Summer is Here Kids, Find a Sport and Participate!!!

Well, school has been out for a two and a half days and I am guessing some of you are getting a little bored. Well it is time to get outside and play a sport, for Mr. B that sport is bike racing. Last weekend, I was busy announcing the big bike race in Mont Pleasant, Michigan at the Tour de Mont Pleasant (a two day bike race). I announced and raced on Saturday, I entered the Masters 35+ category after announcing all afternoon. I had a blast despite jumping into the race at the very last minute, and starting with hardly any warm up at all. The race finished in a big pack sprint, I was just happy to finish safely in the back of the bunch. On Sunday, I announced the big 105 mile road race, it was a blast but I think I would have liked to have actually been in the race. Here are some pictures of the that weekend.

Writing Prompts May 3rd-28th

Students can respond to the journal prompts that their class created.

Finish the following story

The sunny caressed my face, as I was lying on an inflatable raft just a hundred yards off the shore. My eyes slowly closed, as I replayed the images of today's events. I had gone horseback riding with my friends, had a great lunch with mom and dad, and I now I was ending the day at the beach, catching some much needed rays. I drifted to sleep. I was awakened by a cold chill and the sound of waves crashing against a beach. I opened my eyes, only to reveal to my horror that it was now dark and I was now lying on a half deflated raft, washed up on a rocky beach, with no visible signs of civilization. I must have fallen asleep and I am now washed up on a beach I don't recognize. How could I simply float away from my friends and family without being noticed? Are they looking for me? What am I going to do? I am only wearing a wet bathing suit and my raft appears to have a hole in it from the rocks that cover this desolate beach?

The Battle of Concord: Finish the Story

On this day in 1775, American militiamen fought the British forces in the first battles of the Revolutionary war. Battles were pitched in two small towns (Lexington and Concord) just west of Boston, Massachusettes. Noted poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, called the first volley of gunfire,"the shot heard around the world."

Read the following story, make believe that you are the main character. Finish the story, make sure to use all your senses when describing the scenario.



I had been rousted from bed by Ma at 2:30 am, she handed me my coat, hat and my musket. My Pa and I ran six miles along with our neighbor Mr. Russel to confront the enemy for the first time. My shirt was soaked with sweat, I had a callus on my right hand from carrying the heavy musket all morning. It was now, 2:30 pm, the grass that was covered with frost this morning was now wet with dew. I had heard musket shots all afternoon in the near distance and now for the first time I could hear the shouting of British officers echoing throughout the valley. My father and I were traveling through the swamps and marshes working our way to the front of the column of British Grenadiers and Marines that were fleeing from Concord. The road from Concord to Lexington was as crooked as a snake, and we aimed to attack the approaching "Red Coats" at a bend in the road just west of Menotomy.
The small group of militia that my father and I had joined up with numbered about twenty men, most were farmers and were familiar with the swamps after years of hunting in them. We had been running through the woods trying to out flank the Red Coats, and now we were looking for a good place to set up an ambush. The road that the Redcoats were traveling down could be seen through the woods where we now stood. The trees were dense but they were still without leaves. There were buds just starting to emerge from the branches and the scent of lilacs could be smelt in the breeze. It seemed ironic that as the leaves were coming back to life, my father and my neighbors were plotting the deaths other men.
We split up into two groups of ten, one group crossed the road and headed up a small bluff and Pa and I found a dense thicket of bushes parallel to the road to hide behind. We laid down on the cold, damp ground and took off our hats so that the British could not spot us. We loaded our muskets, ramming the shot down the barrel, careful not make any noise. Within a few minutes we could hear the footsteps of about a hundred men, running quickly down the gravel road. Interspersed between the steps, we could hear the officers barking orders to stay in ranks. "Keep your wits about ya, the bloody yanks are all around us, be ready to present arms on my command!" yelled one of the Sergeants. Sweat began to drip from my nose, and my back ached as my muscled tensed up in fear. Then from the behind us I could hear footsteps running through the woods. I could tell it was British soldiers, because I could hear the jangling of their metal canteens against the buckels on their belts. Fallen branches broke under their boots, they trotted even closer. It seems as if the British had sent some light infantry into the woods to prevent us,Yankees, from setting up ambushes. The infantry was moving very fast and they were heading right toward me and Pa's position. I was laying perfectly still, praying that the Red Coats could not see into the thick bushes. Our brown and grey coats helped conceal us from the infantrymen but they getting just too dang close. I could see them but we remained undiscovered, their red coats flashed through the trees as they grew closer and closer. They moved to within thirty feet of our position when suddenly.....

