Zoe’s ePortfolio – Page 3 – Welcome to my adventure in becoming a teacher!

Blog Post #3

On March 10, 2021

I have been practicing Joy to the World for about a week almost every day now and I am finding this song to be rather difficult. The thing I am struggling most with is trying to strum at the same pace as my singing. It is very difficult to focus on strumming while I am singing the lyrics so I find myself singing the lyrics rather fast while focussing mostly on the strumming pattern. I am also finding it quite difficult to switch from G major to C major, from C major to F major, and from F major to G major. Because of this, I find myself getting offbeat a little bit and slowing down. I do not deem this to be the major issue of my playing though, it just will not be perfect. Overall, I am pretty proud of myself for my improvement because I can now play the whole song even though it may be a bit slow.

I am adding onto this post the day before the midterm is due to say I have seen some minor improvements in the past week on playing “Joy to the World”, although I am not completely confident that my playing is what I had anticipated in my goals. However, I am still quite proud of myself for spending a lot of time trying to complete this song and I know I have tried my best.

Overall, this experience so far has been great and it is nice to spend some time almost every night practicing the ukulele and not being on a screen (for once). After this post, I will submit my videos of “My Little Sunshine” and “Joy to the World”. Enjoy!

What Does it Mean to be Healthy?

by zoejacobson1

On March 4, 2021

In Uncategorised

There are so many diet trends always going around. Keto, juicing, and DASH are among the many. In my opinion, none of these are necessary for being healthy. Although, like breastcancer.org states, every person’s idea of being healthy is different.

To breastcancer.org, eating healthy means eating a variety of foods that gives you the nutrients that you need to maintain health, feel good, and have energy. So as long as your body is getting carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals in a sufficient amount, you are good to go! So what if this means stuffing your face in a box of cookies every once in a while?

In this post, I will be exploring a bit more about recipes to share that are packed full of nutrients. A couple of weeks ago I was very sick and I did not eat anything the whole day. My body was fatigued, I felt even sicker from not eating, and I really just needed some nutrients in my body. What did I do? I ordered Subway to my door. Now I know this is not the best of options but it is definitely nutrient-packed. We got protein (turkey), fat (cheese, sauce, and bread), carbs (bread and sauce), and vitamins/minerals (spinach, tomatoes, cucumber). With these recipes, I hope to help you eat some nutrients when maybe you have not eaten much that day (and you want to opt for something a little more healthy than subway). Sometimes we do not eat much, for whatever reason, but t is important to remember to eat because your body needs it!

Here is a recipe for a great macro bowl. The great thing about bowls is there is so much you can put in there, and you can pretty much just fit whatever from the fridge in there. This recipe is a great example of a nutrient-packed recipe with chickpeas, kale, rice, and much more.

The Macro Bowl with Turmeric-Tahini Dressing

What’s even easier than bowls? Salads. This salad has lots of nutrients with its chicken, avocado, strawberry, and spinach. I am not sure if you have ever had strawberries in your salad, but you will forever after this.

Lastly, a pure staple in my life, beef and broccoli. Rice gives you carbs, beef gives you protein and fat, and broccoli gives you loads of vitamins and minerals including iron, which will get your energy up.

Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry

I hope this post made you hungry and made you want to eat some delicious food!

Here is the link to the breastcancer.org references I used above: https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/healthy_eat

Testing Out Screencastify

by zoejacobson1

On March 4, 2021

In EDCI 336, EdTech

Here is a video of me testing out screencastify for this week. This is just an extension to add onto chrome to record your screen and it is very simple and easy to use. I can see myself using this in the future as a teacher (especially if virtual learning happens in the future) because it is an easy way to show students how to find things on their browsers. Additionally, in my math class last week we played a math game called Prodigy. I could see how using the screencastify would be a great way to record yourself playing to show your students how to play the game or have students record their progress in the game. Also in my music class this week we played on a website where we create our own songs by drawing pictures. This extension could be a great way to record these songs while still seeing the picture. Overall, in the future I definitely see myself using this extension!

Below is a video of my browsing through my recipes folders and showing what recipes I have tried, and which recipes I am excited to try!

