Mrs. H's blog

The Blessing

2011-07-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance is by John Trent and Gary Smalley. I recently read the revised and updated version of this classic for parents (and everyone else who touches the lives of others!) The intention of the book is to show that children need blessings in their lives, and parents and other care givers are the natural ones to do this. In fact, the blessing or a lack of a blessing, will affect every area of a child's life, right on in to adulthood.

In this book, the authors use biblical elements to demonstrate the need for a blessing and how parents can achieve blessings for their children. Bible characters demonstrate the different aspects of the blessing, which include: meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. Blessing a child is so much more than simply telling him he is loved. It involves every aspect of a child's life. When the blessing is withheld, children miss out on so much and can even feel cursed.

The author's walk parents through each concept of the blessing, backing up their statements with biblical fact. In each chapter, the authors relate personal stories and practical steps parents can take to be sure that their children feel blessed and see themselves as God sees them. The authors walk parents through concrete steps to share the blessing with their children verbally and in written form.

The book also addresses issues for adults who did not receive a blessing. It gives practical advise on how to remove the curse they may have received instead and how to deal with difficult situations.

Overall, the book is easy to follow and offers practical information with biblical support. All parents, caregivers, teachers, aunts, uncles, etc. should read this book to ensure that the children in their lives grow up with a blessing over them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Beyond Talent

2011-06-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

John Maxwell is a leadership expert, and in his book, Beyond Talent, he continues to share his expertise. This book demonstrates that talent is a component in success, but certainly not the most prominent one. Maxwell proves that talent alone is never enough. It is what the individual has beyond that initial talent that allows one to be consistently successful in life.

Maxwell argues that everyone has talent. There are choices we can make in our lives to maximize our talents, such as having belief in them, having passion, having focus, practicing, preparing, being courageous, and having perseverance. He exerts that life is full of choices, and each choice we make, makes us. To become successful, we need talent and the right choices in life, which will make us talent-plus people.

Maxwell takes each step that he feels is necessary for success, and expands upon it in each chapter of the book. In each chapter, he gives examples and practical advice for expanding upon the qualities one needs to be a talent-plus person. He also chooses a person who demonstrates these qualities and shares his story of success.

At the end of each chapter, Maxwell provides practical application exercises for completion. The exercises are helpful in leading one to the full potential of his or her talent and ability.

Overall, Maxwell writes with creativity and wisdom. He shares his own personal knowledge and stories, as well as the stories of well-known individuals who prove his theory that it takes more than just talent to be successful. This book can help individuals apply ideas to become more successful and complete their goals. It would also be a great study book for a group of co-workers looking to advance themselves as a group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Max on Life

2011-04-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Max Lucado had published many books on Christianity. In his newest book, Max on Life, he takes on a different format. This book shows letters written to Lucado, along with his answers. Lucado takes the letters and emails he has received as a pastor and author and categorizes them to help everyone understand the different facets of Christian living. The book's letters are divided into the following categories: hope, hurt, help, him/her (romance), home, have/have-nots, and hereafter.
The letters and questions Lucado receives are from genuine seekers who desire to know truth and be able to act on it. They cover a wide range of topics from doubting faith, relationships, how to know you are saved, and community.
In response to the questions, Lucado writes in his usual easy style. He quotes Scripture and gives biblical reasons for his answers. He offers practical advice and stories to demonstrate his points. Although his writing is easy to read, his answers are not all easy. He addresses the questions with hard-hitting truth, not fluffy self-help answers. However, he explains why truth will allow the reader to experience the best of life.
Lucado has a way of addressing his readers that makes you feel like you are sitting down in a little cafe, chatting with a friend. His tone is welcoming and reassuring. The book is one you can read quickly, but the ideas will resonate with you for quite some time. The lessons are ones you will go back to again and again.
I would recommend this book to all Christians. It is a great reference anytime you are questioning the Christian walk.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jolt!

2011-04-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

Jolt! by Phil Cooke is a book about change. In today's society, change is more than inevitable; it is expected and it occurs quickly. This book was written to not just help us deal with change, but to encourage us to take ownership and jolt our own lives, rather than allowing others to do it for us. Jolt is broken into different sections to help us get ahead in a constantly changing world. Cooke intertwines practical advice for daily living, along with ways we can be better in our professional, personal, and spiritual lives.
Cooke proclaims in his book that it is more than a self-help book full of ideas and philosophical thoughts. This is not just a feel good book designed to make readers happy. Instead, Cooke breaks down practical topics into five categories. He gives us research to support his ideas, and he provides practical ways to apply them. For example, in one section he discusses jolting your creativity. He explains why people struggle in this area, but then he gives practical advice on ways to grow. He says you need to stop worrying about being wrong because creativity is about problem solving, not correct answers. Creativity involves action, so he discusses how to become better at brainstorming. He reminds readers that life is more exciting when you are creative.
The ideas Cooke discusses motivate you to become better and never stop learning. I personally enjoyed the quotes he uses to open each chapter. He integrates ideas from all areas of life.
Overall, this book is enjoyable and practical. It is well-written and easy to read. Most of the advice given is practical and can be practiced by anyone. Some of his ideas seem trite, such as saying life is a gift, or we need to live in the here and now, but they are true. He provides stories to help support these statements, but it is up to the reader to apply them, of course. I do wish his book had a more Christian focus within its applications. He does proclaim his Christianity, but he also makes it a point to state he does not wish to offend anyone and that these beliefs can be applied to any religion or belief system. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book and am sure I will reread chapters as needed to remind myself of Cooke's principles.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Final Summit

2011-04-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews is the continuing story of David Ponder, an average person who has had several experiences that are far from average. The reader first meets David in the book The Traveler's Gift, where David is given the Seven Decisions to help guide his life and the lives of others.
In The Final Summit, David's life has taken a turn he never expected, as he must cope with life as a widower. David has aged since the reader first meets him, and he is dealing with his grief and sudden new life. Once again, though, David is summoned to an extraordinary experience.
Along with many other "travelers," David is swept away by the archangel Gabriel to a summit, the final summit. David is put in charge of this summit, where he is given several rules and advisors to assist him as he tries to answer the question put forth by Gabriel. The questions is what does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization. He is allowed to request aid from his advisors as well as five pre-chosen travelers. The group also has a limited time to complete the discussion and come up with the correct answer.
David and his fellow travelers contemplate many answers and discuss many items that are important in reaching success: hope, courage, self-discipline, and more. As they discuss options, the travelers also get to know one another and learn about their lives.
Andrews has a way of making an unbelievable story perfectly believable. I felt I know Churchill, Lincoln, and Dr. Carver as well as I knew David Ponder. He creates personalities about the characters that draw the reader into their stories and make one curious to know more about them.
The philosophical and religious debates about what humanity needs are also well-written and made me think deeply about my own personal convictions in many areas.
Andrews has written a thoughtful, timely story that I plan to share with my friends. His work is inspirational and practical at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Same Life, New Story

