El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.

An illness leaves Cece with hearing loss at the age of four.  Soon she starts to use a hearing aid and goes to a special school where she learns some strategies that help with her disability.  When she goes to regular school, she makes a couple of friends over the years that are inconsiderate to her needs.  Additionally, she becomes increasingly self-conscious of her deafness.  Along the way, she develops an secret alter-ego superhero known as "El Deafo" that she uses to cope with her anger about the way she gets treated and other things that frustrate her about being deaf.  Eventually, Cece finds a worthwhile friend she can trust.

The graphic novel format makes this memoir very accessible and enjoyable.  Bell chose to illustrate herself and the other characters as bunnies, which is unbelievably adorable.  Memoirs can be heavy at times because they represent an emotional time in the author's life.  Cece's struggle to find the right friend is a great example of Havighurst's developmental task that adolescents regarding adolescents getting along with peers.  Students in grades five and six would particularly enjoy reading this book and sixth grade teachers would be wise to use this book to introduce memoirs (part of the grade six ELAR TEKS). Another graphic novel memoir I would recommend to students who enjoyed El Deafo would be To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel.  Siegel's book tells the story of her years as a ballerina as a young girl and teenager all the while enduring the growing animosity between her parents which eventually resulted in divorce.

Speak

Anderson, L.H. (1999). New York, NY: Square Fish.

Melinda Sordino, a fourteen-year-old freshman who lives in Syracuse, New York, was raped at a party over the summer.  No one knows about this incident except her and the rapist, who goes to school with her and who she, unfortunately, encounters at school regularly.  She goes through the school year depressed and nearly mute as a result of the rape.  Her parents and school administrators try to intervene after her behavior and poor academic performance concern them, but their efforts fail.  When she eventually lets out just a small bit of information, she finds that she's not alone as the rapist's victim.  This knowledge empowers her to find her voice, which becomes extremely important when she gets attacked by the same person again.

I hope Anderson paved the way for more authors to write about this important topic.  I think this book will appeal to a variety of audiences but particularly teenage girls and I would recommend it for readers ages 12 and older.  As someone who has taught sixth graders for ten years, I feel that only a small number of 12 year old girls would be mature enough to handle this book's content.  It's easy to see why this title was a finalist for the National Book Award. The character's internal conflict propels this story along.  The reader is desperate to know if Melinda will ever tell about the rape.  Anderson, much like her character Melinda, keeps mum about the incident until just the right moment.  The voice in which Melinda narrates the story is mostly what's going on inside her head since she doesn't speak and because of that sometimes has a stream of consciousness-type quality.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true story of a part-time Indian. New York, NY: Scholastic.

At age fourteen, Arnold Spirit, Jr. (he goes by "Junior") has been dealt a rough hand in life.  He lives in poverty with his alcoholic father, former-alcoholic mother, sister and grandmother on a Spokane Indian Tribe reservation, also known as the “rez”.  He realizes that his key to overcome his situation is to get a better education, so he starts going to school off the rez.  Tragedy hits Arnold pretty hard towards the end of the book and although he starts doubting his decision to attend school off the rez, he realizes that it is a path he must follow to try to break out of the cycle and curse that is rez life.

This book does not hold back.  Told from Arnold's point of view, his first-person voice uses every cuss word with the exception of the F-bomb to narrate his tale.  To be honest, if I had to suffer through his life, I'd be using the F-bomb frequently to punctuate my story.  Also, Arnold discusses masturbation in the book a couple of times.  That being said, I would recommend this book to teenagers 13 and up.  I've never read a book like this before, but having read it, I feel that there needs to be a lot more Native American-centric literature for young adults out there.  Joseph Bruchac can't do it all on his own.  With an admirable, real character like Arnold and a message about hopes and dreams that endures to the very end of the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian nails the criteria for a quality specimen of young adult literature.  

Final Reflection

Not trying to suck up here, but this class has been so effective to me.  Talk about hands on and real world connections.  Talk about honing your writing skills and stepping outside your comfort zone.  Talk about appreciating the perspectives and ideas of others.  I've done so much in such a short space of time in this class, I honestly, can't believe this is my final assignment.  I appreciate this final assignment though because in order to reflect, I've revisited my blog entries and pondered what I learned and re-evaluated how I can apply these digital tools to various parts of my future profession.  Some of these tools came more easily than others, but even those that I struggled with pointed me in a direction for self-improvement.

