Blogging in my Classroom

I am very new to this blogging experience, but have enjoyed it so far. I think using a blog in a science classroom can be great for data collection and analysis. Students can post their data and share it with the class. It is then easily accessible for most students and also allows me to monitor. The blog also creates a communal sense and creates a place where students can go online to safely post thoughts, assignments, and data. This forces them to interact under a monitored source. I believe that by using a blog and having students post and read each others' posts, it makes them feel important and makes them feel as if their input is needed and imperative. A blog is also an easy way to reach all students in one shot. It could be used to relay information to groups or all students for announcements, assignments, and/or data and information. 

I am excited to learn more about blogging and what else I can do with it. Tools like this can be implemented in classrooms if used well. 

Learner Analysis: Will Smith, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will Smith is a high school aged young man who lives in Bel-Air, California with his well-off aunt and uncle. He originally comes from Philadelphia, before his mother decided he would live a better life if he got away from street fights and gangs. With his mother, he lived in a poor area but has had to make a huge adjustment to living life lavishly with his new family who is quite rich. He has become very close to his uncle and two of the kids, he considers them like siblings and his uncle as a father figure. Will's enjoys hanging out with friends; friendly competition between him and his cousin Carlton, who he treats as a brother; and protecting his sister Ashley.
In school, Will acts as the "cool kid" who is too cool for school and is just there for the ladies and popularity. Though in class he is curious and participant, he is easily distracted and does not always take things seriously. I believe this "coolness" is a cover up for his curiosity to learn and is afraid looking smart will make him not fit in. He is distracting to others but can excel if he applies himself to his own work. He scored very well on his SAT and got a scholarship to Princeton but turned it down. He does not show off his academic success to his peers but is very proud to show his uncle and family members. Will's enjoys hanging out with friends; friendly competition between him and his cousin Carlton, who he treats as a brother; and protecting his sister Ashley. Will is academically ready for college by the end of high school, but he struggles with maturity and procrastination. Graduation approaches and he is behind in music class by 10 hours and has to make it all up last minute. He decides to go to college with his cousin and they room together, which should help Will stay on track with Carlton being very type-A and serious about school. Will is very smart and could excel in school with a little guidance and reminders to stay serious about his studies.
This information was gathered from a Wikipedia website and a Wikia website. Below is a video clip showing Will in the classroom. He is engaged, determined, and actively participating but still trying to stay cool through it all.

All About Me! (Round 2)

Enjoy a video of my horse, Premier, and I performing our winning ride at a horse show. This score qualified us for the championship round!

All About Me!

Hello! I am Emily Siriano and I am finishing my 6th year at GVSU. I am currently teacher assisting at Union High School in Grand Rapids in Anatomy & Physiology and Honors Biology classes. I had a great first day of school and am excited for the rest of the semester! My major is earth science with minors in biology and chemistry. I have also completed the coursework for the secondary integrated science endorsement. After graduation, I will be certified to teach in any science classroom for grades 6-12. My favorite subjects are weather, geology, and anatomy. Before attending GVSU, I spent the summer at Midwest Horseshoeing School and recieved my certificate in farrier work and horseshoeing. I shoe/trim horse hooves as a side job on the weekends. 


In my summers I enjoy riding and competing my horses, Jewel and Premier. I also have 2 other horses, Peanut and Crow. I have been riding horses since I was 5 and have loved it ever since. I grew up in 4-H from ages 7-20 and then was a part of my middle and high school equestrian teams. Now I coach the Cityside Middle School equestrian team and assistant coach the Zeeland East High School equestrian team. 



I enjoy anything that involves the outdoors! I love the night sky when it's clear, being able to find stars, constellations, and planets. I enjoy kayaking and some day will kayak at Pictured Rocks. Camping is also fun, I spend a lot of nights in my tent at horse shows while my horse sleeps in the cozy barn! (backwards, I know) I also love to go hiking with my dog, whether it is close to home or in another state.

I live in Zeeland, Michigan with my mom and 3 younger brothers. My oldest brother, Luke, is 20 and attends GRCC for both welding and tool and die.  Seth is 16 and is a sophomore and Caden is 10 years old and in 5th grade. The year I started college was the year Caden started Kindergarden, having him look up to me throughout my entire college career has been a great motivator.