Dictionary Fun?

Yesterday, Webster’s Dictionary celebrated its 182 anniversary. Increasingly, the traditional dictionaries are being supplanted by electronic spelling aids like Spell-check and others. Today we are going to explore the dictionary, each student is going to find five words that they have never seen or heard before. You will write the word and your definition for the word in your journal. Then choose your new favorite word with the class.

Example:
prevalent adj.
Definition: Some thing that is widespread or has become popular within a particular culture or industry.
In use: Justin Beiber is one of the most prevalent vocal artists among teens.
Synonyms: dominant, popular

April is National Poetry Month

Gelaina Poth
Neptune Rising
Florida
Age 17, Scholastic Art & Writing American Visions Award 2002

Take on a New Voice

Write a short Poem about the image you see

Ideas to think about
1. What is your character’s full name?
2. Where does your character live?
3. How old is your character?
4. What’s going on in your character’s mind?

Finish the following story:

My heart pounded as I stared into the light of the police officer’s flashlight. I really only had two options: one, keep my friends’ secret or two, tell the truth and save their lives. The police officer looked into my eyes for the answer, and then I slowly raised my head and said….

What's on T.V.?

Finish the following story:

The sun had set on the sleepy small town. Cars and trucks slowly rolled down Main Street as they had the night before, window shoppers strolled calmly along the sidewalk after enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants that line the avenue. A small gathering of onlookers was quietly milling around the lit window of the new electronics store. The hushed crowd stood transfixed before the dozen televisions that were all tuned to the same channel. We approached the store, curious to see what was holding the gaze of this growing crowd. We were amazed when we saw, there on the television,.....

Story Starter: The Package

Finish this story:

I placed the package on the doorstep and rang the bell. My heart pounded as I hid in the shadows.

March 30th, 2010

The beginning of your story is very important. Those first few sentences need to leave your reader questioning what is going on. It should make them want to continue reading the story to find out what has happened before this first sentence, or what will happen after. Think of this sentence as a puzzle piece. Does it make the reader want to finish the puzzle?

Finish this story:
I watched the truck drive away with tears in my eyes. How could....

Language Arts A, 1st hour, March 29th

Dr. Sereno Really Digs his Job!

In Language Arts A, we have read about Dr. Sereno finding the bones of Jobaria but did you know that Dr. Sereno has also found the bones of ancient humans? While digging in the sands of the African country of Niger, Dr. Sereno found the remains of of over 200 prehistoric people. What is so remarkable about this find is that many of the bodies were buried on beds of flowers. The Touareg call the area where the bodies were found the "Desert within the desert," because the area is so dry.

How did these ancient bodies get buried with fresh flowers in the middle of the desert? Write a short story about how the bodies got there? What do you think this desert area was like 7,000 to 10,000 years ago, when these bodies were laid to rest?

To find out more information about this dig go to:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1044992/Amazing-5-000-year-old-skeletons-laid-bed-flowers-Sahara--proving-desert-green-lush.html

Language Arts C, 3rd hour, March 29th

Read the following lyrics, try to figure out what the artist is trying to say, then rewrite or copy change the lyrics to make this song your own.



Purple Rain

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain

I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain

Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out for something new
That means you too
You say you want a leader
But you can't seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it
And let me guide you to the purple rain

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

If you know what I'm singing about up here
C'mon raise your hand

Purple rain Purple rain

I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain

Song by Prince

Learn more about Prince by reading this except from Thomas E. Larson's Book, History of Rock and Roll.
http://books.google.com/books?id=vGJ7XmA8rjIC&pg=PA243&dq=formerly+known+as+Prince#v=onepage&q=formerly%20known%20as%20Prince&f=false

Writing a Poem: Copy Change

Read the Poem below. Change parts of the poem to make it your own.

