Monday, August 3, 2009

Weight Loss Journal # 4

It's been a little frustrating this past week, because I was feeling a bit under the weather I was unable to get to the gym -- I thought sure I had gained so I went to Dairy Queen last night and had a small Tagalong blizzard....yummmmmmmmmmm! If you haven't tried it try it soon!

I came to work with the attitude that I had gained weight as well, but I actually lost weight -- weighed in at 155.8! I have lost a total of 24.2 pounds -- 10.8 pounds to goal weight!!

I am back in the gym this week - maybe I'll see you there!!!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Weight Loss Journey (#3)

It's Monday -- weighed in 156.2 pounds down 1.4 lbs. this week!! Only eleven more pounds to goal weight! I'm back at the gym walking and exercising on the cross trainer. I have noticed that I police myself better weighing in on Monday, I tend not to over eat on the weekend. The next month is going to be stressful - getting Elizabeth ready to move to Wheeling! Keep us in your prayers - I am going to need all the support I can get.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Weight Loss Journey (Entry #2)

I went to the gym last night and walked for ONE hour (3 miles), then I went home and had dinner which consisted of one egg, one egg white and toast! The walking was not too bad but I did have a little numbness in my right leg!

I start therapy for my back today, hopefully will get to go to the gym tonight! We will be having "mustgo" for dinner, so cleanup should be easy! (for those of you who don't know "mustgo" is what a co-worker calls leftovers "everything must go"!)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Weight Loss Journey

I began my weight loss journey back in January 2009 when we started a biggest loser contest at work. The Biggest Loser Contest was a fundraiser for Relay for Life!.

In January I weighed in at a whopping 180 pounds! The first 10 pounds was easy to lose but I had to add some exercise. I joined TWC in March along with my son (who is my motivator) and began losing even more.

I also follow the Weight Watchers program online and it is great, I would recommend it to everyone.

In April when the contest ended we decided to give it another try, here we are in July starting a brand new Biggest Loser Contest.

On Monday I weighed 157.6, I am so close to my goal of 145 pounds but I had a back injury a week ago and have not been able to get to the gym. However, by following the WW plan, I have been able to lose and/or maintain.

I begin Physical Therapy tomorrow and will be back at TWC tonight.

Wendy Hottle posted a Weight Loss Blog on FB and I thought it would be a good idea if I share my journey with my friends and family.

I welcome and thoughts and ideas to make this last 12.6 pounds easier to lose.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WebQuest

My Webquest is complete! I really thought this project was going to be hard, but once I started it I loved it! It's my creation - something I may even use in the classroom at some point!

Please see the previous post for the link, if you would like to see it!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

WebQuest

I have began my webquest -- my topic is Exploring West Virginia! In this webquest students will be asked to take a trip and explore the many wonders that West Virginia has to offer. It is still a work in progress, but if you would like to take a look please click on the link.

Thinkfinity

The instructor showed a website which is Thinkfinity. We will be able to access this to find ideas for lesson plans, worksheets, web games, etc....

WebQuest

Today we searched for a webquest that we may be able to use. I chose exploring Spain and planning a trip to Spain. Follow the link to the webquest on Spain.

Millionairre

We have been learning new ways to make instructing students fun! Another game that we have been playing with is Millionaire. It is a work in progress right now but you can view it on Akins Alley

Monday, April 20, 2009

Quiz

We learned how to create a quiz in google docs. This tool will come in handy when I am in the classroom

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Today we created a google calendar I also have embedded it below.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Jeapardy / Web Page

Today I learned how to set up a jeapardy game that I can use in my classroom as a review tool for my students. I really liked this exercise because I believe that learning should be fun! To view this game (which is still a work in progress) please visit my webpage below.

I also created my own web page, I called it (for lack of a better title) Akins Alley! I always thought that this would be a difficult task, but it actually isn't as difficult as you may think.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Power Point Presentation

I have found my powerpoint presentation on the web, I have downloaded and saved it as a webpage, a show, a pdf file and a presentation.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Peer Evaluation

I am just now finishing my peer evaluation - sorry Mackenzie!
My daughter had surgery on Tuesday and we were not allowed to do any peer evaluations until Tuesday! I was a little busy at the hosptal!!
This evaluation was interesting - I was honest but not too critical!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Pod Cast

Jennifer and I worked on our pod cast project together. I used my previous lesson plan to create a script and we orated it together to complete our pod cast.

I have to admit I was nervous about this assignment, but after it was complete I was amazed at the possibilities this technology opens up! I think this could be utilized in so many ways, my mind is racing right now with the potential uses.

This tool will help the teacher meet some areas of the West Virginia Content Standards regarding technology as well.

I really had fun with this project!

