Reflections:Week 15 & 16

SUMMERTIME!!! I just finished my last final today and it all feels surreal.. I was like YES, I'm done!! But in the back of my head felt like I had something else I had to do, that was to BLOG of course! So here are the last reflections from the semester..

Week 15

during week 15 we had our last advocacy assignmentwhich required us to make or find an online learning activity that would help others learn a little more about our advocacy topic. I found a fun little one at Kids Health. I also had totake everyone else's quiz. Some were a little challenging, but I did learn more about their topics.

Thursday of week 15 we allwent outside and just chatted. Everyonehad to opportunity to say soemthing they learned in class or how this class has helped them. Most people mentioned howthey take a second look at everything now and how it pertains to the environment, me included.

Week 16

This was finals week so we didnt meet in class, but we did have some blog posts due. I did the activities the day they were due and then posted right after that what scores I got.. I remember someone saying wehad to do that, but I didnt realized it was an eye opener. Now, this is the last thing due for the 08-09 year!!

I hope everyone did well on finals. Have a GREAT summer!!

Share and Voice: A Little Bit of Everything!!

I know we have the opportunity to reflect within our "reflectioin" posts, but I would like to use this time to take a look back at what we have done all semester and how much fun we had!!

Yesterday when we were sitting outside discussing what we learned/liked about this class everyone seemed to get something positive out of it. Serisouly, since I have been at school, on the last day of classes, I have never actually been sad about school being over.. Usually it's like YESSS SUMMER (which kicked in soon after) but taking a look around and knowing how much fun we all had, made me think of how much I'm truly gonna miss it!

Here are some highlights that I remember--

1) Spring has Sprung haha.. oh yes it did
2) Shar teaching class.. good job
3) Hating blogging... then finding myself on here more than facebook at times..
4) Tittie Tassels ( is this appropriate) I will change it if anyone thinks I should, But if Dr. V said, then its ok.
5) Youtube videos, I learned more about conjuction junction at that point then I did in elementary school. (Canadian schooling system, not as cool I guess)
6) Bagley Nature Walk--- Minus all the deer poop!
7) Derek Plante Texting in class and getting the "evil eye" from Dr.V
8) Sara J's Bluntness
9) Most of all getting to know the people in class.. I hope we are all able to stay in touch in one way or another, who knows maybe we will all run into eachother at some conference some day!

If you have any others, which I'm sure everyone does, lets share them and have a good laugh and trip down memory lane!

Thanks again!!

Eye Opener: Quiz Scores!!

I completed everyones online activities and enjoyed doing them!!

Jayme did one the quizzed the AQI colors, suprisingly, I scored an 85%.. same as Kevin!

Derek put together a quiz that was focused on clean water.. there was a lot of information to "study" haha I didnt put in my hours to go over all the material, thats probably why I only scored a 60%

Lastly, I checked out Kevins activity which was based on urban sprawl. It was a fun quiz as well.. i scored a 67%.. clearly I need to read up a little on this topic as well!!

Share and Voice: Recycled Clothing!! Eco-Fleece!!

HEY EVERYBODY!! haha how enthuastic was that!?! Guess I'm just getting excited how fast the time is winding down and how close it is to being summer!!!

Sooo.. a couple of weeks ago I got the change to visit Washington, DC. While I was there, we had some free time and of course I used to to go shopping. My all time favorite store here in the USA is Urban Outfitters ( we don't have one where I'm from in Canada :( While I was in there just browsing around I nocited lots of the clothes had a recycling label on the tags.

This is what it looks like..

"Seriously soft Alternative Apparel Eco fleece sweatshirt with topstitched detailing along the raglan sleeves, all made with earth-friendly eco-heather yarn. Imported."

I guess it's getting more popular and more stores are carrying this kind of material.. Here's a little more on urban outfitters!!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/urban_outfitter.php

This is just another thing that will be going on in your head everyday you go shopping.. How can I help the environement??

Advocacy Project: Online Learning Activity

The topic that my bill is related to is having more physical and health education provided within the schooling system. Also, the bill is suggesting that annual report cards as to the progress of the students in these 2 classes are given out to the parents. It was hard to find an activity that related to this, but I found something simple and fun that kids can work with. The worth website is a great resource.

The place to check out is Kids Health. There are lots of interesting information and can make learning about healthy living alittle more appealing to younger kids.

On this website there is a link Movies and Games which has some fun little games.

Once you are at the games link, they offer 4 different game: Halloween Candy Game, MIssion Nutrition, The Spelling Bee, and Time for Bed? Try them all out if you have the time.. I actually had a had time with the spelling bee!!

Take a look around the website too, if you have the time!!!

Here are some Informative sites about childhood obesity..

http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/22/606/FINALfactsandfigures2.pdf

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14310.php

http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=14314

Week 13& 14

Week 13

It's funny how every week I'm surprised how fast this semester is going. Now look at us.. a couple weeks left.. CRAZY!!

So this week we watched a video titled "storyof stuff". I found it really interesting, but at time I thought it was very bias. It was put into a chain that I have never thought of before, but also, I htink we need to take into consideration the things we "need". I agree, there is generally a better and environmentally freind way to go about things, but making the change is the hardest thing once your in a routine. Also, we had to post a blog from our advocacy project that was titled"issue overview:. This was interesting because we had to research our project and prepare ourselves for questions that might be against our topic.

If I ever chose to be an advocate, then I think ill have a good grasp on what it takes.

Week 14

On tuesday we had a speaker come and talk to us about what it'slike being a post graduate. It was really intriguing becuase we can relate on a personal basis with him. He is working for the school and had a lot of information on what he did. One thing that he mention that really caught my attention was that youreally have to be aware of what vocabulary you use when talking to the public.

My favorite part of the past 2 weeks occured when we had to repurpose "junk" that Dr.V had found. We actually came up with some original ideas. It was cool to see what the other groups thought of. My mom is into stuff like that, but I dont know if it's my thing. I dont think I'mthat creative haha.

Advocacy Project: Letter to a Public Official

TO: Congressman Keith Ellison
112 Longwoth building
Washington, D.C.
20515-2305
Phone: 612 522 1212

I am writing to inform you of a serious issue that is becoming the norm in our country today and I believe you have the voice to change it. That issue is childhood obesity and lack of physical/health education. H.R. 1585 "To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to Improve Standards for Physical Education" is a bill that, if passed, can help with this issue.

Having cut backs in physical and health edication classes is causing these kids to lose required daily physical activity. With obesity rates at it's high in the USA and continuing to grow, physical education is something that should be increasing in stead of decreasing.

The kids are our future and I believe that there is a problem within their health and wellness that can be fixed. Everyone would benefit from the passing of this bill. Physical and health education reports that would be sent home could easily benefit not only the children, but also their parents.

We don't have total control over our health. But, we do have methods and control over health issue that are preventable. If we attack this issue now, this is something I believe has the potential to make a turn in the a positive direction.

I urge you to vote YES on the Bill 1585 To amend the emementary and secondard education act of 1965 to imporve standards for physical education.

Thank you for your time,

Sara O'Toole