Instructional Video

My video is about the differences and similarities between metaphors and similes and provides examples of each through images and voice over narration. I hope you enjoy it!
I had a lot of fun making it and would appreciate any feedback.

I also uploaded it to TeacherTube. Click here to check it out (but remember that you have to be a member and sign in to watch it).

Also, just to make sure I cover all the bases on the assignment ...

Here's my storyboard:

Scene One:

• Cool background layout with “Metaphors and Similes” shown in text and a voiceover talking about how this video will discuss what metaphors and similes are (as well as their similarities and differences)

Scene Two:

• A picture showing a woman’s face on one side and a rose on the other with a voiceover saying that a metaphor is a device of figurative language that authors and poets use to compare two unlike things using “is” or “are” (or their past tenses)

- i.e. (to a woman): “Your face is a rose, beautiful, red, and sweet-smelling.”

Scene Three:

• A picture showing the moon on one side and a lamp on the other with a voiceover saying that a metaphor comparing the two pictures could be “the moon was a lamp glowing over the entire world and bathing us in its light.”

Scene Four:

• A picture showing rain on one side and tears on the other with a voiceover saying that a simile is a device of figurative language that authors and poets use to compare two things using “like” or “as”

- i.e. “The rain falling down outside my window was like the tears streaming down my face.”

Scene Five:

• A picture showing the sun on one side and a smiley face on the other with a voiceover saying that a simile comparing the two pictures could be “your happy disposition is as the sun smiling down on everyone.”

Scene Six:

• Text saying “Metaphors versus Similes” in the background (differences and similarities)

- Metaphors say something “is” something elseo

- Similes say something is “like” something else

- They both make comparisons using figurative language

Scene Seven:

• Credits and background music

and ... here's the Utah State Core this project fulfills:

Standard 1, Objective 3 (Comprehension of Literary Text): Comprehend literature by differentiating the uses of literary elements in narrative texts, Part E. Compare types of figurative language (i.e., simile, metaphor, and symbolism).

Tool to Use When Setting Up a Classroom

Hey everyone! Recently in one of my classes we had to depict what our ideal classroom would look like and have. We also decided what set-up we wanted for desks. There's a great tool on the scholastic website that can help you set-up a classroom (you choose the size and shape, what you'll have, and where it all will go). It's great because it helps you think of where you might put things you don't usually think about like windows and doors. Click here to check it out!

Instructional Video Storyboard

Here is is!

Instructional Video Storyboard/Outline
Scene One:
· Cool background layout with “Metaphors and Similes” shown in text and a voiceover talking about how this video will discuss what metaphors and similes are (as well as their similarities and differences)
Scene Two:
· A picture showing a woman’s face on one side and a rose on the other with a voiceover saying that a metaphor is a device of figurative language that authors and poets use to compare two unlike things using “is” or “are” (or their past tenses)
o i.e. (to a woman): “Your face is a rose, beautiful, red, and sweet-smelling.”
Scene Three:
· A picture showing the moon on one side and a lamp on the other with a voiceover saying that a metaphor comparing the two pictures could be “the moon was a lamp glowing over the entire world and bathing us in its light.”
Scene Four:
· A picture showing rain on one side and tears on the other with a voiceover saying that a simile is a device of figurative language that authors and poets use to compare two things using “like” or “as”
o i.e. “The rain falling down outside my window was like the tears streaming down my face.”
Scene Five:
· A picture showing the sun on one side and a smiley face on the other with a voiceover saying that a simile comparing the two pictures could be “your happy disposition is as the sun smiling down on everyone.”
Scene Six:
· Text saying “Metaphors versus Similes” in the background (differences and similarities)
o Metaphors says something “is” something else
o Similes say something is “like” something else
o They both make comparisons using figurative language

Goodreads - A Great Resource for English Teachers

Lately in my class on teaching reading we have been talking about how important it is for English teachers to always be reading in order to discover new books to share with their students. We've also talked about how students like to know what kinds of books their English teachers like, especially if they share common interests. This has made me think that Goodreads would be a great way for teachers and students alike to share books they like with others and to open up discussions both inside and outside of the classroom about learning. Check out Goodreads online to set up an account and get talking about books!

Internet Safety

I had a lot of fun researching things on internet safety for this assignment. I feel more prepared to teach my students and future children about how to be safe on the internet. For the reading activity I read the talk "Finding and Sharing the Gospel Online" by Michelle Stocking in the October 2009 Ensign. She talks about the importance of using the internet to spread the Gospel message. The end of the article has some good tips on internet safety in a section called "Better Blogging." The most important thing I learned from the article is to avoid specifics in blogs and be discriminating about what pictures to post online. This will influence me as a teacher and parent because I can help my students and children be more aware about internet safety especially when blogging. Finally, I can have a positive influence on family and friends by making them aware of safer ways to be on the internet, blog, and network.

For the video portion I watched part of the PBS Frontline Documentary on how growing up online influences today's youth. I also watched some news reports on how teens are influenced by the internet, including one on the top five ways teens jeopardize their identities online. Finally, I watched some movies about how to be safe on facebook.

I learned a lot about the dangers children face online from predators and cyber bullying that I wasn't fully aware of before. It makes me more aware of things I can do as a teacher and parent to keep my students and children safe while allowing them to access the valuable resources that can be found on the internet. I can go to our class website and click on the video links to find more information about teaching internet safety, I can check my class members' blogs, or I can google internet safety on teachertube. I'm committed to empowering my students by teaching them about internet safety so they can safely navigate the web. I'm likely to face internet safety issues like difficulties associated with forming a class blog and keeping students safe. I'll address this by making the blog private and teaching my students what not to share on their profiles (like full name, birthday, age, address, schedules, etc.). Finally, I can leverage the power of the internet and enable my students to learn in a safe way by first informing them about the dangers of the internet and precautions they can take to be safe online.

For the doing part I talked with a mother in her fifties who has a teenaged boy who just got a facebook. She was already aware of internet safety issues and very good and helping her son be safe on the internet while still being able to network with his friends. Her son doesn't have any personal information on his facebook like full birthday, location, phone number, or pictures that could help someone track him down. Also, she has the password to his account so she can monitor what he does online and he can only be online if she is in the same room because she has the password to log into the computer. She's already doing a great job on keeping her son safe! Some things I shared with her were the importance of not posting schedules or detailed statuses on facebook, having private blogs, not posting age or location, and monitoring children's internet usage. She was already doing a lot of great things so there wasn't a ton I could share with her but I was able to discuss the importance of internet safety with her and learn some tips she has developed over time that have helped keep her kids safe online.

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"

In a few days we are going to be discussing Poe's "The Raven." Please read the poem and then watch the above movie to get a feel for the setting and mood of the poem. Then click on the below link to access a worksheet about the poem that you need to fill out by Wednesday and bring to class. Some things to keep in mind on tone (what we'll be talking about on Wednesday): tone is basically the general mood or feeling of the poem. For example, the tone of a poem or piece of literature could be happy, sad, uplifting, surprised, angry, etc. Think about this as you read and listen to "The Raven." What is the tone or mood of the poem?

Assignment Sheet.

Want to know more about Poe? Click here for his biography.

Want to know what tone is? Click here.

What does a Raven look like? Click here for a look at one!

Stuck on vocabulary? Click here for some help.