How might I use this "blog" in my teaching?

A few days ago when we were doing the discussion question asking about web sites, I was thinking that it would be nice to have an on-going resource that we could use in support of each other. Well here it is. A "Blog" can be used as a journal to comment on ideas we come up with in the teaching world that we would like to share. Perhaps we found a cool web page, teaching video, or came up with a new strategy of teaching (from a colleague, workshop, professional development, or even a student), had a encouraging "teacher moment", or even are seeking help with something. Structuring our week to visit our "Blog" a few times a week could only help us with our lives as teachers. Heck, many of us probably do this with Facebook a lot more often and think nothing of it. There are several times I could have used some good ideas in teaching and have already gotten many from the "discussion prompts" from this class. Why not keep it up through this? With permission, I would like to "blog" some of the ideas that I have encountered from the "Discussion" questions. If you are ok with this, please let me know. In the meantime, however I will not "blog" anyone's ideas before I get their ok. By the way, you may "blog" any of my ideas! Enjoy!

I don't see why we couldn't have a "student blog" as well. Think it is a good idea to keep one blog professionally among peers, and have another for the students. Of course, the student blog might have to be done at the teacher's desgretion based on his/her class and I also think that it is critical to enforce discipline on the student blogs. I'm sure many students would find it very helpful. Personally, I'd like to get to know the class a little first and try it out with the classes I think would utilize it the most maturely and then possibly try it with some others. Another feature is to create a blog with those students you feel would take it seriously. Perhaps have them fill out an application that would ask how they would use it. We can add or take away students at any time. Just a thought. Once again, I welcome your ideas.

Lesson on Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Friday, I did a small group lesson on parallel and perpendicular lines. At the end of the lesson I had the students attempt to give examples using real life examples of parallel and perpendicular lines. I found that they had a much harder time completeing this "abstract" part of the lesson. It was much easier for them to look around the room or use the maps I gave and give examples. Still, with some effort they could think of a couple examples. A possible better alternative would have been to have the students look for examples throughout the next 24 hours and then come back to the class with examples they had discovered.