Final information

Technology requirements
1. concept map ("Wondering")
2. social bookmarking ("Wiggling")
3. electronic communication tool ("Wiggling")
4. productivity tool ("Waving")

Curriculum Connection
Grade 2: What Do We Do For Fun?
Indiana Academia Standard 2.3.7 in social studies reads: "Identify ways that recreational opportunities influence human activity in the community."  Second grade students could keep a written journal, similar to a blog, of a favorite way to play and have fun in the community.  The students could identify ways that the community supports the activity; the students could rate the community on how well it supports an activity; the students could create a final product that encourages others to participate in that activity.  Some other standards that could be met with this activity are:
English/Language Arts 2.5.6: Write for different purposes and to a specific audience or person.
Science 2.5.4: Begin to recognize and explain that people are more likely to believe ideas if good reasons are given for them.
English/Language Arts 2.2.4: Ask and respond to questions (when, who, where, why, what if, how) to aid comprehension about important elements of informational texts.

Grade 4: I'm a Responsible Citizen
Indiana Academic Standard 4.2.7 in social studies reads: "Use a variety of information resources to take a position or recommend a course of action on a public issue relating to Indiana’s past or present."  Fourth grade students could work in groups to research a public issue and create an action plan for citizens regarding that public issue.  Other standards that are met through this activity include:
Social Studies 4.2.6: Define and provide examples of civic virtues in a democracy.
English/Language Arts 4.5.3: Write or deliver a research report that has been developed using a systematic research process (defines the topic, gathers information, determines credibility, reports findings) and that:

• includes information from a variety of sources (books, technology, multimedia) and documents sources (titles and authors).
• demonstrates that information that has been gathered has been summarized.
• organizes information by categorizing it into multiple categories (such as solid, liquid, and gas or reduce, reuse, and recycle) or includes information gained through observation.

Personal Connection

My experience with inquiry before this project was always outside of a classroom setting, usually looking for information about personal things that seemed unimportant to everyone else in the world.  If I had a research assignment to do, I would try to figure out what the teacher expected me to know, pull together the necessary information, and create a quality written response.  There was little to no critical thinking involved in my process.  I didn't know "why" I was researching something, only that I had to do it.

Now I see that I am an active participant in the process; it matters if I'm involved in my research all the way up to and including the final product and reflection because these are life skills.  I've become more comfortable sharing my findings on all sorts of things with people, because now I understand that if I'm interested in knowing and understanding something, I'm probably not the only one.  I see the value to the students in using inquiry; they become a player in their own learning process, not a spectator watching from the sidelines.  It's been a valuable experience for me.  Thank you!

Wishing

I'm wishing...that I didn't get this tattoo.

Ha!  Just kidding.

My reflective questions are taken from the "Wishing" section of the S574 website by Dr. Annette Lamb.  Feel free to add your own answers to them in the "Comments" section.
1.  What are the strengths and weaknesses of my project?
2.  What would I do differently?
3.  How will I approach the next project?

I feel my final product is strong and that the video was a good way to explain the process and show the final result.  It seems that the text boxes were particularly helpful; thank you for your encouraging comments!  Carol Collier Kuhlthau's research process stresses the significance of  reflecting on "use of time;" I believe that the timing of each post gave me room to enjoy the process and not feel rushed to "get it all done."  It would be difficult to complete this project without regular blog updates, and I'm grateful for the format for helping me stay on task.  However, my blog posts tended to be heavy on my feelings and light on published research.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to go back and comment on my posts to support my opinions and ideas with research; without that opportunity, my posts would definitely be a weak spot in the project. 

If I could do the project again, I would include more research in my blog posts the first time around.   If I were to do the video again, I would probably add more detailed text to it, especially since it is on YouTube, and there is the possibility that people outside of class will view it.  I learned that although visuals and music speak to me, they are not enough for everyone to truly grasp the information presented in the final product.  I have to be able to show others what I've learned; it's not all about me!

I will approach the next project with the understanding that it's okay to take my time in choosing a topic.  I'm so glad I chose this one, but it would be worth a post or two of daydreaming before deciding on something.  I will also try to focus on what future projects mean to me; even if the topic isn't something that knocks my socks off, I can try to find something within the topic that speaks to me and go from there.