2011-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

Same Life, New Story by Jan Silvious uses the stories of biblical women to show that it is possible to change your perspective and your future regardless of your past and current circumstances. Through inspiring stories of biblical figures such as Naomi, Deborah, Hannah and Elizabeth, Silvious shows that all women have a choice. We can decide to follow our own stories beginning today. To begin with, we have to decide that today is the day we want to move on from our past stories and begin fresh. We have to stop allowing the past to distract us from the present. We need to learn to focus on the here and now and work on our hearts and attitudes. Although the past helped to shape us into the women we are now, it does not have to control the women we continue to be. This book is all about growth and making the decision to walk with God, allowing Him to guide you into your story.

Each chapter is centered around a biblical woman and a principle to apply to your life. Silvious tells the story of the Bible characters, as well as sharing more recent, applicable stories revolving around the theme for that chapter. At the end of the chapter, there are personal reflection questions, journaling ideas, and group discussion questions. This book was designed as a ten week small group study, and it lends itself nicely to that format.

I think Silvious does a nice job sharing both biblical and modern stories. I related to the women as they struggled to overcome their past and focus on their present. She does a nice job tying the stories to the attitudes and thoughts of the women involved, showing the mindset and relationship with God these women had.

I would recommend this book to all women who want to feel that there are others who share their struggles dealing with the past and becoming the people they want to be. It would work well with a small group, but also lends itself to individual reflection. The stories are well written and the Bible references are appropriate to the stories. Silvious supports her themes with Scripture, and gives the references to allow women to delve more deeply into the Bible on their own.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Power Based Life by Mike Flynt

2011-01-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

I had never heard of Mike Flynt before I picked up this book. However, as I read about his life and his convictions, I remembered that he was the man who returned to college football at the age of 59 to complete his senior year. He mentions his college playing days in his book The Power Based Life: Realize Your Life's Goals and Dreams by Strengthening Your Body, Mind, and Spirit. However, that is not the focus of the book. This book talks about different areas that can become power bases for you to help you live a more loving, productive, healthier life. Flynt discusses aspects of life such as mindset, visualization, commitment, compassion, and more.

For each aspect of life, Flynt dedicates a chapter to define what the aspect means to him and how it can be cultivated to better your life. He talks about its impact on your life and practical ways you can learn from yourself. Flynt also references Scripture and the impact God's word should have on you as you become the best person you can be.

I appreciated Flynt's honesty and style of writing as he shared personal stories of his past to help the reader understand grace and the idea of overcoming your past. However, at times, his writing almost felt too optimistic and preachy. In several chapters, it seemed simplistic. If you would just follow his advice and read your Bible, you would be able to make the changes he has made in his life, and your outlook will be better. I felt that his intentions were good, but sometimes it sounded too simplistic and trite. There is more of a struggle to improve in the areas he talks about than he lets on in some of his writing.

Overall, the book is worth the read. Some of the advice is practical and adaptable to your particular situation. He extols the virtues we know we should have, and he frequently ties wellness into a relationship with God. He challenges readers to work toward becoming better people and investing in goals, relationships, and spiritual facets of life. I appreciated his purpose and found the book enjoyable, although I would have liked more practical advice in some areas. I would recommend this book in particular to people who are athletically-inclined and need some motivation to work toward self-improvement.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Start! The Bible for New Believers

2010-12-01T03:18:00.000-08:00

Start! The Bible for New Believers is edited by Greg Laurie and is a great source for those new to the Christian faith. This Bible is a New King James version. The text is easy to follow and clearly referenced. What makes this Bible a great tool for newer believers and for those curious about Christianity is the supplemental material included. In the beginning of the Bible is an article titled, "The Plan of Salvation." This article gives a story of one man's path to the Lord and explains why we need salvation and how to become saved. Following this article is one titled "Secrets to Spiritual Success" that defines Christianity and discusses ways to be spiritually successful, such as reading the Word, praying, confessing sins, forgiving others, and being part of a local church. This article has practical methods to help new believers in understanding the basics of Christianity. In the back of this Bible, there is also an article listing and explaining the essentials Christians need to understand about God and Jesus. There are truths listed here that help new believers understand God's plan and His characteristics. Each book of the Bible has an introduction that helps the reader understand who the author of the book was and the purpose for it being written. Finally, throughout the books, there are small sidenotes and articles to explain further important truths and facts within each book. These small articles will help new believers grow in their faith and understanding.

I enjoyed reading this Bible for several reasons. First of all, the layout was helpful and I found the introductions to each book to be beneficial to understanding of the context of the book. I also enjoyed the additional insight given within the small articles to help in understanding important concepts. The print was easy to read, and the size of the Bible makes it practical to easily carry with me. Each main section within the books is set off with red type and a title, making it easier to understand the main idea of each passage. With the additional articles for new believers, I think this Bible would be a wonderful gift for a new Christian. It is easy to find references and breaks down many concepts into easy to understand language. I intend to pass this Bible on to someone I know who is new in the faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Transforming Church in Rural America

2010-10-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

In his book Transforming Church in Rural America, Shannon O'Dell gives a glimpse of life as a rural pastor. He began his pastoral duties in a large church, but after several years, felt God calling him to a small rural church. When he arrived, things were very different than his past experiences. However, he felt called to stay. This book is the story of his journey with Brand New Church.
But the book is more than a personal biography. O'Dell also gives insight into his beliefs regarding leadership and church growth. He says leaders are people who do not settle. They are always striving for more, looking for potential. And above all, leaders have vision that they can share with others, and make others believe in the vision too. O'Dell says all leaders must deal with the cycle of change, conflict, and growth. He shares personal stories about the beginning days in his church when he had the vision, but needed changes to see that vision come about. When proposing changes, he struggled with conflict within the church. However, moving forward led to growth. As of today, Brand New Church has multiple sites and delivers its message to most of the world via satellite and internet.
O'Dell gives rural churches biblical advice, as well as advice from his own experiences. His purpose in this book is to show churches that it is not about the number of people in the congregation, but it is about growing congregants. There are members in every church ready to step up when they have a leader with vision.
Overall, the book is an easy read, with many personal stories and humorous quips. It is geared more toward pastors and leaders in the church, but any member of the congregation could benefit from the information in this book. I think it would offer people from differing backgrounds a good glimpse of life in a rural church setting.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You Were Made to Make a Difference

2010-09-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Max Lucado teams up with his daughter, Jenna Lucado Bishop, and Natalie Gillespie to write You Were Made to Make a Difference. This book is similar in theme to his recent title, Outlive Your Life. However, this edition is aimed toward teenagers. To begin with, the book is designed to look like a journal. It invites interaction with the text, and is written with excerpts from both Lucado and his daughter. There are also pictures and heart-warming stories. However, the text is challenging for young adults, encouraging them to live to their potential and make a difference in the lives of others.