Not knowing what grade level I'll end up at, I'm excited about using different pieces of technology for different reasons.  I wish I had a roster of my new students right now to get them signed up for Biblionasium.  This site offers such a novel way to engage students' reading. When I tell my department about it next week, they are going to flip out (in a good way)!  I'm doubly excited about all the different online comic strip and cartoon-making sites.  The possibilities for using these are unlimited!  By reading another student's blog, I found that for her example, she had make classroom rules on a comic strip.  I am SO doing that.  My plan is to put my kids on a long-term project to make a graphic novel using this tool.  I also can't wait to make an orientation video for my library like Norman High School's YouTube video starring their school mascot.  If I stay in my current district, I'm sure I could get our mascot to volunteer for this task (I taught her when she was in sixth grade, so I've got a connection).  Also inspired by a video on Norman High School's YouTube channel, I'd love for my students to make "commercials" promoting the library.  How fun would that be?  If I end up in a secondary level school, I would really like to use QR codes to engage students.  The QR codes, I'd generate would be for book recommendations, special events advertisements, information for contests; it would be a surprise every time.  I could place the QR codes on my website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook as well as print hard copies on flyers or bookmarks.  Facebook and Twitter will be most effective at the secondary level as well since these populations are most likely to engage with those apps.  It is really important to me to develop a brand for my library and market it and these two tools will be highly effective in achieving that goal.

I am also excited to use a couple of digital tools as professional resources for both the library and to share with teachers at my campus.  The  Twitter accounts of professionals and the blogs I have followed post a wealth of information applicable to so many content areas and grade levels.  My only struggle will be to carve out the time to mine through these to pull the gems out.  Speaking of mining,   the PEW Research Center site truly is a gold mine!  I will most definitely look to this site in the future for research to inspire or back up proposals I write to implement programs at my school.

Some digital tools that I'm going to need more practice with are Tumblr and Vine.  Tumblr is just SO MUCH.  It's a lot of information coming at you all at once and I need to really sit down and look at it more in-depth and more frequently.  I've been trying to visit the app on my iPad mini at least once a day in an attempt to slowly to unravel its secrets.  In regards to Vine, I just need ideas.  Knowing what I know about myself and the way my brain works, this will have to just sit and marinate for awhile.  An idea will come to me and then I'll run with it.  In the meantime, I will continue to learn to use the tool effectively, I had a bit of difficulty remembering to caption my Vine before sharing it.  I also keep just tapping the screen to record rather than holding it down for longer shots.  A weakness that has nothing to do with the technology but is something I struggle with is my narration on podcasts and screencasts.  My voice:  I am not as clear and concise as I'd like to be.  I feel that I have a tendency to ramble and speak too fast and not enunciate as effectively as I should.  I'm thankful that Tellagami features dictation and I can rely on that until I get my voice up to snuff.  Listening to the bang-up job some of my classmates did on their podcasts really let me know this was an area to work on personally.

This class made me realize that I'm not as tech-savvy as I thought I was.  I thought I was hot stuff because I used Instagram, Piktochart, and Screencast-o-Matic.  There was so much more out there that I was exposed to as a result of that class, so much REALLY GOOD STUFF that I am excited to use and share with others.  I will need to discipline myself to continue seeking out new digital tools and other technology.  Luckily, I already have a path to take on that mission because of this course.

INSTAGRAM & Vines

I've used Instagram in my classroom for a couple of years now.  The first year, I dabbled with it, the second year I used it frequently as a communication tool for students and parents (my students are sixth graders and not all of them have phones and/or Instagram).
My Instagram account is @miz.raj .  
Here are a few ways that I used Instagram this past school year:

Reminders to bring library books

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Jan 19, 2015 at 2:59pm PST

Sneak peeks of class material

Want a sneak peek at this PEG writing stuff? I created a screencast that shows you how to navigate the site. You won't get your logins until class tomorrow,but if you want to see and hear me walk you through it, you can do that here: http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/coVrnle4F1 You will watch in class tomorrow too, but like I said, if you want a sneak peek...

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Jan 20, 2015 at 7:37pm PST

Real world application of concepts or vocabulary learned in class

@bearychristmas and I had lunch "al fresco" at Chick-fil-A today! #foreignwordorphraseoftheweek

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Feb 21, 2015 at 6:25pm PST

Reminders

Friendly reminder for the five billionth time #hyperbole For real tho: it's DUE!

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Feb 25, 2015 at 4:36pm PST

Spring Break's over, kids.

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Mar 22, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

Information for projects that are completed for homework

What your folder should look like.

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Apr 8, 2015 at 4:03pm PDT

Here is what was on the board today.

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Apr 8, 2015 at 4:05pm PDT

Video of the SMARTboard slides. Pause where you need to.

