Just a bad memory???

Remembering things can be hard to do and yet we expect our students to remember everything we teach! When they fail to remember we wonder what their problem is...well maybe its not all their problem! Consider some facts about the retention of information:



What we retain when we are:



Reading 16%

Seeing 20%

Hearing 30%

Seeing-Hearing 50%

Seeing-Hearing-Responding 70%

Seeing-Hearing-Responding-Doing 90%



As you can see...the more you do with your subject the better your students will retain. Don't get into a rut of the same old thing. Encourage learning by making it new, exciting and by actively engaging your students

I learned something NEW today!!!

When teaching in a classroom, whether it is a school classroom, a Sunday School class, or even if you are a homeschooler, it is important to remember to use VARIETY when teaching. Kids learn so much more and so much better when we use different methods and madness!! In my teaching class today I was given lots of helpful information from my very wise instructor about resources that can help teachers add lots of variety to their lessons. If you have any kind of access to the internet these resources are right at your fingertips!! Go ahead and check them out! Don't be afraid to try something new and exciting! Your kids will love it and you just might learn something too!!

Education-world.com = Contains Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Interactive Activities

Nationalzoo.com = Cool stuff about animals! Live web cams! Links to sites! Great fun!!(Wouldn't that be fun to show your kids some live lions when you teach about Daniel from the Bible or if you were covering lions in science lesson??)

Encyclomedia.com = Well, its kinda like an encyclopedia...but of video clips on anything & everything!

worldofteaching.com = Free powerpoint presentations on subjects!! How cool is that? Just download and awe your kids with colorful fun visuals!

Well these are just a few things...how exciting to be able to learn about them and be able to implement them into our teaching. Don't be boring or mundane...encourage learning, interaction and thinking by creating lessons that captivate and inspire!

Digital Cameras~Creative Learning

I don’t know about you, but I love taking pictures! They can express so much and are a special way to preserve our memories. Whoever thought of using digital cameras in the classroom was a genius! How inspiring it must be for children and families to be able to look back and see what has been captured in the classroom through pictures.
I am going to share some of my most favorite uses for digital cameras in the classroom that I have learned from my classes and educational conferences. I hope they will inspire you to TAKE PICTURES and to be creative in your use of them to motivate, inspire and even challenge your students to look at their world in a whole new way!

1. At the beginning of the year take a picture of all of your students. Then print off and laminate their pictures and make a book of your students. You could always include their names and fun graphics if you wanted to. The kids love to see themselves in books!

2. Document your year in your classroom and then at the end of the year put together a power-point presentation or a DVD to show and then give to the parents and families of your students.

3. Have the children take turns taking pictures of whatever they want… things they like, their favorite toys, books, flowers etc. Then print off the pictures, laminate them and then help your students write a story or captions for their photos. Compile it all into a book that they have created! (You could also have your students do this for a specific subject for a project…create a book on different cloud formations etc. You can adapt this project for more advanced grades as well.)

4. Have your student’s document something in creation…the turning of the leaves, a stormy day, a cocoon, the growth of a plant, etc. Help them create a presentation with their documentation.

5. Take pictures of student’s projects and artwork to publish on a blog or web page. Family, and especially proud grandparents, love to see what their children are doing.

6. Take pictures on field trips! Document your day and publish it and what you learned through a blog, web page or simply a presentation you put together.

7. Plan a photo scavenger hunt in your classroom or throughout your school. Have students look for objects related to a specific topic or subject being discussed.

8. For younger students, make book with them. Let them take pictures of a certain color and create “Blue Book”. Create a number book using objects around your room.

9. Use photos in art projects!! Create frames and then place the children’s photo in them. There are endless possibilities for this one! Be creative!! Let your kids tell you what they would want to create.

10. Create an alphabet wall mural by having the children choose a letter. Then let them take a picture of something that begins with that letter. Print off your pictures and hang them on your wall!!

The integration of technology is becoming increasingly important in our classrooms. Students must become more and more proficient in their navigation of the technological world. Using cameras is a fun and easy way to get your students familiar with another piece of technology. With using cameras comes the opportunity to incorporate creating power-points, video presentations, uploading and managing photos and organizing and categorizing; as age allows, let your student be a part of every learning opportunity that can come with a simple digital camera!

I LOVE technology!!

When I look at all the technology standards that are to be integrated with content standards it seems like alot to tackle (especially for a kindergarten class!). I do recognize however, that the sooner these skills are introduced and practiced in the classroom, the more the student will benefit from them.

Obviously the only way it would work for my class would be to have access to computers or a computer lab! Then incorporating manipulatives, the use of visual field trips, fun games and many other resources would be a creative way to enhance the lessons I am teaching and also meet the needs for teaching basic technology skills. In my lesson planning I will always look for ways to incorporate technology. There are endless possibilities! Lots of times kids are way ahead of the game when it comes to computers and the use of basic skills but there are always those children who have not had the same opportunities and they need to be taught.

Usually kids are fast learners so I don't think that any of the skills are too advanced. I know of two little boys (around 4 and 6) whose Grandpa helped them set up their own web sites! They put what they wanted on them and with Grandpa's help managed them! Time and resources will always be the key issue but I do feel that the kids are up for the challenge. I am excited at the possibilities that technology opens for teachers and students. With care and wisdom, technology can be used to enhance our learning and teaching. As in all things, even standards and technology can bring glory to our great God!

Just the Beginning...

"Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

~Psalm 103:1~

This is one of my favorite verses and it eloquently begins one of my favorite passages in the scriptures. Another verse goes on to remind us not to forget all the benefits the Lord has given to us. Praise the Lord for His goodness and for the opportunities He provides us to serve Him.

I am Bethany Friesen and one of the most current opportunities that the Lord has given to me personally has been the privilege of attending Appalachian Bible College. My emphasis is Elementary Education and I am excited to be learning how I can be an effective, properly equipped teacher for the glory of my God. My passion and hearts desire is to know JESUS and then to pass that passion on to kids I teach in a classroom. I would love to teach a Kindergarten class but love working with older kids as well. I firmly believe that kids are the most impressionable and moldable when they are young and I would love to be a part of instructing them not only academically but spiritually as well.
My Dad, his love for the Lord and for learning, has always been my example and inspiration to teach, to be excited about life and to live for Christ.
My TEACHERS through the years have always been a challenge and motivation to me!

I desire to be the best teacher that I can possibly be! I desire to motivate and inspire! I want to see my kids develop a passion for Christ and for learning. In our day and age I am excited about the resources we have at our fingertips to accomplish these goals! I plan to integrate what I learn about technology into my classroom... it seems there are no end to resources and tools! I especially desire to expose teachers on the mission field already to the resources they have available to them.

"Bless the Lord, ALL HIS WORKS, in all places of His dominion..."

~Psalm 103:32~

May Christ be glorified today in all we are learning and teaching!