It's all about stepping out of my comfort zone....

Photo by Kathy Kellen

I didn't want to do it.....I didn't think I could....I was allowing fear to make me feel physically ill....but before I knew it I was with my husband 800 feet above the boat we'd been riding on and looking down at the Gulf of Mexico (ok so I still was holding onto the straps with a death grip!) and when we returned to the boat I really felt proud that I had taken that step out of my comfort zone!

My Full Sail journey has resembled this experience at times. Often the anticipation of a new course has had me questioning my abilities and produced stress and fear of the unknown. Yet each month I have taken a deep breath, accepted encouragement from friends and step by step I have learned, experienced and grown....out of my comfort zone!

Discovering Notes on the Treble Clef Staff...completed Flash project

Here is the URL for my completed Flash Tutorial lesson. I plan to use this with my second graders after we return from Spring Break! This was a challenging but very fun experience for me this month!

DISCOVERING NOTES on the TREBLE CLEF STAFF
http://web.me.com/kathykellen/Flash/kathy_kellen_DAE_application_complete.html

Reflection: Nearing the halfway point

Photo by Kathy Kellen

I had an interesting experience last evening, and as I woke up this morning still thinking about it, I realized it was interesting in a way other than I had originally thought....
I had spent time with a friend who I've been close to for 25 years....not remarkable in itself, but in the past six months our relationship has been a bit strained. She has made comments about missing me and knowing that I am "off limits" until I graduate in October...and although I have assured her that I am not "off limits" and just to call me, any recent contact has been initiated by me. I had the thought yesterday when I knew we'd be together that perhaps it would be good to share some of my fso projects with her to give some insight as to why all of this is so important to me.
Happily, I can say that this proved to be true! She was very excited about the projects I showed her, and I think now her "support" will be more informed and genuine. I definitely learned from this experience!

As for the other interesting aspect...
looking through my program portfolio site, watching my videos, viewing my projects, remembering group work, even reliving in my mind some of the frustrations caused by my internet connection problems (oh, I wasn't parachuting from the Eiffel Tower in Second Life like the rest of my group....my internet had me stuck in the elevator!!! and Skype conference calls where I was disconnected and felt alone...) all of these things have shaped who I am as an EMDT grad student to this halfway point.
It is important for me to remember that it took me SEVEN hours to put that final project in MLT together, and how much less time it took in ETC...to think of the the connections that have been built and continue with course directors, not to mention the amazing closeness that has enriched my life unbelievably with my "inner circle" classmate friends!

Looking back along the path I've walked the past six months, and knowing the path lies before me for another six months....
this is the truly amazing and valuable part of reflections and a vital part of my journey...

Who knew???

Who knew that a Treble clef would be so difficult to draw in Flash????

Tempo Unit Intro for 2nd graders is a hit!

Photo by Kathy Kellen

I showed my second graders this unit introduction this past week, and they LOVED it! With the first class, as I played the video I heard "that sounds like Mrs. Kellen" and then to me "that sounds like you"! What was even funnier was when they'd look back at me to see if I was talking.... I also showed them the new improved version of the Rhythm intro and was thrilled to hear them commenting on each point "we did that! yes! Oh! We JUST did that".... I decided then and there that showing the video again at the end of the unit is a good idea to reinforce the concepts we just worked on! I love learning from my students and finding new ways to make my teaching more effective!