Simply Said

I noticed I needed to do another blog.  Looks like the last one was bogus!

I had a good shopping experience.  I went to “Ink Stop” to buy a printer.  While checking out a the register I noticed a grandparent and a mom buying webcams for their 10 yr. old grandson and 12 yr. old daughter respectively.  I eyed the salesman who happened to help me choose my printer, and kindly advised the family of these kids to monitor them carefully because this is an excellent resource for attracting “undesirable” people on the internet.  I explained about Computer safety techniques and they said all of their friends were getting them so they eagerly sought out to buy them too.

The salesman was so tactful and carefully steered them to safer products like the flip videos.  After he finished explaining how to use them, the grandparent and parent thanked both of us and merrily went on their way.  It was a good feeling to know that they were willing to be educated on the subject matter and took the measures to keep their loved ones safe.

Have a great holiday season and thank you soooo much, dmac1

What was the old proverb about fear? The only thing to be afraid of is fear itself or something similar to this. Now I understand how doubts and fears can really hold you back. 

Fear #1:  Drew my own conclusions that my middle school students would not understand the concept of blogging and would not be interested.

Result:  Implimented in the lesson plan directions on how to go online, read the bogs created, and post comments as suggested by one of my commentors. Surprised to see the students embrace this assignment with enthusiasm, especially the “Happy Birthday, We’ll Sue” blog.

Fear #2:  How could I teach this concept to the students when I’m also in the process of learning it.

Result:  When asked for a show of hands from the students on who would like to blog given the guidelines and norms, almost everyone excitedly raised their hands.  Using the information as a resource received from my fellow colleagues, I’m going for it!

In one of my previous posts, I talked about a unit I covered on the students writing letters to their AP about issues/concerns they have about the school.  The AP emailed me and stated he would like to come in to address these issues with the students.  I was really impressed he took time from his very busy schedule to 1) read & analyze the letters according to the issue/concern; 2) address those students and answer their questions and 3) be open to those concerns that had possible solutions.

Observations: When the AP came in and sat in front of the class, you could hear a pin drop.  Of course, he did all the talking. Only one, maybe two students conversed on their issues.  I couldn’t believe it–we spend most of 30 minutes discussing and debating the issues on the graphic organizer the students created.  I reiterated this was their last chance to get answers to their concerns first hand.

Results:  No response

As I was reading and commenting on Silverskin12′s blog site, I felt compelled to also extend my apologies.  As stated in our last Blogging class, I am not a writer.  I’m so much better at verbal communication.  That being said, along with the many other legimitate excuses we have as teachers, I have also been delinquent in my assignments; but the good news is I’m catching up!  Hooray!!

So, you guys, after reviewing my previous blogs I submitted, I noticed  have not had any responses or comments.  Now I’m baffled as to what I’m doing wrong which I will consult with dmac tomorrow.  However, I would like to hear from you (or should I say “read from you”)  Thanks.

                How many of us sing Happy Birthday to our students?  Well, I happened to be reading some information a friend sent me about a comment made by Snopes.com.  As I was browsing thru the web site, I noticed a link that stated, “Happy Birthday, We’ll Sue.”  I was curious to know if I could be sued and if the song was indeed protected by copyright.

                After going through how the song originated from another song, “Good Morning to You” which was published in the 1800’s and mysteries as to who wrote it, the report finally concluded that a Chicago-based music publisher, Clayton F. Summy Co., working with Jessica Hill, published and copyrighted “Happy Birthday” in 1935.

                So, does this mean that everyone who sings “Happy Birthday to You” to family members, friends, etc., at birthday parties is engaging in copyright infringement if they fail to obtain permission from or pay royalties to the song’s publisher? Thank goodness, NO (that was a relief)! 

“Royalties are due for commercial uses of the song, such as playing or singing it for profit, using it in movies, television programs, and stage shows, or incorporating it into musical products such as watches and greeting cards; as well, royalties are due for public performance, defined by copyright law as performances which occur “at a place open to the public, or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered.”

                Singing this song to your family and friends at home is fine.  ATTENTION TEACHERS:  Be very careful to get permission before singing Happy Birthday to You in the classroom.

                The publishing rights have now been acquired by a New York accountant name John F. Sengstack when he bought the Clayton F. Summy Co. in the 1930s. 