The book ties in scripture, quotes, and related facts to inspire teenagers to look around them and see where they can affect others. Stories help teenagers see that it doesn't matter what their circumstances are, where they live, or what their age is. They can make a difference in others' lives just by looking around and committing themselves to helping others. The stories in this book center on sacrificial living. They demonstrate that teenagers do not have to focus on doing big huge things on their own, but instead to look for small acts of kindness they can do daily. The book encourages students and teens to talk to the kids who are left out, to donate time to help a neighbor, and to offer encouraging words to those who need them. These are small steps that anyone can do, and they make a difference daily to others.

The book also includes questions to help teenagers begin thinking about their strengths, their interests, and the areas in which they could benefit others. Lucado reminds teens that they need a willing heart and an open mind, and God will direct their intentions into something positive. He reminds teenagers that they too are children of God, and if they focus on sharing His love with others, they will benefit along with those they help.

The format of the book makes it an enjoyable read for all ages. By differing the font and format, and alternating between Lucado's storytelling and his daughter's voice, the book holds the interest of the reader. It can be read in short sittings, but does invite the reader to think more deeply about the concepts introduced. It would make a great study for youth groups, and I would recommend this book to all adult leaders of youth groups as well. It is inspiring, while containing practical advice for teenagers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Outlive Your Life

2010-09-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Max Lucado is a bestselling author because he has a way of taking biblical concepts and stories and helping the average, everyday person relate to them. In his newest book, Outlive Your Life, he does it again. He begins by reminding us that each of us is an individual. No one else in the world has all of the same characteristics, thoughts, or genetics. We are individuals with differing loves, abilities, and desires. But this is part of God's plan. We cannot be replaced.

The second thought running throughout this book is the idea that the current generation of individuals are commissioned by God to use those unique traits to help with human suffering. God wants us to outlive our life by making a difference in the lives of others, and He equips us with everything that we need to be able to do that.

Throughout the book, Lucado uses characters from the Bible to demonstrate how God used ordinary individuals to help others in their times of need. He demonstrates that one person can make a difference when following God's lead. Then he asks us to think about where we are called to make that difference. God loves all people, and each of us is designed to care about people as well. Lucado asks us to consider with whom we feel we can most easily relate, and for whom do we feel compassion. Using these desires that are given to us by God, we need to ask what God wants us to do. Because sometimes the needs are so overwhelming, we must follow God's prompting. We pray for those people and we are able to act because God provides.

Lucado reminds us that God is moved by a humble, prayerful heart. And that when we choose to listen to Him, and truly listen to those we are called to help, a way will be revealed. God always gives us the resources and tools to follow the path He calls us to.

In this book, Lucado once again tells Bible stories to support his points, and he is a master at relating those stories to today's society. He talks to the reader as if he is a friend sitting in the room sharing a cup of coffee. His style of writing makes for an easy read, but his message is challenging. He combines stories that are easy to understand and relate to, with deep biblical concepts that require a response from the reader. His ability to merge these two is what makes him a bestselling author.

This book is to the point and I would recommend it to all who struggle with their purpose or feel too small to accomplish what they desire to accomplish. It is encouraging while challenging and worth reading over and over.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Boy who Changed the World

2010-09-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Boy who Changed the World is a book by Andy Andrews. It is written for children following the same premise as his adult version, The Butterfly Effect. In this book, Andrews uses the examples of several people, including Norman Borlaug, Henry Wallace, George Washington, and Moses Carver.
He writes about these famous people in a way that children can understand, demonstrating the acts that made them famous. Each story portrays the way these people made a difference in the lives of others.

For example, in the story of Norman Borlaug, Andrews shows kids how Norman became interested in plants and used his knowledge to create special seeds of corn, wheat and rice. These seeds turned into plants to help feed hungry people in all areas of the world. Over two billion people were saved from starvation. And Norman was just an ordinary person.

Through these stories, Andrews reminds his readers that anyone can make a difference, and that is how we should live our lives. We are here to effect others, and even small things can add up to large differences with lasting effects. He explains that when one butterfly flaps its wings, it moves tiny pieces of air, moving even more pieces of air, until it can create a large wind on the other side of the world. Andrews wants kids to know that their actions can be like those butterfly's wings. They can effect many people for a long time by living intentionally. They can choose their actions so that others receive the effects. He reminds kids that every little thing they do matters to someone, somewhere, whether they are aware of it or not.

This book has colorful illustrations and is easy to read for young readers. The point is easy to understand, and the stories and examples are entertaining. I would recommend this book for kids up to about age twelve.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Butterfly Effect

2010-09-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

The Butterfly Effect is a gift book written by Andy Andrews. The subtitle to this book is "How your life matters." In this small book, Andrews discusses the thoughts all of us have had at one time or another about the importance of our lives. He talks about how every person questions whether or not he makes a difference and effects the lives of others. It is about the community of people and the idea of the "butterfly effect".

Andrews says the butterfly effect is the idea that one butterfly, in motion, moves molecules that travel around the planet, and can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. Andrews argues that the butterfly effect is true in relationship to people, and that the small acts we do each day can have worldwide, changing effects.

In the process of sharing this idea, Andrews includes multiple stories to demonstrate his ideas. He mentions Chamberlain, who held his ground during war, making it possible for an army without any ammunition to capture over four hundred enemy soldiers. One person changed the course of the battle.

What it boils down to for Andrews, is that every move we make and every action we take matters, not only during the moment, but because it effects others and continues to have effects. He wants each person to live their lives in such a way that they continue to effect others even generations from now. We are to live intentionally.

Andrews uses examples and stories that drive this point home. And the gift book is colorful, attractive, and easy to read. It can be read in one sitting and serve as a reminder of living a meaningful life that matters. I would recommend this book to everyone and keep it nearby as a source of daily inspiration.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Jesus you can't Ignore

2010-08-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Every person has an image of Jesus Christ, whether or not you are a believer. All have an opinion on Him. Some describe Jesus as a great teacher, a wise person, or a gentle man. Most images of Jesus Christ show him as plainly dressed, calmly teaching and healing the people around Him. He is often described as the Lamb of God or the Prince of Peace.
However, there are other aspects to the character of Jesus Christ that are not as popular or widely shared. The Bible talks about Jesus as a fully human, yet fully divine, being. He is unique as the Son of God and as the only sinless man to ever live. He demonstrated a full range of human emotions and actions while on Earth.

