I just wanted to let you all know that miss you all so much! I have been having a really stressful week. ALL of my friends left the island this week so now I am here all by myself :( I am working 18 hour days, 6 days a week and then I go home and have no way to talk to you all and see what is happening in your lives.
BUT today I took a few minutes to check our blog and it really made my day. I LOVE hearing about your lives and being reminded of all the wonderful memories we shared together.
Thank you all for being in my life! I am so happy to have you as my friends. This blog was such a great idea!!
I LOVE YOU ALL XOXO
Carly
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
One Whole Year?
Monday, August 27, 2012
سلام وعليكم
Bonjour! Salam Walakum! Hello!
Greetings from Morocco! I've now been in Casablanca for just about a month. School starts on Wednesday and I am teaching 4th grade. I'm starting to get to the point where it doesn't just feel like a vacation and its settling in that I actually live here. My French and Arabic are coming along slowly, although I did give a taxi driver directions entirely in French and we didn't get lost the other day. It was a major victory for me.
I'm excited to continue learning about the culture but here are some initial observations for you all to enjoy.
1. Relationships are very important. Moroccans are incredibly hospitable and always want to offer you more food or drink. (I'm beginning to worry that my pants wont fit by christmas...) But it is considered very rude to snub someone you know on the street or in the hallway. So imagine if you stopped and had a five minute conversation with everyone you meet on your way to the copier, it takes a while.
2. Honor is everything. And it is crucial to Moroccans that they preserve their honor.
3. Casablanca is quite the metropolitan city. It's almost like it can't decide if it wants to embrace modern dress and habits or not. So you will walk down the street and see a few people in traditional dress, the jellabah, then the next person you meet will be decked out all in Gucci. It certainly makes for an interesting city dynamic
But all in all I'm loving it, although I miss all my friends from home. Hope you all are doing well and excited about what this next chapter in our lives has to bring!
Bonjour! Salam Walakum! Hello!
Greetings from Morocco! I've now been in Casablanca for just about a month. School starts on Wednesday and I am teaching 4th grade. I'm starting to get to the point where it doesn't just feel like a vacation and its settling in that I actually live here. My French and Arabic are coming along slowly, although I did give a taxi driver directions entirely in French and we didn't get lost the other day. It was a major victory for me.
I'm excited to continue learning about the culture but here are some initial observations for you all to enjoy.
1. Relationships are very important. Moroccans are incredibly hospitable and always want to offer you more food or drink. (I'm beginning to worry that my pants wont fit by christmas...) But it is considered very rude to snub someone you know on the street or in the hallway. So imagine if you stopped and had a five minute conversation with everyone you meet on your way to the copier, it takes a while.
2. Honor is everything. And it is crucial to Moroccans that they preserve their honor.
3. Casablanca is quite the metropolitan city. It's almost like it can't decide if it wants to embrace modern dress and habits or not. So you will walk down the street and see a few people in traditional dress, the jellabah, then the next person you meet will be decked out all in Gucci. It certainly makes for an interesting city dynamic
But all in all I'm loving it, although I miss all my friends from home. Hope you all are doing well and excited about what this next chapter in our lives has to bring!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Colour Your World
hi guys!!!
i hope all is well with everyone!! i'm finishing up my 2nd week at work right now and i love it!!! i miss you all and hope to see you soon - sorry i've been out of touch so much... its just been crazy with moving and everything. you all need to come visit me ASAP though :) :)
i was just wondering-- does anyone have a blank copy of the "Colour your World" survey hanging around? If so, could you please email it to me? I want to do it with my students!
thanks! have a great weekend and good luck with the first day of school approaching!
i hope all is well with everyone!! i'm finishing up my 2nd week at work right now and i love it!!! i miss you all and hope to see you soon - sorry i've been out of touch so much... its just been crazy with moving and everything. you all need to come visit me ASAP though :) :)
i was just wondering-- does anyone have a blank copy of the "Colour your World" survey hanging around? If so, could you please email it to me? I want to do it with my students!
thanks! have a great weekend and good luck with the first day of school approaching!
New Adventures.
Hola mis amores,
I just wanted to send a quick message saying good luck in this upcoming week. I know a lot of us have already started on our new, big adventures and I bet we're all killin' it! For all of you who are starting in schools this week I am so happy for you and completely commend you. You're all A*-mazing. You will all be in my thoughts.
Love from New Mexico,
Melissa
I just wanted to send a quick message saying good luck in this upcoming week. I know a lot of us have already started on our new, big adventures and I bet we're all killin' it! For all of you who are starting in schools this week I am so happy for you and completely commend you. You're all A*-mazing. You will all be in my thoughts.
Love from New Mexico,
Melissa
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
NERA News
Hey, Everyone!
