We've just finished the first 9 weeks of school and boy have I learned alot!! I've learned that kids are still kids, just bolder than they used to be. Teachers are still "the enemy", classes are still boring and grades are still threatening. I've also learned more than I EVER wanted to know about stage craft and back stage information in my Tech Theatre class. I guess we're having fun?!?
High school isn't what it was just a few years ago. I remember hearing students complain about their teachers and making comments on their classes. It was always the teacher who was "lame" and there were always the nerds and weirdos. Okay, that hasn't changed. What has changed is the level of anger and disrespect that you see in the students. Life isn't fun and school isn't worth the effort - for many. But then you run into a few students that love being a teenager, are giving high school all they have and life is good. Makes me glad to be a teacher and even "gladder" to be an adult!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Wait is Over!
Westin Seth Koeppen was born Sunday, August 31, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. weighing 6 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches long with an adorably round face and dimpled chin. We're so glad he's here.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Wait
When you are waiting for a promise to come true, it can seem an eternity. We have the promise of a little boy to be born to our daughter any time now. She went to the hospital full of hope but after about ten hours was sent home "still pregnant!" to quote her. So very disappointing. But when that little boy is ready, he will come and the promise of his arrival will be even sweeter for the wait.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A Year of "New"s
Just when you think life could start finding a steady rhythm, something comes along that is totally unexpected and throws you into another form of chaos. This year has added (or is about to) 2 new grandsons - Ian Michael Hawkins to Josh and Rachel and Weston Seth Koeppen to Piper and Graham. At least I think that is going to be his name. How good is that?
I also have a new driver, a high school graduate, and a freshman in college - not all the same kid but in that order! Yep, Caleb is driving and Brit has gone off to college leaving an echo in the upstairs bedrooms. We couldn't be happier or more nostalgic. It is a good thing that Caleb drives or he would have no life and what could be better than your children getting a college education - or at least that's what I keep telling myself.
In addition, I have a new job teaching choral music, theater technology and electronic music/recording at South Side High School. I am truly excited about this opportunity and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. 5:30 a.m. is another "new"!
Life is good, blessed and tired. Best of all - it will get even better!
I also have a new driver, a high school graduate, and a freshman in college - not all the same kid but in that order! Yep, Caleb is driving and Brit has gone off to college leaving an echo in the upstairs bedrooms. We couldn't be happier or more nostalgic. It is a good thing that Caleb drives or he would have no life and what could be better than your children getting a college education - or at least that's what I keep telling myself.
In addition, I have a new job teaching choral music, theater technology and electronic music/recording at South Side High School. I am truly excited about this opportunity and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. 5:30 a.m. is another "new"!
Life is good, blessed and tired. Best of all - it will get even better!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Just the Black Notes
There are some things about history that have been overlooked because of the discomfort or embarrassment they cause but, as God always does, there is good that comes out of even the ugliest eras of history. Case in point, the story of Amazing Grace written by John Newton. Click the link below and give a listen to yet another story of this great favorite.
http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/amazing-grace-just-the-black-notes/
http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/amazing-grace-just-the-black-notes/
Thursday, July 17, 2008
50 Years and Counting
My husband and I just returned from Tehachapi, California (I had never heard of it either!) where we celebrated the 50th Wedding Anniversary of my sister & brother-in-law. Yes, people still love each other and make a marriage work after 50 years! If only more people would learn what commitment means. It was an amazing few days of honoring their love and commitment to their vows. Their four children along with the children-in-law and numerous grandchildren gave testimony to the importance of a family that understands and teaches the value of loving each other - no matter what. I pray that we will be able to attend more of these occasions and not just of our family's.
There was a time that a person's word meant something. You could trust what they said and not wonder if they would follow through. It was a time when you could enter into an agreement with just and handshake and not get "taken". We need those days back!
Congratulations Bev & Harold! We are so very proud of you.
There was a time that a person's word meant something. You could trust what they said and not wonder if they would follow through. It was a time when you could enter into an agreement with just and handshake and not get "taken". We need those days back!