In The Jesus you can't Ignore, John MacArthur walks the reader through some of the bold confrontations of Christ. He addresses the topics Jesus was passionate about and the manner in which He dealt with others regarding these topics. MacArthur holds nothing back, as Jesus held nothing back in His teachings. MacArthur argues that if you are to take Jesus seriously and obey His teachings, you cannot be meek and mild all of the time. Sharing and living the Truth requires courage and boldness, and the stories he shares about Jesus demonstrate the correct way for His followers to live and confront others.

Many times, MacArthur points out, you can live peacefully with others, and Jesus always encouraged this in His teachings. There are times, though, when others need to be confronted with honesty and boldness, and those examples are the ones he refers to in this book.
MacArthur's concern is that the Gospel and the message of Jesus may be lost if people continue to be wishy-washy or too tolerant of untruths. He tells people to share truth boldly and follow the example of Christ. MacArthur uses examples from the Bible to demonstrate faith needs to be defended with truth. No one should water down the Gospel message or try to tailor it in a way that would make it more acceptable to others. While people should reach out to others and try to relate to them, Jesus makes it clear that the truth must be shared and preached.

This book is well-written and the arguments are clear. All of MacArthur's ideas and points are backed by examples from Scripture. I enjoyed this book, as it reminded me of another side of Jesus that is as equally important as His merciful side. I would recommend this book to all who want a better picture of the Christian's responsibility toward truth and sharing the Word.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You Can be Everything God Wants you to Be

2010-07-08T07:06:00.001-07:00

Max Lucado is an inspirational author. He takes truth from the Bible and uses personal stories to help that truth hit home. His writing style appeals to all readers, whether you are familiar with the Bible or not. He has a way of writing in which the reader feels he is having a conversation with Lucado.

In this small gift book, Lucado emphasizes thoughts from his book, Cure for the Common Life. This gift book would be appropriate not only for recent graduates, but for anyone who needs reminded of his or her potential. In this book, Lucado talks about how each of us was created by God for a particular reason. Each of us is a unique individual with particular likes, abilities, and qualities. These things work together to create who we are and help us find our purpose in life. He insists that our abilities show us our destiny. Lucado encourages readers to appreciate who they are and to think about what interests them in order to discover their purpose or destiny.

Lucado also uses these ideas to demonstrate that our work is meaningful. Because our work matters to God and we were created with uniqueness, it is important to do the work we were created to do. Lucado talks about the number of unsatisfied workers and argues that when each of us finds the spot where God intends us to be, then our work will be fulfilling. It will fulfill not only us, but our purpose from God.

This book uses stories and images to remind individuals that they are valuable. It is easy to read and can be read in one sitting. However, the ideas Lucado promotes in this small book require deep thoughts to be internalized. It is the type of book we can return to when we need reminded that we matter. This book reminds us that who we are is enough and we need to embrace that, rather than chasing after empty consumerism. I found this book to be refreshing. It repeats a familiar idea, that each of us matters to God and we were created with purpose, but in a stimulating way. This book should be shared with everyone who needs a dose of self-esteem and a reminder to value themselves. It also pushes us to look at our interests and strengths to find the best way to serve God.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Embracing Your Second Calling

2010-06-16T17:51:00.001-07:00

Embracing Your Second Calling: Find Passion and Purpose for the Rest of Your Life by Dale Hanson Bourke is designed for women who are preparing to enter the second half of their lives. Bourke reminds women that the second half of life is made for reflection and action, and that the best parts of life are not in the past, but are yet to come.

With encouragement and personal stories, Bourke provides humor, wit, and insight into the worries women carry into their lives. Along with stories and Bible verses, Bourke provides moments of reflection, allowing women to think about their lives with intention, rather than simply following the status quo. She reminds us that as we grow older, women also grow wiser, and we have a new outlook on life. It is important to treasure the small, everyday things in our lives, and become role models for younger women.

We have a responsibility in life and if we are still on this earth, then that means that God has more for us. Our purposes are not yet complete. This book is an encouragement and full of practical advice. Women will want to read it repeatedly to remind them that God has more for them. This would make a great group study to allow women to share their own stories, concerns, and joys. This edition also includes questions to allow women to go more in depth in their reflections, and it includes prayers at the end of each chapter. There is also a copy of the book of Ruth, off of which this book is based. I would recommend it to all women.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How Should a Christian Live?

2010-04-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

How Should a Christian Live? is a devotional by the Word of Promise next generation aimed at teenagers. This particular devotional covers 1 Corinthians through Philemon in the New Testament and also covers a wide variety of topics that can apply to a teenager's daily life. First of all, the devotional also comes with an audio CD of the scripture used in the study. This audio CD features a cast of young talent who is familiar to most teens, including AnnaSophia Robb, Sean Astin, Corbin Bleu, Emily Osment and more. It is refreshing to hear young actors reading scripture and I think this will draw in many teens. The devotional is also geared toward teens in its format. Each devotion includes an introduction that uses an inspiring or realistic story. Along with each story and devotion, there are word games and puzzles to keep teens interacting with the material. There are, of course, principles for living included in each devotional and helpful hints and ideas for teens to apply these principles to their own lives. There are also definitions of commonly used words in scripture and in Christian living, and they are defined in ways that are easy to understand. Each devotional wraps up with a journaling section, where teens can record their thoughts and questions. Overall, I feel this devotional is well-suited for the age group it is trying to address. The use of games, images, colors, and the audio will keep teens interested. Each devotion covers a topic well, and discusses the scripture in easy to understand terms. Teens will find advice on everything from the definition of an abundant life, to how to have a humble heart. There are articles on trusting in God and how to live in His love. This is a great series to help teenagers understand the principles of the Word without overwhelming them with concepts and ideas. The Bible can be difficult for this age group, but by using the audio and this devotional, even young teenagers will be able to apply many biblical concepts. I would recommend this devotional for ages 13 and up, particularly for youth groups or Bible studies, as teens would probably get even more out of it by sharing the ideas with others.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Week 8 Reflection EDUC 6715

