What is your name?
Kena Harrison
How long have you been teaching?
13 years
How long have you been at the Academy?
11 years
Where did you go to school?
Raytown High School, Thomason College, Regis University, University of Montana, University of Wyoming, Mississippi State, Mizzou...I'll just stop there
Why did you go into education?
I had small children at home and wanted the holidays
What subjects do you teach?
Ancient diseases, physical science, biology, newsletter, field study, enviormental science, earth and space science, forensics..
What is your favorite color?
I don't really have one
Kids? Do they or any other family members go to Lindbergh?
Two of them have already graduated from Lindbergh, youngest goes to Crestwood Elementary
Any special activities you sponsor?
various field trips
Do you like teaching and why?
I like teaching because I like learning. Everyday is different. It's fun
What are your hobbies?
Spending time with family, hiking, travel, camping...
Who was your favorite teacher in school?
Ms. Quinlin for journalism. She was very blunt, straightforward, and down to earth
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Skit About Peace
This video demonstrates the character pillar of Peace, which is relating calmly and cooperatively with others.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Halloween Spirit
Halloween originated as a Celtic holiday known as Samhain, a celebration for the end of harvest season, where costumes were worn to mimic the spirits. Halloween is the shortened name of All Hallows Eve, the night before All Hallows Day which is also known as All Saint’s Day. Halloween did not become a holiday in the United States until the 19th century. Now, Halloween is the second most popular holiday in America next to Christmas. Americans spend about 4 million dollars on costumes every year.
Here at the Academy, Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday, so we decided to take a few interviews just to see how familiar students were with the traditions. In the three interviews we conducted, none of the students could say that they knew the history of Halloween. When asked if these students still went trick or treating, we were surprised to find out that one of the three students still participated in the tradition. Many students say they will be attending haunted houses this year; it seems like a popular activity for Academy students.
There are some very creative costume ideas here such as poison ivy, storybook characters, fairies, and other unique costumes. Many kids have plans for Halloween that have been traditions in their families for years. Others just plan to party and have fun. Many kids these days say that they don’t go trick or treating because they are too old. Others say if they can still dress up and do it, they will to get free candy. That’s the spirit!
Here at the Academy, Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday, so we decided to take a few interviews just to see how familiar students were with the traditions. In the three interviews we conducted, none of the students could say that they knew the history of Halloween. When asked if these students still went trick or treating, we were surprised to find out that one of the three students still participated in the tradition. Many students say they will be attending haunted houses this year; it seems like a popular activity for Academy students.
There are some very creative costume ideas here such as poison ivy, storybook characters, fairies, and other unique costumes. Many kids have plans for Halloween that have been traditions in their families for years. Others just plan to party and have fun. Many kids these days say that they don’t go trick or treating because they are too old. Others say if they can still dress up and do it, they will to get free candy. That’s the spirit!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Technology in the classroom
The Lindbergh Academy 1-to-1 program is all about technology. Each student is assigned a laptop that they are responsible for throughout the school day. So far it’s safe to say that the students love it, but we’ve decided that we needed a teacher to voice their opinion on the subject, too. We sat down and talked to Bryan Hilton, a teacher of many different things here at the Academy. When asked what the advantages of having laptops in class were, he told us, “It gives students better access to resources online so they can have the opportunity to do more dynamic assignments.”
So far this year, Mr. Hilton’s classes have used things like Microsoft Publisher, Photo Story, Audacity, Moodle and Voicethread to help get things going inside the classroom.
“Basically, if it can fit in the class somehow, we’ll see how it works", said Hilton.
Some people might take a look at all of this technology and think that it would just make things more confusing, when in fact it does the exact opposite. When asked about the productivity in his classrooms, Mr. Hilton explained to us why all this technology really does help: “I think students are much more willing to do assignments that are interactive, say web-based and things of that nature, rather than just worksheet after worksheet after worksheet.”
Moodle is one of the most widespread programs that is used at the Academy. Every student and every teacher has an account on Moodle so they can interact with each other in a more efficient manner. Moodle is what students use to download their assignments and then turn them in when they’ve been completed.
“I think it’s great for the teachers and the students. I can honestly say that we have not had one lost assignment since we’ve gone to the Moodle, which is great.”
As we progress through the school year, we’ll be interviewing even more students and teachers just to get a broader look at how things are done at the Academy. We thank everybody we’ve interviewed so far for their time. Stay tuned to stay updated!