Congratulations Bev & Harold! We are so very proud of you.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Last Day of Class, June 27, 2008
The number 27 has shown up on important days all through my life. My first date with my husband was April 27, he asked me to marry him on June 27, we were married on August 27 (not all in the same year, in case you are wondering!). Yep, 27 keeps showing up all over the place as days of important events. Today, June 27, 2008 I completed the 21st Century Technology for Teachers class at IPFW with Jason Habisch. Without a doubt, this has been one of the most practical and useful classes I've taken in the Masters program and it is a continuing studies class. - Go figure!
Thanks, Jason for helping us find the tools on the internet that are both free and user friendly to help us be better teachers to today's student. You Rock!
Thanks, Jason for helping us find the tools on the internet that are both free and user friendly to help us be better teachers to today's student. You Rock!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 26
Today's class time was very helpful. I was able to get some "clean up" work done on my blog site and start thinking through tomorrow's presentation.
This class has been very helpful! I'm so excited about the new options and tools I have learned and wonder why I would pay for software that only frustrates the begeebers out of me with their limitations.
Thanks, Jason for all your geekiness, thanks!
This class has been very helpful! I'm so excited about the new options and tools I have learned and wonder why I would pay for software that only frustrates the begeebers out of me with their limitations.
Thanks, Jason for all your geekiness, thanks!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Now my blog is talking!!!
Just when you thought you could get away from those voices in your head, I've added one! This is a great use for people who have trouble seeing the blogs to still benefit from using a blog site.
I've also subscribed to a podcast called "Clonepods" which has children reading a chapter of the book and posting it every Monday. I think this is a great way to encourage children to read!
LOVED TODAY'S CLASS!!!
I've also subscribed to a podcast called "Clonepods" which has children reading a chapter of the book and posting it every Monday. I think this is a great way to encourage children to read!
LOVED TODAY'S CLASS!!!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Picasa pics
Picasa is a nice picture software that helps you save and organize your pictures. You can add personal pics from your camera and video cams or download from the net. I see many uses for this in both my classroom and at home! YEAH!!!!!
Rain Forests
The beauty of nature undisturbed is amazing, but in order to appreciate it, you have to disturb it ~ right? Just a little?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wiki Wacky Woes
So, today we finished the collaboration on our wikis and then presented them. "Woe" is EXACTLY what I experienced!
The frustration for me was trying to create something in the wiki that could be useful to me - came up with nothing. I did, however, learn a few things about the wiki options. I think the use for me in this would be sharing "findings" and resources with each other on projects and reports. At least that is where I hope to start!
It will be better with practice - even if it doesn't make it perfect.
The frustration for me was trying to create something in the wiki that could be useful to me - came up with nothing. I did, however, learn a few things about the wiki options. I think the use for me in this would be sharing "findings" and resources with each other on projects and reports. At least that is where I hope to start!
It will be better with practice - even if it doesn't make it perfect.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wiki, Tiki, Too
Today our class created wikis. I think with time I'll be able to use these as easily as the blog site. Getting my head around the uses is my stumble on this one. I'm looking forward to some "tinker time" on my wiki.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Google Documents
Microsoft Office LOOK OUT! We are no longer held captive by the bureaucracy of a software that doesn't think like we do! We can create documents that play well with other softwares and are user friendly for students. Yeah Google Docs!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
21st Century Technology for Teachers
I'm not so old but I can remember having long discussions about the wisdom of just signing up for an email address. It wasn't that long ago that owning a home computer meant you were very wealthy and/or a total "geek"! Now look at us! Almost every home has a computer and internet service. Now you are expected to have an email address and the question up for discussion is "Do you blog?". I'm glad to say this class, 21st Century Technology for Teachers, is helping me discover the uses of internet technology that I haven't even investigated before. I'm really excited about all the possibilities.
It has also been a great reminder of all the frustrations that come along with using computers. I guess slow internet connections help to even the "playing field".
It has also been a great reminder of all the frustrations that come along with using computers. I guess slow internet connections help to even the "playing field".
To blog or not to blog
Blogging and texting have taken the place of kitchen table conversations, playground chats and your general "odd conversations". But blogging can be much more useful than just an opportunity to "blather" on about random thoughts. Blogging as an educational tool can actually make learning FUN!
