Facebook changes

So with the recent flurry set forth by Facebook, this is as timely and relevant of a topic as I can find while we are discussing persuasive speaking, as well as communicating in general.

The kids read an article from The Washington Post, as well as the follow up blog by Marc Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO. They also scanned the articles regarding the same topic from Business Week and Wired.

I guess the gist of what's out there is again back to the old adage, don't put anything out there you don't want your grandmother to see. Too many people aren't too smart and don't realize that the internet is constantly creating archives, so even deleted stuff really won't be gone.

Impact of technology

Technology affects our lives in so many ways. For instance, within a matter of an hour, I received an email from my mom and a text from Hayden that told me that Brooke & Adam's new little girl, Sidney Marie, was born. Also, my brother, although a little slow, also gave me the info. (side note: Yea! finally another girl to buy for!)

So not only does technology help bring great news, but it also aids in teaching. Gone are the days of typewriters. Also gone is the need for reliance on snail mail and fax machines for communication with speech coaches. Email and websites do much of the work for us.

Baseball predictions

The Cubbies will make it to the National League Playoffs. That's right, I've said it. Now, whether or not they will win there and advance, I don't care to predict.

Josh & I are planning an excursion to visit Chicago again this summer and possibly take in a game at Wrigley.

See their June schedule here.

Challenge topic--current event

On this President's Day, current events are of importance; therefore, we will write about what is taking place in our world today. The students have the liberty to add a hyperlink to their blog referring back to their news story.

Hugo Chavez is the topic of my discussion. With now unlimited dictatorial presence in Venezuela, I predict that he will try to take over other countries. Although his socialist-like government has improved conditions for a few, most of the poor and disadvantaged in his country are worse off than what they were in the 10 years since he took office. His now unlimited power and rule over the country will have worldwide implications.

View the article at http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1879742,00.html?xid=rss-topstories.

Problem I have

I seem to have some students who continuously dribble from their mouths. Although the spill can sometimes be amusing, many times it is a bit of a huge distraction to those who are actually trying to learn and or listen.

My resolution to this is to keep them busy with extra work, as when they are busy they don't seem to talk as much. Also, students who have multiple things to do often do not multitask as much, so talking is the one item cut out. However, sometimes overwhelming amounts of work has the exact opposite effect, and all they do is talk. A happy medium is needed.

Plans for Valentine's Day

Since I know Josh won't check this, I'm safe to say what he will be getting, as well as mentioning my plans for the day.

Obviously since it's a Saturday in February during speech season, I'll be attending a speech meet in Plainview. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

I'm like the best wife ever because I'm giving my husband authentic deep dish pizza from Chicago. He has to work, so we'll probably have it on Sunday afternoon before he goes to work.

After the speech meet, I will go watch our boys play basketball in Norfolk. Then I MUST get groceries. I'm out of a lot of supplies. My heavens!

If I were a food, I would be...

Yet another day from the seniors--describe yourself as a food, and why you would be that food. Speaking of why, that backs up our use of logical reasoning we've been talking about in relationship to persuasive speaking.

So my food--this is like a bad icebreaker activity at summer camp--would be lime sherbet. Why? Well, lime sherbet has many uses beside just regular eating. It can be used in making punches or desserts. I definitely reflect this, as I am very versatile in many situations. Plus it is always yummy any time of the year--this reflects how I am so wonderful any time of the year.

Persuasive speaking can be so much fun. Hopefully the students are able to learn more about their topics through their research. The organization process really aids in the writing of quality speeches.

If I were a superhero...

If I were a superhero, I would be sure to have a super cool sidekick. The sidekick would be more than just an errand runner. My sidekick would do all of the tasks that I really dislike doing. My house would always be clean because, let's face it, in Pierce, I wouldn't need to help fight much crime. Therefore, in order for my sidekick to earn her/his wage, they would need to do something in the down time.

Not only would I have a super cool sidekick, but I also would have a stunning costume in which everyone would be ultra envious. I definitely would not have a cape, as the cape could get caught in too many areas. I have trouble enough with a scarf.

No need for a secret lair where I would change into my costume. I'd like to mimic Wonder Woman and always wear my costume underneath. The benefits would be twofold--I would be warmer in this always cool place where I teach and if the costume is stunning, it would have to make the clothes over the top look stunning.

7 Choices made over the weekend

Today's blog will be for everyone to discuss 7 Choices they made over the weekend. They will need to label the choices as "good" or "not so good."

Also today is 80's/Retro Day for FCCLA week. I swear, it took about 1/2 a bottle of hairspray to tease & make big hair. Also wore the two pair of socks, killer shades, cuffed jeans, Josh's old wrestling jacket, and the class ring. What a hoot just looking through the old stuff mom sent home with me. This is like 5th grade all over again.

Choice 1--good--going to Norfolk Friday night to get shopping done for Chad's birthday, as well as Jerry & Maxine's anniversary. You can buy anything at Target.

Choice 2--bad--going to sleep late on Friday night. We had to leave at 6 a.m. for the speech meet in West Point. Seriously though, I woke up before my alarm so I was up at 4:00. Ridiculous.

Choice 3--good--had a wonderful sub for lunch on Saturday. Could have had greasy cold pizza, but I chose a bit healthier sub.

Choice 4--good--going to the boys' conference basketball game. Even though they lost, the game was excellent. Besides, a rematch will take place this Saturday in a regular season meet.

Choice 5--good--woke up early enough to have a nice long shower before going to visit the nephews.

Choice 6--good--had an extra large slice of ice cream cake. Excellent on all levels.

Choice 7--bad--started to fall asleep on the sofa last night, so of course I got up and did some other stuff to get ready for 80's day (made friendship pins for my shoes) but then I wasn't tired and fell asleep later.

Day 20-Perspective Change

We're entering into the realm of persuasive speaking, and what better activity to discuss than the importance of perspective.

The students will describe an evening out by looking at the preparatory work needed before going out, what they would do during the evening, who they would see or what they would see, and how their evening would wrap up. The writing, if the design is followed should be organized.

They will write about a night out from the following perspectives:

• Their own life
• Life as Homer Simpson (or some other famous character--I think I have a Peter Griffin, Hyde from That 70's Show, Gil Grissom)
• Life as a member of the opposite gender
  
• Life as a teen in the 1950s
• Life as a fish
• Life as if you were a caveman

I wish them good luck. Actually, this will really cover info well when we discuss how perspective on a situation changes depending on who you are, where you are, and what you're doing. This activity will also be a good lead in to the discussion of audience consideration when writing a persuasive speech.

Day 18

So I missed yesterday's blog, as I was busy grading speeches. Essentially, yesterday's blog needed to contain a picture of them on speech day, as well as what they did good & what they plan to improve upon.

Today's topic is to look back on goals we set in an earlier blog. The kids need to examine if they have achieved their short term goal, along with why or why not, as well as their longer term goal and why or why not.

Plans to get ready for informative speeches

So tomorrow is the big day. Informative speeches will be presented. That means for some that they will practice tonight. For some others, that means they will need to start on their visual aids, plus their note cards, plus extra practice time.

I love informative speech day. This is really the true test of speaking skills. Delivery is usually key, as I approved almost all of their speeches on Friday. Most can start to use good eye contact, but the gestures & facial expression will be lacking. Hopefully all will remember transitional movement.

Some will make every excuse in the world as to why their speech is sub-par tomorrow. However, I will have some really fantastic speeches, as some students will really try their hardest.