout my college career, and prior to that, in my professional career, I have been able to develop my interpersonal, communication, and group leadership skills by taking part in numerous group projects. I have also learned, and been able to utilize in a classroom setting, many different assessment techniques and instructional strategies that were research-based. I am computer literate and am able to use technology in the classroom in order to enhance my students’ learning.
The position that I am most interested in is that of 2nd grade teacher in Forks, Washington. I am particularly fond of this position for two main reasons. The first reason being it is a grade that I have always wanted to teach. I did one of my practicums in a second grade classroom and absolutely fell in love with the children. I have many activities that I have created that are research-based and geared specifically for the second grade so I would not be going into the classroom empty-handed. I loved the interaction with the students because most were old enough to read, but still young enough to have the wonder that seems to come so naturally to young learners. My second reason for choosing this position is its location. I have always loved the Pacific Northwest and would not mind relocating to the area.
In order to increase my chances of obtaining the position, I would mention in my cover letter that I am Highly Qualified and I have endorsements in two areas, English and Social Studies, as well as a concentration in Reading. I would also mention that I have taken courses in Classroom Management, Literacy, and Curriculum Methods. These and other classes, along with my experiences obtained while student teaching, have given me the adequate preparations needed to be a successful and positive addition to the school district in which I am applying. I would also mention that I would be coming into the classroom prepared since I have learning activities and assessments in place that are grade appropriate and would only need minor adjustments in order to be usable in my classroom. Another factor that I would mention would be my grade point average while attending USM, as well as my affiliation with Phi Kappa Phi. Of particular importance to the Quillayute Valley School District is the issue of diversity in the classroom. I would mention in my cover letter that the subject of diversity in the classroom was highly stressed in the teaching program at USM and I feel I am fully qualified to meet the challenges that a diverse student population would present.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Blog Assignment 5
With regards to our group project, my primary role is that of a researcher and a writer. So far, my main responsibility has been to write the memorandum and to collaborate with the group in coordinating our individual jobs. The description of a researcher states that I am supposed to look into the usability of the website. I am still trying to figure out exactly what that means and what it entails. The organization that we have partnered with for the group project is called FACESS and they are a brand new organization that is working with the Disabilities Studies Department at USM.
Two potential directions that I have considered for our group involve the website and the family resources center that will be opening soon. Both of these have the potential to be the biggest draws for the general public and I believe that we should focus a lot of our efforts on the website, using it to make the public aware of the opening of the new site. In addition, a Facebook page might be an intriguing idea until the website is completely up and fully functional. Because this organization is so new, there is no information about it whatsoever on the Internet. As a mother of a child with a disability, I have often wished that there were a place that I could go to that would help me find resources in my community. FACESS is just that! It is a place for children and their families, who have disabilities. They assist the family with finding resources for their children. It is geared towards those families who have financial need and assistance is available up to the age of 23.
After we resolved our initial communication difficulties, our group began to communicate very well. Kaitlin acts as our main point of contact and we work through her to distribute needed information. We organized a group chat that all members attended and it turned out to be a very productive meeting. We have planned another meeting for the 7th of July.
Our group dynamic is pretty cooperative and very congenial. So far, it seems as though we function well as a group, but at times, it feels as though we are not moving very quickly. In addition, because there is no information on the web regarding this group, sometimes it feels as though we are working blind. We have been able to glean some information from the director of the organization, and I am hoping that Kaitlin and Mitch’s meeting with the director will get us even more information that we can use to make this a great project.
I am extremely excited to be working with this organization and with my group members, as well. I believe that we can help this organization a great deal. This project is going to end up being, not just an assignment, but also a real resource that this organization is going to utilize to reach out and help an entire community!
Two potential directions that I have considered for our group involve the website and the family resources center that will be opening soon. Both of these have the potential to be the biggest draws for the general public and I believe that we should focus a lot of our efforts on the website, using it to make the public aware of the opening of the new site. In addition, a Facebook page might be an intriguing idea until the website is completely up and fully functional. Because this organization is so new, there is no information about it whatsoever on the Internet. As a mother of a child with a disability, I have often wished that there were a place that I could go to that would help me find resources in my community. FACESS is just that! It is a place for children and their families, who have disabilities. They assist the family with finding resources for their children. It is geared towards those families who have financial need and assistance is available up to the age of 23.
After we resolved our initial communication difficulties, our group began to communicate very well. Kaitlin acts as our main point of contact and we work through her to distribute needed information. We organized a group chat that all members attended and it turned out to be a very productive meeting. We have planned another meeting for the 7th of July.
Our group dynamic is pretty cooperative and very congenial. So far, it seems as though we function well as a group, but at times, it feels as though we are not moving very quickly. In addition, because there is no information on the web regarding this group, sometimes it feels as though we are working blind. We have been able to glean some information from the director of the organization, and I am hoping that Kaitlin and Mitch’s meeting with the director will get us even more information that we can use to make this a great project.
I am extremely excited to be working with this organization and with my group members, as well. I believe that we can help this organization a great deal. This project is going to end up being, not just an assignment, but also a real resource that this organization is going to utilize to reach out and help an entire community!
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