Blog Post #2

by zoejacobson1

On March 2, 2021

In EDCI 306

I have been finding it very difficult to do the strumming patterns for Joy to the World, my second song of choice. The first song I did, “My Little Sunshine”, was a lot easier because there are no strumming patterns. You just strum the note so it is easy to sing along. I am finding it extremely difficult to strum, play the notes, and sing at the same time for Joy to the World. As a strategy, I have been doing the strumming pattern (down, down, down, up, down, up) freely without doing any of the notes. This way I can get used to the strumming pattern. My next step was to continue the strumming pattern with a C note. I continued this. I then thought I would switch between the C and the G over and over again while doing the strumming pattern. I find it easy to switch from G to C, but not the other way around. I then tried to sing the lyrics while doing this “and heaven and nature sing” x3. I found this very difficult, but I will continue to practice to master it and then move on to the first lines of the songs. This will be more difficult because the notes change more quickly.

The video I used to practice “Joy to the World” is here. I loved the instructor that taught me how to play “My Little Sunshine” and so I decided to use his videos again.

Blog Post #1

by zoejacobson1

On March 2, 2021

In EDCI 306, Uncategorised

Beginning the ukulele, I have decided to look up a video on YouTube for an easy song to learn. A song that came up is “You Are My Sunshine” and I thought this would be great for younger children. I watched the video and went along with the video. I wrote down in my notebook a chart of what the notes I will be playing are. This was I can use this notebook for reference when practicing the song. This song does not have any strumming patterns so it isn’t too difficult. I have continued to practice this song about 3-5 times a week for approximately 20 minutes each time. I have progressively become better at singing and playing at the same time. I am very tone-deaf so this was a bit difficult at first.

Additionally, since I have just started to learn the ukulele and it has been a long time since I have read sheet music, I decided to use a YouTube video instead of reading sheet music. I do not see myself using sheet music for my second song, but possibly my last song for the final if I am feeling confident.

Here is a photo of what I wrote in my notebook. I sketched the finger placement for C major, F major, and G major. I have been able to memorize these finger placements very easily due to writing them in my book because I find I am able to retain information better when I write it down.

Here is the video I used for “My Little Sunshine”

Vegan Blueberry Banana Protein-Packed Baked Oatmeal

by zoejacobson1

On February 25, 2021

In EDCI 336, Free Inquiry

If you are Tik Tok, you might know that baked oats are all the rave this week (and rightfully so). I eat oatmeal every single morning but if you want to treat yourself a little bit, baked oats are PHENOMENAL. What is the appeal? It is super easy to make. You just throw everything together and then bake it, boom you have an easy breakfast!

Now there are many variations of baked oats. Blueberry, chocolate chip cookie, raspberry coconut, the possibilities are endless. Today we will look at a protein-packed baked oatmeal recipe as a great way to start the day. This recipe is by Alyssa Rimmer is gluten-free and vegan, and overall just a great source of plant-based protein.

https://www.simplyquinoa.com/protein-baked-oatmeal/

For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

2 cups oats
2 cups boiling water
2 large bananas
1 flax egg
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup protein powder
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups plant-based milk (I love oat milk)

The first step is to add oats and boiling water together and let it sit for 10-15 minutes
Mash bananas in a bowl and then stir in the flax egg, syrup or honey, and protein powder. Then pour this mixture into the oats and stir until combined.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl
Pour the whole mixture into a 9×13 baking pan and top with bananas and blueberries
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes
Allow the oatmeal to rest until it has cooled a bit and then enjoy!

Now some of you may have read this recipe and thought to yourself… what the heck is a flax egg?! Well, I have pleasant news for you, it is quite easy to make. All you need to do it ground flax seeds and then add water to them letting it rest for 5 minutes. This recipe calls for 1 flax egg so you will need 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed as well as 2 1/2 Tbsp of water.

Let me know what you guys think, and enjoy!

Baked oatmeal recipe: https://www.simplyquinoa.com/protein-baked-oatmeal/?jwsource=cl

Flax egg recipe: https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-a-flax-egg/

Jeff Hopkins

by zoejacobson1

On February 25, 2021

In EDCI 336, EdTech

Jeff Hopkins spoke in our class this week about his school in Victoria, Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry. From what Jeff spoke about during class it seems like this school is ideal for students who want to focus on subjects they are interested in, rather than the broad spectrum public schools in BC usually have. This school allows students to create inquiries based on their interests, while also qualifying for graduation in BC. In his TEDx Talk, Jeff Hopkins talks a lot about how schools should focus more on inquiry-based learning because doing so helps students understand subjects on a deeper level. He also suggests we should be teaching our students what they need to know instead of what they need to know about. In other words, there needs to be a comprehensive understanding of what you are learning about. As a future educator, I have been learning a lot more about inquiry-based learning and this has interested me because it seems like students will leave the classroom with better knowledge using this method of learning. When I was a student in grade school I remember only wanting to pass my courses and not caring about the content. Inquiry-based learning helps students explore what they are interested in and in turn, they will feel more connected to these topics.

