Google Reader and Pinterest

Hello, again, my one reader!

So, tonight I am writing about my experiences with both Google Reader and Pinterest. Just in case there is a soul on Earth that does not know what these things are, Reader is an blog aggregator, and Pinterest is an image aggregator (I don't know how else to explain it... better head over there and check it out for yourself).

Anyway.... I started using Reader as soon as I learned about it, being the Google fan that I am. I think that just to have some use for the product I started following a few blogs. Over time, my list grew as my interests expanded. As of now, I follow about 25 blogs that I access through my Reader page, ranging from urban bicycling to green living, with everything in between-- including teaching, of course!

I have come to love the clean and simple interface, so I am beyond sad that Reader is disappearing in July. I have already opened an account with Feedly, but I have not really used it, and I probably won't until I have no choice. I'll comment on it later, although I signed up for it based on some good reviews.

On Pinterest, I don't even remember how I came across it. Thing is, it has become incredibly useful and entertaining to me. In fact, I have found a few interesting blogs by clicking on posts by other people. Also, the social quality of it is just genius! I have found some of my Facebook friends' Pinterest boards and have been able to check out some interesting materials based on known affinities with my friends. Not to sound like a snoop, but you can also find out unexpected interests on your friends' boards :-)

Besides the entertainment value, Pinterest has been an amazing tool for teaching. I have gotten tons of ideas on how to deliver lessons, create anchor charts, and organize and manage my classroom. A quick search delivers a huge number of results, and it is very easy to pore through them by just looking at the pins.

I have to say, if I had to stick with only one of these web tools, I would choose Pinterest in a pinch! have you tried it, my dear lonely reader?

One more...! On Google Docs- Now Google Drive

Ah, Google! The magic things it does! From a number of years, I have been a Google user, handing much of my online life over to them. Ever since I opened my Gmail account, I have been signing up for all the beta tests they offer. Of course, when Google Docs came about I had to have an account. At the time, I did not see all the advantages it offers, but sure enough I am a believer now.

I hope no one is carrying around a flash drive anymore, no need! With usable Internet connections  anywhere, nothing beats the convenience of having your files always available without needing to remember where you left your flash drive.

I use Google Docs for anything from personal files to work files and even fun stuff. Lately, I have been using it to write my morning work for my kiddos. I can do it whenever inspiration strikes, even sometimes as they are in the classroom already eating breakfast. Instead of handing them worksheets, I project my Google Doc containing the day's problems on my big screen, and everybody gets to work!

See the link to the Google Drive folder for examples of the problems that my students have worked on lately.

3rd grade morning work

It's Delicious!

As part of my training, I found myself creating yet another account that I did not think I needed! This is the Delicious social bookmarking website.

 However, I did (because I had to), and I have to say that it seems like I might have some use for it after all. With my beloved Google Reader going away (why, Google, oh why?!?), I need a new place to keep my sites in one place. Delicious seems to be a good site to keep my bookmarks. The interface is nice and clean, and I like the tagging feature. I have also been using Pinterest for some time to basically do the same, and I love it! However, I will give Delicious a try and will report...

Here goes my Delicious link, for anyone interested:  https://delicious.com/abigalvarez

 Until soon, very soon!

Abigail

Why Bilingual Education?

WHY BILINGUAL EDUCATION?

Over the course of the last ten months, quite a few people have asked me what the reason for bilingual education is. Shouldn't our government be looking for ways to assimilate immigrants instead of coddling them by giving them free education in their own language?

I understand the concern of all these people, but in fact I believe that offering bilingual education is the smartest thing we can do to advance Texas.

According to census data, the percentage of people in Texas who did not speak English at home between 2007 and 2011 was a whopping 34.4%, and it is growing rapidly. And let's face it, once they have established themselves, it is unlikely that they will leave. On a separate note, it is also known that, in general terms, the education in the state is not where we would want it to be. With these two facts in mind, one can figure that we need to help all those non-English speakers get educated to further the competitiveness of Texas in the marketplace. 

It has been proven by different studies that the "sink or swim" approach does not work in education. Putting non-English speakers in an English-speaking classroom will make them fall behind in their education, and this learning gap can be extremely difficult to overcome. 

Enter Bilingual Education. There are various models of Bilingual Ed in existence, but in each of them students are taught in both English and the foreign language. That way, we ensure that the student understands the educational content while learning the language. It has been observed that, by the time a non-English speaking student who started her schooling in a dual language class graduates elementary school, she has virtually the same language and content skills as native speakers. 

In addition, and particularly in schools that apply the two-way approach (native and non-English speakers in the same class), native English speakers get the benefit of acquiring a second language in a structured environment, which gives them an edge when they enter the workforce. It is also noteworthy to mention that, according to some scholars, bilingualism (or multilingualism) enhances brain function and enriches lives by providing opportunities to experiences not available otherwise.

In summary, Texas does what is in its best interest to increase its economic and cultural advantage by ensuring that as many Texans as possible are provided with a high-quality education, whether they acquire the language at home or at school.