happy birthday justin timberlake

yes, i heart jt.  best. concert. ever.

Teaching about Local History Using Customized Photographs

“Analytical Overview of”

Teaching about Local History Using Customized Photographs

By Andrea Schoemaker

Joseph Kirman’s article, Teaching about Local History Using Customized Photographs, explains how modern cameras have expanded teacher’s abilities to create and customize any image, scenery, atmosphere or environment for students in an elementary or secondary school.  The use of a photo can create critical thinking units to compare past landscapes and society with today. By implementing five important objectives such as; the evolution of a location, viewing advancements during the computer age, creating urban infrastructure, understanding effects of pollution, and exploring land options, Kirman indicates re-photographing will enhance lessons.   Old photographs can be obtained through a variety of sources.  To re-photograph a location, the photographer needs to consider if the locations itself is still accessible.  Angles, format, lens manipulation, editing and perspective are all equally important.  Regardless of problems encountered, the photograph taken must stay on task for the teacher’s lesson.  A group of photographs may have multiple educational applications which include art, writing, and guest lecturers that are familiar with the photographed area.  Finally, Kirman lists a number of questions which may be helpful for a beginning photographer.  He also includes an example highlighting a comparison of past and present educational systems through photography. 

            The author spends time examining all of the various things that need to be considered.  He lists different locations where old photographs may be found to use as a basis.  He further suggests exploring old collections of newspapers and magazines in museums and local libraries or even purchasing sets from available sources.  Kirman spends a great deal of time explaining how a novice photographer goes about the process of re-photographing.  Several important ideas include finding the original location of the photo, locating where the original photographer actual stood, and if the previous location is now unavailable, focus of the new picture should try to match the center of the old photo.  He feels a re-photographer needs to be creative enough to find a similar perspective even if it means going higher or farther away.  Every effort should be made to match the original perspective if possible.  Using various lenses or manipulating a lens by zooming in or out will help a new re-photographer get the right angle.  If neither of these options seems to help, the re-photographer needs to change his or her position and become closer or further away from the object. Consideration has to be given to the shape as format is equally important. One problem that may arise is that by following the shape, some of the area may be lost.  Another problem that can occur is when the photo needs to be enlarged it might need to be cropped and further edited.  However, sometimes the best efforts cannot get you an exact duplicate because locations and positioning are unavailable.  Kirman suggests some re-photographers want the picture to look remarkably different because that fulfills a teaching objective.  Comparisons can then be made between the two photos and used in many ways.  Class projects vary greatly and these sets of photographs are unique teaching tools.  They can be used by students and teachers for multiple lessons and community involvement. 

            An additional part of Kirman’s article centers on his many general suggestions for questions that the modern photographer should ask himself before beginning.  Questions included whether scenery changes have affected the area photographed in a positive or negative way, or what might be viewed today that could never have been included in older photos.  Additional questions deal with comparing lifestyles and environmental issues seen in the photos.  Finally, Kirman suggests that a camera should always be included in any teachers’ trip.  Opportunities for thematic units are available no matter where a teacher travels whether it is seasonal pictures or landscapes.  This personal record is invaluable anytime a comparison wants to be made between eras.  Kirman’s inclusion of an old school photograph is his example of how to create a unit dealing with school functions and behaviors of the past.  Furthermore, discussion questions are included which would help a teacher guide students to talk about their observations in these pictures.  Unit activities are also listed which broaden the usefulness of the photographs even further.   The use of reflective questions help students pull together their ideas and share those ideas with one another.  In conclusion n, this inexpensive and very personal classroom tool is a great aide for any teacher now or in the future. 

            Generally, I think Kirman’s article was inventive.  Children are familiar with digital cameras and their uses.  Implementing technology with visual images would be much more engaging than asking a class to read a selection about a local historic place or event.  The inclusion of entire units and questions is so helpful to the beginner.  Editing, formatting, and customizing photographs help create a learning experience for the teacher and the students if they become involved in the process.  One drawback could be that a student could get lost in the creativity and lose focus by veering away from the educational objectives.  The teacher would have to be quite specific about expectations and requirements to help the students stay on task.  I am excited to visualize locations in this area which could be photographed for comparison or become the basis for field trips.  I am an avid photographer and I look forward to incorporating these units, questions, and ideas into my classroom in the future.  I enjoyed Kirman’s article and I think his suggestions are right on target for so many applications. 

Get Ready for the SCAT STORM!

we’re supposed to be getting this crazy ass blizzard today so i just looked on weather dot com and typed in my zip code….wow, to my amazement we’re going to have “scat snow”

i had to take a screenshot immediately due to my horrifically perverted mind

Schools ‘cube’ effort in Math, Science – Rock Island-Milan District uses $2M grant to help students

    Dawn Neuses wrote this article about the Rock Island-Milan School District getting a grant for $2 million dollars from the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a computer program called Classroom Cubed.  The program is being developed by a local Rock Island company called JTM Concepts.  The grant is funding the project to help kindergarten through 12^th grade students learn math and science.  JTM Concepts has agreed to offer the program free of charge to all educational institutions throughout the state.  The lessons made from this program by Rock Island teachers will also be shared. 