Afternoons and Coffeespoons

What is it that makes me just a little bit queasy?
There's a breeze that makes my breathing not so easy
I've had my lungs checked out with x-rays
I've smelled the hospital hallways.

Someday I'll have a disappearing hairline
Someday I'll wear pyjamas in the daytime

Times when the day is like a play by Sartre
When it seems a bookburning's in perfect order--
I gave the doctor my description
I've tried to stick to my prescriptions

Someday I'll have a disappearing hairline
Someday I'll wear pyjamas in the daytime

Afternoons will be measured out
Measured out, measured with
Coffeeespoons and T.S. Eliot

Maybe if I could do a play-by-playback
I could change the test results that I will get back
I've watched the summer evenings pass by
I've heard the rattle in my bronchi...

--Brad Roberts


Sarah knight
3/26/10
2nd

What is it that makes me just a little bit sick to my stomach?
There's a breeze from an open door that makes my breathing not so easy
I've had a lot of tests done on my lungs
I've smelled the food in the hospital hallway

Someday I'll have a no cancer
Someday I'll run around like I have my head cut off

Times when the day is like The Fast and the Furious
When it seems like a kid in a candy store
I gave the doctor my description
I've tried to stick to my prescriptions

Someday I'll have a no cancer
Someday I'll run around like I have my head cut off

Afternoons will be measured out
Measured out, measured with
Coffee spoons and his mail

Maybe if I could do a play-by-playback
I could change the test results that I will get back
I've watched the summer evenings pass by
I've heard the rattle in my lungs

Writing Prompt Wednesday, March 24th

Below is an incomplete story, finish writing the story. Use all your senses to describe the scene and objects, make the reader believe they were actually there.

The Lino Family Secret

In the cool, damp air of her grandmother’s basement, Claire rummaged through the old cardboard boxes, looking for granny’s old pasta maker. Her Grandmother had sent her downstairs 20 minutes ago to retrieve the appliance so they could make a batch of the Lino family’s famous linguine. Claire could see the dust wafting through the air in a stream of sunlight that shot through the basement window like a spot light. After moving a brown cardboard box, she noticed a steamer trunk in the corner of the basement. She cautiously opened the lid, there in the middle of the trunk, wrapped in silk was a………

Thing # 23 Reflection

I have learned so much information during the course of the 23 Things seminar or is it a webinar. I started a blog and added some basic content to the site, no matter how simple my first blog was it was an important first step that I needed to take. I am sure that with some more practice I will not be taking steps but running, running a blog or wiki. The tools and programs that I have been exposed to will only make me more efficient in terms or organization and communication. I am really satisfied with what I have learned over the two months, the 23 things are a true benefit to anyone seeking to become proficient with web 2.0.

Thing #22

Wikis don't have to be scary, unless of course you want them to be.
(I know this sounds like something Yogi Berra would say





A. Added a comment to Wiki. Check
B. http://languagewithmrb.wikispaces.com/
C. What is the difference between a wiki and a blog? A wiki is like an on-line dry erase board while a blog is more or less like a flyer posted in a locked bullentin board protected by plexi-glass. The wiki can be changed by anyone or by people athorized to do so. A Blog is generally posted by just one person, and edited by one person. A wiki is important to any collaborative effort or group type projects, a blog is one persons opinion and is great for getting your point on the web.

Thing # 21 Learn about Wikis

A. Wikis are perfect for collaborative work. They allow multiple people to edit and save a document, the document is saved on the web and can be retrieved from there as well.

B. I like the wiki where kids from different hemispheres discuss the differences and similarities between kids from the US and New Zeeland, this is a great way to share your ideas with a classroom halfway around the world.

C. The one big question I have to find out about Wikis is,"can I track who made what changes to a document and when?" Once I find that out I think I will have something. I will keep digging to see how you do that before I put my class to task with a wiki project.

