Wk4: Classmate Response: Richard

The Importance of a Good First Day of School

The first day of school is very important for teacher as well as their students, it sets the tone sometimes for the week to come and sometimes the entire school year. With everyone getting ready for school I thought it would be great to talk about, what is your favorite “first day” activity?

I must admit, I didn't miss the first day of school this year. Though, looking back on things I did before, I do miss the students. Now, I taught high school and most of the first day is spent going over rules and syllabi and such...But I usually saved time at the end for something fun that related to the class. For example, in debate, I had student give 2, 1-minute speeches (to get them used to speaking in front of people right away). The first speech was "Something I Love" and the other was "Something I hate" and usually they always have more fun with the hate speech. But it is a way to get to know the students and get them ready for the class.

In my drama classes, I start the year out with some fun improv games like Frog Toss (originally Ball Toss, but the ball deflated so I began using a stuffed frog) Where the students have to get used to thinking quickly. So we start out with a topic (ex: Movies) and we go through the alphabet randomly tossing the frog to someone in the circle. It always amazes how they can't even remember the alphabet let alone a movie title. This activity usually gives me a glimpse into the mentality of the students. If they are excited and into the game I can tell it will be a good class. If they are reluctant and don't even try I also get an idea as to how this class will go.

Wk 4: Reading post

Ch. 9:

Some things in life are better done in person

Enrolling: is not about forcing, cajoling, tricking, bargaining, pressuring, or guilt-tripping someone into doing something your way. Enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share.

Hearing “NO”…I get what the book is saying about not taking a “NO” personally. But when you hear “NO” or worse, no reply at all, from so many, how does one not get discouraged?

Ch. 10:

Being the board sounds really good, in theory…kind of like Communism. I understand and can appreciate the concept of looking at a situation and finding your own responsibility in the matter. However, in terms of the car accident analogy, if that drunk driver had killed someone…like my child… all the rational, impartial, pride-free thinking in the world will not help. I think this particular chapter is asking a lot of the human species. It is asking use to take the emotion out of situations, what then is the point of living?

Ch. 11

The San Paolo story was very effective. I can see how that way of going about the situation would yield better results that yelling at the students, especially if you needed a good performance from them. The whole signing contracts is just a way for functions like that to easily kick you out. I can really get behind this way of thinking.

Wk 3: Wimba Blog Post

Thank you for the more detailed explanation of the abstract and the upcoming presentation. I think I am not going to be able to sharing during the Wimba sessions. I am babysitting my roommates kids (in addition to my own) and if it is like last night there is no way I will be able to get online. 4 kids under 6 is a lot of work! So I will post the URl to the google doc and recruit 2-3 classmates to comment on my presentation. If the night goes well and I can get on, I'd love to contribute, but because of uncertainties, I will go the alternate route.

Are there any suggestions for where to start looking for places to submit our presentation ideas for Month 12?

Is there a certain way the speaker notes need to be written if we decide to do a prezi?

When you mentioned Google Docs for the presentation, did you mean create the slide presentation in the google doc as an easier way to get a URL?

I figure to round out this week's Wimba blog, I'd comment to the questions you posted about the textbook.

How is the Art of Possibility different the Power of Positive Thinking/Oprah:

It is different in that it does not depend of “fate” to take you positive thoughts and make them reality, but rather it is a book to get you thinking about things in a different perspective and that can open doors and that feeling that there are always possibilities is freeing in itself.

My roommate is a big “Power of positive thinking” thinker, she won’t let me say negative thoughts around her. I always find this dumb because in the end, it isn’t because she “throws the positive thoughts out there” but rather the hard work she does to achieve things. Of course in life, even with hard you may still not get the outcomes you want. The flaw I find in that is that by always thinking positive and ignoring the negative possibilities, it is that much more depressing when whatever you were hoping for does not happen.The Art of Possibility doesn’t ignore the fact that roadblocks will happen, but it helps you get through them in a positive manner.

Which chapters meant the most to you and why:

Being a contribution…others chapter after that were equally motivating, but this one really got me into the book. The Rule No. 6 was an equally stand out chapter, because it addresses those negative attitudes.

Wk 2: Comment 2: Bruce

Bruce:

I love the way you start out our post.

When I started reading this book, I found it hard to read and comprehend. The first two chapters read like a bunch of Fortune cookie fortunes all written together in a book. There were some profound statements, but as a whole I wasn’t getting it the big picture.

I had my doubts while reading chapter 3.

It wasn’t really until the 4^th chapter when the books purpose hit me, like a 2X4 in the head. Then the big picture of what the Zander’s wanted people to get began to shine through… The whole idea of playing the 2 games (succeed/failure and contribution) was a great metaphor that sums up my life, but a great solution for those who are perpetually on the success/failure track. I do wonder though, how does one cope with the notion that had not done anything to contribute that day?