Ultimately, I've found that reflection does not exist solely in this post; the entire blogging process is about reflection.  I've had a chance to reflect as I write my postings, when I respond to comments, and when I add my own comments to support my original posts.  Blogging supported my process at every step, not just with the final product, and allowed me to fully appreciate each step of the research process.

Waving - Over Here, Over Here!

I have finished my movie and uploaded it to YouTube.  It can be found at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5uNka6hcsA

I chose to use images from my research, photos from my tattoo appointment, and my own writing to create my final project on Windows Movie Maker.  I have always uploaded my movies to YouTube for two reasons: it's easier for me to give the URL and let viewers find the video than to try and upload it to OnCourse; and I can make the YouTube video public so other people, outside of class, can view and use it.  This time, I have a better understanding of tags, thanks to our social bookmarking lesson, so I tried to choose tags that will make the video easier to find if someone is looking for information on tattoos or for my previous video uploads.

I am reviewing my communication tool with the following four criteria:

Purpose - I was looking to inform and entertain without two-way communication between myself and my audience.  The blog already provides the opportunity to communicate via the comments tool.
Channels - again, YouTube allows the convenience of simply giving a URL to my audience, and others beyond my classmates can view the final product.  I can also share the URL via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
Format - I found the visual images of my research to be compelling, and I chose a format that would incorporate them.  After I finished the first draft of my movie, I realized that I needed to write text screens before some of the photos to give a better explanation of my project, as well as to give additional information about the images.  I feel that the final product is more appropriate for the format; music helps the viewer better understand my interpretation of the images.
Sharing - the YouTube URL is on my blog; I put my blog address on the YouTube site so viewers can get further information.

Thoughts?  Impressions?  Feedback?

Wrapping

I did it!  I got my tattoo last night!  And all I can say is...ouch.

I've never had one done on my foot before.  Megan said, "Are you ready?" and started her work and I thought I was going to come up off the table.  Wow. 

If you've never had a tattoo, it hurts, but it's bearable.  Some people have said it feels like a bee sting.  I can't really think of something to compare it to, but last night we were comparing it to laser hair removal and I think the tattoo was WAY more painful.  I was also afraid that the pain would make me involuntarily kick Megan in the face - not a good thing.

It took about 30 minutes and I survived, and I'm so pleased!  Now it's time to wrap my research up and create a product for you all to enjoy!

I've been thinking of my audience (small but supportive) and the best way to show what I've seen and what I've done.  I was thinking about shooting a video, but I didn't have a video camera and I was afraid that the noise might gross some people out.  I had a support person, my future sister-in-law Becca, there, and she took photos with her smartphone.  I also have a lot of images from my research that I would like to share, so a PowerPoint presentation would work. 

I checked out the list of possibilities under the "Wrapping" section of our class site, and these might work too:

Newscast: it would be funny to film a "report" on my tattoo experience!
Puppets: hmmm...it would be less painful on the puppet!
Scrapbook: a way to combine words and images along with graphics and details.

I would like the finished product to be more than just slides, so I think I am going to combine the photos, research images, and music to create a short movie on Windows Movie Maker.  I used the program last semester to make book trailers for S571, and I find it to be easy to use now that I've had some practice. The program offers a way to storyboard the images before publishing anything, so I have my "planning tools" and models and examples from my previous creations.  I have images from my research accessible through Delicious, and I have music and images from the booktrailers already saved on my computer.

Any other suggestions for project ideas?

Weaving

Before I began synthesizing my research, one of my book requests came through from the public library.  Pele and the Rivers of Fire is a picture book about the legend of Pele by Michael Nordenstrom.  It has some beautiful illustrations, but nothing that jumped out at me.  He paints paper and then cuts it into shapes to create the illustrations, and the style doesn't mesh with my image of the tattoo I want.  So, it's a beautiful book, but not part of this project.