I hope this post finds you all doing well! I have great news - the NERA proposal has been accepted. The following is all the information they have sent me thus far... if I get more info about dates, things we need to do, etc. I'll be sure to pass it along. Oh also four of our names were missing, but I already emailed them to let them know. Good luck in the final weeks before school starts!
Kerri :)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <neraprogramchairs@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Subject: NERA 2012 Conference Proposal
To: kerri.fenton@gmail.com
Dear Kerri Fenton:
Thank you for submitting the proposal entitled Education for Global Citizenship: Exploring Teacher and Student Experiences for the upcoming NERA Conference. We are delighted to inform you that the work has been accepted into a NERA 2012 Individual Paper session. Congratulations! We look forward to the contribution this work will make to the conference.
In some cases, the accepted session format differs from the session format selected during submission. Decisions about session format were made after consideration of scheduling constraints, reviewer feedback, and the overall conference program content. Please let us know if you have concerns.
As contact author for this proposal, we ask that you forward this email to any co-authors on the proposal. Information about the date and time of the session will be sent to you at this email address as soon as it is available. In the meantime, we are urging all presenters to do the following:
1. VERIFY THE PROPOSAL INFORMATION. Please examine the proposal title and author information below. If any of this information is incorrect, please email us immediately with corrections.
2. READ REVIEWER FEEDBACK: Each proposal was reviewed by 2-3 NERA members. Below you will find the anonymous reviewers� ratings for this proposal on each of the five criteria that are used to evaluate proposals. Reviewers were also given the option of providing open-ended comments to the authors; if reviewers provided comments they are also reproduced below.
3. REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE: We have accepted your proposal under the expectation that one or more of the authors on the proposal will personally present at the conference. Please affirm this expectation by registering for the conference promptly. You will receive a separate email that will contain instructions on how to register for the NERA conference using the newly developed online system.
4. BEGIN PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION: What you will prepare will depend on your session type (i.e., papers for paper sessions, symposia, and posters; summaries for paper discussions). We will follow up with more details about this when we send your session date and time.
5. MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS: Reduced hotel room rates at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel are offered up until September 28th for NERA conference attendees. As long as rooms are available, reservations may be made online by going to the NERA website (www.nera-education.org) or by calling 1-888-627-8263 and requesting a room in the NERA block.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you as you complete any of these tasks.
Gilbert Andrada, Tia Sukin, and Craig Wells,
2012 NERA Program Co-Chairs
******************************
PROPOSAL TITLE:
Education for Global Citizenship: Exploring Teacher and Student Experiences
PROPSAL AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Ashley Baffour - Addo University of Connecticut Julia Ballek University of Connecticut Rebecca Brooks University of Connecticut Emalie Berke University of Connecticut Natalie Curran University of Connecticut Kate Grayeb University of Connecticut Melissa Levenstein University of Connecticut Christina Rheaume University of Connecticut Jonathan Simmons University of Connecticut Tara Stockmon University of Connecticut
REVIEWER 1 RATINGS:
Educational or Scholarly Significance
3
Perspective or Theoretical Framework
2
Methodology
3
Clarity of Expression
3
Appeal to NERA Membership
3
REVIEWER 1 COMMENTS:
This is a very interesting proposal. The authors did a very good job overall. I only have a few comments and recommendations, which I have listed below:
I would have liked to see a better established purpose for the study. That is, why is the study so important? Has no one else studied global education before?
In addition, I found the language unclear at times. There were quite a few undefined terms (e.g., key stages), some grammatical errors (e.g., "data" is plural and requires a plural verb form), and some confusing sentences (e.g., the sentence starting with "Conclusions from the teacher survey show...").
Finally, the implications described in the last paragraph seemed rather vague and not necessarily related to the results. Aligning the points made in this section with the purpose, the analyses, and the results of the study would strengthen the paper as a whole.
REVIEWER 2 RATINGS:
Educational or Scholarly Significance
3
Perspective or Theoretical Framework
1
Methodology
3
Clarity of Expression
3
Appeal to NERA Membership
3
REVIEWER 2 COMMENTS:
This is an important investigation with a solid, though smaller scale design than the authors seem to claim. The triangulated design has good potential and the clarity of the proposal is strong. i found the implications section interesting and promising; it formed the basis for my belief in the proposal/study as having solid educational importance. I do think the authors would be advised to develop a stronger theoretical framework in the final paper. We need to understand not only a review of the literature on global education but the particular theoretical framework on global ed they are using to evaluate the teachers, the students, and the national curriculum. Judgments are made about the results so far but, as a reader, it is not clear how these judgments are being made. A stronger theoretical framework used for analysis in this paper would strengthen it. Second, more specific language needs to be used. For example, they talk about students being "exposed" to global education. I don't know what that would mean by what is offered here. I suspect that level of specificity will improve in a final paper; some of this lack of specificity may be due to the nature of the proposal. Still sharper language should be used when discussing results.
