This was my first attempt at using my windows video editor. Hopefully I will be able use this application as an educational tool while traveling abroad. I hope you enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osFaprRc5l0
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Inspiration
Today I spent time working with a group of third grade students, many of which are considered underprivileged and “at risk”.
We were analyzing a poem that was about climbing mountains. Sometimes we need to climb mountains and even when our arms grow tired and our legs become weary, we must keep climbing until we reach the top. And, sometimes after reaching the plateau of one peak there is another mountain waiting in the distance. In order to reach the top you must keep moving and keep climbing, for if you stop too long to enjoy the view you will lose your ambition to keep moving. Eventually, if you keep climbing and keep moving, you will reach to top. And, only then can you spread your wings and fly.
Obviously, this is a metaphor for life. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, we must work hard to keep improving and to reach for our full potential.
I discussed this metaphor with a group of students. I asked each one of them what their goal in life was. Responses included being a doctor, artist, actress, and teacher. Then I asked them if they thought those dreams would come easy....obviously, they answered no. I told them that sometimes life can be difficult and they may need to work very hard, and it could be compared to climbing a mountain. And, sometimes just when they thought things were getting easier, it might get tough again. But, like before they must keep climbing. Then I told the students that the top of the mountain was a metaphor for our dreams in life. Once again, I asked each student what was at the top of their mountain. And, they replied with the same answers as before. Finally, I told the students that nothing could get in their way of reaching the top of their mountain and if they kept climbing and never gave up, they could achieve their goals in life.
As we discussed this metaphor one girl leaned over and whispered to me, in a very sincere tone, “Mr. Jeff, is it true that we really do have futures?”
I was stunned...I answered, “Of course it is true! If you work hard and never give up, you can be whatever you want to be”
This little girl, at 8 years-old, should serve as an inspiration for all people who work with children. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Because of you, I could answer her question honestly and with confidence. It is true, these children really do have futures!
Keep up the good work!
We were analyzing a poem that was about climbing mountains. Sometimes we need to climb mountains and even when our arms grow tired and our legs become weary, we must keep climbing until we reach the top. And, sometimes after reaching the plateau of one peak there is another mountain waiting in the distance. In order to reach the top you must keep moving and keep climbing, for if you stop too long to enjoy the view you will lose your ambition to keep moving. Eventually, if you keep climbing and keep moving, you will reach to top. And, only then can you spread your wings and fly.
Obviously, this is a metaphor for life. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, we must work hard to keep improving and to reach for our full potential.
I discussed this metaphor with a group of students. I asked each one of them what their goal in life was. Responses included being a doctor, artist, actress, and teacher. Then I asked them if they thought those dreams would come easy....obviously, they answered no. I told them that sometimes life can be difficult and they may need to work very hard, and it could be compared to climbing a mountain. And, sometimes just when they thought things were getting easier, it might get tough again. But, like before they must keep climbing. Then I told the students that the top of the mountain was a metaphor for our dreams in life. Once again, I asked each student what was at the top of their mountain. And, they replied with the same answers as before. Finally, I told the students that nothing could get in their way of reaching the top of their mountain and if they kept climbing and never gave up, they could achieve their goals in life.
As we discussed this metaphor one girl leaned over and whispered to me, in a very sincere tone, “Mr. Jeff, is it true that we really do have futures?”
I was stunned...I answered, “Of course it is true! If you work hard and never give up, you can be whatever you want to be”
This little girl, at 8 years-old, should serve as an inspiration for all people who work with children. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Because of you, I could answer her question honestly and with confidence. It is true, these children really do have futures!
Keep up the good work!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Check out my school in South Africa
Kingswood College is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school in Grahamstown, South Africa – a very special little town, known as a top education centre. Kingswood was established in 1894 and it is one of the oldest Methodist schools in South Africa. We offer schooling in a family-like environment from Grade 00 to Grade 12 and a Bridging Year.
At Kingswood Junior, our curriculum emphasises four distinct areas.
Firstly, there is a focus on building each child's self-esteem. A culture of caring is very evident where pupils are listened to and taken seriously. Encouragement and confidence building are an integral part of school life.
Firstly, there is a focus on building each child's self-esteem. A culture of caring is very evident where pupils are listened to and taken seriously. Encouragement and confidence building are an integral part of school life.
Secondly, life-skills training is highlighted. Curricular courses in public speaking, sexuality education, information technology skills, food technology, design technology, entrepreneurship and leadership are undertaken. Exposure to lifetime sports such as sailing, golf and squash, and a variety of voluntary club activities provide a wide range of experiences to complement the academic emphasis. The junior years are an extremely influential stage during which pupils are keen to experiment. It is therefore an ideal time to introduce courses in self-assessment, goal-setting and forward planning.
Learning-how-to-learn is the third area of emphasis. Techniques such as brainstorming and mindmapping are taught and exercised. Creative problem solving and lateral thinking, as well as listening skills, form part of the programme. It is recognised at Kingswood Junior that learning is a life-long activity and the skills for resource-based learning and co-operative learning are applied. The ability to access information, analyse it, extract relevant material and apply it, is seen as a fundamental life skill.
The fourth area of prominence is the core academic programme which includes physical and religious education, music, drama and art.
At Kingswood Junior the formal classroom is seen as a base from which children can explore their wider environment in a number of settings. To this end, a vigorous environmental and outdoor education programme exists, with tours, field studies and excursions being undertaken on a termly basis.