The second part of this assignment was to create a lesson plan integrating the pod cast into the lesson! Here is a link to my lesson plan. Unfortunately, I do not have the activity, assessment and the rubric finished but I will finish them this week.

Photo Shop

The photo I chose for this project was one that was taken at my nephew's First Birthday party! I really love the picture, but hate the crows feet that are so visible around my eyes. I used photoshop to touch up the area around my eyes and to decorate the picture with some balloons.

This is a really awesome program, I am an amateur photography and always wanted to learn how to touch up my own photos. This will be a tool that I use in and out of the classroom.


I believe I could use this for pictures taken of my students while they are working on projects and on field trips.

Thanks for showing me this wonderful tool.


BEFORE

AFTER

Monday, March 2, 2009

Lesson Plan

My lesson plan is entitled West Virginia Regions, my area of specialization is Social Studies so I thought this would be appropriate. The lesson I prepared deals with West Virginia and the regions within the state.

This lesson shows my knowledge of different learning styles as described in INTASC standard three. If I stood in class and lectured about the regions half of the class would probably zone out 20 minutes into the lesson. The Power Point project allows them to research and apply what they have learned.

I also used a example power point to let the students know what I was looking for in a project.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Crappy Graphics

I am finished with my crappy graphic, it is very simple but I do believe that it serves the purpose for this activity. I believe that this would be a simple way for students to learn to create simple graphics, however some of the content on the site would be inappropriate for them.

Techonology is a big part of the 21st century learning that has been adopted by the West Virginia Department of Education. In my opinion our children are behind when it comes to technology, although it has seemed to improve in the last 5-10 years.










Saturday, February 14, 2009

Charts & Graphs

The charts and graphs was a good project, I have learned alot about interpreting and building a graph for someone else to interpret.

I chose Kids Zone to complete my project and it is really easy! Thanks for suggesting it Mr. Pierce.

Check the site out for all your charts and graphs!

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/classic/


It looks to me like West Virginia is below the national average. However I believe we are keeping up quite nicely.

These charts and graphs were difficult for me, but I learned alot with the help of a classmate.

This type of visual aid is an important tool that can be used in and out of the classroom by the teacher and the students.



I have also included the bar chart with the IEP data below, West Virginia seems to be in the lead as far as Individual Education Plans are concerned. We have the highest percentage per capita than the next poorest states of Arkansas, Utah and Mississippi.



Thursday, February 12, 2009

Graphics

Ok, finally after some help I was able to finish my graphic in PAINT (which I do not like)!



I downloaded a picture form the World Wide Web, revised it in Paint and then saved it into Powerpoint. I then saved this as a JPEG file and added it to my blog!



I believe using graphics is a great tool, one which will help in the classroom.

I am a firm believer that some student and adults may learn more by using this method of teaching than the use of just text.



If I am creative in the way that I teach, then my students will learn to be creative!



Enjoy!










Sunday, February 8, 2009

Foggy Morning

I began my day at 5:45 a.m today since I had to be at work by 7:00 a.m. The drive to work was horrible ---- the fog was so thick I could see better without lights on than with them on. The fog makes me so nervous I want to throw up - there is nothing worse than not knowing where you are going.



Anyway I read the homework assignment on Dale's Cone of Experience and I have attached my thoughts.

ftp://studentsftp.fairmontstate.edu/Dale's%20Cone%20of%20Experience.doc


Have a great day! See you all on Tuesday!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

My Photo Story

I have finished my photo story have a look!


Thursday, February 5, 2009

Resume

I have had a rough week, I have been home in bed with a (sinus) bacterial infection. I have in between sleeping worked on my homework. I finished my resume this morning, if you would like to view it please go to this site http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg9pf275_0gtmjbrdv&hl=en.

I am hoping to be back on my feet next week. I want to thank everyone who has sent me my assignments...........I really appreciate it!!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My name is Donna Akins, I live in Hendricks, West Virginia in beautiful Tucker County.
I have been married to a wonderful man, for the past eighteen years, we have two wonderful children. Elizabeth is 17 years old and is a Senior at Tucker County High School, Nicholas is 13 years old and attends Tucker Valley Middle School. My children are active in sports as well as their academics. My husband Kenny is a the Institutional Magistrate at Huttonsville Correctional Center in Huttonsville, West Virginia. I also work in the correctional setting at Davis Juvenile Correctional Center in Davis, West Virginia.

In my spare time I attend Fairmont State University as junior majoring in Education with the specialization of Social Studies. I completed most of my classes via online and off-campus sites but now attend on-campus twice a week. I have 47 hours and my student teaching to complete my degree!

My life is hectic right now, but in the end I know it will be worth it!