Students, parents and teachers need the ability to keep up with classroom requirements, assignments, group activities, sports events, you name it. All that can be monitored on a blog site. Class calendars with assignment information, due dates and rubrics can easily be posted and accessed at a teacher's blog site.
I'm really excited about using this blog site in organizing my classroom! I will be able to post concert dates complete with maps. It will be a place to review song ideas and musical information needed for class.
I hope to encourage students to develop their own site and help them understand the responsibility of being a "voice" on the net. It will be a place for them to post their homework, share ideas for group projects and share interesting information through links to some of their favorite sites.
The classroom will have no walls!
Students, parents and teachers need the ability to keep up with classroom requirements, assignments, group activities, sports events, you name it. All that can be monitored on a blog site. Class calendars with assignment information, due dates and rubrics can easily be posted and accessed at a teacher's blog site.
I'm really excited about using this blog site in organizing my classroom! I will be able to post concert dates complete with maps. It will be a place to review song ideas and musical information needed for class.
I hope to encourage students to develop their own site and help them understand the responsibility of being a "voice" on the net. It will be a place for them to post their homework, share ideas for group projects and share interesting information through links to some of their favorite sites.
The classroom will have no walls!
RSS in the classroom
It used to be that if you wanted to know what was being said about any given subject you had to go to the local barber or beauty shop. Now, with the net, you just have to google search the subject and a multitude of available sites pop up right before your eyes. Go ahead - try it! Type google.com in that long white space at the top of the computer screen and then type anything you want to know about in the shorter white space on the right. Hit the magnifying glass and it will take you to your own "card catalog" of information available. Place the cursor over the underlined words and click - you are magically taken to a new site with just the info you wanted to know.
Now, imagine you are a student that has been given the assignment of writing about the dangers of a wiffle ball game (it is dangerous, just ask Jason Habisch!). Where would you go to find that out? Just a couple clicks of a mouse and you have a ready made report at your finger tips.
You can even keep up with the changing ideas through the use of RSS (really simple syndication) sites. You can subscribe to your favorite news sites, teachers sites, encyclopedia sites, etc. and "store" their site addresses in a convenient space (such as google reader) where with one click you are swept away to that site. It gives an educator the ability to screen the resource sites for reliable information, assuring the safety of their students. This speeds up the process of acquiring knowledge resources and, with gas prices what they are, saves money, too.
Education and the internet is a whole new world of discovery. There are soooooooooo many tools that are available for internet use. The only thing standing between them and the classroom is the availability of the equipment and the knowledge to use it.
Morning coffee over the newspaper has a whole new look!
Now, imagine you are a student that has been given the assignment of writing about the dangers of a wiffle ball game (it is dangerous, just ask Jason Habisch!). Where would you go to find that out? Just a couple clicks of a mouse and you have a ready made report at your finger tips.
You can even keep up with the changing ideas through the use of RSS (really simple syndication) sites. You can subscribe to your favorite news sites, teachers sites, encyclopedia sites, etc. and "store" their site addresses in a convenient space (such as google reader) where with one click you are swept away to that site. It gives an educator the ability to screen the resource sites for reliable information, assuring the safety of their students. This speeds up the process of acquiring knowledge resources and, with gas prices what they are, saves money, too.
Education and the internet is a whole new world of discovery. There are soooooooooo many tools that are available for internet use. The only thing standing between them and the classroom is the availability of the equipment and the knowledge to use it.
Morning coffee over the newspaper has a whole new look!
My very first blog
I've always enjoyed sharing my ideas and opinions in person but to stay "in touch" with the world today, you need to blog. Or so I'm told. So, here it is my very first blog.
This is one place I won't have to ask "Do you really want to know" when I have an opinion or something to say. It is entirely possible that absolutely NO ONE will read it. Then, too, it may be read but no one can respond to it. I like that!!! I finally have a place where my ideas and opinions can be aired and I won't have to worry about the consequences.
Or do I?
This is one place I won't have to ask "Do you really want to know" when I have an opinion or something to say. It is entirely possible that absolutely NO ONE will read it. Then, too, it may be read but no one can respond to it. I like that!!! I finally have a place where my ideas and opinions can be aired and I won't have to worry about the consequences.
Or do I?
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