2010-04-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

In weeks 6 and 7 of this course, we were asked to develop a lesson plan using some of the technology we had been exploring in this course. I chose to use gaming to enhance my lesson plan for several reasons. First of all, I found the research on games in the classroom interesting. I have never been a proponent of games in class, because most of the educational games I had discovered seemed too childish for my junior high and high school students. Also, I had difficulty finding educational value in the majority of the games. Therefore, when presented with this assignment, I challenged myself to find a game that would enhance my instruction and be of value to my students. I felt the research in this course supported games and other digital learning in the classroom, as it gave students a sense of ownership over the work. It also allowed them to take acceptable risks and to learn on demand. Gaming will help support higher-level thinking when used in conjunction with content in the classroom. For this lesson, I chose to pair an online role-playing game with the reading of literature used in my room. After students completed the readings, which discussed oppression and the Holocaust, they were then using darfurisdying.com to role-play what oppression is like in other cultures. Students in my classroom have difficulty empathizing with the situation in Darfur, as they have relatively normal lives here. Using this website and online role-playing game supports the benefits of the technology in the classroom. It allows students to virtually experience a situation they cannot imagine on their own. It provides acceptable risk-taking and on-demand learning. It also gives them the opportunity to compare the role-playing to the literature they read and discuss their reactions. In short, using the game gives them an additional way to incorporate what they are learning. This assignment demonstrates that I understand the purpose of gaming in the classroom and am able to successfully incorporate it to my students' advantage.

Application Four: EDUC 6715

2010-03-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

Application Four: (copy and paste link into your browser)
http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AWMu8_FMsqYrZGZ2bjJiOGdfMTc4d3pranozZGc&hl=en

The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers

2010-03-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

"The Vertical Self" is about identity. It is about finding oneself as we were truly meant to be, children of God. Sayers argues that each of us is meant to be a particular person, and we need to find that identity once again. We are led astray by our society, which tells us that we can be anything we want to be. He claims our society focuses on what we have and our ability to gain more. Society tells us we can choose who we are based on what we wear, the movies we watch, the car we drive, and the job we have. Instead, Sayers argues that our identity is found in being God's children. And we need to get back to that truth. Everything we are meant to be is contained in the Bible. Unfortunately, he says, Christians today do not look much different than the rest of the world. He says we need to return to our vertical self, where identity is a solid foundation based on God's word, rather than on the society and culture around us. We need to influence society in positive ways by knowing who we are, rather than allowing society to influence our identities.
I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First of all, it used biblical support for each of these arguments. It also helped me to see where my identity truly comes from and how important it is to be grounded in that truth as I face the world today. Sayers writes in an easy to understand manner and uses real-world and biblical examples to drive home his points. He reminds Christians that we are not to be obsessed with self, but with our Savior. And that is something we need to be reminded of frequently in today's world.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

EDUC 6714 Reflection

2010-02-26T14:14:00.001-08:00

This course has helped me to better understand the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI). The group I worked with in this course provided valuable resources and information to help me better incorporate the ideals and the practical methods of both UDL and DI in my classroom. From the resources we have shared, I have found valuable tools to help me better assess the interests, learning styles, and readiness of my students. I would like to use student reflection and surveys more frequently to provide formative assessments and feedback on work we are doing in class. I want to be able to provide information to students in multiple ways and give them choices of ways to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities. I have realized the importance of allowing students freedom within the context of the classroom so they have an investment in their own learning. They need to take ownership of their own learning.

There are several things I would like to do right away to help incorporate DI and technology into my classroom. First of all, I want to become more familiar with podcasting so that I am able to save important information for students and they can review it as needed. Podcasting also allows students multiple ways to digest information, providing both visual and audio of the information. I also want to have students begin an online portfolio using Google so they can retain the writings and projects they create. This will allow them to see the progression in their work. Finally, for me professionally, I would like to continue to explore these ideas by following blogs and other resources to continually learn ways to help my students.

I am excited by the ideas presented in this class and hope to continue growing in order to benefit my students and help shape them into lifelong learners.

Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc

2010-02-15T04:53:00.000-08:00

When I picked up the book "Tithing" by Douglas LeBlanc, I expected to read another book that tried to convince me that it was my responsibility as a Christian to tithe 10% of my income to the church. I expected biblical support to demonstrate why tithing was a must-do for everyone who followed God. However, as I read this book, I experienced neither of these things.
Instead, this book told me stories. Each chapter was dedicated to individuals who believed in tithing, but that information was secondary. The narratives focused on the lives of the individuals involved and how they came to be the people they are. The stories reminded me that each of makes daily choices in our lives that affect others and we need to decide what type of influence we want to have. This book discusses tithing as an attitude toward life and our resources, rather than an obligation.
I enjoyed the stories and found the individuals inspiring, yet I was disappointed that the tithe did not seem to be the main theme of the book. Yes, each story talked about the role of tithing in each person's life, but that was not the focus. This book seemed to me to be more of a collection of short narratives of people living in faith and depending on God to direct their lives. And tithing is part of that to be sure, but due to the title of the book, I expected more emphasis on the practice of tithing itself.
Overall, the book reminds readers that our lives should be lived in response to God and what we do with our time, resources, money and talents reflects our beliefs about God and stewardship. The stories are inspirational and cause readers to examine their priorities and values in a consumer-driven society. However, if you are looking for a manual on tithing or an explanation of its history and current practices, you will need to look somewhere other than this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fearless by Max Lucado

2010-01-30T05:35:00.001-08:00

Life is filled with fear. However, in his book Fearless, author Max Lucado helps people deal with fear in a biblical way. He points out the difference between fear of God and fear of this world. He uses Scripture and stories of everyday people to offer encouragement and comfort in a fear-filled life. He reminds us that God wants us to be people of courage, and He provides the tools for us to live out that courage. Lucado walks the reader through thirteen areas in which life tries to rob us of our courage and happiness, areas in which most of us struggle to let go of our fear. Then he reminds us that Christ can take away those fears, because He is in charge of the ending. Lucado writes in a style that makes it easy to understand and relate to. His writing flows through stories and examples, and he fills the reader with encouragement to live the way God intends: fearless.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Week 8 Reflection

2009-12-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

During this course, I have worked on developing a GAME plan to increase my effectiveness in the classroom. One area in which I wanted to work on improving was in the area of professional learning communities. I want to collaborate with others in the field of education and continue to be informed about developments in technology. I want someone to hold me accountable for increasing my knowledge and applying it in my classroom.

As part of my GAME plan, I have joined several online communities to blog and share information. I also have asked several staff members to help hold me accountable within my district. Several staff members have begun blogging and reading together to increase collaboration within the district. I also have several staff members who have agreed to meet with me periodically so we can share information with each other and problem solve areas in our classrooms. I will continue with these communities.