Good manners, smartness and consideration for others are basic values instilled at Kingswood Junior. A common sense approach to discipline produces young people who do not associate school authority with intimidation and oppression. The happy atmosphere of the school fosters in the children a friendly relationship with adults and with one another. Each child is encouraged to develop his or her individuality whilst recognising that personal freedom also involves responsibility to others.
Year of Student Teaching
August 28, 2009 - October 30, 2009
Kindergarten
Eastern Heights Elementary School
Saint Paul, MN
November 02, 2009 - January 15, 2010
PreKindergarten (4 year-old)
Highwood Hills Elementary School
Saint Paul, MN
January 18, 2010 - April 05, 2010
4th Grade
Forest View Elementary School
Forest Lake, MN
April 19, 2010 - June 04, 2010
1st-6th Grade
Kingswood College-Junior School
Grahamstown, South Africa
Kindergarten
Eastern Heights Elementary School
Saint Paul, MN
November 02, 2009 - January 15, 2010
PreKindergarten (4 year-old)
Highwood Hills Elementary School
Saint Paul, MN
January 18, 2010 - April 05, 2010
4th Grade
Forest View Elementary School
Forest Lake, MN
April 19, 2010 - June 04, 2010
1st-6th Grade
Kingswood College-Junior School
Grahamstown, South Africa
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New and Improved Blog
I've changed my settings, so now ANYONE can leave a comment on my blog. You DO NOT need to have an account. You may now leave a comment as an anonymous user or just by typing in your name. Use the "comment as" drop down option located below the "post a comment" text box to select the anonymous or name option.
Now, my blog is truly "an interactive blog spot"
Now, my blog is truly "an interactive blog spot"
Valeria Silva and my Kindergarten Kids
New St. Paul Superintendent Valeria Silva got to know kindergartner Qali Mohamed, center, and Alexis Xiong during a recent assembly at Eastern Heights Elementary School.Qali and Alexis were two of my former Kindergarten kids! This picture, featured in the Star Tribune, is classic!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
My First Ever Blog!
Dear all,
Look at me, I'm officially a blogger! Thank you to Shannon for recommending this wonderful blogging site.
Blog Spot is an internet service that will allow me to create an interactive blog for free! This is what I will use during my upcoming travels to keep in touch with family and friends. I will be able to keep in touch via text, photos, and video updates.
This site will serve two purposes:
1) My blog spot will be my primary means of communicating, updating, and keeping in touch with my family and friends. This site will offer a portal into my travels and experiences. Look for written updates, and photos and videos from my journey. Also, this blog is a two way street. Please feel free to use my blog to communicate, update, and keep in touch with ME. Comments and messages welcome!!
2) My blog spot will serve as an education resource for my students, both present and past. I hope to use my blog as a link between my student in South Africa and my students in the the US. I understand the uniqueness of this international opportunity and want to be able to share it with my students. To this site, I hope to add educational information in the form of written text, photos, videos, and external links. And, most importantly, my blog spot URL (jeffginter.blogspot.com) is school district friendly, meaning you will be able to view my site on your school district server. Amazing, I know! This means whatever educational material I share on my site, will be able to be shared in your school.....hopefully!
3) I know....I only said I had two purposes....but I thought of one more. Seeing as I just spent a good 45 minutes on my first blog, my blog spot will be useful in the area of "time wasting". And, seeing as I have much time before me, as in 86 days, 13 hrs, 36 mins, 34 secs before I leave for South Africa, I have a lot of room available in my schedule for "time wasting".
WOW! I think that's enough for now...this blogging stuff is a lot more strenuous than you'd think! This has officially been my first ever blog, hopefully many more to come!
Thank your for listening...or reading!
Look at me, I'm officially a blogger! Thank you to Shannon for recommending this wonderful blogging site.
Blog Spot is an internet service that will allow me to create an interactive blog for free! This is what I will use during my upcoming travels to keep in touch with family and friends. I will be able to keep in touch via text, photos, and video updates.
This site will serve two purposes:
1) My blog spot will be my primary means of communicating, updating, and keeping in touch with my family and friends. This site will offer a portal into my travels and experiences. Look for written updates, and photos and videos from my journey. Also, this blog is a two way street. Please feel free to use my blog to communicate, update, and keep in touch with ME. Comments and messages welcome!!
2) My blog spot will serve as an education resource for my students, both present and past. I hope to use my blog as a link between my student in South Africa and my students in the the US. I understand the uniqueness of this international opportunity and want to be able to share it with my students. To this site, I hope to add educational information in the form of written text, photos, videos, and external links. And, most importantly, my blog spot URL (jeffginter.blogspot.com) is school district friendly, meaning you will be able to view my site on your school district server. Amazing, I know! This means whatever educational material I share on my site, will be able to be shared in your school.....hopefully!
3) I know....I only said I had two purposes....but I thought of one more. Seeing as I just spent a good 45 minutes on my first blog, my blog spot will be useful in the area of "time wasting". And, seeing as I have much time before me, as in 86 days, 13 hrs, 36 mins, 34 secs before I leave for South Africa, I have a lot of room available in my schedule for "time wasting".
WOW! I think that's enough for now...this blogging stuff is a lot more strenuous than you'd think! This has officially been my first ever blog, hopefully many more to come!
Thank your for listening...or reading!
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