I hope this post finds you all doing well! I have great news - the NERA proposal has been accepted. The following is all the information they have sent me thus far... if I get more info about dates, things we need to do, etc. I'll be sure to pass it along. Oh also four of our names were missing, but I already emailed them to let them know. Good luck in the final weeks before school starts!
Kerri :)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <neraprogramchairs@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Subject: NERA 2012 Conference Proposal
To: kerri.fenton@gmail.com
Dear Kerri Fenton:
Thank you for submitting the proposal entitled Education for Global Citizenship: Exploring Teacher and Student Experiences for the upcoming NERA Conference. We are delighted to inform you that the work has been accepted into a NERA 2012 Individual Paper session. Congratulations! We look forward to the contribution this work will make to the conference.
In some cases, the accepted session format differs from the session format selected during submission. Decisions about session format were made after consideration of scheduling constraints, reviewer feedback, and the overall conference program content. Please let us know if you have concerns.
As contact author for this proposal, we ask that you forward this email to any co-authors on the proposal. Information about the date and time of the session will be sent to you at this email address as soon as it is available. In the meantime, we are urging all presenters to do the following:
1. VERIFY THE PROPOSAL INFORMATION. Please examine the proposal title and author information below. If any of this information is incorrect, please email us immediately with corrections.
2. READ REVIEWER FEEDBACK: Each proposal was reviewed by 2-3 NERA members. Below you will find the anonymous reviewers� ratings for this proposal on each of the five criteria that are used to evaluate proposals. Reviewers were also given the option of providing open-ended comments to the authors; if reviewers provided comments they are also reproduced below.
3. REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE: We have accepted your proposal under the expectation that one or more of the authors on the proposal will personally present at the conference. Please affirm this expectation by registering for the conference promptly. You will receive a separate email that will contain instructions on how to register for the NERA conference using the newly developed online system.
4. BEGIN PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION: What you will prepare will depend on your session type (i.e., papers for paper sessions, symposia, and posters; summaries for paper discussions). We will follow up with more details about this when we send your session date and time.
5. MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS: Reduced hotel room rates at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel are offered up until September 28th for NERA conference attendees. As long as rooms are available, reservations may be made online by going to the NERA website (www.nera-education.org) or by calling 1-888-627-8263 and requesting a room in the NERA block.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you as you complete any of these tasks.
Gilbert Andrada, Tia Sukin, and Craig Wells,
2012 NERA Program Co-Chairs
******************************
PROPOSAL TITLE:
Education for Global Citizenship: Exploring Teacher and Student Experiences
PROPSAL AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Ashley Baffour - Addo University of Connecticut Julia Ballek University of Connecticut Rebecca Brooks University of Connecticut Emalie Berke University of Connecticut Natalie Curran University of Connecticut Kate Grayeb University of Connecticut Melissa Levenstein University of Connecticut Christina Rheaume University of Connecticut Jonathan Simmons University of Connecticut Tara Stockmon University of Connecticut
REVIEWER 1 RATINGS:
Educational or Scholarly Significance
3
Perspective or Theoretical Framework
2
Methodology
3
Clarity of Expression
3
Appeal to NERA Membership
3
REVIEWER 1 COMMENTS:
This is a very interesting proposal. The authors did a very good job overall. I only have a few comments and recommendations, which I have listed below:
I would have liked to see a better established purpose for the study. That is, why is the study so important? Has no one else studied global education before?
In addition, I found the language unclear at times. There were quite a few undefined terms (e.g., key stages), some grammatical errors (e.g., "data" is plural and requires a plural verb form), and some confusing sentences (e.g., the sentence starting with "Conclusions from the teacher survey show...").
Finally, the implications described in the last paragraph seemed rather vague and not necessarily related to the results. Aligning the points made in this section with the purpose, the analyses, and the results of the study would strengthen the paper as a whole.
REVIEWER 2 RATINGS:
Educational or Scholarly Significance
3
Perspective or Theoretical Framework
1
Methodology
3
Clarity of Expression
3
Appeal to NERA Membership
3
REVIEWER 2 COMMENTS:
This is an important investigation with a solid, though smaller scale design than the authors seem to claim. The triangulated design has good potential and the clarity of the proposal is strong. i found the implications section interesting and promising; it formed the basis for my belief in the proposal/study as having solid educational importance. I do think the authors would be advised to develop a stronger theoretical framework in the final paper. We need to understand not only a review of the literature on global education but the particular theoretical framework on global ed they are using to evaluate the teachers, the students, and the national curriculum. Judgments are made about the results so far but, as a reader, it is not clear how these judgments are being made. A stronger theoretical framework used for analysis in this paper would strengthen it. Second, more specific language needs to be used. For example, they talk about students being "exposed" to global education. I don't know what that would mean by what is offered here. I suspect that level of specificity will improve in a final paper; some of this lack of specificity may be due to the nature of the proposal. Still sharper language should be used when discussing results.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Pictures from Melissa's!
