Back to School Reflection

The back to school powerpoint allowed me to demonstrate my excellence in technology in many ways. The first of those ways would be the design layouts of my slides. I was successful in changing the background from a plain white setting, this enhances the visual my audience will be recieving. In turn they will be more apt to pay attention to something which is visually appealing than that which is not. I was also able to add in word art which I could manipulate in a way to not make it run the traditional horizontal pattern.

The second way I was able to demonstrate good usage of technology, would be my additions of pictures into the slides. I added a few pictures of me which were pulled from a seperate website. I was able to arrange them in a order which is reflective of what I prefer to do in my spare time. This allows the audience to gain a better understanding of who I am as a person. It allows them to think of me not only as their instructor, but as a normal human being.

The third thing I chose to do was to add transitions in my slides as well as a few sounds. The tranistions keep it fresh for the audience and allow them a different change of scenery each time I change a slide. The sounds keep the audience on their toes. If they happen to be napping a car screech or a drum roll is sure to snap them out of it. By throwing in the class highlight section it allowed a preview of things which are going to come to pass in the near future. This should create some buzz among the students and allow them to become more excited and interested in the course as a whole.

Internet Safety and Classroom Rules Reflection

Creating an Internet safety form allowed me to show my skills in creating a document future students can take home and return to me. By identifying the dangers of the internet I can show my knowledge of the internet, and what are places to avoid. Incorporating color and various clipart into the form also made it more interesting, and less formal. The use of adding text boxes and tables makes the form appear more organized and collected rather than straight forward information. Adding the links for parents to delve into more research themselves shows my ability as a teacher to successfully search the web.

The classroom rules allowed me to get a better understanding as to what type of teacher I plan to be. I don't want to be to harsh, but I also don't want to be walked all over. By laying these rules out in slides it allows me to adequately discuss what exactly I mean behind each of them. The transistions and visual aids should allow the students to pay more attention while I go over them rather than glazing over like most youth do. I think adding sound could be something I would like to add in the future as a way to keep my students on their toes. I never much cared for it when I was in school, but now that the table are turned I can see it's benefits.

Both of these assignments allowed me to show how I could use technology in the class room. It may be two of the simplest forms of technology, but it still is. As the semester progresses more exciting and intricate technology will be added to both my lesson plans as well as adding them into everyday assignments.

Back to School Newsletter Reflection

The back to school newsletter reflection allowed me to demonstrate how to use word is ways I haven't before. In the past I have used clip-art and word-art in a newsletter before, but rarely would I combine the two. By combining all aspects of visually appealing stimuli it allows the reader to not get caught up in information overload. Pictures also allows breaks in the information which keeps the writer from becoming too wordy. Using the technology that word provided allowed me create something which otherwise could have been quite dull.

Not only was my newsletter visually appealing, but it also helped me learn more about myself as a teacher. I do want to be the teacher who kids want to have, not the one they have to have. Technology is something I feel will set me apart from other teachers of older ages. Knowing the knowledge my students know will allow me to better understand their needs as a class and answer any questions they may pose. Technology is something which I do plan on incorporating into every lesson plan, and before this assignment I wasn't sure if it would be something useful to me. Now I know it is going to be an important key to having success in my future classroom.

I have always wondered about the class I am going to have someday, but this assignment made it more of a reality. Having the freedom to think about a future class allowed me to reflect on great teachers of my past. I remember assignments I found interesting with them, and plan on incorporating them into my own future lesson plans. I also was able to look up books which have challenged and influenced my writing which I will one day be able to teach from. This newsletter assignment really made my future class seem like a reality rather than something which is a few years away.

The Importance of Technology in the Classroom

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome you and your child to my English class. An exciting and entertaining semester awaits us. As a teacher who grew up around technology I plan to utilize it's abilities to their full capacity. Technology is a tool which is constantly changing, we as a society have to change with it. I personally feel if we as educators do not allow your child to use technology to their best ability we are merely hindering their learning curve as they leave high school. Allowing your children to learn and explore exciting new ways to share ideas will only spark excitement for learning in my classroom.