I also wanted to increase the reflection that my students do in regard to their own work. I feel I have begun to collect different methods of reflection and would like to continue to do so. It is important that students think about their work and the work of others.

As a result of this course, I will continue to include technology in my classroom. I have set up Google accounts for all of my students and would like to add RSS feeds to their accounts, using some of the updates as required readings. I would also like to incorporate digital storytelling into my literature units in order to help students share what they learn. Digital storytelling has many benefits within my language arts classroom.

Overall, I have found the GAME plan effective and will continue to use it with my students.

Week 7: GAME plan

2009-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

Throughout the past several weeks, I have thought about and evaluated my own GAME plan for increasing my knowledge and understanding of the technology standards for teachers. These standards are important because they are necessary skills and knowledge for the future success of our students. Students will need these skills in order to be competitive in the future economy.
To that end, I have been working toward my GAME plan: setting goals, taking action, monitoring my work, and extending it. As I consider implementing these standards in my classroom for my students, I see the value in using the GAME plan with them as well.
There are many ways to incorporate this type of plan with students, and as teachers we should be continually setting goals with our students and working through the parts of the GAME plan. In particular, I want my students to be familiar with the technology goals and 21st century skills that will be necessary for their future success.
To begin, I would like to have my students work in groups to evaluate the standards. Over the course of the semester, I would like them to break down each standard into student-friendly language and discuss what they mean and what they look like in the real world. I would also like them to consider the advantages to having these types of skills.
As they work, I would like students to develop their own GAME plan to prioritize the standards and begin to work toward mastery of them. Throughout the semester, I will ask my students to set goals to incorporate these standards into their work in the classroom. As they set their goals, I will have them keep reflective journals to see what their goals are and how they are working toward them. Periodically, we will review their journals together in our conferences. I will ask them to list specific steps they need to take to work toward their goal, and they will reflect in their journals how they are progressing to their goal. Our conferences and their journals will allow them to monitor their progress. Each time we meet, I will ask how they are progressing and if their goals need changed or amended to reflect new skills or information. As they achieve their goals, I will ask them how they can extend the knowledge and skills they have gained.
At the end of the semester, I would like students to blog about their reflections and the achievements they have had due to following their GAME plan to learn and incorporate the standards into their classwork, as well as where they will go from here in regard to their GAME plans.

Week 6

2009-12-09T16:55:00.001-08:00

As I continue to work toward meeting the goals of my GAME plan, I have begun collecting reflection tools and inquiring of others how they have students reflect upon their learning. I have continued to add to my portfolio of ideas for reflection. In addition to exit cards, I have found several other ideas I will try within the next semester. One idea is to have students write down goals for learning at the beginning of the unit or lesson. They can list their goals on post-it notes and then we can hang them in the room somewhere. After the lesson, we can verbally reflect whether or not we feel those goals have been met. Another idea is to set students up with accountability pen pals. Students would be paired up with one another and would blog or write back and forth to discuss what they have learned, what they are learning, and what they need to continue to work on. I feel I have discovered some great resources to help with this goal.

I am continuing to work on developing my professional growth and leadership. The first week of blogging with colleagues has been successful. However, I have not had much success in finding other teachers who are willing to hold me accountable within my teaching practices. Another option I am going to try is video taping some of my lessons and asking others to view them to critique my teaching style. I would like to have some feedback on ways to improve. I am also continuing my search for other PLC options.

I am not yet sure I am ready to pursue other goals as of yet. However, I would like to begin to incorporate more problem-based learning in my classroom, which ties in with the NETS standard of engaging students in real-world issues and problems with digital media and resources. In this regard, I will begin by refreshing my knowledge on wikis and planning for several PBL opportunities.

Week 5

2009-12-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

I am continuing to adapt my GAME plan as I need to in order to progress. First of all, I have been working on reflection tools for my students. I have found several surveys that students can fill out regarding their work and have asked for fellow staff members to look at them and give me their input. I have also asked other colleagues how they help students reflect upon their growth. One colleague suggesting having students create short recordings. She suggested they record their goals at the beginning of a project, paper, or activity, and then record their thoughts after completion. I like this idea and feel I can incorporate it easily into my classroom, as my students all know how to use Voice Thread and create podcasts. In this case, my actions have led to some success in finding reflection tools that will work in my classroom. I would still like to learn how to help students reflect on smaller tasks within the classroom, such as daily lessons. I want to find resources to help students see what they learn on a daily basis. I have used exit cards in the past and would like to continue to add to that idea.

Secondly, I have been working on being accountable by finding a PLC. To date, I have had 5 staff members inquire about the book I am studying and blogging about. 5 does not seem like a large number, but it has only been about a week, and I work with a staff of about 40, so I am encouraged. I put information in each staff member's mailbox in regard to the PLC, and I think that has helped to spread the word. We begin blogging at the end of this week on the first chapter, and so I think I will find the conversation encouraging and it will help me find new ideas for the classroom. In addition to this online PLC, I would like to find 1-2 staff members who would be willing to hold me accountable in my professional learning. I am going to begin to inquire to see if anyone would be interested in meeting periodically to share ideas and concerns in order to help one another.

I am encouraged by the steps I have taken to meet my GAME plan, and I will continue to work toward its success.

EDUC 6713 week four

2009-11-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

The first objective of my GAME plan was to help students become more reflective thinkers. I began by creating a blog that would allow them a place to reflect on their learning and knowledge, and they would be able to comment on one another's posts. As I continue to develop my GAME plan, I know that students will need guidance on how to do this. Therefore, I have begun to compile a list of resources to help students with their reflections. I have begun gathering as many different types of reflective tools as I can, and have started thinking about when they should be used with students. For example, I can post open-ended questions on the blog, such as what did you learn? How do you know? What obstacles did you run into? What helped in your learning? I can also provide students with rubrics and have them grade their own projects and assessments to see how they feel about the knowledge they've gained. However, I am worried about using the same types of reflection tools repeatedly and losing the value of them as students become accustomed to them. Therefore, I will continue to search for helpful tools and try to continue to come up with innovative ways for students to assess their learning and reflect on it.

My second goal dealt with becoming more involved in my profession, such as keeping up with news about education, particularly in technology. I also wanted to gain more interaction with peers. I have subscribed to several rss feeds to gain information and also to several blogs and online journals. Another step I have taken is to talk with my superintendent in regard to PLCs. Our district does not mandate learning communities, but he is in favor of the concept. Therefore, he has agreed to let me pilot an online community based on gaining knowledge and sharing. He has purchased a set of books for the staff to read. This is voluntary right now, but I hope it will grow. The superintendent has allowed me to set up a blog for staff where we can discuss the book we are reading and how it applies within our classrooms. He has requested that I update it weekly, noting important information from the book we are reading and helping to head up the discussion. I think this is a great opportunity for my district to share ideas and begin communicating on a higher level. I hope it will lead to further PLCs. I will continue to look for new books we can share in this format, and hope that anyone who has suggestions in this area will share them.