Hey guys! for all you non facebook peeps
Becca grew a mustache and beard this summer!!
Tara being lovely!!!! =) (sorry rommie LOVE YOU)!
Miss Ya'll dearly!!
Good luck to everyone with whatever you're doing!!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Why not one last shibang?!
Hello, hello.
So, as many of you have heard, Becca and I will be sharing a wonderful apartment in the quaint city of Hartford starting this August. We would like to invite everyone for an "apartment warming" party on Friday, August 24th as one last get together before we all get busy doin' what we do. Becca and I will gather some alcoholic beverages to share, but for the most part it'll just be byob. We'll also have h'orderves/snacks for when you get the munchies. Now we will be on the 21st floor (party floor) of Park Place Towers, so as for the parking situation, you can park in the building's garage overnight for $5. Therefore, try to carpool if you can! You are welcome to stay over and you are also welcome to just join us for the evening. I'm going to throw out 6pm, but you can really come whenever you want. Keep in mind, Lion King will be showing promptly at 9pm.
24 Park Place Apt. 21B
Hartford CT 06106
Just give one of us a call before or as you arrive to come down and get you!
Stay cool and stay in school,
Kate
P.S. As an incentive, the day before is the day God gave you all me, so you should come and give thanks...just saying.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Will the new London group shock Christine and know all 5 of the most common religions in the world?
So I'm sure most of you have heard about the shooting that occured yesterday in Wisconsin at a Sikh Temple. If not, here is a link to an article explaining what happened:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/us/army-veteran-identified-as-suspect-in-wisconsin-shooting.html?pagewanted=all
It scares me that it's happened right after the Colorado Theater shooting..maybe this is the reason why Americans are stereotyped as gun lovers. Anyway, since hearing about the shooting last night I've noticed Sikhism has been in the news - I heard about it twice this morning on the radio and have seen a few articles online, and just recently I found this one and wanted to share it with you all:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/sikhs-in-america_n_1748125.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
It is so unfortunate that people were killed for no reason while in a place of worship, but after seeing all of the articles I think that many Americans will have a better understanding of what Sikhism is - or at least finally know it exists, because I know before Christine's class I had never even heard of it! Reading about it made me think of you all and also made me wonder if the new Londoners will be able to name all 5 of the most practiced religions in the world. So I guess in short it sickens me that someone would commit such a horrible hate crime, but the silver lining is that many Americans will hopefully learn about and come to understand Sikhism. Ok I'm done rambling love you all!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/us/army-veteran-identified-as-suspect-in-wisconsin-shooting.html?pagewanted=all
It scares me that it's happened right after the Colorado Theater shooting..maybe this is the reason why Americans are stereotyped as gun lovers. Anyway, since hearing about the shooting last night I've noticed Sikhism has been in the news - I heard about it twice this morning on the radio and have seen a few articles online, and just recently I found this one and wanted to share it with you all:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/sikhs-in-america_n_1748125.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
It is so unfortunate that people were killed for no reason while in a place of worship, but after seeing all of the articles I think that many Americans will have a better understanding of what Sikhism is - or at least finally know it exists, because I know before Christine's class I had never even heard of it! Reading about it made me think of you all and also made me wonder if the new Londoners will be able to name all 5 of the most practiced religions in the world. So I guess in short it sickens me that someone would commit such a horrible hate crime, but the silver lining is that many Americans will hopefully learn about and come to understand Sikhism. Ok I'm done rambling love you all!!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
I'm an idiot
Hey guys..resident stupid head here...five minutes ago I decided it'd be a good idea for me to literally delete every number from my phone. FML.
Can you guys send me a text with your name so I have your number again...so when I'm loving love I can let you know?
Mine is 5166431539...I should probably not leave this up here forever in case our blog gets famous and randos find it and start sending me nudey texts...okay love you!!!
Can you guys send me a text with your name so I have your number again...so when I'm loving love I can let you know?
Mine is 5166431539...I should probably not leave this up here forever in case our blog gets famous and randos find it and start sending me nudey texts...okay love you!!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
It's A Beautiful Night...
Our Fav Song :)
Heard this while running crazy errands for work today. I stopped a sec, turned it up to full blast, and belted my heart out thinking of you all. It put an INSTANT smile on my face, ha.
I miss you all, terribly, and hope you're doing amazing things (but I'm sure you are!).
Love you guys!
Heard this while running crazy errands for work today. I stopped a sec, turned it up to full blast, and belted my heart out thinking of you all. It put an INSTANT smile on my face, ha.
I miss you all, terribly, and hope you're doing amazing things (but I'm sure you are!).
Love you guys!
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