Throughout the semester we will be using powerpoint, word, and excel on a daily basis. Even though this is an English class I will be encouraging your children to share their ideas and writings through blogs, podcasts, and through various social networking sites. I know the internet can be a dangerous place, and I in no way intend to put your child in any compromising situation. Their work will be closely monitored by me, and will not be sent to any unsecure or unapproved sites. If your child does not have access to the internet or a computer please contact me a KevinKaup27@gmail.com so something can be arranged.

I am ecstatic for the upcoming semester and look forward to working with your children, and you in the future. If you have any questions or concerns for me please feel free to email, and I will get back to you as soon possible!

Sincerely,



Kevin Kaup

Shattered

Shattered

Cold steel, naked under a gown, waiting
for a block. Drugs course in as my mind wanders
in and out of sanity. Ankle swollen, but free
from its prison of gauze. The needle enters my leg,
"A tiny bee sting" ya right. I begin to pray.
Lacrosse at stake, and a long recovery in store.

Eyes creak open, handed crutches, no energy in store
forced to walk. Once independent, now waiting
for me is common. Stop staring I pray,
know they are looking, see their eyes wander.
A block seems a mile with only one functional leg.
Hard work in store it isn’t going to be free.

Setting up base camp in a lazy boy from chores I'm free.
Laptop, iPod, remote, phone, and controller all stored
close by my side. Being braced with pillows to prop my leg.
My block will soon wear off, the pain is patiently waiting.
It's supposed to be unbearable, I sit, not able to wander
Click, Rush, Throb, Melting Pain, Bone Screws, Drills, Ache, I pray.

2:00 A.M., my help is sleeping, no one to hear, to stubborn to call for aid, I pray
for the light of day. 2:30 A.M., crawl, cold wood floor, for pills that can free
me from this hell. Sleep unable to consume, thoughts wander.
Salvation will come, not capable of keeping my tears in store,
Tears streaming as the meds begin to do their job. I am waiting,
for the pain to cease, and the painful hell to release its grasp from my leg.

Empty stomach, drugs wage war, grenades drop in my stomach, my leg
is no longer a problem. The fracture is winning I am merely its prey.
Base camp relocated, lay on linoleum, hugging porcelain, waiting.
Waiting for the emptiness trying to break free.
Not able to eat, not able to move, no energy in store.
Drifting into painful sleep, in dreams I gorge and barefoot wander.

Back to my chair I make promises of wandering
to my a defeated foot. Dr’s orders no pain pills. My leg
keeps rhythm. Pills brought in from the drug store
mock me from a nearby table. I can’t do this I pray
for a way out. I long for a chance to be free.
Minute by minute, throb by throb, I am waiting.

I will never regret the simple wandering. I pray,
but I know my leg will never be the same, never free.
There will be hard work in store, until then I am waiting.

The Journey

The Journey
I am a minor piece of something great,
An individual surrounded by similar friends.
I live a fleeting life long spent green.
I bask in warm rays, oblivious to life,
and sway in the breeze when weather permits.
A life to envy, yet boredom branches out.
I wonder how freedom must feel.
My demise creeps closer, as days dwindle.
Frost covered shivers, ice filled veins,
Death approaches, bleed sudden red.
Grip crippled as strength wanes.
Snap!
Now vastly alone, no friends in sight.
Once innocent wind, now guides me.
Life I knew stands rooted, I fall away,
scuffing across cement my body crumbles.
I strain for control, overwhelmed with exhaustion.
No option but patience, I must out last
this roller coaster of death.
I rest on wet dew as grass blades tickle my wrist.
Shrieks from the fellow fallen,
Scared and confused we are gathered.
Cold rust rips through brittle skin.
Assembled in piles, placid fear,
Lying in wait, in wait for the black.

Hooray

Glad this works, many thought provoking ideas coming soon