A video posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Apr 8, 2015 at 4:09pm PDT

More reminders (I used Pic Stitch as the collage app for this one)

Just a reminder of what to bring for Stinger Club tomorrow. Sunblock. Towel. Hat. Lunch. A complete change of clothes (including underwear). Please don't forget anything in the morning because y'all are leaving at 830 and there will be no time for a parent to bring your stuff to you before you leave.

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on May 25, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

Cool stuff I see that is reading/academic-related

Saw this today as I was leaving the Janet Harte library; some of you may interested. Looks cool to me, I might drop by. 🐢🐸🐊🐍💚

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Jun 8, 2015 at 7:57pm PDT

Today, I noticed that a student who will be in my class next year started following me.  Posted these to see what kind of reading was happening with my current and former students, see if she'll interact.

What have y'all already read this summer?

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Jun 24, 2015 at 7:26pm PDT

And you?

A photo posted by Mrs. Rogers (@miz.raj) on Jun 24, 2015 at 8:01pm PDT

I will continue to use Instagram in the same way.  Right now, my account is public.  I'll consider changing it to private because I think it would be really cool if I could showcase student work as well.  Not sure yet.  If I become a librarian at a middle or high school level, I intend to use it for student spotlights, express lane book recommendations, reminders of important dates, highlighting new additions to the collection, etc.

 Vine

I've seen Vines before but never really considered them for use in the classroom or library.  I read/watched John Hodgkin Gives Twitter Vine Lessons that was linked in one of the articles and found it inspiring (as well as hilarious).  I also liked that Vine gave you a little tutorial by walking you through your first Vine.  That really helped to get me comfortable with the app and what it can do.  Now... what can I do in six seconds or less?

Eat a donut...


Eat another donut...
 Show my husband how the Vine app works in hopes he'd give me some ideas.  His suggestion?  Go outside and take some pics of our vines.  Vines on vine!  Uh... no.  But as I showed him how it worked, I shot some video of our dog, Daisy, and cat, Mao.

And then I decided to play with some of my toys...  I call this "When Ariel Met Maleficent".
 I like that one so much, maybe I'll make it a series.  I think bringing toys into the classroom to have students to make a six second video for a "what would happen if..." scenario (such as Ariel and Maleficent coming together) involves so many higher order thinking skills.  You could also have students summarize a story in six seconds... call it "Six Second Summaries".  This would be a great way to communicate vocabulary with constant looping.  I've seen so much popping up on blogs and news feeds lately about kids needing to play.  What better way than this?

Screencasts! Also starring Java Nightmare...

I actually used screencasts in my classroom this past school year after seeing my professors use them.  I find that I tend to ramble in them though, so I really need to work on that.

Screenr

Two hours.  Two hours I wrestled with Java Script and four different browsers and two different  computers to try to get Screenr to work.  I don't even want to go in depth and talk about all the problems I had with getting my computers and browsers to accept Java on Screenr because I'm just going to get really mad again.  My Facebook status regarding my frustration gets the point across:

Some jerks actually liked that status update.  Anyways, once I finally was able to launch the screen recorder and finally get the thing published, it turned out fine.  My Screenr experience will forever be marred by the hell I went through trying to get the thing to work.  I almost feel like if my computers and browsers were all so resistant to allowing it to run that it may not be safe.  I had to go into the control panel and manipulate commands to get this to work.  Who else would even do that?  Here is the fruit of my labor, you better think it's the best thing you've ever seen and heard in your life because as much trouble as I had to go through to make it, it better be nominated for a flippin' Academy Award.


Screencast-o-Matic

I'm quite familiar with Screencast-o-Matic because this is the site I had used to make screencasts previously.  I had no trouble logging in and using the site even though the last time I'd used it was over a month ago.  Still high on making comic strips, I decided to do a very basic tutorial for using ToonDoo.


Jing

I looked at Jing's overview video.  Looks cool.  Name is fun to say.  Maybe it will be less finicky to run than Screenr.  After the Screenr debacle though, I'm not interested in trying it at the moment.  I don't think my blood pressure could handle it.

Final Verdict

Besides all the basic operational problems Screenr poses for users, it only allows you to record a five-minute video.  Plus, you have to register using one of six outside sites (Yahoo, Facebook, etc.) which could limit access to students.  I really wish Screenr was friendlier to use because I really like the overall look of it; it looks polished.  Screencast-o-Matic, besides having a cool name, allows you to record videos up to 15 minutes in length.  I can easily access the previous screencasts I've made.  Screenr, even though I've signed in with my Facebook account several times this evening during the whole ordeal, says my account doesn't exist and I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to access again.  The clear winner here is Screencast-o-Matic.

Cartoons and Comics and TELLEGAMI!!!!!!!!!!!

First and foremost, I am a cartoon and comic FREAK.  Always have been.  I am super-excited to explore these sites to see if they are corny or legit.

