Common Sense Media

Through the research I've done to create curricula for the K-8 computer classes, I've stumbled upon some really great websites.  One is Common Sense Media.  There are exhaustive archives of lessons to teach children about safety on the Internet, good searching practices, digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and much more.  There are also helpful tools for parents, such as movie, book, and video game reviews and advice on such topics as consumerism and family media management.  Take some time to look it over! 

Class Prayer

Miss Curtin was a beloved teacher at St. Paul.  What many students might remember best about her was the prayer she recited with the children at the beginning of each class.  I wanted to continue the tradition of beginning our computer class with prayer, but composed my own, simple prayer to recite.

Gracious God,
Thank you for this time, this place, and these friends.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion of my work today.
May we use this technology to better serve one another, and You.
Amen

What kinds of things would you include if you wrote your own prayer for computer class?  Should we add anything?  Remove anything?  We'll talk about it this week in class.

Class Rules

My job as a Catholic educator is primarily to help my students experience God's love through a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  While we may be working with some of the most advanced educational technology the world has to offer, my focus will be on my students' faith formation and spiritual development. 

I've developed a set of class rules that reflects my mission as an educator.  These are not only my rules, but God's rules.  Each rule is matched with a verse from the Bible.  I hope that the rules in my classroom might mirror the rules that my students' familes have set up in their own homes.  

The rules are as follows:

1. Give thanks for everything.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)

2. Use kind words and a pleasant tone.
"Let your words always be full of grace." (Colossians 4:6)

3. Obey those in authority. 
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans  13:1)

4. Make good choices. 
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  (Philippians 4:8)

5. Offer to help whenever you can.
"When you are kind to others, you help yourself." (Proverbs 11:17)

6. Tell the truth.
"Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool."  (Proverbs 19:1)

7.  Be forgiving when wronged and ask for forgiveness.
"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." (Luke 11:4)

I'm a blogger!

I'm trying something new!  After our teacher in-service meetings this week, I've decided to try using a blog in my class to organize each class I'm teaching in the computer lab this year.  I hope you find it well-organized and easy to use.