Within the next few weeks, I hope to add to my portfolio of reflective resources and see more participation within my district in the new PLC blog.

Ginger

EDUC6713 week3

2009-11-18T16:56:00.001-08:00

Last week, I developed a GAME plan to help me implement some of the technology standards into my classroom. One area I wanted to develop was promoting student reflection. To do this, I wanted to establish a classroom blog where students could reflect upon items from class and their own work and then "discuss" this with one another. I want them to have accountability and take ownership of their work. This week, I established the blog and I will introduce the concepts to students in the coming weeks. As I move forward, I will need to look for some reflective tools I can use to help students see what areas they need to analyze within their own work, and ways they can reflect upon what is being done in the classroom. I will search the Internet and ask colleagues for advice on what types of tools would be most effective.

Secondly, I wanted to focus on evaluating and reflecting on current research and professional practice. I want to be aware of what information is out there, learn to implement new technologies into my classroom, and then reflect and evaluate the work I am doing within my classroom. This will take many steps and resources to accomplish, yet this type of evaluation and reflection will never cease in a classroom. First of all, because there are no PLCs in my district, I need to locate one that I can be a part of. I have done some online searching and have joined two learning groups through my diingo account. I have joined elearning 2.0 and Google in education. However, I have not yet had much opportunity to read the majority of the articles. I do, though, have the ability to comment on things I am doing in my classroom to ask for advice or to reflect upon the outcomes. I can use these sites to read for new information and hold myself accountable for trying new ideas. I would also like to look for and subscribe to educational magazines that deal with new technology. My next step will be to search for these and subscribe. Finally, I am using my personal blog as a reflection tool and will continue to do so.

These beginning steps will help me implement these new standards in my classroom. As I look at what I am doing and need to do, this will change and need updated as well.

References:

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf on November 10, 2009.

EDUC 6713 GAME plan

2009-11-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

The National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers reflect the skills and abilities of teachers that are becoming more and more important in modern classrooms. As classrooms continue to evolve to meet the needs of 21st century learners, it is more important than ever that teachers continue to adapt to those needs.

The ISTE Standards address these areas for teachers. I feel comfortable with many of the standards, but there is always room for improvement. There are several that I would like to work on in particular.

The first indicator that I developed a GAME plan for is "promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes." (National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). One action I will take to complete this is developing a reflective blog for students. They will be able to log on and address concerns and questions about completed projects. They can comment on their ability to work in groups and indicate how comfortable they felt with assignments. They will also be able to comment on one another's suggestions and ideas. As they leave comments, I will also be able to address their responses. Then as we work on new or continuing projects, we can reflect back on what was previously stated. To monitor this, I will check the blog every few days and be sure to address comments by students, whether on line or in person. I will ask additional questions to help them dig more deeply into their reflections. I can evaluate this by the comments students make and the differences I see in the classroom in collaborative work. I can extend this for my own learning by keeping a personal log or journal reflecting on what I think is going well or needs improved.

Another indicator I would like to work on is "evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning." (National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). I will take several actions to accomplish this. First of all, I would like to find a professional learning community to interact with. My district does not have PLCs as of right now, so I will search online or check with colleagues from other schools to find one I can share information with. I will also subscribe to media regarding information technology. I will read to keep current with new technology and share that information with others. To monitor this, I will keep myself accountable with other colleagues to try new tools periodically and reflect on their use. I will evaluate my efforts in this by reflecting and journaling new lessons I try or new tools I use. I will contribute to a PLC to share this information.

References:

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf on November 10, 2009.

EDUC 6712 Reflection

2009-11-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

After completing this course, one thing that stands out to me is the fact that my students need a whole new set of skills in order to be literate in today's world. It is no longer enough to be able to read and write or work with printed materials. Students need to navigate and manage the electronic information they are bombarded with daily. I need to help students learn how to read and write in a global society.

To begin with, I will work with students on managing information. I would like my students to become more literate in today's technology. I would like to help them set up readers or other types of accounts to manage information. I also want them to understand how to paraphrase information and research properly, giving credit as appropriate. The knowledge I have gained in this course will influence how I help students maneuver through this information.

One professional development goal I have for myself is to investigate methods of instruction that will help students develop new literacies. I would like to investigate online courses and written materials that will help me understand how students think and process information so that I can better teach them the processes they will need to understand to be successful.

Ginger Holloway

Reflection: Week Eight

2009-06-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

As I reflect back over my personal view of learning, I continue to believe that all students have the capability to learn, and my job as a teacher is to provide connections for my students between their prior knowledge and new material. I need to help students apply new knowledge and develop necessary cognitive skills to be successful members of society. I continue to believe that most of my practices fall under the category of cognitivist theory. Students take in data through their senses and then make connections to prior knowledge. They can apply new knowledge through these connections. Throughout this course, I have learned ways in which I can apply technology to enhance this process.

One immediate adjustment I will make with my incoming classes is to convert my class notes from Podcasts to Voice Threads. With this change, students can use the Voice Threads to review information, but they can also leave feedback and dialogue with one another regarding the content, adding their own insight to the topic. I will also create a class list that allows me to email students with regular reminders regarding class assignments and upcoming projects and tests. I will continue to use a class website and blogs, but will begin to post links to important information that will aid students in the classroom.

With this in mind, one new tool I will be using is the Voice Thread. Voice Thread allows me to create online albums of text and images, using audio as well. This will appeal to both auditory and visual learners. Voice Thread also allows for collaborative work, and it gives students the opportunity to leave their own feedback and/ or questions.

Another tool I will be using in my classroom is Spinscape, an online concept mapping tool. This tool supports dual coding by giving students a visual representation of concepts and ideas along with text. It helps students organize information and make connections between prior knowledge and new knowledge.

In addition to these immediate changes, I am planning the following long-term goals for my classroom. First, I want to use online tools to allow students to turn in work electronically. For written work and essays, I am going to establish online accounts for my students at Buzzword.com. Buzzword allows students to create Word documents online so that they can be accessed at any computer regardless of the type of computer. Students can then send these documents to me electronically, where I can then go online to record my comments and questions. I can provide immediate feedback. Another program I will use is Slide Rocket, which allows students to create online Power Point presentations in much the same manner. To do this, I will have parents sign permission slips to establish these accounts, and then I will walk my students through the process. I will be sure to provide computer access at school for students who do not have computers available at home. I will also work with the district coordinator to obtain weekly scheduled time during class to use the mobile computer labs. The students and I will walk through the first assignment together to see how these programs work, and we will discuss online etiquette and usage rules.