ToonDoo

As soon as I saw ToonDoo's page pop up on my browser, my excitement level escalated 500% just thinking about the possibilities!  The synaptic connections in my brain fired off with classroom and library application ideas galore at just the mere glimpse of the home page.  As I registered for the site, I hoped it would be user-friendly.  Here's what I made using ToonDoo:

In. Love.  I'm in love with ToonDoo.  I made this thing in about 15-20 minutes, from concept to publishing.  There are so many backgrounds, characters, props... I can't even.  I had no idea what I was going to make when I selected this three-panel layout.  ToonDoo's inventory is inspiring.  There is SO MUCH to choose from, it's unreal.  The tools are very simple to use.  I only wish it had an undo button or function because there was a couple of times that rotated an object and didn't like it and when I hit the opposite rotate button thinking it would balance it back out, it didn't.  I know kids are going to LOVE using this as much as I did.  In fact, I'm going to sign my son up for the site RIGHT NOW and see what he can do.  Parent of the Year Award coming my way SOON.

Pixton

Excuse me?  This homepage gets me even more jazzed than ToonDoo!  The slideshow of features seems to indicate that I can change facial expressions and body positions of the characters!  Could this be EVEN BETTER than ToonDoo?  Is it too good to be true?  Here's what I made:
The process of creating this comic took significantly longer than ToonDoo, and involved my laptop crashing when I was nearly done.  (Whined to my husband and we ordered me a Macbook Pro from HSN because this always seems to happen when I am in the middle of working of a project and my iMac never crashes.)  Thankfully, after a cool-down session, I logged back on to Pixton and most of my work was still there, so Pixton DEFINITELY scored points with me there for auto-saving without my knowledge.  Because there are so many more features on this site, pieces take longer to create.  User opportunities to personalize are so much greater and I feel like students would WANT to put more effort into their pieces.  I mean, I made a nine-panel comic strip because my storyline just became that developed.  I'll have to look into the cost of using this site, but geez Louise!  It's amazing.  UH-MAZE-ING.  Plus, there is an UNDO button.  Yes!!!! I can imagine giving this to my kids at the beginning of the year to create a graphic novel or comic book that involves certain aspects of our curriculum.  Only bummer is you can't save unless you have paid access; I managed to publish and embed.  Still, I can't get over it.  If the next site is even better than this, I'm probably going to die.

Make Beliefs Comix!

OK, so I didn't die.  Not nearly as cool as Pixton or ToonDoo, but pretty neat for as simple as it is. I mean, I made this little gem in like seven minutes (that includes quickly figuring out how the tools worked).

 No registration required is a PLUS for teachers, but of course, the features are limited in exchange for that.  If a teacher needed a quick, easy way for students to make comics online, THIS is the ticket.  A few simple no fuss tools make composing a comic a cinch.  Plus, the characters are inspiring. I mean, I had no idea what I was doing until I saw that little teacher-y cat and then BOOM!  Brain exploded and this little dorky comic was born.  This site probably had the easiest save feature.

Tellegami

The second I opened this app after downloading it to my mini, I knew I was going to love it.  I also didn't bat an eye about downloading the in-app purchases to upgrade my avatar and to use the dictation feature on my first use of the app because I KNOW I'm going to use this like crazy!!!  I made two videos, one with dictation and one with my voice:

Obviously, the British accent, even though awkward in pronunciation at times, sounds five thousand times better than my always awkward Darlene Connor-sounding voice.  This app is one of the best things to ever happen to me.  Tellegami is like playing Barbies and then having the power to make them actually talk!  Dream. Come. True.  Besides that, the functions are so easy to use and understand.  Kids are going jump at the chance to use this app, I mean literally.  If I show them a Gami and tell them they can make one with a free app on their iPads, they're going to implode!  I can't wait.

I'll need to explore the "for educators" side of these sites/apps some more to see what additionally is offered, but I'm sold on all four programs to use in the classroom.  For sure students will create their own booktalks or micro-presentations about research topics using Tellegami.   Just think of how helpful this could be to those kids who are terrified of oral presentations?  I also think that comic strips will create a new way for students to tell their own stories and offer a way to show content knowledge using the highest of higher order thinking skills: synthesis.  ToonDoo and Make Beliefs Comix! will be my go to for quick projects and I'll leave Pixton to long-term projects.  I'm still amazed by the magic of these sites.  

P.S.  When I registered my almost 11-year old son for ToonDoo and showed it to him, he couldn't get his laptop out of my hands fast enough.  Later, he peeked over my shoulder eager to see what else I was working on in terms of comics.  He's going to be in my class this next year, so I know at least ONE of my students will be game for a cartoon classroom.