Thing # 20 finding and Subscribing to Podcasts

A. EPN is a great way to find education oriented podcasts.

B and C. I love Itunes, it is a quick and easy way to access music, radio, and podcasts. There is a huge selection of podcasts for FREE! Itunes seems to have the best speakers, I like the history podcasts especially Dan Carlin (Modern Western history)and Lars Brownworth (Byzantine rulers). I also just like to veg out sometimes to some of the free streaming radio, I still like independent college radio or modern adult alternative stations. Grooveshark is also a new favorite site for free streaming music (no downloading, that's illegal).

Thing # 19 Podcasting 101

A. I already knew what a podcast was prior to this lesson but after watching The ask a Ninja video, "What is Podcasting?", things are clearer now. Here view for yourself. I think the Ninja may be a Kettering teacher.



B. I love listening to podcasts when I am traveling in my truck. If I can't sleep I download noted autism expert,Stanley Greenspan, and fall asleep to his deep monotone voice (It is best not to listen to Mr. Greenspan when driving).

C. I am thinking of using podcast assignments just to change things up a little bit in my classroom but I really don't like the sound of my recorded voice. My students already think I talk too much, so this might not be such a great idea. I may need to employ the services of my friend, Jamie, who is a professional announcer to read my script. A video podcast or Vodcast might be fun to create with the students and make it available on our classrooms blog. Either way a podcasting can certainly jazz up a semester.

Thing # 18 Slideshare

Foggy And Mystical

View more presentations from Željko Čidić.

A. Explored Slideshar. Check!

B. I embedded the pressentation above. A few slides of Zen....ahhhh.

C. I like making Powerpoints. Slideshare displays some very presentations via powerpoint. Virtually every computer has Powerpoint loaded on it but teachers as a whole don't use it as often as we can. I will try to incorporate more visual aspects to my students learning, I may not produce as insightful and scary powerpoints as Shift Happens but powerpoints none the less.

Thing # 17 Online Productivity

A. I can't say that I have increased my productivity with these tools but they definetly can help you get organized. I signed up for Remember the Milk, 30 Boxes, and Library Thing. Library Thing is pretty cool, it lets everyone one know what books you have on your shelf and it allows you to catalog your books by just typing in the ISBN number. It allows you to rearrange your books into different collections just like a real library.

B. 30 Boxes and Remember the Milk are very similar despite the different titles. I like google calendar myself, maybe because I am a big fan of google. I am trying to get my wife to use google calendar, maybe by next week she will be up and running. She will be able to sync me like she syncs her Ipod.

Thing #16

A. Added my name to Google docs spread sheet! Yeah!

B. I am in the process of teaching my wife who to use google docs, I think it may just save our relationship. Well, maybe that is an overstatement but I do think the google calendar might just prevent me from ever stranding the kids at Girl Scouts or the bus stop.

C. I think google docs can be a great way for professionals to create documents together, maybe even tests (providing the document is secured properly). I can see students collaborating on group projects with this but I haven't figured out how to track document changes and who did what changes.

Thing # 15 Bloglines revisted

A. Subscribe to news feeds. Check!
B. I subscribed to the Delicious tag: education
C. Clean up Feedroll. [Sounds like somethinga farmer may do]Check!
D. RSS is becoming easier, at least I know what it is now. I have some of my favorite blogs and websites saved and I have been checking them regualarly as I only started yesterday. I wouldn't say it is a habit yet, as I still like to click on my old favorite buttons. I will try using Delicious from school tomorrow to see how that works.

Thing # 13 Tagging

A. Social Bookmaking makes sense. I have been making different bookmarks for all my different computeres for years, now all I have to do is utilize a site like Delicious to make my life much easier.

B. Tagging, ah the fine are of naming an online file, website, or blog. I have been trying to get a handle on this problem but the more I read up on it the more confused I get. I understand the concept of folksonomy and a tag cloud but I am not really sure how people are putting these terms to practical use.

C. I guess I already have my own folksonomy that works for me. I read the "13 steps for Effective Tagging" and I believe I have been employing these search tactics and tagging practices. I believe tagging is important, you should know what tag will get you the greatest amount of successful searches. You will find more information for "cows" then you will for "Heffers." This is just common sense so it is important to understand how most think. I believe that is what authors of "13 tips" was thinking of when they used the term lemmings.