(Source: http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp)

My Advanced Computer Tech class has just completed the unit on Personal Business Letters (PBL). One of the assignments they had after the completion of this lesson was to write a personal business letter to their principal or assistant principal stating concerns/issues along with possible solutions they and their friends have concerning their school.

                I have to admit my low expectations and preparation for marginal headaches from reading their letters did not come to fruition.  These kids expressed legitimate concerns such as 1) cafeteria employees using hairnets and gloves while serving food (one student found hair in her food and as a result has not eaten lunch from the cafeteria), 2) providing healthier food services and bottled water, 3) allowing enough time to eat and digest food due to long lines, 4) needing more time to get from one class to another especially if they need a restroom break, etc.  They also stated very good solutions in which we discussed.  Upon conclusion of our discussions, the students did realize one principal/assistant principal would not have the power to change policies and procedures for the District.  However, thru communication is one step forward in being proactive in addressing the concerns of the students.

                It was also intriguing to observe how proud the students were when they signed their name, in cursive and ink, above their typewritten names.  One could clearly see this was the first official PBL they had written and the spirit of pride and ownership was written all over their faces.

I read this article from an email sent to me earlier this month.  It states:  Alarming new research from Sweden on the effects of radiation raises fears that today’s youngsters face an epidemic of this disease in later life.  Children and teenagers are five time more like to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones, startling new research indicates.

The study, experts say, raises fears that today’s young people may suffer an “epedemic” of the disease in later life.  At lease nine out of ten British 16  year-olds have their own handset, as do more than 40 per cent of primary school children.

Despite recommendations of an official report that the use of mobiles by children should be “minimized,” the Government has done almost nothing to discourage it.

The European Parliament voted 522 to 16 to urge ministers across Europe to bring in stricter limits for exposure to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, Wi-fi and other devices, partly because children are especially vulnerable to them.  They are more at risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and  because–since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner–the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains.

This research sprung from the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden, headed by Professor Lennart Hardell.  Professor Hardell told the conference–held at the Royal sociaty by the Radiation Research–that ”people who started mobile phone use before the age of 20″ had more than five-fold increase in glioma,” a cancer of the glial cells that support the nervous system.

By contrast, people who were in their twenties before using handsets were only 50 per cent more likely to contract gliomas and just twice as likely to get acoustic neuromas.

After reading this article, I thought of this as a warning sign for our students.  Just last week I confiscated a cell phone from a 12 year old.  The officer at our middle school reported catching students using cell phone during lunch periods.  The parents should be aware and educated on the fact that their child’s brain is not fully developed and the consequences associated with using the cell phone.  Cell phones should only be used for emergency purposes only or with hands-free devices or headsets.

WELL, HERE GOES.  AS THE NIKE COMMERCIAL SAYS, “JUST DO IT.”  I AM DEFINITELY MODELING THE COMMERCIAL.  YES, AT THIS MOMENT, I AM EXPERIENCING ALL OF THE EXCUSES THE CEO’S STATED IN DMAC’S BLOG:  FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, PROCRASTICATION, AND ABSOLUTELY NOT ENOUGH TIME.  I REALIZE AS I STRUGGLED THRU THIS THAT I AM A WHOLE LOT BETTER AT TALKING MY THOUGHTS THAN WRITING THEM J

HURRICANE IKE

I was born and reared in Houston, Texas.  During the course of my 50+ years of living with hurricanes and “himicanes,” I personally experienced seeing an island destroyed and rebuilt; spending  the night at a hotel and reporting to work the next day dressed in the same clothes because of being stranded downtown; carpooling with two people and rescuing one person who happened to be pregnant before her car went completely under water; commuting thru Park ‘n Ride and sitting on the bus for hours to waiting for the water to drain before we could continue our destination. By the way, the next time I suggested to the bus driver to stop at a restaurant (MacDonald’s) to better accommodate our personal needs..  He followed my suggestions and I heard the other bus drivers complimenting him on his great decision.

If you would like to get a visual association of what I’m talking about, click on the link below.  You will see about 90 pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike’s presence in Galveston and Houston.  Because of modern technology, everyone who has access to a computer can see the effects of what a hurricane is capable of doing.  As of today, over 400 people are still missing.

http://www.chron.com/news/photogallery/Sept_14_Ike_photos.html

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