            I understand the purpose of writing grants and that they are very detailed and focused on a specific topic.  However, if I were to receive a grant for $2 million dollars, I would not use it in this same manner.  I know that there are many classrooms in this school district that are in need of new books, desks, and teaching resources.  I applaud the district for the contribution to the state in helping raise test scores in math and science, but what about the other subjects that continues to get left behind over and over.  Okay so they have this money, and the company willing to make this product, why not integrate social studies, art, reading, and music while they are at it?  Having some computer programming background myself, I know that each subject can model each other and the only thing that would be different is the content.  I know there would be teachers willing to put time into this if it will truly help their curriculum.

Does state-sanctioned prayer have a place in public school?

        Recently the state of Illinois put into place a new law which required “silent reflection” at the start of each school day.  It actually dictated in Senate Bill 1463 that each teacher had to observe this silence but it could not be connected to a specific religious exercise.  The legislature just called it an opportunity for the students to reflect.  Many citizens did not agree and the law is being contested now. 

            My thought on this is what the legislators thought the students would be during at this time?  Were they supposed to be thinking about lunch or worrying about a spelling test?  Obviously these legislatures were making a not-so-subtle inference that prayer would be an option in public schools.  I have observed this recently in an elementary classroom and noticed that it was nothing but an awkward silence.  Children are unsure where to look, what to do, or what to think during this unusual silent moment in their classrooms and some even nervously laugh because they don’t really know how to respond.  I do believe that there are social norms that children need to be taught, however this awkward moment of silence has never really been explained to most children because teachers didn’t ask for it and don’t seem to want it themselves.  I feel that this time lost is a silly waste of precious school time to appease some legislator’s constituents.  Perhaps they need to come to the schools and explain what this time is to be for exactly. 

The only thing that comes close to this in my high school experience was the requirement to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.  Some students chose not to say anything but did stand.  I’m not really sure what would have happened if a teacher demanded that it was said because I never saw it go that far.  I wonder what would happen if a student refused to be silent during this new time in an elementary classroom.  I also think that there are teachers who aren’t even doing this because they are not seeing a value to their students.  One possible solution to this would be if each classroom voted whether or not they wanted to observe this silence, or if a national tragedy or death of family member of a student occurred, then a moment of silence would be given out of respect. 

best spam email in the world

Hi
It`s mariah again. Will you ever contact me?
I made those nude pictures especially for you and I wont write to you again!
If you wanna see them just drop me a line at: bmariah4@***.info

I Love You Bissell SpotBot Hands-Free Portable Deep Cleaner

This week my dog seemed to think it was okay to start randomly puking all over the house. He’s somewhat of a “plump” puppy and when I feed him he hogs it down like he hasn’t eaten in 25 days. Later in the day I seem to find little presents of dog puke from his smorgasbord earlier on.

I was at “the Walmart” last night and saw the Bissell 1200B SpotBot Hands-Free Compact Deep Cleaner Carpet Cleaner so I picked one up. I figured since I’ve been paying $40 each time to have someone clean the carpets when he does this I will have this thing pay for itself in only a few months. I also got a huge bottle of the Bissell 0799 Pet Odor & Stain Removal Formula - 32oz you add with it (generic brand pet solution from Walmart).

This thing is awesome. It’s SO easy to use that all you have to do is set it on top of the stain itself and hit one button. Done. It does it’s thing for about 6 minutes and beeps when it’s done. I didn’t want to wait for the area to dry so I used the attached vacuum hose to suck up the rest of the water. FAB-U-LOUS! This is a must have product if you have kids and/or pets, or spill a lot on your carpets!

i luvs u

i couldn’t resist

Been a great week so far!

Yesterday was my first day of 2nd semester at Western Illinois University.  At first when I made my schedule I wasn’t sure if I could handle it.  I ended up taking 7 classes, and my days at school are 13 hours long.  Yes, that sounds horrific I know, but it actually is a pretty good day.  I have (3) 1 hour breaks where I go outside, eat my lunch (pb&j), have a smoke break (150 feet away - thx new IL law :P) and rest my brain.  I’m really looking forward to this semester because I get to spend even more time than before in a classroom.  I will also have the chance to do some teaching.

I also reached my goal to attend ASW today!  I want to thank everyone who bought text links or just donated to the fund.  I hope to see you all in Las Vegas and we can say hello!  I have my plane ticket purchased

free samples update

i forgot to update my experience with startsampling.com for my free samples from this post

i have been receiving the magazines Better Homes & Gardens and Games For Windows for a while now yay!

i am now waiting to receive an issue of bridal guide magazine (for my friend jenna), hamburger helper microwave singles, and sunsilk anti-flat hairspray  !