Kickstarting my blog with help from Edublogs

But what does this have to do with saving money and living eco-friendly? Nothing really, except that it is related to the fact that I have a blog, and I want it to be the best that I can possibly make it. So, please humor me and read this post. Share a comment, even. I would love to hear from you!!

I am always looking for ways to improve the reading experience for my audience. Since I consider this blog as practice for a classroom website I plan on creating for my future classroom, I am using tips from the Free Tech for Teachers post about being a better blogger. From the tech website, I followed a link to the Edublogs' Teacher Challenge. Since I have already started a blog, I decided I would like to do the more advanced challenges offered, so for the extension activity (of day 1), the teacher challenge would like me to write a post on my blog to tell you more about me such as:

• Why did you join the Teacher Challenge’s 30 Days to Kick Starting your Blogging?

I am joining the Teacher Challenge a little late, but I still would like to improve my blog. I consider myself a little tech savvy, however, something like html terrifies me just a little. Also, keeping this blog seems to give me an outlet so that I do not pounce on B-chan when he walks through the door. Equally, it keeps Monkey Z and I from driving each other batty. Sure, the cleaning may not get done as much, but I don't clean while the little one is napping anyway... Back to the point. I would like to improve my blogging so that when I have my own classroom (if that ever happens), I am able to use technology to help my students explore, understand, and thrive in their education.

• Why do you want to learn more about blogging?

I enjoy learning in general, which is probably why I became a teacher. More specifically, I believe that using this medium in an educational setting allows for creativity with challenge. It's so important for educators to teach the next generation to embrace technology, but to do it with restraint. As many people are learning through Twitter and Facebook, not everything is meant to be broadcast for everyone to read. My aim is to learn how to do it, so that I can help guide my students.
Also, I would like to increase traffic to my site. I'd like to think that what I have to say is important to someone.

• What aspects of blogging have you struggled with?

I have struggled with tweaking the look of the blog. I want it to be easy to read and pleasing to the eye. I know that I have come across websites that are disorganized or underdeveloped. They make me feel impatient because I can't find what I need or there is too much going on.
Now that I have a theme, I am afraid that my title and URL don't match my theme. I chose them long before I started blogging seriously. Keeping my content as interesting as possible is difficult because I feel like I am repeating what other people have said or it's just not that important. I have done some things to improve the traffic flow that I didn't think I could do.


I would love to know how you have improved your blog. Please share your tips and comments about what has worked and what has been difficult for you.

Be educated about opera

So, I'm a teacher...and I like to share cultural experiences with others. I found this video, courtesy of Free Technology for Teachers, rather amusing aside from it's educational content. Please enjoy it as much as I did and share any comments you have. Happy viewing!
...But you're probably wondering what a post about opera is doing on a blog about being an eco-friendly mommy. Well, I am a teacher by profession, and I, like so many other teachers, have a very limited budget. So for my technological needs in education, I must either get it for free or not at all. That brings me to the aforementioned website. I am considering how to use some of the free technology available in order to impress this year's interviewers when I apply for jobs. I would like to create a sample class website and gradebook to show administrators.

Preschool for those who can't afford it

Thank you to my dear friend Evelyn for the inspiration for this post.
Like my own new little family, hers is one that values education, but may not be able to afford the best for the moment. That brings me to the topic: how to educate your pre-schooler by not necessarily taking them to pre-school.
Here in California, we have state funded pre-school. It's called Head Start (Orange County, Ca). I haven't really looked into it because the thought of sending my child to public school in a state that values the movie industry over education scares the bejeebers out of me, but that's kind of beside the point. I believe that the program requires you meet the Federal Income Poverty Requirements. Unfortunately, we do not qualify.
So, that brings us to what to do if you don't qualify for state pre-school and you can't afford private pre-school.
There are many many websites out there with educational activities and ideas. I used Starfall to help with literacy when I was working in my Kindergarten Intervention class. They have printables as well as online games.
 Tips for Homeschooling

1. Learn- A Google search will yield overwhelming results and many of the free resources are Christian based. A good place to start is learning what skills/development you want your child to achieve. California has state standards for every grade level, but I would start with the Kindergarten standards. That is what students should be doing by the end of kindergarten. It is written in educator speak so interpreting it might be a little difficult. Try to seek out a teacher of the age you are trying to work with and ask for help/ ideas. Alternatively, some home daycare teachers have websites.
2. Plan- Once you know what skills you want to develop, you need to plan how you will develop them. That's where the web search comes in handy. Many sites have themes, free worksheets, etc. Design your activities around the skill and use different topics to reinforce the same skill. One resource I found in response to my friend's request is A to Z Kids Stuff, which has free materials. Keep in mind that you need materials, but you also need to know how to use them. Childcareland.com has some free resources and some paid materials, but most importantly, it tells you how to use them
3. Schedule- Once you have your ideas, you need to build a schedule. This is not just a daily schedule, but a schedule of topics. The websites you encounter should be able to give you some ideas. The important thing is try to plan what you are going to do before you do it. 
4. Teach- Now that you have an idea of what you want to do and when and your materials, you can actually start to use them. Watch your child to see what works and what they like, but don't be afraid to scrap what they don't appear to enjoy.

Please share your ideas for educating your little one at home.