Getting Back into things

I originally set this blog up for some Master's classes I was taking.  I think it is time to start using it a little more in my everyday schooling.  I teach technology classes and really need to lead by example if I want our students to follow.  One of our main goals for our school improvement is writing and improving it across the curriculum.  What better way to get that done then to have my students create blogs and post a paragraph or two every week. 

Other items that are now happening.  I finally upgraded my home computer to Windows 10.  I'm still seeing if I like it or if everything that I have will still be compatible.  I also am trying to get more involved in Microsoft training, and Google training.  Our school uses Windows, Google and Apple products so I need to try to keep my skills sharp.  As a coach and teacher I expect my students to keep learning so I must also hold myself accountable.  Future goals will also to refresh myself on programming and try to get some networking certifications.  Maybe in the near future maybe I'll start on something higher than my masters, but who knows. 

Final Week

Final week of class which is good since summer is busier than every. Football camp this week and the rush to get all the things done in the next 3 weeks before class actually starts.  Here is the link to my curriculum project on last time. 

Survey

Please take the survey I created in Google docs.  It is very short and doesn't really have anything to do with anything. 

Click Here

Week 4 Class Review

So far the class is going fast.  No major problems, only things so far is actually setting up a time to skype with the classmate.  Our schedules don't seem to be working out, but I'm sure we will be getting it done today.  We have been using the message feature in Skype to try to set things up.

I have a decent start on my Curriculum project.  Need to do the Tracks and e-sheets, but they really shouldn't take me too long.  Started to look at the twitter assignments.  So far I'm not a fan of twitter.  I don't really care what people are doing all the time, and any of my friends don't really care what I'm doing.  My life isn't all that exciting.

I actually do use blogging in my classroom setting already.  I just don't use Blogger.  I use a set of tools with gaggle.net and have the students create a blog that they write what they learned for the week out of the lectures.  It does a couple of things.  First if they are doing it right, I gain a great understanding of where they are as far as the material covered. Second, it gives them a chance to work on their writing skills and improve in that area.  Last it it worked okay,  I really need to do a better job of modeling what I want them to display.  

Curriculum Project

Starting to get a basic outline on my project.  There will be a few things changed from what I typed up the other day since I forgot that I needed the Trackster Project in there.  If you would like to see it here is a link.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rugAutGeba0tH0Kfns7fNHkaEQTdtWSwxulmJw2ybZU/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1

Cool Video on the Vietnam War

I found this great video on the Vietnam War that incorporates video, photos, speeches and the music from the Vietnam era.  Enjoy.  After viewing I would like you comments. (Warning!!!! Some images are graphic in nature!!!)

  

Mr. Cover's Introduction

Welcome to my blog.

I just finished up my 3rd year as a Jr. High teacher with the Elmwood-Murdock School District.  I have a 7-12 Geography/History endorsement, but have met the highly qualified status to teach 7-12 math and physics.   Currently  I teach the subjects of 7th Grade Civics/Economics, 8th Grade American History, 7th and 8th Grade Pre-Algebra and co-teach a instructional technology class to 7th graders where we give them a brief introduction into many types of computer programs and web based software.  I am also an Asst. Football and Track coach for the high school and a an Asst. Wrestling Coach for Weeping Water Public Schools, so time is a valued commodity to me.

My previous experience was as a Technology Coordinator for the Louisville Public Schools for 5 years and 1 year at Tecumseh Public Schools (now Johnson County Central).  As a technology coordinator  taught things like Computer Applications, Web Page Design, Cisco Networking class along with keeping the computer systems up and running, dealing with PowerSchool, and trying to stay on top of the latest hardware, software and web based programs. 

I grew up in Weeping Water, Nebraska went to UNL as a Chemical Engineering student, changed my major after 3 1/2 years (some days I wonder why.) to be a Social Studies Teacher.    Got married, moved to Elmwood then back to Weeping Water where my wife and I live with our 2 boys.  I'm pretty active in things I have been a Scout Leader, and youth sports coach in wrestling and baseball, and am also part of the Emergency Management Agency and the Vice-President of the Weeping Water Museum Board and the webmaster for their webpage. 

The purpose of this blog is to show some tools that we can use in class and get a discussion going on topics throughout the semester.  I might use it once school starts up, but I already have a few things set up that I have put most of my information on.