After reading my friends' Facebook posts about where to put a tattoo, as well as talking with my partner, who knows me AND has five tattoos of her own, I've decided to put the tattoo on the top of my right foot.  I want to be able to see it, and if it's on my back, I won't be able to see it at all.  I'm choosing my right foot because I have a tattoo on my left shoulder blade, and so in my mind there will be some sense of balance.

So what will I be looking at?  After reviewing my research, my two favorites are:

The red lehua flower (can be viewed at http://www.lehuaukulele.com/lehua_flower.html )
Tribal flames (can be viewed at http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/321/1/1/how-to-draw-tribal-flames.htm )

After further consideration, I settled on the red lehua.  I plan on taking the illustration at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/hpd/images/lehua.gif with me as well as a color image of the flower.  I've made an appointment tomorrow with Megan at Metamorphosis - wish me luck!

Wiggling

I went through my "Wiggling" stage several days ago as I pondered gathering my research and using it to find SOMETHING that would make an appropriate and meaningful tattoo.  I thought about continuing my research but postponing the tattoo, or just picking a new topic and rushing through to finish the assignment by the 14th.

I'm such a cliché. 

I can see why "Wiggling" is such a challenging stage; the research feels overwhelming, as if the answers are buried deep in the information and it will take YEARS to find it...and I just don't have that kind of time.

But yesterday, I was able to find a number of helpful websites and bookmark them with the tags "Pele," "blog," and "tattoo."  You can take a look at the bookmarks at http://www.delicious.com/kathryn_o.

I watched a DVD called "Curse of the Goddess Pele," an A&E documentary about Pele and her legend.  There were some amazing illustrations; I was particularly taken with a painting of open palms with flames inside.  The DVD is available through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library with a valid library card. 

I posted this question on Facebook: "FB friends with tattoos - where is the best place on your body to get a tattoo, in your opinion? FB friends without tattoos - if you were going to get one, where would you put it?"  Some responses:

"On your back - won't stretch if your body changes (weight gain/loss, pregnancy, etc) and you can hide it or show it as you choose. Mine is on my shoulderblade." - Amy
"You know, say what you will but I love mine on my lower back. Also the tops of feet are good as well. That way they only show if you want them too." - Elizabeth
"Upper left shoulder - where I know it is, but concealed to the professional world (existing) - - next one - going to go for it and get the one I've always wanted on my ankle in the shape of a bracelet with a continuous pattern of all the things that make me Jojo - - still putting together the design and the guts to get it done!" - Jo
"On my forehead! That's why I don't have one." - Anne

Interesting that only women responded; maybe that's another research project...

Now I have my research...time to "weave" it together!

Webbing

Why Pele?

Good question.

About a year ago, I was teaching first grade in my own classroom for the first time.  I had always been an assistant teacher (except for the 6 years I spent as a stay-at-home mom).  It wasn't going well.  I remarked to a group of beloved friends that I felt like I was on a train that was flying down a track, without an engineer.  I wanted to be the engineer.  I wanted to drive the train.

My friends suggested I research the goddess Pele, who is known for her destructive powers that bring forth new life.  Within a month of that suggestion, I was told my teaching contract would not be renewed.  My dream of a successful teaching career was gone.  Complete destruction.

But now, I'm studying to be a librarian and loving every minute of it.  I'm making ends meet.  I'm driving the train.  New life, brought forth from the destruction of the old one. 

And as my year with Pele comes to an end, I want a visual reminder of her power.  Her ability, according to a dear friend, to cut away what is not needed anymore.  A reminder that I have thrived in the midst of loss.

So, what sources will I be studying?

My Facebook post garnered some responses, so I will be looking at those for anything that is helpful.
I borrowed a DVD from my local library about the history of Pele and Hawaiian culture.
I will be Googling "Pele goddess" and finding web sites that offer information and illustrations of Pele.
I will be perusing Google Images for other illustrations of "Pele goddess."
I have requested books from the library about the goddess Pele, but I won't be able to use them if they aren't available soon.
I will be looking over research from the past year to give me additional information.

I hope to make a pathfinder of my sources. I also have to call Metamorphosis and find out if my fiancee's tattoo artist is available, and if she needs to do a consultation before she does the tattoo.  I also need to find out the cost.

Onward!