Thing # 14 Delicious

Thing # 14

A. Delicious is a nifty way to have your favorites lists always with you no matter what computer you are using.

B. Create Delicious account. Check!

C. My delicious list of tags is small right now but I can see it exploding over the next couple of weeks. My username is bruley.anthony. I will definetly be setting up tags for all the sites I visit on a routine bases and since all of Waterford's teachers use the same web based applications there should only be one tab at the top of any computer, Delicious. I struggle to remember how to get to different applications everytime I work on an unfamilar computer. Now I will simply tag my stuff using delicious and my favorites list travels with me. Great Idea, now if only I would have thought of it first.

Vuelta A Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol: Stage 1, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Vuelta A Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol: Stage 1, Route Maps & Results | Cyclingnews.com

Thing # 12

A. I added the question of the day widget and the PBS Great Authors widget. I could not get the PBS widget to load where I wanted it because all I could find was the embedded code. I am trying to figure out how to find just the URL for that widget and not the java script. I guess you will now when I fixed it, when it shows up on the side bar instead of where the post normally goes.

B. I like the question of the day widget I selected as it causes you to think and reflect, so far the questions seem to be pretty insightful. I belong to a few on-line communities: facebook and MBRA org. Facebook is a great way to keep up with friends and family, I don't really use it to meet new people. I think kids really like myspace and facebook because they use it to meet new people and this is exciting to them. Older people seem to like keeping in contact with people the already know.

Great American Authors

Thing # 11

Thing # 11
A. I commented on a few blogs, but I think I may have violated Lifehacker's rule, "Don't comment for the sake of commenting." I also like Lifehackers's rule, "Don't post when you're angry, upset, drunk or emotinal." This rule is so very true, and should also apply to e-mails, phone calls or any other type of personal correspondence. Another classic quip from Lifehacker is this little bit of wisdom, "Do not feed or tease the trolls." To me this rule is golden, why waste your time defending your position to people who are well..."haters". You are never going to convince a die hard believer of any conspiracy theory to think otherwise, so why bother.

B. I generally don't like to leave comments on other peoples' blogs unless I have something relevant to add. I also like to be familar with the blogger and or know them personally. I think blogging can be an important communication tool and resource, but like many other types of writing I believe that etiquette must be observed and practiced. Knowing your audience is a concept that is often difficult for adults to understand and I think students may have a hard time responding appropriately if it is an intergral part of a class or project.

Thing # 10

This is one of my favorite Youtube videos, I know its old for Youtube standards but I like it still.



B. Downloaded Youtube video via KeepVid.com. Check!

C. Why did I chose the Matt Harding video? I think that this video demonstrates that humanity has some common traits, dancing is a universal symbol of joy and in some aspects is a type of communication. Okay, the video is just some silly guy dancing all over the world and I think the whole world appreciates bad dancers no matter what their skin color may be. Is this video a publicity stunt? Yes, it sure it is but I think it will strike a chord in even the grumpiest of critics.

Thing # 9

A. It's kinda sad but my son and I have already laughed at a bunch of these Youtube videos. I love the baby and squirrel. The women in art is great, I wished I taught art history, it would be a great beginning for the first day of class.

B. I never read or leave comments so this was a first for me.

C. I think Youtube is great but I think for school I would stick to teachertube or schooltube just to be safe. When I search something on Youtube no matter how innocent the topic I normally find some inappropriate video along with my search.

Thing # 8

A. The Flickr games are a pretty neat way to kill some time. I have never been a big fan of Sudoku but this is a really inventive way to use public photos. The Montager is a great idea but I couldn't figure out how to save the images directly to my computer without e-mailing it to myself.

B. Okay, enough of this image generator stuff, I gott a get some work done. These are "way fun" but eat up your time. Students will love this stuff.

C.

D. My students love reading comics and graphic novels. I think they would enjoy an assignment that includes adding dialogue to a picture with the Flickr caption creator.