My second goal is to develop Google Reader accounts with my students to help them sift through and organize information. We will discuss this information age together and decide which issues and ideas are important for us in class. We will talk about summarizing and why it is important to choose which pieces of information to follow. We will work on implementing new knowledge and managing subscriptions. Then we will decide which blogs, websites, etc. to follow on our readers and establish accounts. Students will then be responsible for reading through their information periodically and sharing what they learning by adding comments to the class blog page. I think this will help students see the amount of information available to them and teach them how to discern the important information.

Overall this course has reminded me of the importance of learning tools and implementing technology in my classroom. My job is to help students prepare for their future while learning how to process information using 21st century skills.

Spinscape concept map

2009-06-09T16:52:00.001-07:00

http://app.spinscape.com/spinbitz/index.cmd?command=open&map=12568&authToken=

Voice Thread

2009-06-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to my voice thread.

http://voicethread.com/?#u398633.b530314

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

2009-06-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

Social learning theories deal with the idea of students "actively engaged in constructing artifacts and conversing with others." (Laureate Education 2009). In social learning theories, students work together to discuss ideas and problems. The teacher takes the role of a facilitator who encourages students and helps as needed, but does not provide all of the information. Every student has a "zone of proximal development" (Laureate Education 2009), or a level at which the child is able to learn at any given time. When a teacher challenges a students to go above this level, the student needs someone more knowledgeable than he is. This person can be another student or the teacher, but someone can guide the student to higher levels of learning. The student interacts with others in order to accomplish a task or learn a new concept.

Students construct knowledge based on their context and culture. These are vital aspects to understanding the world around them. Social learning theories build on this idea to allow students to work together in collaboration for the purpose of learning.

"Today's students need to be able to learn and produce cooperatively." (Pitler 2007). One instructional strategy that supports social learning theories is the idea of cooperative learning. Cooperative learning allows students to work together in many different ways. Groups support one another and share information. Students can use technology to incorporate new knowledge. Working together helps students to learn in new ways. Students benefit from one another's strengths. Instructional strategies that emphasize cooperative group work relate to social learning theories.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Program eight Social Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

2009-05-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

Constructivism learning theories state that "each individual actively constructs his/her own meaning" and that "people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others." (Laureate Education 2008). Students construct meaning as they assimilate or accomodate new data. Students develop schemas, or beliefs and understandings as they learn. Constructivism is the idea that students develop these beliefs and understandings through the process of constructing something tangible. This could be a word processing document, a three dimensional model, a picture, or a project. Students retain more as they share these artifacts with one another.

Using the idea of constructivism, students can focus on 21st century skills of communication, presentation, organization, self-assessment, and leadership when engaged in the building of artifacts. By implementing the ideas of constructivism, teachers can give students more freedom in choosing projects of interest to them and allowing students to use tools and technology that fit their particular learning styles and needs.

In the classroom, students can problem solve, investigate, invent, inquire, and make decisions. (Pitler 2007). Technology helps students with these processes by providing necessary tools. Instructional strategies play a major role as well. For example, teachers need to address these areas when preparing lessons for students. Rather than doling out information for memorization, teachers need to decide what the overarching goals are for their students, and then supply the tools and resources needed to allow students generate and test their own hypothesis. Teachers become the facilitators rather than the providers of information. In this way, students can explore their own ideas and take ownership of their learning.

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program seven. Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Cognitivism in Practice

2009-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

There are many strategies that can be used in the classroom that relate to cognitive learning theories, or support them. To begin with, concept mapping tools can replicate the network model of memory. Things move from short term to long term memory when a student can connect the new information to something that exists in their current memory. The more connections they make, the more pathways they have to retrieve that new memory. Using a concept map allows students to visually see connections between pieces of information. This helps learners visualize ideas and the connections between ideas. (Laureate Education 2009)

Another concept that is important in cognitive learning theory is the idea of dual coding. Dual coding says that people store images and remember them along with text. When the two are used together, they make a more powerful memory. (Laureate Education 2009). Therefore, when a concept map or any type of graphic organizer is being used, students can visualize information and read it. This helps imprint the information.

Using cues or questions helps students link information to their prior knowledge or background. This again provides a connection to help information enter long term memory (Pitler 2007). To begin a lesson, a teacher can ask an essential question. "Asking students to use background knowledge to answer essential questions aligns with research showing that higher-order questions produce deeper learning." (Pitler 2007).

Finally, teachers can use reciprocal teaching to help students understand information. By having students teach one another, it is easy to see what learning has taken place. It also forces a student to tap into higher levels of thinking to be able to thoroughly explain something to someone else.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program five. Cognitive Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

2009-05-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Behaviorist learning theories influence some instructional strategies in the classroom. Behaviorist theory states that "all behavior is learned habits" and "all behaviors can also be unlearned" (Standridge 2008). This theory believes that teachers need to reward desired responses for learning to take place. Behaviors that are rewarded will be repeated.

With that in mind, several instructional strategies can be related to behaviorism. First of all, students can be shown the effect of their own efforts in the classroom. As teachers, we want students to demonstrate effort; therefore, we need to reinforce effort. To do this, we can have students track the effort they put into assignments, and then look at their corresponding scores. We can comment positively when their effort results in desired outcomes. When there is a lack of effort and students are not as successful as we would like, we can withhold positive feedback. Instead, students receive negative feedback, such as a poor grade. (Pitler 2007).

A second instructional strategy that relates to behaviorism is homework. Homework gives students additional practice with data, and allows teachers to provide additional feedback. This feedback can help students make improvements within the classroom. Not all homework is the same, however. Traditionally, teachers will grade homework and write comments on it to encourage students and elicit the response desired. With modern technology, though, homework can include multi-media projects and assignments that may provide immediate feedback to encourage students. (Pitler 2007).

Programmed instruction, such as websites and power point games, present small amounts of information, asks questions, and then allows students to receive answers. (Laureate Education 2009). Receiving immediate feedback encourages students to continue working with effort.

There are many ways behaviorism is still at work within classrooms. Behavior management and instructional strategies are influenced by behaviorism.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program four. Behaviorist Learning Theory [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

Smith, M. K. (1999) 'The behaviourist orientation to learning',the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm, Last update: May 11, 2009

Welcome!

2009-01-06T16:18:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my blog!