Competency Assessment Framework

I found this assessment guide on the PSII website and it is very interesting to me because it is a lot more simplified than the BC curriculum guidelines, although it seems much more relevant to what we need to learn in the present day. Instead of being broken down into math, science, art, etc., they break up assessment into broader terms such as collaboration and leadership which are both very important skills needed after graduation.

That’s it… I am Not Eating Anymore Today.

by zoejacobson1

On February 6, 2021

In EDCI 336, Free Inquiry, Uncategorised

Do you ever just not want to eat anything for dinner? Maybe you had some foods that are unhealthier during the day or the day before and you do not want to “hurt” your body anymore for the day? Well it is still important to get all the nutrients you need throughout the day and you should not deprive your body of these nutrients. We all need food to keep us going. Sometimes this can be very difficult because even if we are hungry, we do not want to eat because of the number of calories we have already consumed, the number of fats we have consumed, etc. Even if we have had a lot of calories, when our body is hungry it is important to listen to it and feed ourselves. According to Dr. Mehmet, skipping hunger cues causes our body to slow down and conserve the calories we already have, eventually storing more fat for our next meals in an attempt to store calories for tough times ahead (Why Should I Eat Healthy Food When I Am Hungry?, n.d.).

I follow an influencer on TikTok who posts amazing recipes. The one I have attached below is a recipe for summer rolls, which are a very light food. This recipe is specifically great because you can add whatever you want to it and wrap it in rice paper. This video includes lettuce, carrot, edamame, avocado, onion, cabbage, and pineapple. There is also a peanut sauce dip to go with it which tastes AMAZING. So, if you are ever feeling bad about what you have been eating lately and your body needs something light and healthy, this is the recipe for you! Remember to always eat when your body needs it!

@scheckeats

what do you guys like to put in yours? #springroll #freshspringrolls #vietnamesespringrolls #vegan #summerrolls

♬ Sedona – Houndmouth

https://www.sharecare.com/health/healthy-eating-guidelines/why-eat-healthy-food-hungry

The Internet is Safe

by zoejacobson1

On February 6, 2021

In EDCI 336, EdTech

There was one concept that really caught my attention in Jesse Miller’s presentation during our Ed Tech class on Tuesday, and that is that the internet is safe. The internet is a safe place, but it is people who make it unsafe. This is something I have never really considered before. Generally, the internet is a place where folks can connect with friends, do research, play games, and so much more. It is people that create unsafe environments on the internet such as the dark web and try to hack your computer.

This concept is exactly why it has made me realize that children should never be on the internet unattended. When I was a kid, I had social media such as MSN and Facebook at the age of 10 years old. I do not think my parents fully understood the dangers of being on the internet at this age because they were quite older and did not use technology like this themselves. It is so easy for a child to receive a link from their friends and click on it without thinking twice. This link could always be another person who is not your friend, trying to hack into your account without you knowing. This creates so many dangers.

As a future educator, it is my duty to converse with my students about the dangers of social media. It is my duty because they may not have people at home that express these dangers to them either because they do not know, or they do not care. At very young ages children are being exposed to the internet, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but they need to know the risks (as do their parents/guardians), and they need to be monitored.

Here is a great video on internet safety for young children.

Healthier Banana Muffins!

by zoejacobson1

On February 1, 2021

In Free Inquiry, Uncategorised

Over the weekend I decided to bake something, and normally I do not like baking at all because my oven is terrible and does not seal properly. Although, I was craving something sweet and decided to try it out anyways with my over set a bit higher than normal and they turned out great! Here is the video:

Here is the link to the recipe:

Skinny Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

P.S. I do not like the name “skinny” but these muffins are definitely healthier than normal muffins. Like I have said, eat whatever you want but if you want a recipe with a bit less fat, sugar, and calories… This is the recipe for you!