Thing # 7

A. I finally created a Flickr account, Yeah Me!
B. I actually uploaded some photos to my Flickr acount, Tah dah!
C. I am a little worried what my students might post on a Flickr account. I think it would be neat to have students find pictures that help describe visually how certain adjectives make you feel. Student's would be responsible for defining their adjectives with school appropriate photos and then send those photos to me (aka the teacher)at a flickr group. I am not sure if the schools web filters will allow this though, so you would really have to run a test prior to this assignment. I am pretty sure that Waterford Schools puts a block on Flickr but you could probably use clipart or google images if you had to and have students send the images to our new yahoo mail accounts.

Thing # 6

A. I wish I started using Flickr earlier, I lost a ton of photos once when my computer crashed....the sad thing is, I learned about flickr years ago but never really looked into it.

B. You can really get lost exploring photos on Flickr, I really like the compfight tool that allows you to only search creative Commons photos. I like the idea of using photos that you have permission to use for none comercial uses. I also like the archival photos from the Library of Congress, very cool for social studies teachers.

C. My favorite photo, Hmmm? I guess this would be one of my new favs, after all the great pictures of my beautiful wife and super kids, that is.



I just love this shot of Tom Boonen of Beglium riding in front of Olympic gold medalist, Fabian Cancallara of Switzerland, during the 2009 Paris-Roubaix bike race. Both riders love this race and relish the opportunity to win it every year. Boonen is a previous winner and has a ton of Flemish fans supporting him. In the background you can see the yellow and black, Lion of Flanders flags waving for their Flemish hero, Boonen. Cancallara is one of the strongest and fastest racers in the world but lost this race to a hard charging Boonen. I can sense the urgency and excitement of this spring classic race in this photo. I also love the fact that this great photo was taken by an amateur photog. This photo looks very similar to the types of photos taken by British, cycling photographer Graham Watson. In short this is a really cool photo that distills the essence of last years race down to one well shot photo.

Thing#5

A. After using the 3 different methods for adding blogs to my Blogline's feeds, I have to agree that using the bloglines subscribe button in my tool bar is the easiest method.

B. Will Richardson's blog "weblogg-ed" is a really informative blog.

C. Taking advantage of all those mysterious buttons on my tool bar is really a neat way to save time when surfing the neat and keeping abreast of all the helpful blogs out there. I am now using the google RSS button now that I know what it is but I am still not sure if I like google reader or bloglines better, maybe by the end of the 23 things I will have a clear favorite.

Thing # 4

Thing # 4

A. Created Bloglines account and just for giggles Google Reader
B. I created 5 folders: 23 things, Assistive Technology, Autism, Cycling and Misc.
C. Reflection: I discovered a ton of new information on Thing # 4, I learned that I can keep up with my favorite websites and blogs automatically by having them sent to me using Bloglines or Google Reader. I am trying both just to see which one has the best features. I like Bloglines better so far because it seems so intuitive but I have only been using it for about an hour so far. I did notice that it automatically tries to put some of the sites I had selected into my folders. I am not sure if I like that feature yet, so I will have to add so more blogs or sites to see how it works.

Thing # 3

Thning 3

A. I posted a comment on Kathy's wsd23things.blogspot.com. Check
B. I posted a comment on Digital Immigrant's Blog, a really cool blog if I might say.
C. I adjusted my blog settings, paying close attention to comment moderation tab.
D. The neatest thing I noticed about the blogs that I examined was all the different angles you can take when building a blog. I saw how professional a blog could be and at the same time, I saw a few that were trying to be funny but wound up just being tacky and unprofessional (especially the Hoboteacher blog). All the blogs from our Waterford group seemed pretty well thought out and valuable to other teachers, students and parents. So I have a ton of work to do on this blog to make it more valuable as and educational tool.

Don't Just Sit There! Get outside and enjoy your break!

Being on break is a great time to get outside and get some much needed exersize. The best way to recharge your batteries is to burn some calories in the crisp winter air. Don't be afraid of cold weather, just put on a few layers of non-cotton clothing (cotton soaks up excess sweat and becomes cold and clamy) and go for a snowy run or get out the old sled and act like a little kid again. Don't just sit inside playing checkers with your cat or watching old episodes of the Wiggles, take advantage of the great Michigan winter season and explore the local nature center in the snow.