Thing 4

I am starting to feel like I'm a part of something good here. Blogging lets me see what others are doing and I soon hope to be sharing and supporting others. I can see why blogs can create a sense of community for teachers. Part of being a good teacher is reaching out to other professionals so that you can learn from them and they can learn from you.

Some important points that I have gathered from the reading are as follows:

1. Be polite. This is so importan. When you are composing a message think very carfully about the words you use, because they may not come off the way you mean them too. How many times have we read a note or an email and it sounded mean or harsh even though the writer never meant it to be that way?
   
2. Be specific. Don't answer with words like "yeah" or I "right". Tell people why you agree or disagree with something. Let them know that what they wrote meant something to you and that it made you think.
3. Show other bloggers that you hear them. When I write a message, I want people to know that I really get what they are saying and let them know how I feel.
   

I have been reading through other posts and I have picked the following to comment on:

1. Lorrie Anne Cooksey. I couldn't not go to Lorrie's first. Even though Lorrie and I have been friends for a while now, I still enjoyed reading her blog because it taught me more about her. She said that her favorite habit was 7 1/2 play. I need to be more like that. I am working on it, but life is so crazy right now, I don't know when it is ever going to happen.
2. Lynette Miller. I went to Lynette's next because I know from experience in other classes that her blog would be awesome and it was. It looks awesome. I can relate to her comments about technology. I too have limited resources at my school. I wish that I had classroom computers.
3. MarcyAustin. I am a hands on leaner too. I can't learn listening to a lecture. I have to jump in, do it, make mistakes, and then fix it. Sometimes that gets me into trouble though. The mistakes are what teach me though.
4. Kristan Bland. Kristan and have the same habit in common. Begin with the end in mind. That is how I get through everything. I have to set a goal and keep my eye on the light at the end of the tunnel.
5. Stacy Averill. I also picked Stacy's blog to comment on. Like me she has mixed feelings about creating a blog

I also picked two other blogs that were not class members. Brandi Trice's blog is coolest blog I have seen so far. I love the layout with the colors and the flowers in the background. Her avatar is so cool. It looks like the pictures of herself that she has posted. She got her background from a site called cutest blog on the block. I'm going to try it when I have time and see if I can find something that looks like me.
I also really like Rebecca Nordy's blog. It's really pretty. I like the colors and the background. She and I both both feel the same about the habit that deals with confidence. It's good to know that I'm not the only one with that problem.

This really turning out to be a great experience.