So far this year, Mr. Hilton’s classes have used things like Microsoft Publisher, Photo Story, Audacity, Moodle and Voicethread to help get things going inside the classroom.
“Basically, if it can fit in the class somehow, we’ll see how it works", said Hilton.
Some people might take a look at all of this technology and think that it would just make things more confusing, when in fact it does the exact opposite. When asked about the productivity in his classrooms, Mr. Hilton explained to us why all this technology really does help: “I think students are much more willing to do assignments that are interactive, say web-based and things of that nature, rather than just worksheet after worksheet after worksheet.”
Moodle is one of the most widespread programs that is used at the Academy. Every student and every teacher has an account on Moodle so they can interact with each other in a more efficient manner. Moodle is what students use to download their assignments and then turn them in when they’ve been completed.
“I think it’s great for the teachers and the students. I can honestly say that we have not had one lost assignment since we’ve gone to the Moodle, which is great.”
As we progress through the school year, we’ll be interviewing even more students and teachers just to get a broader look at how things are done at the Academy. We thank everybody we’ve interviewed so far for their time. Stay tuned to stay updated!
Service Learning and Coach Erwin
Here at the Lindbergh Academy, all the students learn the value of doing work for the community. Last year, eight hours of community service every quarter was required. This year the Lindbergh Academy is doing something different. Instead of community service the Lindbergh Academy is doing service learning. Every teacher will be involved with a different type of service learning. Mr. Erwin, a teacher here at the Academy, was interviewed.
Mr. Erwin’s weight training class service learning project is focused on “performing a meaningful service to the school as well as giving the students better understanding of strength training principals.” There are about 30 students working on this project and they are hoping to have it done by the end of the semester. Mr. Erwin, like many of the other teachers, believes that the students will get more out of the service learning than they did community service. “Service learning is more meaningful and will reinforce what they are already learning in class.”
Mr. Erwin and his students are working on brainstorming ideas for quality service learning projects. When asked if he believed that service learning would be more successful than community service, he said, “I think it will ultimately help them see how what they learn in school is used out in the real world”
In conclusion to this I think its safe to say that everyone has high hopes for service learning, and that every one believes the students will be more successful and benefit more from these projects.
Mr. Erwin’s weight training class service learning project is focused on “performing a meaningful service to the school as well as giving the students better understanding of strength training principals.” There are about 30 students working on this project and they are hoping to have it done by the end of the semester. Mr. Erwin, like many of the other teachers, believes that the students will get more out of the service learning than they did community service. “Service learning is more meaningful and will reinforce what they are already learning in class.”
Mr. Erwin and his students are working on brainstorming ideas for quality service learning projects. When asked if he believed that service learning would be more successful than community service, he said, “I think it will ultimately help them see how what they learn in school is used out in the real world”
In conclusion to this I think its safe to say that everyone has high hopes for service learning, and that every one believes the students will be more successful and benefit more from these projects.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Learning Beyond School
Ronald McDonald House out of St. Johns
At Lindbergh Academy the students are asked to complete a service learning project per semester. Service learning is a great opportunity to build our character and help the community at the same time. There are many opportunities for service learning this semester for the students. One project consists of updating a bulletin board about reading, with a group of students in charge of keeping it up. There will be news, book releases, and previews about books students might be interested in reading.
Another event going on in October is the Walk for Autism. It is a charity event in which groups will raise money for autism by walking a route in Forest Park. Thousands of people come each year and there are many great sponsors. It is a wonderful event to attend.
In Mrs. Kuhlo’s art classes the students are making games and taking them to St. John's Hospital for kids to play with. St. John's is designing a part of the hospital just for children. The games will be available for children to play with who are confined in their room recovering and can not get around the hospital. These are just a few of the service learning projects taking place at the Academy this semester.
Another event going on in October is the Walk for Autism. It is a charity event in which groups will raise money for autism by walking a route in Forest Park. Thousands of people come each year and there are many great sponsors. It is a wonderful event to attend.
In Mrs. Kuhlo’s art classes the students are making games and taking them to St. John's Hospital for kids to play with. St. John's is designing a part of the hospital just for children. The games will be available for children to play with who are confined in their room recovering and can not get around the hospital. These are just a few of the service learning projects taking place at the Academy this semester.
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